The Watchtower — January 1, 1962

Divine Promises of a New World

FROM what source can a new world come? Is it to men that we should look in hope for a glorious new world? With mankind today threatened with nuclear annihilation, “no-world” state of devastation, how can one speak authoritatively of a new world? And could there really be something that is new?

Man can change only a few surface appearances of things, so that an inspired writer of many centuries ago looked at these things and concluded: “That which has come to be, that is what will come to be; and that which has been done, that is what will be done; and so there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:9) Man studies nature to find discoveries that can be applied to this modern world, and the study of the animal creation—bats, owls, porpoises, moths, and so forth—often yields discoveries to improve man-made mechanisms. But this is nothing new; nature had the principles first. Since there is nothing new under the sun, who could promise something truly new?

A man of faith, Simon Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, put his trust in a promise of something really new; and about 1,900 years ago he wrote: “But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Pet. 3:13) To whose promise was the apostle Peter referring with such confidence, with such assurance that the promise could never fail and was worth waiting for? Not a man’s promise! Over seven centuries before the apostle Peter’s inspired declaration, the prophet Isaiah uttered and wrote down that promise; but he was merely quoting by inspiration the great Promiser, earth’s Creator, who himself said: “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. But exult, you people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating.”—Isa. 65:17, 18.

Though there is “nothing new under the sun,” this does not mean there could be nothing new above the sun. Man’s Creator, whose throne is far above our earth and sun, has promised: “I am creating new heavens and a new earth.” The Creator can indeed create new things that have to do with mankind on the earth.

Since the Promiser of these new things is also their Creator, he can authoritatively speak as if he were already carrying it out, although it was over twenty-six centuries in advance of our day that his promise through Isaiah was uttered.

And what a cause for rejoicing is the fact that this divine promise of a new world includes assurance that it will endure without end! Thus the promised new world will be for God’s unfading glory, and it will continue to glorify him forever, as he has declared: “‘For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I am making are standing before me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘so the offspring of you people and the name of you people will keep standing.’” (Isa. 66:22) These words, addressed to God’s people, the faithful followers of Jesus Christ, show that the new world will stand before Jehovah their Creator forever. Just so, too, he promises that the name of his people will stand before him. It shall not rot like the name of the wicked.

Did the Son of God, Jesus Christ, add his testimony to the divine promises of a glorious new world? Indeed he did! He preached a new-world kingdom! When before Pontius Pilate, Jesus declared: “My kingdom is no part of this world.” And why? Because God’s heavenly kingdom by Jesus Christ is the “new heavens” of the new world. So Jesus’ main teaching was this new-world kingdom, “the kingdom of the heavens.” When Jesus told his followers to pray to God, saying, “Let your kingdom come,” he wanted them to put their trust in God’s kingdom, which would make a new world possible. God’s kingdom, being established in heaven, means that the long-promised new world is at hand. Here, then, is the most momentous news that mankind could receive today! No wonder Jesus called it “good news,” so important that it must be preached in all the inhabited earth for “a witness to all the nations.”—John 18:36; Matt. 10:7; 6:10; 24:14.

Just as the new world has a “new heavens” so it has a “new earth.” Not a new planet earth, but, rather, righteous people who will live on earth in God’s new world, people from all nations who heed the promises of God, put their trust in them and live for that new world now. Today a new-earth society of people is rapidly growing amidst a dying corrupt old world. You may become part of this New World society.

All persons who honestly examine the Creator’s promises concerning the new world are led to put their trust in them, for they are absolutely reliable. Declaring the reliability of both the new world’s newness and its certainty of realization, the apostle John wrote: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away . . . I heard a loud voice from the throne say: ‘Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them.’ And the one seated on the throne said: ‘Look! I am making all things new.’ Also, he says: ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’” (Rev. 21:1, 3, 5) Faithful indeed are the Creator’s promises of a righteous new world. Forever it will endure, to the blessing of all lovers of his kingdom by Jesus Christ.

What shall you do, now that we are face to face with this destiny-making time? Everyone must decide whether to work for the preservation of this wicked world, with certain disappointment in the end, or to serve the interests and prove oneself worthy of the promised new world with its endless joys.

Be Courageous and Strong Through Faith

“Be courageous and very strong to take care to do according to all the law . . . in order that you may act wisely.”—Josh. 1:7.

1. How did Judas prove himself to be the treacherous agent of the Devil, and what indicates that his plans were carefully laid?

IT WAS Nisan 14, A.D. 33, passover night. At Jerusalem treachery was in the air at that late hour of night. The betrayer had his plans well laid. Nothing was left to chance. Yes, there was a full moon, but, thought the betrayer, it could be cloudy, and in that garden of beautiful olive trees the Master might be sitting in the shadow of their leaves. So there must be torches and burning lamps to light the way up the hillside of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus was sure to be. The betrayer “Judas took the soldier band and officers of the chief priests and of the Pharisees and came there with torches and lamps and weapons.” As the Devil’s agent Judas at last proved himself to be the disloyal disciple of Christ Jesus by being the leader of the mob that would soon seize the Son of God. He “knew the place, because Jesus had many times met there with his disciples.”—John 18:2, 3.

2. (a) Why was the betrayal to his enemies no surprise to Jesus? (b) How did he show courage in their presence?

² This was no surprise attack to Jesus. He was aware that he was going to be betrayed that very night and that he would die that same passover day upon a torture stake. “Because he knew before the festival of the passover that his hour had come for him to move out of this world to the Father, Jesus, having loved his own that were in the world, loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) This was the hour; and, hearing the crushing of dirt under many feet and seeing the lights coming closer, “Jesus, therefore, knowing all the things coming upon him, went forth and said to them: ‘Whom are you looking for?’ They answered him: ‘Jesus the Nazarene.’ He said to them: ‘I am he.’” (John 18:4, 5) For him to say that took courage! He knew it meant his death.

3. (a) While with his faithful disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem, how did Jesus show that he knew what lay ahead for him? (b) How was courage on Jesus’ part demonstrated in his prayer in Gethsemane?

³ Just a few hours earlier in “a large upper room” in the city of Jerusalem Jesus introduced to his eleven faithful disciples something new. Judas did not even know about it. He was not there with Jesus when “he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: ‘This means my body which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.’ Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: ‘This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.’” (Luke 22:19, 20) Jesus knew that he must die so as to carry out the will of his Father. In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed to his Father with such earnestness and fervor that “his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground.” He prayed: “Let, not my will, but yours take place.” (Luke 22:42, 44) It took courage to pray this.

4. Contrast Jesus’ courage and Peter’s bravery.

⁴ Jesus Christ had internal strength, full confidence in Jehovah God his Father as he stepped forward into the full light of the moon, the burning torches and the lighted lamps, facing these men with their weapons, swords, clubs and staves. After he identified himself to them, “they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore he asked them again: ‘Whom are you looking for?’ They said: ‘Jesus the Nazarene.’ Jesus answered: ‘I told you I am he.’” (John 18:4-8) He had no fear of men. His hope was in Jehovah! He was calm but courageous. However, Peter, the impetuous one, was the man who was going to display momentary bravery. The historian Mark tells us that the betrayer Judas “came straight up and approached [Jesus] and said: ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him very tenderly. So they laid their hands upon him and took him into custody. However, a certain one of those standing by drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and took his ear off.” (Mark 14:45-47) The name of the slave was Malchus. Jesus, however, said to Peter: “‘Put the sword into its sheath. The cup that the Father has given me, should I not by all means drink it?’ Then the soldier band and the military commander and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, and they led him first to Annas; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.”—John 18:10-13.

5. Even under extreme pressure from the enemy, what course did Jesus reject, and how did he expose their methods of operation?

⁵ Jesus did not show his courage by fighting with carnal weapons nor did he want his disciples to show theirs that way. So he touched the ear of the man that Peter struck and healed him. With calm courage “Jesus then said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and older men that had come there for him: ‘Did you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber? While I was with you in the temple day after day you did not stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour and the authority of darkness.’” (Luke 22:52, 53) Satan the enemy of Jehovah God and of the Son of God did not seize Jesus in broad daylight while preaching in the temple. Stealthily he had his cowards do his dirty work at night. Persons filled with hate, as the Devil is, cannot see light. “He that says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness up to right now.” (1 John 2:9) How true Jesus’ statement: “But this is your hour and the authority of darkness”! It took courage not to fight back.

6, 7. (a) On whom did Jesus rely when brought to trial and why? (b) On the other hand, what was the reaction of Jesus’ disciples at the time of his arrest?

⁶ While this discussion was going on the disciples of Jesus were drawing away to the rear “and they all abandoned him and fled.” (Mark 14:50) However, as they led Jesus off and brought him into the house of the high priest, Peter was following at a distance. “Now Simon Peter as well as another disciple was following Jesus. That disciple was known to the high priest, and he went in with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the door. Therefore the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.” (John 18:15, 16) But did these two disciples have enough courage to stand up for Jesus Christ then? Did they have the faith and strength necessary to stand alone as Jesus was now standing alone before the Jewish religious leaders and later before Roman rulers? It was going to come to that test for them. Jesus was then undergoing a supreme test of his courage. He had a full comprehension of the fight that was then on between Satan and himself. Jesus was trusting in Jehovah! He was setting the right example for all lovers of life to follow. He could say: “Be courageous and let your heart be strong. Yes, hope in Jehovah.”—Ps. 27:14.

⁷ Previously that same night, Nisan 14, Jesus had said to his eleven faithful disciples: “You are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials; and I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom.” Then Jesus addressed his words to Peter and said: “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have you men to sift you as wheat. But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, when once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.” Then Peter said to him: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both into prison and into death.” But Jesus said: “I tell you, Peter, A cock will not crow today until you have three times denied knowing me.” (Luke 22:28-34) Jesus knew that Satan would try to sift all Christians as wheat, and therefore they all needed more faith. They needed a helper, the holy spirit, from God, and this Jesus promised them. He said: “I am telling you the truth, It is for your benefit I am going away. For if I do not go away, the helper will by no means come to you; but if I do go my way, I will send him to you. And when that one arrives he will give the world convincing evidence concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment.”—John 16:7, 8.

AN AID TO COURAGE

8. What aid to courage was provided at Pentecost, in fulfillment of what prophecy, and with what results?

⁸ This helper came later at Pentecost when the faithful followers of Jesus Christ received the outpouring of holy spirit, and this spirit of God moved them to speak in many tongues “about the magnificent things of God.” (Acts 2:11) This, Peter said, was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy too. “‘And in the last days,’ God says, ‘I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh,’” sons, daughters, young and old men as well as slaves. Peter emphatically stated: “This Jesus God resurrected, of which fact we are all witnesses. Therefore because he was exalted to the right hand of God and received the promised holy spirit from the Father, he has poured out this which you see and hear.” (Acts 2:17, 32, 33) On that festival day of Pentecost “about three thousand souls were added” to the Christian congregation. The people saw and heard the power of this helper back there at Pentecost, and people are seeing the effects of it on Jehovah’s witnesses down to this day.

9. How did Peter’s experience on the night of Jesus’ arrest show his need for divine help?

⁹ This helper or gift of the holy spirit Peter and the other disciples did not have at the time Jesus was seized and bound and taken before the chief priest. So we find Peter watching outside and wondering what would happen to Jesus. When “the servant girl, the doorkeeper, then said to Peter: ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said: ‘I am not.’” (John 18:17) Luke gives us a soul-stirring picture of Peter’s public denial that he was a Galilean like Jesus. Said Peter to another inquirer: “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” Then “instantly, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and Peter recalled the utterance of the Lord when he said to him: ‘Before a cock crows today you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:60-62) Peter needed divine help, faith, holy spirit and association with his Christian brothers. On the other hand Jesus was displaying marvelous faith in his heavenly Father. He had no fleshly help. All he could do and wanted to do was hope in Jehovah! So he was courageous.

10. In what way had Jesus prepared his disciples for the trials they were to face, and why was it necessary for him to die?

¹⁰ Jesus, though, had spoken plainly to his disciples about these very happenings and gave warning of what the future would hold for non-compromising Christians. He said: “I have spoken these things to you that you may not be stumbled. Men will expel you from the synagogue. In fact, the hour is coming when everyone that kills you will imagine he has rendered a sacred service to God. But they will do these things because they have not come to know either the Father or me. Nevertheless, I have spoken these things to you that, when the hour for them arrives, you may remember I told them to you. These things, however, I did not tell you at first, because I was with you. But now I am going to him that sent me, and yet not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’” (John 16:1-5) Having Jesus so close to themselves, he being a perfect man, he being the Son of God, he being the Messiah, he being the performer of miracles, it was difficult for the disciples to appreciate that he must die upon the torture stake and be raised from the dead in order to establish his everlasting kingdom that he had taught them to pray for. But he told them all these things, knowing they would get understanding when they received the holy spirit. But their receiving the holy spirit was contingent on his dying and being raised from the dead so that he could go to his Father and prepare a place for his faithful 144,000 followers.

11. What made it possible for Paul to press on courageously to receive the prize of the upward call?

¹¹ With that prepared heavenly place in view, the apostle Paul said: “I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14) To gain that heavenly prize Paul kept up a courageous pursuit. Was he going to let pressure crush him? Was he going to fly to pieces under the impact of tribulation? He answers these questions by saying: “Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? Just as it is written: ‘For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.’ To the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through him that loved us.” (Rom. 8:35-37) So Paul could press on courageously.

12. (a) How is Jesus’ conquest of the world a source of strength to his followers? (b) What, then, is the Christian’s attitude toward other men?

¹² Paul’s faith was so strong that it held firm under all kinds of difficulties. Is yours as strong as that? Paul appreciated now through his own experiences what Jesus on that passover night said to the apostles: “Look! The hour is coming, indeed, it has come, when you will be scattered each one to his own house and you will leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have said these things to you that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:32, 33) When Jesus said: “I have conquered the world,” he meant that if his followers took courage they could conquer the world too. Jesus had a unified heart free from fear of men. (Ps. 86:11) So must his loyal followers have courageous hearts, strong through faith and hope in Jehovah. With such courage every footstep follower of Christ who is doing the will of God will have no fear of any religious, political or business man, because he will glorify only Jehovah’s name. He can respect men but not venerate or fear men. “Trembling at men is what lays a snare, but he that is trusting in Jehovah will be protected.”—Prov. 29:25.

HISTORIC EXAMPLES

13. What example of courage do we have in Moses?

¹³ There are numerous examples of real courage in the lives of God’s dedicated people. Moses was one of such examples. Even as Jesus admonished his disciples to take courage, so Moses long previous admonished Joshua and a whole nation to take courage. Moses had courage when standing before Pharaoh, telling him about the ten plagues that were coming upon Egypt. Thereafter it also took courage for Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea and on into the wilderness of Sinai. It took courage also to go up alone into the mountain of Sinai and receive from Jehovah God the Ten Commandments and be willing to guide the children of Israel under these laws.

14. Was real courage demonstrated in the spying out of the Promised Land?

¹⁴ It took courage for the twelve spies whom Moses chose to go into the Promised Land to see in advance what kind of country it was. These men went north to the Negeb and on into the mountainous region to learn what kind of people were dwelling in the land. Were they strong people or weak? Were they few or many? Was the land good or bad? They were to spy out the cities, dwellings, encampments and the fortifications. Was the land fat or lean, and were there trees? Before the spies set out, Moses said: “You must show yourselves courageous and take some of the fruitage of the land.” They did so. “Finally at the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land.” (Num. 13:17-25) What was the report? The land was flowing with milk and honey. In proof they brought along some of its fruitage. All this was a good report; but ten spies were afraid of the people who lived there. They told of the very great fortified cities. Fearfully they said not to go into the land. But Caleb, a courageous spy like Joshua, said: “Let us go up directly, and we are bound to take possession of it, because we can surely prevail over it.” (Num. 13:30) But the Israelites were afraid because of the majority report. They did not trust in Jehovah God. They murmured against Moses and his brother Aaron, and many went on to say: “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness!”—Num. 14:2.

15. What held back the Israelites from going on into the Promised Land, but how did Joshua and Caleb endeavor to encourage the people?

¹⁵ The fear of men, the fear of the governments that were possessing the Promised Land, held back the children of Israel from going forward even though they had the preceding year passed through the Red Sea, gaining deliverance from Egypt, under the guidance of Jehovah God. All of this should have been fresh in their memory. Moses and Aaron, seeing the attitude of the people, fell upon their faces before all the congregation of Israel. Joshua and Caleb; two faithful men who had spied out the land, ripped their garments apart, “and they proceeded to say this to all the assembly of the sons of Israel: ‘The land that we passed through to spy it out is a very, very good land. If Jehovah has found delight in us, then he will certainly bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that is flowing with milk and honey. Only against Jehovah do not rebel; and you, do not you fear the people of the land, for they are bread to us. Their shelter has turned away from over them, and Jehovah is with us. Do not fear them.’”—Num. 14:5-9.

16. What did the Israelites lack that caused them to continue as wanderers in the wilderness?

¹⁶ If these Israelites had had the spirit of David, who lived centuries later, they would have cried out enthusiastically: “Be courageous, and may your heart be strong, all you who are waiting for Jehovah.” (Ps. 31:24) They would have moved ahead. But they lacked courage and stayed as wanderers in the wilderness. They had no faith, therefore no courage. Now they would be like exiles for forty years until the whole faithless generation died off. What a disgrace, when they with courage could have been conquerors!

17. How did Moses, at the age of 120, show faith when he gave advice to the Israelites?

¹⁷ With the rebellious ones having died off in forty years, the time came for the nation to cross the river Jordan into the Promised Land. Moses, 120 years old, was about to die too. But he was not weak in faith, for with conviction he said to the nation: “Jehovah your God is the one crossing before you. He himself will annihilate these nations from before you, and you must drive them away. Joshua is the one crossing before you, just as Jehovah has spoken.” Now comes very strong admonition from Moses for all the new generation of Israel to hear: “Be courageous and strong. Do not be afraid or suffer a shock before [these enemies], because Jehovah your God is the one marching with you. He will neither desert you nor leave you entirely.”—Deut. 31:3, 6.

18. Speaking to Joshua, what advice did Moses give, and how did the people respond to Joshua’s courageous leadership?

¹⁸ Moses talked to Joshua personally as their leader and said: “Be courageous and strong, because you—you will bring this people into the land that Jehovah swore to their forefathers to give to them, and you yourself will give it to them as an inheritance.” (Deut. 31:7) Did the Israelites show courage to follow their new courageous leader? History proves they did. They marched with Joshua across the Jordan, and Jehovah gave them the victory over their enemies.

COURAGE TO FACE A NEW WORLD

19. For the Israelites to move into their new land required what on their part?

¹⁹ To the children of Israel this was like going into a new world. It was a new land, not a wilderness, but a very pleasant land, virtually a Garden of Eden. They had to work for it, in fact, fight for it, but not in their own strength. It took faith in God, for his servant Moses said: “He himself will annihilate these nations from before you.”

20. (a) What questions concerning New World prospects properly arise in these last days? (b) In what way are many proving the depth of their faith in God’s new world?

²⁰ In these last days, at the conclusion of this system of things, how many people have the courage to move on into a new world of righteousness? Yes, how many even want it? How many have the courage to preach it publicly and from house to house? Do you believe that the Greater Moses, Christ Jesus, died for you so that you could live in that promised land on earth, actually the new Garden of Eden? How much do you believe in the new world of righteousness? Only enough to pray silently or inside a religious building: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth”? (Matt. 6:10) Hundreds of thousands of men and women of all nations not only believe in praying for that kingdom but are actually proclaiming it loudly, publicly, just as Jesus and his faithful followers did one thousand nine hundred years ago. Are you?

21, 22. How can we today benefit from advice that Jehovah gave to Joshua?

²¹ Read what Paul wrote for us today: “Now these things . . . were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the system of things have arrived.” (1 Cor. 10:11) Do you feel just as Joshua felt when Jehovah said to him: “Only be courageous and very strong to take care to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, in order that you may act wisely everywhere you go. This book of the law should not depart from your mouth, and you must in an undertone read in it day and night, in order that you may take care to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful and then you will act wisely”? (Josh. 1:7, 8) Faith and courage did it then! Faith and courage will do it today, if all believers will not depart from the complete “book of the law,” the Holy Bible. Read it! Study it! Live it! Make this matter of taking in knowledge of Jehovah God and his Son your life, because that is just what it is.—John 17:3.

²² No one can turn aside from the instruction of Jehovah God, not even right or left, and act wisely. Wisdom comes from Jehovah God. He is the source of all knowledge, and the information men need today is found in Jehovah’s written Word. Oh yes, many will say the Bible is old-fashioned, an ancient history book. Is it? Well, your salvation is written in there. Life or death—which do you choose? It takes courage today for most people to look inside a Bible, let alone study it or discuss it with someone. If it was necessary for Jehovah to tell Joshua: “This book of the law should not depart from your mouth and you must in an undertone read it day and night,” in order for him to “act wisely,” how much more do we need it today so as to act wisely! Let us have the courage today to do so in this world. A person who believes and lives according to the teachings of Christ will have the necessary courage to act even when faced with tribulation. Satan, “the god of this system of things,” will not be his friend any more than he was Jesus’ friend. Satan was Jesus’ adversary. He is the adversary of all Christians, too, but they can courageously conquer his world.

Courage to Conquer Religious Opposition

1. On what is Christian courage based, and how has such courage been demonstrated by servants of God?

MOSES stood before Pharaoh with courage. Joshua was courageous when going into the Promised Land. David, though a shepherd lad, stood courageously before the giant warrior Goliath. Jesus faced his adversary with courage. All these men received their courage through faith in Jehovah God. They believed! After God’s spirit was poured out at Pentecost the early Christians did the will of God whole-souled and were full of faith. (Eph. 6:6) The message concerning the kingdom of the heavens had to be given out to mankind. Jesus Christ must be preached as the way of salvation. The apostles, filled with holy spirit, had a message concerning Jesus to declare: “Let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you impaled.” (Acts 2:36) The fear that scattered the disciples just for knowing or being with Jesus on the night that he was taken prisoner was all gone. Courage had now taken its place through faith.

2. How did those who came to the apostles to listen and to be healed show they had faith and courage?

² Multitudes came from cities round about Jerusalem to hear the apostles speak, and they brought the sick persons “upon little beds and cots, in order that, as Peter would go by, at least his shadow might fall upon some one of them.” What faith! All of them with such faith would be cured. It took courage to come and be cured. (Acts 5:14-16) The preaching of the good news then knew no bounds—neither should it today. With courage Jesus had overcome the world; now the disciples of Christ Jesus must do so. Did they have enough courage through faith? Let us see.

3, 4. (a) What test that came upon the apostles called for courage on their part? (b) Why did the Jewish religious opposers become greatly disturbed?

³ A test of courage came when “the high priest and all those with him, the then existing sect of the Sadducees, rose and became filled with jealousy, and they laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public place of custody. But during the night Jehovah’s angel opened the doors of the prison, brought them out and said: ‘Be on your way, and, having taken a stand in the temple, keep on speaking to the people all the sayings about this life.’” (Acts 5:17-20) Under such a command by Jehovah’s angel the apostles were not hesitant; they were not fearful. True, they had been thrown into jail the day before, but they were trained to preach and preaching was their work as ministers. They were commanded to speak about “this life” and tell the people how to get it. At daybreak they went into the temple and taught the people.

⁴ When the high priest arrived, he called together the Sanʹhedrin and assembled the older men of the sons of Israel, and they sent officers to the jail to bring the prisoners forth. In amazement they said: “The jail we found locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but on opening up we found no one inside.” Such a situation was enough to disturb anyone. And these Jews were especially disturbed because they wanted to stop this preaching of the good news. Just about this time a certain man arrived and reported: “Look! The men you put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”

5. (a) When again ordered by religious authorities to quit preaching, how did the apostles reply? (b) Why was it that this persecution was coming on the apostles?

⁵ “Then the captain went off with his officers and proceeded to bring them, but without violence, as they were afraid of being stoned by the people. So they brought them and stood them in the Sanʹhedrin hall. And the high priest questioned them and said: ‘We positively ordered you not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name, and yet, look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.’ In answer Peter and the other apostles said: ‘We must obey God as ruler rather than men. The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew, hanging him upon a stake. God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these matters, and so is the holy spirit, which God has given to those obeying him as ruler.’” (Acts 5:22-32) Surely the apostles recalled Jesus’ words then: “A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also; if they have observed my word, they will observe yours also. But they will do all these things against you on account of my name, because they do not know him that sent me.” (John 15:20, 21) How true Jesus’ words were now for the apostles!

6. What did the experience in that religious court show as to the heart condition of those early Christians?

⁶ The words of those apostles in that religious court show that fear of man was gone. Even the fear of the religious high priest and those associated with him was gone. The hearts of those early Christians were unified in the fear of Almighty God.—Ps. 86:11.

CHRISTIAN COURAGE IN SPAIN IN 1961

7. (a) As we read of the experiences of those first-century Christians, what questions must we ask ourselves? (b) Where are Jehovah’s witnesses today faced with a similar situation?

⁷ When you read thrilling experiences like this of the early Christian congregation, how does it make you feel? What would you as a Christian under such circumstances do about further declaring of the good news of God’s kingdom? Just what position would you take if you were in a country where the government and the religious leaders declared that you may not under any circumstances express yourself? What would you do if you were in a Catholic country or any other country and were told by the authorities, ‘We positively order you not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name’ and not to speak publicly about your God and his written Word? That is the situation that many Christian witnesses of Jehovah find themselves in in the country of Spain right now.

8. (a) What is the cause of the persecution of Jehovah’s witnesses in Spain? (b) How have many freedom-loving persons made known their protest, but what reply have some received?

⁸ Because of the persecution that has been brought upon Jehovah’s witnesses for preaching the good news of God’s kingdom in Spain, many individuals throughout the world have written letters of protest to the Spanish government and their official representatives in different countries. The persecution is being brought upon Jehovah’s witnesses by the Spanish government and the Catholic clergy who incite the government. In reply to protests of this kind the Spanish Embassy in Washington, D. C., writes:

“There is complete freedom of worship in my country as article VI of the Bill of Rights (Fuero de los Españoles) states: ‘Nobody shall be molested for his religious beliefs nor in the private exercise of his worship.’

“No one can claim that there is no freedom of worship in Spain where for 15,000 non-Catholic Spaniards there are about 260 Protestant churches and a few mosques and synagogues. It must be understood that religious proselytism or propaganda is not permitted by a duly approved law which intends to prevent any possible disorder or reaction. The overwhelming majority of the country is, as you surely know, Catholic. On the other hand Catholics believe that Protestant doctrines are in error. Therefore, the Spanish Government cannot admit error be spread among its citizens. This attitude is a logical consequence of its beliefs.”

9. (a) So what is the viewpoint of the Spanish government on matters of worship? (b) What is it that Jehovah’s witnesses are doing in Spain?

⁹ From this we see the Spanish government says you can believe what you want to, but do not tell anyone. It must be “a private exercise of his worship.” The position taken by the Embassy is that the Catholics believe that Protestant doctrines are in error, and, of course, they class Jehovah’s witnesses as being Protestant because they are the only ones in Spain that are protesting the false teachings of the Catholic Church. What are Jehovah’s witnesses doing in Spain? They are not causing a disturbance. They are merely trying to teach the Bible to the people, which the Catholic Church does not want the people to have. True, Jehovah’s witnesses are talking to Catholics, because there are not many other people in that country to talk to. So if they are going to preach in Spain they must speak to Catholics about God’s Word.

10. How did there come to be a similar situation involving religious intolerance on the part of Jews toward the early Christians?

¹⁰ In the days of the first Christians shortly after Pentecost, when there were only a few thousand who professed to be Christians, in what country were these Christians situated? In a solid-Jewish community. The Jews, through their rulers, had already put the Christians’ leader, Jesus Christ, on the torture stake and killed him so as to stamp out this “new religion.” But these followers of Christ still had Christ’s message in their hearts and minds. As the years went on many others received the good news through the apostles, and the truth of God’s Word spread. The apostles could not close their own mouths nor could any of the converted Jews. (Acts 5:41, 42) But the Jewish religious leaders did not want anyone in their community to hear this new teaching. What did these religious priests do but arrest these followers of Christ and throw them into prison. On letting them go after a flogging, thinking that they had scared them, the priests through their chief said: ‘We positively order you not to keep teaching upon the basis of Jesus’ name.’ (Acts 5:28-40) These religionists could easily make laws; they were in power. But what about the command of Christ Jesus to his followers to preach the truth? Whom would you have obeyed?

11. So today in Spain what two commands are seen to be in conflict?

¹¹ The same situation exists in Spain 1900 years later. The Spanish Catholic law says you cannot talk to others about the Bible. They say Jehovah’s witnesses may carry on the private exercise of their worship but they may not do what Christ commanded: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Matt. 28:19) No, not in Spain!

12. (a) In view of the current religious situation in Spain, would the apostle Paul be welcomed there? (b) Are there some persons in Spain who appreciate the preaching done by Jehovah’s witnesses, and why so?

¹² The early Christians would not think of stopping the proclamation of the good news and they did not stop, regardless of all the persecution and trials that were brought upon them. We today thank God that they had the courage to press on, because many more thousands of people in many lands learned the way of eternal life. At one time Paul hoped to go to Spain, but Paul in his aggressive ministry would not be welcome in Spain today. The truths that he taught would not coincide with the false doctrines, the ceremonies and the dictatorial attitude of the Catholic Church in Spain now. However, thousands of Spanish people are grateful that Jehovah’s witnesses have persisted in preaching from house to house and that they come to their homes and study the Bible with them and that they are obeying God as ruler rather than the Catholic bishops of Spain. Why so? Because many individuals in Spain have learned the truth, have withdrawn from the Catholic Church and now have the joy of proclaiming the message as other faithful witnesses of Jehovah have been doing for years.

13. What report shows that this religious opposition in Spain is not new?

¹³ In the 1952 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, page 75, this report is published about Spain:

“The police, ever on the alert, watch the publishers very closely, resulting in the following experience: Two of the servants of the Barcelona units found apparent interest in a certain house and arranged for a Bible study. When they made the return call they found two members of the secret police waiting for them. They were arrested. Their homes were searched, literature was seized and they were put in prison. Later the literature was carefully examined and they were questioned. However, little was said until the police found an article in ¡Despertad! (Awake!) about Franco and conditions in Spain. That roused the anger of the police and the two brothers had to stand the fire of abuse and threat. However, after filing a complete police record of them and warning them of the consequences if they continued in their work of preaching the good news, the authorities let the brothers go.”

14. In the past ten years what has resulted from obedience to God’s law on the part of Witnesses in Spain?

¹⁴ In those days, ten years ago, there were, in Spain, only 121 of Jehovah’s witnesses preaching the good news of the Kingdom. But these courageous witnesses of Jehovah God would not keep quiet. They kept preaching the good news. And many of those they talked to during the years learned the truth and dedicated their lives to Jehovah God, and these too have preached, until now, ten years later, there are 2,141 ministers, Jehovah’s witnesses, preaching the truth in Spain. So during all these ten years of persecution, which is now getting worse, Jehovah’s witnesses in Spain have done the same thing that Jehovah’s witnesses did in Palestine. They have obeyed “God as ruler rather than men.”—Acts 5:29.

COURAGE FOR RELIGIOUS PURIFICATION

15. In the days of King Asa how was courage in the promoting of true worship manifested?

¹⁵ It takes courage to stand up against a whole people or a nation and promote true worship as King Asa did in the land of Judah 978 years before Christ: “And Asa proceeded to do what was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God. So he removed the foreign altars and the high places and broke up the sacred pillars and cut down the sacred poles.” The prophet Oded encouraged King Asa. “And as soon as Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and proceeded to cause the disgusting things to vanish from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had captured from the mountainous region of Ephraim, and to renew Jehovah’s altar that was before the porch of Jehovah.” (2 Chron. 14:2, 3; 15:8) King Asa had to hope in Jehovah and be strong and courageous to do this. But he had the backing of God, and he told the people “to search for Jehovah the God of their forefathers.”—2 Chron. 14:4.

16. How have Jehovah’s witnesses done an iconoclastic work?

¹⁶ Jehovah’s Christian witnesses have shown this same kind of courage in all the nations of the world. They have done an iconoclastic work even in Christendom, where millions of Catholics worship images instead of the true God. Because of Jehovah’s witnesses’ teaching the people what the Bible says about image worship many have destroyed their images. Around the earth there is much image veneration of all kinds of gods, large and small. Hundreds of thousands of open-minded people, however, have listened to Jehovah’s witnesses and learned what God’s Word says about image worship; and these have taken courage and broken away from their religious systems and their idol worship, as Asa directed the people to do long ago.

17. In Ephesus how did Paul’s preaching affect the image makers, and with what outcome?

¹⁷ Paul had the very same situation to face in his day. It was not Paul’s purpose to put someone out of business. Rather he said: “Woe is me if I did not declare the good news!” (1 Cor. 9:16) He was obligated to tell the truth, and the result was that many people stopped buying images. Demetrius was in the business of making silver shrines of Artemis, and shrinemaking was a good business then. It still is today, especially in the Catholic religion. But this business of making and selling images was slowing down to a noticeable extent as a result of what Paul was telling the people. It took courage to go right on preaching with big business fighting him. Really all he was doing was preaching the truth from God’s Word and directing them to the true worship of Jehovah God. However, this Demetrius did not like losing business. So he said to his fellow craftsmen: “Also, you behold and hear how not only in Ephesus but in nearly all the district of Asia this Paul has persuaded a considerable crowd and turned them to another opinion, saying that the ones that are made by hands are not gods.” (Acts 19:26) This speech caused quite a disturbance in the city of Ephesus. A mob was formed. This caused a great uproar, ‘and people shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”’ “Now after the uproar had subsided, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had encouraged them [his brothers] and bidden them farewell, he went forth to journey into Macedonia. After going through those parts and encouraging the ones there with many a word, he came into Greece.”—Acts 19:34; 20:1, 2.

18. Why is it necessary to expose the falsity of image worship?

¹⁸ As it was in Asa’s day and Paul’s day, we find it to be true right down to our day. Image worship, which is false worship, must be brought to the attention of superstitious people who are seeking truth and righteousness, so that they can turn away from their false religion.

19. What enables one to have the courage to face and win out over religious opposition?

¹⁹ While Christian overseers like Paul see it is their privilege to talk to strangers about the good news, at the same time overseers must encourage the faithful Christians themselves with many a word to press on in the right way. Paul’s faithfulness under persecution stimulated those Christians truly dedicated to God to continue on in their work even though Paul would be leaving them. To see people turning away from idol worship and associating with the true worshipers of Jehovah is very encouraging, but one must also face the wrath of the religious organization these people are leaving. Faith in what one believes enables one to face the trials, but one can face them more courageously by regularly meeting with the congregation of God’s people, who have the same mind and spirit.

MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT

20. Do overseers need encouragement too? What do the Scriptures show?

²⁰ Did you ever stop to think too that the overseer who helps bring the congregation on to Christian maturity also needs encouragement? His being encouraged and strengthened in his own faith can very often flow from the most humble, meek and backward person in the congregation. The very presence of that person at the meetings and the interchange of expressions with him help the overseer and others within the congregation of God to help one another. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul said he took courage because of the congregation. He tells us how he learned that Titus’ spirit had “been refreshed by all of you” in the congregation. Titus had an important position as overseer with the early church, and he was built up and encouraged by the very ones he went to serve. Titus loved this congregation because he saw the obedience of all of them. What effect did this successful visit of Titus have upon Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, the one who felt “the anxiety for all the congregations” daily? Paul tells us what it did to him: “I rejoice that in every way I may have good courage by reason of you.” (2 Cor. 7:13, 16) Yes, Paul was made strong and courageous through the congregation’s faith.

21. How did Paul’s prison experiences impart courage to his Christian brothers?

²¹ On the other hand, Paul’s unwavering faithfulness even in prison in Rome gave courage to his brothers. Paul’s prison bonds became “public knowledge in association with Christ among all the praetorian guard and all the rest; and most of the brothers in the Lord, feeling confidence by reason of my prison bonds, are showing all the more courage to speak the word of God fearlessly.” (Phil. 1:13, 14) Paul’s right example of going to prison for righteousness was a boon to the Christian congregations. Paul’s writing letters to congregations throughout the world and doing this while in prison stimulated all the followers of Christ and made them press on fearlessly. It made Paul happy and he rejoiced to see the courage of his brothers in speaking the word of God regardless of what happened to them in the various districts of the Roman Empire. The same is true today.

22, 23. (a) How do true Christians today react when their brothers are persecuted? (b) As to facing persecution, what counsel did Peter give?

²² When a Christian is taken to prison for speaking the good news, or when he is put into a concentration camp because he refuses to say that salvation comes from a man like Hitler and his government, or when he is persecuted or harassed because he preaches the Bible to his neighbor but the law of the land says you may not talk about God’s kingdom to anyone, then God’s people will show their faith with courage to all the world. Let the whole of the Devil’s organization try to throttle down the preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom in these last days and it will boomerang on them. The light of God’s Word will shine through no matter how great are the persecution and tribulation that are brought to bear against the faithful servants of God. That is just as true among Christians today as it was among those who made up the early Christian band. Peter gave Jehovah’s Christian witnesses and all others who want to get out of this scared-to-death world this advice:

²³ “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are happy. However, the object of their fear do not you fear, neither become agitated. But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.”—1 Pet. 3:14, 15.

24, 25. (a) Why do not the fears of the world dominate the lives of those dedicated to the doing of Jehovah’s will, but what enables them to be world conquerors? (b) How did the brothers from Rome give courage to Paul and, by doing so, show their love for Jesus?

²⁴ Today we are living in a time of the world’s fear, fear of annihilating itself. Yet why is there such fear among the nations? Because there is no love. Jesus said: “Love one another just as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) This kind of love you will find in people dedicated to the doing of Jehovah’s will, and they will suffer for the sake of righteousness and do it together with a mild temper. But where is there any love among the nations today or even among all the peoples of the various nations? If you want to find such love you will have to separate yourself from the nations as Jesus and the early Christians did. Jesus said: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:16) To take such a position in this world full of fear takes courage. But it can be done, as Jesus said: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) So can you if you are a dedicated Christian. Many have conquered, and your brothers will help you even though the situation at times looks dark. When Paul was on his way to prison in Rome the congregation went out to meet him, and the record in Acts 28:14, 15 says: “From there the brothers, when they heard the news about us, came to meet us as far as the Market Place of Appius and Three Taverns and, upon catching sight of them, Paul thanked God and took courage.”

²⁵ These brothers from Rome came out to meet a stranger to them, but he was a brother in bonds. They had never seen Paul before; but they remembered Jesus’ words: “I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; naked, and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matt. 25:35, 36) The dedicated Christians in Rome never had the opportunity to wait on Christ Jesus as the apostles and Mary and Martha and many others had waited on Jesus and taken care of his needs in Palestine. But Jesus said: “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.” What was being done for Paul was like doing it to Jesus. Their just meeting Paul showed the love and faith the congregation had for a faithful brother, and this act on the part of the congregation gave Paul courage.—Matt. 25:40.

26. How can we today, even in the face of religious opposition, maintain courage and keep our hearts strong?

²⁶ Do you need courage? Then let us meet together, “not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25) Today thousands of people conscious of their spiritual need are pulling away from this wicked world and seeking the truth with Jehovah’s witnesses. They are coming from all kinds of religious groups, as well as from those persons who say they have no religious affiliation. Why? Because they love life, and Jehovah’s witnesses study the Bible. This will help them to build up their faith in God the Giver of life. As these thousands study the Word of God together with the congregation of God’s dedicated people their faith will be built up and that will make them courageous and strong—a necessary thing in these days. Then the world’s fear is no longer their fear, because Jehovah’s active witnesses are actually waiting for the destruction of this system of things in the battle of Armageddon. While they are waiting they proclaim Jehovah’s kingdom as the only hope for mankind. Even though the nations and most of the peoples of the world disagree with their comforting message, and many witnesses of Jehovah are persecuted, imprisoned, even killed for preaching from God’s Word, they call to mind the strengthening words of the psalmist David: “Be courageous, and may your heart be strong, all you who are waiting for Jehovah.”—Ps. 31:24.

Be Imitators of Christ and Show Your Courage

1. (a) What does it mean to be a Christian? (b) Are dedication and baptism sufficient?

DO YOU say you are a Christian? If you answer “Yes,” could you prove it to the apostle Paul? Listen to him talking to us: “Now that we have left the primary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying a foundation again, namely, repentance from dead works, and faith toward God.” (Heb. 6:1) Our being Christians means we have dedicated our lives to the service or worship of God and have confessed this step publicly by being baptized. Has our progress as a Christian ended there? Let us never think that by doing that much it is as far as we need to go. It is not! It is just the beginning of “a new birth to a living hope.”—1 Pet. 1:3.

2. To what did Paul liken dedicated Christians, and what reward belongs to such Christians?

² The truly dedicated person must move ahead, must make progress. Having “tasted the fine word of God” he must courageously imitate Christ and go on doing God’s will. To this end Jehovah has poured out his holy spirit on all sorts of flesh and so has revealed the magnificent things of God. A Christian, having had the opportunity to take in knowledge of God and his purposes, is like soil drinking up rain. He must now be productive. The apostle Paul said: “The ground that drinks in the rain which often comes upon it, and that then brings forth vegetation suitable to those for whom it is also cultivated, receives in return a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is rejected and is near to being cursed; and it ends up with being burned.” (Heb. 6:7, 8) What kind of soil do we want to be? Fine soil, of course, for Jesus said of persons like fine soil: “These are the ones that, after hearing the word with a fine and good heart, retain it and bear fruit with endurance.”—Luke 8:15.

3. (a) What are the “works of the flesh,” and who produce them? (b) What kind of fruitage do real Christians work to produce?

³ Just what are you producing as a Christian in God’s organization? Is it good fruits? Or is it fruit like millions of so-called Christians produce, the “works of the flesh,” as Paul puts it? In plain language he enumerates the “works of the flesh” as “fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, hatreds, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these.” (Gal. 5:19-21) These are bad fruits, “thorns and thistles.” But how many persons in Christendom are bearing good fruit “with endurance”? For a real Christian to “press on to maturity” his fruitage would have to be “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22, 23) To produce love, joy and peace today in this world of strife, hatred and fits of anger takes courage.

4. How did Paul counsel Christians to produce better fruitage?

⁴ Paul had warm love for his brothers and he was convinced that their fruitage would not be “thorns and thistles” but the better things, which would be accompanied with salvation. Therefore Paul wanted to stir the Christians up to produce better fruitage. They needed it! So he said: “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work . . . But we desire each one of you to show the same industriousness . . . in order that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb. 6:10-12) Each and every Christian must show eager concern about the hope set before him right down to the end. No one may become lazy, because, if he does, he will never inherit the promises.

5. Why is sluggishness to be avoided?

⁵ That statement of Paul’s is just as true today as it was when he said it nineteen hundred years ago. Today everyone in the congregation of God must be a dedicated, ordained minister, a preaching and teaching minister, and there is no time between now and “down to the end” to become sluggish. A Christian must be an industrious person. He took on this work to get things done. Otherwise there would be no basis for his hope ever to be realized. Paul felt that way about his meeting his obligations and said: “Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!” (1 Cor. 9:16) If ever there was an energetic follower of Christ who wanted to help all people proclaim God’s kingdom it was Paul. He said: “I have made myself the slave to all, that I may gain the most persons.” (1 Cor. 9:19) He had no use for lazy people. There was work to be done. His Master, Jesus, died in this work, and Paul, being a good imitator of him, could say to us: “Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ.”—1 Cor. 11:1.

6. As Christians, what questions are we faced with, and what are the preferred answers?

⁶ Can you as a Christian say you “do not loiter at your business,” that you are “aglow with the spirit,” that you “slave for Jehovah”? Do you, because of preaching the good news of God’s kingdom, “endure under tribulation”? (Rom. 12:11, 12) Yes! you may say; but how much time do you spend talking to other people about Jehovah the Creator of heaven and earth, and about his Son, Christ Jesus, and the Kingdom you pray for in the Lord’s Prayer? Do you devote ten hours a month to this work of talking, or just two and a half hours a week, only twenty minutes a day? Think about it! That is not too much time for a Christian to spend, is it, in order to show he is an imitator of Christ?

7. (a) How many publishers, on the average, spent time in declaring the good news in 1961? In how many lands? (b) What happened in totalitarian lands? (c) To what should all Christians be stimulated by the courage of those in totalitarian lands?

⁷ Jehovah’s witnesses may not loiter at their business. Theirs is a world-wide assignment to prophesy and speak of the wonderful things of God. In their world organization there were 884,587 individuals, on the average, who every month during 1961 devoted some hours declaring the good news of God’s kingdom. They met up with much opposition to their preaching in many of the 185 lands and islands of the sea where they preached, particularly behind the Iron Curtain. In those lands under totalitarian oppression we find a marked decrease in the number of ministers talking about God’s Word to others. The pressure was very great and the loss sustained in regular publishers came to 9,405. It could be, though, that not all the reports from these persecuted and harassed witnesses of Jehovah ever got through to the branch offices. However, what courage the witnesses of Jehovah must have had in these countries in order to continue to imitate Christ Jesus and stay in the ministry! It should stimulate all Christians everywhere else to devote more time to the great Bible educational work being carried on in these last days and on down to the end of these days.

8. In what ways has the work of Jehovah’s witnesses moved ahead during the past year?

⁸ Throughout the whole earth Jehovah’s witnesses have increased 3.9 percent during the past year in the number of those sharing in the Kingdom proclamation. But in 175 countries, excluding Iron Curtain countries and countries where the work is banned and where reports are incomplete, the average increase in Kingdom publishers was 5.8 percent, or 42,614 more witnesses of Jehovah. However, when we subtract from these the loss of ministers in the ten countries where Jehovah’s witnesses are under ban, the net gain in regular monthly ministers world-wide is 33,209. The highest number of Witnesses preaching any one month during the year was 965,169—truly a great crowd of praisers.

9, 10. (a) What should all remember, and so why not look for the easy way out? (b) Did having more publishers mean greater activity? (c) How could there have been greater improvement?

⁹ Many of these, however, who claim to be Jehovah’s witnesses have some serious things to think about. All should know that Jehovah looks on the heart. Further, all should ‘remember those who are taking the lead among them, who have spoken the word of God to them, and as all contemplate how their conduct turns out all should imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.’ (Heb. 13:7, 8) Paul said: “Do not be carried away with various and strange teachings.” So do not look for an easy way out of your responsibility. As Christians Jehovah’s witnesses have a work to get done, and so everyone claiming to be dedicated to Jehovah God must examine himself to see if he is really doing God’s work and is an imitator of Jesus Christ, be he a young student in school, or a single person without obligations, or a married person. All must be Christians in their everyday life. Their light must shine. How and to what extent is your light shining?

¹⁰ With 33,209 more witnesses of Jehovah reporting in 1961, there were only 1,032,856 additional hours spent in preaching the good news. Why? Had just these witnesses of Jehovah let their light shine twenty minutes a day, two and a half hours a week, ten hours each month, they could have spent 3,985,080 hours preaching the good news during the year. Throughout the world the average hours of the congregation publisher dropped, and the same can be said for the pioneers and special pioneers. Why?

11. Did the number of Bible studies conducted increase over the previous year?

¹¹ There were 23,443 fewer Bible studies conducted during the year. A lower number of hours, on the average, by the Kingdom publishers often means fewer Bible studies. It takes time to conduct a Bible study, and still there were more persons to conduct more Bible studies. What is happening? Could it be too much loitering for some, some not carrying out their responsibility, not imitating Christ?

12. Did the number of pioneers increase, and why is this of concern to God’s organization?

¹² Another outstanding weakness in the report shows that there were 1,227 fewer pioneers in the field this year than last year. Still there were 33,209 more persons who went out regularly in the work as congregation publishers. In the freer countries the increase in publishers was 42,614. Where among these and the rest of the publishers is the pioneer spirit, like that had by the apostle Paul?

13. What admonition did Paul give to all as regards their responsibility?

¹³ As the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses gets larger, closer attention and supervision must be given to the individuals in it. Are the congregation servants, the circuit servants and district servants doing that? How necessary it is to heed the warning: “Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God; but keep on exhorting one another each day, as long as it may be called ‘Today,’ for fear any one of you should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin.” (Heb. 3:12, 13) Brothers, Paul felt his responsibility; do you feel yours?

14. How many hours were spent preaching in 1961, but what questions arise?

¹⁴ Right now in most parts of the world Jehovah’s witnesses do not have to suffer the trials and difficulties that their brothers do behind the Iron Curtain. How many can take advantage of this and arrange their affairs and time so as to have much greater shares in preaching the good news wherever they are? It is true that 132,695,540 hours were spent during the 1961 service year in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom, but could there have been more? Are times so good in this old world that it makes one forget about the time he hopes to spend in the new world? This is no time to be “drawing away from the living God.” Keep that strong heart. Yes, hope in Jehovah.—Ps. 27:14.

15. What is each publisher invited to do?

¹⁵ When you study the 1961 field service chart on pages 22-25 note some of the big, prosperous, industrial countries of the world and explain to yourself why there is only a 2- or 3-percent increase in publishers in such countries. Compare your country’s total hours with last year’s total hours and see if you gave a greater witness in your assigned territory. If not, then ask yourself, Why? Have I had anything to do with the decrease, or the seeming standstill, or with the little progress made? Every dedicated person has a responsibility before Jehovah God to preach the good news. This Kingdom message is vital to the lives of millions of persons before Armageddon breaks. How did your congregation affect this year’s report? These are things for each dedicated person to consider. Do you feel every home in your territory was called on often enough? Was there any relaxing or sluggishness on the part of the dedicated ones in your congregation? Did you go out of your way to help them if any brothers were slowing down? Are you satisfied with your service report? Are you serving Jehovah whole-souled?

16. In spite of some saying we call at their homes too often, how should we view the matter?

¹⁶ These are questions that Jehovah’s witnesses must consider, because they are God’s servants, yes, “ambassadors substituting for Christ” and, if really substituting, then they must be imitating Christ. To be sure, many people do tell us that we call at their doors too often. But, on the other hand, there are millions of persons being comforted. Are we to slow down in doing good because some do not want the good? Paul looked at it this way: “Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.” (Rom. 12:21) When a Christian keeps working at conquering evil with good, then a lot of good is dispensed in this wicked world.

17. What good was done during the year with the Watchtower and Awake! magazines and with the bound books and booklets?

¹⁷ Look at the good being done for the readers of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Jehovah’s witnesses obtained 1,322,695 new subscriptions during the year. That was excellent, and the distribution of individual copies of the magazines, The Watchtower and Awake! was fine too. There were 105,281,876 copies distributed by the brothers all over the world. This was an increase over last year of 5,686 new subscriptions and 8,199,443 individual copies of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines distributed by Jehovah’s witnesses. They also placed 3,887,207 bound books and 10,763,408 copies of booklets.

18. (a) How well did the work go in the back-call field? (b) How many congregations were formed during the year?

¹⁸ Think of the good done through the back-call work. Back-calls on interested people increased by 563,287. There were 549 more congregations established throughout the world, making a total of 21,557. More circuit and district servants were sent around to visit these congregations, and these special servants totaled 1,870.

19. What interesting figures do we have on the Memorial?

¹⁹ In order to keep up with the worldwide demand for literature the Bethel families have grown to 1,376 members in number. More persons came to the Memorial celebration in 1961 than the year before. There were 1,553,909 in attendance, an increase of 34,088. However, those partaking of the emblems decreased, as some of the remnant through death finished their earthly course. This year 627 fewer partook of the emblems, which means there was a total of 13,284 partaking of the bread and wine at the Memorial celebration in 1961.

20. In what ways did literature production increase?

²⁰ The Society, anxious to spread good news, had one of its biggest printing years because of the demand for Bibles, books and magazines on the part of the brothers in all parts of the world. The total Watchtower production reached 95,296,708 in 61 languages, and the total Awake! production reached 88,969,505 in 23 languages. The Society also printed 5,851,105 Bibles and other bound books and 13,084,075 booklets. It is interesting to note, too, that up to the present time the Society has printed literature in 146 different languages, and there are some tracts being prepared now in other languages, which it hopes to get out during the 1962 service year.

21. Because of contributions to the work, what was the Society able to do to advance the work?

²¹ The Society was pleased to enroll more special pioneers during the year, and now we have 6,377 special pioneers, including the missionaries, working in 153 different lands of the earth. This is an increase of 487. The Watch Tower Society, due to contributions to the work, was able to help these brothers and sisters to the extent of $2,328,819.69.

22. In what other way did Jehovah’s witnesses show their energeticalness and courageousness?

²² Jehovah’s witnesses, in addition to going from house to house, making backcalls and holding one-hour Bible studies in the homes of interested people, arranged for 727,482 public meetings to be held in different languages in all parts of the world. All of this bespeaks their energeticalness and courageousness in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom in all parts of the world. All of this was done in spite of opposition, persecution and many hardships. Jesus would be doing the same thing today if he were on the earth. Jehovah’s witnesses are imitators of Christ because they have faith in him. This faith keeps them on the move. Peter, one of Jehovah’s witnesses, had such faith too and he said: “According to his great mercy he gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Pet. 1:3) Jehovah’s witnesses would like all people to have that hope, and that is why they have become imitators of Christ Jesus and show courage in preaching the good news in these last days of this wicked system of things.

23. What are those claiming to be Christians encouraged to do now?

²³ Do you claim to be a Christian? Do you love the good news of God’s kingdom? Then why not associate with Jehovah’s witnesses in doing the simple work the apostles did, going from house to house, making back-calls, conducting Bible studies and preaching the good news under all kinds of adverse conditions? Paul outlined how you can show your Christian courage when he said: “Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ.”—1 Cor. 11:1.

[Chart on page 22-25]

1961 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLD WIDE

(See bound volume)

Building to the Future According to Requirements

ONLY such building as is in harmony with the purposes of the Creator, Jehovah God, will endure. Why? Because he is almighty and his purposes will be fulfilled. He is the One who constructed the universe, and he is now building an enduring new world of righteousness.—Heb. 3:4; Isa. 65:17.

If we would not come to grief but be truly building with the future in mind, we must build in harmony with Jehovah’s purposes. Furthermore, we must be blameless in the way we go about it, building according to God’s righteous requirements, even as David shows, in our text for the month of January: “Watch the blameless one and keep the upright one in sight, for the future of that man will be peaceful.”—Ps. 37:37.a

Today Jehovah God is having more than one kind of building done. There are both individual building and organizational building, and all dedicated Christians have the privilege of sharing in these. Individual building and organizational building cannot be severed from each other, for that which builds up the individual also builds up the New World society and vice versa.

Building to the future is done by bearing public witness concerning Jehovah’s name and kingdom and making disciples of people of all the nations. In this way one builds up a record of faithful service to God, which He will remember with approval, and he builds up in others strong faith in Jehovah’s promises so that they too reach out for life in God’s new world. This also results in a building up of the size and the maturity of the organization.

For our building to be truly to the future we must do it according to God’s requirements. Jesus emphasized this principle in contrasting the one that built upon a rock-mass with the one that built upon the sand. Paul, the apostle to the nations, likewise stressed the need of our building according to God’s requirements, showing that some would build with gold, silver and precious stones, whereas others would use wood materials, hay and stubble.—Matt. 7:24-27; 1 Cor. 3:12, 13.

Among the things included in God’s requirements is personal study of his Word so that we will be able to give an answer to all that demand of us a reason for our hope as well as that we may come to spiritual maturity. Also, by gathering at meetings with those in God’s congregation now we prove the sincerity of our desire for the future, namely, to be included in the association of his people in the new world.—Ps. 119:2; 84:10.

In particular must we watch our conduct. As noted in Psalm 37:37, we must keep blameless and be upright if our future is to be peaceable. That includes bringing forth the various fruits of the spirit mentioned at Galatians 5:22, 23:

We must cultivate love, for it is basic, active and unselfish; joy, because it gives us strength; peace, because it means good relations with all; long-suffering, which we need to be truly helpful to others; kindness, which means being considerate to all irrespective of who they may be; goodness, which means uprightness; faith, which serves as a shield and ‘spurs love to action’; mildness, by which we recommend the truth to others; and self-control, without which we would undo all the good accomplished by the other fruits of the spirit.

So during the month of January share in building to the future according to requirements, to Jehovah’s praise and to your lasting happiness.

[Footnotes]

Do You Give God Exclusive Devotion?

“I SOMETIMES go into a church on my way back from lunch for a sort of peaceful think. After all, I never go to church on Sunday—there’s too much to do—and a few minutes of quiet do seem to help somehow.” With these words a London, England, office worker commented on the recent boom in weekday lunch-time attendances at London city churches, where choir practice, discussion groups and short services are now being featured. In doing so, he surely outlined the approach of many today who try to sandwich God into their lives—lives in which they find there is too much to do, lives in which so many things vie for first place that God eventually ends up with mere remnants of worship, love and devotion. Is this true of your life? How can you serve God in these days? In what way can you widen and deepen your love and devotion to him? These are not foolish, speculative questions, because your whole future depends upon your giving God exclusive devotion.

THE CALL FOR EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION

The Holy Bible is clear and specific in setting forth the standards and requirements for acceptable worship of God. Consider the words of the second commandment given by Jehovah God himself to Moses. The record at Exodus 20:5 says, according to the Authorized Version: “I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.” Certainly it would be wrong to imagine that the Creator would describe himself as having the worldly jealousy mentioned by Paul as one of the “works of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:20) Exodus 34:14 says: “Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, he is a jealous God.” Interestingly enough, Webster’s dictionary lists as its first definition: “Exacting exclusive devotion,” and the more common thoughts of apprehension regarding motives, fidelity and love, as secondary. Monsignor Knox in translating Exodus 20:5 says that God is ‘jealous in his love.’ Jealous when used in the Bible in connection with God embodies the thought of exacting exclusive devotion, a phrase that is used consistently in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. The Creator therefore unequivocally demands exclusive devotion!

What is meant by giving God exclusive devotion? The verb to exclude is drawn from the Latin verb claudere, meaning to shut, with the prefix ex, meaning out; so the complete word means to shut out. This is, of course, the direct opposite of to include which means to shut in. Exclusive devotion to God must therefore be devotion that is unique; it shuts out or excludes every other person or thing from this devotion. Jesus highlighted this thought in his famous summary of the commandments, recorded at Matthew 22:37-39, by saying: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’” With these few incisive words, Jesus drew a clear line of demarcation between the exclusive love and devotion due God, and the neighbor love that it is also necessary for a Christian to manifest to be fully complete in his service to his Creator.

DIRECTING OUR DEVOTION

Properly a Christian has love for his neighbor. Marriage mates owe love and devotion to each other, and parents rightly express great love for their children. Yet the devotion that God requires is more than what is expressed to any of these, because it involves worship, and that no other creature may claim; it is exclusive. Our duties to God are therefore superior to those we have toward our fellow humans. God’s righteous requirements dominate our lives, dictating how we fulfill obligations that arise from other relationships. Our exclusive devotion to God assures implicit obedience of his laws. Forced to choose even between one’s closest relatives and the worship of Jehovah God, one who gives God exclusive devotion will choose in favor of true worship. When compromise of godly principles is demanded by this wicked world, the Christian properly rejects such attempts at encroachment into the field of devotion that is reserved for God. He thus refuses to worship or give service to the interests of the false god of this system of things. The kind of devotion that he gives to God is not shared with any other object of love.

Despite the clarity of the Scriptures, men from early times have endeavored to undermine and nullify the God-given call for exclusive devotion. How? In many ways. By setting up for adulation worldly leaders and ideologies as professed saviors of mankind; by means of oppressive governments that make exclusive devotion to God a hazard to be maintained in defiance of the state, to mention but two ways. And yet among all these, selfishness, which tends to hold back the giving of anything to God, is surely the most powerful single factor that precludes God from receiving man’s exclusive devotion.

Sinful mankind is inherently selfish, yet Jesus said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving,” and this is certainly true when it comes to giving God exclusive devotion. (Acts 20:35) Yes, even if material things, such as money and possessions, or even insatiable ambition take precedence in our lives to the point of being all-important, then our devotion to God must suffer in consequence of our service to self. Selfishness and exclusive devotion cannot mix. It is quite impossible to pay God’s things to Caesar, or to withhold them altogether from God, and at the same time maintain a standing with the Creator. Exclusive devotion must be paid to God.—Mark 12:17.

DETERMINING THE WAY

In order to do this, some people feel that it is necessary to isolate themselves from the world in monasteries and nunneries. In this way, being completely free from worldly attractions, they feel they can devote their lives exclusively to God. Some take upon themselves vows of poverty to assist them in this matter, while others specialize in so-called works of mercy and charity. On the face of it, it might seem that this is an ideal way to give God exclusive devotion, but, in actual fact, does it solve the problem?

If it were the answer to the situation, then would not Jesus have become a recluse? Would not his disciples have shut themselves away so as not to become contaminated with the corrupt Jewish system of things that prevailed before Jerusalem’s destruction A.D. 70? Instead, Jesus became a militant evangelizer and sent out his followers as such too. They, in their turn, ‘filled Jerusalem with their teaching.’ The apostle Paul states that Christians cannot stop entirely mixing with unclean people; otherwise, he says, “you would actually have to get out of the world,” which is a clear indication that acceptable exclusive devotion from Christians is given to God in the face of any adverse pressure that the present evil world may bring. In this way, like Jesus, they conquer the world.—Acts 5:28; 1 Cor. 5:10.

To help us in this fight that must be fought, Jehovah has had recorded for us the Holy Bible. What a splendid help this is! What a grand source of encouragement! So many real-life examples of faithful servants of God who have in times past given him exclusive devotion are arrayed before us as we read through its pages; people whose very lives were devoted to God and who stand out as having received the smile of his approval. Noah, who walked with God; Abraham, who was the friend of Jehovah; David, a man agreeable to Jehovah’s heart; Peter and the other apostles who chose to obey God as ruler rather than men, and, of course, Jesus, who came to do the will of the One who sent him. None of these had an easy time in giving to God undivided worship and service, love and devotion.—Gen. 6:9; Jas. 2:23; Acts 13:22; 5:29; John 5:30.

The faithful prophet Jeremiah was thrown into a miry cistern because of his integrity to God in proclaiming the message that was given him. Tradition tells us that Isaiah was “sawn asunder” by King Manasseh for his faithfulness in prophesying. First-century Christians were flogged, despised and abused. Paul, the apostle, was beaten and stoned and was in near-deaths often, yet he knew that it was only by maintaining integrity and by giving Jehovah continued exclusive devotion that there was reserved for him a crown of righteousness. Those faithful servants of God had confidence in the integrity and power of their God to reward them in the coming system of things. Do you?—Jer. 38:6; Heb. 11:37; Acts 5:40; 2 Cor. 11:23-27; 2 Tim. 4:8.

THE ONE COURSE TO LIFE

Is there within your heart a sincere desire to put God first in your life, to give him the exclusive devotion and love that he rightfully demands? Then study the Holy Scriptures, that you may prove to yourself the good and acceptable and complete will of God. To do this is your safeguard, because in this way you can be sure that you strive to meet the requirements set by God and avoid the false standards set by men that could lead you to compromise in your exclusive devotion to God.—Rom. 12:2.

The right course will eventually lead you to dedicate your life to serve God and to symbolize your decision by water baptism, as commanded by Jesus. (Matt. 28:19, 20) It will lead you to associate with like-minded people, those of the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses, who are determined to put God first in their lives and who will help you in every way possible. To do so now, amidst the present selfish and decadent generation, will bring you peace of mind and happiness and the bright prospect of everlasting life in God’s new world, so near at hand. These are the rewards for those who maintain their integrity and give Jehovah exclusive devotion. Truly, a course of wisdom, a road to life.

Do You Remember?

Have you read the recent issues of The Watchtower carefully? If so, you should recognize these important points. Check yourself.

● Does the fact that Christians are not to love the world mean that they do not love their neighbors?

No; the Bible specifically commands them to love their neighbor as themselves, and they show this love by rendering both spiritual and material assistance as they are able. However, they do not cast in their lot with the wicked system of things nor do they copy its ways.—Pp. 519, 520.a

● Why do the religions of Christendom present the greatest pitfall to mankind?

While claiming to be Christian, they advocate lawlessness by rejecting the commandments set out in the Word of God.—P. 529.

● In how many languages is the Bible now translated?

1,165. The complete Bible is in 221 languages.—P. 532.

● What quality will help one to avoid stumbling others and being stumbled by others?

Love, both for God and his law and for one’s neighbor.—Pp. 541, 543.

● How did early Christians view the eating of blood?

As a violation of God’s law; as a denial of Christian faith. They abstained even when it put their lives in danger at the hands of their persecutors.—P. 556.

● Since Jehovah’s witnesses refuse blood transfusions, is there anything that can be done on their behalf in the event of severe blood loss?

Yes. Where fluid loss is excessive, plasma volume expanders, such as dextran and saline solution, can be used. The body itself is marvelously equipped to replace blood loss from its own reserves. Even from a medical standpoint the most desirable way to treat bloodloss anemia is not by blood transfusion but by iron therapy.—P. 565.

● Is medical treatment that violates God’s law truly lifesaving?

No. It jeopardizes one’s opportunity for eternal life in God’s new world.—P. 565.

● What should Christian youths do to keep from being sucked into the delinquency of the old world?

Avoid unnecessary association with those who do not love Jehovah; pay attention to the counsel of their parents; study the Bible; keep busy in Christian work and in association with others who are serving God.—P. 571.

● Do the inspired books of the Bible teach that the prayers of the living in some way benefit the dead?

No; however, this idea is found in the Apocrypha and among such non-Christians as Hindus and Buddhists.—Pp. 581, 582.

● What does it mean to have a unified heart?

It means that one’s heart is free of the fear of men; it is not divided in its affections; it is dominated by the wholesome fear of Jehovah.—Pp. 587, 588.

● Among Christians today, who share in prophesying, and how?

Every member of the Christian congregation; all upon whom God has put his spirit. This they do by speaking about the prophecies that God has had recorded in his own Word, many of which are being fulfilled in our day.—Pp. 592-595.

● What was the former occupation of the apostle Matthew, and how is this reflected in his Gospel account?

He was a tax collector. His references to money values, his care in the use of numbers, his record of the genealogy of Jesus, all reflect this background.—P. 605.

● When are all nations due to unite under God’s kingdom?

Already Jehovah’s witnesses from all parts of the globe, from 181 (now 185) lands, have united under God’s heavenly kingdom, and only those persons who do thus unite under the kingdom of God will survive into God’s united new world.—Pp. 621, 625.

● Since when have all the many features of the sign of Christ’s second presence been in evidence?

A.D. 1914.—P. 632.

● What name do true Christians have called upon them that differentiates them from the nominal Christians of Christendom?

The name of their God, Jehovah.—P. 654.

● From what apostle did Mark apparently get much of the material that he included in his Gospel?

Peter.—P. 664.

● What position do Christians take toward weekly sabbath observance?

It is not a Christian requirement. It was given to the Jews and foreshadowed the thousand-year reign of Christ.—P. 680.

● What obligation do all Christians have as regards the “word of life”?

They are under obligation to publish it, to bring it to others, in imitation of Jesus Christ.—P. 687.

● How is Luke’s background as a physician reflected in his writing of the Gospel of Luke?

He uses more than three hundred medical terms or words to which he gives a medical meaning; he also shows warmhearted concern for women and children and for those who were poor or oppressed.—Pp. 696, 697.

● Does God answer all prayers?

No, only those offered in faith and according to his will.—P. 710.

● How has the locust plague foretold by the prophet Joel been fulfilled?

The persistent preaching by the first-century Christians following Pentecost about God’s kingdom and about destruction to come on that “crooked generation” made the unrepentant Jews feel that Jerusalem had been overrun by these Christian witnesses, as if by a locust plague. In modern times the preaching of Jehovah’s judgment messages by his anointed witnesses, particularly since 1926, has been as tormenting as a locust plague to Christendom.—Pp. 715, 717, 722.

● What is pictured by the “low plain of the decision” spoken of in Joel 3:14?

Armageddon, at which Jehovah will execute his judgment on the nations.—Pp. 724, 725.

● Is sexual sterilization of a man or woman Scripturally proper?

No.—P. 734.

● What is required if one is to have unfailing courage in these days?

He must know and have confidence in Jehovah God and he must have a knowledge and appreciation of the counsel and promises in His Word the Bible.—P. 742.

● Like King David, what is the “one thing” that Christians ask of Jehovah, and how do they prove the sincerity of their request?

They ask that they may dwell in Jehovah’s house all the days of their life, and they show the sincerity of their request by availing themselves of every opportunity to associate with Jehovah’s congregation in their worship both in meetings and in preaching from house to house.—P. 750.

[Footnotes]

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

The man who builds to the future following Bible counsel will enjoy peace. (Ps. 37:37) An outstanding aid to Bible study, now published in sixty-two languages and helping millions to build to the future in a proper way, is the Watchtower magazine, a copy of which you have in your hand. During January Jehovah’s witnesses will offer a year’s subscription for this journal, with three booklets, for only $1.

CONSIDER GOD’S WORD EACH DAY

Make each day of the new year more enjoyable by considering some portion of God’s Word as part of your routine. One profitable way of doing this is by availing yourself of the “Daily Texts and Comments” published in the 1962 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. A different text each day with a pointed excerpt from The Watchtower of 1961. Read too the stimulating report of preaching done by Jehovah’s witnesses last year. Get the Yearbook for only 50c. Send too for the beautiful and encouraging calendar for 1962. It is 25c.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

February 4: Be Courageous and Strong Through Faith. Page 5.

February 11: Courage to Conquer Religious Opposition. Page 12.

February 18: Be Imitators of Christ and Show Your Courage. Page 19.