The Watchtower — January 15, 1960

‘Neither Will Pain Be Any More’

“NO MORE pain! What welcome news that would be!” exclaims the chronic sufferer. “But it will never be,” you may conclude. “Men will never fully conquer suffering.” True, if the end of pain depended upon imperfect, selfish men it would never come, but it does not. The end of pain is promised by God himself and therefore is sure to come.

The inspired apostle John in his apocalyptic vision heard a voice from the throne of God say: “Look! the tent of God is with humankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.” Is not that what we should expect of an almighty God that loves his creatures? Surely!—Rev. 21:3, 4.

For some six thousand years now man has been in bondage to pain, physical, mental and emotional. The sufferings of the deranged mind are indescribable. Then there are the most intense kinds of physical pain, those caused by certain types of cancer, by angina pectoris and by the jaw affliction known as tic douloureux. Causing much suffering also are the emotional stresses of fear, guilt, worry and frustration. Well did the apostle Paul observe that “all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.”—Rom. 8:22.

Today many pain killers can be obtained at the corner drugstore. When these fail, there is recourse to the physician and surgeon, and it is of comfort to know that these are able to do ever more in deadening pain. But in spite of all their efforts, widespread bondage to pain of all kinds continues, and many become very bitter because of such bondage. Some even curse God because of their sufferings, as Job’s wife suggested that he do because of what he was enduring. Such, an attitude, as Job himself observed, is foolish to say the least.—Job 2:9, 10.

In the first place, let us note that pain is not an unmixed evil. Far from it! Pain is a wise provision of the Creator to alert us to danger. Persons whose bodies are wholly insensitive to pain—and there are such—are very unfortunate. Some of these have walked about for days with a fractured bone, wholly unaware of their condition. Others have severely burned themselves on stoves and radiators or otherwise injured themselves unknowingly because of being unable to feel any pain. However, while God wisely created us with the capacity for sensation, including pain, he did not purpose us to be in bondage to pain.

That bondage cannot be blamed upon God but upon our first parents. When, due to their selfish disobedience, they were sentenced to return to the ground out of which they were taken, God said to Eve: “I shall greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in birth pangs you will bring forth children.” And to Adam: “Cursed is the ground on your account. In pain you will eat its produce all the days of your life.” Not that God arbitrarily decreed that man and woman must suffer, but rather that pain is the concomitant of imperfection, sin and death; it is part of the dying process.—Gen. 3:16-19.

What about the many who are in bondage to pain because of their own follies? They may have overindulged in food or liquor over the years, or gone to other extremes as regards pleasure or work. How much suffering has been caused by carelessness at home, in factories and on the highway! Surely, many who blame God, if honest, would have to admit that they could with better reason blame themselves.

We should not overlook the fact that our mental attitude toward pain can either increase or diminish its severity. Reasoning upon it may help us to bear it, or even rejoice over it, as did the apostles because they had been accounted worthy to suffer for Christ. Then again, by occupying our minds with something else or keeping busy we may be able to forget our pain, at least temporarily.—Acts 5:40, 41.

Thus God’s Word helps us to bear pain, for it not only tells us why He has permitted it but assures us that it will soon end. Foremost among God’s reasons for permitting pain is to prove Satan a liar when he boasted that he could turn all men away from God. Thus, as we read at Job 2:1-11, God permitted Satan to afflict Job to test his integrity. Was it worth while? It most certainly was. It vindicated Jehovah God by proving Satan the Devil a liar and brought rich rewards to Job. When God’s purpose in this regard has been fully served, man’s bondage to pain will end.—Job 42:12-17; Jas. 5:11.

Further, as we have noted, bondage to pain is a concomitant of imperfection, sin and death. Since it is God’s purpose to end these evils on the basis of his Son’s sacrifice and by means of his kingdom, bondage to pain will also end. (John 1:29) In God’s due time obedient ones will receive the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice under the Kingdom for which we have been praying. In it Christ will reign until he has put all enemies under his feet, including bondage to pain and the last enemy, death. (1 Cor. 15:25, 26) Yes, then God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more.” Then the prophetic words that now have a spiritual application will also have a literal fulfillment: “Bless Jehovah, O my soul, . . . who is healing all your diseases.” “And no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”—Rev. 21:4; Ps. 103:1, 3; Isa. 33:24.

When will all this begin to take place? In our day. Fulfillment of Bible prophecy shows we are living at the end of this old system of things and at the threshold of a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness is to dwell; a world without sin, without death and without pain.—2 Pet. 3:13.

So let all take comfort and hope. Instead of rebelling at your lot, pray to God for strength to endure patiently and cheerfully while you look forward to the blessed day when there will be no more pain.

The Great God Who Is “Doing Wondrous Things”

“For you are great and are doing wondrous things; you are God, you alone. Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way. I shall walk in your truth. Unify my heart to fear your name.”—Ps. 86:10, 11.

1. With what meaning does the eighty-sixth Psalm come down to lovers of righteousness today?

THE eighty-sixth Psalm is a prayer of David. Though first uttered three thousand years ago, it carries a wealth of meaning for all lovers of righteousness today. It extols the One who alone has the solution to the distressing problems of this space age. Hear David’s petition as he pours out his heart to the great God who is worthy of all praise: “For you, O Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive, and the loving-kindness to all those calling upon you is abundant. In the day of my distress I will call upon you, for you will answer me. I laud you, O Jehovah my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name to time indefinite, for your loving-kindness is great toward me. . . . You, O Jehovah, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and trueness. . . . For you yourself, O Jehovah, have helped me and comforted me.”—Ps. 86:5, 7, 12-17.

2. In what respect does David’s prayer differ from those of many modern-day religionists?

² What other God has ever called forth such heartfelt praise as Jehovah, the God of David? Let Catholics and Buddhists take their rosaries, and chant the Ave Maria or the O-Kyo a thousand times over. Let Protestant clergymen raise sanctimonious voices to a God whose name they do not know. Let the world’s thousands of religious sects petition, each according to its creed. Can any of their prayers even start to voice the depth of appreciation that David had for his God? David knew his God. His religion was alive and meaningful. It centered in dedicated service to Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth and the very Fountain of life.—Ps. 36:7-9.

3. What “wondrous things” did Jehovah perform with regard to David?

³ Out of the abundance of his loving-kindness, Jehovah began to do “wondrous things” for David when he chose him as a stripling youth and had him anointed to be king in Israel. “And the spirit of Jehovah began to be operative upon David from that day forward.” (1 Sam. 16:7, 11-13) See David confident in Jehovah’s power, as he hurries out with sling and stones to vanquish the champion Goliath! See Jehovah’s wondrous doings as David survives through years of pursuit by King Saul, finally to be exalted to Jehovah’s throne on Zion, the mountain “beautiful for loftiness, the exultation of the whole earth”! (Ps. 48:2) See him in later years as he praises Jehovah for the wondrous promise of an everlasting kingdom in the royal line of David, a kingdom that will yet bring untold peace and joy to all nations of men on this earth!—1 Sam. 17:38-51; 26:18-20; 2 Sam. 7:16, 18-24.

4. Why could David declare, “There is none like you among the gods, O Jehovah”?

⁴ ‘With all his heart’ David could declare: “There is none like you among the gods, O Jehovah, neither are there any works like yours.” (Ps. 86:8) In David’s day, as today, the earth was filled with a multitude of gods. Though Buddha, Brahma, Confucius and Christendom’s triune “God” had not yet appeared to add confusion to the religious scene, there were a host of gods to be worshiped in the religions of Philistia, Assyria, Babylon and other nations surrounding Israel. As they went out to war, these nations carried images of their gods on staves, from which also fluttered their national pendants. Some of these gods, such as Molech of Ammon and Chemosh of Moab, were known as “fire gods,” and exacted human sacrifices. Baal of Peor was worshiped with lewd sex rites. David not only maintained separateness from this cruel, immoral world of confused religionists, but he removed their contaminating influence by driving them right out from the God-given land of Israel.—Deut. 11:22-25; 2 Sam. 8:1-3, 14.

5. For what other wondrous works could David extol Jehovah?

⁵ David extolled Jehovah for all His mighty works of creation: “The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and of the work of his hands the expanse is telling.” (Ps. 19:1) Moreover, he praised Jehovah for all His wondrous doings recorded in His “book,” the record of the Bible that had been completed up to that time. The gods of worldly nations had left no such record; indeed, they had accomplished nothing worthy of praise or record. It is Jehovah alone, “the grand King” and who is “great and very much to be praised,” that has caused to be written down the record of his wondrous works and eternal purposes. (Ex. 17:14) David exulted, not only in the divine promise of an everlasting Kingdom, but in all the other glorious prophecies looking down to our day.

6. (a) What wondrous Kingdom purposes has Jehovah been accomplishing since 1914? (b) How have men of good will recognized God’s ‘signs and wonders’?

⁶ Now in this day of Jehovah, the great God of heaven is “doing wondrous things” unsurpassed in all history! It is the day to which David looked forward with joy. It is the day in which prophecy upon prophecy is coming to grand fulfillment. In the modern year of 1914 Jehovah established the everlasting kingdom of heaven in the hands of one greater than David, his Son Jesus Christ. In 1919 he brought forth on this earth a New World society to preach “this good news of the kingdom . . . for the purpose of a witness to all the nations.” (Matt. 24:14) As the nucleus of this New World society, the faithful remnant of Jehovah’s witnesses serve “as signs and as wonders,” to be seen by all men. (Isa. 8:18) And now, in their hundreds of thousands, men of good will, “the precious things of all nations,” are flocking to the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses, for they see in it a peace and joy that contrast sharply with the old world’s divisions and hatreds. (Hag. 2:7, AS; Isa. 2:2-4) Wondrous sight! It is even as David himself prophesied: “All the nations whom you have made will themselves come and they will bow down before you, O Jehovah, and will give glory to your name.”—Ps. 86:9.

7. What wondrous doings are in store for the immediate future?

⁷ Still more wondrous doings are in store. Jehovah will “set astonishing events on the earth” when he comes forth shortly to His war at Armageddon, where he will blot out “the present wicked system of things” with its politics and its militarism, its temples and its gods. (Ps. 46:8, 9; Job 38:22, 23) Incomparable the wonders that Jehovah will then perform in robing this earth with paradisaic beauty and peace. (Ps. 37:9, 11; 104:24) Indeed, the manifold works of Jehovah are “wonderful in our eyes,” causing all modern-day “men of loving-kindness” to cry out: “There is none like you among the gods, O Jehovah, neither are there any works like yours”!—Ps. 118:23, 24; 86:8.

SHUN THE FALSE GODS

8. (a) What does it mean to come to Jehovah in dedication? (b) Why is Jehovah not honored by the religions of Christendom and heathendom today?

⁸ The great God, Jehovah, will continue to do wondrous things toward all those who come to him in dedication. As “a God exacting exclusive devotion” he requires this dedication of all who receive of his loving-kindness. (Deut. 6:14, 15) They must separate themselves from the confused multiplicity of gods of heathendom and Christendom. Moreover, they must be positive in their support of Jehovah’s worship, as was his anointed Son Jesus on this earth, and as was David, who typified Jesus in saying: “Sheer zeal for your house has eaten me up.” (Ps. 69:9; John 2:17) They must appreciate the great gulf that separates Jehovah from all the false gods. “The God that made the world and all the things in it, being, as this One is, Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples, neither is he attended to by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all persons life and breath and all things.” (Acts 17:24, 25) God is not honored by the mighty religious temples of Christendom. He has no part with the ungainly, fearsome-visaged idols of heathendom, the reflection of gods who prey upon fear and superstition. Jehovah appeals to human hearts through Bible truth, and through his great love, which he has infused through all his New World society on earth. As the apostle says: “As for us, we love, because he first loved us.”—1 John 4:19.

9. What does it mean to “walk in your truth”?

⁹ “I shall walk in your truth,” declared David. (Ps. 86:11) How may one so walk today? By making Jehovah’s revealed truth the very center, the pivot point of his entire life. This means personal study. It means assembling regularly with the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses, not for formalistic religious exercises, but for sincere Bible study, ‘building one another up in the most holy faith.’ (Jude 20, 21) It means obeying Jesus’ command: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them . . . , teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) It means comforting with truth those who are distressed by this wicked world. “The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.”—Jas. 1:27.

10. (a) What is included in keeping oneself “without spot from the world”? (b) In what way are Confucianism and the Bible contrary in teaching and in fruitage?

¹⁰ How may one keep himself “without spot from the world”? Among other things, he must keep free from contamination by worldly religion. Since David’s time many new gods and religions have arisen to lead captive the minds and lives of humankind. There is, for example, the religion of Confucius, who is revered by the Chinese. Confucius pronounced the negative principle, “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you,” and tied this in with a formal regulation of all the ways and habits of life. As a result, there has been little progress in China for two and a half millenniums. How different from the positive love for God and man, as commanded in the Bible—a love that is alive, progressive and productive of good fruits!—Matt. 22:36-40; John 15:8-10.

11. Has Hinduism brought blessings to its adherents and in what ways does it contrast with the Bible?

¹¹ Then there is Hinduism, with its 330,000,000 gods and goddesses, and temple rites that in many cases are shocking to those who appreciate decent, moral standards. Moreover, India’s backwardness, including the liability of her millions of starving sacred cows, testifies that Hinduism is not a religion that brings blessings spiritual or material to its adherents. Even Prime Minister Nehru “has chided his countrymen on their attitude to cows.”a Hinduism is far different from the worship of the one God and Creator, Jehovah, who owns “the cattle upon a thousand hills,” and who is able to provide the spiritual and material needs of all creation that serves in harmony with his purposes!—Ps. 50:10, AS; Ps 104:27, 28.

12. What can be said in favor of Shinto and Japanese Buddhism?

¹² It was Shinto that inspired the fanaticism of Japan’s World War II drive into Asia and the Pacific, and to this day the traditional mirror, jewel and sword of Jimmu Tenno, Japan’s first emperor of 2,600 years ago, who is described as the great-grandson of the sun goddess herself, are revered in many Japanese temples. However, Shinto prayers did not bring victory to Japan, any more than Catholic or Protestant prayers brought victory to her Italian and German Axis partners. Nor did Buddha aid the Axis cause. Though the prayers of Nichiren, Buddhist zealot of the thirteenth century, are said to have brought on the typhoon that repelled a Mongol invasion of Japan, the prayers of Japan’s many Buddhist sects could not stave off the World War II invasion from the skies. No wonder that many in Japan have lost faith in their wartime “gods”! Japan is now a field ripe for the preaching of God’s kingdom of peace.—John 4:35, 36.

13. (a) Why is Christendom in confusion as to its “God”? (b) Contrast Christendom’s course with that of David.

¹³ However, what of Christendom’s “God”? The American coin of the realm bears the inscription, “In God we trust.” Which “God”? The God of “the church of your choice”? Surely the two hundred and more Catholic, Protestant and Jewish sects in the United States, together with their many related sects throughout the Western world, cannot be worshiping the same God. Their teachings are all mixed up and contrary to one another. They have not put up with the one, consistent “healthful teaching” of the Bible. They have followed man-made teachings instead. (2 Tim. 4:3, 4) They have not prayed ‘with all their heart’ as did David: “Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way. I shall walk in your truth.” (Ps. 86:11, 12) Hence, they walk on in a labyrinth of confused doctrine. They not only scorn the pure doctrine of Jehovah, but even remove his name from its rightful place in their modern translations of the Bible, substituting an expressionless “Lord.”

14. (a) What are the fruits of Christendom’s religious confusion? (b) What fate awaits Christendom, and why?

¹⁴ The fruits of Christendom’s religious confusion are to be seen in its rising rate of crime, its juvenile delinquency and its alarming increase in divorce and godlessness. It is all what Jehovah foretold for ungodly Christendom in these “last days.” (Matt. 7:15-23; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; Jer. 5:29-31) Christendom denies Christ both in her doctrine and in her way of life. Her proclaiming the United Nations to be the hope of the world, or her competing with the communistic “king of the north” by stockpiling nuclear arms, will not save Christendom from her Armageddon destruction by Jehovah and his now-reigning King, the Christ that she professes to serve.—Dan. 11:38; Luke 6:46-49.

HIGH TIME TO FLEE

15. What warning must all lovers of righteousness now heed?

¹⁵ This world and its polyglot religions stand condemned before Jehovah and his Executioner, Christ Jesus. How must men ‘agreeable to Jehovah’s heart,’ as David was, act at this time? (Acts 13:22) The prophet Jeremiah speaks of this religious world under the symbol “Babylon,” and says, “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and provide escape each one for his own soul. Do not be rendered inanimate through her error. For it is the time of vengeance belonging to Jehovah. There is treatment that he is paying back to her. Babylon . . . [is] making all the earth drunk. . . . That is why the nations keep acting crazed.”—Jer. 51:6, 7.

16, 17. (a) What is involved in fleeing out of modern Babylon? (b) How does Jeremiah emphasize the need for fleeing from the “sheer falsehood” of modern religion?

¹⁶ Do you see the modern-day nations “acting crazed”? Then flee! says the prophet. But how? By separating from their noisy politics, their heartless militarism, their degraded morals and their stupefying religion. Drunk with false religion, whether this be churchianity, the exalting of military might or the worship of the Communist state, the nations have ignored God’s warning. Their saber-rattling has brought them not only to the brink of a nuclear “hot war” but more than this, to the brink of terrible and wondrous destruction by the great God, Jehovah. However, within those nations, peace-loving men of good will are awakening to the emptiness of the nationalistic gods of their forefathers. They are fleeing from support of the “sheer falsehood” of the religions of Christendom and heathendom, and dedicating themselves to Jehovah, the true God and Creator of the enduring new world of sanity and peace.

¹⁷ These are the men of good will that David foresaw at Psalm 86:9, and who are also described at Jeremiah 16:19, 20: “O Jehovah my strength and my stronghold, and my place for flight in the day of distress, to you the nations themselves will come from the ends of the earth, and they will say: ‘Indeed our forefathers came to possess sheer falsehood, vanity and things in which there was nothing beneficial.’ Can earthling man make for himself gods when they are no gods?” Jehovah’s anger will soon blaze against the false gods of the nations, and concerning this he declares: “At this one time I shall cause them to know my hand and my mightiness, and they will have to know that my name is Jehovah.”—Jer. 16:21.

18. Why will Jehovah bring the nations and their religions to ruin?

¹⁸ Is it not a terrible thing for Jehovah to wipe out the nations and their religions? It would be a terrible thing if Jehovah permitted the braggart nations to continue desecrating his handiwork, the earth, even to destroying all life with their nuclear devices. Happily, he purposes to bring them to ruin first. (Rev. 11:18) Moreover, since he purposes a clean earth and one true, clean religion for all mankind, he will also destroy all false gods and religions. (Zeph. 2:11, AS) Flee out of Babylonish religion now. Provide escape for your soul by removing all spots of false religion, and henceforth keep clean from its spots!

19. What does it mean to say, “Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way”?

¹⁹ Do you say ‘with all your heart,’ as did David, “Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way”? Is it your resolve that “I shall walk in your truth”? To do so means to dedicate oneself to Jehovah and to keep on continually studying and walking in his doctrine. It calls for continued progress. The religions of Christendom have bogged down in formalistic creeds for centuries. However, in Jehovah’s New World society, there is not even a momentary standing still. Said Paul: “Now that we have left the elementary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity.” (Heb. 6:1) As King David was required ‘to read in the book of God’s law all the days of his life, so as to learn to fear Jehovah his God,’ so the man of God today must study God’s Word daily, so that he “may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”—Deut. 17:19; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

20. (a) What mistake have some made? (b) What is necessary in order to fully walk in the truth?

²⁰ Some persons have contented themselves with a superficial knowledge of God’s purposes. They have learned something of the blessings of God’s new world, or they have formed a personal liking for the minister of Jehovah’s witnesses that calls on them. For a time they join themselves to the New World society “with flatteries.” (Dan. 11:34) They say, “I think you are wonderful people,” but go no farther. They do not study the Bible so as to discern its real meaning and power. They do not let it take root in their hearts, so that they can dedicate themselves to Jehovah and bear fruit with endurance. (Luke 8:15) How necessary, not only to learn the “first principles” of Jehovah’s teaching, but also to be “carefully examining the Scriptures daily,” by digging down into the Bible with all provided study aids! In this way one will become convinced in his faith and equipped to confidently explain all the wonderful facets of the truth to others. Make the truth your own, and walk in it.—Acts 17:11.

21. To what extent should one know the Bible?

²¹ To free heart and mind for dedicated service to the true God, one must know the Bible. In such matters as neutrality in time of peace or of war, honoring flags, patriotic ceremonies, politics, the sanctity of blood, making offerings to idols and paying homage at the tombs of one’s ancestors, each must take his personal stand according to what he has studied in God’s Word and knows to be right. He must know the principles that God sets out in His Word and be minded to please God, even at great personal sacrifice, by living according to these principles. It is not simply a matter of knowing isolated texts in the Bible that may prove one’s stand. He who ‘walks in Jehovah’s truth’ must be mature in knowing the whole grand theme of the Bible, the depth of meaning behind Jehovah’s Kingdom promises and the reality of leading a dedicated life in separateness from Satan’s world. He has to have deep discernment as to what is Jehovah’s will for all occasions, and he must do that will.—Heb. 5:14; Col. 1:9, 10.

22. (a) Illustrate how one may apply Bible principles. (b) What powerful encouragement does the Bible give to those who hold fast their integrity?

²² A family may require its children to put out food and drink before an idol each day or to make periodic pilgrimages to the ancestral tombs. May one who walks in Jehovah’s truth do these things? Probably he will recall the scripture at 2 Corinthians 6:16: “And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: ‘I shall reside among them and walk among them, and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.’” Rejoicing in this privilege of walking with the living God, he will examine the Scriptures diligently to establish in his heart God’s principles regarding idolatry. However, if the family objects, and even becomes demanding in its opposition, what course will he then take? He will, of course, show his desire to co-operate in all the ordinary affairs of life. In love, in kindness and in pleasantness, he will be a living testimony to the change that has taken place in him since dedicating himself to the true God. However, in matters of worship his stand must be firmly with the principles that Jehovah expresses in His Word. Even if it should come to bitter persecution, he will find courage in Jesus’ words foretelling the situation: “Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household.” (Matt. 10:34-36) Have courage! Though one may lose friendships in this old world, the course of integrity will win many genuine friends in Jehovah’s New World society, and also the friendship of Jehovah and his King, which leads to refreshing peace and eternal life in the new world!—Matt. 19:29.

23. How may Jehovah’s worshipers overcome the world? Illustrate.

²³ He who holds fast to theocratic principles in prayer will gain “the peace of God that excels all thought” and an inner strength that overcomes the world. (Phil. 4:6, 7) During World War II, the stand of Jehovah’s witnesses in Germany in refusing to salute the Nazi swastika or heil Hitler, and their neutrality as regards his war of aggression, brought upon them one of the cruelest persecutions in history. One writer describes it: “When the witnesses did not give up the struggle for their religious convictions, a campaign of terror was launched against them which surpassed anything perpetrated against other victims of Nazism in Germany. . . . The sufferings of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the camps were even worse than those meted out to Jews, pacifists or Communists. Small as the sect is, each member seems to be a fortress which can be destroyed but never taken.”b Walking with God in his true doctrine, you too can become such a fortress!

24. How does living up to Bible principles act as a testimony to others?

²⁴ Those who live up to Bible principles will come to appreciate that most opposers are at heart cowards. When they see an unshakable stand for right principles, they will, in many cases, give up the fight. They will acknowledge the Christian’s reasonable freedom to worship the true God. If they have been sincere in their opposition, the greater sincerity and the greater conviction of the dedicated Christian may even persuade them to take an interest and, in time, to embrace the same precious faith. (1 Pet. 3:1, 2) Remember that the apostle Paul, whom Jehovah used to explain many of the divine principles, was himself once a belligerent persecutor of God’s true people.—Gal. 1:13-16, 23, 24.

25. (a) When particularly, is an all-conquering faith necessary? (b) What strong assurance does Jesus give to men of faith?

²⁵ In some Eastern countries religion is closely identified with almost every activity of life. The person who abandons the national or tribal religion is regarded not only as an outcast by his family, but also as an outcast from all society. In some places every male is required to become a priest for part of his life. Recently, in Burma, former premier U Nu illustrated this custom by donning the orange robe of Buddhist priesthood for a month. Where a local religion is so deeply ingrained into the lives of the people, strong faith, an all-conquering faith, is needed to break free into Jehovah’s ways of truth and to maintain that stand. But it can be done and it is being done! As the apostle says, “And this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith.” (1 John 5:4) All who treasure this faith and the privilege of continued association in God’s New World society will grow strong! Though they may become outcasts of worldly societies, Jesus assures them: “All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life.”—John 6:37, 40, RS.

26. (a) What must be carefully watched, as to thoughts and attitudes? (b) What habits must the Christian form, in harmony with the divine will?

²⁶ All who gain the freedom of God’s New World society must watch carefully that their newly acquired Christian way of thinking is not tainted by pagan thoughts and ways. “‘For the thoughts of you people are not my thoughts, nor are my ways your ways,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.” (Isa. 55:8) The new Christian often has to get rid of local attitudes. In many Oriental countries it is not the custom to go to a temple for religious instruction. Likewise, in Western lands religion is often regarded as incidental to living, and is called in only for weddings, funerals, “Easter” parades and the like. Hence, the one who makes his mind over to Jehovah’s thoughts must form the habit, at first strange to him, of regularly attending Bible study meetings several times a week. But go he must, if he is to become thoroughly versed in the ways of the great God of truth. Attitudes toward national feast days, holidays and leisure hours must change. It is not Jehovah’s way to squander time in these wicked days, but rather he tells Christians to walk as wise persons, “buying out the opportune time for yourselves” and “perceiving what the will of Jehovah is.” (Eph. 5:15-17) Hours are too precious to be wasted on the old world. At “Christmas,” at New Year, on feast days or on free weekends, there is time to be bought out for New World service. Use it wisely.—Eph. 4:22; Col. 4:5.

27. Where and how will the true and praiseworthy things be found today?

²⁷ “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.” (Phil. 4:8) These are the things with which to fill mind and heart. Where will these true and praiseworthy things be found today? Nowhere in Satan’s world! They will be found only in God’s Word, the Bible, and they may be considered in precious association with others of the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses. The most important hours of each week are those hours that you spend at meetings, considering the wondrous Kingdom purposes of the great God of truth, and the hours that you devote to preaching and teaching from door to door. In all of your dedicated life and with all your heart continue to laud Jehovah, for he is “doing wondrous things.” Jehovah—he alone—is THE GREAT GOD.

[Footnotes]

The Happy Family of the Wonder-working God

1. Why is God’s family supremely happy today?

THERE is one family on earth today that is supremely happy. It is the happy family of the great God who is “doing wondrous things.” Its family members are scattered among all nations and peoples of earth, but all are happily united through their worship of the most loving Father in all the universe. They are happy because their Father, Jehovah, has established the kingdom of heaven in the hands of his Son, Christ Jesus, and because he has placed before them the wondrous prospect of an abundant family life for all eternity. They are the happy children of the happy God.

2. (a) Why are most human families unhappy today? (b) What can be said as to modern “gods”?

² Most families among mankind today are unhappy. It is because they are “in opposition to the healthful teaching according to the glorious good news of the happy God.” (1 Tim. 1:9-11) In a measure never before known, human families are broken by divorce, delinquency and lovelessness. Why is this so? It is because they have not come to know the happy God, Jehovah, the one true Source of unity and happiness. Instead, men have accumulated for themselves a multitude of false gods. There are sectarian “gods” as numerous as the sects of Christendom, and there are ancestral and national “gods.” In sacrificing to its communistic “god,” Red China has broken up family life and segregated the sexes into communes. Others are ascribing salvation to the United Nations. Many individuals have become devotees of some “star” of filmdom’s immoral firmament, or of some military, political or sports hero. The materialistically-minded of this modern age are aptly described by the apostle Paul: “Their god is their belly, and their glory consists in their shame, and they have their minds upon things on the earth.” (Phil. 3:19) They are in fact in blind bondage to Satan, “the god of this system of things.” (2 Cor. 4:4) They are not happy.

3. What alone can make men happy today?

³ It is only the “glorious good news of the happy God,” the summation of all the grand message contained in his Word, the Bible, that can make men happy today. It is only this good news concerning God’s kingdom that can lead men out of the darkness of this crazed world into the glorious light and unity enjoyed by God’s family in heaven and on earth. Those who seek true happiness must worship the happy God and Father of all things living, as did the apostle: “On account of this I bend my knees to the Father, to whom every family in heaven and on earth owes its name.”—Eph. 3:14, 15.

4, 5. (a) How can man on earth come to appreciate the glory of Jehovah’s family in heaven? (b) What are some of the glories of Jehovah’s creation that testify to his majesty?

⁴ Man who is made “a little less than godlike ones” is not able to see God’s family in the heavens by human vision. However, by the eye of spiritual discernment, instructed through God’s inspired Word, he can understand much concerning the glory of that family and the surpassing glory of its Father. He can appreciate the joyous announcement of the heavenly seraph: “Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of armies. The fullness of all the earth is his glory.” (Isa. 6:3) Indeed, the glories of God’s creations on earth reflect some of the far grander glories that fill God’s superlative creation of the invisible heavens.

⁵ Look, for a moment, at some of these glories of God’s creation. Wherever it has been unspoiled by the hands of fallen men, nature breathes wisdom, beauty and harmony. The procession of the seasons with their changing colors, and the infinite variety and loveliness that pervades the human, the animal and plant creations—this all testifies concerning the loving Creator, who made everything “well-arranged in its time.” (Eccl. 3:11) These wonders have been perpetuated according to the divine laws through millenniums of time, before ever modern man began to pollute earth and air with the by-products of his science, and human minds with his atheistic teachings. Men of nuclear science, bent on blasting one another off the face of the earth, would do well to pause and consider how the Creator, Jehovah, has used nuclear fission for peaceful purposes throughout billions of years. It was Jehovah, the perfect Organizer, who made the nuclear furnace called the sun, and placed the earth in orbit—not too far, not too close—so that earthly mortals might receive just the right amount of energy to sustain life. Like David of old, modern-day men of faith and humility are compelled to declare: “When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have prepared, what is mortal man that you keep him in mind, and the son of earthling man that you take care of him? . . . O Jehovah our Lord, how majestic your name is in all the earth!”—Ps. 8:3-9.

6. What does Daniel 7:9-14 reveal as to (a) the glory of Jehovah’s heavenly throne? (b) an everlasting kingdom?

⁶ Jehovah’s name is truly majestic in all the earth. But if the fullness of the earth is his glory, how much more so the fullness of his peerless spirit creation! Here again is wisdom and organization, but on a magnificent scale: “I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.” Myriads of angels, serving in grand unison! And now Jehovah, the “ancient of days,” has given into the hands of Christ, yes, to “one like unto a son of man . . . dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”—Dan. 7:9-14, AS.

7. What does Ezekiel 1:4-28 indicate as to the attributes of Jehovah and His universal organization? What does Revelation 4:1-8 show?

⁷ Ezekiel 1:4-28 also gives a glowing vision of the heavenly throne and the brightness of the glory of Jehovah round about it. Here Jehovah’s loyal organization of the heavens is pictured by “four living creatures,” foursquare in their completeness, and ever ready to zealously do Jehovah’s bidding, for they “ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.” Each of the heads of these living creatures is shown to have the face of a man, of a lion, of an ox and of an eagle, symbolizing the qualities emanating from Jehovah in perfect balance, and which characterize His entire family of the heavens and the earth: boundless love, courageous justice, irresistible power and far-seeing wisdom. Revelation 4:1-8 gives a similar vision of Jehovah’s glorious organization of holy creatures, his devoted and wide-awake universal organization that ever exults in proclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is coming.”

8. (a) How does Jehovah’s universal organization serve as a devoted “wife”? (b) Who are now coming to appreciate the glory of Jehovah and his organization?

⁸ Jehovah’s universal organization serves in family relationship to him as a devoted “wife” or helper. It is watchful, loving and industrious, just like a faithful wife in a happy human family. (Prov. 31:10-31) Concerning this wifely organization, which includes his anointed, dedicated children on earth, Jehovah declares: “And the nations will certainly see your righteousness, O woman, and all kings your glory. . . . And you must become a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a kingly turban in the palm of your God. . . . And with the exultation of a bridegroom over a bride, your God will exult even over you.” (Isa. 62:2, 3, 5) As the prophecy foretold, men of good will from all nations are now joining the anointed remnant of Jehovah’s spirit-begotten children on earth, in beholding the righteousness, the glory and the beauty of Jehovah’s universal family organization. They are coming out from the darkness and gloom that envelops the worldly nations, to rejoice in light and truth, for now “the very glory of Jehovah has shone forth.”—Isa. 60:1-8.

9. How may God’s family find happiness and peace today?

⁹ Do you desire the happiness and peace that only Jehovah can provide? Then heed well the teaching that he sends forth through his wifely organization, to whom it is written: “And all your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant.”—Isa. 54:13.

HEALTHFUL TEACHING FOR GOD’S FAMILY

10. How did Jesus identify the instrument for bringing healthful teaching to God’s family on earth?

¹⁰ In his remarkable prophecy concerning the consummation of the present system of things, Jesus foretold the world wars, the distress, the increasing lawlessness—yes, even that false “god” that causes desolation, the United Nations. He also foretold that “this good news of the kingdom” would be preached in all the earth, and he identified the instrument he would use for this, as well as for bringing healthful teaching to all of God’s own family on earth. He said: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.”—Matt. 24:7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 45-47.

11. How has the “slave” shown itself wide-awake to Kingdom privileges?

¹¹ This slave is quite unlike the watchmen of Christendom that love to slumber. (Isa. 56:10) The “slave,” namely, the composite body of the remnant of Jehovah’s anointed, dedicated sons on earth today, is wide-awake to his Kingdom privileges, and diligently obeys his Master, Christ Jesus. He happily greeted the Master when he arrived in 1918 to judge professing Christians. It was at this time of inspection that the Master declared: “Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21) Having been appointed over many things—indeed, over all the Master’s Kingdom interests on earth—this “slave” organization faithfully follows the leadings of Jehovah’s Word and spirit in publishing Bible instruction, “food at the proper time,” and in seeing to it that this pours forth in ever-increasing volume to the very ends of the earth.

12. What wonderful organization has been brought forth for the spiritual feeding of God’s family?

¹² Through the joyful ministration of the “faithful and discreet slave” all of God’s family on earth receive their proper nourishment. This is vital to their upbuilding. To maintain spiritual joy and health, all must dine regularly at the family table, and for this reason the “slave” has appointed overseers in more than 19,000 congregations throughout the earth. These see that proper meetings for healthful teaching are arranged four or five times every week and that all in the congregational family are aided to attend and to share in God’s service. In this way they “work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.” (Gal. 6:10) Extending into 175 nations and territories, and with all parts working together in complete unity, this family is certainly the most wonderful family ever to appear on the face of this earth. It is the modern-day “household of God.”—Eph. 2:19.

13. In what ways is divine education superior to worldly education?

¹³ Healthful teaching from the happy God is all-important today. However, in this upside-down world many are struggling for an education in some scientific, philosophical or cultural field. During their brief life span they can hope at best to specialize in one narrow field. Far broader, and far more thrilling, is the field of divine education now being entered upon by God’s family of the New World society. It is not limited to ten or so years of worldly schooling, nor to a lifetime of seventy or eighty years. It does not stop with a graduation, nor will it stop when great men of modern science are pulverized at Armageddon with their instruments of destruction by what God does to them. It is education that goes on forever, specializing in different studies at different times.—Eccl. 3:1.

14. (a) Why is it necessary now to specialize in divine education? (b) How should secular education be viewed and kept in its place?

¹⁴ Right now the divine education is specializing in the wondrous truths concerning Jehovah’s established kingdom. Hence it is important for all of God’s family to give first attention to their personal Bible study and to attending their local Kingdom Hall regularly, doing their utmost to become equipped as workmen approved by God, “handling the word of the truth aright.” (2 Tim. 2:15) A good, basic secular education is also important to those of God’s family. But for what purpose? For advancement in this world? Not so, but it is important only insofar as it equips them and provides background for their role as ministers. Keep secular education in its place. Those who get interested in superior worldly learning, or who try to “develop character” by wandering from one culture to another, are liable to get drowned in this world’s philosophy. (Col. 2:8) All should make it their one goal now to win through to God’s new world. Later there will be abundant opportunity to share in other studies, according to the divine season and purpose.

15, 16. (a) What boundless possibilities will education hold for mankind in the new world? (b) What worthwhile effort should all now put forth?

¹⁵ Physiologists have shown that man today uses only a fraction of his brain.a In his article “Your Brain’s Unrealized Powers” Bruce Bliven said: “The brain’s capacity is almost inexhaustible.” Why labor to use that fraction of a brain in the temporary pursuit of worldly knowledge, when in the new world, with perfection restored, man will be able to use all his divinely provided mental power in crossing glorious vistas of knowledge that modern intellectuals have never even started to probe! Possibilities of attainment in the new world are boundless. The great masterpieces of worldly art, of music and of scientific invention of this present age, will fade into mediocrity and insignificance beside the grand artistry of new-world productions. No longer will man toil for greed or for war, but all his accomplishments will be for peace and to the eternal glory of Jehovah God.—Ps. 104:24, 31; Isa. 65:22-25.

¹⁶ In the new world, what a joy it will be to keep taking knowledge into perfect, retentive minds! How worth the effort now, hard as it may seem to some, to take into imperfect minds the divine sayings and healthful teachings that lead on to everlasting life!—John 6:63, 68.

FAMILY EDUCATION FOR LIFE

17, 18. (a) What serious responsibility now rests on parents? (b) How does the present crisis underline this responsibility?

¹⁷ In walking with the true God and his happy family, it is needful for all to meet their responsibilities in their individual fleshly families. Do you have children of your own? If so, are you doing everything you possibly can to educate your children in the divine principles? Or are you content to let them run around with the world, letting things slide until a “more favorable opportunity” comes for divine education?

¹⁸ This world is face to face with its biggest crisis. It is like the crisis that overtook Judah, and which led up to Jerusalem’s desolation in 607 B.C. At that time the Jews were engulfed in materialism and false religion. Some even sacrificed their children in the flames of the pagan god Molech. (Jer. 32:35) Horrible as this may sound, it finds a parallel today, when Christendom has turned from healthful Bible teaching and has allowed its children to be swallowed up by modern-day materialism and delinquency. Never may this happen to children of the New World society! Let parents be ever on the alert, guiding their children in love and according to the divine principles.—Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 22:6.

19. How does the wise parent guard his children today?

¹⁹ The wise parent today keeps his children close by him. He is interested in them, and regularly studies the Bible with them at home. He follows all the wise counsel of God’s Word, in properly training his children. When it comes to meeting time, he appreciates that it is not a matter of asking the children, Would you like to come along? Or of suggesting to them, Do you feel too tired tonight, deary? Nor does he take them along just because there is no one at home to look after them. He does not leave the children at home for fear they may be too noisy at the meeting. He takes the little ones to the meeting, whether they want to go or not, and if they misbehave, he corrects them, not by bribing them with candies, but by applying a good spanking as needed. They soon understand that they are there to listen and to learn.—Prov. 13:24; 23:13, 14; Deut. 4:9, 10.

20. (a) What worthy example is to be found in the course of Judah under faithful King Jehoshaphat? (b) What important decision must parents make for their dependent children?

²⁰ As the crisis in the earth increases, so does the need to guard one’s children. When Judah under faithful King Jehoshaphat faced a similar crisis, they assembled and sought counsel from Jehovah. Who assembled? Just the adults? The record reads: “Even from all the cities of Judah they came to consult Jehovah. All the while all those of Judah were standing before Jehovah, even their little ones, their wives and their sons.” (2 Chron. 20:4, 13-17) On that occasion all the families of Judah, “even their little ones,” saw the salvation of Jehovah on their behalf. Parents, it means protection and life to your children to have them attend meetings with you, not just occasionally when they feel like it, but always, according to your own zealous theocratic example. Until they grow up to the age of individual responsibility, this is one important decision you make for them.—Deut. 6:4-7; 29:10-13.

21, 22. (a) How may youthful minds be molded even from earliest years? (b) How has one young mother made a splendid start?

²¹ The Jesuits have been reported as saying, “Give me a child of six and I shall make it a Catholic.”b They realize that a person’s entire life may be molded during those tender years. Parents in God’s great family should be even more zealous toward their children. Theirs is the opportunity, not to mold youthful minds to a sectarian belief, but rather to the “healthful teaching of the glorious good news” that leads to everlasting life. If this molding starts in the first years, the child’s earliest questions will be concerning Jehovah and his purposes. Even long before kindergarten days, the protective principles of Bible teaching will be taking root in that young heart. From tenderest years he can share in the family’s daily discussion of the text from the Yearbook. Later, as he learns to read, godly parents can instruct him, not only by his own regular study, but also by helping him prepare for a share in meetings.

²² There is a special pioneer sister in Hong Kong who has a young baby. From the age of two weeks that baby has regularly attended meetings, several times a week, in its baby basket. Through the ready co-operation of relatives, the mother has been able to devote 150 hours a month in Kingdom service since the baby was a few weeks old, and baby goes too, as appropriate. Now, who will have the better opportunity of growing into a mature and zealous minister of God: The baby of that young Chinese mother, or the “modern child” that is left to please itself?

23. How may husbands help unbelieving wives, and wives unbelieving husbands?

²³ How happy the associations of brothers and sisters in God’s earth-wide family of Jehovah’s witnesses, and how joyous the prospect of surviving together into God’s new world of righteousness! But how much greater the joy when fleshly families are united within the larger family of God’s people! Husbands, help your wives! Wives, help your husbands! It is worth all the tactful planning and talking you can do, to help your marriage partner realize with you the glorious hope of the new world so near at hand. In this respect, some have lost a fine opportunity through fear of man and lack of faith. They have feared what a husband might say or do when he found out they were witnessing for Jehovah. So they have kept the husband in the dark, so to speak. The Bible says: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love throws fear outside, because fear exercises a restraint.” (1 John 4:18) Tell your marriage mate about the glorious good news of the Kingdom. Give him the opportunity to come along with you. Have faith that Jehovah will direct the matter.

24. How may wisdom and the Scriptures be used for the salvation of other family members?

²⁴ In talking to such family members, use wisdom in the topics of conversation chosen. Do not raise antagonism by getting onto controversial points first. Rather, talk about the great truths concerning the loving and all-wise Creator and God, the glorious prospect of the paradise earth, the wonderful love and unity that exist in the New World society, and its high moral principles. Build appreciation of the fine organization that Jehovah has throughout the earth. When controversial points do crop up, be prepared with logical Scriptural reasoning, and use it kindly but with conviction. Remember, “the word of God is alive and exerts power.” (Heb. 4:12; 2 Cor. 10:3-5) Use it well, for the salvation of others of your family.

25. What vision should be held as to the wondrous structure and unity of God’s family?

²⁵ Happy are all those who find and who hold fast their place in God’s universal family. Surely this family is a most marvelous creation of the wonder-working God! Before Jehovah’s glorious throne of the heavens, “ten thousand times ten thousand” of holy angels continue to minister in grand unity. Exalted as capital and as “new heavens” above all these is God’s kingdom in the hands of Christ Jesus, and with him are the resurrected ones of his “little flock,” the 144,000. As the earthly part of this universal family, there now comes into view “a new earth,” the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses, filling the globe with the praises to the one great God. Behold the multitudes that are flocking into that family! Oh, the unity of all of God’s family! It is the kind of unity concerning which Jesus spoke when with his disciples on earth: “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word, in order that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me forth.” “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.”—John 17:20-22; 10:16.

26. (a) What meaningful assurance do Jehovah’s promises now hold? (b) What should lovers of truth and righteousness now do?

²⁶ As this tottering old world of Satan, with its false religion and its “crazed” nations, lines up for extinction at Armageddon, Jehovah provides inspiring hope in his promise of the eternally peaceful new world to follow. How loving and generous he will continue to be as the kind Father of all his universal family! What meaningful assurance do his promises now hold: “Look! I am making all things new.” “Write, because these words are trustworthy and true.” “To anyone thirsting I will give from the fountain of the water of life free.” (Rev. 21:1-7) Let all who love truth and righteousness drink deeply now of the water of life, that they may hold their place forever in the happy family of the great God who is “doing wondrous things.” ‘With all their heart,’ let them pray to the Father, as did David: “You are God, you alone. Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way. I shall walk in your truth. Unify my heart to fear your name.”—Ps. 86:10, 11.

[Footnotes]

Dangerous Guidance

“It is to be feared that some of the means used by certain people to obtain guidance are foolish or even dangerous,” says Ernest White in Christian Life and the Unconscious. “For example, some years ago a young friend of mine was instructed to take a piece of paper and a pencil at the beginning of each day and then to make his mind a blank and wait until some suggestions came to him for the day’s activities. He was then to write down what came into his mind and take this as his guidance for the day. He soon discovered that all kinds of absurd or even evil thoughts came into his mind, and after a few weeks he saw the folly and danger of this particular method, and gave it up. It is dangerous to abolish all conscious thought in this manner. It involves loss of control of the mind. . . . There are principles of guidance founded on Scripture and on common sense which will help us to avoid the pitfalls of irrational methods.”

“With your counsel you will lead me,” said the inspired psalmist of Jehovah God. For proper guidance we must constantly check our thoughts with the counsel Jehovah gives in the Bible.—Ps. 73:24.

This Is a Time of Judgment

How is mankind being judged today? Upon what bases is judgment rendered? What will be the outcome?

YOU may not realize it, but you are on trial for your life. What you do and what you say can bring either a favorable or an unfavorable judgment. Should it prove unfavorable, the execution of it will cost you your life. The responsibility for passing such judgment does not rest on the shoulders of secret police, politically appointed judges or judges elected by popular vote. Jehovah God, your Creator and the supreme Ruler of the universe, is your Judge.

If your conduct toward his laws and purposes has not been proper, you cannot obtain a favorable decision by resorting to bribery, deception or clever argument. He cannot be bribed, and there is no way you can hide anything from him. He knows your innermost thoughts. “There is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.” “As for Jehovah, he will sit to time indefinite, firmly establishing his throne for judgment itself. And he himself will judge the productive land in righteousness; he will judicially try national groups in uprightness.”—Heb. 4:13; Ps. 9:7, 8.

It is not necessary for you to stand before the great Judge personally as you would before a human judge in order to be under judgment. From his lofty throne in the heavens he can turn his attention toward the earth and judge humans from there. “His own eyes behold, his own beaming eyes examine the sons of men. Jehovah himself examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one, and anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates.”—Ps. 11:4, 5.

JUDGMENT PERIODS

There have been certain periods in human history when Jehovah God has turned his attention toward the earth for judgment. The people he put under surveillance were judged by their course of action toward his righteous principles and purposes. The first human pair, for example, were under divine judgment, but their bad conduct brought them a sentence of death.

The people who lived immediately before the flood of Noah’s day passed through a judgment period that ended when the Flood swept most of them out of existence. Because of their wicked disregard for God and his purposes he judged them adversely. “He did not hold back from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people.”—2 Pet. 2:5.

There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that these people were or shall be punished in a fiery hell. From the time of Adam to this very day the punishment for wickedness has not been conscious torment in a fiery hell but rather death—a cutting off from life. “For the wages sin pays is death.” “Jehovah is guarding all those loving him, but all the wicked ones he will annihilate.”—Rom. 6:23; Ps. 145:20.

After mentioning the world destroyed by the Flood and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that were destroyed by fire, Peter states: “Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off.” (2 Pet. 2:9) These two outstanding judgment periods were proofs of this. The wicked people in each period were reserved, or allowed to remain, throughout their judgment periods until the day of their execution. But persons of godly devotion who had received a favorable judgment were preserved.

These judgment periods are examples for us. They are prophetic pictures of the great judgment period in which we now live. Jesus himself pointed this out when he said: “Just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of man . . . Likewise, just as it occurred in the days of Lot.”—Luke 17:26, 28.

Throughout the centuries Jehovah God has permitted the wicked to remain and to dominate the earth, and they continue to do so in the present period of judgment. Those who are judged unrighteous will not survive the end of this period, whereas persons of godly devotion shall. “For those being blessed by him will themselves possess the earth, but those upon whom evil is called by him will be cut off.” (Ps. 37:22) They will be cut off from existence.

DIVINE JUDGMENTS ARE FINAL

Since the supreme Judge never makes a mistake, there is no need for him to take under review any judgment that he has passed. His judgments are final. That means the people who perished in the flood of Noah’s day will never be resurrected to stand trial again. The same is true with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as Adam and Eve. All had their judgment day before the great Judge of the universe and all were sentenced to destruction. They will never have a conscious existence again. The same will be true of those in the present judgment period whom God will destroy at its conclusion.

Jehovah God’s infallible judgment of the unrighteous in the present judgment period will be just as final as it was for the people he sentenced to death in past judgment periods. They will not stand before him after death for another judgment. The promise at Hebrews 9:27 does not apply to them. It says: “It is reserved for men to die once for all time, but after this a judgment.” The persons referred to here are those who die because of Adam’s sin, not because they have been judged adversely by God after death and then executed by him. Such persons can die only once because of Adam’s sin, but during the 1,000-year reign of Christ they will be resurrected and judged as to their worthiness for continued life on the basis of the course of action they take toward God’s principles and purposes then.—See The Watchtower as of June 15, 1947, pages 180-182.

What you are faced with today is a judgment for survival through the coming war of the great day of God the Almighty when he will carry out his long-standing promise to destroy this wicked world or system of things. You are in a position similar to that of the people who lived in the judgment period before the Flood. Like them you are under divine surveillance, with your conduct toward God’s purposes and his kingdom ministers determining your judgment. Jesus pointed this out in a long-range prophecy recorded in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. He there likened the present judging of mankind to a shepherd’s separating sheep from goats.

Because the great Judge, Jehovah God, selected Christ to represent him in this judicial work, Jesus speaks of himself as the one doing the actual judging. In the fifth chapter of John he points out that he had received this authority from the great Judge, saying: “For the Father judges no one at all, but he has committed all the judging to the Son. And he has given him authority to do judging, because Son of man he is.” (John 5:22, 27) This was foretold by the prophet Isaiah: “And there must go forth a twig out of the stump of Jesse, and out of his roots a sprout will be fruitful. . . . And he will not judge by any mere appearance to his eyes, nor reprove simply according to the thing heard by his ears. And with righteousness he must judge the lowly ones.”—Isa. 11:1, 3, 4.

It is the divinely commissioned Judge, Jesus Christ, therefore, who does the actual judging of mankind during this final judgment period for the old world. In his prophecy in which he likens himself to a shepherd, he says: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.”—Matt. 25:31-33.

BEGINNING OF LAST DAYS

The time for this judging of the nations, as you will note, was set for the last days when Christ would be enthroned in Kingdom glory. It could not take place after the worldly system of things has been destroyed by heavenly forces, as Christ could not then separate the people as sheep are separated from goats. His enthronement in Kingdom power at his second presence would have to be at a time when the wicked still exist, a time before their destruction. This was foretold at Psalm 110, verses one and two, where Christ, David’s Lord, is commanded: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.”

World events since A.D. 1914 form the great sign of Christ’s second presence that he gave in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. This date is also confirmed by the fact that the Gentile times, or times of the nations, that began in 607 B.C. ended then. It was three and a half years later that he began the work of judgment, first of the “house of God” and then of the nations of this world. This corresponds with the three and a half years that passed from the time Jesus was anointed as King until he entered the temple in Jerusalem and cleansed it. When the evidence is carefully examined it proves conclusively that we are in the last days of this world—the long-foretold judgment period.

How people respond to the earth-wide preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom and how they treat Jehovah’s servants who do this preaching determines whether they are classed as sheep or goats. To the sheep class Jesus says: “Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” And to the goat class he says: “‘Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’ And these will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life.”—Matt. 25:40, 45, 46.

If you are one who follows the policy of doing what you think is right and never harming other people but yet you ignore the good news of God’s kingdom and the things he requires, you cannot expect a favorable judgment. It is not what you think is right that counts, but what God thinks is right.

The establishment of God’s kingdom under Christ is the best news that has ever been proclaimed, because it means Jehovah God’s name will soon be vindicated of the reproach this world has heaped upon it. It means the approaching end of a world that has exceeded in wickedness the world that was destroyed in the Flood. It means the meek of the earth, the persons of godly devotion who rejoice in the good news of the Kingdom, will inherit the earth and enjoy peace and eternal life under the righteous rule of that heavenly government. No person with any love for righteousness, any love for God and any love for Christ will ignore that good news. They will, instead, gladly receive it and join in the proclaiming of it.

A SERIOUS TIME

As the judgment period that ended with the Flood brought a permanent end to those people, so will the ending of the present judgment period permanently terminate the conscious existence of those who are judged adversely. This is, therefore, a very serious time.

Parents who reject the good news of the Kingdom and who ignore the good principles and wonderful purposes of Jehovah God cannot expect their minor children to survive the execution of divine judgment. Until a child reaches the age where it can be held responsible for its actions, it is under family responsibility. Divine punishment or blessing that comes to its parents automatically falls upon it. This principle is seen at Ezekiel 9:6, where God’s command was to “slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark.”—AS.

The unresponsible children of the people who perished in the flood were not preserved with Noah in the ark, but were destroyed with their wicked parents. The same was true with regard to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. If those cities had contained ten righteous persons they would have been spared. Certainly there were more than ten unresponsible children in them; nevertheless, God destroyed the two cities.

Because their course of action directly affects their minor children, parents have a grave responsibility. They cannot afford to look upon God’s declared purposes in a passive manner. That is not the way to receive a favorable judgment for themselves and their minor children. Parents that manifest love for God and his kingdom in an active way are classed with the sheep and will be blessed by him with the privilege of being preserved along with their children.

This time of judgment is a very serious time for people in all walks of life. The course of action each person takes with regard to Jehovah God’s kingdom and purposes can mean either eternal death or preservation into a righteous new world.

During the more than forty years since 1918, when divine judgment began with those who professed to be God’s house, a great crowd of people have responded to the preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom. They form a New World society that has beaten “swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.” (Isa. 2:1-4) They enjoy peace while living in a war-torn world. Like the six persons who were preserved through the flood with Noah and his wife, they will be preserved through the coming battle of Armageddon when God’s heavenly forces will bring this judgment period to a cataclysmic end.—2 Thess. 1:6-9; Zeph. 3:8.

In times past God overlooked ignorance of his commands and purposes, but he does not do so during the present judgment period. The world-wide preaching of the good news of his established kingdom eliminates any excuse for ignorance. If you value your life, you will not dismiss what you have just read as of no importance, but you will make every effort to learn about Jehovah’s purposes and what he requires of you for preservation into a righteous world under the rule of his kingdom. By acting in harmony with his will your trial for life will not end in an adverse judgment of death but in a favorable judgment of life.

Part 30—“Your Will Be Done on Earth”

The age-long conflict between the symbolic king of the north and the king of the south, foretold in Daniel’s prophecy, chapter 11, has now entered the twentieth century of our Christian era. On January 1, 1871, the German Empire was re-established and shortly it formed a Triple Alliance or “Dreibund” with Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Italy. On the other hand, in 1882 the British Empire established virtual control over the land of Egypt. Thus the Anglo-American dual world power in effect stepped into the shoes of the king of the south. A.D. 1914 war broke out between the two kings. Regarding this, Daniel 11:29 prophesied that it would not now be the same for the king of the north as it had been in former times, for now he was but a second-rate power and he faced not only a first-rate power, the Anglo-American dual world power, but also the kingdom of God established in heaven in 1914.

16. At first what mainly were the “ships of Kittim” that came against the king of the north?

¹⁶ Commenting on this lack of sameness with former times, the angel said to Daniel: “For there will come against him the ships of Kittim; and he will become fainthearted, and return, and will rage against the holy covenant; and he will do it: and he will return, and have an understanding with those that forsake the holy covenant.” (Dan. 11:30, Le) Although armed with the second-largest navy and many destructive U-boats, the king of the north proved no match for the “ships of Kittim” that came against him. These were not literally ships of Cyprus, the ancient Kittim, although on November 5, 1914, Great Britain annexed the island of Cyprus, to keep pro-German Turkey out. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, the term Kittim was applied not only to Cyprus but also to the coasts of Italy. Interestingly, Italy joined the warring Britain in 1915, according to the Treaty of London, and thus put her own Roman navy alongside that of the king of the south. But the “ships of Kittim” were at first mainly the great British navy.

17. How did more ships of Kittim come later when the seventh world power fully got into the war with the king of the north?

¹⁷ More “ships of Kittim” came from the west later, after the German submarine, U-20, sank the British Cunard Liner Lusitania off Ireland on May 7, 1915, and 124 American lives were lost. A diplomatic controversy arose between America and Germany. Matters worsened, and on April 6, 1917, American President Wilson declared a state of war existed with Germany. Then from the west came the American warships in the fight against the king of the north, and American troops were poured onto the European continent. The king of the south, the Anglo-American dual world power, was now fully at war with the rival king. In September, 1916, however, the British had introduced a strange kind of armor-clad land battleship against the king of the north, in the form of the tractored “tanks.”

18. In 1917, how did the king of the north help world communism?

¹⁸ Significantly, in 1917, after Russia’s czar abdicated, Kaiser Wilhelm sent Nikolai Lenin from Switzerland across Germany and Sweden to Russia to spread Bolshevism or communism, for the purpose of weakening and destroying the Russian armies. (So says General Ludendorff, the ally of Adolf Hitler, in his memoirs.) By this war strategy the king of the north helped the cause of world communism.

19. When did the king of the north “become fainthearted, and return,” and how, and by what world events had 1914 now become stamped as significant?

¹⁹ However, in November, 1918, the king of the north grew “fainthearted” and returned, withdrawing from the war, whipped. Kaiser Wilhelm, who had ruled since his father, Frederick III, died in 1888, gave up the throne and fled into exile, and Germany became a republic. So World War I ended. But it, together with the food shortages, pestilences and the persecution of Jehovah’s sanctuary class, stamped A.D. 1914 as the year when the “seven times,” “the appointed times of the nations,” ended and when God’s kingdom was born in the heavens and this Devil-ruled old world entered in upon its “appointed time of the end.”—Matt. 24:7-9; Luke 21:10-17.

20. With Kaiser Wilhelm now in exile, how did the king of the north “rage against the holy covenant”?

²⁰ In Kaiser Wilhelm’s case, his heart had been against the holy covenant. (Dan. 11:28, JP) With him in exile till his death on June 4, 1941, how did the king of the north now “rage against the holy covenant” and “do it”? This was by the rise to power of Adolf Hitler, the Austrian, aided by German Catholic politicians, for example, Franz von Papen. In January, 1933, President von Hindenburg put out Schleicher and put in Hitler as German chancellor, with Von Papen as vice-chancellor. Then President von Hindenburg declared: “And now, gentlemen, forward with God!”a It was really ‘FORWARD AGAINST GOD!’ By then Jehovah’s witnesses numbered more than 19,200 in Germany and were very prominent. One of the first things that the Nazi Fuehrer Hitler did was to ban Jehovah’s witnesses, seize their witnessing equipment and consign them to prisons and concentration camps.b On April 1, 1933, Hitler became dictator, for the German Reichstag delegated its lawmaking powers to Hitler’s government for a term of four years. By this stroke the German republic ceased and was followed by the “Third German Empire.” The First had been the Germanic Holy Roman Empire from 962 to 1806; and the Second, the Hohenzollern Empire from 1871 to 1918. The Third was the Hitler dictatorship.

21. How did the king of the north now “do it” by having an “understanding with those that forsake the holy covenant”?

²¹ Still, how did he “do it”? On September 8, 1926, Germany had been admitted to the League of Nations, but Nazi dictator Hitler marched Germany out of the League on October 14, 1933. Boldly he went from one worldly success to another, annexing Austria and then Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia and forming the Axis Powers, including faraway Japan. Much of his success was due to his having an “understanding with those that forsake the holy covenant.” Those who claimed to be in favor of God’s covenant for the Kingdom were the clergy of Christendom, particularly those of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. These had not waited upon the rightful Heir, Jesus Christ, to come into his kingdom in 1914, but established a religious-political government of their own and set up the Holy Roman Empire. Early in July of 1933 Vice-Chancellor von Papen negotiated in Hitler’s behalf a concordat with Pope Pius XI; and through this the pope agreed to dissolve the Catholic Center party in Germany in return for Hitler’s pledge that the Catholic Church should keep on having full religious freedom in Germany. This paved the way for Hitler to decree that there should be a single political party in the land, the National Socialist party.

22. According to Roman Catholic information, what were the war aims of the king of the north, and how were the imperial ambitions of his Italian partner disclosed?

²² During World War II the New York Times as of February 17, 1940, stated in a dispatch dated “Washington, Feb. 16,” the following Roman Catholic information: “The German war aims were outlined tonight as a re-establishment of the Holy Roman Empire by [the Roman Catholic priest] Dr. Edmund A. Walsh, regent of the Foreign Service School of [Catholic] Georgetown University, . . . Dr. Walsh said that he had heard Adolf Hitler say that the Holy Roman Empire, which was a Germanic empire, must be re-established.” It is well-known that the Axis Powers partner of baptized Catholic Hitler was the Italian Duce Mussolini, who signed a concordat with Pope Pius XI in 1929 by which Vatican City was set up as an independent state. Years later, under the blessing of Catholic priests, Mussolini’s troops invaded non-Catholic Ethiopia, and on July 9, 1936, Mussolini proclaimed the restoration of the Roman Empire of the Caesars and proclaimed King Victor Emmanuel to be Emperor of Ethiopia. In December of 1937 Duce Mussolini withdrew Fascist Italy from the League of Nations.

THE “SANCTUARY” AND THE “ABOMINATION”

23. At this point, how does Jehovah’s angel make reference to the sanctuary class in connection with the king of the north?

²³ However, what about those who refuse to come to any understanding with the king of the north and who hold fast to the holy covenant for the kingdom of Jehovah’s reigning Son? The angel answers the question. Rather than discuss the many details of World War II he confines his words mainly to these of the loyal sanctuary class. In doing this the angel points to a remarkable transformation in the personality and nationality of the king of the north, saying: “And arms shall stand up on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the stronghold, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the detestable thing that causeth appalment [the desolating abomination, Le].”—Dan. 11:31, JP.

24. Aided by Kaiser Wilhelm in 1917, what did the Communists do in Russia, and to what League was the new Russia admitted?

²⁴ The mention of “arms” that “stand up on his part” denotes supporters of the king of the north, military forces with which he engages the democratic king of the south in a second world war. But before, during and after this second war for world domination, surprising developments took place. The king of the north had already aided world communism in 1917, when the revolutionary Lenin went back to Russia from exile in Switzerland under safe conduct from Kaiser Wilhelm’s government. Since then the Communists had seized the Russian government and set up the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with its totalitarian government and dictatorship. This U.S.S.R. was admitted to the League of Nations September 17, 1934. It carried on negotiations with the western democracies.

25. How did the “betrayal of the western democracies” come by the Communist Soviet government, and why was it read out of the League?

²⁵ In August of 1939 Britain and France were negotiating with the Communist government when suddenly came what was called the “betrayal of the western democracies.” The Nazi king of the north was about ready to launch World War II and needed to protect his eastern flank. To this end he entered into co-operative pacts with Russia. So on August 19 the Russian capital announced that it had concluded a seven-year trade agreement with Nazi Germany. Stranger still, on August 24, Moscow again caused surprise and consternation in the West by signing a ten-year nonaggression pact with Germany. Was there a deal between them? Time told. On September 1 the Nazi “arms” or military forces invaded Poland, to light the fires of World War II.c In lightning warfare or Blitzkrieg they moved forward. Then on September 17 the Communist government ordered its own troops into Poland from the other side. Five days later Nazi Germany and the Communist Soviet Union announced an agreed-upon dividing line across Poland between the territories grabbed. Two months later Soviet Russia attacked Finland, and Russia became the first member to be read out of the League of Nations.

26. How did the Third German Empire lose the position of king of the north?

²⁶ For almost two years Communist Russia continued as an ally of the Nazi king of the north. It was dictatorial; it was aiming at world domination, like its ally. Only Hitler’s crafty action in attacking Russia on June 22, 1941, forced Russia onto the side of the democratic king of the south. But Russia’s fighting on the side of the western democracies would help it to defeat Nazi Germany and take over the position of the totalitarian, dictatorial king of the north. In 1945 Communist Russia shared in the Allied victory over the Nazi-Fascist foe. The dividing up of conquered Germany between the Big Four, namely, France, Britain, America and Russia, followed. According to the Yalta agreement, Russia took over eastern Germany. The Germanic king of the north as a rival of the seventh world power, the Anglo-American world power, no longer existed. A new politically strong power must step into his shoes, that the rivalry between the two kings for world domination might go on to a final decision or a draw, a standstill.

27. How has rivalry between the king of the north and the king of the south gone on since the end of World War II in 1945?

²⁷ Who could do so? Who did? Events quickly revealed—the Soviet Union, the Communist power that, since it seized power in Russia in 1917, has held world domination as its aim to this day. It felt its strength. It did not reduce its military forces below a war footing. It began to act according to its position of strength, against its chief rival. The United States of America had stepped forth from World War II as the most powerful nation on earth. So a propaganda and economic warfare was begun against the American democracy, a cold war. In effect, Communist Russia declared it early in 1947. The Communist land blockade of western Berlin, beginning June 26, 1948, was a tense feature of the cold war, but was overcome by the American airlift. Communist Russia long blocked the reuniting of all Germany under one government. It held on to eastern Germany as a satellite, making sure that a Communist form of rule was set up there before it recognized Eastern Germany as a political state inside the Communist sphere. There is no mistaking the identity of the king of the north since World War II.

28. What was the “sanctuary, even the stronghold,” that was profaned?

²⁸ Before and during World War II the angelic prophecy was fulfilled: “They shall profane the sanctuary, even the stronghold.” This sanctuary is the remnant or remaining ones of Jehovah’s “spiritual house” made up of “living stones.” In this house he dwells by his spirit. Jesus Christ, the reigning King, is the Chief Cornerstone of this sanctuary or spiritual house. It is Jehovah’s house and is dedicated exclusively to his worship. Associated with it now is a “great crowd” of dedicated persons of good will who worship and serve Jehovah God in company with the sanctuary class of holy ones or “saints.” The sanctuary is a stronghold, because it is filled with unconquerable spiritual strength. It is filled with strength from Almighty God. Its strength is a tested one, proved by the fact that it has survived World War II and the collapse of Nazism, Fascism and Stalinism clear down to this day.

29. How did the profaning of this sanctuary proceed, and by whom was it done?

²⁹ Daniel 8:11, 13 foretold the casting down of the place or base of this sanctuary and the trampling of it underfoot. That occurred during World War I. It took place at the hands of the symbolic “little horn,” the “king of fierce countenance,” that is, the seventh world power, the Anglo-American dual world power.d But the later profaning of the “sanctuary, even the stronghold,” was the terrible persecution of the sanctuary class before, during and since World War II at the hands of the king of the north in the lands of the Axis Powers and of the Soviet Union. All the loyal “great crowd” of good will who worshiped Jehovah with his sanctuary class suffered along with these holy ones or “saints” of Jehovah’s “holy nation” of spiritual Israel. This persecution by means of concentration camps, prisons, slave labor camps, firing squads, beheading, banning of meetings and of Bible literature, and by other means, was a profanation of Jehovah’s sanctuary, an abuse of it. The king of the north was not alone in this outrage to God. The king of the south showed the same spirit as during World War I and committed his own wicked profanations. But was the sanctuary and were those who worshiped at it destroyed by this rabid persecution? Not at all. But why not? Jehovah’s angel explains later.

30. How, too was the “continual burnt-offering” taken away in fulfillment of Daniel 11:31?

³⁰ Along with the profaning of Jehovah’s sanctuary went the taking away of its “continual burnt-offering.” In the English translation the word “burnt-offering” is supplied. In the Hebrew text the word “continual” is applied to a number of sacred things having to do with Jehovah’s temple and its priesthood. So here the word “continual” could apply to numbers of things besides a “burnt-offering.” “Continual” could embrace the entire worship at the sanctuary that was to be performed daily, constantly, regularly. During the Nazi-Fascist heyday of power the king of the north did take away the means of spiritual sacrifice from the sanctuary remnant and from their fellow worshipers of good will. By banning and by seizing Bibles and Bible literature and by penning up Jehovah’s witnesses or by driving them underground, the king of the north and his allies caused the open, public offering of the “sacrifice of praise” always to God to cease. To observers it was seemingly taken away; but underground and wherever Jehovah’s witnesses were held prisoner it went on fearlessly.

(To be continued)

[Footnotes]

By July 1, 1942, German General Erwin Rommel had driven through with his Nazi forces to El Alamein, Egypt, only 70 miles west of Alexandria.—Ibidem, 1943 Annual, page 819b.

Pursuing My Purpose in Life

As told by N. H. Barber

I SHALL never forget the first time I went out in the service of the Most High God. It was a beautiful day in the Indian summer or autumn time of the year 1920 in Winnipeg, Canada. My brother and I were only distributing handbills, but the contentment and peace of mind I received from this slight service gave me assurance that the Almighty, unlike earthly masters, is well pleased with even imperfect and small services rendered toward him. Just as hearing the truth brings a certain joy and peace of mind, so the step of service brings a greater joy.

When later I engaged in distributing literature from house to house, I experienced greater joys and blessings. From that day to this I have never been out in the house-to-house work without experiencing personal kindnesses from some, appreciation for Jehovah’s Word from others and, above all, Jehovah’s blessing of peace of mind and contentment.

After being baptized in 1921, I began to pursue my purpose in life as a full-time praiser of Jehovah God. (Ps. 145:2) A request appeared in The Watchtower for young men to apply for service at Bethel. My application was accepted, and in May of the year 1923 my brother and I arrived at the Bethel home in Brooklyn to begin work in the Society’s printing factory at 18 Concord Street. That was the beginning of a strange and wonderful time for me. Since I was a little wild, it was not easy for me to settle down to the righteous requirements of a theocratic organization. Many things had to be learned and discipline had to be applied. There was much zeal among the brothers, with the desire of all to produce “better and more books.” Year by year I was privileged to witness the great expansion until, shortly, 18 Concord Street could not accommodate that beehive of activity any longer. In 1926 plans were set in motion by the Society to erect a new factory. By 1927 it was completed and we were moving into it. That set the pattern for the ever-increasing requirements of Jehovah’s organization, until today we see several big additions to that original building.

Although a person may enjoy the privileges of service Jehovah gives him, he may not follow the best course and stay where he is. So it was with me. In 1929 I foolishly left Bethel and tried the worldly arrangement of things. I quickly learned that there was less than nothing there for me. Some people may enjoy all that this evil world has to offer, but I was not one of them. After a little more than a year, I found myself wishing I had remained in Bethel, but there was nothing I could do about that.

I was very thankful when I was privileged to enter the pioneer work in 1930 and be in Jehovah’s full-time preaching service continuing to pursue my purpose in life. I really enjoyed the pioneer work. I never missed a meal even though this was during the depression. I never had true cause for worry. In 1944, I was made a special pioneer. Then in 1946 I was privileged to attend the winter class at Gilead. Like everyone else who has enjoyed that great privilege, I will always remember Gilead as one of the brightest and happiest periods in my life. I always give thanks to Jehovah for that wonderful arrangement and the privilege I had in being there.

Burma was the assignment given me after graduating from Gilead. If it had not been for the wise counsel given me by the theocratic organization, I might have doubted my ability to pursue my purpose in life in such a faraway spot. But serving Jehovah is what really matters. One place is just as good as another for doing it. If millions of people could live in Burma so could I.

I rejoice greatly in being a missionary in a land where the need is truly great. That fact, aside from my being here because of assignment from Jehovah’s theocratic organization, makes me rejoice that I am in Jehovah’s full-time service in a foreign field. Someone might say, Evidently Burma must be an ideal place in which to work. To this I should say, Not necessarily so. Of course, it all depends upon how you look at a foreign assignment. If a person rejoices to be used by Jehovah, then one place is as good as another to him. But if he looks at it from the viewpoint of how it is going to suit him, he may find it a lot more difficult to be happy.

I am thankful to Jehovah that I have been able to forget all personal likes and dislikes about this territory and look upon it as a boundless favor from God, a precious privilege of service. Frankly speaking, tropical weather is not my idea of the ideal weather in which to live. Neither is the way tropical people live the way I would personally choose to live. But there are more important things to take into consideration than such trivial matters. Being able to render aid to people who are really spiritually poor is a privilege beyond human powers to express.

These people are a polite, non-violent people. That fact is a great stimulant when presenting the good news of the Kingdom. Very, very few doors here are slammed in one’s face, and seldom does anyone get angry with a Kingdom publisher. Many are the cups of tea and other small expressions of kindness offered him. There is a joy in trying to master this strange, Oriental language that few westerners have come to know.

It was because of my missionary assignment to Burma that I found my marriage partner. I chose as my partner a pioneer sister who was born and brought up in Burma. This has helped me to continue pursuing my purpose in life in my foreign assignment. For the past five years my wife and I have been happily serving Jehovah together in this land where the spiritual need of the people is great.

I have always looked forward with eagerness to the international assemblies of the theocratic organization. From the one in 1924 at Columbus, Ohio, down to the last one in 1958 at New York, I have been privileged to attend all but one. Although I had to travel some eight to ten thousand miles to be at each of the last three, I did not hesitate to do so. Never to be forgotten is the greatest and best of all these joyful occasions, the Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses held in 1958. It was the greatest because never before had so many dedicated servants of Jehovah from all over the earth gathered together in one place. Jehovah’s spirit was certainly abundant at this wonderful assembly.

The theocratic standard was raised even higher at this grand assembly. False religion was denounced once again. I was truly glad to be a part of that great audience that adopted the Resolution that resolved faithfulness and separateness from the world.

Thanks to the timely and wise counsel given by the Society through its publications and with the help of Jehovah’s spirit, I have been able to pursue my purpose in life for the last thirty-eight years, twelve of which have been spent in a foreign land. Never would I pursue any other course in life. The longer I enjoy this great privilege the more I thank Jehovah for being kinder than any other master could possibly be and for having kept me and guided me. I want only to please him forevermore as I continue to pursue my purpose in life.

Questions From Readers

● In the twenty-third chapter of Acts, verses one to five, Paul calls the high priest Ananias a “whitewashed wall.” Then he in effect apologizes, saying, “It is written, ‘You must not speak injuriously of a ruler of your people.’” How can we justify the seething denunciations The Watchtower makes concerning the rulers of Christendom, since, although we, as Paul, realize they are false priests, they still are rulers of the people?—F. W., U.S.A.

In the first place, let us note that God’s Word never contradicts itself. While it is true that at Exodus 22:28 the people of Israel were told not to curse a chieftain among their people, it is also true that time and again God’s prophets were commanded to speak very strong denunciations of the rulers of Israel. Besides, the Watch Tower publications are justified in making “seething denunciations” concerning the rulers of Christendom in the light of Jesus’ own references to rulers in Luke 13:31-35, Matthew 23:1-37, John 8:44, and Revelation 1:1 and Re 13:1 to 18:9. To these references are to be added all those made by the ancient Hebrew prophets.

Consequently, when Paul, in his apology, quoted Exodus 22:28 he must have been referring to the faithful rulers of Jehovah’s people. Certainly wicked rulers are not above criticism and denunciation, particularly when the people need to be warned against them. As Jesus once said: “Blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matt. 15:14) In Paul’s case he was before the Jewish Supreme Court and he would not want to show any contempt for that court. Hence when he found that he had really called its chief justice, the high priest Ananias, a whitewashed wall, he apologized in order not to prejudice his case before it. Accordingly, he was later able to win part of the court to his side by crying out, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee; over the hope of resurrection of the dead I am being judged.’ Thus Paul acted wisely, with tact and, it might be added, in line also with the principle set down at Ecclesiastes 10:20 about not calling down evil upon the king, lest word thereof reach his ears.

In a similar way, whenever we are before rulers and judges of the land we will conduct ourselves courteously toward the representatives of the land and of the law. We would hardly call those to whom we are addressing ourselves by the denunciatory terms that are used in the various publications that we distribute. Not unless we wanted to bring on immediate martyrdom upon ourselves as Stephen did when, according to Acts 7:51-53, he said to the Supreme Court of the Sanhedrin of Jerusalem: “Obstinate men and uncircumcised in hearts and ears, you are always resisting the holy spirit; as your forefathers did, so you do. Which one of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? Yes, they killed those who made announcement in advance concerning the coming of the righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become, you who received the Law as transmitted by angels but have not kept it.” Stephen was justified in what he said, as was evidenced by the fact that Jehovah God sent him a heavenly vision just at the time he was being stoned to death.

In summing up it might be said that the command at Exodus 22:28 was directed to individual Israelites and stated a general rule in keeping with Ecclesiastes 10:20, and applied primarily to faithful rulers. This command cannot be used to void the many other commands in obedience to which Jehovah’s witnesses do publish “seething denunciations” against rulers as a class who today are in similar positions of high authority as were the rulers of ancient Israel. Nevertheless, wisdom and tact indicate that we should not be guilty of committing personal discourtesy to such rulers when we are brought into direct address to them. We can always give the particular individual the benefit of the doubt, although at times the course taken by Stephen may be that indicated by God’s spirit.

● In The Watchtower, February 1, 1959, on the subject of “Paradise,” in the last paragraph of the first article appears the statement: “Enoch will be resurrected into Paradise restored here on earth.” How are we to understand this when we have been taught that Enoch, together with other faithful men of old, will have an early resurrection?—G. G., U.S.A.

When the Society’s publications speak of an early resurrection, it does not mean instantly after Armageddon. In fact, a number of years might elapse. We must bear in mind that immediately after the battle of Armageddon accomplishes the binding of Satan and his demons the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ begins. Consequently, a considerable number of years of that millennial reign of Christ might pass and it would still be early in that millennium. Therefore, early could mean after the Armageddon survivors have cleaned up the bones and the debris and have begun to convert the earth into a paradise under Jehovah’s blessing through Christ.

Adam was in a paradise, although it did not extend all around the earth. Doubtless when the faithful pre-Christian witnesses come back in an early resurrection they will be resurrected into the portions of the earth where the Armageddon survivors are and have converted that portion into a paradise locally. Besides this the spiritual paradise condition will also have survived the battle of Armageddon and all those resurrected early will come into that condition also. So the literal paradise does not have to extend all around the earth, that is, cover every part of the globe before those resurrected early can come back into a paradise. Doubtless later, when the resurrection of mankind in general occurs, the paradise will be quite well on its way to coextensiveness with the earth. However, just to what extent those coming forth then will have a part in extending the paradise so that it includes every portion of the earth’s surface we do not know.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

As an aid to “making the mind over for the new world,” during January Jehovah’s witnesses will offer to all persons of good will a year’s subscription for The Watchtower and three informative Bible booklets, for $1. For information as to how you may share, write us or contact the congregation at the nearest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses.

WHAT WILL 1960 BRING YOU?

Will the year 1960 bring you peace of mind? Will it bring you security and hope for the future? Will it bring you faith and favor with God? It can! Regular reading of the Bible and following its teachings closely will bring you this and more. To insure your full appreciation of what you read you need The Watchtower also. Study it with your Bible and receive the most the new year has to offer you. Send $1 at once for a year’s subscription and you will be sent free the booklets “This Good News of the kingdom,” After Armageddon—God’s New World and Healing of the Nations Has Drawn Near.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

February 28: The Great God Who Is “Doing Wondrous Things.” Page 37.

March 6: The Happy Family of the Wonder-working God. Page 44.