The Watchtower — January 1, 1954

Contending According to the Rules?

TO ATTAIN everlasting life in God’s new world the Christian must follow rules, the rules set forth in God’s holy Word, the Bible. These rules are that a Christian must show works along with his faith by being an active proclaimer of the good news of God’s kingdom. If one is not able and willing to teach others this good news he is not abiding by the rules. Thus Christ’s apostle emphasizes: “The things you heard from me with the support of many witnesses, these things commit to faithful men who in turn will be adequately qualified to teach others. . . . if anyone contends even in the games, he is not crowned unless he has contended according to the rules.”—2 Tim. 2:2, 5, NW.

One cannot be crowned, then, with the prize of everlasting life unless he follows the rules by being a teacher of the good news. Are the great masses of Christendom’s churchgoers contending for the Christian faith according to the rules? The clergy and the churchgoers themselves are doubtful that they are! Said a Lutheran clergyman, as reported in the Chicago Daily News of October 26, 1953: “As the World Council of Churches meeting in Evanston approaches, American Christians should be praying for grace to see themselves as others see them.” “Christians elsewhere,” he said, are disturbed by “our shallow churchmanship,” and “they ask whether our members are truly grounded in the Christian faith.”

Since churchgoers elsewhere are, in substance, asking whether American “Christians” are following the rules, would it not be well to ask it of all of Christendom’s so-called “Christians”? So, then, are they living up to this fundamental rule laid down by the Master himself?—“This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations.”—Matt. 24:14, NW.

Do we see individual churchgoers vigorously declaring the good news of God’s kingdom and teaching others? Why, they seem afraid to bear witness of their faith to others! They are only hearers of the Word, poor hearers at that; for the clergy must entice them into pew-sitting by turning churches into social clubs, where dining, dancing and gambling serve as the drawing power, not God’s Word. Indeed, a close look at the so-called “Christians” reveals that they are sluggish in all Christendom. How apparent it is that Christendom’s “Christians” are not living up to a basic rule laid down by Christ and, therefore, are not “truly grounded in the Christian faith”!

Who, then, contend for the Christian faith according to the rules, by teaching pure Scriptural doctrine, by preaching earth-wide the good news of God’s kingdom? For the answer read the following articles concerning the world-wide activity of Jehovah’s witnesses.

They Shall Talk of the Glory of Jehovah’s Kingdom

“To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.”—Ps. 145:12, AS.

1. What is it that has made Jehovah’s witnesses talkers, and the right kind of talkers?

JEHOVAH’S witnesses are the most expressive creatures on the earth. Having gained knowledge of their Creator, Jehovah God, and of his Son, Christ Jesus, they cannot refrain from expressing themselves; that makes them talkers. The right kind of talkers, too—not gossipers—because they talk the truth as expressed in God’s Word. Really, they have something to talk about, the most wonderful news of good things to come that you have ever heard. It is very evident that they know their God, Jehovah. They know of his majesty, glory, power, wisdom, love, righteousness and the sovereignty of their Creator. They will show you that Jehovah God is the greatest one in all the universe, and that by studying Jehovah’s Word one can find out what he has done, is doing and will do as that Sovereign Ruler. When anyone comes to appreciate what Jehovah’s name means, what his mighty acts are, what he purposes to do, that one will not refrain from talking about Jehovah and the glory of his kingdom.

2. Why is it that they must be such talkers?

² Do you appreciate that he has done much in the past for you to talk about, that he is accomplishing great things now that must be mentioned to others not informed, and do you understand what he is going to do in the future, and that this you must declare? Has he revealed himself to you through his Word? If so, and if you are acquainted with his Word, then you must tell others what you know. You have come to know how to gain eternal life. With life you are able to do things yourself and to express yourself. If death is your goal, you have no incentive to make expression. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheʹol [the common grave], whither thou goest.” (Eccl. 9:10, AS) But Jehovah’s people are expressive people because they believe and want to live. Christ Jesus said: “He that hears my word and believes him [Jehovah] that sent me has everlasting life, and . . . has passed over from death to life.” (John 5:24, NW) Thus you will want to talk about the things you learn from God’s Word because you want to live in Jehovah’s kingdom.

3, 4. (a) According to Psalm 145:11 and in view of the war in heaven, of what do they have reason to speak and talk? (b) Whose command and whose example do they follow in thus doing?

³ Psalm 145:11 says: “They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.” Reflect for a minute: think of some of the wonderful things that Jehovah has done concerning his kingdom. Read Revelation chapter 12 and see there described Christ Jesus receiving to himself his authority and reigning in the heavens and casting the Devil down out of the heavens to the earth. “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even despite the danger of death.’”—Rev. 12:7-11, NW.

⁴ In view of this you can speak of the power and glory of Jehovah God as expressed through his Son to cleanse the heavens of all unrighteousness and to prepare things for the glorious new world of righteousness now near. That battle in heaven was fought and won; the next and final one, the battle of Armageddon, is still to be fought for complete vindication of Jehovah’s name and Word. Do you want to survive it? Then start now studying and talking about the glories of Jehovah’s kingdom. Those who have come to know Jehovah God and his Son and of the new global nation are happy and want to follow Christ’s command to preach. Jesus said: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come.” (Matt. 24:14, NW) Nineteen hundred years ago this special Kingdom message was given a powerful impetus in the ministry of Jehovah’s Son Christ Jesus. His followers preached the Kingdom too and organized the faithful slaves of Christ into one congregation. They were all called to one calling, a heavenly calling, “the kingdom of heaven,” to be the bride of Christ, his body. (Col. 1:18, NW) James said: “God chose the ones who are poor respecting the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love him, did he not?” (Jas. 2:5, NW) Those rich in faith talked to others about the Kingdom and believed that Christ did go away to prepare a place for them so that they could be with him in heavenly glory. That place is now established in the heavenly Zion:

5. What vision in Revelation shows them enjoying the promised place prepared for them?

⁵ “And I saw, and look! the Lamb standing upon the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound out of heaven as the sound of many waters and as the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was as of singers who accompany themselves on the harp playing on their harps. And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the persons of advanced age; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been purchased from the earth.”—Rev. 14:1-3, NW.

6. What does Daniel 2:44 show to be Jehovah’s purpose concerning the Kingdom, and who else must now show faith in it, singing His praises?

⁶ The glorious kingdom of heaven will accomplish Jehovah’s purpose with Christ Jesus again taking the lead soon in the battle of Armageddon against the Devil, who still is the god of this world and its disunited nations. We read: “And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Dan. 2:44, AS) When that happens, in our generation, the other sheep now being gathered into Jehovah’s New World society will have the opportunity to sing Jehovah’s praises for eternity. But they must show faith now in Jehovah their God and in his now permanently-established government.—Isa. 9:6, 7, AS.

7. What society is that Kingdom now governing and what divine words must the other sheep members of it remember?

⁷ The kingdom of heaven is now governing the New World society, which includes the other sheep of Christ Jesus whom he is now gathering together so as to have the opportunity of living for eternity in happiness, in peace and in prosperity in the new world of righteousness. Have you become one of these other sheep by dedicating your life to Jehovah’s worship or service? If so, remember God’s words, “I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, . . . You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave the one unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way.”—Ex. 20:5, 7, NW.

SELFISHNESS IMPRACTICAL

8. Why is Psalm 145 today not just a dreamy expression?

⁸ While the 145th Psalm is one of praise and adulation and expresses many things about the glory of Jehovah God and his kingdom, it is not just a dreamy expression. It is not the imagination of an individual who is sitting back and just thinking how wonderful such things might be if they were that way. What the psalmist writes are real, down-to-earth expressions of things that are now happening and things that will happen. He is speaking of the glory of Jehovah’s established kingdom. It is real, it is living, it is a going concern. It is something to work with and for, not against.

9. In the light of this what pointed questions about the Kingdom must we face, and what do worldly men insist is necessary for the progress of this old world?

⁹ Is such a kingdom possible? Do you believe it is? When you meditate upon Jehovah’s Word does that Word live to you? Does it convince you that Jehovah’s kingdom is a reality, that the Kingdom is here, that it is in operation, that it is ruling Jehovah’s servants today? Can you observe the physical facts alongside the Bible prophecies? Are the Kingdom work and its way of operation practical, or do you think that this old world’s system is more practical? When one speaks to men of this old dying world who are supporting it and trying to hold it together, he soon sees that their theory is that there must be selfishness between nations to survive, there must be selfishness among men to make progress, to advance civilization. Just take a look at the selfishness of this world. Is it practical?

10. What fulfillment of prophecy shows whether selfishness has made this world better or not?

¹⁰ Selfishness has resulted in the condition foretold in these words: “But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, without gratitude, with no loving-kindness, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with self-esteem, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5, NW) Now ask yourself, Has the selfishness of the world made it better? Has it progressed and has its selfishness made it a peaceful, happier world? No, you answer. So selfishness is not practical.

11, 12. What do the people of this world need, and so between what two big things must we express our choice?

¹¹ What does it need? It is not selfishness, but love as expressed by Jehovah in the new and glorious kingdom of God. That righteous government, now already functioning, is based on love, for God is love. Jehovah God shows that that is the principle on which he works; and that is the principle every one of us has to work on if we are going to be in that new world of righteousness. Love is the foundation of it all.

¹² So we might as well begin learning to love now: love Jehovah God, the Sovereign Ruler; love his Son, love his other creatures and do things for them. One of the best ways to show your love to people now is to talk to them of the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom. It is a real government, a growing organization that hundreds of thousands of persons already recognize. It has been and is constantly bringing blessing and happiness to millions of persons since its birth in 1914, and will bring life and happiness and peace to yet more millions in the future. Love will make the new world a marvelous place in which to live! You have seen what selfishness has done to this old world. So you make your choice: God’s kingdom or the Devil’s world.

13. What things have resulted in dividing this old world?

¹³ What a divided world you have! You see languages spoken by different groups of people in all parts of the earth, making it impossible for them to communicate with other groups of people. Nations just do not understand one another. Language has been a dividing factor. Nations have set up their own boundaries and fought over those boundaries, because they are selfish: ‘Stop! do not cross this line; this is mine!’ But this selfishness has not brought about any unity, peace or happiness in this divided world today. This is true also of religion. Whether pagan or so-called “Christian,” it is one of the greatest forces to separate people.

14, 15. Have politics and commerce proved themselves unselfish, and in what have all forms of selfishness resulted to humans everywhere?

¹⁴ Then there is politics with its different parties, its different forms and ideas of government, all of which claim to be “unselfish.” But are they? Finally, there is commerce, marked by its competitive, selfish way of handling deals and building up powerful organizations to get all the wealth of one kind, like oil or iron, into the hands of a few, so that its owners can control the world.

¹⁵ Now what has all that selfishness brought? To humans everywhere, hatred, wars, death.

16. By whom is God’s kingdom represented on earth today, and how does Psalm 145 mark a contrast between the Kingdom and the Devil’s world?

¹⁶ In Psalm 145, David, a man after God’s own heart, was talking about the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom. There is no glory in the kingdoms of this old world. Now we know of Jehovah’s kingdom as revealed through his Word, and it is a government based on love, righteousness, peace and justice. Which do you want? Which will you serve? We have just looked at the old world. How do we see the new world? We see it represented in the people whom Jehovah God has gathered together today and built into an organization, a New World society. Yes, they are still living on this globe that they know is, since 1914, his eminent domain, but they have come out of that old world. They have all the infirmities and sicknesses of the common man, but not the unhappiness and selfishness of this old world. By Jehovah’s undeserved kindness, he has, in these “last days,” gathered together those who are seeking him, seeking righteousness, meekness, happiness, contentment, and he has brought them into the New World society. The 145th Psalm shows how Jehovah God will reach out to help those who have fallen and who want to get up, and to help those who have been forced to bow down. He offers them his hand; he says he will feed them. There is a great contrast in principle governing these two organizations, Jehovah’s and the Devil’s. The Devil’s is a wicked, selfish world, oppressing people. Jehovah’s is the glorious kingdom based on love and sinlessness, for he arranged to take away the sin of the world by the blood of his Lamb, Christ Jesus.

17. Whose need and desire does Jehovah satisfy?

¹⁷ Psalm 145:14-16 shows how Jehovah helps the poor and lowly of heart, for he ‘satisfies the desire of every living thing.’ Well, certainly those who have come to know Jehovah and have studied his Word have been satisfied with truth and their present happiness in life. But let us go beyond just his people and look into the earth itself, even to the animal kingdom. He satisfies even all their desires. The birds that fly above the earth fully enjoy their life span though it is short. He satisfies their needs by the food, by the nests, by the trees and by the open sky in which to fly. Look in any department of creation—the animal life that crawls upon the earth or the fish that are in the sea—he satisfies all their needs. Well, if he looks after them so thoroughly, certainly he will look after you, if you come within his organization. What a marvelous provision he has made for everything that he has created in the heavens and on earth! “Observe intently the birds of heaven, because they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses; still your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?”—Matt. 6:26, NW.

18. So why are we unable to be expressionless, and to what expression toward Jehovah does Psalm 103:1-5 give way?

¹⁸ Are we going to be expressionless when we know these things? How can we be when it is a natural thing for us to talk about someone who loves us and whom we love, and whom we want to bless? “To bless” means to bestow favor or honor upon, or to speak well of a person. Psalm 103 (AS) shows how those who have come to know Jehovah God want to do this. Its first five verses Ps 103:1-5 express their gratitude: “Bless Jehovah, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless Jehovah, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy desire with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle.”

19. Why, then, ought we also to bless Jehovah and his holy name? And what keeps us active as His representatives?

¹⁹ Do you bless Jehovah and his holy name? You ought to, because you have seen all of his benefits, or can see them if you look. He has healed you and helped you into the path of the living, or will heal you if you seek him and the truth. He has provided the truth for all to follow and to benefit by it. He will show all the way to gain eternal life if they want to know. He has redeemed you from destruction in this old world because you have come into his New World society. If you have not come you can do so, or at least can investigate. He has crowned you with loving-kindness and he has shown you his tender mercies by making his Word accessible. If you study the Bible, he will satisfy every desire. Then you can say: ‘I have the truth. I know Jehovah. I appreciate that I can work for him and that I can gain life by continually taking in knowledge of him.’ And what does that do to us? It keeps us young; it keeps us alive; it keeps us active in his New World society, as representatives of him. “We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: ‘Become reconciled to God.’”—2 Cor. 5:20, NW.

20. In what way is our youth renewed now, and what kind of youth will men of good will enjoy in the new world?

²⁰ Anyone who has come into the truth and has dedicated himself to Jehovah God has experienced this loving-kindness and tender mercy, and that gives him real faith and enables him to live an active Christian life and not be a hypocrite. Regardless of age, whether his years be many or few, it seems that a Christian shows only his youth, because no one will become old in the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is now here. So now every morning when we rise to talk of the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom we rise as a man in his youth. David says: “Thy youth is renewed like the eagle.” No longer are we in captivity to Babylon, but are now free. “They go from strength to strength; every one of them appeareth before God in Zion.” (Ps. 84:7, AS) “They that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31, AS) We have something to keep us so busy. We have no time to get old and retire from serving the prospering Kingdom, which soon will clean out this old world with Gog of Magog and destroy it all. Then the people of good will are to enjoy continual youth under the new and glorious system of things longed for through all earth’s ages by men of righteousness, and each of them will see it continually expanding and flourishing in the new world.

IN ITS FORTIETH YEAR

21. In what year of the established Kingdom do we now live, and, despite what the year may mean, why are we content?

²¹ Since 1914 we have been living under the rule of this kingdom. Today we live in the fortieth year of its irresistible reign. What does that year mean to us? We cannot say. It will be much better for us to wait until this fortieth year is completely past and then look back to see whether that fortieth year of the Kingdom had some special significance. Regardless of whether there is or is not anything special in this fortieth year of Jehovah’s glorious rule as King (Rev. 11:16, 17; 19:6, NW), in which year we are now living, we certainly feel young, fully satisfied with what has happened thus far. We are content. Wherever Jehovah’s name-people are they are still able enthusiastically to praise their God and worship him day and night and they are fully aware of Jehovah’s interest in them.

22. How has Jehovah’s immeasurable kindness been shown us, and so how do we express ourselves toward him?

²² Jehovah’s witnesses, therefore, continually talk of the goodness of Jehovah God. They advertise his kingdom. They preach the Word and, like their God, they are happy. To them Jehovah continues to reveal himself, and they know Jehovah and they must express themselves concerning him. He has shown Jehovah’s witnesses immeasurable kindness, and has been forgiving and long-suffering with them as well as with all mankind. We who know the happy God and his truth have felt his mercy; we have been endowed with his tenderness. With David (Ps. 34:1-3, AS), therefore, we have reason joyously to say: “I will bless Jehovah at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in Jehovah: the meek shall hear thereof, and be glad. Oh magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

23. (a) Who is it that hear such blessing of Jehovah on earth, and to what invitation do they respond? (b) In what does the power of the New World society lie?

²³ Do you feel and talk that way? Do you want to bless Jehovah at all times, and continually praise him with your mouth? If you do, what happens? Psalm 34 shows that when you praise Jehovah with your mouth others who are meek will hear your praise. One who has come to Jehovah and keeps on devoting his life in service will talk regularly, and the meek will hear his talk; and then they are going to be invited to magnify Jehovah with him, and to exalt his name together. And then the meek will respond to the invitation: “Let us exalt his name together.” Now, are you going to do this praising and exalting of Jehovah God in this fortieth year of his established kingdom? The New World society is globally organized to do just that “in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations.” (Matt. 24:14, NW) As a society for such witness-bearing each of such associated preachers will talk “from house to house.” There is no question about it. The power of that organization we now see, but not because of the 510,228 praisers who are now in the New World society. No, its power is not in numbers. While the organization is great in numbers, the power, the backing, the support these numbers get is Jehovah’s holy spirit. You individually feel that power, that active force, because you have come into Jehovah’s organization. His favor is seen upon his witnesses. They all move forward in service under Jehovah’s appointed Shepherd-Prince, Christ Jesus.

24. Why do we invite others to magnify Jehovah’s name with us, and what recent manifestation of his Kingdom glory are we continuing to talk about?

²⁴ These hundreds of thousands of praisers doing house-to-house witnessing work are joyously inviting others every day, every night, throughout this whole world, to magnify Jehovah’s name with them. We are not asking them to magnify Jehovah’s name just to get them to be called “Jehovah’s witnesses,” as the religious organizations do to get members throughout this earth. No, it is because we want talking ministers who will promote true worship of Almighty God and who will want to magnify Jehovah and exalt his name, not hide it. We want all persons of good will to appreciate the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom and to get from it all the blessings in store for them, and to allow the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom to be reflected through them in the true worship they give to Jehovah God. We want to see them “bless Jehovah at all times” and bear witness to the world of the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom. That glory we could see at Yankee Stadium July 19-26, 1953, during the New World Society Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses. With people present there from all nations, kindreds, tongues and families of the earth, having one mind and spirit, one love for Jehovah God, you could see it. It was a glorious feast. If you were there you enjoyed it and talked of the Kingdom to others and, by Jehovah’s undeserved kindness, you will continue to do so.

25. What was there to be seen in Jehovah’s witnesses at the assembly to induce one to be gathered into the New World society?

²⁵ If you were not there, what did others see in Jehovah’s witnesses as the New World society? Was it not the peace, quietness, friendliness, love, sincerity and unity of that group? If it was, why do you not allow yourself to be gathered by Jehovah’s Right Shepherd, Christ Jesus, into his New World society? If your heart is right you will respond to the invitation: “Magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt his name together.”—Ps. 34:3, AS.

26-32. What did many of the press reports, comments and editorials have to say about Jehovah’s witnesses attending the assembly?

²⁶ Turn to a few of the thousands of press reports, comments and editorials, as follows:

²⁷ “This weekend, thousands of them are swarming into New York City from all over the world . . . They’re called Jehovah’s witnesses, and each . . . a minister in name as well as in deed. Although most of them earn their livelihoods by worldly jobs, they devote the rest of their time to spiritual business—visiting homes, preaching on street corners, passing out literature.”—Dispatch of The Associated Press widely published July 18 and 19, 1953.

²⁸ “Jehovah’s witnesses are ardent believers in the Bible as ‘God’s word of truth.’ . . . Their dynamism strikes admiration, however. Their devotion points an answer to the oft-expressed question of whether religion has failed mankind. Of course it hasn’t, but mankind seems often to have failed to find the ideals of true religion.”—Editorial in Paterson (N. J.) Morning Call, July 20, 1953.

²⁹ “We are going to miss those Jehovah’s witnesses when they are gone. . . . Those folks seem to be the cream of the country when it comes to politeness, courtesy, and a few other things that most of us neglect these days. . . . Those folks are just as polite when they are back of a steering wheel as we are when we are in a hotel lobby, and that is something.”—Dunellen (N. J.) Weekly Call, July 23, 1953.

³⁰ “The eight-day world assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses brought to New York City area nearly 150,000 members of this durable sect—men, women and their families from all over the world who live their faith vividly.”—Editorial in Vancouver (Wash.) The Columbian, July 24, 1953.

³¹ “We vote that our city’s latchstring be permanently left out for these earnest people. . . . We hope, too, that their example will start a trend among some of the wayward, middle-aged adolescents who hold their annual cutups here.”—Editorial in New York (N. Y.) World-Telegram and Sun, July 22, 1953.

³² “In the persons of Jehovah’s witnesses who passed through this city on their way home from the world conference in New York last week . . . were whites and blacks and apparently American Indians and peoples of oriental background, of both yellow and brown races . . . family groups, quietly happy in the possession of a religion that engrosses them and to which they have dedicated their lives. . . . Wherever they go they proudly and joyfully advertise their cause but in the quiet, orderly fashion to which they have become disciplined. They are a splendid people who are growing in numbers and influence. And wherever they go they are welcome. By their behavior they create such goodly opinion that they are urged to return. And that does not go for all conventions and gatherings.”—Editorial in Allentown (Pa.) The Morning Call, July 28, 1953.

33. What was there at work with good results, but what fails to work in this world, noticeably in its United Nations?

³³ From that you would say that love, God’s way, worked and brought results, real happiness and contentment! Do you want to try it? Do not answer as the world does. “No,” says the old world, “our idea of life is ‘selfishness means advancement.’” They think Jehovah’s witnesses have done a wonderful thing in meeting together peacefully in upward of a hundred and fifty thousand, but it will not work as a world-wide setup. Well, look at the United Nations. It is a world-wide setup and its selfishness does not work. Why do not the clergy and rulers try Jehovah’s kingdom and God’s way of love?

34. In the actuality of what rule is there every reason now to believe, and who will heed Psalm 145:18, and who not?

³⁴ Jehovah’s kingdom has been established and is now in its fortieth year. It is a working government with Christ Jesus at the helm. He has returned and he rules as Jehovah’s appointed King. Are you with him? There is every reason to believe his rule has begun. Will you serve Jehovah with his King? Do you see the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom, and will you talk about it? Will you go forward in the ministry service now and prove to Jehovah God that you believe his kingdom is the only hope for mankind? Psalm 145:18 says that “Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” Why does not the United Nations organization try it and then, of course, listen to Jehovah? Good advice for the clergy too, but they will not heed it. Thousands more individuals will, though.

35. To whom, then, will Jehovah prove himself near, and where is it now the time to flee?

³⁵ Even though you may be isolated in some part of the world or in a small congregation of his people, Jehovah will be near to you if you call upon him in truth. At no time is he far away. Even when two or three are gathered together in his name, there he is in their midst, by his power and care. Being Jehovah’s witnesses and having dedicated yourselves to Jehovah God, you have a hope. You know the Kingdom is a reality. You have proof from the Scriptures that it was established in 1914. Now you see the gathering of the other sheep in great numbers, by the thousands; and you have seen manifested the spirit of Jehovah God upon the New World society. Why, then, should you ever doubt? Now is the time to flee to the mountains with Jehovah’s people. Do not try it alone later on. It will be too hazardous.—Matt. 24:19-21, NW.

36. What should we not waste time in doing, but, instead, what is the most important work for us to do now?

³⁶ Do not waste your time now predicting what is going to happen in this fortieth year of Jehovah’s kingdom. You should fully appreciate that Jehovah knows what he will do and what his purpose is in this year or any other year in the future, and that he is fully able to accomplish it in his own due time. For the present, we have his command to talk of the glory of his kingdom. For us there is nothing else to do. It is the most important work in all the world.

Ponder over these things, be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons. Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.—1 Tim. 4:15, 16, NW.

Keeping a Clean Organization of Talkers

1. As foretold by Jude, who have come into the congregation that we do not want there, and what will their end be?

MANY persons have associated themselves with Jehovah’s witnesses and have mixed in with them, and we believed they were sincere because of their association and the course of action they had taken. But some have come that we do not want. The reason is that they are selfish. They have no love for God or for their neighbor. They are still of the old world and they believe that the old-world practices can be worked into this New World society. Jehovah will not allow it. Jude wrote: “I found it necessary to write you to exhort you to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones. My reason is that certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scriptures to the judgment described below, ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3, 4, NW) It is this type of person that we must be careful about. He is a hypocrite! His philosophy or his way of thinking has no place in the New World society. Only those devoted to blessing Jehovah will gain life. Jude continues and says: “But you, beloved ones, by building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying with holy spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love, while you are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view.” (Jude 20, 21, NW) Those taking the right course will be blessed. Those who oppose and are unclean will lose everything, even life.

2, 3. As one of Jehovah’s acts to speak about, how may what he did at Jericho be spoken of, and through what course of action did an undesirable Israelite come to view?

² In this connection it is written: “Men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts; and I will declare thy greatness.” (Ps. 145:6, AS) As one of Jehovah’s terrible acts, take, for example, the destruction of the city of Jericho. What a mighty and terrible act! Jehovah God had promised to lead his people into the land of milk and honey and he did so and assured them that he would win their battles for them. So he told them how Jericho would be destroyed. You can read the account in the Bible, at Joshua 6:1-26 (NW). Jehovah God was watching every move of his people and they did as Jehovah commanded. They did their part; Jehovah did his. The walls fell. You well say it was a miracle. After the walls fell Jehovah was still interested in his chosen people. He wanted them to remain clean and obedient.

³ But now the selfish Achan came to view. (Josh. 7:1-26, NW) The whole nation of Israel must have trembled after Achan was exposed, for this searching out of the selfish one showed the mightiness and alertness of Jehovah God. Achan turned thief. To the Israelites he looked clean outside; but he was not, because he was dirty inside. His philosophy for survival was selfishness, not love, not worship of Jehovah God, not following His commands. No, he thought he knew better than to carry out Jehovah’s organization instructions. Joshua, the one chosen to lead Jehovah’s people, was speaking for Jehovah God when Joshua told the people how to march, when and where and what to do. But Achan was not marching for the love of it. No, he was interested in what he could get out of it. Covetousness impelled his heart.

4, 5. How was Achan disposed of? and the method of detecting him disclosed what concerning Jehovah?

⁴ Because Achan was unclean, a filthy thing in Israel, Jehovah’s chosen people, what followed? “Joshua, and all Israel with him, now took Achan the son of Zerah and the silver and the garment and the bar of gold and his sons and his daughters and his ox and his ass and his flock and his tent and everything that was his and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. Then Joshua said: ‘Why have you brought trouble upon us? Jehovah will bring trouble upon you on this day.’ With that all Israel went pelting him to death with stones, after which they burned them with fire. Thus they stoned them with stones.”—Josh. 7:24, 25, NW.

⁵ The people must have marveled at the way Jehovah ferreted Achan out, by tribe, by family, by household, down to the man himself and his own tent, and there they found the garment and the gold, the things that he had stolen out of the city of Jericho. Yes, Jehovah God was watching his organization. He watched them march round Jericho, he watched the walls fall, he watched his people go into the city to take out the things that they should bring to Jehovah. He saw Achan the selfish one with no love for God or his brothers. Remember, you too are now living under the eyes and the powerful hand of the same living God, Jehovah, not sightless, lifeless gods of stone, wood or metal!

6. To avoid an end such as Achan’s, what warning and sound counsel may every lover of Jehovah’s organization now willingly heed?

⁶ There may be some whose ideas of living are based on selfishness and who will not clean up inside, will not change their thinking. Some of these get into Jehovah’s organization. Do not be one of them, for Jehovah sees what is going on. He can reach right in there and throw you out so quickly that you will need time to discover just what has so suddenly and swiftly happened to you. But as long as you seriously and sincerely trust Jehovah and stay alertly in his organization and abide by his Word and obey Jehovah’s commandments, then his spirit and his blessing will be your happy portion. But violate his commandments, and you will not have his favor but will receive his punishments. Jesus said: “If you love me, you will observe my commandments.” (John 14:15, NW) You see the whole organization of Jehovah God is based on love, not selfishness and uncleanness. Sometime maybe one will think that he can get away with something in Jehovah’s organization. If it is not according to the commandment of God, he will not get away with it. He will fail, as Achan did.

7. Why does the death of Ananias serve as further warning to us, and how should true members of the New World society avoid that kind of death?

⁷ Just recall Ananias. In his case there is another example of the greatness of Jehovah God, his mighty acts, and the power of his holy spirit. Ananias was trying to live a lie. Because he lied, because he put on an appearance of doing something wonderful and great but actually was stealing from Jehovah’s organization he dropped dead. (Acts 5:1-6, NW) That event warns us, Never lie to Jehovah. Do not try to deal selfishly with his righteous organization. Never bring dishonesty or uncleanness into the congregation of Jehovah God. That is selfishness. The happy course of action that a real Christian takes is this: “Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.” (Ps. 144 [145]:2, CB) That is what all of us who have come into Jehovah’s New World society must do. Do not try to mar the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom and his organization by doing something like Achan or Ananias. Jehovah’s New World society is part of God’s holy organization. Recognize it, get into it now and serve with it right through his battle at Armageddon, on into his righteous new world without end, where all will love Jehovah and love their surviving neighbors.

8, 9. Dedication of one’s life to Jehovah today includes what features of worship with respect to him and his now permanently-set government?

⁸ When one dedicates his life to Jehovah God now it is a matter of a continual, never-ending service. It is not just doing a little bit now and then. It is not just an incidental hobby, or a pastime. But, “Every day will I bless you.” Your service to Jehovah God is your worship. You must praise his name, you must speak of his glory, you must tell others what your God has done. Bless his name, speak well of his name, show all the world that you are his servant, that you can live in happiness with love as a motive force.

⁹ Tell it out to the peoples of the world that Jehovah reigns and his kingdom is now a glorious, permanent government. Jesus said we should “go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded.”—Matt. 28:19, 20, NW.

“PUBLICLY AND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE”

10, 11. (a) Of what, and where, do all of Jehovah’s witnesses now talk? (b) Why is it urgent for them thus to talk?

¹⁰ All of Jehovah’s witnesses, whether missionaries, pioneers or congregation publishers, must talk of the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom. In Jehovah’s organization none are silent, but “in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’” (Ps. 28 [29]:9, CB) Paul did so, for he reminds us: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.”—Acts 20:20, NW.

¹¹ Jesus’ apostles and other faithful followers never held back anything that they knew about their Creator or about his Son, their Leader, who took away the sin of the world. They could not do so. Where did they talk? Publicly and from house to house. Just as that method was so important for them from the first and, later, in Paul’s day, so it is our most important work during this fortieth year of Jehovah’s kingdom. You should get out there in the field, going from house to house, from home to home, meeting the people in their homes, talking to them about the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom. Are you doing that, especially now that the Kingdom, Jehovah’s permanent government, is here? It is urgent to do so, because the years left before his final battle at Armageddon cannot be too many.

12. Why and how do true lovers of their neighbors now prove themselves to be different from the world?

¹² We must show the world that we are different. We cannot hide our light under a measuring basket. (Matt. 5:15, NW) We believe in loving our neighbor, not killing him with darkness. We want to see him live. We can help him with the message of life that Jehovah has given us to talk to the world. That can best be accomplished by going from door to door and studying with the people right in their own homes, so that they can conveniently ask questions and get a Scriptural answer. Just like you, they must “make sure of all things,” and we want them to believe in Jehovah’s kingdom. “When you are entering into the house, greet the household; and if the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you.”—Matt. 10:12, 13, NW.

13. (a) While preaching from house to house, how does the New World society minister constantly try to determine each home’s worthiness to be served by him? (b) Why does he recognize and respect each householder’s liberty of choice?

¹³ We have a wonderful message to take to the world, for all nations, kindreds and tongues. It is a peaceful message delivered by peaceful persons. You ministers are of the New World society; you are representing Jehovah God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. And when you go into a house let your peace be manifest to that house. If that house does not want your peaceful message and your peaceful, friendly presence, and it does not want to learn of the glorious kingdom of Jehovah God, do not rebuke it; that is, the occupant who faces you at the door and refuses to hear. Rather take back your peace. Promptly and graciously leave if he has no ear to hear. There is no reason to scold and say, “You’re going to die at Armageddon!” and then abruptly walk away. Each has a right to choose whom he will serve. You brought peace, you brought a message of love, of kindness. You tried to show him the new world of righteousness. He did not want it. You take again to yourself your peaceful message and go on to the next house and talk to its occupant. Maybe some day the man in the first home you visited and who refused you will have a change of heart. Maybe the next minister calling will succeed in leaving in his home the message of peace. You have peaceful, good news for those who want it. It is precious, glorious. You are willing, yes, glad, eager, to give it to anyone who wants it. If any do not want it, you are not offended, you are not disturbed; you are going to hold it and offer it to someone else. Do not let the people who prefer and choose this old world upset you or slow you down. Instead, happily recall that “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NW) If anyone does not want to accept the Son, Jehovah is not going to force him to live. Each may choose to accept that wonderful gift, exercise faith in Christ, and enjoy the blessings of the glorious Kingdom and its rule over this new world. But if anyone does not want the redemptive price to apply to him, he will not be compelled to accept it. The minister happily goes on to find and feed the ones who are hungry.

14. Who, only, will successfully praise Jehovah from now on, and for how long?

¹⁴ Jehovah is not going to have any selfish, unpeaceful persons in the new world to disturb its tranquillity. Such will do better to change now, while there is time, and get in line for life. Therefore, never neglect praising the name of the Most High God between now and the time of Armageddon. It is something that we are going to keep on doing and have the opportunity of doing for eternity—forever and ever.—Ps. 71:14, 15, AS.

15, 16. (a) What other good practice of Jesus’ apostles does the mature house-to-house preacher use today? (b) How and why does the Society’s headquarters also follow that practice?

¹⁵ Do not think that just your going from house to house is the end of your work of love. Unselfishly, from house to house, we carry the good message of the kingdom of Jehovah. Some hear. But look at what the apostles did. “Now after some days Paul said to Barnabas: ‘Above all things, let us return and visit the brothers in every one of the cities in which we published the word of Jehovah to see how they are.’”—Acts 15:36, NW.

¹⁶ So, after having brought the message of peace into a home and having told in that home the glories of Jehovah’s kingdom, we do not want them to forget it. Remember, you are so much more mature than those people to whom you have given their first taste of Jehovah’s truth. You have the truth settled in your mind; by it you have been made strong; your faith is powerful. Paul and Barnabas knew that. So they went back to their brothers whom they had given the truth; yes, to every one of the cities they had visited. They wanted to strengthen them in the Word of God, which, as Jesus said, is the truth. We have to follow that God-given pattern of action, and we do organizationally at the Watch Tower Society’s headquarters, because from there circuit servants and district servants are sent from congregation to congregation, so that if we see anything that is wrong in the congregation or anything that is dampening its zeal, anything that is slowing down its members, the mature visiting servants of Jehovah God can remove the hindrance and build them up again in the most holy faith.

17. How and among whom should congregational servants specially ‘declare and teach’?

¹⁷ Servants in the various congregations should always be looking after the flock of God and calling back on those who are weak in faith and teach them how to go from house to house. Look after those who are isolated and live in rural territory and who have shown interest. The congregation servant with his assistants or others should get out there to look after them when at all possible. They are other sheep, they are scattered, they must be brought together and fed. As it is written of the early congregation: “Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.”—Acts 5:42, NW.

18. Seeing today’s Kingdom realities, how are mature and maturing house-to-house preachers affected by such vision?

¹⁸ Now that we have come into this fortieth year of Jehovah’s kingdom, can we let up? No; rather, recall that over 1900 years ago Jesus was impaled; he was tortured, put to death by conspiring religionists and politicians. That certainly must have been a blow to those early followers of Jesus. It was A.D. 33 when these startling things happened. Things looked dark then for Jesus’ disciples whom he had sent to preach; but later, from Pentecost on, they had to continue to go from house to house without letup. Now today, we who have, for many years, been preaching the good news during the very last days of this system of things, are we going to let up? Slow down? Go into retirement? We cannot. Today we see the Kingdom more clearly than we did back there in 1914 or 1918 or 1931 or any previous time. We feel its power; we see its activity. So, just like Jesus’ apostles, we have to continue without letup declaring and teaching the good news of this glorious kingdom of Jehovah God. Great work is yet before us, and the New World society will do it.

19. What several modes of expression does the ancient writer of Psalm 145 urge Jehovah’s willing earthly praisers to use?

¹⁹ Psalm 145, the basis for this article, is a very “talkative” one; it is expressive; it keeps on declaring things. And if you read that psalm verse by verse you will find that you are told to extol, praise, laud, declare, meditate, speak, utter, sing, talk, and “make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.” Oh, how the psalmist wanted us to talk! He was anxious to talk, he wanted to say things about the glories that he foresaw away back there, thousands of years ago; but now we are right up here in that glory of Jehovah’s kingdom. We certainly should be talking about it, ‘making known to the sons of men his mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of Jehovah’s kingdom.’—Ps. 145:12, AS.

20, 21. (a) Who now comprise the earth-wide host of house-to-house Kingdom proclaimers? (b) Who is leading them, and what is the highest and final effect of their continuous testifying?

²⁰ The responsibility rests on all who are dedicated to Jehovah God to preach this good news from house to house and to keep telling this peaceful message even to the ends of the earth. Remember, Jehovah’s kingdom is here. It is the capital or ruling part of his universal organization. Into that kingdom have been taken 144,000. These are joint-heirs with Christ and will rule and reign with him a thousand years. They all are humble, obedient, loving creatures, who, while on earth, were good ministers of the Kingdom, speaking of its glorious majesty. In addition to these there are many people who will share blessings and peace under that kingdom. Today such are scattered throughout the world. But they are being gathered together into one organization. The New World society and its activity, all under the direction of the heavenly kingdom born in 1914, we now see clearly. It is not something mythical; it is a tangible reality. When Jesus Christ was on earth he proved himself worthy of being exalted to the high position of ruler and the one able to operate the new world on the principle of love. He knows what love is and expressed it in his life on earth. Because he proved his integrity to his Father in heaven even “as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake,” therefore “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.”—Phil. 2:8-11, NW.

²¹ Jesus’ faithful followers have testified and will confess, or talk to others to the effect that Jesus is Lord “to the glory of God the Father.” All true worship, even by the Son, goes to Jehovah, and that is how God wants it; and all the 144,000 will bring glory to the Father through the Son, for they will be the bride of Christ Jesus in the heavenly kingdom. (Rev. 22:9, NW) There is still a remnant of this bride class on earth, according to the 1953 Memorial report only 19,183. All these must speak of Jehovah’s glorious kingdom in vindication of Jehovah’s name; and the One who leads in this vindication is Christ Jesus, for of him we read that “the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.”—Isa. 9:6, 7, AS.

22, 23. (a) Unfailing support for and permanent success of the now actually established sole earth-wide governing power depend upon whom? (b) Who now advertise this real, abiding government, how often and until when will they continue to do so and with what benefit to others and to themselves?

²² Jehovah, the living God, is backing up this whole arrangement. It is his will, his power, his zeal, that makes this whole thing a tangible reality. Jehovah will perform this. When we see this glorious kingdom that he has put into operation, then certainly we must talk of it. We know the need of the righteous rule and we as Christians must tell others about it all the time, “all day long.” (Ps. 145:2, AT) We must manifest ourselves as God’s people. “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come.”—Matt. 24:14, NW.

²³ So let us talk the right things now. Talk about this kingdom, Jehovah’s permanent government, and you will gain life. You have come to know of it by oral teaching, and you can stay in the way of life. How? “Let anyone who is being orally taught the word share in all good things with the one who gives such oral teaching.” (Gal. 6:6, NW) You can do that by accompanying the oral teacher in preaching, by talking, by declaring, by teaching, by extolling the glory of Jehovah’s kingdom with him. The responsibility is yours “to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.” By your acting thus you, with the psalmist, can continually say to Jehovah: “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” (Ps. 145:13) If you want life, then you must also say in the words of the year’s text: “Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.”—Ps. 145:2, CB.

24. Is publicizing of Jehovah’s established kingdom restricted to those now engaged in doing it? Why yes or no?

²⁴ We are not so selfish as to think this preaching work is to be done by just those who now are Jehovah’s witnesses. We are not a secret, restricted or closed society or organization. We call to the whole world whom we are orally teaching, to whom we talk, to come and have part with us in these good things, partake with us of the peace and learn of Jehovah’s purposes so that each “sheep” too may be his true worshiper and preacher. We are not trying to get anyone to join anything; but we certainly want to see people get life. We do not want to die, and we do not want others to die; we want them to live; we want others to recognize the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, Jehovah God. So why, then, should not we in all of our oral teaching want them to come with us and talk, just as we are talking?

25, 26. In fulfillment of what ancient prediction, and how, practically, is genuine welcome to more and more Kingdom proclaimers now being expressed?

²⁵ There must be no letup now in this preaching work that we are doing. And there will be no letup in preaching the good news, for “the spirit and the bride keep on saying, ‘Come!’” So “let anyone hearing say, ‘Come!’ And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.”—Rev. 22:17, NW.

²⁶ We cannot be selfish in this matter. Go to your neighbors, your relatives, from house to house, and say ‘Come! and take of this water of life, without any cost, without any price. Take it free.’ More and more let each of us “make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.”

Jew Teaches Moslem Christianity

In Istanbul, Turkey, as a result of the activity of Jehovah’s witnesses, a young Jew accepted Christ as the Messiah and was baptized in public expression of having dedicated himself to do Jehovah’s will and to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. At his place of work he succeeded in interesting a Moslem Turk in the truth about Jehovah and, as a result, this Turk also took his stand, accepted Christianity and was baptized. A young Greek, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, was a spectator and an interested listener to the discussions between the Christian Jew and the Moslem Turk. One day this Greek was contacted by another witness for Jehovah to whom he expressed great interest. Why? Because it appeared to him as a modern miracle that a Jew should be able to convert a Moslem to Christianity! This young Greek is now himself studying with Jehovah’s witnesses and is learning more about the wonderful news of God’s kingdom, which is so powerful that it can accomplish amazing things.

“Become Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only”

1. What is the “word” that must be preached now, and how only can it save the lives of those who hear it?

JEHOVAH’S command to those in the New World society is to “preach the word.” That word is the truth about Jehovah God and his Son, Christ Jesus, the new world of righteousness and all the things the Creator of the universe has revealed to us through his written Word from Genesis to Revelation. That message must be preached! There are many individuals who have heard part of the Word, but even that part has never been implanted in them. It is “the implanting of the word” that will save lives. However, “the implanting of the word which is able to save your souls” must not just stop there. (Jas. 1:21, NW) That Word is able to save your souls if you do what that Word says. It is not only hearing, it is preaching to others the things you have heard. Each individual must choose whether he will serve Jehovah God or stay with the Devil’s wicked organization. So do not become hearers only, as millions of religionists are, but be doers of the Word. Follow the command of the Sovereign Ruler to preach, which shows you want to worship Jehovah.

2. How many persons symbolized their dedication by water immersion during 1953, and what can be said concerning these?

² During the service year of 1953 there were 50,665 individuals that symbolized by water immersion their dedication to Jehovah God’s service. It can be said of these that they individually were choosing the destiny of eternal life. (Deut. 30:19, NW) They forsook the old world and its offer of death, for “the way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” (Prov. 4:19, AS) Those dedicated to Jehovah learned that “every good gift and every perfect present is from above.”—Jas. 1:17, NW.

3. (a) How many times did Jehovah’s witnesses call back on persons of good will during 1953, and for what purpose? (b) How many studies were held regularly, and why were the other sheep willing to have such studies conducted with them?

³ The time has come to gather together the other sheep; and when they hear their Master’s voice they will follow. Jesus Christ, the Shepherd-Prince, is seeing to it that those seeking truth and righteousness will have the opportunity of hearing and learning the truth. Jehovah’s witnesses, being doers of the Word, have gone from house to house and then called back on the interested people 22,990,305 times during the year, so that they could hear more. Out of all these millions of revisits 50,665 persons decided that this is the truth and that they too would become doers of the Word. It was not just going back to visit the interested people and making a social call. Jehovah’s witnesses had to show Jehovah their God that they were skilled in their work of being teachers of the Word. They must be able to wield “the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word.” (Eph. 6:17, NW) So every month throughout the year there was an average of 281,219 Bible studies conducted in the homes of the other sheep. These were willing to be taught by Jehovah through his Word, for Jehovah is the great Teacher and he has expressed his principles, his purpose and his mind in his written Word for the benefit of the human family. It is essential, therefore, for all of us to take instruction from Jehovah. “It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by Jehovah. Everyone that has heard the Father’s teaching and has learned comes to me.’” (John 6:45, NW) So the other sheep are delighted to learn and come into Jehovah’s New World society and be his witnesses, always learning, always teaching.

4. (a) What does the 1953 report show as to the number of different persons taking part in praising Jehovah’s name, and in how many different lands? (b) How many new congregations were established during the year for a total of how many throughout the world? (c) Each day during 1953 how many persons on an average dedicated themselves to do Jehovah’s will?

⁴ It is because, year by year, 50,000 or more persons dedicate their lives to Jehovah God that the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses grows so rapidly. Now we find by the close of the 1953 service year 519,982 different individuals, scattered throughout 143 countries, colonies and islands of the sea, are ‘daily praising Jehovah’s name.’ The majority of these are associated in congregations, of which there are now 14,163 throughout the world. During the service year 221 new congregations were established. It certainly is wonderful to see these newly interested ones want to become part of the New World society and preach the Word. Just imagine, each day of the 365 days in the year 139 individuals, on the average, have dedicated their lives to serve Jehovah. That daily number is a fine congregation in itself. All of these new ones who are coming out of the Devil’s organization want to enjoy the field service regularly and carry on the pastoral work with the Shepherd-Prince. For the details of what has been done in the world by these witnesses of Jehovah, study the chart of countries reproduced herewith.

NEW WORLD SOCIETY GROWING STEADILY

5. In what figures as regards average number of publishers and per cent of increases for 1953 do Jehovah’s witnesses rejoice, and why?

⁵ It makes our hearts glad to see 468,106 different individuals in all parts of the world engaging in the field service every month without letup. That was the average number of witnesses preaching the good news each month during the year 1953. This is 10 per cent better than the average number of publishers who engaged in the work the previous year. Better still, the peak of publishers for the year, 519,982 was 21 per cent better than the average number of publishers for 1952. Taking the report for the world, Jehovah’s witnesses reached the quotas they set for themselves. In this they rejoice, because they see the harvest of their planting. Jehovah has given the increase. They have found, too, that there is greater happiness in giving than in receiving. (Acts 20:35, NW) These more than a half million publishers have given the truth to others and will keep on doing it by preaching, talking and explaining the Scriptures to the people they meet, in all languages under the sun.

6. (a) To what extent was a witness given to the honor of Jehovah’s name in 1953 by means of distribution of books and booklets, subscriptions obtained and individual copies of magazines placed? (b) What admonition of the apostle Paul regarding their business was heeded by Jehovah’s witnesses during the past year, and to what extent? (c) What lands saw an increase of 100 per cent or more during 1953? (d) How many full-time ministers, pioneers, were active throughout the world during 1953? (e) In what lands were more than 10,000 public meetings held, and what was the world-wide total? (f) In spite of certain restrictions, what progress was made in Argentina? Dominican Republic? Spain? (g) What results did underground activity bring in “4 Other Countries”? (h) What other remarkable information does the above chart contain?

⁶ Because Jehovah’s witnesses cannot be with all the people all the time to answer their questions they find it very wise to leave with those to whom they have talked literature explaining in detail the wonderful promises of Jehovah God. During the twelve months of the 1953 service year 22,116,916 books and booklets were left in the homes of the people, as well as 882,296 new subscriptions taken for the Watchtower and Awake! magazines in their various languages. Add to this the 25,115,729 copies of the Society’s magazines distributed by these publishers from house to house, store to store and on the street corners and you have quite a witness given in honor of Jehovah’s name. They were happy indeed to give this literature to the people of the world for a small contribution, and what little contributions they received they sent in to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society so that more literature could be printed and distributed to the ends of the earth. They know that this good news of the Kingdom must be preached in all the world for a witness, and they are doing it. They have heeded the words of Paul, where he said, “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Be slaves to Jehovah.” (Rom. 12:11, NW) They proved they did not just sit around at home hearing the Word and reading the Word. They have been working with the Word, because they have spent 72,344,728 hours in talking to people all around the earth. What other religious organization has spent that much time preaching the good news of God’s kingdom? Where else in the world do you find an organization of ministers, every one of them having dedicated his life to give a witness concerning Jehovah’s kingdom and to speak well of his Father’s name and to bless Him every day of his life? These ministers are determined never to let up in this, but to walk in Jehovah’s name forever.—Mic. 4:5, AS.

7. Why will Jehovah’s witnesses not let up in this preaching activity during 1954, and in view of what attack by whom must they give Jesus’ prophetic warning?

⁷ Jehovah’s witnesses are not going to let up now with 1954 at hand, forty years after the Kingdom was born. They do not feel that the work is done, because they still see ahead horrible distress and great perplexity in the world and hundreds of thousands of people sighing and crying for the abominations that exist in this present system of things. Year by year thousands of persons will make their flight to the mountains for safety. This was Jesus’ advice to Christians as he expressed it in Luke 21:20, 21. The time is growing short for persons to leave the Devil’s organization and find refuge in the mountains of Gilead, in the New World society. Millions of people must be told where to go and how to get there. Where all these people, the other sheep, will come from we do not know, but Jehovah God has seen to it that his witnesses are scattered throughout the world now in 143 principal lands to give the warning. Gog of the land of Magog is going to assault especially those who have taken their stand for Jehovah and who are announcing his kingdom. He is going to do everything he can to direct them away from the service of the Most High, and all of those who are prisoners within Satan’s organization he is going to try to hold there and not allow them to grasp the freedom that comes through knowing Jehovah God and his Son, Christ Jesus. So the warning of the assault of Gog of Magog must be given to all the peoples of all the continents of the world and the islands of the sea. The report that follows does not show great numbers of witnesses in any one of these places, but the report does show that there are busy witnesses there, talking diligently long hours in hot and cold climates, up in the mountains, down in the valleys and on the plains. Day by day they are blessing the New World Sovereign’s name.

8. (a) The Bible School of Gilead was opened in what year, thereby providing to satisfy whose desire for what? (b) What did Jehovah’s witnesses world-wide show themselves anxious to do regarding this missionary work? (c) How does the number of publishers, missionaries and hours spent preaching in 1942 compare with the report for 1953 as regards Africa, Asia and Europe? (d) How do number of lands, publishers and missionaries in the Islands of the Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Pacific in 1942 compare with the report for 1953? (e) Compare the world-wide totals for 1953 with those for 1942. (f) What other noteworthy points does the above chart contain?

⁸ In the chart of continents given here you will see the advance of the New World society since 1942.

AFRICA

1942 ( 11 lands) 10,070 2,200,163 None

1947 ( 17 lands) 24,896 6,298,189 20

1952 ( 32 lands) 72,228 15,460,243 84

1953 ( 34 lands) 81,793 16,979,027 80

ASIA

1942 ( 6 lands) 406 93,223 None

1947 ( 8 lands) 475 140,661 17

1952 ( 19 lands) 2,274 504,301 164

1953 ( 19 lands) 2,698 597,050 173

EUROPE

1942 ( 13 lands) 22,796 5,344,006 None

1947 ( 19 lands) 74,196 12,819,994 21

1952 ( 24 lands) 158,867 19,147,879 177

1953 ( 24 lands) 179,374 19,433,567 216

ISLANDS OF THE ATLANTIC, CARIBBEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN

1942 ( 6 lands) 1,297 237,057 None

1947 ( 12 lands) 6,429 1,448,810 135

1952 ( 15 lands) 15,659 2,200,647 149

1953 ( 29 lands) 17,421 2,248,941 133

ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC

1942 ( 3 lands) 4,275 701,037 None

1947 ( 6 lands) 7,385 1,390,228 13

1952 ( 12 lands) 26,690 3,590,037 51

1953 ( 13 lands) 31,980 4,214,497 49

NORTH AMERICA

1942 ( 7 lands) 75,589 19,668,961 None

1947 ( 12 lands) 91,740 20,787,495 163

1952 ( 12 lands) 168,752 25,810,384 493

1953 ( 12 lands) 193,542 26,734,105 674

SOUTH AMERICA

1942 ( 8 lands) 807 219,905 None

1947 ( 12 lands) 2,431 956,928 117

1952 ( 13 lands) 11,795 1,990,208 303

1953 ( 12 lands) 13,174 2,137,541 301

GRAND TOTALS FOR THE WORLD

1942 ( 54 lands) 115,240 28,464,352 None

1947 ( 86 lands) 207,552 43,842,305 486

1952 (127 lands) 456,265 68,703,699 1,421

1953 (143 lands) 519,982 72,344,728 1,626

In that year the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was not sending out missionaries to all parts of the world. But in 1943 the Bible School of Gilead was opened by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and from then on the Society’s world-wide missionary work began. The desire of many young, strong, healthy Christians was to go somewhere where the message of Jehovah’s kingdom had not been preached to any great extent, if at all. Jehovah’s witnesses world-wide were anxious to support this new arrangement and made sufficient contributions to the Society to increase this missionary work. To this day Jehovah’s witnesses have supported the missionary work financially, and the chart shows what was done in the different sections of the world in the year 1942, to compare with 1947, 1952 and 1953. You can see from this report alone how the expansion work reached out into new fields. Observe, too, the increase in the number of Jehovah’s witnesses and the hours they spent during these years in talking. The last column shows the number of graduates of Gilead working in the different countries in these years.

9. (a) What are the plans and determination of Jehovah’s witnesses for 1954? (b) How many persons attended the 1953 Memorial celebration? What is their desire, and how can they be helped to realize it?

⁹ Jehovah’s witnesses have big plans for the year 1954, plans designed to praise Jehovah’s name and make it known to even greater numbers of persons. Their determination is, to quote their principal thought for the year, “‘All day long will I bless thee, and praise thy name forever and ever.’ (Psalm 145:2, AT)” It is their hope to aid many people of good will in their quest for truth and righteousness. We now see thousands upon thousands, month by month, taking their stand for Jehovah’s kingdom, and we see a great crowd coming from all nations, kindreds and tongues to Jehovah’s witnesses to hear the truth from God’s Word. At the Memorial celebration there were 742,565 persons, all of whom showed keen interest in the message we preach. They want to live now as a New World society. They must be taught and helped in this way to eternal life. As they come into the organization they must get rid of their old habits, the filthy things of the old world, and accept the pleasant and good things Jehovah God has for them to do. They are happy to do his will and to preach the Word. They rejoice that someone came to them and their ears were open to hear. Now they want to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. They want to live so that ‘every day they can bless Jehovah and praise his name forever and ever.’ Will you “become doers of the word, and not hearers only”?

[Chart on page 21-23]

1953 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLD-WIDE

(See bound volume)

False Shepherd’s Flock Obtains Truth

As a result of the activity of Watch Tower missionaries in Recife, Brazil, members of an Evangelist church began asking their pastor many embarrassing questions. He told them that Jehovah’s witnesses were false prophets and that their teachings were not supported by the Bible. At their request a special representative of the Watch Tower Society called upon the pastor in his own church with practically all of his members present. When it became apparent that the pastor was unable to properly defend his position from the Scriptures, comments were heard from his members to the effect that Jehovah’s witnesses were teaching good doctrine. The owner of the hall in which the pastor conducted his services spoke up saying that it was more than just good doctrine, it was the truth and that he would like to learn more and become one of Jehovah’s witnesses.

Infuriated at this the pastor threatened that if they were going to listen to Jehovah’s witnesses he would get out. No one objecting, he stormed out shouting that he was taking the chairs, as these were his property. When the group was asked by Jehovah’s witnesses if they would like to hear more, the owner of the hall offered the use of the hall free and volunteered to assist in getting chairs. A Bible study was arranged for that soon became the talk of the district. For the first six months an average of forty attended the study, and eleven different ones already were sharing in telling others the good things they had learned.

Individually Choosing the Destiny of Eternal Life

AT ALL times Jehovah’s attributes of wisdom, love and power square with his justice. His love provided the ransom sacrifice of his Son so that he could be righteous in “declaring righteous the man that has faith in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26, NW) Since he is never partial he would not arbitrarily bestow everlasting life on some regardless of their course of action and deny it to others regardless of their course.—Deut. 10:17; 2 Chron. 19:7, AT; Rom. 2:11; 6:23, NW.a

Yet such an arbitrary course of action those attribute to Jehovah who hold to the teaching of predestination, quoting Paul at Romans 8:29, 30, which states: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . . Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called.” According to them Jehovah predestinates the destiny of individuals without regard to their faith and works.

But, in view of the plain testimony of the rest of the Scriptures showing that individuals may, yes, must choose life or death for themselves, we are forced to the conclusion that, since the Bible does not contradict itself, Paul was here referring to a class and not to individuals. For example, note how plainly Moses put the choice of life or death up to the Israelites: “I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction, and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice and by sticking to him, for he is your life and the length of your days.” (Deut. 30:19, 20, NW) Joshua put the same issue before the Israelites, and Ezekiel did so time and again.—Josh. 24:15; Ezek. 3:27; 18:23, 31, 32; 33:7, 11-15, AT.

But does not the apostle Paul state that some were chosen before the foundation of the world to be in union with Christ Jesus? (Eph. 1:4, 5, NW) True, but to what world was he referring? Not to the world of Adam’s day, because that would mean that God provided for mankind’s redemption before Adam had sinned, making Adam’s testing a mockery. No, but before the foundation of the new world, which foundation was laid by presenting the merit of the slain Lamb of God, as Revelation 13:8 clearly shows. It was before the foundation of this new world was laid that Jehovah purposed others should be sharers with the Christ.—Gal. 3:29.

Those who teach predestination hold that once a person has been “effectually” called, justified, sanctified and has come into a condition of grace he cannot fall away. But that is not what the Scriptures teach. Paul was apprehensive lest after having preached to others he should fall away. (1 Cor. 9:27) Faithfulness and endurance to the end are required if we would gain salvation. (Matt. 24:13; Rev. 2:10) He shows that after some had been cleansed by the blood of Christ, had become partakers of the holy spirit and been sanctified they could sin willfully and fall away. (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-29) However, let none think that salvation comes solely by their own efforts, for the basis of it all is Jehovah’s undeserved kindness.—Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:8, 9; 2 Tim. 1:9, NW.

Yes, the Bible shows God to be just, wise and loving in arranging for man to gain life. Rejecting predestination, let us individually choose now the destiny of eternal life.

[Footnotes]

Communists Convert Catholic Clergy

TODAY there is a declared war between religion and irreligion, between those professing belief in the existence of God and those denying it. The latter are represented chiefly by the Communists, while among the most vocal of those denouncing the materialistic Marxism of the Communists is the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. In lands with decided Catholic minorities and where there is no Communist threat, such as the United States, the Hierarchy represents herself as a bulwark against communism. With pride she points to the activities of her sons, laity and clerical, such as McCarthy and Sheen, in opposing communism. But how successful is the Hierarchy in lands having Catholic majorities and where there is a real threat? Let us see.

In Italy, more than 99 per cent Catholic, the extreme Leftist and Communist parties polled 35.5 per cent of the vote in the last national elections, and which represented an increase. And in France, which, according to the Catholic Almanac, is 85 per cent Catholic (others give the figure as high as 97.5 per cent), the Communists in the last general election polled five million, or 26.5 per cent of the vote, more than any other single party.

And not only is communism making such inroads in the Catholic population of such lands, but it is even affecting the clergy, particularly in France. There, according to Dr. W. O. Lewis, associate secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, some 2,000 priests have left the church since 1945. The Christian Century, September 20, 1953, told of a French Catholic priest and Dominican monk, Maurice Montuclard, who was ordered exiled by the Hierarchy for having published a book in 1952 that expressed Marxist views and for his heading the “Youth of the Church” movement, which evinced pronounced sympathy for the Communist party in France. He requested and was given permission to give up his clerical status and revert to that of a layman. He preferred Marxist political activity to Catholic religious activity.

That this was not an isolated instance is seen from the pope’s temporary banning of “worker priests.” For some years, as far back as 1944 it seems, certain Catholic priests, with the permission of their superiors, have been trying to win back French Catholics from communism by laying aside their priestly robes, donning overalls, and rubbing elbows with French Catholic laborers in factories, on ships, docks and farms. Some identified themselves as priests, others did not. The movement grew from seven to some 100 by 1953.

These priests not only joined the Communist-led French General Confederation of Labor, but also took the lead as officials in local unions and became active in Communist peace movements. One worker priest was killed in a picket line in Bordeaux. On May 28, 1952, two priests were arrested and beaten by the police with the clubs the police had taken from the demonstrators, for their having taken part in a very violent Communist-inspired demonstration against the presence of the American General Ridgway in France, and which demonstration was held in violation of the law.

“ACTUALLY PRODUCED NEGATIVE RESULTS”

The labor priests, according to the New York Times, March 12, 1953, did not expect to see concrete results for several generations, and certainly not in the lifetime of the priests themselves. But there were results, of a kind not expected or foreseen. One Associated Press dispatch reporting on the matter states that “many influential Frenchmen—politicians and clergymen—were shocked during the big wave of strikes throughout the nation last month to find some of the worker priests among the most ardent strikers.” And Time magazine, June 23, 1952, reported that “sometimes, say critics of the worker-priest scheme, it is the priests, not their fellow workers, who get converted.”

Noting this aspect of the matter, the religious editor of the Los Angeles Mirror, September 19, 1953, stated that the worker-priest movement not only fell short of its goal of endeavoring to “counteract the Red propaganda about the church and bring renewed strength of faith to the faithful wavering on the brink of Marxism,” “but actually produced negative results,” and that the “Holy See was not happy with the way the worker-priest movement has been going.”

Indicative of the unhappiness of the “Holy See” was the pope’s warning to priests not to consider Communist theories as alone “valid or as though they furnished a more fruitful doctrinal contribution or greater vigor of action.” (New York Times, September 13, 1953) Four days later the Vatican ordered all Roman Catholic seminaries in France to forbid their students to do any work at all in factories as a means of getting closer to the French working class. Some priests “have become very close to supporting the Communist party line.” What an admission of defeat!

The New York Times, October 3, 1953, told that the “French Oppose Ban on Labor Priests. Catholic Circles Defend Idea of Industrial Missions Criticized by Vatican.” The Vatican’s ban was meeting with strong resistance, most notable objection being voiced by none other than the cardinal and archbishop of Paris. The papal nuncio had conveyed the desire of the Vatican that all worker priests, by now some one hundred in number, be called back to their respective dioceses and to the robes they had abandoned for overalls. However, the final decision was being delayed because of the strong opposition of certain important members of the French Hierarchy who were concerned about its effect on Catholic workers. However, the cardinal at the same time voiced strong warning to the priests of the dangers of being engulfed by communism and that “a certain spirit of independence” was beginning to manifest itself among some worker priests to the detriment of the spirit of obedience to the Church.

On November 14 three French cardinals announced they had overcome Vatican objections to the mission of the worker-priests. But it could not exist in its present form. Only specially chosen priests could serve, and for a limited time, and they must shun union responsibilities and live with a community of priests. Hardly the same scheme.

WHY NO BULWARK AGAINST COMMUNISM

Just how much of a bulwark against communism is the Roman Catholic Church when it cannot afford to let its own priests be exposed to Red propaganda, priests steeped in Roman Catholic dogma from earliest infancy? Why do these priests show more interest in Marxist social, political and economic reform than in preaching their religion? Can it be that there is something wrong with their spiritual diet?

Yes, there is an inherent weakness in the Roman Catholic approach to the Communist problem. It fails to appreciate that true Christianity has nothing in common with this old world but must keep separate from it. For selfish advantage the Hierarchy makes friends with Caesar, making concordats with Hitler, Mussolini and Franco, and expresses her willingness to deal with Communist Russia if thereby she can gain advantages for herself; yes, even with the Devil himself, according to Pope Pius XI.—Brooklyn Eagle, February 21, 1943.

But Christ Jesus did not work with Caesar nor with the Devil. He struck no bargain with Herod Antipas nor with Pilate, but plainly said, “My kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18:36, NW) And his immediate followers likewise had nothing to do with the world. They kept separate from it and warned that for Christians to be friends of the world was to become enemies of God: “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (Jas. 4:4, NW) They put their hope and trust, not in the schemes and efforts of men, but in God’s kingdom.—Matt. 6:9, 10; 1 Cor. 15:25-28; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-4.

The same is true today. Dedicated Christians may not, and all fully enlightened Christians will not, have anything to do with communism, nor with any other of this world’s ideologies for that matter. They will not be ensnared by the blandishments of communism, for they clearly see that what communism actually does is to offer material prosperity at the cost of one’s integrity and loyalty to God, the very temptation the Devil presented to Christ Jesus in the wilderness: ‘All the kingdoms of this world and their glory if you will cooperate with me.’—Matt. 4:8-10, NW.

Questions From Readers

● Should we worship Jesus?—G. B., Ethiopia.

The clergy of Christendom that believe in a trinity as the main doctrine of Christianity will answer with a positive Yes to this question. Quite to be expected, for they believe that worshiping Jesus is at the same time worshiping God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, for these three they believe to be Three Persons mysteriously making up one God. The King James Version of the English Bible was rendered by trinitarian translators, and doubtless for this reason the translators rendered the Greek word proskyneʹō by the word “worship,” when applying to Jesus. In fact, in every case of its occurrence in the Christian Greek Scriptures they consistently rendered this Greek verb by “worship.” So we read of the magi’s “worshiping” the babe Jesus, and of persons who approached Jesus or received healing from him or asked favors of him “worshiping” Jesus on earth.

However, we note in the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures that in all these cases of Jesus’ receiving such attention on earth as a man this Greek verb is rendered, not as “worship,” but as “do obeisance to.” This is in harmony with the fact that this Greek verb proskyneʹō occurs many times in the Greek Septuagint Version of the Hebrew Scriptures and there this verb is used toward men, such as Joseph the son of Jacob and Boaz the benefactor of Ruth. In these latter cases proskyneʹō could not mean “worship” but merely bowing or doing obeisance to a person out of deep respect. So it must have been such outward show of respect that was paid to Jesus on earth, because he was viewed as being God’s representative, servant and prophet, and as the Son of David who was to be the Messianic King. The kings of ancient Israel were regularly bowed down to in obeisance. The New World Translation is not detracting from Jesus the Son of God by thus rendering this Greek verb as meaning the doing of obeisance to Jesus while on earth.

Be it noted, however, that there are other Greek words that the King James Version renders “worship,” but not a single one of these Greek verbs is directed to Jesus to show that such action was commanded to be performed or was performed toward him. Surely when Luke 14:10 (KJ) says, “Then shalt thou have worship [doʹxa] in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee,” Jesus did not mean that a human guest who was given a higher place at a Jewish meal would be worshiped, but it meant he would merely “have honor,” as the New World Translation renders the word (doʹxa). Thus we see that the Christian Greek Scriptures make a distinction between Jehovah God and his Son Jesus Christ, by reserving some words rendered “worship” for God, to the exclusion of Jesus.

When Satan the Devil tempted Jesus to try to have him worship the adversary, Jesus did not say to the Tempter, ‘Worship me,’ but said, “It is Jehovah your God you must worship [proskyneʹō], and it is to him alone you must render sacred service [latreuʹō].” (Matt. 4:10, NW; Luke 4:8) Jesus, speaking and including himself, said to the Samaritan woman: “You worship [proskyneʹō] what you do not know; we worship [proskyneʹō] what we know, because salvation originates with the Jews. . . . the genuine worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth. . . . God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.” (John 4:22-24, NW) Jesus, even after his glorification in heaven, did not change from directing worship to God his Father rather than to himself. In the Revelation, which God gave Jesus, the pure worship is shown as due to be given to the Most High God, Jehovah. (See Revelation 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 14:7; 15:4; 19:4, 10.) And when John fell down at the feet of the angel whom Jesus sent to deliver the revelation, the angel said to John: “Worship God.” (Rev. 19:10; 22:9) Thus the worship was to be rendered to Jehovah God, although blessing, glory and praise were to be ascribed to the glorified Jesus, the Lamb, as well as to God his Father.

At Hebrews 1:6 we read: “But when he again brings his Firstborn into the inhabited earth, he says: ‘And let all God’s angels worship him.’” (NW) As the Greek verb here is proskyneʹō, it could also have been rendered “do obeisance to,” as in all the preceding cases having to do with Jesus when on earth as a man. This same word in Greek is used in addressing those who will become members of Christ’s glorified congregation or “bride,” in these words at Revelation 3:9 (NW): “Look! I will give those from the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and yet they are not but are lying—look! I will make them come and do obeisance [proskyneʹō] before your feet and make them know I have loved you.” They will not be worshiped.

Worship is not asked to be given to the anointed King whom Jehovah God sets upon his holy hill of Zion, namely, his Son Jesus Christ, but due submission and respect are asked of the kings and judges of the earth, in these words: “Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled.” (Ps. 2:11, 12, AS) This agrees with the recognition that the apostle Paul says must yet be given to the glorified Jesus by all living creation, at Philippians 2:9-11 (NW): “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.” The knee is bent in the name of Jesus as Lord and in worship to the Father as God, and the tongue confesses openly that Jesus Christ is Lord, but this is done to the glory of God the Father, all this showing the superiority of the Father. Thus, “all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.”—John 5:22, 23, NW.

Consequently, since the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is not a trinitarian co-person with God the Father, but is a distinct person, the Son of God, the answer to the above question must be that no distinct worship is to be rendered to Jesus Christ now glorified in heaven. Our worship is to go to Jehovah God. However, we show the proper regard for God’s only-begotten Son by rendering our worship to God through and in the name of Jesus Christ. Even now when we kneel in prayer, as Paul did according to Ephesians 3:14-19, we offer prayer in the name of Jesus Christ in obedience to his own directions (John 15:16; 16:23-26), but the prayer itself is addressed, not to Jesus, but to God his Father. In this way we keep things in their relative positions.

Announcements

DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA FOR 1954

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is planning a series of district assemblies in different parts of the United States and Canada. The details have not been worked out as yet, but we can announce now that from June 24 to 27, inclusive, we expect to have conventions in the states of Massachusetts, Ohio and Virginia.

From July 21 to 25, inclusive, we hope to arrange for a district assembly at Toronto, Canada.

During the dates July 29 to August 1, inclusive, we plan to have district assemblies in California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. These dates are not definitely established, but as soon as they are notice will appear in The Watchtower. From August 5 to 8, inclusive, we will try to arrange an assembly in British Columbia. The next week end, in Saskatchewan; and the following week end, the 19th to 22nd, in Nova Scotia.

This early announcement may help some of the brothers, when making plans for their vacations, to include the assembly nearest to them. At this time we are planning for 23 district assemblies to serve the United States and Canada.

INDIVIDUALLY CHOOSING THE DESTINY OF ETERNAL LIFE

Has God beforetime fixed each man’s destiny? The Bible answers: “I have put life and death before you, . . . and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive.” (Deut. 30:19, 20, NW) Clearly God states each individual chooses life or death for himself by obeying or disobeying the commandments of God. Many of them will be helped this month of January as Jehovah’s witnesses go from house to house offering a year’s subscription for the Watchtower magazine for $1. Three enlightening booklets will be given free with each new subscription for this Bible study aid. If you would like to share in this Christian work, contact Jehovah’s witnesses in your local community or write to the Watchtower Society for information.

1954 YEARBOOK AND CALENDAR

The 1954 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses is now available for 50 cents a copy, and contains a report on the world-wide preaching work Jesus said would take place at this time. Also for 25 cents, or five or more to one address at 20 cents each, you may obtain the beautiful 1954 color calendar.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of January 31: They Shall Talk of the Glory of Jehovah’s Kingdom, ¶1-25.

Week of February 7: They Shall Talk of the Glory of Jehovah’s Kingdom, ¶26-36; also, Keeping a Clean Organization of Talkers, ¶1-21.

Week of February 14: Keeping a Clean Organization of Talkers, ¶22-26; also, “Become Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only.”

Check Your Memory

After reading this issue of “The Watchtower,” do you remember—

✔ Whether Christendom’s churchgoers are living up to Christ’s basic instructions? P. 3, ¶4.

✔ What this selfish world really needs? P. 6, ¶11.

✔ What lesson about God’s protection can be taken from the animal world? P. 8, ¶17.

✔ How one can “bless” God? P. 8, ¶18.

✔ Where the value of new-world living was recently displayed for all to see? P. 10, ¶24.

✔ Whom Jehovah’s witnesses do not want in their organization? P. 13, ¶1.

✔ Whether Jehovah’s eye is on our individual behavior? P. 14, ¶5.

✔ How many persons dedicated themselves to Jehovah each day of 1953? P. 21, ¶4.

✔ Whether Jehovah’s witnesses are ready to quit? P. 24, ¶7.

✔ What great expansion has occurred in gospel-preaching since 1942? P. 25, ¶8.

✔ Whether one who has accepted the truth can fall away from it? P. 27, ¶5.

✔ Where 2,000 priests have left Catholicism since 1945? P. 28, ¶3.

✔ Why Catholicism has proved no bulwark against communism? P. 29, ¶6.

✔ Whom Jesus said should be worshiped? P. 31, ¶2.