The Watchtower — February 1, 1953

Priestly Advocate of Error Discomfited

RECENTLY a person of good will who had been studying the Bible with one of the Watch Tower missionaries sent to Uruguay arranged for a meeting between her priest and this missionary.

The priest was quick to open the little home interview by sarcastically asking the missionary, “Do you speak Greek?” When the missionary replied that he was not a Greek but an American and spoke only English and Spanish, the priest tried to end the discussion by saying that since the Bible was written in Greek he would only consent to a discussion of it if the missionary understood that language. However, the missionary pointed out that the Bible was also written partly in Hebrew and that under those conditions the priest would have to be able to speak Hebrew also to have a discussion.

The missionary further added, “The Catholic lady of the house here told me that you had personally encouraged her to read the Bible, but she did not mention anything about your insisting that she read it in Greek.” Turning to the lady, the missionary asked her, “Did the priest tell you to read the Bible in Greek?” Of course the lady replied, “Why, no, he gave me a Bible in Spanish.” With that catch question thus disposed of, the discussion proceeded.

First the missionary asked the priest to show the group his support from the Bible for the church’s teaching on purgatory. Since the word does not even appear in the Bible, the best the priest could do was to refer to a citation in the apocryphal book of Maccabees, which actually supported the promise of a resurrection rather than any idea of suffering in purgatory. Next the missionary asked the priest for Scriptural support for the teaching of the trinity. Not being able to present any, he was next asked for support in the Bible for the doctrine of the immortal soul. Again not being able to answer in any way, the priest began to pace up and down the room like a caged lion, saying that he had not come to be made to appear as a dunce by having such silly questions put to him by a heretic.

However, the lady of the house managed to get the priest seated again, and this time the missionary said that since the priest did not want to answer questions, he would like to take the opportunity to point out to him texts from the Bible showing that the soul is actually mortal. The priest consented to listen to these. Strangely enough, when the missionary read from Joshua about animals’ souls dying and from Ecclesiastes about human souls dying, the priest admitted that these texts were right even though they contradicted church doctrine. But he added that the trouble with the Protestants is that they do not know that the word “soul” is mistranslated in the Protestant as well as in the Catholic Bibles, and that while it is true that the soul dies, the spirit does not. However, when he was confronted with the text in Ecclesiastes about all spirits returning to God, he saw that this thought put him in a dilemma, because it would mean that even the spirits of the most wicked would return to God, and so none would be left to go to purgatory or to hell, as he claimed.—Eccl. 12:7.

He tried to get out of this by explaining that the missionaries did not understand Greek, but that this word spirit was not spirit but another word, and he cited some strange-sounding word which he claimed was the Greek original. The missionary said it was a pity that he could not speak Greek himself, but that he had a copy of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance with him and they could look up the original Greek word in that. The word in the text in Ecclesiastes was in Hebrew, of course, and so they looked in vain for the word the priest used, checking both the Hebrew and Greek sections, only to finally discover it was the French word for God he was using to try to confuse them. The missionary then gave the priest a lesson in Hebrew and Greek from his concordance, showing him the correct Hebrew and Greek words for both spirit and soul and what they meant. By this time the priest was very much embarrassed and doubtless wished he had never said anything about understanding Greek, because it was clear to all that he had no knowledge of it.

The lady of the house then very emphatically and plainly told the priest that she was now convinced that Jehovah’s witnesses know and teach more about the Bible than does the Catholic Church. And, speaking even more frankly, she declared that she had learned more in one hour of Bible study with Jehovah’s witnesses than she had learned in six years of study with him. Tonight, she said, he had displayed his lack of knowledge by not being able to answer even one of the questions put to him. When he protested that he was unprepared, she pointed out that his seventeen years of study in a seminary should have been more than enough to prepare him. And thus the discomfiture of a priestly advocate of error resulted in one of the Lord Jesus’ other sheep coming to a clearer knowledge and appreciation of the truth from God’s Word.

Sleeping Pills from the Pulpit

Here’s one for the record! We quote the entire report that appeared in the Fort Worth (Texas) Star Telegram: “Sydney, Australia, Aug. 27 (CDN)—If a sermon puts you to sleep it may be doing you more good than listening to it. That’s the view of Rev. Gordon Powell. The Presbyterian minister believes that, in a sense, ‘the more people sleep in church the better the sermon.’ The clergyman declared from the pulpit of Sydney’s St. Stephen’s Church recently: ‘People today are tired because the tension in their souls prevents them from getting proper benefit from ordinary sleep. In church they are reminded of the love and care of God and develop an inner sense of security that has a strong sleep-inducing effect.’”

Apparently he regards his sermons and his religion as merely a drug for the mentally distressed. Those of sound mind, however, recognize that only sluggards sleep at vital times, and that those who want life must sharpen their ears and gain solid facts so that their knowledge will not run out and the light of truth flicker away. But apparently this clergyman feels it matters little whether one listens to his sermon or not. Such sleep-inducers peddle false security, and themselves refuse to awaken to the lateness of the time. Insomnia sufferers, take note: One such pill is bad, an overdose is fatal!—Prov. 6:9-11; Mark 13:32-37.

Does Common Sense Demand a Purgatory?

“COMMON sense demands a purgatory.” Those words are attributed to H. Page Dyer, a Protestant clergyman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Our Sunday Visitor, October 26, 1952. Thus, in support of purgatory, this Catholic weekly not only quotes the early church “fathers”, Jewish authorities and the Bible but also non-Catholic clergymen and authors. Similar arguments are found in the Catholic Encyclopedia and The Faith of Our Fathers, by Gibbons.

Before examining the claim that common sense, the Word of God and tradition prove the existence of a purgatory, let us note what the teaching of purgatory really is. According to Cardinal Gibbons purgatory is “a middle state of temporary punishment, allotted for those who have died in venial sin, or who have not satisfied the justice of God for sins already forgiven. [The Catholic Church] also teaches us, that, although the souls consigned to this intermediate state, commonly called purgatory, cannot help themselves, they may be aided by the suffrages of the faithful on earth. The existence of purgatory naturally implies the correlative dogma—the utility of praying for the dead—for the souls consigned to this middle state have not reached the term of their journey. They are still exiles from heaven and fit subjects for Divine clemency”.

This suffering, according to such Catholic authorities as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and Gregory the Great, is “more severe than any a man can suffer in this life”. In fact, some even hold “that the least punishment of purgatory exceeds the greatest punishment of this life”. Also that “purgatory is a real Sub-Hell. The sense pains of Purgatory equal those of Hell, which means the temperature is the same in both regions”.—Our Sunday Visitor, November 26, 1945.

COMMON SENSE VERSUS PURGATORY

Does common sense demand a purgatory? Does the purgatory teaching make sense? Let us see. In the first place note that, according to Catholic teaching, it is not the human body, but an intangible, nonmaterial entity known as the “soul” that goes to purgatory to experience its “sense pains”. But how can that which is not temporal, since the soul at death is supposedly divested of all its temporal properties, suffer temporal punishment? Does common sense demand that?

And does common sense demand that we suffer, who knows how long, more severely than it is possible for man to suffer in his human organism, for sins that are recognized as only “venial sins”? Think of all the possible kinds of suffering, being burnt at the stake, slow death by cancer, the kinds inflicted on heretics during the reign of the inquisition and at the present time by Communist police authorities, and know that the least suffering in purgatory is still worse than that. Does that make sense?

And does common sense demand that the length of stay in purgatory largely depend upon the prayers, or suffrages, of the loved ones they left behind? If one has non-Catholic friends and relatives who do not believe in purgatory and therefore do not pray for him nor have masses said on his behalf, he of course will get no assistance from them, and so must he stay in purgatory until he has paid the last penny, as it were?—Matt. 5:26, Cath. Confrat.

And why discriminate against youth? One may die in youth, while having his fling. Think of all the years he suffers and will have to suffer, more than he could possibly suffer upon earth; while another, by living to a ripe old age, when the passions of youth have been spent, has then time to reflect, do penance and prepare himself for purgatory. Does common sense demand that?

Today a big majority of professed Christians, Catholics as well as Protestants, show by their actions that they are in fact ‘lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God’. Is God going to welcome in heaven millions of creatures who love pleasure more than they love him, and who will choose him only when faced with the alternative of suffering? Does common sense demand that kind of Christianity?—2 Tim. 3:1-7.

And is it common sense to hold that one of the most prominent teachings of the Christian religion is nowhere mentioned by name in the Bible? If so much depends upon prayers for the dead, why did neither Jesus nor any of his apostles and disciples as much as mention the subject once? What disservice to the poor souls in purgatory, what negligence, if the purgatory teaching is indeed true!

Common sense demands a purgatory, we are told, because without it there are only two places for the immortal soul to go at death, heaven or a hell of eternal torment; and since nothing defiled can enter heaven and God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, the great majority would not be able to go to heaven and would therefore be doomed to a hell of torment, if there were no purgatory. Besides, just as man makes the punishment fit the crime so God in justice would do the same, and therefore common sense and justice alike demand a third, intermediate state, where length of suffering will be determined by the extent of one’s sins.—Hab. 1:13; Luke 12:47; Rev. 21:27.

It is a well-known axiom that anything can be proved if one starts out on a wrong premise. If man has an immortal soul that is separate and distinct from his body and which at death must live somewhere, and if apart from purgatory the only alternatives were heaven or hell, then it might be argued that common sense demands a purgatory.

GOD’S WORD VERSUS PURGATORY

But does the Bible teach that man has a soul separate and distinct from his body that lives on after he dies? Does it teach that man is conscious after death? Does it teach that there is such a place as a burning hell of eternal torment? No!

Clearly the Bible says that at creation “man became a living soul”. That the lower animals are souls. That “the soul that sinneth, the same shall die”; and that the King of kings and Lord of lords “only hath immortality”.—See Genesis 2:7; Numbers 31:28; Ezekiel 18:4; 1 Timothy 6:16, Dy.

Further, according to God’s Word, hell is not a place of torment but the common grave of mankind. That is why we find in the Douay Version the Hebrew word sheol rendered not only 63 times “hell” but also once “pit” and once “death”; and why Msgr. Knox’s version repeatedly reads “place of death” where the Douay reads “hell”. In death man is like the lower animals, we are told at Ecclesiastes 3:19-21, and therefore, “Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge, shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening.”—Eccl. 9:10, Dy.

So the argument that common sense demands a purgatory because so many immortal souls at death are neither fit for heaven nor deserving of eternal torment falls flat, since human creatures are souls but do not have souls that can exist apart from a body. Souls are mortal, can die, and sheol, the Bible hell, is the common grave of humanity. True, Jesus in his illustrations and in the Apocalypse links fire with hell in certain Bible translations, but why take the fire literally when we do not take the terms “sheep”, “goats,” “beast,” etc., literally? Clearly such expressions are mere figures of speech. The Bible hope for the dead lies not in their being immortal but in the resurrection.—John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15, Cath. Confrat.

As for the need of purgatorial fires to cleanse us from sins, note the testimony of the apostle John: “But if we walk in the light as he also is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” “If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.” Nor does such forgiveness apply only to our past sins, for John goes on to say: “If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the just; and he is a propitiation for our sins, not for ours only but also for those of the whole world.”—1 John 1:7, 9; 2:1, 2, Cath. Confrat.

SCRIPTURAL PROOF EXAMINED

In endeavoring to prove the existence of a purgatory many Bible texts are quoted. Let us consider the outstanding ones. Foremost is 2 Machabees 12:43-46 (Dy), which tells of one Judas Machabeus sending an offering “to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection. (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins”.

As regards this proof, first note that neither this book nor any other book of the Apocrypha was accepted by the Palestinian Jews as part of God’s Word, they were not quoted from by either Jesus or his apostles and disciples, and were not regarded as even accurate, let alone inspired, by none other than Jerome, the translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible. However, even if accepted as Scripture this text would not prove the purgatory teaching true for two reasons: First, the dead referred to were Jews who were slain because of their idolatry, and according to Roman Catholic teaching, idolatry is a mortal sin making one subject to eternal torment. Secondly, the quotation shows that it was because of the resurrection hope, not because the dead were alive, but because they were dead until the resurrection, that these prayers were to be offered. Souls in purgatory do not need a resurrection; they are supposed to be alive and at the end of their “spiritual evolution toward perfect holiness” taken to heaven.

It is further claimed that since the Bible gives examples of temporal punishment for sins a purgatory is implied; and for proof the examples of Moses, who was denied entry into the Promised Land, and David, whose first child by Bath-sheba died, are given. (Num. 20:12; 2 Ki. 12:13, 14, Dy; 2 Sam. 12:13, 14, non-Catholic versions) However, in the days of the Law arrangement not only were sins punished temporally but obedience was rewarded temporally. (See Leviticus, chapter 26.) But neither temporal blessings for right doing nor temporal punishment for wrongdoing is held out to Christians, but just the opposite at the hands of the ungodly. (Luke 6:20-26; 2 Tim. 3:12) Moses and David did not have recourse to the blood of Christ Jesus, nor is there any record that they suffered after death.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, endeavoring to prove the principle of purgatory, cites Matthew 3:8; Luke 13:3; 17:3, all of which speak of doing “penance” (Dy), and therefore allowing for the expiation of sins by meritorious works. However, the use of the word “penance” is ill-advised in these texts and so we find modern Catholic versions using the term “repentance” and “repent”.—See Knox, Catholic Confraternity.

Purgatory is also held to be taught by Paul’s words at 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, where he likens Christian works to gold, silver, wood, hay, etc., and then tells that the fire will try each man’s work, and that if a man’s “work burns he will lose his reward, but himself will be saved, yet so as through fire”. (Cath. Confrat.) Are Christians building with literal gold, silver, wood and hay? Of course not! Then why consider the fire as literal? Besides, note that the work of each one, whether he be good or bad, will be tried, also that while the faulty work will be burned, or destroyed, the individual will be saved, yet “as through fire”, not actually fire.

Still another text used to support purgatory is found at Matthew 12:32, where Jesus is recorded as saying: “For him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit there is no forgiveness, either in this world or in the world to come.” (Knox) Mark’s and Luke’s rendering of this phrase clearly indicate that what Jesus meant was that such sins would never be forgiven. (Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10) Besides, the “world to come” refers, not to the state of the dead, which other parts of the Bible show to be a state of unconsciousness, but to a new system of things, as promised: “And meanwhile, we have new heavens and a new earth to look forward to, the dwelling-place of holiness; that is what he has promised.”—2 Pet. 3:13, Knox.

THE TESTIMONY OF TRADITION

But someone will say, You ignore entirely the testimony of tradition. But, we reply, of what value is tradition if it contradicts God’s Word? For a teaching to be true it must be according ‘to the law and to the testimony’, for ‘God’s word is truth’. Jesus condemned the religious leaders of his day because they sought to nullify God’s commandments by their tradition, and Paul said: “For God is true, and every man is a liar,” if he contradicts God’s Word.—Isa. 8:20, Dy; Mark 7:9; John 17:17; Rom. 3:4, Cath. Confrat.

The mere fact that some early church “fathers” believed something akin to purgatory does not prove that Jesus and his apostles did, especially in the complete absence of any mention of it in the “New Testament”. Did not Paul warn that there would be a falling away? (Acts 20:29, 30, Cath. Confrat.) Peter spoke of some distorting the Scriptures in his day, and John singled out one that was ambitious.—2 Thess. 2:3-7; 2 Pet. 3:16; 3 John 9, Cath. Confrat.

And where did the church “fathers” get the idea of purgatory since it is not to be found in the Bible? From pagan sources. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia the pagans had a belief similar to purgatory. And Professor Hislop gives proof that the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans believed in it, quoting Virgil, Plato and others.

Common sense does not demand a purgatory. Common sense rejects it!

Making Your Decision

TIME and again well-meaning religious people speak of God as “trying to convert the world”. To help God to do this, they interest themselves, among other things, in home and foreign missions. However, if we judge by the progress made during the past century it becomes apparent that their goal of converting the world will never be realized, for not only has the so-called “non-Christian” population doubled during that time, but even what claims to be Christian is farther away from really being Christian than it ever had been. Clearly there must be a mistake somewhere.

In the first place let us note that God does not try to do anything. He commands and it is done. He said: “Light be. And light was.” (Gen. 1:3, Ro) Whatever he purposes he accomplishes: “I have spoken, and I will bring it about; I have purposed, and I will do it.” (Isa. 46:11, AT) Very obviously then, God’s purpose does not include his servants’ converting the world or that goal would not be getting farther and farther away from being realized.

But did not Jesus command his followers to make disciples of all nations and foretell that the good news of the Kingdom would be preached in all the world? True, but note that he did not command the converting of all nations but to “make disciples of people of all the nations”. Also, preach the good news of the Kingdom in all nations “for a witness”, not for the purpose of converting all of them. The facts show that these commands are being fulfilled; disciples are being made of all nations and the witness is being given worldwide.—Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20, NW.

That Jesus did not expect his disciples to convert the world is apparent from his own words as recorded at Luke 18:8 (NW): “When the Son of man arrives, will he really find this faith on the earth?” Note also his prophecy: “Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” Certainly the world was not converted to God in Noah’s day in spite of the marvelous exhibition of faith that Noah gave in building the ark and in warning of the deluge.—Matt. 24:37; Heb. 11:7; 2 Pet. 2:5, NW.

The misconception as to God’s trying to convert the world is based on a failure to appreciate that Jehovah’s chief purpose is to vindicate his supremacy and name and that the salvation of creatures is at best only secondary thereto. Jehovah delivered the Israelites from Egypt, he tells us, to make a name for himself; the same reason why he delivered them from Babylon and restored them to Palestine: “Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I do not this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for my holy name.”—2 Sam. 7:23; Ezek. 36:22, AS.

Jehovah God does not need puny man for the accomplishment of his purposes. It is beneath his dignity and station to either coax or coerce any of his creatures to worship him. He resorts neither to threats of torment after death nor to physical harm in this life; Islam, the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, and many others, to the contrary notwithstanding. He is a God of love and so appeals to love in his creatures. (Jer. 19:5; Rom. 2:4, NW) He bestows his blessings upon them and then advises them upon what conditions they can retain these and gain even more. Then it is up to them to make a decision, to accept God’s favors on his conditions or reject them and lose all.

MAKING THE DECISION IN TIMES PAST

Consider our first parents. They had life, the right thereto and many other blessings and prospects. To test their appreciation God made their enjoyment of these blessings dependent upon obedience to a simple command: merely not to eat of the fruit of a certain tree. If God had been interested only in the salvation of creatures, had he been a God who would “try to convert the world”, he would not have permitted that temptation to come to Eve. But he did permit it. And when the deceiver in the guise of a serpent presented the temptation to Eve, she had to make a decision either to obey God or to follow the suggestion of the deceiver. Because of lack of appreciation, lack of love and lack of faith, Eve made the wrong decision. And when she offered the fruit to Adam he also had to make a decision, to eat or not to eat. He likewise made the wrong choice, and so both of them eventually returned to the ground from which they were taken. The effects of that wrong decision have been felt by all mankind for about six thousand years now. (Gen. 3:19; Rom. 5:12) Ever since that time God has been putting it up to man to choose between the two ways, the right way and the wrong way.—Matt. 7:13, 14.

Jehovah’s relations with the children of Israel repeatedly showed this manner of dealing with his creatures. After having voluntarily gone on record at Mount Sinai as wanting to serve Jehovah, the Israelites time and again rebelled and so were laid low in the wilderness. (Ex. 19:5-8; 1 Cor. 10:5, NW) When God’s time came for them to enter the Promised Land a new generation had risen, and so Moses put up to them this matter of making a decision: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that you as well as your descendants may live, by loving the LORD your God, by heeding his injunctions, and by holding fast to him; for that will mean life to you.”—Deut. 30:19, 20, AT.

This matter of making a decision was particularly emphasized by Joshua some twenty years after the Israelites had entered the land of Canaan. Knowing he would soon die he called together all the tribes of Israel and squarely put it up to them as to whom they were going to serve. After recounting the way Jehovah had dealt with Abraham and his descendants down to their day, Joshua went on to say:

“Now therefore fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye Jehovah. And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.” After hearing a record of Jehovah’s dealings with them and their fathers and the expression of Joshua’s own strong determination to serve Jehovah, the people replied: “Far be it from us that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods; for Jehovah our God, he it is that brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and that did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the peoples through the midst of whom we passed; and Jehovah drove out from before us all the peoples, . . . therefore we also will serve Jehovah; for he is our God.”

But Joshua tried them to see if they really meant it, saying: “Ye cannot serve Jehovah; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins. If ye forsake Jehovah, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.” But the people stood firm by their decision: “Nay; but we will serve Jehovah. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you Jehovah, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.”—Josh. 24:14-22, AS.

When Christ Jesus was on trial before Pilate the Israelites again had to make a decision, between the Devil as represented by Caesar and Jehovah God as represented by his Son. They made the wrong decision on that occasion, shouting, “We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15, NW) They suffered the fearful consequences of that wrong decision in their complete destruction at Caesar’s hands A.D. 70.

MAKING OUR DECISION TODAY

Bible prophecy shows that the second presence of Christ Jesus has taken place, that he has been placed upon his throne and that he is now ruling in the midst of his enemies. (Ps. 110:1-3; Matthew, chapter 24; Rev. 11:15-18) By means of the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom and making known the name of Jehovah the issue is again being squarely presented to the people and again they have to make their decision: either for Jehovah’s kingdom by Christ Jesus or for the governments of this old world under the domination of Satan the Devil. (Matt. 4:8, 9; 2 Cor. 4:4, NW) “Be wise, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, . . . Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.”—Ps. 2:10-12, AS.

The wise are willing to be instructed. They accept the evidence of reason: they see all about them a marvelous orderly universe which bears eloquent testimony that God indeed exists. (Rom. 1:20, NW) They examine the Bible and learn that its testimony is abundantly corroborated by the evidence of geology and archaeology. They note that the Bible is filled with prophecies, many of which have been fulfilled with remarkable accuracy. Only God could do that.—Isa. 41:22, 23.

From the Bible they learn that God’s original purpose for man and the earth was to have a paradise filled with perfect human creatures living together in harmony and worshiping their Creator and that since Jehovah God is omnipotent that purpose will be realized. (Gen. 1:26-28; Isa. 55:11) Also that today is a day of judgment and that everyone is receiving a mark, either the mark of the beast or the mark that Jehovah’s servants place on those who sigh and cry for the abominations they see committed in the land.—Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 13:15-17; 14:9, 10.

You individually cannot escape being marked. You cannot avoid having to make a decision. “He that is not on my side is against me, and he that does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:23, NW) Which way will you decide? Will you choose to serve Jehovah God and set out on the right, wise, obedient, loving way, the way of appreciation and gratitude, which though cramped at present and having a narrow gate leads off to life, or will you take the line of least resistance, the selfish, easy broad way that leads off to destruction?

You have the facts; you can, you must reason on them and then reach a conclusion. And then what? Having chosen wisely you will need to back up your decision by a consistent course of action. “Faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.” (Jas. 2:17, NW) What works? The works set out in God’s Word and particularly as given by Jesus’ words and example. That means to make a dedication of oneself to God even as Jesus did at the Jordan when he said: “Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do your will, O God.”—Heb. 10:7, NW.

And having dedicated yourself one of the very first things you will need to do is to give a public expression of that dedication by being baptized even as Jesus commanded his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them.” (Matt. 28:19, NW) But you say that you were baptized as an infant? But were you? The word baptize comes from a similar Greek word which actually means to submerge or dip beneath the water, and so we find that both John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples completely immersed in water those who believed.—John 3:23.

Being immersed in water illustrates that we have died as regards the doing of our own wills and have been made alive as to the doing of God’s will. Having dedicated ourselves to the doing of God’s will it is most fitting that we make a public declaration of that fact, before witnesses. Infants could not do this for themselves. Also, by being immersed we have a vivid reminder that we have dedicated ourselves, which will help us to live up to our vows.

God’s will for Christians primarily consists of doing three distinct things. First of all, it means study of God’s Word and of Bible aids that help us to understand it so as to become more and more acquainted with God and his purposes so that we can intelligently co-operate with them. (2 Cor. 6:1) Secondly, it means using our lips to bring honor to Jehovah God and comfort to men of good will, for, we being Christians, our purpose in life must be the same as was that of Christ Jesus, and he said regarding his own purpose: “For this purpose I have been born and for this purpose I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.”—John 18:37; 2 Cor. 1:4; Heb. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:9, NW.

And thirdly, we must make progress in the way of righteousness. We must be consistent; we must not only love Jehovah God, truth and righteousness, and our neighbor, but also hate that which is wicked and selfish. We must keep ourselves clean from the wicked world and its practices.—Isa. 52:11; Heb. 1:9; Jas. 1:27, NW.

Thus we see that God, far from trying to convert the world, gives his creatures the opportunity to choose and then take the consequences. Having made the right decision we must follow with a consistent course of action if we would share in God’s purpose for earth and man.

So keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, buying out the opportune time for yourselves, because the days are wicked.—Eph. 5:15, 16, NW.

Transmitting God’s Word

“THE word spoken by Jehovah endures forever.” (1 Pet. 1:25, NW) Due to the fact that none of the original autograph copies of the Bible have come down to us, many critics of the Bible dispute this promise of Jehovah that his Word would endure. What are the facts? Are the various books of the Bible that we have today essentially the same as when first written down by God’s inspired servants? Can we be assured of the Bible’s authenticity? If so, by what means has his Word been transmitted to us?

In the first place let us note that there is an obvious honesty and candor about the Bible that stamps it as truth. Archaeologists tell us that the historical records they uncover seldom if ever contain anything that reflects unfavorably upon the rulers and nations whose history they record. How different the Bible on this very point! From Adam and Eve down to the disciples of Christ Jesus it frankly portrays the failings and sins of individuals and nations, be they friends or foes.

Next note the harmony of its more than thirty-five different writers. Though these were separated by many miles and lived centuries apart, came from many different walks of life and even spoke different languages, they all stress the same theme of the supremacy of Jehovah. Had the Bible been materially corrupted, would we find such honesty, candor and harmony within its covers?

Further, archaeology presents an ever-increasing mountain of evidence supporting the authenticity of the Bible. Nothing has been uncovered to shake the faith of the Christian in the Bible in even the slightest degree. The same is true regarding the record geologists have found in the earth bearing on the creation and the Flood as recorded in the Bible. Could serious interpolations have crept into the Bible record, and yet it have such a flawless record of historical accuracy?

Still stronger evidence is found in the fulfillment of the countless prophecies of both the Hebrew and Christian Greek Scriptures, prophecies fulfilled at Jesus’ first advent and in our day. And then we have the words of Jesus Christ, the greatest man that ever lived, who, all must admit, influenced mankind more for good than any other man that ever lived, and who said concerning God’s Word, “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17, NW) Are men able to accurately foretell events, and would Jesus Christ have given his stamp of approval on the Hebrew Scriptures as he had them if they had in fact not been as God gave them to the original writers?

Further, we know that through the years, in the first centuries of the Christian era and during the Dark and Middle Ages, God’s Word suffered violence at the hands of its enemies. Copies of the Bible by the thousands, both hand-written and printed, were destroyed; Bible translators, Bible copyists and publishers, and those who merely read the Bible or taught it to others were hounded, imprisoned, tortured and even burned at the stake. Surely preservation of the Bible under such circumstances indicates divine protection; and would God have seen to it that it was preserved had it not in fact been his Word?

FROM MOSES TO MALACHI

While in view of the foregoing we have abundant basis for accepting the Bible as we have it today as being essentially as it was first recorded and therefore the Word of Almighty God Jehovah, it will nevertheless prove strengthening to our faith to learn by just what means that Word has reached us, us who are living in this latter half of the twentieth century of the common era, or some thirty-five centuries removed from Moses. And God has seen to it that, as attacks on the Bible increase, more and more evidence should come to light regarding its authenticity and the manner of transmitting it.

Since Moses is credited with writing the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, “five books,” and he appeared on the scene some 2,500 years after the creation of the first man, from where did Moses obtain his information? While he could have obtained his information by means of direct revelation, as did other inspired writers, the Bible does not indicate that this method was used in his case. Or he could have received his information by means of oral tradition, there being but five links between him and Adam, namely, Methuselah, Shem, Isaac, Levi and Amram; but here again there is nothing in the Bible to indicate that oral tradition served Moses in this matter.

Then how did Moses obtain his information? From written records? Yes, recent archaeological discoveries have furnished conclusive evidence that writing existed before the Flood, and which writing was done on clay tablets. Going right back to mankind’s very beginning and indicating that Adam wrote or possessed written records, is the statement found at Genesis 5:1: “This is the book of the generations of Adam.” The term “generations” here used is highly significant. A similar expression is found at Genesis 2:4, “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created.” Obviously, inanimate and unintelligent heavens and earth do not beget or generate offspring, and so we find that modern translators render the Hebrew word toledóth, “history,” “story” or “historical origins” instead of “generations” at Genesis 2:4. To be consistent they should have rendered it thus in all the eleven times this expression occurs from Genesis 2:4 to 37:2. The individuals to whom these records are credited as writers or possessors, in addition to Adam, are: Noah, sons of Noah, Shem, Terah, Ishmael, Isaac, Esau (twice) and Jacob.—See Genesis 6:9; 10:1; 11:10, 27; 25:12, 19; 36:1, 9; 37:2.

Further, this expression, contrary to the opinion of Bible scholars in general, refers to what has gone before and not to what follows after. This was the style of writing used in Moses’ day and before, being a conclusion known as a “colophon”, which fact has been amply proved by archaeological discoveries. This is further verified by the conclusions Moses used to the sections of the Pentateuch known as Leviticus and Numbers, the one for Leviticus reading: “These were the commands which the LORD gave Moses for the Israelites at Mount Sinai.” (Lev. 27:34; Num. 36:13, AT) Clearly these expressions mark the conclusion of what has gone before and not the introduction of what is to follow. Beginning with Genesis 37:3 this expression is no longer found, indicating that from there on Moses himself composed the record, doubtless getting his information through his father Amram from Joseph’s brother Levi.

After Moses died the holy spirit used other servants of God to continue the sacred record, such men as Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, and on down to Malachi. God commanded Moses to keep the book of the law in the ark of the covenant, which was in the second compartment of the tabernacle, and doubtless that is where subsequent inspired writings were also preserved. (Deut. 31:26; 2 Ki. 22:8) That these writings were preserved through the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of Palestine is apparent from Daniel’s reference to them and from the use of them by Ezra in postexilic times.—Neh. 8:1-3; Dan. 9:2.

It is held that Ezra compiled the books of the Hebrew Scriptures and put them into final form, with perhaps the exception of Nehemiah and Malachi; Ezra, incidentally, being credited with writing the two books of Chronicles in addition to the book bearing his own name. In his day began the making of many copies of the Hebrew Scriptures, so that both the Jews who remained at Babylon and those who were scattered abroad in the provinces might have God’s Word. Today some 1,700 manuscripts, or hand-written copies of the Hebrew Scriptures, are known to be in existence or extant.

COPYING THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES

Ezra, who pioneered Scripture copying, was a Levite scribe who had set his heart to know the law of God, to do it and to teach it to others. (Ezra 7:10) He evidently set a very good example, for we find that the scribes who carried on this work after him were most scrupulous in copying the Bible manuscripts. They viewed a mistake with holy terror and considered it a sin to write even a single word from memory. To make certain that nothing was omitted or added, they counted not only the words but the number of individual letters involved. Before and during the time of Christ such scribes were known as the Sopherim; and while these were so fantastically careful not to make any unwitting changes in the text, at times they did let their religious prejudices get the better of them to the extent of making a few changes, such as deliberately substituting “God” or “Lord” for “Jehovah”.

After the Sopherim came the “lords of tradition”, the Masoretes, who not only exercised the greatest care and fidelity in copying, making absolutely no changes, but also made good the harm done by the Sopherim by indicating where the latter had taken liberties with the text. These Masoretes produced what is known as the Masoretic text, on which our present-day copies of the Hebrew Scriptures are based. The oldest of these goes back to A. D. 916, and is known as the Codex Babylonicus Petropolitanus.

How dependable, how accurate is this Masoretic text? A Bible manuscript, the Dead Sea scroll of Isaiah, discovered in 1947, provides the answer. From its style of writing Bible scholars have dated it as of the second century before Christ. The findings of science’s radiocarbon clock allowed for the same date, it indicating that the linen cloth in which this manuscript was wrapped was 1,900 years old, with a margin of error of 200 years one way or the other. Here then was a copy of the book of Isaiah a thousand years older than the oldest dated Masoretic text known, and yet, aside from minor variations in spelling, it was found to be identical with the accepted Masoretic text.

Do we appreciate what that means? Our copies of Isaiah are the same as the oldest Masoretic texts, which go back about a thousand years. And now we have a manuscript that is a thousand years older than the oldest Masoretic text, and still no appreciable changes. So, two thousand years of transmitting God’s Word and no appreciable changes, no corruptions, no interpolations, no impurities, no liberties taken. Now, is it not reasonable to conclude that if such was the case from 100 B. C. to A. D. 1947 there were also no serious changes made in transmitting it during the some six hundred years prior to that time, thus bringing us back to the time when Isaiah wrote the book in the first place? And if that is found to be true regarding the book of Isaiah, is it not reasonable to conclude that the same is true of the other books of the Hebrew Scriptures? Surely it is.

THE CHRISTIAN GREEK SCRIPTURES

The facts regarding the transmitting of the Christian Greek Scriptures parallel those regarding the transmitting of the Hebrew Scriptures. The ones copying these, although not professionals, were to a good degree as careful as were the Hebrew scribes. True, a few errors did creep in, but here again we find that in the main these were negligible. How can we be sure of this? Because just as the recently discovered Dead Sea scroll of Isaiah confirms the accuracy of the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Scriptures, so the comparatively recent finds of papyrus manuscripts of the Christian Greek Scriptures, written as early as the second century of the Christian era, or within a hundred years after the originals were produced, establish beyond a doubt the accuracy of such vellum manuscripts as the Vatican No. 1209 and the Sinaiticus.

In view of these papyrus finds the outstanding English Bible scholar, the late Sir Frederic Kenyon, was able to say: “The interval then between the dates of original composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the [Christian Greek] Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed.”—The Bible and Archaeology, pages 288, 289.

In recent years spokesmen for the Roman Catholic Church have repeatedly published the claim that she is the one that preserved the Bible. Representative of such claims is the one that appeared in Our Sunday Visitor: “The Bible was the sole possession of Catholics for nearly twelve hundred years. Had it not been carefully preserved by the Catholic Church and had not thousands of manuscript Bibles been copied by hand, the world would not have it today.” What about this claim?

The fact is that not one really old and valuable Bible manuscript was discovered in territories under Vatican domination, not even the Vatican No. 1209. The Catholic Church gained possession of it only in the fifteenth century. Who preserved it until that time? Not the Catholic Church! To the extent that she did preserve copies of the Bible, she did so by keeping them in a dead language so that the common people could not read them! Pope Gregory VII actually thanked God that such was the case. And while it may be true that there were limited editions of the Bible in other languages, the fact remains that until the reformers translated it the common people did not have access to the Bible in their own tongue.

No, not to any religious organization or any group of men, but to Almighty God himself must go the credit for preserving the Bible. And its being transmitted throughout the many centuries with such purity of text furnishes another link in the chain of authenticity proving that the Bible is indeed the Word of the Almighty God, Jehovah, and that it will endure forever.—Isa. 40:8.

Deliverance to a Righteous World

“God is unto us a God of deliverances; and unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death.”—Ps. 68:20, AS.

1. Fear induces what action on the part of men and nations, and with what result?

PERILOUS times, filled with anxiety and fear of the possible near end of civilization, prod men to seek alliances of strength. Not strange, this, for a great prophet of God predicted for the time of the end “anguish of nations, not knowing the way out . . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth”. (Luke 21:25, 26, NW) A guarantee of survival and deliverance against any eventuality is what men today seek. Fear of death, possibly premature death in atomic warfare between nations, binds the people in its iron grip and makes them slaves to systems and arrangements they hope will guarantee survival.—Heb. 2:15, NW.

2. What failure has produced disappointment? and with what measures do nations seek to compensate for this failure?

² Fond hopes of welding the nations of the world into one happy family are rapidly fading into oblivion. The keystone arrangement for peaceably resolving differences has brought disappointment. The United Nations, which was to have provided a workable system for holding together the family of nations in unity and harmony, has thus far shown itself to be little more than a forum for debate and the sounding of national propagandas. (Isa. 8:9, 10) Having no trust in a manifestly weak U. N., the big powers have resorted once again to a build-up of military strength to ensure their continuance in a hostile world, even as the first world power of ancient Egypt assembled thousands of war horses and chariots to ensure its safety. Ignored is the Bible’s pronouncement of woe to those who resort to such measures for deliverance: “Woe to them that . . . rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong.”—Isa. 31:1, AS.

3. Ignoring Jehovah’s counsel, what line of reasoning is followed? What is the lot of the people?

³ No effort is spared nor money withheld in the race to develop the most efficient means of wreaking “defensive” destruction. East and West maintain large military forces, each side hoping (1) to preclude disaster by discouraging enemy attack and (2) be in position to successfully meet and survive an attack should it come. Other smaller nations join in pacts and alliances with the big powers, endeavoring thereby to increase their own chances of survival. The great majority of peoples of the world, by choice or by compulsion, cast their lot with one side or the other. Everyone has the same idea in mind, namely, deliverance by means of alliance with the strongest possible force.

4. History provides what record with regard to reliance on the military?

⁴ But this philosophy of survival is nothing new. It has been tried before by great powers, and the results have not been encouraging in the least. Secular history demonstrates that every world power from the time of ancient Egypt has depended on military strength to effect its deliverance in time of trouble, and yet such powers were not able to sustain themselves indefinitely. Sooner or later in a time of great test they fell. The record of wars preserved in the Bible adds proof that military strength does not guarantee security and deliverance. Often great military powers, although apparently overwhelmingly strong and seemingly able to endure any test of arms, met defeat at the hands of those comparatively unarmed. Noteworthy, too, is the fact that such defeated nations in all their defensive measures chose to ignore Jehovah.—Isa. 60:12.

5, 6. Cite examples where armed might failed as a saving power.

⁵ Egypt of the Pharaohs mustered all the war equipment of the realm, six hundred chariots strong, and pursued an unarmed people considered a threat to its existence. All six hundred chariots were destroyed, and drowned in the Red sea were the hardened troops that accompanied them. (Exodus 14) A mighty Philistine army of 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, seemingly invincible, moved against Israel. There was a demonstration of military strength comparable in that day to the strength of the great powers today. And that strength seemed the more overwhelming because there was not so much as a sword in all Israel at the time, nor even a smith in the land. Nevertheless the mighty Philistine hosts were scattered and their military forces were unable to deliver them.—1 Sam. 13:5, 19, 22; 14:22, 23.

⁶ Jabin, king of Canaan, saw 900 of his best chariots wiped out by what were considered defenseless people. (Judg. 4:13-17) Assyrian King Sennacherib witnessed the decimation of his mighty military power in one night, 185,000 of his best troops being found “dead bodies”. (Isa. 37:35, 36, AS) Nowhere in the history of modern warfare has there been an equal to the destruction of 100,000 Syrian footmen in one day.—1 Ki. 20:29.

7. What should the nations have learned by now, as demonstrated by recent experience?

⁷ Nations ought to have learned from the lessons of history that security and deliverance are not synonymous with military strength. There is not one example of history where reliance upon the military has indefinitely preserved a nation. Nor has military strength been a certain deliverer in all great crises. The successive rise and fall of nations gives proof of that fact. Now the greatest crisis of all time is upon the world. Quite naturally men are anxious for a guarantee of deliverance. Will they now continue to rely on methods that have always proved inadequate? Moreover, though deliverance by military means was to be sure in any crisis, the survivors would still be faced with subsequent troubles and succeeding crises brought on by still other circumstances. The terrible aftermath of World War II illustrates this point well. Military might cannot deliver nations or peoples from the troubles and anxieties of this world. Something more than that is needed.

8. As against human schemes for deliverance, what does the Bible reveal?

⁸ A candid view of history, ancient and modern, reveals the ineffectiveness of armies, alliances, pacts, agreements, weapons of destruction, etc., in really bringing about a genuine deliverance. It is not the part of wisdom to keep repeating mistakes of the past. Wise men listen to counsel and profit thereby. (Prov. 12:15; 9:9) “They that seek Jehovah understand all things,” because he is the great Counselor. (Prov. 28:5, AS) Jehovah’s Word reveals him as a mighty Deliverer. He has promised for these last days a deliverance without precedent in human history—a deliverance of people from the oppressions and terrors of this old system of things to a righteous new world free for all time and resplendent with the vigor, freshness and confidence that come with genuine security. This new world is specially prepared by Jehovah, for he says of himself, “For behold me! creating new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be mentioned, neither shall they come into mind.” (Isa. 65:17, Ro, mar.) No conceivable arrangement of men today could possibly achieve such deliverance of humankind from its afflictions.

9. Foreknowing the critical times that have now come upon the world, Jesus recommended what course?

⁹ Christ Jesus appreciated the troubles of mankind and their need for a deliverer. But he did not instruct them to devise methods to effect their own deliverance. Rather he taught the people to pray to God for deliverance, and thus he pointed them to the correct source of deliverance. This meant that men were to rely upon Jehovah God to deliver, not upon Imperial Rome’s legions, nor upon any succeeding power that might gain the ascendancy, subjugate Caesar’s armies and dominate the world. Bear in mind that Jesus foreknew and foretold the turbulent times that have now come upon the world. He predicted that nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, precipitating distress of the most critical kind. Yet he did not advocate reliance upon any human scheme or organization for deliverance, but he instructed men to direct their prayers to Jehovah God for deliverance. That God’s will might be done on earth, as in heaven, was to be their prayer. They were to thus look for deliverance in a manner and from a source much higher than things earthly.—Matt. 6:9-13; 24:1-14; 2 Tim. 3:1.

10. Jehovah delivers whom and by what means? What sustains those trusting in his deliverance?

¹⁰ Jehovah is the great Deliverer; of this there is no doubt. But he does not provide deliverance indiscriminately. He delivers only those who are worthy of deliverance, and abandons to destruction those not worth saving. “Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off.” (2 Pet. 2:9, NW) He proclaims himself the only Deliverer and Savior of mankind, through his Son Jesus Christ. Peter testifies to this, saying: “Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (Acts 4:12, NW) Jehovah’s Word is actually a great song of deliverance that fosters courage, strength and confidence in him. He never lets those who love him forget his power for deliverance, though they go through difficult times. He compasses them about with songs of deliverance, all of which show him as the One sure to deliver.—Ps. 32:7.

11. How does Jehovah’s deliverance differ from the efforts of men at self-deliverance?

¹¹ God’s way of deliverance is so wonderfully different from the ways of the world as to be incomprehensible to men who lack faith. Just so, too, it is infinitely more effective than any worldly deliverance could ever hope to be. God does not need to rely on armed might nor upon clever military stratagems for power of deliverance. With complete confidence in his own ability, he says, “I will have mercy . . . and will save them by Jehovah their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.” (Hos. 1:7, AS) It would be a confession of weakness for him to take military measures in the ways of men. Why, his very name is a strong tower to which the righteous can run for safety. (Prov. 18:10) Jesus appreciated that God’s deliverance of men did not depend on the sword. Therefore, “return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword,” said Jesus to a well-meaning companion who wished to deliver him from the hands of his enemies.—Matt. 26:52, NW.

NEED OF KNOWLEDGE

12. What belief does it take to qualify for God’s deliverance, and how did Jesus proclaim coming deliverance?

¹² Christ Jesus is Jehovah’s Chief Agent for deliverance. It takes belief in him to qualify for deliverance at God’s hand, for God sent Jesus forth “that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16, NW) Jesus proclaimed Jehovah’s deliverance by spreading knowledge—knowledge of God as the one who is determined to deliver mankind from their troubles; and knowledge of himself as God’s anointed one to effect such deliverance. There would be no deliverance to life without knowledge of God and his Son. Consequently Jesus stated: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”—John 17:3, NW.

13. Knowledge of what qualifies one, backed up by what kind of life course?

¹³ Knowledge is therefore the key to deliverance, for “through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered”. (Prov. 11:9, AS) This can have no reference to superior knowledge of military stratagems, nor to knowledge of nuclear forces, the utilization of which might be used as a delivering power. No, but it refers to knowledge of God’s purposes. Backing up this knowledge must be a life pattern molded in conformity to God’s requirements as set forth in his Word. The required knowledge is an understanding of Jehovah as “God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward”. (Deut. 10:17, AS) It means knowledge of him as the Builder of a righteous new world that will provide permanent deliverance for those who love him, and of his intention to save righteous men out of this old world into that new system of things.

14. To the fulfillment of what purpose of Jehovah did Peter look for deliverance?

¹⁴ From the very time of rebellion in Eden Jehovah has purposed to have a world that is wholly righteous, and that purpose shall be accomplished. That world will consist of the “heavens”, invisible to human eyes, and the “earth”, which is visible. Everything in that righteous new world must be righteous and do that which is right, to the praise of Jehovah. The apostle Peter looked for deliverance to this new system of things, saying concerning himself and his fellow early Christians: “But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Pet. 3:13, AS) Peter wanted to be delivered from the troubles of the old world and its anxieties, yet he knew only God could accomplish that, according to his promises. Peter did not side with Rome and get behind her armies for deliverance.

15. Of what will the righteous world consist?

¹⁵ The “new heavens” part of that new world consists of Christ Jesus, together with his joint heirs of heavenly glory, supported by the angels of heaven, all being righteous and fully loyal to God and faithful in their devotion to him. The “new earth” will consist of righteous men demonstrating themselves before and after Armageddon to be other sheep of the Lord Jesus, “the Right Shepherd.” (John 10:16 and Heb. 2:5, 6, NW) And the “new earth” will include the offspring of such other sheep in the post-Armageddon world. Every creature dwelling in the “new earth” must be righteous, and the righteous will never die.—Matt. 25:46.

16. Why is the right kind of knowledge so desirable?

¹⁶ Undeniably, one thing that distinguishes delivered ones from those who perish is knowledge. Knowledge is desirable above everything else, for the value of knowledge lies in the ability it gives its possessor to now act in harmony with God’s purposes. Applying true knowledge with a pure motive, men can gain wisdom and understanding far beyond anything this world has to offer, notwithstanding its great educational institutions. That is why the wise man of Proverbs places such great value on gaining an understanding of God’s Word. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”—Prov. 3:13-18, AS.

THEOCRATIC ORGANIZATION NECESSARY

17. By what means does one gain knowledge leading to deliverance, but how may this view appear to many?

¹⁷ Knowledge and understanding that guarantee deliverance are, however, not individually granted apart from God’s Word and his organization. The same order and organization are apparent in his work of deliverance as were manifest in his creation. While the light of truth concerning his deliverance shines brighter and brighter, it does so through his theocratic organization, first the heavenly part and then the earthly. Personal individual Bible reading, necessary, laudable and commendable though it is, will not in itself bring a person to full appreciation of Jehovah’s arrangement for deliverance; just as attendance at a church regularly for years will not necessarily equip one to serve God and thus put him in position to receive his deliverance. Jehovah uses his organization to effect deliverance, and one’s being delivered depends on his relationship to God and to God’s organization. To many this may seem a narrow view of matters, yet we cannot condemn as unthinkably narrow what Jehovah provides for our deliverance. (Matt. 7:13, 14) We must seek deliverance on God’s terms. Consider the Bible record in point.

18, 19. What examples are there to illustrate that understanding and favor are not gained apart from God’s visible organization?

¹⁸ An Ethiopian eunuch was diligent in reading the Word of God, yet that was not sufficient to put him in position to receive God’s deliverance. Philip heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet, and he said: “Do you really know what you are reading aloud?” The eunuch replied, “Really how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?” Philip “guided” him by telling him the good news of coming deliverance, and the eunuch requested baptism, signifying his desire to avail himself of that deliverance by conforming to God’s narrow way. Philip represented the visible organization of God then, having been sent out from Jerusalem to preach.—Acts 8:26-39, NW.

¹⁹ Cornelius, the Italian army officer and first Gentile to accept Christianity, though for years a devout man, exercising mercy, kindness and charity toward others, needed God’s visible organization to help him. After Peter, representing the congregation at Jerusalem, was sent to Cornelius and instructed him and those who had assembled with him, they all received the holy spirit, signifying favor of the great Deliverer, Jehovah, and they were then baptized. (Acts 10) Even Saul of Tarsus did not receive favor nor were his eyes opened, nor did he receive baptism, until he had made contact with Ananias, representing God’s visible organization. (Acts 9) Without adherence to the visible organization that God uses there can be no deliverance, now or at any future time.

20. How do still earlier dealings of God with men demonstrate the same principle?

²⁰ Has it not always been the same? There was no deliverance apart from Noah and his God-approved family organization for constructing the ark of deliverance. (2 Pet. 2:5) There was no deliverance of Israelite first-born in Egypt apart from the visible organization arrangement through Moses. Nor was there any deliverance out of Egypt apart from God’s visible arrangement. The righteous man Lot received deliverance from Sodom only after having been contacted by angels who materialized as God’s visible representatives to warn him. (2 Pet. 2:7, 8) Rahab’s deliverance from Jericho’s destruction depended on her agreement with the Israelite spies who represented Jehovah’s approved organization then.—Joshua 6.

21. What about God’s arrangement for this time of the end? What vital part would the visible organization play, as shown by Paul?

²¹ It is the same at this consummation of the system of things, the destruction of a world now near at hand. The good news of the Kingdom arrangement for deliverance is being preached by Jehovah’s visible organization, and through the organization has come a wonderfully full understanding of Jehovah’s arrangement for deliverance. It includes the understanding of the opportunity for serving Jehovah in this time of the end, the making by each individual of a continual confession of public praise of God which leads to salvation or deliverance. That this would be necessary to deliverance is shown by the apostle Paul, who quotes in part from Joel’s prophecy of deliverance: “For ‘anyone that calls upon the name of Jehovah will be saved’. However, how will they call upon him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth?” This is organization just as surely as Jesus organized to send forth preachers; and association with this organization that calls upon the name of Jehovah is the way of deliverance.—Rom. 10:13-15, NW; Joel 2:32.

22. What characteristic of Jehovah argues for the same deliverance requirements now?

²² Jehovah says: “I, Jehovah, change not.” (Mal. 3:6, AS) He has always had certain rules governing his creatures. In times past there were requirements for them to meet to gain deliverance, as, for example, their conforming to minute instructions relative to the handling of the unblemished lamb and its blood on the night the death angel passed through Egypt. Inasmuch as “the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men” to make way for the righteous new world, only the faithful following of Jehovah’s rules will guarantee deliverance at the present world’s end. What rule of God is unchangeable and must apply to the other sheep and all now seeking deliverance? What will be required of every person who wishes deliverance into Jehovah’s new world?

23. How does one learn obedience? And what striking contrast is made in Bible record?

²³ Obedience is required. The law of Almighty God demands, without exception, that every creature given life eternal in the heavens or in the earth shall learn obedience to the Most High. This makes necessary a knowledge of what God requires, which can be had only by a careful study of the Scriptures. The Scriptures were long ago written “for a warning to us upon whom the accomplished ends of the systems of things have arrived”. (1 Cor. 10:11, NW) In the Bible the obedient ones are strongly contrasted with the disobedient ones, and a record preserved of the results to each, thus aiding those who now seek deliverance. It is noteworthy that deliverance came, never to disobedient ones, but only to those who sought Jehovah and heeded his Word, and who conformed to his organization.

24. To be obedient means what? Show examples from Hebrews 11.

²⁴ To be obedient means to have knowledge of the will of God and then to diligently do his will. Following the fall of man Jehovah announced his purpose to bring forth a “seed”, the Messiah, who by providing a redemptive price and then setting up a government of righteousness would open the way for deliverance of righteously disposed men. The Devil denied God’s ability to accomplish such a deliverance, and to this day Satan attempts to prevent the deliverance of any men. But the man who believes that God is the Supreme One and can accomplish his purpose of deliverance according to his will begins to have faith. (Heb. 11:6) At the eleventh chapter of Hebrews appear the names of faithful men of old who had unshakable trust in God’s power for deliverance and in his ability to carry out his announced purpose; and they were diligent to obey his commandments. By faith they looked down to this day when God would set up his kingdom, thus creating a righteous world, and they desired to live under that perfect government. They looked for the “new heavens” as their governing power. They would not by compromise accept any temporary deliverance by the Devil’s hand from the things they suffered for righteousness’ sake.—Heb. 11:14-16, 35-38.

25, 26. (a) What question might be raised regarding faithful men of old? (b) What marvelous fact is brought into view regarding Jehovah?

²⁵ What will be the final result to such faithful men? They maintained their integrity and obedience toward God and they had his approval, yet many of them died by violence and sealed their testimony to God’s supremacy with their own blood. Did Jehovah’s deliverance fail them? Does not the fact that they perished show that God cannot deliver and that even those who are his devoted servants are not certain of salvation? Certainly not!

ANOTHER ASPECT OF DELIVERANCE

²⁶ Rather, this brings into view another aspect of deliverance that marks Jehovah as a great Deliverer second to none. Yes, even death itself cannot prevent Jehovah from exercising his deliverance in favor of his people. Any human deliverance would be cut short and frustrated by intervention of death, but not so with God’s deliverance. “The righteous hath hope in his death,” says the unfailing Word. Why so? “Because 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.” (John 5:28, 29, NW) Held within the memory of God and destined for an early resurrection are these men of old. Theirs will be a deliverance from the grave to everlasting life on earth, just as surely as the Son of God himself was delivered from the tomb after three days. Thus is emphasized the unchangeable rule that faithful obedient ones who have God’s approval shall receive deliverance. Even death cannot thwart deliverance for them.

27. Does guaranteed deliverance obviate the possibility of suffering or death? Why?

²⁷ Sure deliverance at God’s hand therefore does not mean there will be no suffering, nor even death on the part of those ultimately delivered. (2 Tim. 3:12; 4:5) Only through patiently bearing reproach and persecution in faithful continuance can anyone show his unqualified love for what is right and thus demonstrate his worthiness for deliverance by God. Christ Jesus demonstrated his worthiness to be delivered from the tomb by patient, faithful, obedient preaching, often under very adverse circumstances. He suffered bodily pain and mental distress, for he was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief”. (Isa. 53:3, AS) Yet he was always kind and generous. He did no harm to anyone, but always did that which was good, and spoke words of kindness toward those who had a hearing ear. (1 Pet. 2:23, NW) Under suffering he learned obedience and thus “became responsible for everlasting salvation to all those obeying him”. (Heb. 5:8, 9, NW; Rom. 8:17) He stood firmly for Jehovah’s name, and for the honor of his own name Jehovah delivered his Son.

28. Through following what course did Jesus gain the position as Jehovah’s Chief Agent for deliverance?

²⁸ Jesus by the things he experienced and observed was able to more fully appreciate the great need of deliverance on the part of humankind. Having traveled the course of humans himself, he well knows how to sustain and succor those looking for an early deliverance at God’s hand. Moreover, he proved himself qualified to serve as God’s great servant for delivering humankind, showing himself willing to pay the price required to effect that deliverance, according to Jehovah’s equal law. (Deut. 19:21) Out of love for God and man Jesus desired greatly to fulfill the role of deliverer God marked out for him. So he obediently proceeded in the manner described at Philippians 2:7-11, NW: “He emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Deliverance therefore requires subjection to the exalted Jesus. To despise his name is to ensure destruction of oneself.

At Least as Bad as Hitler

● Britain’s Manchester Guardian carried the following interesting letter in its August 29, 1952, issue: “Sir.—Your issue of August 13 gives news of eight hundred Jehovah’s witnesses in concentration camps in the Soviet zone. This does not surprise me as I recently met a person whose home was in the Soviet side of Berlin. She has a sister there who is married to a Jehovah’s witness. The sister writes that her husband, some little time ago, attended a home Bible meeting. He did not come back. Fourteen days later she was informed by the authorities that he was serving a nine-year sentence in Siberia. He is allowed to write fifteen lines a month! A photograph of one of his two children was returned—he was not allowed to see it. This information should interest your readers, whether they agree with Jehovah’s witnesses or not.—Yours &c., H. Barlow.”

Saved from Wrath to Come

“You turned to God from your idols to be slaves to a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom he raised up from the dead, namely, Jesus who delivers us form the wrath which is coming.”—1 Thess. 1:9, 10, NW.

1. How did Jehovah move forward toward deliverance of righteously disposed humans?

MAJESTICALLY and mysteriously Jehovah moved forward to the vindication of his name, developing an organization that would accomplish this and at the same time deliver groaning mankind to a righteous new world. After a wait of centuries, which gave Satan ample opportunity to prove whether he could forestall deliverance of men, Jehovah set in motion a chain of events that ultimately will lead to Armageddon’s miraculous deliverance. Faithful to the prophetic declaration that “the deliverer will come out of Zion”, Christ Jesus took up his duties as King upon the heavenly throne, and as the “faithful and true witness” of God’s deliverance. (Ps. 14:7; Rom. 11:26, NW; Rev. 3:14) With the enthroned Jesus Jehovah began the creation of the “new heavens” and proceeds to the building up of his capital organization. The exalted Jesus is made the Head of that capital organization and is clothed with all power in heaven and earth. (Matt. 28:18) Nothing less than this would ensure his ability to perform as Jehovah’s agent for deliverance.

2. Who are now part of the “new heavens”, and by what authority did they preach coming deliverance while on earth?

² God gave Jesus twelve faithful apostles (not counting Judas, Paul taking his place), who now are, by virtue of God’s deliverance of them, in the “first resurrection”, made part of the “new heavens”. (Rev. 20:4-6, NW) They, like Christ Jesus, were true and obedient witnesses of Jehovah’s delivering power, though they served him under great difficulty. They worked hard and preached the coming deliverance. By what authority? Peter answers: “In the name of Jesus Christ . . . whom you impaled . . . This is ‘the stone which was treated by you builders as of no account that has become chief cornerstone’. Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”—Acts 4:10-12, NW.

3. What further steps of deliverance to the “new heavens” does Jehovah take?

³ Proceeding with the creation of the “new heavens” God takes out from among men all together 144,000 redeemed or delivered ones who prove their integrity toward him, and such faithful men he makes a part of Zion, his capital organization. (Rev. 14:1-4) The faithful apostles are the first of these. From the time of Pentecost until the second coming of Christ in glory and power others are taken out from the world. Every one so taken out had to be obedient and learn patience through suffering for God’s name’s sake. In this they follow their King, “because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Pet. 2:21, NW) As Christ Jesus is the Chief and Foundation Stone of the capital organization of the “new heavens”, so all the members thereof as “living stones” are built up into that spiritual house that they may perform an acceptable heavenly service to God and Christ. (1 Pet. 2:3-8, NW) These who are joint heirs with Christ are delivered from this world to existence in the “new heavens” part of the righteous new world. The grave has no hold on them, nor does any political, military or other earthly action affect their deliverance to the righteous world. That is guaranteed by God himself.

4. Dedicated men on earth come under what judgment, and what promise is made to them?

⁴ Previous issues of The Watchtower in recent months have published the evidence that in 1914 (A. D.) Christ was set upon his throne in the “new heavens” as Deliverer. (Ps. 110:1, 2) His first act was to deliver the heavens of all unrighteousness, which he accomplished by hurling the Devil out. (Rev. 12:7-9, NW) Then “the temple sanctuary of God that is in heaven was opened”. This signaled a great deliverance from the grave of those who had proved faithful till death to their calling as body members with Christ. The apostles were the first ones to form part of the temple of God under Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16) Then follows a judgment beginning at the house of God. This is a searching test to determine who is worthy of deliverance. Men on earth, dedicated to God, come under this judgment for deliverance and to them is given the injunction to persist in righteous works, in order to guarantee deliverance to themselves. “Prove yourself faithful even with the danger of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10, NW; 2 Tim. 2:11.

5. Who yet await deliverance to the “new heavens”, and why not humankind in general?

⁵ The “new heavens” are now established with Christ in full control. With him are those faithful early preachers of righteousness who worked with him on earth, delivered now to everlasting life in the heavens. Yet awaiting their deliverance to these “new heavens” are those still on earth whose hopes and aspirations are for the high calling and who have the witness of the spirit that they are sons of God. (Rom. 8:16, 17, NW) Humankind in general will have no part in the deliverance to the “new heavens” of Jehovah’s righteous new world, for this belongs only to those who receive the adoption as sons of God.—Rom. 8:14; John 1:12; Gal. 4:4, 5, NW.

DELIVERANCE OF HUMANKIND

6. What deliverance awaits others of the human family?

⁶ What, then, is in prospect for the great majority of mankind who now reside on earth to receive a deliverance from the woes that now afflict the nations? Are they to be consigned indefinitely to misery and fear, while only a few men achieve deliverance to the “new heavens”? No, indeed! God does nothing incompletely nor imperfectly, and the deliverance he has purposed takes in all of his creation. (Isa. 45:22, AS; Rev. 12:12, NW) All other continuously faithful creatures now on earth are to be delivered to his righteous new world, too, though they will not go to heaven. Yet God’s way of deliverance is remarkably different from anything the world today attempts.

7. The deliverance of a “great crowd” to a righteous world on earth means what change must come?

⁷ “The earth is Jehovah’s, and the fulness thereof.” (Ps. 24:1, AS) Hence he does not yield up control of earth indefinitely to evil forces, but earth must be brought back into harmony with his great purposes and take its place as a part of his righteous world. “Behold me! creating . . . a new earth,” says Jehovah. (Isa. 65:17, Ro) That does not mean a new mundane sphere, for this present sphere will not be subjected to destruction and therefore will need no replacing. (Eccl. 1:4) But if God is going to deliver righteously disposed humans to the better conditions of a righteous world right here on earth, then affairs of earth must completely change for the better. (Ps. 115:16; Isa. 45:18) What Jehovah does create is a new society among humans, under new social arrangements, with a righteous government having its foundations in the “new heavens”. (Heb. 11:10, NW) It is to this “new earth” part of the new world of righteousness that the majority of humankind who prove faithfully obedient will gain deliverance.

8. How does this harmonize with God’s declared purpose for heaven and earth? What shows knowledge a key requirement?

⁸ This is in keeping with Jehovah’s declaration that he made man for the earth and the earth for man. It is in harmony with the plain Scriptural truth that only 144,000 will ever attain to deliverance to the “new heavens”, and yet that also a “great crowd” of men will receive deliverance “out of the great tribulation” and be led to “fountains of waters of life”. The “new earth” has not yet been established, but it is coming and is now near at hand. Supporting the conclusion that knowledge of God is absolutely essential to deliverance into that “new earth” is the prophetic declaration of the inspired writer, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab. 2:14, AS) It is certainly not so filled now, but all those receiving the blessed deliverance into the “new earth” will make it so. It is their knowledge, coupled with good works, that guarantees their deliverance into that world.

9. Beyond release from present world difficulties, what more important deliverance does Jehovah guarantee?

⁹ Not alone from the distresses and tribulations and calamities this world brings upon itself in its disunity does Jehovah deliver his obedient ones. He also guarantees deliverance of them from the ‘ruin that he brings upon those ruining the earth’ at Armageddon. Wrathful though the nations now be against each other and against his people, the time is near at hand for Jehovah’s own great wrath to come upon the earth, “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.” (Rev. 11:18, NW) To be delivered in the time of God’s execution of judgment against this world is of greater concern than to merely escape from trouble now.

THE UNSUCCESSFUL WAY AND THE SUCCESSFUL

10. What prospect of success is there for present efforts at self-deliverance in opposition to Jehovah’s way?

¹⁰ It is not the prerogative of any persons or nations to take it upon themselves to try to change the present world for the better. Whether this attempt be by peaceful means or violence, political conspiracy or military alliances to forestall aggression, etc., matters not. God himself is the one who is going to perform deliverance for the people. He is the one to create a “new earth” and provide the way out of the present world dilemma. Any conspiracies or programs that attempt to do this job for him are beforehand doomed to failure. The atom bomb stands as no terrifying problem for him, nor does economic chaos trouble his purpose for remaking human society. Nothing unyieldingly stands in his way. His purpose moves inexorably toward its accomplishment and humans can only adapt themselves to it or profess to ignore it. They cannot supplement it, alter it, speed it up or slow it down—only conform to it or deny it.—Isa. 43:9; 2 Cor. 13:8, NW.

11. What important points are to be kept in mind regarding conduct now?

¹¹ Let not the oppressive conditions in the world dismay you to despair. Though wickedness and evil-doing are rampant in the earth, let this not lead you to the conclusion that it is profitable to follow the same course. “Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” (Prov. 11:21, AS) Do not conclude that your best interests will be served by walking the ways of evil men of the world. That is not the way of deliverance. Remember that we are now in the day of Jehovah and his King, and “in his days shall the righteous flourish”. (Ps. 72:7, AS; 1 Pet. 3:12) Do not trust in your own heart, but endeavor to walk wisely, for “he that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered”.—Prov. 28:26, AS.

12. What course now proves unwise by reason of past examples?

¹² Do not think, either, that you should do nothing but wait for deliverance to come from God. Noah did not idly wait for deliverance; but the world to which he preached was content to wait and do nothing. Judge you in terms of deliverance which course was the wiser. Every person of note in Bible history in behalf of whom Jehovah showed himself strong as a Deliverer did first show his own faith in the delivering power of the Almighty. On the other hand, consider those like Pharaoh of Egypt, who despised Jehovah and thought little of his ability to rescue men who love and serve him. Pharaoh was dogged in resisting God, not even the cutting down of the flower of Egyptian manhood changing his mind. But when his life was taken from him in the face of a miraculous Israelite deliverance from the Red sea his despisings died with him. Think of Goliath, who roared his defiance of Jehovah’s saving power until David’s God-directed stone of deliverance stilled his croaking voice. (1 Sam. 17:45-52, AS) Jehovah’s power of deliverance was shown in behalf of Samson, the lowly jawbone of an ass humiliating the swords, spears and armor of the mighty Philistines.—Judges 15.

13. As at every period of divine judgment, what is now true regarding deliverance? Why preach, then?

¹³ Deliverance requires faith, and faith requires works to give meaning to it. The fact that there will be a deliverance for some men from this evil world at its end means also that others will not make it into the righteous new world. At every period of divine judgment it has been the same: some were delivered, others failed. Jesus’ parable of the “sheep and goats” indicates a corresponding situation would exist now at the consummation of this system of things. The “sheep” go off to everlasting life, and the “goats”, undelivered, to eternal destruction. (Matt. 25:31-46, NW) The reason then is plain for the preaching of the good news in all the inhabited earth for a witness, namely, that men may know who is the real Deliverer and know of his kingdom arrangement for deliverance. “God saw good through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing.” (1 Cor. 1:21, NW) To ignore that message is to despise God’s ability as a Deliverer, just as surely as Pharaoh of Egypt despised it. Do not be found in Pharaoh’s class!

14. What firm stand is necessary now by those seeking deliverance?

¹⁴ Do not be abashed, either, by those who may assume to ridicule the idea of a near-at-hand great deliverance from this evil world; or at those who mock the prospect of Jehovah’s deliverance of dead ones from the tombs. Keep from slipping out of your mental grasp the words of Peter, himself a foremost advocate of deliverance from coming wrath into the righteous world. Even Peter saw the necessity to arouse one’s clear thinking faculties to keep foremost in mind, against a great tide of disbelief, the profound truths concerning God’s deliverance. Said he: “For you know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: ‘Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.’” (2 Pet. 3:1-4, NW) That is the attitude of the world. If it were not, then there would not be such frantic efforts at self-deliverance as are seen among all nations today. But with all the efforts there is not a shred of guarantee for safety and deliverance, nor is there any real assurance in any human scheme thus far set forth. It is all a grand experiment, with total disregard as to past failures.—Ps. 20:7; 146:3.

15. Sound judgment dictates what course?

¹⁵ Do you want to experiment with your life? Are you satisfied to risk everything on the chance that human schemes will perhaps enable you to survive whatever troubles may come upon the world now or in the near future? Or are you interested in a deliverance that is sure, guaranteed beyond a shadow of doubt? Would it not be better and using sound judgment to trust in Jehovah’s deliverance to a new and righteous world? The evidence of his ability to deliver is overwhelming. The proof that he is proceeding to create a new system of things in this world to which he will deliver those who love righteousness abounds in the Scriptures. Under close examination no doubts can exist that there will shortly take place for men now living the greatest deliverance of human history, and that in the face of Jehovah’s wrath manifested in the greatest destruction ever to come upon the human race. If it is deliverance that you seek, why not go to One who knows how to deliver?

16, 17. How did David show sound judgment in the matter of deliverance?

¹⁶ King David knew that great Deliverer, Jehovah, and, although himself a mighty man of war, he did not fail to rely upon Jehovah to save. Can there be any greater tribute to Jehovah as a Deliverer than that given to him by David? Listen!

¹⁷ “I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength. Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer. . . . The cords of Sheol were round about me; the snares of death came upon me. In my distress I called upon Jehovah, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple. . . . Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured. . . . Jehovah also thundered in the heavens. . . . He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy. . . . He delivered me, because he delighted in me. Jehovah hath rewarded me according to my righteousness.”—Ps. 18:1-20, AS.

18. Once and for all time, Jehovah’s deliverance at Armageddon will demonstrate what?

¹⁸ In the same manner Jehovah will at the end of this world deliver those in whom he finds delight, because of their devotion to him. He will reward them according to their righteousness demonstrated by reliance in him and faithful obedience in service with his mighty organization. It is not a deliverance for the sake of deliverance alone, but a deliverance for the sake of his name’s honor and glory. It will demonstrate once and for all time to all creation that Jehovah is God supreme and that everything existing owes loyalty and allegiance and devotion to him as the great Deliverer and Sovereign of the universe. Only those who manifest that full measure of devotion will live in his righteous new world, for no others will be saved from his wrath coming upon this present world of the Devil’s domination.

Choosing New World Life

FULFILLMENT of Bible prophecy indicates that we are living at the threshold of God’s new world. That new world, God’s Word assures us, will be a world of righteousness, peace and joy, a world of soundness of mind and body; a world in which all mankind will be united in the worship of Jehovah.—Isa. 26:9; Mal. 1:11; Matt. 24:32-34; Rev. 21:4, NW.

By gospel-preaching people in all nations are given the opportunity to choose life in God’s new world. Moses said: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that thou mayest live.”—Deut. 30:19, AS.a

Choosing new world life requires, however, more than merely saying that we do in so many words. Just as by our actions, by eating, drinking, sleeping and working, by meeting the requirements of our bodies, we show that we choose to live now, so by our actions, by meeting Jehovah’s requirements, we must show that we choose life in God’s new world.

Some hold that showing neighbor love is all that God requires of them. But such entirely overlook the fact that in summing up God’s law Jesus Christ placed loving Jehovah God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, first. He told the rich young ruler not only to give to the poor but also to be his follower. Jesus came to earth for the purpose of giving a witness to the truth.—Matt. 19:16-22; Mark 12:29-31; John 18:37, NW.

Neither will sincerity alone meet God’s requirements for life in his new world; otherwise he would not have given us his Word, the Bible, and commanded that we study it. It is the truth, not sincerity, that sets us free. “What man thinks a right course, may end upon the road to death.” Of the Israelites God said: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” To content ourselves with what we think is right is putting our will above that of God, and that is idolatry.—1 Sam. 15:22, 23; Prov. 14:12, Mo; Hos. 4:6; John 8:32; 2 Tim. 2:15, NW.

Nor will just any religion do. We must build the right works on the right foundation, otherwise Jesus will say to us: “I never knew you at all. Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Every plant not planted by Jehovah God will be uprooted by him. If we blindly follow blind religious leaders we also shall end up in the pit of destruction.—Matt. 7:21-27; 15:12-14; 1 Cor. 3:10-13, NW.

We show that we choose the new world life by studying God’s Word and gaining a knowledge of the Kingdom and the new world so near at hand. We also show it by telling others about the new world so that they also may choose life in it. Such may be hard work and entail persecution, but what of that? We work hard to sustain life in this old world, do we not? Life in the new world is so much better.

[Footnotes]

Questions From Readers

● Is it right for engaged couples to have sexual relations?—M. A., Norway.

In Scandinavia and elsewhere this indulgence in sex relations may be the practice, especially during long engagements, sometimes a number of years long, and that with public approval. But that it should be allowed with public approval does not make it right. The purpose of sex relations could not be for the purpose of true marriage, namely, to bring forth children, for otherwise we should witness children’s being born to such couples during their engagement, especially in the case of long engagements, and before the legal act takes place. Evidently, then, the effort must be made somehow to avoid having children result to such sex relations, and for this reason it could not be viewed even as a common-law marriage. Common-law marriages are undertaken by couples without the thought of having them legalized, but still to have children.

When an engagement to marry is entered into, it is understood by the couple and their parents or caretakers that one day the wedding of the two will be consummated. It is not the engagement, but it is the actual marriage, that bestows upon the two the right to have sex relations. If sex relations are prematurely indulged in during the period of the engagement and the man should die or through some other circumstance he should not marry her, then the woman of his engagement is no longer a virgin and she could never be offered to another man as a virgin even though she was never married legally or in common law. This in itself condemns the practice as wrong.

And where is there anything theocratic about it? In the typical theocracy of Israel the engaged virgin was obligated to keep her virginity until her promised husband took her from her parents’ home to his. If a man assaulted a virgin who was not engaged, then he was obliged to hand over dowry money to her father and take her immediately as his wife, without the usual betrothal period. In such case, too, he was not allowed to divorce her all the days of his life, because he had violated and humiliated her.—Ex. 22:16, 17; Deut. 22:28, 29.

Concerning the Christian congregation, which was pictured by an engaged virgin in Israel, the apostle Paul wrote: “I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, for I personally promised you in marriage to one husband that I might present you as a chaste virgin to the Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:2, NW) In harmony with this picture, the engaged girl should be a virgin at the time she is legally married, or if she is a widow she should have had no sex relations with her new husband during the period of her engagement to him prior to the actual wedding.

The practice of sex relations during the engagement period of a couple is the committing of fornication or immoral relations. An informed Christian who strives for life in the new world will not indulge in such, for to do so means conforming himself to this world and its way of thinking and not to the righteous, clean standards of Jehovah’s new world. The Christian parents of a daughter will not consent to or allow for a young man, whether professed Christian or of this old world, to have sex relations with her prior to the formal marriage.

Christian congregations will not subscribe to this practice even in lands where it is the publicly recognized custom. They will require that those whom they admit to their fellowship refrain from or discontinue such practice, if they do not marry immediately. If the engagement period is too long for the couple to endure it without cohabitation, then they should bring the engagement to a consummation as soon as possible and enter the legal marriage with its honorable rights. “It is better to marry than to be inflamed with passion.”—1 Cor. 7:9, NW.

The Cafeteria’s Contribution

WITH one clean sweep, a large warehouse, an auto garage and a couple of good-sized tents were converted into a food-supply storage room, a spick-and-span kitchen and a cafeteria large enough to accommodate twenty-six serving lines, each about 40 feet by 60 feet. Such were the wonders performed by Jehovah’s witnesses at their Yankee Stadium assembly in 1950. Over 15,000 persons were fed through the cafeteria line in an hour. In a single meal featuring the various dishes four to five thousand pounds of beef, chicken, or fish were required. Up to 5,000 pounds of potatoes were used for each meal, as well as from six to seven hundred loaves of bread, 600 cans of vegetables and 400 gallons of salad. The first half of the eight-day assembly took a supply of 50,000 pounds of beef, 10,000 pounds of fish, 80 tons of canned vegetables, and crates of cabbages, lettuce and onions by the thousands.

The kitchen organization to supply the necessities of the cafeteria consisted of fifty cooks and helpers, including at least a dozen experienced professional cooks. To prepare the supplies for cooking, a large number of women were employed to clean and peel the many vegetables. Professional butchers and meatcutters chopped and prepared the great volumes of meat required. Over 35,000 people poured through the cafeteria lines Sunday noon! The cafeteria meals were in good taste and of generous portions. Its convenience proved a great time-saver. The cafeteria’s contribution toward a successful convention can be appreciated only by seeing it firsthand.

So do not fail to be in the cafeteria line, come assembly time July 19-26, 1953, at the Yankee Stadium!

Announcements

CHOOSING NEW WORLD LIFE

“Choose life, that you as well as your descendants may live.” (Deut. 30:19, 20, AT) Good advice, indeed! With Jehovah’s new world at hand, this opportunity of choice is before all peoples of earth. More is required than just following any religion; just being honest and sincere is not enough either. An understanding of Jehovah’s Word is necessary, coupled with a course of action demonstrating one’s obedience. Show your choice by helping spread the good news of new world life. Encourage your friends and neighbors to subscribe for this magazine that will bring them information concerning new world life. It costs only $1 for a year’s subscription of 24 copies, and three booklets are given free.

YEARBOOK AND CALENDAR

The 1953 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses reports that last year more than 63 1⁄2 million hours were spent by active ministers under the direction of the Watch Tower Society in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom world-wide. The Yearbook relates many of the experiences in more than 100 lands in performing their ministry. A copy will be sent you for a contribution of only 50c. The new 1953 calendar is also ready and may be obtained for 25c each, or five or more to one address for 20c each.

1953 MEMORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The date for observing the Lord’s evening meal in 1953 is Monday, March 30, after 6 p.m., Standard Time. All persons dedicated to Jehovah and his service should assemble that evening, along with people of good will. True Christians are obliged to keep this Memorial. (1 Cor. 11:20-26, NW) They will gather after 6 p.m. that evening, opening the meeting with song and prayer. A talk on the meaning and importance of the Memorial will then be given, preferably by a capable dedicated and baptized brother of the anointed, if such is available. The emblems, unleavened bread and red wine, will be served at an appropriate time in the course of the meeting, and the anointed will partake of them. Following the Memorial appropriate service announcements may be made, a song sung and the meeting closed with prayer. A report of the total number in attendance at each gathering, and the number partaking of the emblems, should be made to the Society.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of March 15: Deliverance to a Righteous World, ¶1-23.

Week of March 22: Deliverance to a Righteous World, ¶24-28; also, Saved from Wrath to Come.