The Watchtower — October 15, 1954

A Message of Encouragement and Value

THERE are many different views concerning religion and about the Bible. Many think that just as long as they do what is right, do not harm anyone, and are good people, that is all that is required of them. But the Bible, the real guide regarding religion, does not agree with that viewpoint. Note what it says in Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.”

Thus, more than just being a good person is required. One who does not wish to be rejected by God must have knowledge, must know about God’s Word, about his purposes and about the things that God requires of man and the provisions he has made for us. That is why Jesus said, as recorded in John 17:3 (NW): “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” Thus we see that much more than just being a good person is required of one who wishes to receive God’s blessings. It takes right knowledge of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. And that is something that very few people have today.

The Bible is the most widely circulated of all books. In some lands almost every home has a copy. Possibly your home does; in fact, it may have several Bibles. But the Bible is not widely read today. Frequently this is because the people have found their Bibles very difficult, hard to understand. They are like the man the evangelist Philip met. This man, riding by in his chariot, was reading the book of Isaiah; and note how the Bible tells us of this in Acts 8:30, 31 (NW): “Philip ran alongside and heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet, and he said: ‘Do you really know what you are reading aloud?’ He said: ‘Really how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?’”

Many people have that very thought when they try to read their Bibles: ‘If only someone would help me to understand what this is all about!’ Well, that is the purpose of the Watch Tower Society’s activity, to encourage you to study your Bible, to help you to learn what is in this most amazing guide, and to help you to understand what it is all about. You need such knowledge, for God’s Word says so.

It is amazing, the things that you can learn from the Bible once you look into its pages! Many people are terribly wrought-up over present world conditions, over the fear of war and the dread of their children’s being left to run the mess of an atom-threatened world. Yet did you know that these very conditions were long ago foretold in the Bible? In Matthew 24:3 (NW) we read that the disciples asked Jesus: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the consummation of the system of things?” Jesus told them not to be deceived, for there would be many false reports about this. Then he said in Mt 24 verse six: “You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the accomplished end is not yet.” But the next two verses Mt 24:7, 8 show that the time would come when something different would happen: “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.”

When first did “nation . . . rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom” in total war—something different from the wars of the past? Why, the first time the world went to total war was in 1914 a marked year in Bible prophecy. And the following verses in this twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew further describe the conditions we have witnessed since 1914.

What does the fact that the Bible predicted earth’s present troubles mean to us? The joyful thing about it is that the Bible not only predicted these conditions, but also showed what their outcome would be! Jesus was here stating the conditions that we could see that would indicate that drastically changed conditions were at hand.

The present badness throughout the earth is not God’s doing, but is at the instigation of Satan the Devil. Revelation 12:12 foretold the time when Satan’s wicked rule would be about to expire and said prophetically of that time: “Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.” We should be very pleased to know that the present evil conditions on earth have only “a short period of time” remaining, should we not? Well, we can be assured of that very thing! Back in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, where Jesus was showing the sign of the end of this old Satan-ruled system, he said, Mt 24 verse 34: “Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” What a consoling fact that is! All these things would happen in one generation! The sudden worsening of world conditions since World War I, which broke out forty years ago, was here foretold to end within one generation, within the lifetime of people who are now at least 40 years old!

Certainly we can trust these prophecies. They are much surer than the political predictions that continue to fail. They have already proved true in foretelling earth’s present conditions, and if the inspiration behind the Bible had the power to foretell 1,900 years in advance the very conditions earth now sees, it also has the power to go a few decades farther and foretell the outcome. Astounding as these facts may seem, they are true! You can learn them by getting the right kind of knowledge. Your Bible is a storehouse of knowledge that leads to life. It shows why Satan was permitted to exercise such a wicked influence over the earth, how God purposes to end it, and what it means to you and your life.

The reason that Jehovah’s witnesses call at your door is to help you to learn this vital information from the Bible, to have the right knowledge that God shows one must have in order to receive his blessings. Further information regarding such accurate knowledge and the sure hope that God’s Word sets forth for today is contained in this publication and in the other literature that is distributed as a noncommercial public service by the Watch Tower Society. These further evidences of the importance of the time in which we are living and of God’s purposes to bring righteous conditions to this earth will prove to be of great encouragement and value to you.

Who Is Jehovah?

Can you imagine millions of people not knowing the name of the ruler of their country? Yet, strangely, there are millions who do not know the name of the Ruler of the universe! Since it is a life or death matter to know the supreme Sovereign, the following article is of vital importance to you.

THE name Jehovah is the grandest name in all the universe. It is the self-given name of the Creator. It is the name of the only true and living God. The time is soon coming when every creature that lives must know and worship Jehovah. How strange, then, that myriads of people, when they hear the name Jehovah, ask: “Who is Jehovah?” Some bellow out the question like Pharaoh of old in a defiant tone of voice, one reflecting arrogance, disbelief and ridicule. Others ask the question out of an honest heart, sincerely seeking enlightenment. Another mass of people has yet to hear the name Jehovah. Yet every person who desires happiness, every person who desires security and every person who desires life must now learn who Jehovah is. Important, too, is to know what his purposes are and what the penalty is for not knowing Jehovah.

Jehovah is the Owner of the universe. Of him the disciples and apostles of Christ said: “Sovereign Lord, you are the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them.” The very ground we walk upon belongs to Jehovah: “The earth belongs to Jehovah, and so does its fullness.” Jehovah, the supreme Sovereign, is one. He is not a triune God, for that would deny his supremacy. Jehovah himself declares: “I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another.” That Jehovah truly is one God, we have the words of Moses: “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.”—Acts 4:24; 1 Cor. 10:26, NW; Isa. 42:8, AS; Deut. 6:4, NW.

Worthy of praise forevermore, Jehovah is the “King of eternity” because he is “from everlasting to everlasting.” Jehovah is known as “God” because he is the Creator of all things good. Jehovah is known as the “Most High” because he is above all. Jehovah is known as “Father” because he is the Source of life. Jehovah is known as the “Almighty” because his power is unlimited. Jehovah is known as “the God of hosts” because he commands heavenly armies invincible to foes. Nothing, then, is too great for Jehovah, as he himself declares: “Is anything too extraordinary for Jehovah?”—1 Tim. 1:17, NW; Ps. 90:2; Gen. 18:14, NW.

THE DIVINE NAME

Seeing, then, that Jehovah is the greatest personality in the universe, how is it that his name is so little known? Because a malicious enemy, Satan the Devil, has misled all nations away from the true God. The Bible identifies the culprit: “Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Rev. 12:9, NW) The Devil does not want men to know Jehovah; so he has induced them falsely to believe that Jehovah is just the name of some tribal god. Not only that, but the Devil has so thoroughly misled mankind that false religions abound. These have succeeded in removing the name Jehovah from many translations of the Bible itself!

In the ancient Hebrew Scriptures Jehovah’s name is represented by four letters called the “tetragrammaton,” for which the English characters are JHVH (or YHWH). How many times does the divine name, represented by the tetragrammaton, occur in the Hebrew Scriptures? It occurs 6,823 times! Just how the name is pronounced is not exactly known, but the most popular way of rendering it is “Jehovah.” To translate the tetragrammaton as “the LORD” is to obscure the divine name. Yet what have most of Christendom’s Bible translators done? Like the Jewish clergy in Jesus’ day and today, they refuse to know and use the divine name. Thus out of the 6,823 times that the four-letter name or tetragrammaton occurs, the translators of the King James Version Bible used the name Jehovah only four times! The Roman Catholic Douay Version and Jewish versions entirely eliminate the name Jehovah. When the much-advertised Revised Standard Version recently came out, what happened to the divine name? The translators completely removed it! In the preface the translators explained that they were using the term “the LORD,” thus returning “to the procedure of the King James Version, which follows the precedent of the ancient Greek and Latin translators and the long established practice in the reading of the Hebrew scriptures in the synagogue.” Thus the translators of this popular Bible follow a course like the Jewish clergy, who rejected Christ Jesus. No wonder the words of Jesus are especially apt today: “Righteous Father, the world has, indeed, not come to know you”!—John 17:25, NW.

WHAT JEHOVAH’S PURPOSE IS

The name “Jehovah” means “He causes to be,” that is, “He causes to be” for a purpose. What is Jehovah’s prime purpose? It is the theme of the entire Bible: the establishment of a kingdom to vindicate his holy name. All this means that mankind has the hope of a new world, one that must supplant this present evil world that has been misled by the Devil. But before Jehovah demonstrates his wrath against the Devil and his evil world, he purposes that a warning be given mankind that all those disposed toward righteousness may not have to die with a devilish world. This very warning work makes known the name of Jehovah. The very reason that Satan the Devil, the antitypical Pharaoh, has been allowed to live as long as he has is that the divine name may be known and vindicated: “For this very purpose I have let you remain, that in connection with you I may demonstrate my power and that my name may be published throughout all the earth.”—Rom. 9:17, NW.

Note that the witness to Jehovah’s name and purpose must be given “throughout all the earth.” This fact was also foretold by the prophet Malachi: “From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles [nations]; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering.” So the good news of Jehovah’s kingdom must be proclaimed far and wide! This is a work not to be done in a corner, but “in every place.” The “incense” that is offered is, of course, not literal, but is “the odor of the knowledge” of Jehovah, which, the apostle said, must be diffused “in every place.” This great witness work was also foretold by Christ Jesus as being part of the sign of the “last days” of Satan’s world rule: “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.”—Mal. 1:11, AS; 2 Cor. 2:14-16; Matt. 24:14, NW.

Today the witness is being given “in all the inhabited earth.” Those who are doing this work are known as “Jehovah’s witnesses.” An unusual name? No, for Jehovah himself declares: “Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen.” In 150 lands these witnesses of Jehovah are now making known the purposes of the Most High. This is a strange work. Why? Because, like the preaching of Noah, it warns the inhabited earth of the end of a whole system of things. The preflood people scoffed at Noah. But when the Jehovah-decreed deluge enveloped the earth their mouths filled up with water and their scoffing ceased. It is dangerous to scoff at Jehovah’s strange work. Jehovah advises against it.—Isa. 43:10, AS; Matt. 24:38, 39.

Destruction will come upon the whole earth when Jehovah brings to pass his “strange act.” It will be an act similar to those he performed in times of old. The Flood was an act of Jehovah. The destruction of Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea was an act of Jehovah. The obliteration of Sodom and Gomorrah was an act of Jehovah. The annihilation of 185,000 soldiers of Sennacherib’s army before Jerusalem was an act of Jehovah. But the greatest act of all, the one that results in the complete vindication of his name, is Jehovah’s “strange act,” also called “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.”—Rev. 16:14, NW.

JEHOVAH FIGHTS FOR HIS NAME

“Jehovah is a manly person of war,” says the Bible. It is righteous warfare that he wages. More than 230 times in Bible prophecy he is called “Jehovah of hosts.” This means that Jehovah is Commander-in-Chief of heavenly armies that will be used to express his anger against this world. Christ Jesus leads Jehovah’s armies to battle: “The armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen.” Do we have any idea as to the strength and number of Jehovah’s armies? Yes! Remembering that it took only two angels to blot out Sodom and Gomorrah, we get some idea from Revelation 9:16 (NW, footnote) why Armageddon will be the greatest tribulation that has ever come upon this world: “‘The number of the armies of the horsemen was twenty thousand times ten thousand,’ that is, 200,000,000”!—Ex. 15:3; Rev. 19:14, NW.

When Jehovah gives the command the armies in heaven will fight for the vindication of his name. This will be “the great and terrible day of Jehovah” foretold by Malachi, “the day of Jehovah’s wrath” foretold by Zephaniah. This time can be called “Jehovah’s day” because it is the day when he fights for his name. Already forty years of this generation that is doomed to feel the wrath of Jehovah’s day have passed. Only a few years remain. In the most urgent sense, then, “the day of Jehovah is near upon all the nations.” When that day breaks, it will be a time of heart-paralyzing fear: “The day of Jehovah is at hand; as destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Therefore shall all hands be feeble, and every heart of man shall melt: and they shall be dismayed; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall look in amazement one at another; their faces shall be faces of flame.”—Mal. 4:5; Zeph. 1:18; Obadiah 15; Isa. 13:6-8, AS; Matt. 24:34.

With faces pallid with soul-chilling terror, mankind who have not come to know Jehovah will realize that their destruction proceeds from Jehovah. Hailstones, flash floods, upheavals on the earth, lightning, darkness, fire from heaven, and other phenomena, are all forecast for Jehovah’s day. All not on Jehovah’s side, hence on Satan’s side, will be forced to know Jehovah: “I will rain upon him, and upon his hordes, and upon the many peoples that are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. And I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.” More than sixty times this phrase “know that I am Jehovah” appears in Ezekiel’s prophecy. This means that all men will know that the smiting comes from Jehovah, not from man. No one will have reason to doubt that it is God’s expression of anger.—Ezek. 38:22, 23, AS.

VITAL TO KNOW JEHOVAH NOW

How will this “great and terrible day of Jehovah” come? With glorious fanfare so that the whole world can be converted and know Jehovah? Just the opposite! Wrote the apostle Peter: “Jehovah’s day will come as a thief.” Explained the apostle Paul: “Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night.” So when Christ Jesus leads Jehovah’s armies “from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings due punishment upon those who do not know God,” the world will not in the least expect it. For refusing to know Jehovah, either by willful choice, by a too-busy attitude or by sleepy indifference, what will be the penalty? The Bible answers: “These very ones will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction.”—2 Pet. 3:10;1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Thess. 1:7-9, NW.

Since the penalty for not knowing Jehovah is everlasting death and since Jehovah’s day will catch the world napping, it is high time to awake. It is far later than most people think. How does one awake? By a diligent study of God’s Word. The various Bible study aids distributed by Jehovah’s witnesses are designed to help you know Jehovah and his purposes. Remember, knowing Jehovah means more than just an acquaintance with his name. It means living your life in harmony with Jehovah’s purposes. It means a continual taking in of knowledge. Those who refuse to take in this knowledge can never come to know Jehovah. Christ Jesus showed that this imbibing of knowledge is essential to attain everlasting life: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”—John 17:3, NW.

Without life man can enjoy nothing and man cannot have life without knowing Jehovah God. So the choice facing every person on this earth is clear: to refuse to know Jehovah and die or to come to know Jehovah in obedient service and live. Heed the warning witness now being sounded by Jehovah’s witnesses. Bestir yourself to investigate the message they bring. It is not a joke. The Bible testifies to that. There is no need for you to pay the penalty for not knowing Jehovah. Acquire that vital knowledge now. Do not wait until Jehovah’s day breaks thieflike in all its fury upon this generation. No, do not wait until flaming fire from heaven and a flesh-eating plague compel men everywhere to know Jehovah in a way they will not like. Because then it will be too late.

Making Known the Good News in a Jewish Synagogue

An experience by one of the staff of workers at the Watch Tower Society headquarters

WHILE serving the Pittsfield (Massachusetts) congregation this year, the assistant congregation servant, his wife and I were invited to attend a Jewish synagogue for the purpose of answering questions about Jehovah’s witnesses in one of their classes that is studying different religions.

We arrived promptly at ten o’clock at the synagogue, a newly constructed building of modern design which happens to be within three blocks of the Kingdom Hall and on the same street. We were warmly received by the instructor of the class, who in turn introduced us to the rabbi in charge of the synagogue. The pleasant reception made us feel at home at once. After exchanging a few words we were ushered into the classroom where the discussion was to be held. The room was large in size. To one side of the room was a library of selected books and Bibles. In the center of the room was a rectangular-shaped table with the July 28, 1953, issue of Look magazine on it. We took our seats at the far end of the table. Since the students were not yet present, the instructor took a few minutes to tell us what they were doing in his class. He said that on the previous week they talked about Jehovah’s witnesses, using what Look magazine had to say about them as the basis for their discussion. Since there were many questions that came up that no one present could answer authoritatively, they thought it best to invite one of Jehovah’s witnesses down to the synagogue and in this way get their questions answered directly.

About this time in came the class. A lively, energetic and intelligent group of youngsters, whose ages were anywhere from fifteen to nineteen years. After they all got seated around the table there were some seventeen of them—the instructor briefly made known our purpose there and turned the remaining time over to us. In his words: “The class is all yours.”

We told the class that we understood that they had many questions and that we would do our best to try to answer them. No one seemed to want to be the first to start. The class instructor quickly spoke up and said: “Perhaps you [speaking to us] might have a question that you would like to ask us.” The class thought that would be a good idea to get things rolling. We said that we did have a question and that we have tried to find the answer to it for some time but were not entirely successful. They were anxious to know the question. So we asked: “Could you tell us the origin of the ‘star of David’ or the ‘shield of David’?” The class quickly exchanged glances at one another questioningly. It was quite obvious that none of them knew the answer.

The instructor spoke up and said: “You didn’t expect to get the answer to that question here, did you?” We answered: “What more appropriate place could we go to than a Jewish synagogue for our answer, especially since the synagogue uses the symbol?” The instructor collected his thoughts and said that he did not know exactly what its origin was, but that he thought it originated with mythology and he wondered if we in our search found the same thing. We said that we did. But we found it hard to understand why the Jews would accept this pagan symbol, especially since they were strictly forbidden by Jehovah to have anything to do with pagan practices and their symbols. To this the instructor replied that he did not think that David was acquainted with the “star of David.” We agreed with him. We did not think so either. In fact, we were quite positive that David had nothing to do with it or knew anything about the symbol.

After this brief exchange the class seemed to have retreated into even greater silence. So we thought of a way of putting them at ease. We would tell them about Jehovah’s witnesses, what they believe, who they are and what they preach, etc., after which they no doubt would have questions. They nodded and smiled approvingly.

We began our impromptu speech by showing them that Jehovah’s witnesses are people from all walks of life, that what they teach and believe is very much like what the prophets of old taught and believed. The prophets of old believed that Jehovah was the one and only true God; so do Jehovah’s witnesses. As the prophets of Jehovah believed Jehovah to be the great Purposer with a purpose for his people, so do Jehovah’s witnesses. As the Jewish prophets believed and proclaimed a new heavens and a new earth as God’s purpose, so do Jehovah’s witnesses believe and proclaim. Quoting almost exclusively from the Hebrew Scriptures, we showed the class that it is Jehovah’s purpose to make this earth of ours a glorious footstool for Jehovah’s feet. Jehovah stating this to be his purpose, his word would not return to him void.—Isa. 46:11; 55:9-11; 60:13; 65:17; 66:1.

The purpose of Jehovah was traced from the garden of Eden to our day, showing the reason for sin, sickness, sorrow and death. The entire group appeared to be hanging on to every word, including the instructor. It was pointed out that the glorious earth that Jehovah promised and that the prophets wrote about is due to arrive in our day, and the only ones proclaiming this good news to mankind are Jehovah’s witnesses. People today, they were told, are actually choosing life or death by their attitude toward the Kingdom message; that this is a message of hope, a happy message, a message of life to all who would hear; that this message means everything to the young about to face life, because it gives them logical reasons for conditions in the world and it offers to them the brightest possible hope that mankind could possibly conceive—the hope of living forever under a perfect government, in perfect conditions, in everlasting peace, prosperity and happiness. This was the hope for those gathered there. It was available to them if only they would choose it.

After this thirty-five-minute discussion on the purposes of Jehovah the meeting was reopened to questions. This time there were many hands that sprung up from all sides. The first question was: “How can we prove that Christ came and began his rule in the year 1914?” To follow in quick succession were such as these: Why do Jehovah’s witnesses object to saluting the flag? What do they have against blood transfusion? Do Jehovah’s witnesses baptize? How? How old does one have to be before he can be baptized? Before he can become one of Jehovah’s witnesses? How does the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses operate? How was it possible for them to conduct a huge international assembly like the one at Yankee Stadium July 19-26, 1953? Do Jehovah’s witnesses believe in a trinity? A purgatory? What do they believe about heaven, hell and resurrection? Do they celebrate Christmas? Birthdays?

At first the students would raise their hands and wait to be called on to speak, but the discussion became so lively that they felt free to speak without hesitation. Their comments, expressions and enthusiasm were something simply wonderful to behold. They asked intelligent questions and not once throughout the entire session did they show any signs of antagonism or prejudice. Their eagerness to participate in the discussion was something commendable and outstanding. And the answers that were given to their questions they accepted without any display of resentment or dissatisfaction.

They wanted to know if Jehovah’s witnesses wear anything to distinguish them from the rest of the world. They were told that the zeal of Jehovah’s witnesses for truth, for their religion, their eagerness to praise Jehovah and make known his name, distinguishes them from the rest of the world. They wanted to know whether we use images, how the draft boards treat Jehovah’s witnesses, if we celebrate the Passover and what we thought of the sabbath.

Every now and then a comment would bring a wave of surprise from the class. For example: They were amazed that we celebrated Memorial on Nisan 14 and how we keep the date. Most of them were swept with amazement when they learned that we do not celebrate Christmas, do not believe in a trinity and that we do not believe in a hell-fire. They wanted to know why there were only a 144,000 chosen to be joint heirs with Christ in the heavens, if this did not prove God to be partial. Another would ask if in the resurrection man will have conveniences such as we have today, radio, television, etc. From across the table would come another question: “Do Jehovah’s witnesses think that they are the only ones of all religions that are right?” How do we explain the virgin birth mentioned at Isaiah 7:14? Many, many more questions were asked.

The discussion was to last only an hour to my understanding, but after the first hour the questions were still coming in heavily. After an hour and a half and two hours, the class still showed no signs of slowing up or wanting to discontinue the discussion. Hands kept popping up from all sides of the table. It is doubtful if there were any present that did not ask more than one question. Most of them asked five or six. Their eyes sparkled. They appeared to be thoroughly enjoying this experience with us. After almost two and a half hours the session was brought to a close. A tract, “Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?” was passed around. The group expressed how much they enjoyed our being there. Some of the girls gathered around the sister and asked her further questions. We literally had to pull ourselves away. Waving good-by we left the synagogue.

As we walked up the street we could not help but feel exhilarated. We had such a wonderful time. We thought, too, that this experience should teach us to be “always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.”—1 Pet. 3:15, NW.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, . . . if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise.—Gal. 3:28, 29, NW.

Truth About Jehovah Brings Joy to Montreal Family

“IN THAT day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in Jehovah, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” (Isa. 29:18, 19, AS) Giving a striking example of the fulfillment of this prophecy in our day is the experience of a French Catholic family in Montreal, Canada, as related to certain of Jehovah’s witnesses residing at Trois Rivieres, by the head of the family, after he had known of Jehovah only four weeks.

It was during the five and a half years that he served in the Canadian army overseas, at a time when bombs were falling all around, that the subject of prayer came up and the question was asked as to what is God’s name. Going to the Catholic chaplain for information our friend was told: “Don’t be foolish. God’s name is Jesus.” This, however, failed to satisfy him and so for years he kept wondering.

Then one day, while visiting his sister, the question came up and she assured him that she knew God’s name and that it is Jehovah. “How do you know?” he asked her. “Why, it’s in the Bible,” she replied. “I’ve seen it. Would you like to know more?” Of course he would; and so, learning that two of Jehovah’s witnesses were calling on his sister the next evening, he returned then. After the witnesses had satisfactorily answered all his questions he arranged to have a Bible study in his home, and after the first study he, together with his family, his sister and her family, began to attend the Kingdom Hall meetings of Jehovah’s witnesses. After just one week of study he asked if he could accompany others as they engaged in the preaching activity. Regarding his family’s interest he said: “My wife studies all day long and at night she tells me all about the things she learns, and I let my three children take turns each evening in praying.”

Shortly he received a letter from one of his best friends, a monk in Trois Rivieres, telling him to ‘stop this foolishness.’ It made him so angry that he at once went to visit this monk. Usually he would have knelt in his presence and asked the monk for a blessing, but not this time. In fact, when the monk extended his hand, he refused to take it, saying, “I could not shake hands with you now when I know what you are.” Surprised, the monk put his hand on his shoulder and asked, “Why, what’s wrong, Maurice?” Maurice replied, “Don’t put your hand on my shoulder, you are too heavy to bear. You told my mother I was a Communist, did you not?” The monk tried to evade the question but eventually had to admit that he had.

After further discussion he left the monk, telling him that his attitude had only served further to convince him that he now had the truth. A few days later one of his boys, only seven years old, took his stand at school, refusing to say the prayers or repeat the catechism, for which he was severely strapped and made to kneel until five in the afternoon. Hearing of this his father telephoned the priest that his son had acted according to his wishes and if another such incident occurred the priest would be haled into court. Since then the children are being let alone. Assuring his seven-year-old son that it had been a case of suffering for Jehovah, the lad replied, “Yes, papa, I know that and I wouldn’t mind doing it for another day for Jehovah.” As the father related these experiences his eyes beamed with joy.

Truly those meek ones who have been kept deaf, blind and poor spiritually by organized religion are rejoicing as they see and hear the truth regarding the Holy One of Israel, Jehovah God.

Do You Say, “Send Me”?

● What is your attitude toward the preaching activity of Jehovah’s witnesses? Do you enjoy The Watchtower and like the message and still draw back from telling others? Do you admire those who do the work, perhaps who brought the message to you, and yet hesitate to participate in it yourself? Or is yours the right and zealous course that Isaiah took when he willingly said: “Here am I; send me”?—Isa. 6:8.

Why Prayers Go Unanswered

PRAYER has become popular. There are now prayer hours, prayer days, prayer weeks, prayer months and prayer years. Widely acclaimed are the so-called “Holy Years,” when a whole year, as in 1950, is set aside for “special devotions and prayers, especially for world peace.” Also receiving wide acclaim is the World Day of Prayer, when people in over a hundred lands unite in prayer for peace. Prayers for the world and its rulers are heard at inaugurations, coronations, sessions of lawmaking bodies and political conventions. Clergymen, politicians, presidents and pope not only urge others to pray but pray themselves for the United Nations and the world. So much praying goes on for the world. Yet the grim fact is clear: the world is in worse shape than ever before. Thus prayers for the world go unanswered and even seem to backfire. What are we to think of such a confusing situation?

One of the first things that thinking people realize is that, instead of there being something wrong with God, there must be something wrong with the prayers. Indeed, one defect is glaring. This is the prayers’ inconsistency. Yes, prayers uttered by preachers of a religious faith often conflict with prayers uttered by other preachers of that same faith. Thus during the two world wars Protestant and Catholic clergymen, in both Germany and America, prayed for victory for their respective sides. Here were clergymen of the same faith presumably praying to the same God, yet their prayers were not of the same mind! They were horribly inconsistent. In effect the clergymen prayed for the destruction of their spiritual brothers. Yet Christ’s apostle declared: “I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in ‘agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” So when the wars ended, what were the people on the defeated side, those who had hoped in their clergy’s prayers, to think? Would not their faith in both prayer and God be shattered? Or at the very least would they not think that God was partial? Yet the apostle Peter said: “For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial.” So then there must be something wrong, not with God, but with the prayers.—1 Cor. 1:10; Acts 10:34, NW.

To understand just what is wrong and why prayers go unanswered we must turn to God’s Word, the Bible. There we find three reasons: (1) Failure to pray to the right One, (2) failure to pray in the right manner and (3) failure to pray on the right matters.

JEHOVAH—THE RIGHT ONE

If prayer is to be answered it must be directed to the right One. That right One is the God of heaven and earth. His name is Jehovah: “I am Jehovah, that is my name.” Of Jehovah it is written in the Psalms: “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.” Only he can hear prayers, and all flesh that desire their prayers answered must direct them to Jehovah.—Isa. 42:8; Ps. 65:2, AS.

Many professed Christians direct their prayers to some “saint” or to Mary, the mother of Jesus. There is no Bible support for such a practice. It is praying to the wrong one. When the Son of God gave instructions on praying, only prayer addressed to Jehovah was approved: “You must pray, then, this way: ‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.’” Clearly, then, praying to statues or images is no part of true Christianity. Says the Bible: “Idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have ears, but they hear not.” People “have no knowledge that carry the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.” So prayer directed to any other than Jehovah is futile: “For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but Jehovah made the heavens.”—Matt. 6:9, NW; Ps. 115:4, 6; Isa. 45:20; Ps. 96:5, AS.

Not only must prayer be made to the right One but the one praying must be right, that is, he must be righteous, living in harmony with Jehovah’s written Word. At 1 Peter 3:12 (NW) the apostle explains: “Jehovah’s eyes are upon the righteous and his ears are toward their supplication, but Jehovah’s face is against those doing injurious things.” The rulers of this world, together with the clergy who have blessed their wars, have stained their hands with blood. Yet with outstretched arms they continue to pray to God for his blessing on their armies and navies. Says Jehovah: “So, when you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many a prayer, I will not listen. Your hands are full of bloodshed.”—Isa. 1:15 AT.

THE RIGHT MANNER

Now what does it mean to pray in the right manner? First of all it means to approach Jehovah in the name of Christ Jesus, who the Bible says is the “one mediator between God and men.” So can one expect an answer to his prayer if he does not ask it in Jesus’ name? Said the Son of God himself: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Since Christ is the only mediator, the “one mediator,” there can be no more mediators between God and men. Hence, praying to Jehovah in the name of some “saint” or the mother of Jesus is unscriptural. It is praying in the wrong manner. The right manner is explained by Jesus: “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”—1 Tim. 2:5; John 14:6, 14, NW.

To pray in the right manner also means to pray with faith. There are the so-called “enlightened” clergymen of today who do not believe God’s Word to be inspired. Prayer, these preachers imply, is a psychological tonic; it enables one to maintain an inner calm and confidence. Such persons are totally devoid of faith. Their prayers receive no answer from God: “Without faith it is impossible to win his good pleasure, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” And many are the churchgoers who call themselves “Christian” but who deep down in their heart lack faith in God and his Word, the Bible. Of such persons the scripture says: “Let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah.” So faith is truly vital. “All the things you ask in prayer, having faith,” said Jesus, “you will receive.”—Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:7; Matt. 21:22, NW.

A prayer made in the right manner is one that stems from sincerity. “Out of sincerity,” said the apostle Paul, “we are speaking.” (2 Cor. 2:17, NW) But are the high-sounding prayers that are frequently heard really “out of sincerity”? An item in the St. Petersburg Times, July 27, 1952, under the title “The Rambler,” gives a revealing answer: “Often ministers and others who pray before an audience talk to the people in the assembly room rather than to God. This was especially true at the big political conventions that were held in Chicago. At the Republican convention one minister made a good political speech under the guise of a prayer. At the Democratic convention another minister made a speech rather than a prayer.” Yes, how often the minister who delivers the grandiloquent prayer in church is talking to gain the praise of men! The words do not come from the heart; they come from a manuscript. This praying for praise was also popular in Jesus’ day. His condemnation of the practice was sharp: “When you pray, you must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full.”—Matt. 6:5, NW.

Many prayers are aimed not only for praise but at the purse as well! Using prayer as a means to fleece the flock was not uncommon in Jesus’ day either: “They are the ones devouring the houses of the widows and for a pretext making long prayers; these will receive a heavier judgment.” (Mark 12:40, NW) So all who pray with an ulterior motive are praying, not “out of sincerity,” but in an improper manner.

Does the right manner of prayer allow for “aids” such as prayer books and rosaries? Prayer with the use of prayer books and rosaries is mechanical, routine, repetitious. This tends to destroy sincerity. Not only that but nowhere in the Bible do we read of God’s servants using prayer aids. Certainly they have never used beads! On the contrary, history shows it was pagan religion that used rosaries. To this day the Tibetans employ prayer wheels and beads. They think that because of their huge volume of prayers they will be heard. So it is with many professed Christians today; they use the rosary and even devices for counting the prayers. One special device, which has eight patents on it, was recently invented by a man named Doherty. He developed the device because he found it difficult to say the rosary while working or driving his car, when he would be interrupted and lose his place on the circle of beads. How does the device work? As the user finishes each prayer he pushes a plunger near the top of the recorder and a pointer on a revolving disc points to the next bead. Inventor Doherty could have saved himself much trouble and learned how to pray in the right manner if he had only read the Bible, especially Jesus’ command at Matthew 6:7, 8, (NW):

“When praying, do not say the same things over and over again, just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words. So, do not make yourselves like them.”

THE RIGHT MATTERS

Though one prays to the right One and even in the right manner, his prayer may not be answered! Why so? Because one must also pray on the right matters. To be answered, prayer must be in harmony with the divine will. All prayer not in harmony with Jehovah’s purposes, as revealed in his Word the Bible, will go unanswered. Take, for example, a subject people often pray for, the world. During the 1950 “Holy Year” some 3,000,000 pilgrims at Rome prayed for peace. Millions of others prayed along with the pope. But the “Holy Year” brought instead the Korean War and some ten other uprisings. Since these prayers fail so miserably, even when uttered by such dignitaries as the pope and President Eisenhower, there must be something wrong with praying for the world. Such prayers are clearly out of harmony with Jehovah’s purpose. That is why Jesus in a very unpopelike manner said to his Father: “I make request, not concerning the world, but concerning those you have given me.”—John 17:9, NW.

The reason that Jesus did not pray for this world is that it is controlled by “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil, and it is doomed to destruction. Chapter after chapter in the Bible foretells a day of Jehovah’s vengeance, when he executes judgment against this wicked world. Time and time again the book of Isaiah tells of the destruction of this world. Isaiah 28:22 (AS) is an example: “A decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.” How futile, then, to pray for this world when Jehovah, the Almighty God, has decreed its utter destruction! Jehovah is not going to patch up this world. It is rotten to the core. It is hypocritical. It does not obey God’s commands. So God’s way to world peace is not through any kingdom or league of kingdoms of this world but is through a new world: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth.”—2 Cor. 4:4, NW; Isa. 65:17, AS.

Instead of sobbing about the present anguish of nations and praying for its abatement, true Christians see that these turbulent times, indeed such calamities as famines, earthquakes and wars, are fulfillment of Bible prophecy pertaining to the sign of the “last days,” hence they rejoice, as Jesus said they should. (Luke 21:28) They rejoice because they know deliverance to a new world is at hand, that this present evil world must end in that “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again,” namely, the war of Armageddon. This is Jehovah’s decree. When Jehovah decreed the fall of Jerusalem because of the Israelites’ unfaithfulness, he told Jeremiah not to pray for the people: “Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee.” So likewise praying for this destruction-bound world is useless. It would be contrary to this explicit command of Christ’s beloved apostle: “Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world.”—Matt. 24:21, NW; Jer. 7:16, AS; 1 John 2:15, NW.

Still people continue to pray for “things in the world”; then they wonder why their prayers are not answered. Prayers for politicians, governments, victory at sports, armies and navies and the United Nations are prayers for “things in the world.” There are those who pray for great wealth, prosperity and power. These persons ask amiss. Their motives are all wrong: “You do ask, and yet you do not receive, because you are asking for a wrong purpose, that you may expend it upon your cravings for sensual pleasure.”—Jas. 4:3, NW.

Those who want their prayers answered must now be diligent to learn proper prayer. How? Study and heed God’s Word. Show love for Jehovah by obeying his commands. Voice petitions that are in harmony with his purpose of a peaceful new world. Pray on matters authorized by Jehovah himself. Some of these matters that God’s Word authorizes are for food, for forgiveness, against temptation, to know Jehovah’s will, for knowledge, for family and for the destruction of the wicked. So pray to the right One, pray in the right manner and pray on the right matters, and you will find that God does indeed answer prayers and that he can “do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive.”—Eph. 3:20, NW.

“This Good News of the Kingdom”

1. What questions concerning man’s hope for the future present themselves?

WHAT is your hope for the future? Is it just to live out some few years on earth with the hope of gaining some pleasure and happiness in the short time before death brings an end to it? What hope have you of life beyond death? What does the future hold for mankind in general upon earth? Will some disaster finally destroy the earth and all life on it?

2. (a) How do people in different places answer these questions? (b) In order to have a sure hope for the future what is the sensible thing to do, and why so?

² People in different parts of the world will answer these questions somewhat differently. There are many different religions and many different ideas about what the future holds for mankind. Others have come to their own conclusions as to what their future will be. Surely the sensible thing to do, if we want to have a sure hope for the future, is to find out what the supreme and almighty God has purposed for man and for this earth which is man’s home. Since He created man, then He is the one to decide our destiny, and this He has done. For those who please the Creator there is a happy future, and this happy future was announced to man on earth through a special representative of the Creator, Jesus Christ. His message he called “this good news of the kingdom.”—Matt. 24:14, NW.

3. To understand all about “this good news” where do we find the needed information, and why do we find it only there?

³ What is “this good news”? To understand what it is, and what “the kingdom” is that is here spoken of, and how it will bring blessings to mankind, it is necessary to know something of the purposes of the Most High God and of his dealings with mankind. This information we find in a book, the Bible. One who can create the sun, moon and stars, this earth and all the wonderful things on it, the fish, birds, animals, trees and flowers, and man, that One could also create a book. Since it is the Creator’s purpose to make this information available world-wide in such a way that each one would be able to check the information for himself, there would have to be a written record that one could turn to for proof. The only written record of the Creator’s purpose for man and the earth is the Bible, that sacred Book which God has preserved down through the ages and which has been translated into hundreds of languages. In this Book we shall find the answers to all the important questions about our life here on earth and our hopes for the future.

4. What are some of the important questions that the Bible answers for us, and so what shall we now do?

⁴ Who is God? How and why did he make man? Why are there wickedness and suffering on the earth? When will they end? What is the future of the earth and man, and what does one have to do to gain life from God? All these and many other questions are answered for us in the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word in which he reveals himself and his purposes to us. (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:15-17) Let us then look into this Book and learn some of its contents.

THE TRUE GOD

5. If we want life, what must we recognize concerning God, and why is it wrong to try to make an image of God to worship?

⁵ There is only one true God who is almighty and supreme and who is the Creator that has “made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.” (Acts 4:24) Everyone who wants life, including his chief Son, Christ Jesus, must recognize His supremacy and be subject to him. (1 Cor. 15:28) God is invisible to human eyes, and “no man hath seen God at any time.” (1 John 4:12) So then it is wrong for man to try to make an image of God to worship. He is beyond compare. He has no equal. Of him the prophet Isaiah wrote, Isa chapter 40, verses 18 and 25: “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” He is the source of all life and therefore it is to him we must look in hope for everlasting life in the future.

6. Why does God have a name, what is it, and why must we know him by his name?

⁶ To differentiate himself from the many false gods that are worshiped the Almighty God has a personal name. That name is Jehovah. Psalm 83:18 says about him: “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.” Therefore, to become a true worshiper of him one must come to know him by his name Jehovah.

CHRIST JESUS

7. Who is the chief of God’s creatures, and why was he called the Word?

⁷ The chief one of God’s creatures under Him is his son who came to earth and took the name Jesus. The Bible shows that this One had lived as a spirit creature in heaven before coming to the earth. At that time he was called the Word; that is, he was Jehovah’s spokesman to all other creatures that were brought into existence.—John 1:1; Col. 1:16; Rev. 19:13.

8. Are Jesus and Jehovah God the same person and are they equal? What did Jesus say about this?

⁸ Jesus and Jehovah God are not the same person, nor is Jesus equal to God. Jehovah alone is supreme. Therefore, Jesus said about Jehovah: “My Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28) He always has been and is obedient to his Father in heaven and has always been united or at one with him in God’s works of righteousness. Because they were in harmony together Jesus could say: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) But he did not mean that they were one person. It would be foolish to say that, since later we find Jesus praying to his Father in these words: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”—Matt. 26:39; compare John 17:20-22.

9. Of what has Jesus now become the ruler, and for what did he teach his followers to pray?

⁹ Jesus is God’s chief Son and most beloved One and he has become the King of God’s kingdom, through which righteousness and peace will be brought about in a new world. While he was on the earth he taught his followers to pray for that kingdom and to direct that prayer to Jehovah, their heavenly Father. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:9, 10) But before we go on to discuss why Jesus came to earth as a man and died, and why his preaching about the Kingdom was such good news, let us go back to the time when God created the first man in the garden of Eden.

SIN, DEATH, AND THE DEVIL

10. How did the first man and woman come to be, and what were they commanded to do?

¹⁰ Originally God created a first man and woman, named Adam and Eve. They were perfect, and God placed them in a paradise garden in the part of the earth called Eden. He commanded them: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and [fill] the earth, and subdue it”; and they were to have dominion over all other creatures on the earth—Gen. 1:27-31.

11. How was their obedience tested out, and by what creature were they led to act as they did?

¹¹ If they were faithful and obedient to the Creator they would live forever on the earth in peace with all the things that their hearts would desire. But, although they were perfect in body and mind, they were as yet untried, and God gave them the opportunity of proving their obedience to him under test. He gave Adam the command, saying: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:16, 17) Did they prove faithful under this test? The Bible record shows they did not. In Genesis chapter 3 there is described the failure of first the woman and then the man to keep God’s commandment, and they ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree. Who was it that deceived them? The record speaks of a serpent, but there must have been some invisible superhuman power behind the serpent’s actions. We shall see in a moment who that invisible power was.

12. What happened to Adam and Eve after they had sinned, and who was the invisible power behind the serpent in the garden of Eden?

¹² In God’s command about the fruit of this tree he had said to Adam: “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:17) And so now God put this sentence into effect. First, he drove out Adam and Eve from the paradise garden, and from that day on they began to die, and in due time they did die and returned to the dust from where they were taken. Their act of disobedience to God, their rebellion against God’s commandment, brought death to them; and, since all their children were born after they sinned, then they passed on sin and death to their offspring and so down to us. “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) The invisible power behind the serpent who led them into rebellion against God was therefore responsible for their death and he was a murderer. Jesus identified that murderer for us when he said to other followers of that evil one: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) So, then, it is Satan the Devil who was the invisible power behind the serpent in Eden and who is the great rebel against God and his purposes.

13. (a) How did the Devil come to be? (b) Who told the truth about the results of eating the forbidden fruit, and how has the Devil tried to support what he told Eve?

¹³ The Devil was originally a spirit son of God and, as such, he was perfect; but he allowed pride and lust for power to be like God to develop in his heart, and this led him to rebel and to get Adam and Eve to join him in his rebellion. He wanted to be like the Most High God and have creatures worship and serve him. (Ezek. 28:14, 15, 17) The way he got Adam and Eve to follow him was to tell them a lie. God, you will remember, had said that if the first human pair ate of the forbidden fruit they would die, but the Devil through the serpent said: “Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:4, 5) Who told the truth, God or the Devil? Did Adam really die? The Record says he did: “And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.” (Gen. 5:5) However, Satan, in order to try to continue his original lie, brought forth the idea that when man dies he just appears to die, that it is just the body that dies, but something inside him, a soul or spirit, lives on, either being born again to some other human or into an animal, or going off into some spirit world. Is that true? What does happen to man at death?

14. Did God warn Adam that only the body would die and what Bible verses show whether a dead person’s soul is alive somewhere else?

¹⁴ When God said that Adam would die for disobedience he said nothing about just the body’s dying and his soul’s going on living somewhere else. He just said: ‘You will SURELY die.’ Note these Bible texts that show clearly that when a person dies he is completely dead and not alive somewhere else. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Ps. 146:3, 4) “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Eccl. 9:5, 10) “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”—Ezek. 18:4.

15. So, then, at death does a person’s soul go direct to some invisible world, and on what are teachings of that kind based?

¹⁵ So, then, when a person dies his soul does not go straight to heaven, nor does his soul go to a place of torment called “hell,” nor would that soul be able to come back as a “spirit” or “ghost” to haunt the dead person’s relatives. All such teachings are based on Satan’s original lie that man does not die, and he has caused many to believe them in order to hold them in fear and turn them away from the true understanding of God’s purposes.

16. What have people been led to believe about so-called “spirits” of the dead and about witches, and what does the Bible have to say about the practice of witchcraft?

¹⁶ Many people have been led to believe that sickness and disease are caused by the influence of the “spirits” of the dead, and these persons have gone to witch doctors, persons who claim that they can appease the “spirits.” There are witches who claim that they can get in touch with the dead and communicate messages to the living, or that they have supernatural powers by the help of the “spirits” of the dead. These beliefs are likewise based on the Devil’s lie and he has caused these beliefs to spread in order to make man believe that he does not die at death. The Bible specifically warns against anyone’s practicing such things as witchcraft. “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”—Deut. 18:10-12.

17. So, when man dies, what about him? And hence what provision has God made for the dying human race?

¹⁷ The simple truth about the matter is that, when a person dies, he is dead, unconscious, and knows nothing. Well, you might ask, There is no future in that, is there? If, when man dies, he goes to the grave and that is the end of him, what hope is there for us? It is here in answer to these questions that the Bible brings to our notice Jehovah’s most wonderful and merciful provision for the human race, and that is

THE RANSOM

18. What is a ransom? How did God provide one for mankind, and with what benefit to man exercising faith in it?

¹⁸ A ransom is something that loosens, something that brings deliverance, something valuable that is paid to bring release from bondage. In the Bible it means God’s provision to deliver humans from sin and from death due to sin; and so at Matthew 20:28 we read: “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Thus Jehovah God by sending his Son Jesus Christ to earth provided through him and his death a ransom price. Men who exercise faith in this provision and who serve God faithfully may receive the gift of life, being set free from inherited sin and from eternal death as a result of sin. Thus we read at Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

19. What did the paying of the ransom require, and how was this valuable thing provided in Jesus?

¹⁹ As we have already seen, sin and death entered into the world when Adam rebelled against God. Adam lost for himself and for his offspring perfect human life on a paradise earth. By means of the ransom Christ Jesus bought back this that was lost, namely, perfect human life with its rights and earthly prospects. God’s law at Deuteronomy 19:21 was that like should go for like; hence, a perfect human life had to be sacrificed for the perfect human life that was lost. No man on earth who was a descendant of sinner Adam could provide this ransom, because each one was himself under condemnation of sin and death by inheritance from Adam. They did not have perfect human life to offer. So only God could provide the ransom, and he did this by transferring the life of his only-begotten Son, who was with him in heaven, to the womb of Mary, a Jewish virgin. (Matt. 1:23) So without the help of an earthly father Jesus was miraculously born. In this way he did not inherit condemnation from Adam. This child, Jesus, grew up to become a perfect man, and, as such, he possessed the valuable thing, a perfect human life, which could provide a ransom.

20. Why was Jesus sacrificed in death, and how was he enabled to present the value of the ransom? Where and to whom?

²⁰ On seeing this one approaching him John the Baptist likened him to a lamb for sacrifice and said: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) The perfect human life which Jesus laid down in death is that valuable thing that provides a ransom. Three days after his death Jesus was resurrected, and forty days later he ascended into heaven. He did not take back human life at his resurrection, but he was raised a spirit creature. (1 Pet. 3:18) When he ascended into heaven he presented to God the value of his perfect human life as the offering, or sacrifice, that could take away sins.—Heb. 9:24, 26.

21. Who are the ones that benefit from the ransom, and how does their faith come about?

²¹ Who are the ones that benefit from the ransom? The answer is: Only those that believe or exercise faith. John 3:36 says: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Adam was a willful sinner and was justly sentenced to death, and so he will not benefit by the ransom. Likewise, all other willful rebels against Jehovah will not receive the benefit of this merciful arrangement. In order for men to be saved from death due to the effects of sin they must inform themselves of God’s mercy through Christ Jesus and then have faith in this provision He has made. Such faith comes from a study of God’s Word, which makes plain God’s provision of the ransom. They must recognize that they are sinners and are under condemnation of death because of being descended from Adam. They appreciate their need for the ransom.

22. The providing of the ransom opened up what hope, to be realized where?

²² The provision of the ransom therefore opened up a hope of everlasting life. The Bible shows that by means of the ransom some would be granted life in the heavens, others on the earth. Let us now look into what the Bible has to say about this future hope of life.

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

23. (a) How does the Bible use the word “heavens”? (b) Why did God purpose to set up a new rulership over the earth, and who or how many will exercise that rulership?

²³ The word “heaven,” when referring to the home of intelligent creatures, refers to the spirit realm. It is here that God dwells with his holy angels. The term “heavens” also refers to rulers higher and more powerful than man or to the invisible rule of the earth by spirit powers. Originally Satan, while he was still the “covering cherub” and before he sinned, had authority toward man on earth and was thus the invisible “heavens” or invisible ruling power directly over him. With the rebellion of the covering cherub God purposed to set up a new heavenly rulership over the earth. It would be called the “kingdom of the heavens.” (Matt. 3:2, NW) This heavenly kingdom was pictured by Zion, the capital of the nation of Israel, who were once God’s chosen people. The heavenly kingdom, or Zion, would be made up of tried and tested creatures who would maintain their integrity down till death in following faithfully the footsteps of Christ Jesus. At Revelation chapters 7 and 14, the number of these is limited to 144,000, quite a small number when compared with earth’s population. When Jesus was on earth he began the selection of those who would be associated with him in this heavenly kingdom. He compared them to sheep and said: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) From the time of Jesus until now the selecting of the members of the heavenly kingdom has gone on, and today, after nineteen centuries of selecting, there is yet a small remnant of the 144,000 on earth.

24. How are these called to that heavenly kingdom, and when will that kingdom be completed?

²⁴ Those that make up this kingdom of heaven class are “called” by means of Jehovah’s Word and his spirit; that is, through Jehovah’s Word they come to know this hope of service in the heavenly kingdom, and by means of his spirit operating toward them he makes them his spiritual sons and convinces them that this hope is for them. At Romans 8:16, 17 we read: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (See also John 3:3-5.) When the last members of the Kingdom class finish their earthly course faithful to death, then the heavenly kingdom of the 144,000 under Christ Jesus the King will be completed by their resurrection from the dead to life in heaven. It will rule over all other creatures in the heavens and all those who gain life on earth.

25. Who are commissioned to preach “this good news of the kingdom,” and why is this news “good”?

²⁵ Those of this class who still remain on earth today in the flesh (the remnant) have the commission from God to preach the “good news of the kingdom.” And how good this news about the Kingdom is! It is this heavenly kingdom that will crush out all rebellion and restore peace and righteousness in the universe. It will destroy Satan and all his agents. Under the righteous rule of the Kingdom the original purpose of the Creator will be carried out: namely, the populating of the earth with humans who will serve, praise and honor their loving God. All this will vindicate or clear the name, word and purpose of Jehovah God. It will show that he is supreme. Since it is the kingdom of heaven that will accomplish this, it means that the Kingdom is of greater importance than anything else and that the teaching about it is the most important doctrine in the Bible.

LIFE ON EARTH

26. Psalm 37:11, 29 holds out the hope of enjoying everlasting life where? How does the prayer Jesus taught his followers agree with this?

²⁶ Long ago the psalmist prophetically wrote: “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” (Ps. 37:11, 29) Jesus later quoted from this psalm, in Matthew 5:5, and thus confirmed this hope of everlasting life on earth as true. Some religious organizations hold out the prospect of either life in heaven or eternal torment in a hell-fire. As we have seen, the Bible does not support the idea of eternal torment and it does not limit the hope of future life in peace and happiness only to heaven. Under the heavenly kingdom (for which only a limited number are called) an unlimited number will receive the blessing of perfect human life on the earth. That is why Jesus taught his followers to pray to God: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will come to pass, as in heaven, also upon earth.”—Matt. 6:9, 10, NW.

27. What kind of people are being separated to this hope of earthly life, and how did Jesus, like a shepherd, speak of these?

²⁷ The call for the heavenly inheritance is now closing, but the Bible makes plain that Jehovah is now separating to his side of favor a great crowd of sheeplike ones who wish to serve him and whose hope is that of life in a paradise earth under the heavenly kingdom. Jesus, like a shepherd, spoke of these other sheep at John 10:16:“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

28. (a) For such blessing to come to mankind what changes would there have to be? (b) So what is the “good news” for this day?

²⁸ But before such blessings could come to humankind there would have to be great changes, would there not? For peace and righteousness to flourish here, wickedness, destruction, sickness and death must pass from the earth. When and how will that come about? The Bible shows that all this would come to pass following the second coming of Christ Jesus and the setting up of his kingdom in heaven. The good news today is that Christ Jesus has come again, that God’s kingdom by him has been set up and is now ruling in heaven, and that shortly Satan, his wicked angels and his visible servants on earth will be destroyed at the battle of Armageddon. How do we know this?

JESUS’ PRESENCE IN KINGDOM POWER

29. Is Jesus’ second coming visible to human eyes? What facts and scriptures determine the answer?

²⁹ When Jesus said he would come again he did not mean he would return in the flesh visible to men on earth. He has given up this earthly life as a ransom and therefore cannot take such life back again. When he came to earth the first time in human form, that was a humiliation for him. (Heb. 2:9) However, in his second presence he does not come as a human “lower than the angels,” but he comes as a spirit creature in all his glory. (Matt. 25:31) As such, his return in Kingdom power is invisible to man on the earth. Before he left the earth he had said to his disciples: “A little while, and the world seeth me no more.” (John 14:19) Jesus has now been made the “express image” of his Father and therefore dwells with his Father in a light which “no man hath seen, nor can see.” (Heb. 1:3; 1 Tim. 6:16) So Jesus’ second coming or presence is not seen with the literal eyes, but with the eyes of understanding.—Eph. 1:18.

30. By what means would those on earth understand that Jesus was present again and King?

³⁰ As proof of his presence in Kingdom power Jesus foretold certain outstanding evidences that would make up a great “sign.” By seeing these visible evidences making up the “sign” and by understanding what they mean, those living on earth would know that Jesus had taken up his Kingdom power in heaven and was therefore present as King of the long-promised Kingdom. What would make up this “sign”?

31. How did Jesus’ apostles frame their question on this, and what did Jesus say would be the beginning of sorrows?

³¹ That question arose in the minds of Jesus’ apostles, for they asked: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt. 24:3) In answer Jesus said: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in [various] places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”—Mt 24 Verses 7 and 8.

32. How was this prediction of the “beginning of sorrows” fulfilled, and how did Jesus foretell the time of sorrows since then?

³² According to this, then, the great sign would commence with a world war. In the years 1914 to 1918 thirty nations were engaged in war with one another, and it was therefore called the First World War. It was accompanied by famines and pestilences in many places, and these things continued to bring woe and misery on earth after World War I ended. Indeed, more died from pestilence than were killed in the four years of the war. Also, since 1914 there have been reported more earthquakes than ever before in history, causing great destruction to both property and life. Yet Jesus said: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” And so, since World War I, the time of sorrows has continued and has included another world war even more terrible than the first. Today there is fear of yet another war using more terrible weapons of destruction. Famine still afflicts mankind, and earthquakes too. There is a feeling of insecurity on the part of all mankind as they wonder just what the future has in store for them. Jesus well described these conditions which are a part of the sign he prophesied. He said that there would be “upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”—Luke 21:25, 26.

33, 34. So, then, in what year did Jesus begin reigning, and by what events in heaven was this birth of the Kingdom followed?

³³ So, then, all the evidence shows that Jesus took up his Kingdom power and began his reign from heaven in the year 1914. But why should this wonderful event be accompanied by woes and sorrows on the earth? The book of Revelation, chapter 12, gives us the answer.

³⁴ Satan, who is Jehovah God’s chief adversary, had, up until this time, been able to come among God’s creatures in heaven. Satan would not want the Kingdom to begin to rule, or “be born,” as the symbolic language of Revelation chapter 12 describes it. Satan wanted the rulership of the earth for himself; so, when the time came for Jehovah to command his Son, Christ Jesus, to reign, there was certain to be a fight between the newborn Kingdom and Satan. We read at Revelation 12:7-10: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

35. Hence, why do woes and sorrows continue on earth, but why did Jesus say we should not lose hope at seeing these conditions?

³⁵ Although this victory over Satan caused rejoicing in the heavens it did not remove Satan’s influence over the earth. He was now confined to the earth, and therefore, knowing his end was drawing near, he would do all that he could to turn the inhabitants of the earth away from Jehovah. Re 12 Verse 12 reads: “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” But our seeing these conditions should not make us lose hope, for they are the sign that the long-promised Kingdom has been established in the heavens. It means that Satan’s time is short, and soon he and all his agents will be destroyed at the final battle of Armageddon; so Jesus said: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”—Luke 21:28.

36. What part of the “sign” is foretold at Matthew 24:14, and how have you yourself seen it undergoing fulfillment?

³⁶ There is another part of the sign we have not mentioned yet, and that is referred to at Matthew 24:14: “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.” (NW) So while the world suffers woe and sorrow and is in fear for the future, there should, according to prophecy, be people going about in all the nations preaching, and they should be preaching “this good news of the kingdom.” They should be telling the people of the Kingdom established. This part of the sign is also being fulfilled and you yourself have seen this. Has not someone come to you telling you about the Kingdom? And throughout the world in more than 150 lands and islands of the sea and in more than a hundred languages this good news about the established Kingdom is being preached by Jehovah’s witnesses.

37. What other part of the “sign” has followed as a result of this preaching?

³⁷ Because of their faithfulness in this Kingdom-preaching work Jehovah’s witnesses have been bitterly persecuted in all lands. This too was foretold by Jesus to them: “And ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”—Matt. 24:9.

38. What is the purpose of this preaching, and to what are those who listen favorably likened and to what those who do not listen?

³⁸ The purpose of this preaching work is that those who are of good will toward Jehovah and want to worship him so as to escape the destruction that will come upon Satan’s world and then live forever in a new world of righteousness may be warned and take the right course. Those who would listen to the message and have faith in it Jesus likened to sheep. Those who reject the message and fight against it he likened to goats. The preaching about the Kingdom, then, is causing a division in the world: on the one hand, the sheep; and on the other, the goats. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”—Matt. 25:31-33.

END OF THIS SYSTEM OF THINGS

39. (a) What does fulfillment of this “sign” in its different parts prove? (b) What does the end of the “system of things” mean?

³⁹ Thus we see all the different parts of the sign Christ Jesus spoke of being fulfilled: World war, famines, pestilence, world-wide perplexity, woes on the earth, “this good news of the kingdom” being preached, the preachers of that good news being persecuted, and the people being divided into two classes. The fulfillment of this sign proves not only that Christ Jesus is reigning from heaven, but also that the end of this “system of things” is at hand. (Matt. 24:3, NW) This does not mean an end of our literal earth, for the Bible says: “The earth abideth for ever.” (Eccl. 1:4) What comes to an end is the wicked world over which Satan is the god, bringing destruction to him and his wicked demons and to all those who follow him upon the earth. (2 Cor. 4:4) Thus the earth will be cleansed from all wickedness.

40. What decisive war is yet necessary, and why will God’s servants take no part in it?

⁴⁰ Because Satan is still determined to hold on to his position as “god of this world,” there must be yet another war between him and Jehovah, and that war is the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:14-16) There will be no need for God’s servants on earth to take part in the fight. Christ Jesus will lead the heavenly hosts of Jehovah’s angels in the final attack against Satan and his organization, destroying it utterly and delivering obedient mankind into a new world of righteousness. (Rev. 19:11-16) Bringing an end to this system of things in this manner is the only way to rid the world of evil and make room for peace and righteousness to flourish. This could be done only by the Almighty God, Jehovah.

41. Besides blessings for lovers of God, what else do Jehovah’s witnesses preach, and why this?

⁴¹ Have men been at all successful in removing wickedness and unrighteousness from the earth? Have they been able to bring unity and harmony between the nations so divided by language, race and religion? No, they have not. So, then, “this good news of the kingdom” speaks of the only lasting remedy. “This good news” also deals with the end of this world and, for this reason, Jehovah’s witnesses faithfully speak, not only of the blessings Jehovah has in store for those who love him and serve him, but also of his destructive judgments against those who oppose him and are wicked. The commission from the LORD God commands them to “preach good tidings unto the meek; . . . to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.”—Isa. 61:1, 2.

42. What things will shortly pass away forever, and what conditions are prophesied to prevail among those now turning to God?

⁴² Yes, it is good news to know that shortly now wickedness, immorality, fighting, war, yes, and disease and sickness with the accompanying sorrow will all shortly pass away forever. Speaking of the conditions that will prevail among those who turn to Jehovah God during this time of the end of this system of things, the Bible record reads: “And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.” (Mic. 4:3, 4) Not only will there be peace between man and man, but also between man and the animals. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”—Isa. 11:6-9.

43. How does the prayer of the psalmist for the King’s Son agree with the foregoing?

⁴³ The righteous King Christ Jesus, the Son of the everlasting King Jehovah God, will have full sway and those then living on the earth will feel the benefit of his just and righteous rule. Hence the inspired psalmist prayed: “Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.”—Ps. 72:1-5.

44. How can you live in such a perfect world, and with such a prospect what did Jesus say you should do on seeing the “sign”?

⁴⁴ What a wonderful prospect to look forward to! Would you like to live in such a perfect world? You can do so if you show the sheeplike qualities of meekness and willingness to follow, and now do follow, the Right Shepherd, Christ Jesus, and get on Jehovah’s side by putting faith in “this good news of the kingdom.” With the prospect of new-world conditions in view the sheeplike ones can heed the words of Christ Jesus when he said, after discussing the sign of his presence: “As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.” (Luke 21:28, 32, NW) Yes, you can be one of the “sheep” living in this generation who will be delivered through the final battle of Armageddon into the cleansed earth beyond. What must one do to become one of the Lord Jesus’ “other sheep” and gain his blessing? Let us look at the steps that the Bible shows we must take.

DEDICATION

45. What is first necessary before we can do what God requires of us?

⁴⁵ Before we can do what God requires of us, we must come to know Him, we must have knowledge of his purposes and we must exercise faith in him and his Son, Christ Jesus. Faith is based upon knowledge, and the right knowledge is found in the Bible. Jehovah has seen to it in these days that the meek ones of the earth are being brought into contact with his Word, for he is having his witnesses go among the people preaching “this good news of the kingdom” and helping those of good will to study God’s Word and thus gain the knowledge that will lead them to life. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”—Rom. 10:17.

46. What does having faith mean? And what does dedicating oneself mean?

⁴⁶ Faith means that, because of the Bible knowledge one has gained, he has a firm assurance that God exists and that He will reward those who earnestly seek him, and that the Bible is true and is man’s sure guide. Having faith also means acknowledging Jesus as one’s Savior and Ransomer. Such faith causes one to make a change in his way of living. He turns away from following the wickedness of this world and serving his own selfish desires to doing God’s will. Realizing that everything he has he owes to God and that the only way to please God is to serve Him, then he dedicates himself to do God’s will. That means he agrees to do whatever God’s Word tells him to do. Jesus said: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and follow me continually.”—Matt. 16:24, NW.

47. How is public declaration of one’s dedication made, as exemplified by Jesus and instructed by him?

⁴⁷ Jesus dedicated himself to the doing of his Father’s will and he made a public confession of his dedication. How? By being baptized in water. He instructed his followers to “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.” (Matt. 28:19, NW) Therefore, each one who agrees to do God’s will must be baptized.—Ps. 40:8; Mark 1:9-11; Heb. 10:7.

48. What does baptism accomplish, and how should it be performed?

⁴⁸ What does baptism accomplish, and how should it be performed? Jesus was baptized by being completely immersed in the water of the Jordan River. So baptism today must be in like manner, by being immersed in water. This immersion does not cleanse the one being baptized from sin. That is not the purpose of the baptism of Christians. The going under the water symbolizes that the one being baptized has become dead to his old course of life. He has voluntarily given up doing his own will in order to do God’s will. His being raised out of the water pictures his coming forth to the doing of God’s will.

49. What must the dedicated and baptized person then do to be one whom Jehovah will want in his new world?

⁴⁹ The one dedicated and baptized must then go forward faithfully serving Jehovah God. He must continue to study God’s Word to know what God’s will is and he must rely upon Jehovah’s spirit to strengthen him to perform that will faithfully. His hopes are now centered on the new world of Jehovah. He will want to associate with others with that same faith and to associate regularly with a congregation of God’s people. However, in order to gain Jehovah’s final approval he must remain faithful to Jehovah right on down until Armageddon and on into the new world. If you want to be one of these persons, then you must prove yourself to be the kind of person that Jehovah would want in his new world.

50. After what should we quit fashioning ourselves, and with what personality should we clothe ourselves? How?

⁵⁰ The apostle Paul, at Romans 12:2, counsels us: “Quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and complete will of God.” (NW) No longer, then, may we be like the people of this world who are filled with strife and jealousy and hatred, with its dishonesty and thieving, with its lying and murder, its uncleanness and immorality. Because of such things “the wrath of God is coming. In those very things you, too, once walked when you used to live in them. But now really put them all away from you, wrath, anger, injuriousness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth. Do not be lying to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality which through accurate knowledge is being renewed according to the image of the one who created it.”—Col. 3:6-10, NW.

51. (a) What instructions are Christian servants given? (b) What change will the applying of Bible principles make in the home for husbands, wives and children?

⁵¹ A Christian acts differently from this world in everything he does. We see people in this world who are employed trying to cheat their employers and not working faithfully for them. But the Scriptures counsel: “You slaves, be obedient in everything to those who are your masters in a fleshly sense, not with acts of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, with fear of Jehovah. Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men.” (Col. 3:22, 23, NW) By applying Bible principles in your home you will find that there will be a change there also. How many homes there are that lack peace and harmony, where husbands harshly oppress their wives or where wives are unruly and show no respect for their husbands! “You wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as it is becoming in the Lord. You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them. You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.” (Col. 3:18-20, NW) Yes, children also must learn to live in harmony with the new world now, and the way they do so is by being obedient to their parents who have become Christians and are training them how to serve God.

CONCLUSION

52. (a) In conclusion, what have we learned as to God, the reason for sin and death in the world, and the means and method for delivering mankind? (b) Why is this news good, and what must you now do with this news?

⁵² In our brief study together from God’s Word we have learned the answer to the questions raised at the beginning of this article. We have found out who God is, that he is the Creator, that his name is Jehovah, that he made man to live on the earth in peace forever; but, due to Satan’s rebellion and because the first man and woman joined him in unfaithfulness, sin and death entered into the world, resulting in much sorrow and wickedness. You have seen too that deliverance from sin and death comes through the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus and God’s kingdom by him and that final deliverance will come when God through Christ Jesus destroys Satan and all wickedness at the approaching battle of Armageddon. Then God’s kingdom in the heavens will bring lasting blessings to mankind on earth. So, then, this information we have studied is good news, is it not? It is the only good news because it has to do with the kingdom of the Most High God, Jehovah, which kingdom and its blessings will never end. (Ps. 145:13) You owe it to God and to your fellow man now to preach “this good news of the kingdom” to others.

No 100-Yard Dash!

● The thought of a prize fighter reminds you of at least a half-hour fight. Mention a marathon race, and you think of men running for many miles. But the Christian’s race is longer and his fight is harder than either of these. He is therefore admonished at Hebrews 12:1 to “put off every weight” and to “run with endurance” the race set before him. Paul set the example, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 9:26, 27: “The way I am running is not uncertainly; the way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air; but I browbeat my body and lead it as a slave.” Why hold so firmly to the Christian course? Because, as Jesus said at Matthew 10:22, it is the one that has endured to the end that will be saved. How are you running?

Questions From Readers

● How does Jehovah’s spirit help the “faithful and discreet slave” arrive at the truth of a matter? The Society does not claim infallibility or inspiration. How much is dependent upon the written Word? How can we be sure that this is the organization Jehovah is using when some things are published and later changed?—C. P., United States.

In regard to how the truth is brought forth through Jehovah’s organization, please note that if the Watch Tower Society were infallible there would be no need for future correction of viewpoints held; but because it is not infallible and has never claimed to be, from time to time corrections are necessary. If Jehovah’s spirit operated in the way it did upon Bible writers, inspiring them to write according to Jehovah’s thoughts, then no future corrections in matters would ever be necessary. But because the spirit does not operate in this way today some corrections are made from time to time.

Jehovah God, in fact, foretold or indicated that such would be the case. At Proverbs 4:18 (AS) it states: “The path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” While the light is still dim the broad outline of an object may be visible but the details of it are not always distinct, and as the light increases these details may be seen with more clarity and a corrected view is obtained. Full dependence is placed upon Jehovah’s Word in the formulation of truth and it is from his Word that proof should be forthcoming. However, with greater clarity and understanding, new truths are discerned and something that previously appeared very logical may require revision.

Jehovah did not say that the entire matter would be seen in crystal clarity instantaneously. With these last days in mind, Jesus spoke of the “faithful and discreet slave” that would be appointed to bring forth “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45, NW) This is a progressive process, food being continually provided, and as we advance in the stream of time and observe further fulfillment of prophecy new truths are discerned and brought forth and constitute fresh and nourishing food for our day. Some truths were not essential for us prior to the time of their discernment, otherwise Jehovah would have caused them to become known earlier.

Even the erroneous viewpoints held by Jehovah’s witnesses during the first world war served their purpose in contributing to the fulfillment of prophecy, for Jehovah had long ago foretold a condition of spiritual uncleanness upon his people at that particular time and the cleansing work that would be done. Hence such things are to be expected according to prophecy and their occurrence is a confirmation that this is Jehovah’s organization, rather than a cause for raising question concerning Jehovah’s use of the organization.

Jehovah uses this organization because it is meek and teachable and is not set and bound in its viewpoints. It is an organization that looks to Jehovah for guidance and direction and watches his maneuvering of matters on the world scene and the outworking of events that fulfill prophecy and it lines up its views in accord with these things. It is willing to change and keep up with the developing conditions, to keep up with the light as the light is revealed brighter and brighter. That is why Jehovah can use this organization, and certainly the facts show that he has been using it and is continuing to use it. He is bringing the increase. He is using this organization to preach the good news of the established Kingdom in all the inhabited earth. Prophecies are being fulfilled upon this group. We are counseled to remain close to the organization, for even if the organization does have views that are later changed, our safety lies in remaining within the organization and changing with it when the light increases and new truths are discerned.

No other organization has shown this flexibility to alter its views, to keep up with the changing times, to be alert to the increased light that comes from Jehovah from the temple, for other groups are bound by their centuries-old creeds. Rather than a stumbling stone, the Society’s readiness to alter its views when necessary should be a source of comfort and encouragement, an assurance that there will be continual advancement and increase in learning, an ever-brightening light as we approach closer to the perfect day with its noonday brightness. A false religion may have some truth in it, but it never gets rid of its many falsehoods and the truth it does have continues to be contaminated. With Jehovah’s organization the beliefs can be established from the Bible, and when some erroneous view does creep in it is soon ferreted out and discarded.

An analogy might be drawn between the first and the second presence of Christ Jesus. At his first advent certainly the apostles at first thought he would be an entirely earthly King and that the kingdom would be earthly. Only after Pentecost did they learn that it was to be a heavenly kingdom. Prior to that time they could not discern this truth, and they entertained a false idea, as shown by Acts 1:6-8 (NW): “When, now, they had assembled, they went to asking him: ‘Master, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?’ He said to them: ‘It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction; but you will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you.’” Likewise it was some time until they saw clearly that they were no longer under the Mosaic law as such, as shown by Acts chapter 15. But that did not mean that they were not Jehovah’s servants and his channel for bringing the truth to the people. So we should not stumble because the same is true today.

In fact, this ability to discard the erroneous as the light increases marks the difference between Jehovah’s true worshipers and the false religions of Christendom. When it can be clearly shown from the Bible that an idea once held does not have sufficient Scriptural support and that a different viewpoint has the weight of Bible testimony behind it, then the new viewpoint is adopted and the former understanding is set aside. To be too proud to do this is to have a pride that would presage a fall. (Prov. 16:18) Increased understanding of the Bible itself and growing proof from the Bible itself are the basis for altering the viewpoint. This organization is always probing and studying to find solid foundations in the Scriptures for its beliefs and as the light increases the foundations of our beliefs become stronger and stronger. We have ears to hear a clarified truth, not ears that refuse to hear. We have eyes to see the increased light, not eyes that refuse to see. We are anxious for new light and for new “food at the proper time.”

This Jehovah supplies, not through individuals, but through his organization. (Prov. 3:5, 6) He has so operated with this group in the past and he is still doing so, as the physical facts abundantly confirm. Past history of the organization has shown that those who split off, thinking themselves smarter than the Society, are soon swallowed up in the seas of humanity. The new ideas they entertain are soon forgotten. They are not preached world-wide to all the inhabited earth, as Jesus said would be done with the truth. These separating, disgruntled ones are not fulfilling the prophecies that Jesus said would be fulfilled by his true people. It is this organization that is enjoying that fulfillment and it is through this organization that Jehovah sends further light and spiritual food that rectifies any erroneous conceptions previously entertained, as well as adding to the rich storehouse of spiritual food available for those devoted to him and willing to exert themselves in his service by telling it to others.

Jesus said: “All the same, wisdom is vindicated by its works.” So this organization is vindicated as the one Jehovah is using by its activity in doing the preaching work Jesus foretold and in being used to fulfill many other prophecies.—Matt. 11:19, NW.

Religious Leaders Marry?

● Do you believe that your religious leaders should be forbidden to marry? Many people are of that opinion today, yet the apostle Paul showed that such was not the proper view. He wrote at 1 Timothy 4:1-3 (NW): “The inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons, by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron, forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth.”

Announcements

HELPING “THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS” TO COME IN

The fact that they “come in” shows that the “desire of all nations” refers to people. As the kingdoms of this world are now being shaken as foretold at Haggai 2:7, in ever-swelling numbers those who are honest-hearted among the nations flee to the ‘house of Jehovah,’ which represents his place of safety. There they must learn of God’s loving provision for their salvation. Would you like to help others? You may do so by going from house to house with the good news that the old world is nearing its end and that the new world of righteousness is at hand. During November three books containing this good news and three booklets will be placed with all who desire them on a contribution of $1.50, or the New World Translation of either the Hebrew or Greek Scriptures together with one book may be offered on a contribution of $2. Are you desirous of having a share in this wonderful work? Learn how by writing to Watchtower, 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn 1, N. Y., or contact Jehovah’s witnesses at the nearest Kingdom Hall.

LANGUAGES CHANGE—THE BIBLE ENDURES

Inasmuch as languages change over the years, it becomes necessary to revise Bible translations from time to time so that the contents are understandable. The Bible in a dead or more or less out-of-date language is of little value. God had all books of the Bible originally produced in the language then in common use, the language people could understand. Would you like to obtain a modern-day-language translation rendered from the original language? Two volumes are now available: The New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, Volume I, from Genesis to Ruth; and the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, from Matthew to Revelation. These two volumes are obtainable in substantial leatherette binding at $1.50 each, or in deluxe leather binding, gold-edged, at $5.00 each. Order your copies right away and read the Bible with better understanding.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of November 14: “This Good of the Kingdom,” ¶1-25.

Week of November 21: “This Good of the Kingdom,” ¶26-52.

Check Your Memory

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

✔ Why just being a “good person” is not sufficient to receive God’s favor? P. 611, ¶2.

✔ Why we can trust the Bible’s prophecies? P. 612, ¶4.

✔ Why the name Jehovah is so little known? P. 614, ¶1.

✔ Why it is so vital to know Jehovah now? P. 616, ¶2.

✔ What prompted an instructor at a Jewish synagogue to invite Jehovah’s witnesses to speak to his class? P. 617, ¶2.

✔ Whether God is at fault when prayers go unanswered? P. 621, ¶2.

✔ How one can misdirect his prayers? P. 622, ¶1.

✔ Whether a prayer book or rosary should be used? P. 623, ¶2.

✔ How to have your prayers answered? P. 624, ¶4.

✔ Where to find the needed information about man’s future? P. 625, ¶3.

✔ How the Devil came to be? P. 627, ¶13.

✔ Who benefit from Christ’s ransom sacrifice? P. 629, ¶21.

✔ When earth’s troubles really will end? P. 631, ¶28.

✔ Why Jesus’ second coming must be invisible to human eyes? P. 631, ¶29.

✔ Why the beginning of Christ’s reign has been accompanied by such terrible woes? P. 633, ¶35.

✔ Whether the literal earth will be destroyed? P. 634, ¶39.

✔ Who God is? Why he made man? Why wickedness exists? How one can be delivered from sin and death? How lasting blessings will come to earth? P. 637, ¶52.

✔ Why it is that Jehovah uses the particular organization that he does? P. 638, ¶6.