The Watchtower — July 15, 1951

Jehovah’s Word Endures Forever!

PRACTICALLY all books grow old and out of date. Either they are revised and corrected or they are discarded as relics of the past. Thousands simply die with their authors. The one outstanding exception, of course, is the Bible. The world’s oldest book, yet it is still as fresh and true as when its first pages were written more than 3,460 years ago.

No other book, in whole or in part, has been translated into a thousand languages and more. No other book has penetrated so many countries and influenced so many people. Upon the Bible many civil laws and judicial decisions are founded. However, the Bible has not always enjoyed such popularity; often its enemies have greatly outnumbered its friends. No story is packed with more horrors and tragedies than that which tells of the Bible’s fight to live. Truly, had the Author of this book, Jehovah God, not also been its Preserver, it would not have endured down to this twentieth century!

And why was this Word of God preserved until now? The apostle Paul declares that it was written for our comfort and hope, and to serve as a warning to us upon whom the accomplished end of this system of things has arrived. (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17, NW) Therefore, in this most critical time, when all the “brilliant” leaders of this benighted old world are but fireflies in the darkness, how true the psalmist expresses the thoughts of God-fearing men today: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105) Walking in this divine light leads up the highway to the new world, concerning which the Bible is bursting with descriptive promises. Just think of it, a paradise earth free from crimes, calamities, sicknesses, wars and death itself!

At the great battle of Armageddon everything belonging to this old world, including its plans and promises, will topple and fall. Why not, therefore, put your hope and trust in something that will endure? Yes, God’s Word will survive this old world, and its principles and precepts will become theocratic law of the new world.

So if you want to survive with the Bible and live in that glorious new world, you must begin now to study and follow its counsel. Do you have a Catholic Douay Bible? Read it! Do you have the Jewish Leeser translation? Read it! Do you have the King James Version? Read it! Or if you want a real thrill in understanding, get the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, in modern English! After reading and studying God’s ‘word of truth’ (John 17:17, NW), you too will catch up the proclamation first made by Isaiah, and repeated by the apostle Peter eight hundred years later: “The word spoken by Jehovah endures forever.”—Isa. 40:8; 1 Pet. 1:25, NW.

A Desolated Earth for a Thousand Years?

“COME now, and let us reason together.” “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (Isa. 1:18; 1 Thess. 5:21) In their search for the truth Christians will do well to always heed these Scriptural admonitions.—Acts 17:11.

According to the belief of some, such as the Seventh-Day Adventists, “the present life is given to man as a probation. Death closes it.” An “investigative judgment” determining the fate of each individual takes place before the return of Christ; and at his return the righteous will be rewarded with heavenly bliss, the wicked punished with destruction, and the entire earth will be desolated by a great earthquake.

It is further held that this desolated earth will be the abyss into which Satan and his demons will be cast, they thus being bound by a “chain of circumstances”. At the end of a thousand years the saints will return to the earth and the wicked will be raised from the dead. Then the wicked, under the direction of Satan and his demons, will come up against the saints, and “just as the final blow is to be struck by the attacking army, lo, fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them”. So the Adventists teach.

THE ABYSSING AND BINDING OF SATAN

Is a desolated earth the abyss into which Satan and his demons are cast? Those who so teach use as proof the fact that the Hebrew word rendered “deep” at Genesis 1:2 may also be translated “abyss”. “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep [abyss].” But the mere fact that that Hebrew term of Genesis 1:2 rendered “deep” may also be translated “abyss” cannot be used as proof that the abyss mentioned at Revelation 20:1-3 (NW) into which Satan is cast is the earth. Why not? Because there is no proof whatever that the earth and the deep of Genesis 1:2 refer to one and the same thing.

Today the ocean is referred to as the deep. The ancients spoke of it as an abyss because it was a great deep whose depth was unfathomable or bottomless as far as they were concerned. The deep mentioned at Genesis 1:2 undoubtedly is the great expanse of water in suspension which covered the globe like a canopy and which was divided from the waters on the earth for the formation of the atmosphere or “vault” of the heavens. (See Genesis 1:6, 7, 20, Mo.) Also note that when Christ was on the earth certain demons begged him not to send them “out into the deep” or the abyss at that time. Since they already were on the earth it surely could not be the abyss they referred to.—Luke 8:31.

Then what is the abyss into which Satan and his demons are cast? The death state, just as Jesus in death was said to have gone to the abyss. (Rom. 10:7) Certainly it would not require an angel to come from heaven with a chain to thus abyss and bind Satan if it were done by a chain of circumstances. (Rev. 20:1) Clearly the point is not that the people, but that the Devil, will be removed.

EARTH DESOLATED FOR A THOUSAND YEARS?

Is there any Scriptural proof for the claim that the earth will be desolated for a thousand years? True, Revelation 16:18, 19 speaks of a great earthquake, but must we necessarily conclude that this is a literal one, with so many obviously symbolic expressions in other parts of this prophecy? Also note that after the earthquake a great hail fell (not literal hail) and men blasphemed God because of this hail; thereby indicating that the earthquake had not destroyed all wicked human creatures.

Endeavoring to find further support, advocates of the desolated-earth teaching cite the prophecies found at Isaiah 24:1-6 and Jeremiah 4:23-28 which speak of Jehovah desolating the earth and making it an empty waste without man. However, a careful study of these prophecies shows that they had a literal fulfillment in the desolation of the land of Judah from 607 B.C. to 537 B.C., which desolation is the theme of the entire book of Jeremiah. Telling of the restoration back there is the following: “Thus saith Jehovah: Yet again there shall be heard in this place, . . . in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness.”—Jer. 33:10-14, AS.

That these prophecies do not teach a complete emptying of the entire earth of human creatures is apparent from the context. Note Isaiah 24:6, AS, “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, . . . and few men left.” And Isaiah 24:12-14, AS, tells that in the city that is left desolated there will be “gleanings” and that “these shall lift up their voice, they shall shout; for the majesty of Jehovah”. And at Jeremiah 4:27, AS, we are told: “The whole land [of Judah] shall be a desolation; yet will I not make a full end.” And Jer 4 verse 29 of the same chapter shows that men shall flee into the thickets and climb upon the rocks. The entire earth was not desolated in the miniature fulfillment in 607 B.C. to 537 B.C., neither will it be when these scriptures have the greater fulfillment at Armageddon.

Why desolate the earth for a thousand years? What purpose would it serve? Since the earth was not created in vain, would it not have been created in vain at least as regards the thousand years if it were desolate that long? (Isa. 45:18) To claim that the saints will judge wicked men and angels to determine the degree of their guilt and punishment and that this will take a thousand years merely shows the weakness of the position taken. All the wicked will have been judged guilty to a degree meriting their destruction; a judgment passed and executed before the saints start the thousand-year reign with Christ. Since Adventists are agreed that death, not purgatory or eternal torment, is the reward of the wicked, how can it be according to degrees? Death is death. The degree of guilt of those destroyed would be inconsequential.

God has appointed a day for Christ Jesus to judge the world, and the saints will be associate judges. This judgment day will be a thousand years long and the rule is that, when Jehovah’s “judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness”. (Isa. 26:9, AS; Acts 17:31; 1 Cor. 6:1-4; 2 Pet. 3:8) If desolate, who learn righteousness?

Further, the Scriptures show that all the families of the earth will be blessed by the seed of Abraham which seed consists of both Christ and his body members, the saints. If this seed is to be taken to heaven and then return after a thousand years to enjoy the blessings of earth, who are all the families of the earth that the seed is to bless?—Gen. 22:17, 18; Gal. 3:16, 29.

And Revelation 20:5, 6 shows that the saints will be kings and priests for a thousand years. As kings ruling over whom for a thousand years, if the earth is to be desolate at that time? And whom can they serve as priests, if there are no men on earth at that time requiring the services of priests?

Also note that the Bible does not state that those who join the Devil in his final effort are loosed or raised from the dead with him. Rather it clearly shows that when he is loosed he will go forth to deceive those on the earth, indicating that there are people on the earth before he is loosed and who are not deceived.—Rev. 20:7-10.

ROOT OF DIFFICULTY

Evidently the difficulty lies in not appreciating that at Christ’s return, in addition to those Christians who will receive a heavenly reward, and those wicked ones who are destroyed, there will be another class of creatures upon the earth. The Scriptures are replete with proof showing that two separate and distinct classes will receive salvation, one to heavenly, and the other to earthly life. Jesus indeed promised a heavenly reward to some of his followers: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) See also John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:35-54; 2 Peter 1:4. However, he also spoke of “other sheep . . . which are not of this fold”, and he made it very clear that some sheeplike ones would not receive the heavenly reward. “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” But surely God would not fail to reward such a faithful servant as John the Baptist. How will he be rewarded? By a resurrection to life on the earth.—Ps. 115:16; Matt. 11:11; John 10:16.

Jesus likened this world’s end to the time of the Flood. (Matt. 24:37-39) The Flood cleansed the earth even as Armageddon will in the near future. A comparatively few righteous ones were spared then and a comparatively few righteous ones will likewise be spared now, those seeking meekness and righteousness. To the survivors of the Flood God gave the mandate to multiply originally given to Adam and Eve and he will again restate it to the ones surviving Armageddon. But whereas Satan soon corrupted the human race after the Flood, he will be bound after Armageddon so that he will not be able to do so then.—Gen. 1:28; 9:1; 10:8; 11:1-9; Zeph. 2:1-3.

Another difficulty in the teaching of the desolated earth is the failure to appreciate the great difference between spirit and human creatures. The Scriptures assure us that the heavenly creature is far superior to and cannot even be seen by a human creature. In fact man has no idea what a spirit creature looks like. (Acts 26:13, 14; Ex. 33:20; 1 Cor. 15:40-54) Christ divested himself of heavenly glory and became a human creature. He prayed that God might glorify him with the glory he had with his Father before the world was. Paul assures us that God did highly exalt him, even far above what he had before. Can we imagine Christ now in human form? And if his followers are to be like him, will they not also be glorious spirit creatures? And if such is the case, can we imagine that after a thousand years of existence as glorious spirit creatures in the heavenly realm they will be demoted or lowered to mere human conditions and bodies and be content to spend an eternity thus?—Rom. 2:7; John 17:5; Phil. 2:5-11; Hebrews 1 and 2.

But someone will ask, If the 1,000 years are to be used to judge the living and the dead, why does Revelation 20:5 state that the “rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”? First of all note that modern translations all leave out the word “again”. See Moffatt, Goodspeed, American Standard Version, Weymouth, New World, etc. Also note that it does not state that the rest of the dead were not resurrected until the thousand years were finished, as if there were a thousand years between the first resurrection and the resurrection of mankind in general. It merely states that they did not “live” until the thousand years were finished.

The purpose of the 1,000-year reign of Christ is to bring life to mankind. However, even though resurrected from the dead they will not really be alive in God’s sight, perfected and having the ransom fully applied toward them and having the right to life, until they have proved their worthiness to everlasting life by withstanding the final test of integrity brought upon them by the loosing of the Devil and his demons. The Scriptures repeatedly refer to sinners as being dead though not actually so. “Let the dead bury their dead.” “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”—Matt. 8:22; Eph. 2:1.

HOPE FOR THE DEAD

If, as it is claimed, ‘the present life is given to man as a probation and death closes it,’ what will be the fate of all the heathen who never lived during a judgment period and never had the opportunity to hear of God, Christ and the Ten Commandments? If it is argued that all such will be saved because of ignorance, why not keep all humankind in ignorance and then save all? But all these difficulties vanish when we understand the provisions of the 1,000-year reign of Christ for such ones who in times past did not live during a special period of divine judgment.

In summing up: According to the Scriptures Christ Jesus will destroy all the wicked, seen and unseen, at the battle of Armageddon, which Bible prophecy shows is not far away, and at which time Satan and his demons will be bound in the abyss of the death state or unconsciousness for a thousand years. Those who survive that battle will be given the privilege of being fruitful, multiplying and filling the earth and subduing it. During this time the saints will rule with Christ in heavenly glory, having a part in judging the world in righteousness and in blessing all the families of the earth. During this time those unjust ones in God’s memory, in the memorial tombs (but not the willfully wicked, whose names will rot), will be raised. Not having previously been involved in Jehovah’s adverse judgments, they will then have the opportunity to learn righteousness.—John 5:28, 29, NW; Prov. 10:7.

By the end of the thousand years all in the tombs will have come forth and the earth will have been completely subdued, restored to a paradise state and filled with righteous creatures. (1 Cor. 15:24-28) Then Satan and his demons will be loosed for a little time to test all those on the earth. Those who fail in that test will be destroyed together with the Devil and his demons. Then, in the fullest sense of the word, being perfected and having the right to life, all survivors will live. Then there will be no more death due to inheriting Adamic sin, neither sorrow nor crying, nor any pain, for all former things will have passed away. (Rev. 21:4) Thus instead of the earth’s having been desolated for a thousand years, it will have been crammed full of opportunities, activities and blessings.

What the Thousand-Year Reign Will Accomplish

ABOVE everything else the Scriptures magnify the supremacy of Jehovah God. “That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth.” “Power belongeth unto God.” There is none like him, “declaring the end from the beginning.” Whatever he purposes he accomplishes. He never miscalculates; he never makes a mistake. He is never in a predicament or a quandary because of what some of his creatures do or fail to do. Never is there any need for him to change his purposes. That is why he can so confidently state: “Yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.”—Ps. 62:11; 83:18, and Isa. 46:10, 11, AS.

The thousand-year reign of Christ will furnish a striking example of Jehovah’s ability to carry out his purposes, and that on time, according to his schedule, regardless of what any of his creatures may or may not do. Stating his purpose regarding the earth to man, Jehovah said, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it; have dominion over the [lower animals].” And so that man may ever be mindful of Jehovah’s supremacy! his life was made conditional on obedience. “But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you must not eat; for the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die.”—Gen. 1:28; 2:17, AT.

Jehovah provided Adam and Eve with everything they needed. They had a measure of the divine attributes of wisdom, justice, love and power; and so they could exercise wise and loving dominion over the lower submissive animals. And that the earth might be filled and become one vast paradise God gave man, and also the lower animals, the power to bring forth offspring, and provided the vegetation with seed so that it could multiply. Having created the earth and man and supplied him with all things needful for carrying out God’s commands, Jehovah desisted from further creative activity. It was now up to man to forward Jehovah’s purpose regarding the earth, and from Bible chronology we ascertain that he was given seven thousand years in which to realize that purpose.—Gen. 2:1-3, AT.

JEHOVAH’S PURPOSE UNCHANGED

But Adam and Eve did not appreciate their blessings and their privilege of cooperating with Jehovah in the carrying out of his purpose regarding the earth or they would not have disobeyed him in the matter of eating the forbidden fruit. Did their disobedience change Jehovah’s purpose regarding the earth and man? No. “He created [the earth] not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited.” He changes not. (Isa. 45:18; Mal. 3:6) If some creatures fail to appreciate their privileges, God chooses others. His purposes will be carried out according to schedule.

Why did not Jehovah immediately destroy the principals of that first rebellion, Satan, Adam and Eve, and start anew? Because his name was involved—whose fault was it that man sinned, Jehovah’s or man’s?—and because of his love for men who would keep integrity. So he allowed man to remain and bring forth offspring and then gave these the opportunity to show where they stood, and for all lovers of righteousness he made provision for everlasting life by Christ’s ransom.

Bible prophecy shows that we are standing at the very threshold of that new world. (Matt. 19:28; 24:1-51; Rev. 11:15-18) In that new world Christ and his bride will reign for a thousand years, during which time Satan and his demons will be bound. And, as we have seen in the foregoing article, instead of the earth’s being desolated during that time, it is during that very time that all the families of the earth will be blessed. Thus Jehovah’s purposes regarding the earth will be accomplished.—Gen. 22:17, 18.

In that new world, instead of hundreds of conflicting religions, causing confusion and strife, there will be but one true worship. Man will learn the fear of Jehovah, which is to hate evil and is the beginning of wisdom. Then all the “earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea”.—Prov. 8:13; 9:10; Isa. 11:9, AS; Mal. 1:11.

THE DIVINE MANDATE FULFILLED

In that new world Jehovah’s mandate to man to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth, and which was to be done in righteousness and to life, will for the first time be fulfilled. True, man has multiplied up to the present-time, but it has been in unrighteousness and to death. Then the parents “shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah”.—Isa. 65:23, AS.

Then Jehovah will restore man’s dominion over the lower animals. “The wolf shall couch then with the lamb, the leopard’s lair shall be the kid’s; the lion shall eat straw like any ox, wolf and lion shall graze side by side, herded by a little child.”—Isa. 11:6, 7, Mo.

Because of man’s disobedience he was sent forth into a cursed earth, one bringing forth thorns and thistles. But in the new world the earth will yield her increase and “instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree”. Even as Eden was a place of verdure, abounding with all manner of plant life, trees, shrubs, flowers, etc., so also will the new earth be. And even as Jehovah has rejuvenated the spiritual condition of his servants at the present time, so in the new earth: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.”—Gen. 3:17, 18; Ps. 67:6, 7; Isa. 35:1, 2, 7; 55:13, AS.

Jehovah’s purpose regarding Adam and Eve included neither idleness nor hard labor. So also in the new earth, man will work but it will not be with sweat of face. And just as in Eden Jehovah gave man perfect health and the prospect of endless life, so in the new world. As in a spiritual way now for all the faithful, so then, too, “the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick.” Christ will reign until death, the very last enemy, has been destroyed.—Isa. 33:24; 1 Cor. 15:24-26.

In the new earth men will realize the fruit of their labors even as man did in the garden of Eden. Instead of corrupt politicians and greedy interests oppressing and exploiting the people, causing them to mourn, the people will rejoice because then a righteous “new heavens” will reign over obedient mankind. Yes, “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.”—Prov. 29:2; Isa. 65:21, 22.

In that new world every man shall sit “under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid”. (Mic. 4:4) No crime, organized or unorganized, no racketeering, no violence of any kind. And no more war! Now every national economy is geared to the production of implements of war, but then “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more”. Of “peace there shall be no end”. All this is certain because “the mouth of Jehovah of hosts hath spoken it”.—Isa. 9:7; Mic. 4:3, 4, AS.

Imagine it, a world without undertakers, without doctors, without insurance agents, without lawyers, without policemen, without jails! With such conditions who would not want to fall in line with the new system of things and do what is right? Should any willfully rebel, they will have ample time to demonstrate their mental attitude before being destroyed as incorrigible.—Isa. 65:20, Ro.

Then, to make sure that all obedient ones are acting from love, from principle, and not merely from policy, there will be one final test of integrity. Satan and his demons will be returned from the abyss or death state to permit them to try to turn all away from Jehovah God. Those whose hearts are not fully in tune with Jehovah’s righteous arrangement will be ensnared by Satan and his demons and will take part in his rebellion against the righteously constituted authority on earth at the end of the 1,000 years. Being unfaithful, fire will come down from heaven and devour them. Then all the obedient will realize life in the fullest sense, being given the right to life, pictured by having their names written in the book of life.—Rev. 20:6-10, 15.

Having reigned until all enemies have been destroyed, “then the Son himself will also subject himself to the one who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.” (1 Cor. 15:28, NW) Which fact further shows that Christ’s reign is full of activity in behalf of Jehovah’s name, man and the earth, and not a rule over a desolated earth. Incidentally, if those who are to enjoy these blessings had an interim of 1,000 years in heaven between their experience with present evil conditions and the blessings of the new world, as claimed by some, the contrasts the Scriptures make between the two conditions would lose all their force. Besides, if the saints were to return to a desolated earth at the end of the 1,000 years, would that not mean God’s creative work starting all over again, providing men with all the things needed for life on earth?

Truly the Scriptures magnify the supremacy of Jehovah and, when understood, are seen to be consistent and reasonable. They show that at the end of the millennial reign of Christ all of Jehovah’s purposes regarding the earth will come to be fully realized. His sabbath of 7,000 years will end by having the earth handed over to him, a paradise of Eden covering the globe. His purposes and supremacy having been fully vindicated during this sabbath, it will indeed have been a day sanctified.—1 Cor. 15:24; Gen. 2:3.

Exchange of Letters Regarding “New World Translation”

October 18, 1950

New World Bible Translation Committee

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society

Brooklyn, N. Y.

Dear Friends:

Last week I purchased a copy of your New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures of which I take pride in being an owner. You have done a marvelous work.

I was happy, indeed, to see the name Jehovah in it. It would have made me happier if you had given the name as precisely as possible and so used the word Yahweh. Since this is God’s “name forever” and His “memorial to all generations”, it is evident that it should appear in every place the King James Version uses the word LORD (in small capital letters) and where the Revised Version uses the name Jehovah.

In 1931 I wrote a folder in which I outlined a few things that need to be restored, one of which was the Divine Name! While I had no evidence that it was used in the Septuagint or in any copies of the Greek Christian Scriptures, I felt compelled, from the Old Testament evidence, that it should be used by Christians of today and that much had been lost by the suppression of the Name through the centuries. I even ventured the assertion that some day a New Testament would be gotten out in which the Name would be boldly printed. Your long step in that direction should lead to a widespread conviction in its favor.

I am sending you under separate cover a booklet of which I am the editor entitled “Order”. I believe that if you will read the two articles by F. W. Emmons entitled “The Fellowship” and the one by myself entitled “Facts About Acts 2:42” you will make some revision of your rendering of that passage in future editions.

But you have made a marvelous step in the right direction, and I pray God that your Version will be used to His glory. What you have done for the Name alone is worth all the effort and cost!

Please pardon this intrusion on your time.

Faithfully yours,

J. D. P., Editor

“The Truth”

P.S. I am glad you have unmasked the clergy’s criticism of your work. They surely knew the facts as to 1 John 5:7! In 1947 I published a book by the late Gilbert O. Nations exposing the clergy.

October 31, 1950

Mr. J. D. Phillips

2305 E. First St.

Austin, Tex.

Dear Friend:

This acknowledges yours of the 18th instant.

As publishers of the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, we wish to express our deep appreciation of your kind words with reference to this Translation. We can sense therein your own love of God’s Word in its purity and your honest desire to have it set forth in its most faithful form that it may aid others to gain the divine truth.

Thank you, too, for sending us your book, “ORDER: The Commission and The Items of Worship.” We are glad to have it on file, especially with its compilation of what has been said by these several individuals regarding Acts 2:42 and related scriptures. We have gone through it, especially reading the article “The Fellowship No. 2”, by F. W. Emmons, and also the article “Facts About Acts 2:42” by yourself. What these articles say on koinonía has some claims for recognition, and a footnote at Acts 2:42 could have done so, showing the possible rendering “the contribution”, as it appears in the main text of The Emphatic Diaglott, of which we are also the publishers. This would take its place alongside the other footnote, “to the breaking of the bread.” While the Translation Committee prefers the rendering appearing in the main text, the footnotes show another possible or allowable rendering and the reader is thus left to choose what to him appears the preferential reading according to his own study and understanding of the sacred text.

Your prayer in behalf of the new Version is noted and appreciated, and if by the circulation of this Version we can serve toward men’s greater love and grasp of God’s Word and the glorifying of his holy name, we shall be most grateful indeed to him.

Very sincerely yours,

WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY

Expansion of Theocracy in Indonesia and Singapore

ACCORDING to our last report the president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society had concluded a successful national assembly at Sydney, Australia, and now he and his personal secretary were winging their way to Darwin on the northern coast of Australia. The account by N. H. Knorr regarding himself and M. G. Henschel continues:

Darwin was reached at 5:30 a.m. and we were taken by bus to the Qantas Empire Airways rest house for breakfast. The grass alongside the roads was as high as the roof of the bus in many places, and it was very hot even in the morning. Breakfast was enjoyed and soon we expected to be headed back to the airport. But the captain reported further engine trouble and that meant we must wait from hour to hour to hear the news. It was 1 p.m. when we finally left Darwin, which we learned was a military and air base of vital strategic value for the defense of Australia.

DJAKARTA

Our seats were directly over the wings, and that cut off the view of the ground below and the islands that we passed over. We flew over the Timor sea to Surabaja and passed over that city. At 5 p.m. we landed in Djakarta, Djawa, Indonesia (formerly Batavia, Java, under the Dutch administration). We were quite late and yet we saw many magazines published by the Society being waved above the heads of a group of waiting people. There were about 30 of them and it was a good surprise to us. Many among them were of Chinese descent; some spoke English. Conditions are difficult for living in Djakarta—there is a housing shortage. The new republic has many government departments organized and the people often live in the hotels. It was a real struggle for the brothers to locate a room for us, but they found a room at a hotel that is partly constructed, and there we were taken by them. After placing our luggage in the room we went to the home of Brother Tan at Djalan Tjiudjung 24 in a taxi. We spent an hour talking to about 25 brothers, with interpretation in Indonesian. Then we returned to the hotel to rest. People in general in Djakarta do not stay out late at night, and there is some danger of robbery late at night. At 8 p.m. there were still many people on the streets and the traffic was heavy on some roads. Many ride bicycles. Then there were the betjak travelers. We were later to have the experience of riding in a betjak, which is a three-wheel cycle operated by pedal power and licensed to carry passengers. Passengers sit in front of the driver and the ride is quite comfortable. When the sun is hot a shade is put up over the passengers. We noticed too how many canals there were, evidently the influence of the Dutch who developed the city, and in these many people bathe, launder clothing and wash cycles or other equipment.

March 28 was spent with some of the publishers. In the morning we went to their home to talk over the problems of the work and the centers where the work may be developed. There is a big field of some 70 million people in Indonesia, and at the present time they have four pioneers and a few company publishers. What is needed there is improvement in theocratic organization and trained publishers, such as graduates of Gilead. The about 30 local publishers are very willing to follow instructions and we found among them some with very quick minds. They were very thorough students and had many Bible questions at hand that we tried to answer. Also, some of them are translating the literature into Indonesian, and when this is available many more people can be reached with the Kingdom message. It was good to know that witnessing is done on four of the Indonesian islands. Three of the pioneers made request to go to Gilead for missionary training.

On the morning of the 29th we visited the offices of the Department of Immigration and the Department of Religion in connection with the giving of approval for visa applications filed for graduates of Gilead in New York. Matters had made little progress and so we did all we could to move things along. We were to call at these offices again during the next two days and we left with matters not fully settled.

That afternoon we joined in a meeting with the publishers and people of good will. I started to talk at 2:15 and a brother interpreted in Indonesian. At 3:30 Brother Henschel spoke and his talk was interpreted in both Indonesian and Dutch. I then summed up for 45 minutes with two interpreters. The meetings were held at the YMCA, and 37 were present. Most of them were Chinese, but there were Indonesians and others present too. They expressed great appreciation following the meeting and then showed their desire to comply with all theocratic requirements.

The public meeting was widely advertised by the use of handbills and the newspapers. The handbills were in all three languages. It was possible for the brothers to book the Gedung Kesenian (Schouwburg) at Djalan Komedi 2, a fine old theater that is centrally located in Djakarta. The talk was to start at 6 p.m., but according to custom a few minutes were allowed to pass before beginning. Interpretation was done in Indonesian and Dutch. There were 254 who attended, including many Moslems, Chinese and Indo-Europeans.

After spending Saturday morning, March 30, with the officials at the Department of Immigration and the Department of Religion, just past noon we reported to the airport for our onward trip to Singapore. Twenty of the publishers were there and they took a few photographs while we awaited the plane’s departure. This time it was a Constellation of the Qantas Airways, and there was some delay in loading. We did not mind, for we had enjoyed visiting with the publishers in Djakarta and rejoiced to see their zeal for the truth.

SINGAPORE

Our take-off time was 1:35 p.m. and the flight was a fairly short one. We saw a few islands en route, passed the equator, and landed at Kallang Civil Airport in Singapore at 3:50. It had been raining there, but it stopped a few minutes before we arrived. We were away from other Kingdom publishers for less than three hours, for there at the airport were the Gilead graduates assigned to Singapore and some of the company publishers, a few of whom we had met on our last visit to that city. Quite a few publishers are Chinese—it is not unusual, for eighty per cent of the population are Chinese—and there are also some Indians. Their convention was in session and we were looking forward to meeting all of the publishers of Singapore and Malaya.

The brothers told us how much work had gone into preparing for the first theocratic assembly in Singapore with the president of the Society in attendance. Singapore has over a million people and they must know about it. The best auditorium in town, the Victoria Theatre, was engaged for the Sunday sessions, including the public lecture, and their advertising material was made ready. Invitations were sent out to all magazine subscribers and people of good will whose addresses were on file. At all home Bible studies the assembly was talked about. The real concentrated publicity campaign began two weeks before the assembly. The Victoria Theatre, right there in the center of the government buildings and on the main road, displayed a large, prominent advertising sign on its façade. Because of the regulations put into effect following the recent riots in Singapore, public advertising by handbill distribution on the streets, the wearing of placards by publishers and putting up signs on house walls was prohibited. Even so, 8,000 handbills were put in the hands of the people and 400 signs were put in store windows. Additionally, four theaters displayed slides and one of the daily newspapers carried two advertisements.

The convention had opened on Friday, March 30. It began with songs, followed by the chairman’s opening address, a service meeting and theocratic ministry school, all held at the Kingdom Hall, 33 Poole Road. While the usual attendance at the Singapore company’s service meetings had been around 17, the regular attenders were thrilled to see 50 turn up for this meeting, including three visiting brothers from the Federated Malay States. The theocratic ministry school session happened to be the beginning of the course in the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures and this first lesson showed the new ATTENDERS what benefits would be derived from regularly sharing in this highly educational meeting and learning what the Scriptures teach.

Saturday’s sessions were held at the Junior Technical (Trade) School on Balestier Road. It is located in a quiet neighborhood and across the road is a large cricket field. Field service activities for the day were organized from the school. After the afternoon sessions some of the publishers came to the airport to meet us. After their day and a half of convention activities they were all in a happy mood—many of them had never attended a convention before. That evening 72 persons assembled at the school auditorium and listened to us.

The Gilead graduates made room for us at the Society’s property at 33 Poole Road, and that is where we went that night to sleep. The home is a one-story building of recent construction and very well kept. The roof is of red tile and the cream-colored stucco exterior of the walls stood out in sharp contrast. The lawn and grounds surrounding it are very nice. We found the home very comfortable and it was a pleasure to be with those faithful missionaries for a few days.

On Sunday morning 45 turned up at the Victoria Theatre to hear a discourse on baptism, after which 5 persons symbolized their consecration to do God’s will by being immersed in a pond near the edge of the city. The question now was, How would the public respond to the advertising for the public lecture, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land”? At 4 p.m. came the answer. We saw the ground floor of the theater filled with an audience of 307 persons, which, considering the restricted avenues of publicity available due to municipal ordinances and emergency regulations, was a splendid result. There were Malays, Arabs, Indians, Jews, Chinese, Eurasians and Europeans present. Many publishers expressed surprise and appreciation, for it was the largest meeting of its kind they had ever attended. The entire audience gave close attention and I enjoyed speaking to them, warm though it was with a coat on. After the public talk there was an invitation for those who wished to do so to remain, and following the intermission 85 listened to several other talks, including one each by Brother Henschel and myself.

There was one more day of convention to go. Monday night 73 assembled at the Kingdom Hall. Chairs had been placed on the lawn in front of the house and temporary lights were suspended on bamboo poles. There was a pleasant breeze. Little lizards were busy catching bugs and giving out little peeps periodically. Occasionally a plane from the nearby airport would roar overhead, red and green lights blinking in the night. After experiences by some publishers and talks by Brother Henschel and myself the convention closed. It was indeed a pleasure, the publishers told me, and it will remain in their memories for a long time. They felt that the assembly would mean an advance in the work in Singapore. Already the March report showed a new peak of 72 publishers. It was quite a contrast to the group of nine, four of whom were publishers, that met together in 1947, when I visited Singapore before, and I told the publishers how well they had done, with Jehovah’s rich blessing. There must yet be many hundreds, yes thousands, of persons of good will who will want to come into Jehovah’s organization, the unwalled city around which Jehovah, like a burning fire, has thrown his protection. The Singapore publishers are thankful to be in it and to have the privilege of helping others to find their way into it by God’s undeserved kindness for their eternal salvation.

Singapore is always an interesting place and we enjoyed noting that it appeared much cleaner than it was in 1947. There are many new military barracks and many new buildings for civilians now in use. Traffic is heavy and business is thriving. Rubber and tin exports are large and there are always many ships in the harbor. Hundreds of them—ocean steamers, oil barges, tankers, small cargo boats, tramp steamers, junks, sampans, and launches—are in the harbor and rivers. It was a time of special holidays for the Chinese and often they would be seen burning paper houses, cars or imitation money that they send off to their relatives they think are alive and need such items to be happy. The small alleys they turn into bazaars, the stacks of firewood brought in from nearby islands, the Oriental music, the street peddlers carrying their wares by means of bamboo poles resting on the shoulders, the Chinese women laborers doing construction work, the many religious temples of Eastern and Western origin, the portable sidewalk restaurants—these are the things that make Singapore, that remain in one’s mind. And, of course, there is the humidity. But here, too, the light of Kingdom truths shines forth, teaching some how to choose life, that they might live.

The 1,290 and 1,335 Days of Daniel’s Prophecy

“The LORD knows the days of the innocent.”—Ps. 37:18, AT.

1, 2. What significant developments are to be noted in the history of the Lord’s people from 1918 to 1921?

IN 1918 (A.D.) no song of liberty and praise was heard, daily service of praise was not performed. Jehovah’s people were silent, and it was a sorrowful condition, heart-sickening to the loyal, faithful remnant, some of whom were in prison. In March, 1919, God set organizers of his people free from prison and immediately they got busy and arranged a convention which was held at Cedar Point, Ohio, in September of 1919. There, comfort, strength and encouragement were given to Jehovah’s people. Spiritual food was served by the “faithful and discreet slave”. It was seen there was more work to do, a shock indeed for some who had stated the work was all done. The companion magazine to The Watchtower, then known as The Golden Age, was published in 1919. It was a time of great testing and heart searching, but happy were those who were in a condition of heart and mind of being ready for any service. But some were not in a healthy spiritual condition. Their motive for service was not pure; and we should not be surprised, for Jesus said: “The love of the greater number will cool off.” (Matt. 24:12, NW) Some began to work lawlessly in God’s organization and to even smite their former companions.—Matt. 24:48, 49.

² In 1921 The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society first published “organization instructions”. The Society appointed one of the mature brothers in each congregation to be its representative. At this direction many objected and forsook the Society and walked away. They wanted to handle the Lord’s work in their own way.

3. What great change in the condition of God’s servants on earth became quite apparent in 1922?

³ By this time the “sackcloth” condition of God’s people was being changed, replaced with other garments of identification. The ashes were changed for beauty. (Isa. 61:3, AS) Jehovah began to cause the lightnings to flash from the temple, and marvelous truths were discerned. It was seen we were now living in the ‘day of Jehovah’. (Ps. 118:23, 24, AS) The Isaiah class who had been unclean were cleansed. (Isa. 6:5, 6) The Lord Jesus had come to the temple for judgment. (Mal. 3:1-3) This was explained in 1922 at a second Cedar Point Convention, September 5-13. Now Zion’s children were awake, the “sackcloth” off, from inactivity to action, from uncertainty to confidence, from fearfulness to boldness. Out into the open before the whole world they stood truly as God’s servants, henceforth to advertise the King and the Kingdom. But what about the enemies, who had caused the death of the antitypical “two witnesses”? “Great fear fell upon those beholding them.” (Rev. 11:3-11, NW) Well it might, for their fears and torments were just about to begin.

4, 5. What events since 1918 therefore clearly indicate fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the 1,290 days?

⁴ This means that since 1918, which had ended the 1,260-day period, two great wonders had happened. First, the Devil had set up his makeshift kingdom which was to take the place of God’s kingdom by Christ and was striving to make all people worship it. Secondly, he was successful for a time in causing God’s holy ones to cease offering the continual sacrifice of praise to Jehovah God. These events so clearly fulfill the angel’s prophecy to Daniel of the 1,290 days: “Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand. And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Dan. 12:10, 11, AS) “From the time of the taking away of the continual ascending-sacrifice, and the placing of the horrid abomination that astoundeth shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Ro) “And from the time of the removal of the perpetual sacrifice, when the abomination of desolation shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (LXX) “Twelve hundred and ninety days shall pass, after the daily offering has been stopped and the appalling abomination has been set up.” (Mo) This sacrifice need not be a literal everyday offering, but rather continual. The Hebrew word “taw-meed” is the same thought as in Isaiah 21:8, Isaiah 62:6, Psalm 34:1 and Psalm 71:6. It pertains to the continual, faithful service of Jehovah’s people.

⁵ These two things are in evidence together, namely, (1) placing of the horrid abomination that astounds, and (2) the taking away of the continual sacrifice. There is no Scriptural reason for concluding that the 1,290 days should run at the same time as the 1,260 days. The 1,290 days are therefore reckoned from the date of the setting up of the abomination, which was in the latter part of January, 1919. This period of 3 years and 7 months ends at September, 1922—the very time of the Cedar Point Convention mentioned above. Let it be kept in mind that this convention was not arranged for this date with a view to fulfilling any prophecy, for at that time it was not known that these dates were important. The “continual sacrifice” had been restored by 1922. The Isaiah class had been cleansed of lip and now they are wholly devoted to singing praises to Jehovah. “And in his temple everything saith, Glory.”—Ps. 29:9, AS.

6. What facts point to the accomplishment of the 1,290-day period in September, 1922?

⁶ At the end of this 1,290-day period the whole world was to come to know that the League of Nations was not approved of God and would come to nought. (Isa. 8:9, 10) Its doom was to be pronounced. Any build-up of the same system would be likewise doomed to failure. Three years and seven months passed from the time the abomination was set up until it was publicly pronounced as condemned, there at the Cedar Point Convention of September, 1922. There, too, another situation ceased, from the time the continual sacrifice of praise to Jehovah was interfered with and taken away until it was restored, and the sacrifice of praise was again being offered in God’s temple, and the obnoxious abomination exposed as a subterfuge, standing in the place where it never should be. So ended the 1,290 days.—See The Watchtower, Nov. 1, 1922.

1,335 DAYS

7. Is it reasonable to think that these three time periods mentioned in Daniel 12 cover many centuries of time? Why do you so answer?

⁷ Daniel 12:12 (AS) announces: “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.” From 1922 there was a forward movement, new truths were opening to the view of the faithful. No halting now, for, with the vision of the Lord at the temple, the work of advertising the King and his kingdom was on. There are those who may think it strange that these 2,500-year-old prophecies are now receiving fulfillment in a few short years. But we must realize that they must come to pass sometime, and why not now? Some may prefer to think of these 1,260, 1,290 and 1,335 “days” of Daniel 12:7-12 as covering many centuries of time, just as though that would add to their importance. But is that reasonable? Why not question yourself: Why were these wonders given? It was certainly not just to record or set forth historical facts, so that Bible students could point with confidence to God’s Word as being true. Rather, these visions are for the comfort, edification and guidance of God’s people in these “last days”, so they would really know the sign of the times and when their deliverance from Babylonish captivity would come. (Rom. 15:4, NW) How possibly could these wonders guide us today if we merely knew that certain prophecies had been fulfilled during the Middle Ages? It is true certain prophecies received a partial or miniature fulfillment at the first advent of Christ Jesus, and this was to identify God’s Son and to fulfill God’s purposes concerning him, so giving the church confidence and complete assurance in him as the Messiah.

8. What was the purpose of these visions and prophecies of Daniel? and what other happenings long foretold were fulfilled in brief periods of time?

⁸ The prophecies of Daniel are not provided to outline the course of the Gentile nations from 607 B.C. to 1914 (A.D.), but to show Jehovah’s people the happenings from 1914 on, not during the lease of Gentile power, but at its expiry. Daniel was told the visions and wonders for the last days, not for the purpose of then disclosing the events spread over 2,000 years, and in effect saying, “That is now over.” But it is a “living” word; these visions are for the time appointed and will speak at the day they are required, and surely they do that today. Thus it is that knowledge is increased, indeed the understanding of these visions forms part of the knowledge. Keep in mind that the greatest event in human history has come to pass, for Christ Jesus has been commanded by Jehovah God to rule in the midst of his enemies. When the infant Son of God was born at Bethlehem, Jehovah sent angels from heaven to announce the glad tidings. Also remember John the Baptist, who was the Elijah of that time, preached only a very short time before Christ’s ministry began. Again numerous prophecies were fulfilled during the three and a half years’ ministry of Christ Jesus, and that was for only 1,260 days.

9. Was it to be expected that these wonders connected with the second presence of the Lord Jesus would be readily observable to all the world?

⁹ Do you then wonder why Jehovah God has caused so much prophecy to be recorded for these last days, when the presence of Christ Jesus is not as a human babe but as the glorious King of all kings? Did you expect something spectacular, some worldly outward show, or some magnificent splendor, so all the world would marvel? He did not so come at the first advent. (Matt. 12:19; Luke 4:9-12; Isa. 53) His second appearing does not commence with such display. Take note: “For you yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses.” (1 Thess. 5:2, 6, NW) “Yet Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered.” (2 Pet. 3:10, NW) It is actually possible for many wonders to be fulfilled and millions of people not even know it. Happy are your eyes if they see these things, if you are awake and watching.

10. What corresponding facts in the prophecy of Zechariah (4:9, 10, AS) fully corroborate our understanding of the “days” of Daniel?

¹⁰ Call to mind the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s temple in the days when Israel was delivered from Babylon’s literal captivity. It seemed so insignificant, so small, just comparatively few captives returning and commencing to build. However, it is recorded: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; these are the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” (Zech. 4:9, 10, AS) Therefore keep in mind these are the beginning of things, for God commenced doing a great and marvelous work through his people particularly from 1919 on. Once that work commences it never ends. Yes, it begins in a small, quiet way, without ostentation, but with a certainty which will never stop. The new system of things was coming in and replacing the old. In these last days, a 4,000-year-old world is to end, and a new world is to come in. The fulfillment of prophecy may seem to some insignificant; but do not be deceived. Keep in mind that a great mountain, which filled the earth full as it were, grew out of a small stone. (Dan. 2:34, 35) When Jehovah sets his hand to accomplish any purpose, it is done and no power anywhere is able to prevent him, for He is almighty. Jehovah’s people will yet endure much brutal persecution, for they still live in an ungodly wicked world, but their unity and peace which arise out of knowing they are the nucleus of the New Earth society will never be shattered. Never will they be broken to pieces. Let the truths that Jehovah’s King is present, the Kingdom is here to stay forevermore and will shortly manifest its power among the nations, sink into your mind.

11. What marvelous truths began to be understood by the Lord’s people in the years following 1922?

¹¹ Jehovah’s people were realizing these truths from 1922 on and were greatly rejoicing. They were coming out of darkness, false religion, and were learning the purposes of Jehovah. The shining forth of the Kingdom sunlight was manifesting itself. They were coming to know why they were being shown these marvelous things and why Jehovah had gathered them together. Certainly for a different reason than they had thought! By this time it was understood they had not been delivered primarily for their own salvation and glorification, but for God’s own purpose. As Acts 15:14 (NW) says: “Symeon has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name.” For “his name” you will notice, and not to display personal virtues though all should have them, but to be “‘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”. (1 Pet. 2:9, NW) There was a great deal of work for God’s anointed to do before their course on earth would be over. Furthermore, in 1925, for the first time, it was seen and understood that the Kingdom was actually born in 1914, that it was a fact. No longer was it a matter of proclaiming the time had come for the Kingdom, that the day was here for Satan’s world to end, but the Kingdom had come and was ruling from heaven, and already a war in heaven had been fought. The Watchtower for March 1, 1925, published this information.

12. Realization of what produced in the Lord’s people joy, and satisfaction and desire to actively express their gratitude?

¹² Yes, the anointed remnant had been brought together in the “last days” for a purpose, not to do a mighty Kingdom work in heaven, for they could do that without being gathered here, but to serve on earth before they went there. Zion was reestablished, the King enthroned, the man-child (Kingdom) delivered, and God would now use his people to sound forth his name world-wide, to be a praise in all the earth. (Isaiah 12) For centuries Jehovah’s name had been reproached, ridiculed, blasphemed, lied about; but now he would have the truth told, his holy name would be known everywhere and his praises sung. But who would honor his name? Who would be the people for that purpose? A deep feeling of gratitude was welling up in the hearts of God’s children. They had come to appreciate they were the treasured possession. Had not God delivered them from bondage and Babylon’s dust? Had he not restored them to the place where they were free to worship him? Had he not cleansed and showed them marvelous things, helping all to see the reason for bringing them from the north, south, east and west? Jehovah’s favor had returned to Zion, and his face was toward them. “Jehovah make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (Num. 6:25, 26, AS) How beautifully and clearly Jehovah was helping his people to see the great things he would yet do for them in fulfillment of his word, as shown in such prophecies as Isaiah 52, Isaiah 60, Isaiah 61, and Isaiah 62! The time had truly come for Jehovah’s praises to be sung at last. The Watchtower for January 1, 1926, contained the article “Who Will Honor Jehovah?” and the text for that year was “Blessed be the Lord out of Zion”. (Ps. 135:21) Joy and gladness had now become the portion of Zion, the now happy, favored Zion!

13. What quotations from The Watchtower mark 1926 as being a truly blessed year?

¹³ The year 1926 proved to be a most blessed one, and to give some conception of this happiness and their appreciation of the work that had yet to be done, we here quote small excerpts from two of the Watchtower articles:

“Among the things which ‘The Servant’ in this prophecy is directed must be done is this: ‘To restore the desolations of Israel,’ and ‘to cause to inherit the desolate heritages’. (Isaiah 49:6, 8, margin) Those mentioned as ‘the desolate’ are undoubtedly that class designated the great company. . . . Then the prophet addresses ‘The Servant’ and declares what that Servant shall do: ‘That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.’ (Isaiah 49:9) This definitely proves that ‘The Servant’, acting under the direction of Jehovah, must deliver a message to these prisoners, to them that are in darkness.”—The Watchtower, November 15, 1926.

“It is ‘the people from far’ who must be encouraged to rally to the standard of Jehovah. ‘The servant’ is commanded to lift up God’s standard, which means he must give to the people the testimony concerning God and his kingdom. The command to the servant is: ‘Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.’—Isaiah 49:22.

“The prophet indicates that many other peoples must yet hear, and that hearing they shall rejoice. Figuratively speaking, those thus hearing bear up in their arms and upon their shoulders these children who have been brought to a knowledge of God’s provision for giving them life. They thereby express their joy and approval. When a people are happy they find no better way to express it toward another than to carry upon their shoulders or in their arms the one who is favored. Great numbers of the people are providing themselves today with the books which teach God’s plan. Even greater numbers are hearing the message by radio. These are telling others about it. Many of these have become friends of those who love the Lord and his message; and while they give no evidence of being spirit begotten yet they rejoice in the truth and in its message of life and express this joy in their own way, illustrated by bearing children up in their arms and on their shoulders.”—The Watchtower, August 15, 1926.

14. Why was it no longer a question of how long the Lord’s servants would have to continue on earth performing His service?

¹⁴ No longer was it a question with the faithful anointed ones as to how long they would have to work on earth before entering heavenly glory. But rather, here present with us is Kingdom service, just as though the Kingdom had come down from heaven to the people of God, and they were living in it. No longer were they concerned, whether it meant remaining on earth one or many years, for they were so very happy. “Like the dew of Hermon, that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: for there Jehovah commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” (Ps. 133:3, AS) Assurance and confidence became their blessed portion. “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith Jehovah. And as for me, this is my covenant with them, saith Jehovah: my spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith Jehovah, from henceforth and for ever.” (Isa. 59:20, 21, AS) “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness which is of me, saith Jehovah.” (Isa. 54:17, AS) “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” (Isa. 52:1, AS) The desolate places were to be filled, the tents stretched out, the wilderness become a pool. All her children were to come home to Zion. Oh, what a joyful time was now in store for children of Jehovah, and that forevermore!

15. Why is it “he that waiteth” who is blessed at the end of the 1,335 days?

¹⁵ Let us now see how this fits in with Daniel’s prophecy. Think of all the happenings from 1914 on, and now this comforting word: “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.” (Dan. 12:12, AS) The word “waiteth” is from the Hebrew word meaning “to adhere, stick fast or remain steadfast and fixed”. During the many years since 1914 there had been many shakings, great tests of faith and numerous trials. Blessed are those who remained, who were steadfast and fixed, and who came to the 1,335 days. They would then understand the purpose of all these things, and be filled with gratitude. When, then, did the 1,335 days begin and end? According to Biblical reckoning, at 30 days to a month, it is a period of three years, eight and one-half months.

16. What finally marks 1926 as the fulfillment of the 1,335-day period when the Lord’s servants enter into signal blessedness?

¹⁶ Keep in mind that the 1,290 days ended by seeing the “continual sacrifice” restored, and being assured that the sacrifice of offering praise would then continue though there would be many persecutions. On the service goes now, and blessed is the one who comes to the 1,335 days. So reckoning this period on from the termination of the 1,290 days would mean from September, 1922, to May, 1926,—three years, eight and one-half months—at which time a large international convention of Jehovah’s people was in session at London, England. It was a season most blessed, for there had been a great cleansing work done in God’s spiritual city, Zion. Many ecclesiastical and false religious ideas were disposed of, a great blow was being delivered against the great “abomination” of the League of Nations, and it was known now that God’s people were on the earth for the purpose of singing praises to Jehovah God, to really and truly be a people for his name. They knew why they were alive, what they were doing, and where they were going. The great joy of being in this condition was a daily source of comfort. Oh, the blessedness of those who came to the 1,335 days! We are now living in a day when these blessings are realized. It is not feasible or reasonable to compare the joys and favors of today with those blessed experiences in 1926, in order to get a proper and correct view of the application of this prophecy, but rather to compare, if one must, the great and wonderful position Jehovah’s people were in during 1926 with their condition in 1914 and 1918. Then the blessedness will be understood.

More Liberation Prophecy to Be Fulfilled

1, 2. What other prophetic utterances point to the fact that the Lord’s people must enter into still more fulfillment of prophecies following the 1,335 days?

THOUGH the above portion of Daniel’s prophecy is realized, yet it is not the end, for Jehovah and His King are determined to deliver ‘all the children of his people’. Every one of God’s children will be brought to the beloved city; some already having been brought back are now ready for Kingdom service. So that we may learn the progressive purposes of God beyond the 1,335 days we connect Daniel’s prophecy with John’s vision at Revelation, and note that it takes us beyond the time spoken of by Daniel. With this in mind we now refer to Daniel’s vision of the angel standing on the water. (Dan. 12:5-7) This same angel is also seen in vision recorded at Daniel 10:5-7, AS: “I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.” This angel is identified for us as the Lord Jesus Christ in glory at the time of his kingdom: “And in the midst of the lampstands someone like a son of man, clothed with a garment that reached down to the feet, and girded at the breasts with a golden girdle. Moreover, his head and his hair were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes as a fiery flame, and his feet were like fine copper when glowing in a furnace, and his voice was as the sound of many waters. And when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet. And he laid his right hand upon me and said: ‘Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last, and the living one; and I became dead, but, look! I am living for ever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.’”—Rev. 1:13-15, 17, 18, NW.

² At Daniel 10:13 we see the great Prince Michael (Christ) coming to the rescue of one of the heavenly messengers, further establishing the fact that Christ Jesus is prophetically spoken of as the one who is over the great waters (multitudes). “Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side.” (Dan. 12:5, AS) Here are many waters or a flood (great multitude), with one angel at one extremity and another at the other extremity, for they are on the edges of opposite banks. This obviously brings in all the multitudes, and inquiry is made. ‘How long to the end of these wonders?’ The glorious King Christ Jesus lifts up his right hand, which is in the nature of an oath; as when “Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand unto Jehovah, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth”. (Gen. 14:22, AS; also see Deuteronomy 32:40.) Turning now to Revelation 10:5-7, NW: “And the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the earth raised his right hand to heaven, and by the One who lives for ever and ever, . . . he swore: ‘There will be no delay any longer; but in the days of the blast of the seventh angel, when he is destined to blow his trumpet, the sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish.’” Here is the solemn declaration that there will not be any more waiting. The sacred secret of God is finished. This prophecy of finishing the sacred secret of God receives its fulfillment after 1926, following the 1,335 days, during the time of blessedness.

SACRED SECRET OF GOD

3. What questions have been cleared up for the Lord’s servants only since the year 1926?

³ Can you appreciate it is only about twenty-five years since the glorious and holy name of Jehovah was brought to the fore, and revealed to God’s people as a name which should be published in every part of the earth? Also do you know that until 1926 the name was seldom used even in gatherings of God’s people, and never in connection with the public ministry? That people of the world had difficulty in understanding what was meant by the designation of “Jehovah’s witnesses” first publicly proclaimed in 1931? That among the Lord’s people there were many puzzling questions such as, Why all these crimes and calamities? What is the reason for the persecution upon the children of God? Now that the Kingdom had come, why wars, and what was the position of the rulers of this world? Was God noting these things? When would he take action?

4. What questions are still being asked by those outside the Lord’s organization, bringing what responsibility to His servants?

⁴ Now these questions are no longer puzzling to the children of Jehovah. “All thy children shall be taught of Jehovah; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” (Isa. 54:13, AS) However, those outside the organization of Jehovah are questioning these matters and require information. Only those inside know, and therefore they are the ones to dispense the knowledge to those outside. They do ask, Who is God? Can he be responsible for all these terrible disasters? Does he authorize the false religionists to speak for him? Does he appoint wicked dictators? Has he an organization? Does he have just one people, or hundreds of different organizations? Is he a fiend, a monster, a god of blood? Why do the wicked prosper? Is God righteous, pure and holy? Why is Satan permitted to fight God? Question after question is asked about God by those outside. Does it not make the hearts of God’s faithful people continually happy to know the truth? for to them ‘the sacred secret of God is finished’. They are in the time of blessedness.

5, 6. How can it be truly said today that ‘there shall be delay no longer’?

⁵ The day is not far distant, it will now not be delayed any longer, when Jehovah will rise up to punish the wicked nations of earth and so make a name for himself that will be remembered forevermore. Thirty-five hundred years ago he destroyed the Egyptians in the Red sea and more than four thousand years ago he brought the great Flood and destroyed a world. His name is still associated with these wonderful works. However, after Armageddon his name will be remembered forever. That time of deliverance for the meek, the faithful ones, is very close, and its information is being published as good news to them. “The sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish.”—Rev. 10:7, NW.

⁶ All Jehovah’s witnesses and companions know we are living in grand and glorious days, because the time is here for the realization of every vision. No longer are they postponed. This truly is the day which Jehovah has arranged, the time for the realization of his marvelous promises. Let us as the witnesses of Jehovah fully enter into it and take our stand amid the inhabitants of the earth as those who belong to Jehovah’s city, and to the new system of things, as those who know that the Kingdom is established in heaven and Jehovah reigns. Live then in this knowledge and be as those who are wise and who turn thousands to the ways of righteousness, yes, into the new world.

7. What fact relating to judgment and deliverance would the peoples of earth do well to now carefully note?

⁷ At this eventful time the seventh angel blows his trumpet, that is, after the 1,260 days ended in 1918. Then it is that these wonders can come to pass. “And the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven saying: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king for ever and ever.’ And the twenty-four persons of advanced age who were seated before God upon their thrones fell upon their faces and worshiped God, saying: ‘We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king. But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give their reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.’ And the temple sanctuary of God that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen in his temple sanctuary. And there occurred lightnings and voices and thunders and an earthquake and a great hail.” (Rev. 11:15-19, NW) Is it not so very clear to God’s children how now the many waters, that is, the peoples, the nations, the tongues, have all come under Christ Jesus? The quicker people recognize this fact, the better it will be for them. This is a day of judgment. It is a day of deliverance. Some know enough of the truth to fight it because it brings responsibilities, but this is taking a very unwise course, since Jehovah offers nothing else. Where else can you go, for Christ Jesus is in control and God makes known his will through his faithful Servant, and that will is the word of life.

8. What dividing work is now therefore being accomplished?

⁸ Multitudes of honest persons are to turn toward the new world and the righteous King, and those who do so find peace and happiness even now amidst the old wicked world. But the “wicked shall do wickedly”, and their hatred for the children of the Most High increases. They know they have no part with the revelations, favors and privileges of the Kingdom, and they see that Jehovah has brought these wonders to pass in our midst, inside the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses. The great, long-standing and marvelous prophecies have been fulfilled in us. Therefore with an unmistakable identity Jehovah’s witnesses are being pointed to by Jehovah’s Word and the facts in modern fulfillment thereof. They are his beloved ones. The wicked know this and see themselves cast out, and so wail and gnash their teeth in chagrin.

9. What strange identification work goes grandly on year by year, suggesting what sober questions on the part of those who are not following the wise course?

⁹ Jehovah’s remarkable, strange work of identifying his faithful servant does not stop. Year after year it becomes more evident. Visions and prophecies are coming to pass through the wonderful things Jehovah is doing for us. “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.” (Ps. 126:2, AS) No one else has been chosen of all the organizations of the world. Jehovah’s witnesses are for signs and wonders in the land. “Bind thou up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait for Jehovah, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Jehovah of hosts, who dwelleth in Mount Zion.” (Isa. 8:16-18, AS) Those who profess to love God and claim to be doing his will and are not serving and worshiping with those who know the new world is at hand would be wise to consider their position quickly. If these would simply ask themselves one or two simple questions: Am I conscious of Jehovah’s favor upon the work that I am doing? Do I expect judgment from him as a result of the service being performed, and can I prove from His holy Word that my works are in obedience thereto? Or am I performing some service selfishly? Is it for my own praise or Jehovah’s? Am I learning more about God’s kingdom and its establishment? Can I appreciate the fulfillment of prophecy? If you are still in mystic Babylon, then consider the truths set before you and make haste to leave the condemned organization. “And I heard another voice out of heaven say: ‘Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.’”—Rev. 18:4, NW.

10. What experiences of the Lord’s servants, particularly from 1933 on, demonstrate the intensifying of the Devil’s campaign against them?

¹⁰ The forces of this evil system of things which are to pass away will make repeated attacks upon the Lord’s people, but they will never break and scatter them. Satan knows Jehovah’s witnesses are God’s people and the only ones on earth standing for Jehovah’s praise and proclaiming the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, and he will raise the whole world against this people to destroy them, but he will not accomplish this devilish plot, for “the power of the disperser of the holy people” is broken. (Dan. 12:7, Ro, margin) His opposition and persecution have increased, greater by far than 1914 to 1918. It was intensified from 1933 until the second world war broke out, which provided an opportunity for enemies of Zion to rush at us in a great offensive. This attack was terrific, for all parts of the organization were besieged, but the organization of God took the shock, reeled only momentarily under the world pressure, but the stronghold of Zion stood fast. Satan the ruler of the opposition hordes forcibly took some brothers into his prisons and concentration camps, some he put to death, while on thousands of others he brought privation and much mental as well as physical suffering. But with what result?

EVIDENCE OF RELEASE

11-13. What were the results of this devilish campaign, and how testified to by the Watchtower issues of 1942?

¹¹ Certainly the “continual sacrifice” was this time not taken away, for praise was offered daily, yes hourly, some of the faithful even honoring Jehovah with their life’s blood. God’s people were strengthened with ‘food convenient’, for right in the midst of that terrible destructive World War II the Lord spread a rich table of Kingdom truths. The Watchtower published during this period such wonderful, strengthening and heart-cheering articles as “Defeat of Persecution” (issue of July 15, 1942), “Fighter for the New World” (in five parts contained in issues October 15 to December 15, 1942, inclusive), “Micah” (in eleven parts, January 1 to June 15, 1942, inclusive), “Song-Call to Action” (July 1, 1942), and many more. Not only was Zion fed “with the finest of wheat” but companionship in convention was provided. Jehovah’s people were set, they were sure, they were steadfast, as evident by the resolution adopted at the Cleveland convention:

“ . . . THAT we are opposed to all totalitarian rule and its limitation of the worship of Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. We owe allegiance to no foreign power, religious or political, but our Head and Leader is the One of God’s choice and designation, Christ Jesus the King, whose example we will follow in the worship and service of God. Come what the Lord may permit, we will continue to worship Jehovah God and to resist all demonized encroachments upon His worship and service, and to fight on in indissoluble unity until He gives the victory through his Theocratic Government by Christ Jesus.

“Dated, Saturday, September 19, 1942.”

¹² Also of interest were letters sent in from branches and companies in the field, such as the one quoted in the October 1, 1942, issue of The Watchtower, from London:

“We thank the Lord for the continued stimulating truths so abundantly provided through The Watchtower. We will prove our faith in The Theocracy by our works. We refuse to break our covenant vows. The ‘abomination of desolation’ can never take away from us the joy of praising Jehovah’s name. Doubtless many dark days are ahead. The people of good-will look to Jehovah’s witnesses for comfort. We cannot forsake them. We seek to be diligent and obey the Lord’s invitation ‘Feed my sheep’. We declare our determination to use every possible opportunity NOW to do this work. We will stand blameless.

“As a city compact together we face with full confidence in the Lord the threatening Assyrian entry into the land of Jehovah. Victory lies with The Theocracy, the Holy City. Come what may, we are ready and willing to bear whatever reproaches and persecution the Lord may permit to the vindication of his name.”

¹³ Then in 1943, 1944, and in 1945 from Jehovah’s people the same “sacrifice of praise” was still ascending. How true that Satan could not now remove the continual sacrifice as he did in 1918! The Lord was in our midst and, though all nations battled at our gates and tried to break down integrity, Zion’s children stood faithful.

14, 15. Contrary to natural expectations, what has been the condition of His servants since World War II?

¹⁴ Now what has taken place since World War II? Blessedness has increased and greater light has been shed upon God’s Word. Knowledge has been granted. The righteous coming out from the heavy times of persecution and suffering and bans and other forms of opposition were like the sun shining its way through clouds. Now in all brilliance the message of the truth powerfully penetrates all the faraway places, for no place seems hidden from the sunshine of the truth. One would expect in a natural way that after all the hardships and prison experiences of Jehovah’s witnesses they would be worn out and weary and in such a condition not able to go forward now with God’s work in the postwar period.

¹⁵ Remember the great international assembly in New York in 1950? Were those witnesses there like that? To the contrary! They were vigorous, full of burning zeal for truth, eager for every opportunity of service. There were no complainers, no grumblers or discontented ones of the witnesses here. No, for these thousands were at peace and full of joy, and their very faces and conversation expressed happiness. Yet these were the ones who had been so hard pressed by Satan. Satan is no conqueror; his power is broken, all he can do now is scrape together the remnant of the Gentile powers and hold them the best way he can until the strong arm of Jehovah destroys them utterly.

16. What particular expressions of the prophecies can now be seen to be filled with marvelous meaning to the Lord’s people?

¹⁶ Oh, how fitting and full of meaning to these witnesses are the psalmist’s words: “When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, we were like unto them that dream. Jehovah hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” “If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, let Israel now say, If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, when men rose up against us; . . . Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our help is in the name of Jehovah, who made heaven and earth.” “They that trust in Jehovah are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so Jehovah is round about his people from this time forth and for evermore. For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; that the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity.” “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”—Ps. 126:1, 3, 5, 6; 124:1-6, 8; 125:1-3 and Isa. 52:1, AS.

MULTITUDES OF CAPTIVES NOW HOME

17. How did the New York Assembly in 1950 signalize a truly blessed condition into which the Lord’s people had now been ushered?

¹⁷ The captives home! Thousands upon thousands, all back! Who would have dreamed in 1919 that Jehovah would cause all these to flock to his city? What an increase! In gratitude his people assembled at New York in 1950 to celebrate “Theocracy’s increase”. And what a celebration! See what was happening, for there at this the greatest and most important city of this world the people were witnessing the saints of the Most High God and their faithful companions in sweet fellowship, basking in the sunshine of Jehovah’s love and care. These children of God whom this world had tried to destroy and cause to be no more, out from the prisons, the concentration camps, the fiery times of persecution, walking about in peace and serenity, with God’s blessing upon them. “Behold, my servant [Christ Jesus], whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” “Out of Zion shall go forth the law, . . . And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, . . . nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”—Isa. 42:1; 2:3, 4, AS.

18. Why do we understand that the Lord’s servants yet have unprecedented privileges before them in the days that lie ahead?

¹⁸ “It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isa. 49:6, AS) “So shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they understand.” (Isa. 52:15, AS) Yes, God’s Servant Christ Jesus in a place of great favor and exalted as the teacher of the nations by his faithful followers on earth. Note Isaiah 52:13, AS: “Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.” Certainly there is yet much work for God’s faithful servants under Christ Jesus to perform, a work among the nations such as has never been seen before. Before the work is over they will direct many more persons into Zion, yes, possibly millions! Zion’s day is here. The king of Zion will work through his visible organization, his “faithful and discreet slave”. (Matt. 24:45-47, NW) All his commands will be given that way.

19. What important truths should be diligently studied and grasped by those who now read and understand the meaning of the “days” of Daniel?

¹⁹ The day of deliverance is here. After having considered some of the prophecies recorded by Daniel, and having understood the meaning of the 1,260, 1,290 and 1,335 days, do not “despise the day of small things”. But knowing these things, realize that the organization producing proofs of fulfillments of prophecies in and through them must be Jehovah’s people. God causes his word to come to pass, and he reveals his sacred secrets to whomsoever he wishes. Grasp the importance of these fulfilled visions, realize their import, know that we are in the day of prosperity and the time of blessedness is here. God’s Servant is revealed to the nations by His witnesses on earth, and that Servant will have to be recognized before God’s favor will be granted them. There is no other way of obtaining a knowledge of the truth. “Bind thou up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples,” says Jehovah’s great Servant. (Isa. 8:16, AS) Do not despise the instrument God uses; consider first the message of importance the theocratic organization brings and the proofs which are offered.

20. What now must be done by the children of Zion in recognition of the marvelous time in which we live?

²⁰ Children of Zion, your King is here. He dwells in the midst of the city. Today is no time for waiting and inactivity. The city will be the joy of the whole earth. No city compares with her, “beautiful for situation.” (Ps. 48:2) Fling wide open the gates, welcome with warmth the returning captives, offer them the hospitality of the city. Sing so loud and harmoniously that it will be heard by those yet prisoners and give them heart and good cheer. Let them hear the good news they have longed for. Shout out, and let others know Jehovah reigns, for to this call many will yet respond. Blow the trumpet for the sleepy ones to awaken. Sound the notes for the marching, returning captives to sing as they come from mystic Babylon to Zion, out of captivity and into freedom, out of darkness into light. “Praise Jah, you people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king.”—Rev. 19:6, NW.

Results of a Long-delayed Back-Call

The following letter was published in April 24, 1946, Consolation (now Awake!):

“I have decided to take my stand on the right side, for Jesus Christ and for the extension of His kingdom. I was always a member of the United Church, and I always thought, like the rest of them, that was the way Jesus wanted us to go, but since the first of August I have been reading your books, and in these four months I have made up my mind to accept this way.

“My people! I do not even know the man’s name that came to my door. At that time I had no use for anything. I was weary, worn and sad. I am the mother of five sons and live in an outpost where there is so much work to be done that I hardly know which duty to perform first.

“Well, when the man came, I obtained 50c worth of those little books, such as Peace—Can It Last? and a lot of others. I have been reading these every Sunday, and looking up the scriptures to which they call attention, and have found that they are true.

“And now I want more reading matter, and want you to let me know what steps I must take to put myself on your side. Meantime I am enclosing $1.00 for The Watchtower, and I want you to let that man know that I have read the books and am now ready to live for God.

“He will remember me as the one from whom he obtained the bottle of milk. Had I known that he was a disciple of Jesus Christ I would not have taken any money for the milk.

“My people! I want your prayers. I am all alone, except that I have Christ on my side; but with that I know that nothing can harm me. I will be looking forward to hearing from you, and receiving The Watchtower, as I am definitely interested. May God bless you in your work, and may you receive many souls for your hire. (From an island in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland)”

Years have passed since then, and although our office wrote this woman several times we never got a reply; she was in such an isolated place that we never contacted her again in the intervening years. But the backcall has been on my conscience ever since, so the other day we drove our little car out through the mountains to the coast and I borrowed a fisherman’s dory to row the grueling course to the off-shore island—for this was my call, and I even remembered the house where the lady had sold me the milk.

She had never received our letters nor The Watchtower in 1946, but through the years she had prayed that the Jehovah’s witness would some day return. Now you should have seen her kneeling in the dim lamplight by my case in her humble home and taking out the new books one by one. As each book or booklet was drawn from the satchel she would burst out with an exclamation of joy. “A Bible with a concordance—Just what I wanted!” “At last The Watchtower!” It was joyful to sit back and let her get the full benefit of each new discovery.

Now our sister is no longer alone. Although throughout those five years she preached and stood firm for the truth, now she gets a friendly call four times a month by your magazines sent from Brooklyn and she has written the branch office that she is very happy again to have her strength renewed. These are the far-flung results, then, of your good work there at Brooklyn, and an example of what is happening all over the world, for “Jehovah knows those who belong to him”.

Questions From Readers

● In John 5:28, 29 and Acts 24:15 it speaks of resurrections for those that have done good, or the just, and for those that have done evil, or the unjust. Who are the ones in each of these two groupings?—R. K., Pennsylvania.

The New World Translation renders these scriptures as follows: “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28, 29) “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) Those having part in the first resurrection, being raised as spirit creatures to reign with Christ, would be classed as “the righteous” “who did good things”. But, additionally, the faithful men of old and any of the great crowd of other sheep who may die before Armageddon may be viewed as having done good things and being counted righteous. Because of their having endeavored to do God’s will and not having practiced vile things, they have a resurrection that puts them on the way of eternal life. But those who have not lived during a judgment period and who did not know of Jehovah’s requirements and ignorantly practiced vile things will come back during the millennial resurrection of mankind in general, and will enter their judgment period. Hence they are spoken of as coming back to a “resurrection of judgment”.

Note that John 5:28 limits resurrections to those “in the memorial tombs”. This means that only those whose existence Jehovah retains in his memory will be resurrected, which remembrance is indicated or symbolized by the expression “memorial tomb”. That is why criminals considered unworthy of a resurrection were unceremoniously tossed into the Valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna, where their bodies were consumed, unlamented, unburied, without any tomb to remind of or memorialize their former existence. So those not “in the memorial tombs”, or not thus symbolized as being in God’s memory, will not be remembered at resurrection time. What this means to us today is that those now living in this time of judgment and who fail for one reason or another to take a stand for Jehovah, and are therefore slain by him at the battle of Armageddon, will not be retained in his memory for a resurrection. That this group will include the majority of humans now living on earth is shown by Jeremiah 25:33: “The slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.” These vast numbers slain by Jehovah and likened to dung strewn over the earth could hardly be considered as being “in the memorial tombs” for Christ to remember and call forth during the Millennium.

● Why did Jesus tell healed ones to tell no one of the miracles performed on them, and why did he tell his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ?—M. C., Ohio.

After two blind men had received sight from Jesus, he “sternly charged them, saying: ‘See that nobody gets to know it.’” (Matt. 9:30, NW) After cleansing a leper Jesus “gave him strict orders and at once sent him away, and said to him: ‘See you tell nobody a thing, but go show yourself to the priest and offer in behalf of your cleansing the things Moses directed, for the purpose of a witness to them.’” But the man spread abroad the account of the miracle “so that Jesus was no longer able to enter openly into a city” because of the throngs that hindered his movements. (Mark 1:40-45, NW) After curing a man that was deaf and afflicted with a speech impediment Jesus “charged them not to tell anyone”. (Mark 7:33-36, NW) Christ Jesus did this because he did not want to be publicly advertised in the streets and have the populace make their decision regarding him on the basis of such circulated reports. He wanted the people to see and hear for themselves and decide on the basis of their own personal experience with him.

It was for this same reason that he charged his disciples not to advertise him as the Messiah. Instead of publicizing this in the streets and raising this issue for settlement in such public places, on the basis of the reports of the disciples, let each one investigate and make his own decision on the basis of the evidence. Hence it was that when Jesus asked his disciples who men said he was he found that some thought him Elijah, or John the Baptist, or Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. Then he asked his disciples what they thought, and Peter expressed their belief, “You are the Christ.” “Then he sternly charged the disciples not to say to anybody that he was the Christ.” Let everyone make his own decision, just as this discussion with his disciples showed that they were doing, and coming to various conclusions. They had the Hebrew Scriptures and knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and they could see Jesus’ works and hear his words. Let them decide.—Matt. 16:13-20, NW.

Thus when nettled Jews said irritably, “If you are the Christ, tell us outspokenly,” Jesus replied, “The works which I am doing in the name of my Father, these bear witness about me.” (John 10:24, 25, NW) It is true that Jesus did acknowledge to the Samaritan woman at the well that he was the Messiah, and she told the men of her city, and these Samaritan men came and heard Jesus. But note that their decision was based on what they heard Jesus say, and not on what the woman had told them: “They began to say to the woman: ‘We do not believe any longer on account of your talk; for we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man is for a certainty the savior of the world.’” (John 4:7-42, NW) Only after he was put under oath before the chief priests and Sanhedrin would he identify himself as the Messiah to them, but before he did even then he said, “That was for you to say.” It was for them to say whether he was the Messiah or not, on the basis of the evidence. The decision was for them to make, their responsibility. (Matt. 26:63, 64, NW) Similarly, when before Pilate and that official asked whether Jesus was a king, Jesus said, “It is for you to say that I am a king.” The decision was for Pilate to make.—John 18:37, NW.

So Jesus did not want men to believe on him because others had talked them into it. He wanted them to decide for themselves whether his words and acts fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah or not. He did not want any decision to be based on excited reports passed from mouth to mouth and enlarged upon, or on noisy advertising of him in the streets. He was not out for publicity of that kind, as the Pharisees were. (Matt. 6:2, 5) The Bible establishes this at Matthew 12:15-19 (NW): “He cured them all, but he strictly charged them not to make him manifest; that it might be fulfilled what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, who said: ‘Look! my servant whom I chose, my beloved, whom my soul approved! I will put my spirit upon him, and he will make clear to the nations what judgment is. He will not wrangle, nor cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the broad ways.’” (Isa. 42:2) So Jesus’ prohibition on the promiscuous advertising of his miracles and Messiahship was in fulfillment of prophecy.

● In the April 1 Watchtower the Chart of Outstanding Historical Dates gives Adam’s creation as in the fall of 4025 B.C. What grounds is there for this?—D. D., Iowa.

The following statement is made at the end of the chart: “It should be noted by the reader that many early Biblical events occurred within years that ran from fall to fall. The Jews even today have a ‘civil year’ that runs from fall to fall. At the Exodus in 1513 B.C. ‘sacred years’ were inaugurated which counted from spring to spring.” This shows that in ancient times the years ran from fall to fall, meaning that their new year started in the fall. How did this practice come about? Well, it is logical to believe that it started with Adam, and if it did, then it is logical to conclude that he was created in the fall. He would naturally count time as it related to himself, numbering his years from the time of his creation. After he had lived one year, a new year would start for him; hence for him a new year would start at the time of each anniversary of his creation. His immediate family, and later all their offspring, might very logically come to adopt that same time as their new year. In that way the ancients might have had fixed for them their practice of counting their years on the basis of Adam’s time of creation; and if that is true, and since they did count their years from fall to fall, we may believe with logic that Adam was created in the fall of the year.

It is noteworthy that the fall is very prominent in Jehovah’s arrangement of things. One of the three outstanding feasts that the Law covenant commanded the Israelites to observe namely the feast of tabernacles or ingathering occurred in the fall. The day of atonement was in the fall. Additionally, Solomon’s temple was dedicated in the fall, Jerusalem’s complete desolation came in the fall, after the seventy years of desolation Jehovah’s worship was restored there in the fall, Jesus was born in the fall of 2 B.C., he was anointed as Messiah in the fall of A.D. 29, and it was in the fall of A.D. 1914 that he was enthroned in heaven.

Experience and Announcements

Quebec City

Sister Saumur was in a house talking to a householder about the Scriptures. Someone nearby had phoned the police and a big bully in uniform came striding into the house and ordered the sister to leave right away, saying she was a communist. The householder was amazed at such tactics. The policeman continued his domineering attitude and instructed the sister to get out of the house. However, Sister Saumur said she was going to phone the mayor. But he rushed to the phone, saying: “No you don’t; I’ll phone the mayor,” and he did. She overheard the conversation, which clearly indicated the policeman was getting a dressing down and was being told to leave her there so long as she was not distributing literature. During this time the policeman was saying, “But she’s a communist!” Finally he left the house and was met in the street by a crowd of people who were waiting to see if he brought the sister out with him. It so happens that this policeman is not liked in the district at all, so the crowd began to laugh at him and kept calling out: “Where is she? Can’t you get her? What’s the matter with you?” They were getting after him because of their dislike for his tactics.

Announcements

“LIFE-GIVING KNOWLEDGE” TESTIMONY PERIOD

The greatest service any man or woman could possibly render to humanity today is to impart to them the knowledge of God and encourage them to run to and fro through His Book in personal Bible study. Knowledge of this kind, if taken in and acted upon, will result in its bringing life to its possessor. Appropriate now when there is so much falsely called “knowledge”, Jehovah’s servants on earth have set aside the month of August as the “Life-giving Knowledge” Testimony Period. The book “Let God Be True” and the latest self-covered booklet will be offered to all kinds of men world-wide, on a contribution of 35c. Align yourself with this life-giving work and turn in a report of what you do in this month.

APPRECIATION FOR BLESSINGS

North American 1951 district assemblies are over. Soon those in Europe follow. What joys of association, worship and service such gatherings provide! The inspiration and fresh zeal they stir up in us do not fade but continue and increase. And why not? Does not the spiritual bounty, “food at the proper time,” nourish and strengthen Jehovah’s servants and witnesses for endurance in these critical days? Every partaker is enriched and built up, and so continues to grow in determination to serve his Creator and Provider. Such in turn aid their neighbors to take and eat the life-giving knowledge. Joyously they make known to others this good news of the blessings of Jehovah God; yes, their appreciation is shown by following through with zealous action. Why not share in today’s grandest of all activities on earth? and then be sure to send to us a report of time you so use, or turn it in to the company of Jehovah’s witnesses nearest you.

THEOCRATIC AID TO KINGDOM PUBLISHERS

For the person who wants to have a part in the joyful work of announcing Jehovah’s kingdom the above-titled book will provide unequaled help. It is the finest presentation of practical aid to develop the individual’s ability to carry on this God-given work. Discussed are such important subjects as, how to study and remember, how to compose and deliver public talks, correct grammar and its proper use, letter writing, fine points of argumentation and their application, facts about the various Bible translations and helps, such as dictionaries and concordances, and how best to use them. A large section is devoted to a history of religions. Clothbound, 384 pages, 50c.

CORRECTION ON “WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

The June 15 Watchtower, on page 384, outlined study material for July 15, 22 and 29. It should have assigned material for only July 22 and 29, as July 15 study material is given in the June 1 Watchtower. Hence for the week of July 22 company groups should study from the June 15 Watchtower the articles “The Place of God’s Word in Our Lives” and “Free Moral Agency and the Word”, and for the week of July 29 the entire article on “The Spirit, the Organization, and the Word”.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of August 19: The 1,290 and 1,335 Days of Daniel’s Prophecy.

Week of August 26: More Liberation Prophecy to Be Fulfilled.