The Watchtower — July 15, 1968

Was There an Earthwide Flood?

THE Bible book of Genesis says that God used an earthwide flood to destroy the wicked people in Noah’s day. Some persons, however, have assumed that the Biblical account is exaggerated. They think it may refer to a local flood of unparalleled magnitude that likely occurred in the Mesopotamian valley. But they believe that the Bible overstates matters when it says that all humans on earth except Noah and his family died.

Yet the Bible is specific as to the Flood’s being global. There is nothing in its record to limit the Flood to a particular area. Neither is there any indication that others besides Noah and his family survived.

Explaining the universal magnitude of the Flood, the Bible says: “The waters overwhelmed the earth so greatly that all the tall mountains that were under the whole heavens came to be covered. Up to fifteen cubits the waters overwhelmed them and the mountains became covered.” (Gen. 7:19, 20) And, recording the effect upon all life, the account continues: “Thus [God] wiped out every existing thing that was on the surface of the ground, from man to beast, to moving animal and to flying creature of the heavens, and they were wiped off the earth; and only Noah and those who were with him in the ark kept on surviving.”—Gen. 7:23.

Is there reliable evidence that a deluge of such tremendous magnitude actually occurred? From where could so much water have come? Where did it go? Does the earth itself bear evidence that it was inundated with waters that overwhelmed all land areas?

SOURCE OF THE WATERS

Obviously the source of the floodwaters was not the moisture that is ordinarily found in the atmosphere today. For it has been estimated that if all the atmospheric water were suddenly released as rain, it would cover the earth’s surface only to an average depth of less than two inches. There must be another explanation, then, for all this water, and the Bible gives it.

In its brief account of creation the Bible says regarding the forming of earth’s atmosphere: “And God went on to say: ‘Let an expanse come to be in between the waters and let a dividing occur between the waters and the waters.’ Then God proceeded to make the expanse and to make a division between the waters that should be beneath the expanse and the waters that should be above the expanse.”—Gen. 1:6, 7.

The waters “beneath” the atmospheric “expanse” were the waters on the surface of the earth. Whereas, “the waters . . . above the expanse” were vast quantities of moisture suspended high above the earth, evidently in the form of a heavy vapor. These waters surrounded our earth in its earlier history.

Regarding the possibility of the existence of such suspended waters, the book The Genesis Flood (1961), by John C. Whitcomb, Jr., and Henry M. Morris, observes:

“The region above about 80 miles is very hot, over 100° F and possibly rising to 3000° F, and is in fact called the thermosphere for this reason. High temperature, of course, is the chief requisite for retaining a large quantity of water vapor. Furthermore, it is known that water vapor is substantially lighter than air and most of the other gases making up the atmosphere. There is thus nothing physically impossible about the concept of a vast thermal vapor blanket once existing in the upper atmosphere.”

However, the exact height and the way in which the waters were held above the earth cannot be known by us with certainty. But we do know that it was to these suspended waters that the Christian apostle Peter referred when writing under God’s inspiration about the Noachian flood. He explains that there was “an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water,” and that “by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.”—2 Pet. 3:5, 6.

The earth in the pre-Flood days was “out of water” in the sense that the ground on which men lived and walked stood above the waters of the seas and rivers. Yet, it was “in the midst of water,” since a vast quantity of it surrounded the earth, suspended far above its surface.

“But,” a person might observe, “such a canopy of water suspended above the earth would greatly affect earth’s climate.”

Indeed it would! The light and heat rays from the sun would be diffused by the vapor canopy, while this vast canopy would prevent heat from escaping. Such a “greenhouse effect” would thus produce a milder, more uniform climate earth wide. Biologist Harold K. Blum explained this effect of water vapor upon climate, saying:

“Just as the warm glass of the greenhouse tends to raise the temperature of the interior, the water vapor tends to raise that of the earth’s surface below it. This surface, or any object on it, is constantly exchanging radiation with the water vapor in the atmosphere, so the temperature of the surface is closely dependent upon the amount and temperature of this vapor.”

That earth’s climate was uniformly warm at one time is commonly recognized. In an article concerning dinosaurs, Scientific Monthly of August 1949 observed:

“In those days the earth had a tropical or sub-tropical climate over much of its land surface, and in the widespread tropical lands there was an abundance of lush vegetation. The land was low and there were no high mountains forming physical or climatic barriers.”

Of the now-frigid Antarctic continent the French magazine Science et Vie, in its July 1966 issue, said:

“This inhuman land, this desert of ice, was once a green land where streams flowed among flowers, where birds sang in the trees.”

According to this source, at least sixty-one kinds of plants then grew in Antarctica.

How consistent, therefore, is the Bible’s explanation that there was a suspended mass of water above the earth in man’s early history! This water vapor would have created the uniformly warm climate that is known to have once existed earth wide. And it was the unleashing of this tremendous reservoir of water, and not simply a severe rainfall, that caused the global deluge. Note how the Bible shows this in its description of the Flood:

“All the springs of the vast watery deep were broken open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the downpour upon the earth went on for forty days and forty nights.”—Gen. 7:11, 12.

EFFECT UPON THE EARTH

What tremendous changes occurred in earth’s surface with the fall of this vast canopy of water! This immense weight of water apparently caused a shifting and buckling of earth’s relatively thin crust. Thus, new mountains were thrust upward, old mountains rose to new heights, shallow sea basins were deepened and new shorelines were established.

And, too, the sudden fall of this canopy and the tremendous upheavals of earth would create great waves of rushing water—accomplishing in a matter of days what many scientists believe took millenniums of time to occur by slow processes of erosion. Mighty torrents of water carved out deep valleys and huge canyons. Monstrous boulders were smashed together and moved great distances from their native setting, like so many pebbles.

Think of the great destruction of animal life this would cause. Then consider this report by Byron C. Nelson in his book The Deluge Story in Stone:

“The way fishes by the millions are entombed in the rocks of England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Switzerland, the American Rockies; the way elephants and rhinoceroses are buried by the millions in Alaska, Siberia, England, Italy, Greece; the way hippopotami are buried by the thousands in Sicily; the way reptiles are buried by the millions in western Canada, the United States, South America, Africa, Australia, to mention only a portion of such instances, absolutely require the explanation of great catastrophes for their elucidation.”

In this connection, William J. Miller, Emeritus Professor of Geology at the University of California at Los Angeles, notes in An Introduction to Historical Geology (1952): “Comparatively few remains of organisms now inhabiting the earth are being deposited under conditions favorable for their preservation as fossils. . . . It is, nevertheless, remarkable that so vast a number of fossils are embedded in the rocks.” A catastrophe such as the Noachian flood could account for this.

Around the Arctic Ocean there is a great swath of permanently frozen land, the greater part of which is covered with a frozen muck composed of sand, silt and earth. In an article entitled “Riddle of the Frozen Giants,” The Saturday Evening Post of January 16, 1960, observes:

“The list of animals that have been thawed out of this mess would cover several pages. . . . They are all in the muck. These facts indicated water as the agency which engulfed the creatures. . . . many of these animals were perfectly fresh, whole and undamaged, and still either standing or at least kneeling upright. . . .

“Here is a really shocking—to our previous way of thinking—picture. Vast herds of enormous, well-fed beasts not specifically designed for extreme cold, placidly feeding in sunny pastures, delicately plucking flowering buttercups at a temperature in which we would probably not even have needed a coat. Suddenly they were all killed without any visible sign of violence and before they could so much as swallow a last mouthful of food, and then were quick-frozen so rapidly that every cell of their bodies is perfectly preserved, despite their great bulk and their high temperature. What, we may well ask, could possibly do this?”

The logical answer is that it came with the rapid change that occurred at the time of the Flood. With the removal of the insulating watery canopy, the polar regions were suddenly plunged into a deep freeze, trapping animals that then lived far north of their present habitat. The proof that this was a sudden event, and not something that occurred over a long period of time, is the fact that even the green grass they were eating was quickly deepfrozen in their mouths and stomachs, where it has been discovered in modern times. How consistent this evidence is with what the Bible says about the Noachian flood!

WHERE DID THE WATER GO?

But some persons, nevertheless, question the accuracy of the Bible’s account of an earthwide flood. They cannot understand where all the water from such a flood could have gone. When they contemplate waters covering “all the tall mountains that were under the whole heavens,” they think of the more than five-mile-high Himalayan peaks.

However, there is no reason to believe that the pre-Flood mountains had to be nearly as high as that. You may recall that the Scientific Monthly magazine suggested that in earth’s earlier days “there were no high mountains forming physical or climatic barriers.” It was apparently the tremendous weight of the Flood waters that pushed mountain peaks to their high levels and produced more than six-mile-deep valleys in the ocean floor.

Then, too, in pre-Flood times there may have been considerably less of the earth’s surface covered by water. Regarding this the book The Genesis Flood observes:

“In the past decade have been discovered great numbers of ‘seamounts,’ which are nothing but drowned islands out in the middle of the ocean. These are flat-topped, and therefore non-volcanic in formation, and are now in many cases more than 1,000 fathoms below the surface. Yet they give abundant evidence of having once been above the surface.”

Thus, there is ample evidence for accepting the Bible’s account of the Flood as true. There is a logical and Scriptural explanation for the source of the Flood waters, as well as for where the waters went afterward. And such a global catastrophe provides a satisfying explanation for such an intriguing phenomenon as the millions of fishes entombed at the top of mountain ranges.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

But the Christian’s reason for believing that the Flood occurred does not depend upon geological or scientific evidence. He accepts it because this account is part of the inspired Word of God, and because Jesus Christ and his disciples cited it as a warning example for us.—2 Tim. 3:16; Luke 17:26.

The apostle Peter wrote that willingly, “according to their wish,” the fact of this Flood escapes the notice of many persons. Therefore they do not realize that “the heavens and the earth that are now” are being reserved for a similar “day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.”—2 Pet. 3:5-7.

Under divine inspiration Peter added: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt!” Peter showed that persons who want to serve God can have a hope like the one Noah had—that of surviving the end of a wicked system. Furthermore, we can have the hope of thereafter entering into a righteous new system of God’s making.—2 Pet. 3:11-13.

So heed the warning that Jesus gave with regard to the Biblical flood and our day. Conform to God’s requirements. Keep close in mind that we are living in a day in which, according to God’s Word, a wicked system is to be destroyed. By receiving God’s protection you can survive the end of this system, as Noah survived the end of the wicked system of things in his day.

The Rewards of Tact and Fearlessness

CHRISTIAN ministers know that being “made perfect in love” enables them to remain free of the restraint that fear would exercise over them. (1 John 4:18) An illustration of this is a case in Kansas. A zealous witness of Jehovah had a wife who had fallen into a state of spiritual apathy and inactivity. The Witness trying to help her relates an experience that taught this inactive one the value of being fearless yet tactful:

“One Sunday morning I called to find out when the husband wanted me to drive him to the neighboring town for the talk that he was scheduled to give that afternoon, for they had no automobile. As I came up the sidewalk, his wife ran out and met me, telling me they had guests. She asked me to be careful and not to mention the Bible since her guests were bitterly opposed. I assured her that I would be careful and tactful.

“When we entered the house, there they were seated at the table, having a late breakfast, a woman and her nineteen-year-old son. I accepted the invitation to have coffee, but the Witness and his wife seemed uneasy, as though they were afraid I would say something about the Bible. The guests said they were nightclub entertainers and had come to spend the summer here because the smog in the city was affecting their lungs.

“The mother said she could not see the sense of a city, as they were cold, hard and as unfriendly as the stones of which they were made. The son agreed and said he often wondered how far back cities went in the past. I noted that he liked history, so I said: ‘Well, it is strange that you should mention that, for I have just been reading a history of the origin of cities. It shows that one of the first ones was built by a very wicked man who became the first human to bring other humans under him in a government arrangement.’ They asked where the city was built. I replied that the book said that it was built in Asia on a plain called Shinar in Mesopotamia. Now they wanted to know when, and I told them that everything indicated that it was not too long after the Flood.

“The son now asked me bluntly if I really believed that there was a Flood. I told him that recorded history shows that every nation and tribe on earth has legends about a great flood that covered the entire earth, but the only authentic and sensible account I ever read was in the Bible. Since this was the first mention of the Bible in our conversation, I quickly added, ‘But maybe you do not believe the Bible.’

“‘We do not know anything about the Bible, so we do not know whether we believe it or not,’ answered the mother.

“The Witness now moved into the conversation and turned their attention to world governments by men and why we need God’s kingdom. They listened as though they were starved for Bible knowledge. Finally he said he had to get ready for his talk that afternoon. Immediately I told them that I was driving him there and asked them if they would like to join us. They accepted the invitation readily. They came to hear his talk and they asked many questions. That evening these ‘opposers’ came to my home for dinner and we continued our discussion until late.

“They came to the weekly group Bible study and so did the spiritually inactive wife. She was just beaming. She said that her house was like an assembly all week. The guests stayed on and attended all the meetings in the Kingdom Hall. We had a family Bible study with them twice a week, and by midwinter they were baptized. Three years later the young man became the presiding minister in a small-town congregation. His mother entered the full-time preaching work. Later the mother told me that she was always dreary in this old system of things and had searched history for some clue to the future.”

How happy all of them are that perfect love threw out fear on that summer day in Kansas!

The Holy Scriptures Supply Spiritual Needs

“From Jehovah are the steppings of an able-bodied man.”—Prov. 20:24.

1. How has Jehovah magnified himself as the great Food Provider?

FOOD, shelter, clothing—all three are necessities of life. Man’s Creator, Jehovah God, is well aware of this and has really acted to supply such needs. He gave the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, vegetation and fruit as food. (Gen. 1:29) Later, in Noah’s day after the global Flood, God added animal flesh to mankind’s diet, though he prohibited the eating of blood. (Gen. 9:3, 4) To this day Jehovah “makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45) Thus, earth’s cycles continue, plant and animal life abound and Jehovah is magnified as the great Food Provider.

2. What part does the atmosphere play in sustaining human life on earth, and how has shelter essential to life here been provided?

² God had created the earth as a home for mankind, a sheltered and suitable place in a vast universe. Various features make it the only planet known to man today that is capable of sustaining human life. Regarding just one of these factors it has been said: “Among many other functions the atmosphere also maintains the temperature within safe limits for life; and carries the vital supply of fresh watervapor far inland from the oceans to irrigate the earth, without which it would become a lifeless desert.”a We can rejoice that “the Maker of heaven and earth” has given this planet “to the sons of men.” (Ps. 115:15, 16) But Jehovah also gave man intelligence. With it and the raw materials the earth supplies in abundance, it would be possible to construct suitable dwellings and so have the shelter essential to life.

3. How has Jehovah provided for needed clothing?

³ Adequate clothing is another human need. After Adam and Eve sinned, they became ashamed and sought to cover themselves. Mercifully, “Jehovah God proceeded to make long garments of skin for Adam and for his wife and to clothe them.” (Gen. 3:6, 7, 21) Furthermore, through divine arrangement, the earth itself furnishes the necessary materials so that man, gifted by his Creator with intelligence, can make needed clothing.

4. What should we acknowledge about the source of food, shelter, clothing and all good gifts?

⁴ Jehovah is therefore the great Provider of food, shelter and clothing. In fact, “every good gift and every perfect present is from above, for it comes down from the Father of the celestial lights.” (Jas. 1:17) Aged King David and his fellow Israelites contributed toward the temple to be constructed by Solomon, but David had to admit: “O Jehovah our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build for you a house for your holy name, from your hand it is, and to you it all belongs.” (1 Chron. 29:16) How grateful we should be that Jehovah, to whom “the beasts upon a thousand mountains” and “the productive land and its fullness” belong, has graciously supplied mankind’s physical needs!—Ps. 50:10-12.

JEHOVAH SUPPLIES A GREATER NEED

5. As respects worship, mankind was created with what urge? Can it be satisfied?

⁵ But, a greater human need must also be met. Mankind was created with an urge to worship God. In his book Man, God and Magic, Ivar Lissner remarks: “One can only marvel at the perseverance with which man has striven, throughout his history, to reach outside himself. His energies were never directed solely toward the necessities of life. He was forever questing, groping his way further, aspiring to the unattainable. This strange and inherent urge in the human being is his spirituality. It is constantly leading him on toward a goal which is just beyond his reach. And that goal is God.” (Pages 11, 12) Indeed, multitudes have groped for God and many have also found him. To his listeners on Mars Hill in ancient Athens, the apostle Paul once said: “The God that made the world and all the things in it . . . gives to all persons life and breath and all things. And he made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed seasons and the set limits of the dwelling of men, for them to seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us.” (Acts 17:24-27) Almighty God, who is above all and is without equal, “is condescending to look on heaven and earth,” and of him it is said: “Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him, to all those who call upon him in trueness.” (Ps. 113:5, 6; 145:18) But how can those sincerely groping for God find him?

6. Besides providing material things for man’s benefit, in what other way has Jehovah distinguished himself as a Provider?

⁶ Jehovah has not only provided material things for man’s benefit. He has also distinguished himself as the Author and Preserver of the Bible, his own Word. Mankind needs this marvelous spiritual provision, for, quoting Moses, Jesus Christ said: “Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.” (Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17) Imperfect man is unable to direct his own steps successfully by mere human wisdom. True indeed are these words of Proverbs 20:24: “From Jehovah are the steppings of an able-bodied man. As regards earthling man, how can he discern his way?” God’s favor rests with those acknowledging their dependence upon him and he directs them, supplying their spiritual needs, even as the psalmist David observed: “By Jehovah the very steps of an able-bodied man have been made ready, and in his way He takes delight.”—Ps. 37:23.

7. Give examples to show that men of various walks of life have viewed the Bible with respect.

⁷ Men of various walks of life have viewed the Bible with deep respect. Note what has been said about it: “The Bible is God’s communication, God’s letter, to man.” (Merlin Grant Smith, mathematician and astronomer) “There is Special Divine Revelation. Another name for that is the Bible.” (Oscar Leo Brauer, physicist and chemist) “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.” (Abraham Lincoln, United States president) “The Bible is stamped with a Specialty of Origin, and an immeasurable distance separates it from all competitors.” (W. E. Gladstone, English statesman)b This is typical of the testimony of many thoughtful persons.

8, 9. What was the attitude of early Christians toward the Scriptures? Prove your answer.

⁸ Servants of Jehovah have prized the Scriptures. Hence, early Christians, for instance, desired to have them in the most useful form. Writing on the subject “The Earliest Christian Books,” C. C. McCown has said: “The simple, practical, nonliterary character of early Christianity is emphasized by what the recent discoveries have proved regarding their use of the codex. The Christians’ religious books, both the Old Testament and the new writings which were in process of becoming sacred, were not for the leisurely reading of the well-to-do. Hard-working business people wanted as much as they could get into a book. They and the earnest Christian missionaries wished to be able to refer to this or that proof text quickly, without having to unroll many feet of papyrus. They were not dominated by any snobbish literary pretensions. Like the contents of the books, the form in which they appeared was a product of the vital moral and religious spirit which in some two centuries conquered the Roman Empire.”—The Biblical Archaeologist Reader, page 261.

⁹ Like Jehovah’s witnesses of today, the early Christians were grateful for the Word of God. Because of the appreciative attitude displayed by those of Thessalonica, the apostle Paul was able to write to them: “Indeed, that is why we also thank God incessantly, because when you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God, which is also at work in you believers.”—1 Thess. 2:13.

GOD-GIVEN GUIDE IN WORSHIP

10, 11. (a) How do the Scriptures supply a vital spiritual need in connection with the divine name? (b) By what means will Jehovah’s name be sanctified, and this will result in satisfying what human need?

¹⁰ Material creation itself bears silent witness to the existence of God. For instance, the heavens declare his glory. (Ps. 19:1) Yet, such inanimate things cannot reveal the name of the Universal Sovereign or tell of his purposes. On the other hand, the Scriptures, being God’s Word, are like a lamp that illuminates one’s surroundings and dispels darkness. (Ps. 119:105, 130) They reveal the greatest of all names, identifying the Most High as the One “whose name is Jehovah.” (Ps. 83:18) That God will sanctify his memorial name the Bible also makes clear, for therein Jehovah declares: “I shall certainly sanctify my great name, which was being profaned among the nations, which you [Israel] profaned in the midst of them; and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezek. 36:22, 23) Jesus Christ taught his followers to pray, “Father, let your name be sanctified.” (Luke 11:2) To have God’s approval and life, a person must know His name, be concerned about its sanctification, and call on it, for “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13; Joel 2:32) The Holy Scriptures therefore supply a vital spiritual need in providing information regarding the divine name.

¹¹ The Bible also shows that Jehovah’s name will be sanctified and highly exalted by means of God’s kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ. (Ps. 45:1-7; 110:1, 2; Isa. 9:6, 7; Dan. 2:44; 7:13, 14; Rev. 11:15-17; 12:5, 10; 19:11-16) Under its rule the spiritual and material needs of mankind will be completely satisfied. (Isa. 11:9; 65:20-25; Ps. 67:6; 72:16) Man will then be protected from the ravages of war, for swords and spears will be made into implements serving peaceful and constructive purposes. (Mic. 4:3, 4) Of Jehovah’s peace-making activities in the near future, Psalm 46:9 declares: “He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire.” Surely, by this means the natural human desire and need for security and peace will be fully satisfied. There is certainly reason to express gratitude to God for the Scriptures, which provide the instruction one needs to gain eternal life under such blessed conditions.—John 17:3.

12. The Bible reveals what in connection with God’s love for man that furnishes a basis for real hope?

¹² The Bible also reveals that Jehovah is a God of love and that “the love for man on the part of our Savior, God, was manifested” through Jesus Christ. From the Scriptures Christians have learned that God sent him forth “as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins.” (Titus 3:4-7; 1 John 4:8-10) Yes, God’s Word clearly outlines Jehovah’s purpose in connection with the ransom sacrifice of Christ and thus it furnishes a basis for real hope.—John 3:16, 36; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6.

13, 14. (a) Give examples of religious practices of pagan nations surrounding Israel. (b) In what way has Jehovah supplied guidance that makes it possible to avoid false worship?

¹³ Now, consider the Israelites. They were surrounded by pagan nations giving devotion to many false gods. For example, Phoenician and Canaanite neighbors of Israel worshiped the goddess Ashtoreth, or Astarte, of whom it is said: “In Babylonia Ishtar, whose name is cognate with Astarte (Ashtart), was identified with Venus. She was the goddess of sexual love, maternity, and fertility. Prostitution as a religious rite in the service of this goddess under various names is widely attested.” (The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, page 46) The Ammonites worshiped Molech, in whose rites children were sacrificed.—1 Ki. 11:7; 2 Ki. 23:10.

¹⁴ But, Jehovah had supplied Israel spiritually with what the nation needed to avoid such false religious practices. He had given them his Word, in which they were told to shun religiously detrimental marriage alliances with pagans. (Deut. 7:3, 4) He also commanded: “You must not have any other gods against my face.” (Ex. 20:3) Furthermore, in the Ten Commandments Israel was also instructed to render exclusive devotion to Jehovah, as well as to avoid immorality, which would certainly include “prostitution as a religious rite.” (Ex. 20:4-6, 14) Then, too, through the prophet Jeremiah, Jehovah condemned impure worship that consisted of sacrificing children in fire to a false god such as Molech. Jehovah neither commanded such a thing, nor did it enter his heart. (Jer. 32:35) Of course, Israel did not always adhere to God’s requirements. But there were loyal worshipers of Jehovah in the nation and God’s Word guarded them from impure religion. The Bible does the same thing for righteously disposed persons today, enabling them to worship Jehovah God “with spirit and truth.”—John 4:23, 24.

GUIDANCE ON PROPER LIVING

15. Cite certain ways in which the Scriptures supply spiritual needs by giving a person proper direction in life.

¹⁵ The Scriptures also supply spiritual needs in giving one proper direction in life. For instance, they identify and warn against the works of the flesh, contrasting these with the spirit’s fruitage and showing that “those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.” (Gal. 5:19-24) If a person heeds the Bible, he will not yield to such harmful emotions as rage or jealousy, for it says: “Let anger alone and leave rage; do not show yourself heated up only to do evil.” “A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.” (Ps. 37:8; Prov. 14:30) By keeping on guard through applying God’s Word, an individual will also avoid immorality. (Ps. 119:9-16) He will realize that immoral conduct cannot be participated in by those desiring to please Jehovah and wishing to gain life everlasting. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) From Proverbs chapter seven, he can learn how to guard against the cunning enticements of a prostitute, that chapter concluding with the admonition: “And now, O sons, listen to me and pay attention to the sayings of my mouth. May your heart not turn aside to her ways. Do not wander into her roadways. For many are the ones she has caused to fall down slain, and all those being killed by her are numerous. The ways to Sheol her house is; they are descending to the interior rooms of death.”—Prov. 7:24-27.

16. For what underlying reason do Jehovah’s servants heed the Scriptures?

¹⁶ Centuries ago Israel was urged: “Search for what is good, and not what is bad, to the end that you people may keep living; and that thus Jehovah the God of armies may come to be with you, just as you have said. Hate what is bad, and love what is good, and give justice a place in the gate. It may be that Jehovah the God of armies will show favor to the remaining ones of Joseph.” (Amos 5:14, 15) The underlying reason why Jehovah’s servants heed the Scriptures is not merely to avoid trouble or distress. They have actually come to ‘hate what is bad and love what is good.’ Also, they wish to please Jehovah and make his heart glad.—Prov. 27:11.

MEETING THE NEED FOR RELIABLE PROPHECY

17, 18. How do the Scriptures satisfy the desire for knowledge regarding the future? Give an example.

¹⁷ Today many men experience great fear and anxiety concerning the future. Hence, like King Saul, some seek knowledge of the future by consulting with spirit mediums, a course condemned by God. (1 Sam. chap. 28; Deut. 18:10-12) There would be satisfaction in knowing what tomorrow holds in store, however. Here again, the Scriptures supply a vital need. They contain reliable prophecy, a fact that can be demonstrated time and time again. Yet even brief examples are faith-strengthening.

¹⁸ Jehovah inspired the prophet Hosea to write: “Samaria will be held guilty, for she is actually rebellious against her God. By the sword they will fall. Their own children will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women themselves will be ripped up.” (Hos. 13:16) Despite its massive walls that must have seemed impregnable, Samaria did fall to the Assyrians in 740 B.C.E., fulfilling this prophecy.

19, 20. (a) Of what did Daniel’s vision of a ram and a male goat consist? (b) How did Gabriel explain this vision, and was his explanation correct?

¹⁹ In vision, the prophet Daniel beheld a two-horned ram, then a male goat with a conspicuous horn between its eyes. It assaulted the ram and struck it down, breaking its two horns. Subsequently, the goat’s great horn was broken and four horns came up in its place. (Dan. 8:1-8) What did this all mean? The angel Gabriel explained: “The ram that you saw possessing the two horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia. And the hairy he-goat stands for the king of Greece; and as for the great horn that was between its eyes, it stands for the first king. And that one having been broken, so that there were four that finally stood up instead of it, there are four kingdoms from his nation that will stand up, but not with his power.”—Dan. 8:20-22.

²⁰ Was Gabriel right? Of course he was, as history has proved. The ‘two-horned’ ram, the Medo-Persian Empire, came to its end. How? The figurative he-goat, “the king of Greece,” with the one conspicuous horn, Alexander the Great, overthrew the Medo-Persian World Power. Furthermore, in keeping with the prophecy, after Alexander’s death, his four generals, the “four horns,” replaced him, the one “great horn,” by establishing themselves in power.c

21. Give examples to show how writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures applied Hebrew Scripture Messianic prophecies to Jesus Christ.

²¹ The Scriptures also meet a vital need by identifying the Messiah. And let it be noted that there have been many false Messiahs. M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopæedia says regarding them: “No less than twenty-four such impostors have been enumerated as having appeared in different places and at different times; and even this does not exhaust the list.” (Vol. VI, page 141) Scores of Messianic prophecies recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures could be cited as having been fulfilled in connection with Jesus Christ. However, some of them were directly applied to him under divine inspiration by writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures themselves. Consider some examples. Matthew was inspired by Jehovah God to show that Jesus was born of a virgin, as Isaiah 7:14 foretold (Matt. 1:18-23), that the killing of babes after his birth fulfilled Jeremiah 31:15 (Matt. 2:16-18), that he was called out of Egypt, in harmony with Hosea 11:1 (Matt. 2:14, 15), that he had a forerunner, in keeping with Isaiah 40:3 (Matt. 3:1-3), and that Jesus carried our sicknesses, as Isaiah 53:4 prophesied. (Matt. 8:16, 17) Acting under divine inspiration, the apostle John showed that Zechariah 9:9 found fulfillment when Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt of an ass (John 12:12-15), that the prophecy of Psalm 22:18 was fulfilled after Jesus’ impalement when the soldiers apportioned his clothing among themselves and cast lots for his inner garment (John 19:23, 24) and that the fact that Jesus’ bones were not broken and he was pierced also fulfilled prophecy. (Compare Psalm 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10 with John 19:33-37.) These are but examples of Hebrew Scripture Messianic prophecies applied to Jesus by inspired Bible writers themselves. But even these alone suffice to identify Jesus Christ as the Messiah in the minds of those accepting the entire Bible as God’s Word. We can be thankful to Jehovah that the Scriptures supply such information.

22. Why can it be said that the Bible has not fallen short in the field of prophecy?

²² Prophecies recorded by Hosea, Daniel and other prophets of God have proved true indeed. Surely, therefore, one can have confidence in those uttered by the very Son of God, Jesus Christ. Pointing to our day and the final generation living in this system of things, Christ foretold such things as increased wars, food shortages and earthquakes. These are now in evidence, proving that Christ’s second presence in Kingdom power is a reality. (Matt. chap. 24) Conditions foretold by the apostle Paul as sure to mark the “last days” also exist. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) These prophecies, borne out by the facts of current history, are just as reliable as Scriptural prophecies fulfilled in the past. So the Bible has not fallen short. It has supplied the vital modern-day need for reliable information concerning the future. It discloses the divine purpose for our day and gives insight into the marvelous future events and blessings Jehovah has lovingly purposed for mankind.

23. (a) In what ways, then, do the Holy Scriptures supply spiritual needs? (b) If a person believes God’s Word, he can enjoy what blessing in this unhappy world?

²³ Truly, the Holy Scriptures supply spiritual needs. They are a God-given guide in worship. They furnish guidance on proper living. And they meet the need for reliable prophecy. Hence, just as Jehovah has proved to be the great Supplier of material needs—such as food, shelter and clothing—so he has magnified himself as the Provider of valued and essential spiritual things. How grateful all lovers of God should be for his unspeakable goodness to mankind in providing the Holy Scriptures. If you believe God’s Word, you can also enjoy the blessing of telling others about Jehovah’s purposes. Doing so will make you happy, for in a world filled with distress and sorrow, you will thus be declaring “the glorious good news of the happy God.” (1 Tim. 1:11) Yet, to do this joyfully, it may be necessary for you to cope with certain personal problems in life. This you can do by drawing direction and comfort from the Scriptures.

[Footnotes]

[Picture on page 428]

The male goat assaulted the ram, breaking its two horns

Drawing Comfort from the Scriptures

“I have remembered your judicial decisions from time indefinite, O Jehovah, and I find comfort for myself.”—Ps. 119:52.

1, 2. (a) What effects can music have? (b) How has music been Scripturally linked with Jehovah God?

IN THE ancient Middle East, the solitary shepherd tending his flocks in the open fields often carried some musical instrument, perhaps a pipe. With it he would break the night’s stillness and entertain himself. Though lonely, he could draw comfort from music. It can stir the emotions, or produce a soothing effect, resulting in a feeling of peace and contentment.

² Appropriately then, the psalmist said of Jehovah God’s just rules: “Melodies your regulations have become to me in the house of my alien residences. In the night I have remembered your name, O Jehovah, that I may keep your law.” (Ps. 119:54, 55) At times beautiful strains would flow from a harp in the hands of a skillful instrumentalist, perhaps during songs of praise to God. “Cry out joyfully, O you righteous ones, because of Jehovah,” exclaimed the psalmist, adding: “On the part of the upright ones praise is fitting. Give thanks to Jehovah on the harp; on an instrument of ten strings make melody to him. Sing to him a new song; do your best at playing on the strings along with joyful shouting. For the word of Jehovah is upright, and all his work is in faithfulness.” (Ps. 33:1-4) David did not forget the melodies and lyrics of such musical compositions, for he said: “I will remember my string music in the night; with my heart I will show concern, and my spirit will carefully search.”—Ps. 77:6.

3. What effect does the Bible have on those turning to it for spiritual aid?

³ As music can soothe a person and produce a feeling of contentment, so too does the Word of Jehovah God, the Bible, have a helpful and comforting effect upon those turning to it for spiritual aid. It is not uncommon for imperfect humans faced with trials to experience depression, grief or fear. Yet words written centuries ago under divine inspiration were penned for the instruction of Christians, so that by enduring and “through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.”—Rom. 15:4.

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

4. Are feelings of depression on the part of Christians today without ancient Biblical parallels? Prove your answer.

⁴ “It is hopeless. It seems everything I do goes wrong. I’m a failure!” Words like these are not unusual. Many voice such sentiments. Even faithful Christians are sometimes the victims of depression. However, the Scriptures show that some of Jehovah’s faithful servants of ancient times also had these feelings. For instance, when Esau took Hittite women as wives, “they were a source of bitterness of spirit to Isaac and Rebekah.” And unhappy Rebekah was moved to say: “I have come to abhor this life of mine because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob ever takes a wife from the daughters of Heth like these from the daughters of the land, of what good is life to me?” (Gen. 26:34, 35; 27:46) During his severe test, Job spoke like a man who felt God had abandoned him. (Job 29:2-5) Nehemiah, concerned about the devastated state of Jerusalem and its walls, was gloomy while before King Artaxerxes. (Neh. 2:1-3) So depressed and distressed was the apostle Peter over his denial of Jesus Christ that he “wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:62) The apostle Paul said of his trials and feelings: “We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; we are persecuted, but not left in the lurch; we are thrown down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor. 4:8, 9) Evidently because depression beleaguered some Christians in Thessalonica, Paul admonished fellow believers there to “speak consolingly to the depressed souls.” (1 Thess. 5:14) So, feelings of depression on the part of Christians today are not without ancient parallels. But, what might be done to cope with depression?

5. What view might best be adopted in dealing with problems Illustrate.

⁵ At times depression develops because a person has several serious problems. Life becomes dismal because these seem to add up to one great plight. But, instead of viewing them as such, why not deal with them individually, as far as possible? Making suitable efforts to resolve one at a time is surely better than linking these problems together in one’s mind and experiencing frustration. For example, a Christian woman may have a marriage mate opposed to her religion. This is one problem and she may be able to cope with it successfully by applying such inspired advice as that found at 1 Peter 3:1-6. However, possibly the children have also been misbehaving at school. This is another problem. Perhaps she needs only to report this to her husband, so that he can take remedial measures. Or, the children may need to have God’s requirements explained to them, such as what is said at Proverbs 6:16-19. Possibly a difference has developed between this woman and another Christian. This is a separate problem and Christians should handle such matters in the manner outlined by Christ. (Matt. 18:15-17) So, then, instead of becoming depressed by looking upon several rather unrelated problems as though they formed one major dilemma, handle these matters separately and effectively by applying the Word of God in life.

6. What relation do activity and rest have to depression?

⁶ Sufficient rest and sleep are needed too. A person may fail to schedule his activities properly. He may stay up late at night, viewing television or engaging in some form of recreation, only to find that the good effects he had hoped to achieve thereby are nullified by the depression that often afflicts one who is fatigued. To avoid or fight against depression, balanced activity and adequate rest are important.

7. If one is depressed because he does not have many material possessions, what Scriptural points can he beneficially consider?

⁷ Some Christians do not have many material possessions; they are not materially rich. This may give rise to discontent or depression. Yet, think of Jesus Christ. He once said: “Foxes have dens and birds of heaven have roosts, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay down his head.” (Luke 9:58) Despite this, was Jesus happy? Indeed he was, in doing his heavenly Father’s will. (Heb. 10:5-9; Ps. 40:6-8) He did not need many material possessions to be contented. He frankly stated: “Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” This Jesus proved by means of an illustration showing that one is not preserved alive just because he has “many good things laid up for many years.” Life depends upon being rich toward God. (Luke 12:13-21) Christ advised his disciples not to be anxious about such things as food and clothing and pointed out that God knows of such needs and sees that they are supplied for those who “seek continually his kingdom.”—Luke 12:22-31.

8. (a) What examples do we find in Jesus and his apostles as far as material riches are concerned? (b) Why is this not the time to be depressed over scarcity or lack of material things?

⁸ During his prehuman existence in heaven, Christ enjoyed spiritual things of far greater value than anything material. (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17) Yet he divested himself to become a human. (Phil. 2:5-8) As a perfect man on earth, Jesus did without material riches and worldly splendor and in him true Christians who may not be wealthy have a superlative example of godly contentment. Peter and other apostles gave up many material things to follow Jesus, Peter himself once saying: “Look! We left all things and have been following you.” (Mark 10:28) But were they not richly rewarded? Once they walked with Jesus Christ and heard him speak as a man on earth. Today they enjoy marvelous blessings with him in heaven, having been resurrected to spirit life in heaven for their faithfulness till death. (Rev. 2:10; 11:18; 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 50-52) Of course, not all Christians have a heavenly hope. But Christians with earthly prospects realize that marvelous blessings are in store for faithful ones here on earth and that it will not be long before they realize the complete fulfillment of these words: “Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples, in this mountain, a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine kept on the dregs, of well-oiled dishes filled with marrow, of wine kept on the dregs, filtered.” (Isa. 25:6) Right now Jehovah is supplying rich spiritual fare for those who love him and he will still more abundantly furnish spiritual and material things for those having his favor. Of him, the psalmist truthfully said: “You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing.” (Ps. 145:16) This is not the time to feel great discontent or to yield completely to depression over scarcity or lack of material things. It is the time to draw comfort from Scriptural promises of grand things ahead and to serve Jehovah loyally and joyfully.

9. (a) For what should depressed Christians pray? (b) What did Jesus, Paul and Peter say about anxiety?

⁹ Christians plagued with depression for various reasons will do well to pray to Jehovah for his holy spirit and for his aid in cultivating and displaying joy, a fruit of the spirit. (Luke 11:13; Gal. 5:22, 23) Jesus advised: “Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Sufficient for each day is its own evil.” (Matt. 6:34) The apostle Paul recommended prayer, not apprehensive care, when he wrote the Philippians: “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6, 7) Similarly, Peter said: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; while you throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:6, 7) Yes, Jehovah really cares for those trusting in him. Of course, it is not wrong to think about a problem and take practical and suitable steps to solve it, if possible. But, after we have done what we can respecting the matter, worry will achieve nothing more and can never take the place of prayer. Fittingly, David said: “Roll upon Jehovah your way, and rely upon him, and he himself will act.”—Ps. 37:5.

ENDURING GRIEF

10. Death of a loved one or close friend caused what reaction in the cases of David, Abraham and Jesus?

¹⁰ When King David heard of the death of Absalom, he was grief-stricken, gave way to weeping, and exclaimed: “My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! O that I might have died, I myself, instead of you, Absalom my son, my son!” (2 Sam. 18:33) Centuries earlier, when Abraham lost his beloved wife Sarah through death, he bewailed her and wept over her. (Gen. 23:2) Jesus Christ was also greatly grieved when his friend Lazarus died, for before going to the tomb to raise him from death “Jesus gave way to tears.” (John 11:35) While there are various reasons for grief, death of a relative or close friend is certainly one cause of great, sometimes nearly overwhelming, sorrow.

11. What comfort can Christians glean from the Scriptures when a cherished acquaintance dies?

¹¹ When death claims a cherished acquaintance, it is only natural to experience sadness. However, like the apostle Paul, Christians realize and have confidence in the fact that there will be a “resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) Hence, they do not “sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:13) While Jehovah God determines who qualifies for a resurrection, billions of human dead will be raised, and Scriptural assurances of that are comforting. Especially can one draw consolation from the Bible when the deceased loved one was a faithful Christian. If that individual had the hope of an earthly resurrection, for instance, relatively soon, during Christ’s thousand-year reign, he will be awakened from the sleep of death right here on earth. (Rev. 20:11-13) One does not usually experience prolonged sadness when a dear friend goes on a long journey, for he expects to see him again upon his return. Taking a somewhat similar view of the death of such a faithful Christian acquaintance may help to lessen grief.

12. (a) When do the words of Ecclesiastes 7:1 prove true? (b) On what will the bereaved Christian do well to center his thoughts, and from what may fatherless and widowed ones draw consolation?

¹² Solomon once observed: “A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born.” (Eccl. 7:1) That is true if a person has a good name with God at death, built up due to godly works, for then he is in line for a resurrection. Often the grief resulting from the death of a Christian loved one is increased by meditating on past experiences one has shared with the deceased. But, how much better it will be to give more consideration to the wonderful prospects of the future, as assured by the Word of God. Prayerfully, the bereaved Christian should look for aid to Jehovah, “the God of all comfort.” (2 Cor. 1:3) He should endeavor to center his thoughts on the wonderful promises Jehovah has made in the Scriptures, drawing comfort from them. There is also consolation in the Biblical assurance that Jehovah will deal tenderly with fatherless and widowed ones who love him. In an inspired song David exclaimed: “Sing you to God, make melody to his name; raise up a song to the One riding through the desert plains as Jah, which is his name; and jubilate before him; a father of fatherless boys and a judge of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God is causing the solitary ones to dwell in a house; he is bringing forth prisoners into full prosperity.”—Ps. 68:4-6.

COPING WITH FEAR

13. What effect can fear have on a person?

¹³ Today mankind is faced with many perils, and fear stalks the earth. This highly detrimental emotion may sometimes be felt to an extent even by persons dedicated to God. Concerning fear it has been said: “On many persons the influence of fear is far more serious in its effect than the worst form of any dreaded malady. In epidemic diseases the terror they inspire is often as fatal as the infection—paralyzing the system, and robbing the body of the natural elasticity of its nervous stamina, and the mind of the buoyancy of hope, making victims of those who, from age and strength, had the best probability of escaping. Fear is a mental poison, and the most potent of all antagonists to health and medicine; it is often fatally active in the morbid developments which result in various forms of insanity; and as faith has cured more diseases than physicians ever prescribed for, so fear is more destructive than the worst physical malady.”—The Encyclopedia Americana, 1956 Edition, Volume XI, page 74.

14. From what can persons with faith in Jehovah draw comfort despite fear-producing conditions throughout the earth?

¹⁴ Obviously, there is good reason to avoid or conquer such fear. Persons having faith in Jehovah can face the future without apprehension, for despite worsening and fear-producing conditions throughout the earth, they can draw comfort from the words of Jesus Christ. After disclosing that fearful happenings would mark these “last days,” he said: “But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.” (Luke 21:25-28) Also, Peter gave inspired admonition to shun worldly fears, saying: “The object of their fear do not you fear, neither become agitated.”—1 Pet. 3:14.

15. Instead of permitting the mind to dwell on matters causing fear, what should one do?

¹⁵ If a person permits his mind to dwell upon matters that cause fear, it is unlikely that he will make much progress toward overcoming this emotion. So, efforts should be made to replace such thoughts with those that produce other feelings. Filling the mind with spiritually wholesome things is always wise and beneficial. The apostle Paul wrote: “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.”—Phil. 4:8.

16. (a) What fear does the Bible recommend? (b) How are those having this fear benefited?

¹⁶ Yet there is a fear that the Scriptures recommend. It is not morbid dread, but the proper and beneficial fear of displeasing Jehovah God. Thus, we are told in the final words of the book of Ecclesiastes: “The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man. For the true God himself will bring every sort of work into the judgment in relation to every hidden thing, as to whether it is good or bad.” (Eccl. 12:13, 14) Jehovah has always supported those having proper fear of him. The patriarch Abraham was one such man, and regarding him Genesis 15:1 states: “After these things the word of Jehovah came to Abram in a vision, saying: ‘Do not fear, Abram. I am a shield for you. Your reward will be very great.’” David said: “Even though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear nothing bad, for you are with me; your rod and your staff are the things that comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4) Those fearing Jehovah will be able to stand though fearful occurrences surround them and they can share the sentiments of Psalm 46:1-3: “God is for us a refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found during distresses. That is why we shall not fear, though the earth undergo change and though the mountains totter into the heart of the vast sea; though its waters be boisterous, foam over, though the mountains rock at its uproar.”

17. Why not fear man or the demons?

¹⁷ Some persons fear man, but Jesus said: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” (Matt. 10:28) At most, man can only take away one’s present life. However, God can destroy a person in Gehenna, from which there is no resurrection and thus no future life as a human soul. Even the demons cannot block a person’s resurrection. So Christians should not fear them. Furthermore, these wicked spirit creatures cannot gain control of the servant of God as long as he takes full advantage of Jehovah’s spiritual provisions by studying the Bible and Christian publications, attending Christian meetings, praying to God and engaging in the Christian ministry faithfully. An individual doing these things is equipped with the protective suit of spiritual armor from God. (Eph. 6:11-18) Nonetheless, should a Christian be beset by fears, let him pray to Jehovah for aid, as did David, who said: “I inquired of Jehovah, and he answered me, and out of all my frights he delivered me.”—Ps. 34:4.

18. If one experiences depression, grief or fear, what activity may help him?

¹⁸ If you sometimes experience depression, grief or fear to some degree, you may then find it highly beneficial to increase your effort to aid others, as through expanded ministerial activity. This will probably take your mind off of matters of great personal concern. Jehovah comforts us so that “we may be able to comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God.” (2 Cor. 1:4) Aiding others is in itself a rewarding work.—Acts 20:35.

19. (a) What significant factor has doubtless helped to sustain God’s servants under the most trying circumstances? (b) What is sure to remove highly detrimental emotions for members of Christ’s spiritual body and for the “great crowd”?

¹⁹ Remember, too, that present trials and tribulations will be short-lived, especially since we now stand at the very portals of Jehovah’s promised new order. (2 Cor. 4:16-18; 2 Pet. 3:11-13) A significant factor that has undoubtedly helped to sustain God’s servants under the most trying circumstances, as while suffering brutal persecution or incarceration, is keeping in mind the marvelous hope ahead. Paul admonished: “Rejoice in the hope ahead.” (Rom. 12:12) “For the joy that was set before him [Christ] endured a torture stake, despising shame.” Following his example will enable Christians to avoid getting tired and giving out in their souls. (Heb. 12:2, 3) Jehovah helps the faithful in time of distress or hardship, as Psalm 37:39, 40 shows in stating: “The salvation of the righteous ones is from Jehovah; he is their fortress in the time of distress. And Jehovah will help them and provide them with escape. He will provide them with escape from wicked people and save them, because they have taken refuge in him.” Those of the spiritual body of Christ who have died in faithfulness have had a resurrection to heavenly life and this has already done away with the imperfect human emotions they once had and that may have caused them distress. For the “great crowd” of faithful Christians with earthly hopes today there is the prospect of eventual human perfection, which certainly will not be accompanied by highly detrimental emotions.—Rev. 7:9, 10.

20. How can you find comfort for yourself?

²⁰ Always remember Jehovah’s judicial decisions and find comfort for yourself. (Ps. 119:52) Draw consolation and aid from the Scriptures. Let them lift your spirits, just like beautiful, soothing music. Make certain that you are regularly among those throughout the earth who maintain happiness by singing praises to Jehovah. “Praise Jah, you people, for it is good to make melody to our God; for it is pleasant—praise is fitting.”—Ps. 147:1.

“Jehovah is my Shepherd. I shall lack nothing. In grassy pastures he makes me lie down; by well-watered resting places he conducts me. My soul he refreshes. . . . Even though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear nothing bad, for you are with me; your rod and your staff are the things that comfort me. . . . My cup is well filled.”—Ps 23:1-5.

Determined to Praise Jehovah

As told by Harry Peterson (A. Papargyropoulos)

I WAS born in the small town of Levidion, not far from Tripolis, one of the administration centers of the Peloponnesus, Greece. There my father raised me, and there I was educated in a Greek Orthodox background. When I was only thirteen years old, my father decided to send me to the United States, where it was expected I could earn enough money to send back dowries for my two sisters. That was in 1902.

Chicago, St. Louis, Buffalo and Salt Lake City were but a few of the places, in addition to New York, where I lived and worked for a while, taking jobs in restaurants, bakeries, and shoeshine parlors. I recall attending the Greek Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, only to be confused at their teachings and repelled by the superstitious veneration of images. You see, I had been reading the English Authorized Bible, and then later obtained the American Standard Version because I found that it had in it in many places God’s sacred name, Jehovah.

At one time I lived with a Mormon family, and they gave me the Book of Mormon to read and study. Though these people were very kind to me, I could not accept their religion. I had done sufficient Bible reading to realize that they had much that was in contradiction to the Bible. At that time I was specially intrigued by Daniel’s prophecy on world history, and could not help feeling that somehow the nations embroiled in World War I were fulfilling the prophecies of the Bible.

In 1918 I came upon a newspaper article that told of the publication The Finished Mystery, put out by the International Bible Students Association, and how the book was banned in both Canada and the United States, and some of its distributors jailed.

Of course, in those days I used to have my own ideas about the application of things I read in the Bible. For example, I was sure that Germany was the fourth terrible beast of Daniel’s seventh chapter. Also, on one occasion I almost gave up a good job because it involved signing numbered receipts, and I was afraid that I might get mixed up with the dreaded “number of the beast,” mentioned in Revelation, chapter 13.

BIBLE TRUTH SPURS TO ACTION

When the war ended I moved to San Francisco, and there I saw a sign on a newsstand advertising The Finished Mystery in magazine form for only 20 cents. When I got home with it I looked up the part dealing with Revelation, chapter 13, right away and was well pleased with what I found. I began to feel that I was on the right track as to finding true religion in a very confused world. I wrote the publishers of this publication and ordered complete sets of Studies in the Scriptures in Greek and English.

So much did I appreciate the advancement in Bible knowledge that I was making with the aid of these Watch Tower publications, I decided to send for $100 worth of literature in Greek and English. I determined to do my best to share in praising Jehovah by interesting others in such a wonderful, enlightening message. Soon I was passing out such timely publications as Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Can the Living Talk with the Dead?, and Scenario of the Photo-Drama of Creation. I was right at home in restaurants, and so these were the first places I would go to find other Greeks.

I recall that one of the first meetings of the Bible Students (now Jehovah’s witnesses) I attended was a lecture on “The Divine Plan of the Ages,” an intensely interesting subject explained with the aid of a chronological chart. This experience so settled my thinking that I seldom ever missed one meeting after that time. I was baptized in 1920. I had dedicated myself to a life of praise to Jehovah, the God who gives knowledge and understanding.

In my eagerness to distribute the excellent Bible helps I was now studying regularly, I would even go inside the Greek church to contact people and place literature. However, I was rejected by the church authorities, and this made me all the more determined to get out in the work of praising Jehovah from house to house, offering the opportunity of wonderful enlightenment to others. There was immense satisfaction in this work, though at times the field seemed so large that I could not see how it would ever be adequately covered.

In San Francisco back then, there were few Witnesses and plenty of room for volunteer house-to-house ministers. There were many Greek-speaking people, too, and the question was, How were they all to be reached and helped to gain an accurate knowledge of the Bible? How glad I was when I learned there was a Greek Witness in Seattle who might be of assistance to us. I wrote him, and he replied, saying that if Jehovah opened up the way for him to come he would be delighted to do so. I did not quite understand what he meant, but someone suggested that the Witness might not have the funds to make the trip. We sent him the transportation costs, and he came. He was very successful in placing literature with the public, and I certainly learned much through observing him.

When I learned that special magazines were being widely distributed, it occurred to me that there should be wide distribution of Greek magazines, so I wrote the Watch Tower Society and ordered 10,000 copies in Greek. They informed me that 10,000 was the total number they planned to print for the whole world in the Greek language. So I wrote again and revised my order to 5,000. They told me to expect them the following year, 1921. And, sure enough, I received my huge shipment of magazines. From the telephone directory I was able to build up a list of 1,200 addresses of Greek families, and to each I mailed a wrapped copy of the Greek magazine. Out of all these, only four were returned because the householders had moved away.

Well, I still had over 3,500 copies of The Watch Tower to spread around. It took time and plenty of traveling, even as far as Seattle, Tacoma and Chicago. But finally, in this latter city, I managed to place the last copy. After some time I left Chicago and began to move around more, always seeking to go where there might be a Greek-speaking community. In the early twenties I enjoyed many fine experiences in the service of praise to Jehovah in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Atlanta, Georgia, and in Waterbury, Connecticut, besides attending such never-to-be-forgotten conventions as those at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1922, and Columbus, Ohio, in 1924.

DOOR OF SERVICE OPENS WIDE

In all those years I was happy that someone like myself, of humble beginnings, should have the privilege of bringing praise to Jehovah’s name by aiding other people to get a knowledge of his marvelous purposes. But then a grander opportunity opened up! I was invited to come and serve at the Watch Tower Society’s Brooklyn headquarters, commencing late in April 1927. At the close of that month I received an allowance of $5.00 enclosed in an envelope with a beautiful card featuring the Bible text at Proverbs 3:5, 6: “Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding: in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.” (AS) There was every reason to trust Jehovah, for at headquarters I soon came to appreciate that Jehovah had a “faithful and discreet slave” faithfully caring for all the Kingdom interests here on the earth.—Matt. 24:45-47.

In 1931 the Society’s president, J. F. Rutherford, asked me if I would like to transfer to Staten Island, location of the Society’s radio station WBBR, and serve there as cook for the workers. This I gladly agreed to do, for not only would I be working at a job with which I was familiar, but also I would have many opportunities to share in the house-to-house ministry in a part of the field that needed more attention. At first we were just a few, and our meetings were conducted on the Society’s property. But by 1932 our numbers already warranted the renting of a hall for meetings. It is encouraging to know that the group of 25 persons who used to come together at that time has now grown to upward of 500 dedicated, active servants of Jehovah, associating in four strong congregations. Jehovah is surely to be praised!

The twenty-seven years I spent at that Staten Island assignment were memorable ones. Not only did we observe the rapid expansion of the Kingdom witness work, but we also weathered considerable opposition and hatred. Twice I can recall being arrested because of our Bible-preaching activity—once at Bergenfield and once at Perth Amboy, New Jersey. At this latter place I was released after questioning, and so I took the occasion to invite all the police officers present to come and hear a special public lecture on “Intolerance” by the Society’s president, Judge Rutherford. I know of at least one of those officers who came and heard the speech.

In those days I used to travel around in the witnessing work on a bicycle. When the Society for a time encouraged the use of the phonograph and recorded lectures, it was an easy matter to make room on my bicycle carrier for both the machine and my bag of books. And at the very first place where I played Judge Rutherford’s sermons the householder talked me into letting her purchase the phonograph. This worked out fine, for I was then able to procure a smaller portable machine, one that was much lighter. It was surely a wonderful means of spreading accurate information, especially for those of us who felt somewhat limited in our command of English.

I concentrated a lot of my work in witnessing to storekeepers, in taverns and in other business places—places where many persons could be reached. I recall one man coming out of a store after me, quite upset that I had left the clothbound book with him for only 50 cents. He considered it worth much more, and insisted that I accept another dollar to aid in the spread of the message. And there was the businessman with whom I left literature, always at his office, for his wife would not permit it in the home. Most unique, too, was the experience where a bartender asked me for all the magazines I had with me, and then proceeded to approach all his customers and place them at five cents each. Then he handed me the money and wished me well in my work.

I shall never forget the share I had in the publicity for the special public lecture by Judge Rutherford in New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1939. With my bicycle decorated with signs that said “Learn the truth and the truth will make you free,” “You need salvation; ask me about it,” and so forth, I cycled from Staten Island up Broadway to Madison Square Garden and back on each of several days prior to the lecture. There was a variety of reactions on the part of the public. Some glared, some threw stones and garbage; others threatened to run me down. But I kept right on and was thankful for the privilege of sharing in an effort that was crowned with success when the auditorium was packed to capacity.

GLAD TO HAVE PUT GOD’S NAME FIRST

During those years of service close to the antennae of radio station WBBR we passed through an eventful epoch. Fresh light on Bible truth brought joy and happiness to many, but by others it was met with opposition and weakening of the faith. Some got weary in well-doing and fell away. Those who held fast, convinced that Jehovah’s praise was the vital concern, are strong and mature today. Personally, I enjoyed most of all getting out into the field and telling people the things we were learning.

In addition to the rich spiritual benefits that have been mine during the many years of serving Jehovah, there have been other wonderful benefits. I have been able to travel to California three times, once to Hawaii, three times to Puerto Rico and once to Florida and the Virgin Islands. In every instance it has been specially pleasurable to meet fellow Witnesses, men, women and children also devoted to Jehovah’s praise. Regularly attending the annual business meeting of the Watch Tower Society at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been another source of pleasure.

These latter years, back now with the large and growing Bethel family at Brooklyn, have been brimful with pleasures of service and association with loyal servants of God and Christ. I know I have much for which to be thankful. As a youth I was searching for the truth about God, and Jehovah let himself be found by me. I determined to praise his name. On coming to serve at Bethel I was asked if I would stay at my post until the Lord indicated a change. My answer was Yes. By God’s undeserved kindness I have been able to hold to that decision. And, since thus far I have been privileged to give my life to Jehovah’s service, I pray that I may be able to continue doing so until my last breath on earth.

It has been a joy to recount these experiences, and to express, though in a limited way, how Jehovah has kept strong my determination to keep on praising him. I feel like the psalmist must have felt when he declared: “I will exalt you, O my God the King. . . . All day long I will bless you, and I will praise your name to time indefinite, even forever.”—Ps. 145:1, 2.

‘At Your Bidding We Will Lower the Nets’

THAT was how the apostle Peter felt about it when Christ Jesus directed his disciples to try fishing in deeper waters. They had been unsuccessful all night, but the Master Fisherman was speaking, and he was pointing to a new fishing ground, one they had not yet tried. There was firm assurance in his voice, conviction that they would have success. And success they achieved, far beyond their hopes.—Luke 5:4-6.

So, too, it has been in modern times. Followers of Jesus today have demonstrated willingness to be guided by the directions received through the Christian congregation from the One who invited them to become “fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19) Many have moved to new fishing grounds. At his bidding they have “let down the nets” in new areas. But have they obtained the same astonishing results? And are there still such opportunities for yet others who will respond readily to the bidding of the Chief Fisherman?

Consider the facts and determine for yourself the answers to those questions. As long as Jehovah God holds open the opportunity to engage in this vast “fishing” activity, this work of ‘catching men alive’ and bringing them into a condition of security in God’s organization, there is still time for many to yield themselves to the direction of His spirit and, where possible, move into a new “fishing” territory.

COULD CHILE BECOME YOUR HOME?

“How would you like to be in a small group here in Chile, just starting out as a missionary?” writes one of Jehovah’s witnesses. “We unpack our bags, make the bed, and then go forth to struggle with a language that is still quite new to us. That is what we did almost nineteen years ago. With Jehovah’s spirit to help, we kept on, and now this is what seems like ‘home’ to us.

“What is really challenging about the spiritual fishing work here is to have more opportunities of conducting Bible studies in people’s homes than one can really handle. And then to see many persons progress from rank superstition to strong faith in God’s Word brings an indescribable sense of satisfaction. Yes, you would enjoy being among these friendly people who always thank us when we study the Bible with them or even just when we make a brief visit. This is truly HOME to us!”

And here is a report from Chile’s extreme southern end: “In 1956 the first group of missionaries was assigned to work in Punta Arenas, and I had the privilege of being among them. At that time there was no congregation, and the extreme weather conditions produced many an obstacle. But are we ever happy we dug in and stayed on! For now there are over eighty Witnesses in the congregation here—this in addition to the others who found it necessary economically to move to other parts of Chile.

“One businessman with whom we studied the Bible braved the criticism of friends and relatives, all Catholics, and persevered in taking in accurate knowledge. His father brought a judge of the high court, a family friend, to visit and try to dissuade him. But this newly interested person was able to show the judge the basis for his new faith in the Bible. The judge had to admit that God’s name is Jehovah.”

But the whole trend of things in Chile points to it as one of the choice fishing grounds of our time. Since the arrival of the first Gilead-trained missionary back in 1945, when there were only 59 Witnesses in the whole country, the increase has been thrilling. In number of publishers of the Kingdom they have reached 5,223. But that still means that every publisher in the country has to care for a population of about 1,700. If you are one of Jehovah’s witnesses, are you in position to join them and lighten their task?

FISHING PROSPECTS IN PERU

It was with mixed feelings that the first missionaries arrived in Peru in 1946. Training at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead had helped to make them aware of the language problem, but now they would have to apply directly what little of the language they had learned. No matter how large the problem loomed, however, they knew that they must rely on Jehovah’s spirit to carry them through. There were then very few local Witnesses.

And what have been the results in ‘men caught alive’ since that time? In 1956 there were 524 Kingdom publishers in 13 congregations. In 1966 there were 2,530 publishers in 63 congregations, and in this year, 1968, a peak of 3,100 has already been reported. But in a land of over 12,000,000 inhabitants marvelous fishing opportunities still remain.

Listen to this gripping account by a missionary of his Bible study conducted with an Amazon riverboat builder: “When I would arrive for the study Mr. R—— would stop all work on the boats and call the workers over to a shady portion of the open-air workshop where all sat down for the study. Week after week he drank in the Bible’s waters of truth concerning the promises of a new order. Soon he was anxious to tell others about it—his own relatives first. He asked if I would take the trip down the Amazon to visit them. We left at 4 a.m. one dark morning, well equipped with Bibles and literature. Breakfast was cooked on an open charcoal burner as we sped to our destination. We arrived at around 6 p.m.

“It seemed that all the mosquitoes in the country had arrived at the same time, 7 p.m. being the regular feeding time for these insects. We picked up our gear and started out through the jungle over a small, well-defined path. It was hot and clammy, but the jungle noises were fascinating to hear. Finally we arrived at a little clearing in the jungle where we saw our ‘house’ built high on stilts. It was late now, so we put up mosquito netting and got to bed.

“After a few days of working ‘from hut to hut’ we arranged a public meeting for one evening. Around fifty persons came from the surrounding jungle. Our lantern drew thousands of insects and mosquitoes as well. Jacket zipped up to the neck and hat pulled down over my ears, I spoke to an audience that was most attentive. Everyone wanted literature.”

Of course, Peru also has its lofty mountainous areas where the air is thin and the nights are cool enough for blankets. But everywhere throughout the land one can find hearing ears and inquiring minds. There are many places that have need of help. Some large cities still do not have one Witness, and have never been touched. Santiago de Chuco is one of these. It is in northern Peru where the government is now putting through a road to the interior. This will open up vast new fields, not only to Spanish-speaking people, but also to many Indian tribes that are only now having contact with modern society. And towns such as Chachapoyas, Moyobamba, Boca Grande and Boca Chica all are open to those who can come and serve where the need is so great.

VENEZUELA ALSO BECKONS

Here is a land that has 10 million inhabitants. Place alongside that the figure of 5,314 Witnesses, and you can see the need for more fishers of men, for many are the eager and friendly natives. How eager they are to hear the good news may be gathered from the following experiences.

One missionary toured many of the cities and towns of the country showing the Watch Tower Society’s films. In one place an interested man undertook to paint one wall of his home white so that it might serve as a movie screen. In a mountain settlement near Carupano a friendly storekeeper furnished electricity from his light plant—the only source available for miles. He also offered the use of his rooster-fighting arena without charge, and even shot off rockets to inform the hill people of the event. Eighty-five of them responded, many of them riding burros.

There are missionaries graduated from Gilead School who have spent many years in the work of ‘fishing for men’ in Venezuela, some of them well over ten years. How do they express themselves on their record of perseverance? “As missionaries,” said one, “we are so blessed by being free from the general worries that beset people of the world, free from having to spend most of our effective hours in secular work instead. Returning home each night after a full day’s service brings a satisfaction in knowing that one has truly fulfilled Jehovah’s will.”

Said another: “To have been able to devote many years to missionary service here in Venezuela has enriched my life so much. The constant activity in the ministry has been a safeguard against the pitfalls of a world that lives so contrary to Bible principles. It also has maintained for me a clear vision of Jehovah’s grand purpose.”

And a Witness with fourteen years of missionary service writes: “I am glad to have been in this grand work all those years, for it has given me opportunity to observe God’s mercy and protection and his marvelous ways of guiding the steps of his willing servants. I am now more convinced than ever that my decision to be a missionary was the only right one to make and I would do it all over again.”

Another Witness with sixteen years of missionary activity behind him expresses himself this way: “In this service my thoughts are undivided and constantly on Jehovah’s Word. It aids me to avoid bad associations that would assuredly have presented a hazard in any other occupation. And when one gets tired physically in this work he has the satisfaction that he has spent himself in a worthwhile work, Jehovah’s service.”

One and all, these persevering “fishers” would say to you if they had the opportunity, “Yes, we are in urgent need of more willing hands to tend the nets.” There are doubtless still many ‘fine fish’ in Venezuelan waters.

FOLLOWING THE APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE

The apostle Peter and his fellow fishermen yielded themselves to the bidding of the Master, Christ Jesus. The timing and the location for their further activities were laid down by One whom Jehovah used to create both fish and men, the One who could lead them in the way of success and peace. Today, we too can yield ourselves for service under the Master Fisherman, who can direct us unerringly to rich and satisfying catches of men. Through the Christian congregation he supplies the equipment, the training, the cooperation, so that Jehovah’s witnesses individually can become more adept at handling the “fishing nets.”

When we have taken advantage of all this help and encouragement, what are we going to do? Be satisfied with using our “fishing” abilities in a limited manner? Or are we ready to expand with the vast “fishing” organization and reach out into new and untouched regions of the sea of humankind? Chile, Peru and Venezuela are some of the places where “fishers of men” who have been plying their vocation have located vast shoals of “fishes” and have signaled for helpers. Can you respond?

If you can, it means organizing your affairs with that aim in view. It means dispensing with many of the nonessential things and laying plans that can be carried out. For example, you could write and request information from the Office of the President, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, about the requirements for those who would like to serve in a foreign land. Also, you could write to the branch office in the country where you believe you could serve and request information as to possibilities of obtaining entrance to that country, giving particulars such as your age, health, knowledge of Spanish, and so forth.

By all means, count the cost first. Single men and women, married couples and even families have moved and served where the need is greater in connection with the proclamation of the “good news.” But each case has its own unique features. Take your case to Jehovah in prayer. Ask for his direction in the matter. And call to mind that God’s glorified Son, Christ Jesus, now directs the entire global “fishing” effort, so assuring success for those who will be guided by him in the timing and the location of their “fishing” activities. Can you say as did Peter, ‘At your bidding, Master, we will lower the nets’?

“Prove Yourself a Blessing”

●When Jehovah directed Abraham (Abram) to move to another land, God had a loving purpose in view. Abraham responded, and as a result he was blessed, and he proved himself a blessing to others. The account at Genesis 12:1-4 reads: “Jehovah proceeded to say to Abram: ‘Go your way out of your country and from your relatives and from the house of your father to the country that I shall show you; . . . and prove yourself a blessing.’ . . . At that Abram went just as Jehovah had spoken to him, and Lot went with him.”

The Pope Is Not Infallible

IT WAS not until the Vatican Council of 1870 that the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Vatican City was declared to be infallible when he speaks officially as head of the church on faith and morals. But the facts prove that he is not infallible. Even many leaders of the Catholic church argued that point during the month-long debate on infallibility at the Vatican Council of 1870.

Newman of England, who later became a cardinal, as well as Archbishop Kenrick of St. Louis opposed papal infallibility. So also did Bishop Strossmayer from the leading Croatian university and Bishop Hefele of Germany, to mention a few. Bishop Hefele stated that he had sought proof of papal infallibility for thirty years and had been unable to find it.

The declaration of infallibility is based upon the assumption that the apostle Peter was chosen by Jesus Christ to be the foundation of the Christian church and that the popes are his lawful successors. The book The Holy See at Work by Peter Canisius Van Lierde, who was Papal Sacristan and Vicar General of the Pope for Vatican City, states on page 55: “Our Lord determined the object of faith and morals, the incomparable treasure which He transmitted to the Church for the elevation, the spiritual life and the happiness of men. This patrimony is of such importance to humanity that Christ wished to entrust its preservation through the centuries to the assistance of the Holy Spirit, who confers infallibility upon Peter and his successors.” This basic assumption is in error, and therefore the conclusion drawn from it, that the Pope is infallible, is in error. Consider the facts.

PETER NOT HEAD OF CHURCH

Rather than giving support to the contention that Peter was made head of the Christian church by Jesus Christ, the Holy Scriptures show that Jesus Christ kept that position for himself, giving it to no one else. Many years after Jesus’ resurrection the apostle Paul wrote, according to the Catholic Douay Version: “Christ is the head of the church.” (Eph. 5:23) There is no evidence in the Scriptures that Peter was the head of the church. That he was not is clear from the record of the first church council that was held in Jerusalem, about 49 C.E. Rather than presiding over the council, Peter addressed it as did Barnabas and Paul, but it was James who summed up the matter under discussion and made the recommendation that was followed by the council.—Acts 15:6-29.

It was not Peter who wrote most of the letters of instruction on faith and morals to the early church. Only two were written by him, but fourteen were written by the apostle Paul. That the apostle Paul did not regard Peter as the divinely appointed head of the church is evident from what he states at Galatians 2:9 (Dy): “James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship.” Thus Cephas or Peter was not acknowledged by Paul, who had received the holy spirit, as being the foundation and head of the church, but only as being one of those who “seemed to be pillars” in it. Later he rebuked Peter to his face for actions unbecoming of an apostle.—Gal. 2:11-14.

But you may say, what about the statement by Jesus at Matthew 16:18 (Dy), where he says: “I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”? The assumption that Peter is the rock foundation to which Jesus referred is in error. Peter himself testifies as to who that foundation is when he says, at 1 Peter 2:4-8 (Dy), that the congregation are “living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.” Then he refers to Jesus Christ as “the stone which the builders rejected,” “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word.” Thus Peter plainly confesses that the Lord Jesus Christ is that rock or foundation cornerstone upon whom the church is built.

When Jesus acknowledged Peter’s faith, he said that he would build his church, not upon Peter, but upon himself whom Peter had just confessed as being the Son of the living God. This is in harmony with Ephesians 2:20 (Dy), which calls Christ “the chief corner stone.” Since Peter was not the foundation and head of the church he could have no successors. Therefore the Pope has no authoritative basis for his claim of primacy and infallibility.

POPES HAVE ERRED

By official proclamation Pope Pius XII declared as dogma that Mary, after completing her course, “was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” But this declaration is in direct contradiction to the inspired Scriptures and therefore is in error. The Scriptures plainly state that no fleshly body can enter heavenly glory, and this is in accord with sound reasoning, which tells us that fleshly human bodies were made for life on this earth under its atmospheric canopy, not for the realm of spirit creatures. With good reason, then, the Scriptures state at 1 Corinthians 15:44, 45, 50 (Dy) with regard to the resurrection of the members of Christ’s church: “It is sown a natural body: it shall rise a spiritual body. If there be a natural body, there is also a spiritual body, as it is written: The first man Adam was made into a living soul; the last Adam into a quickening spirit. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God.”

Pope Pius IX officially declared that Mary “was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” This, too, is an error that conflicts with God’s Word of truth. An inspired statement written more than twenty years after Jesus had ascended to heaven states: “By one man sin entered into this world and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12, Dy) No exception is made for Mary. After the birth of Jesus she even presented a sin offering in connection with her purification. (Luke 2:22-24; Lev. 12:8) Like everyone else who descended from Adam, Mary was born in sin, and no Bible writer states otherwise. Speaking for Christ’s followers, of whom Mary was one, the apostle John states: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”—1 John 1:8, Dy.

When the facts are examined, it becomes clear that the claim of infallibility for the Pope is an outright falsehood designed to mislead trusting people. Regarding religious leaders who deceive, the Bible states: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:13) As Jesus forewarned, there is grave danger to those who blindly follow the lead of such men.—Matt. 15:14.

Questions From Readers

● Which Zechariah was Jesus referring to when he spoke of “Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar”?—H. R., Canada.

Jesus was speaking against the religious leaders of his day when he said, “that there may come upon you all the righteous blood spilled on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.” (Matt. 23:35) In Luke’s account the words “son of Barachiah” are omitted. (Luke 11:50, 51) They are also not found in Matthew’s account in the Codex Sinaiticus. However, the weight of manuscript evidence is that Jesus did mention “Zechariah son of Barachiah.”

Understandably one might wonder which man Jesus meant, since more than twenty men are named Zechariah in the Hebrew Scriptures. While some commentators feel that Jesus meant the prophet “Zechariah the son of Berechiah,” who wrote the book of Zechariah, there is nothing to indicate that he was murdered.—Zech. 1:1; LXX; Dy.

The most common understanding is that Jesus referred to Zechariah “the son of Jehoiada the priest,” since this Zechariah was stoned to death during the days of King Jehoash. (2 Chron. 24:20-22) Supporting this conclusion is the fact that Chronicles is listed last in the traditional Jewish canon, thereby making Abel the first righteous man recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures as having been murdered and Zechariah the last. Also, the place of death of this Zechariah, “in the courtyard of Jehovah’s house,” corresponds with Jesus’ location of the incident “between the sanctuary and the altar.”

In the cases of both Abel and Zechariah a reckoning for shedding of blood was foretold. (Gen. 4:10; 2 Chron. 24:22) And there is a strong parallel between the circumstances and events in the days of Zechariah the son of Jehoiada and those of the generation living when Jesus spoke. Soon after priest Zechariah’s death, a Syrian force despoiled Judah and executed acts of judgment on Jehoash. (2 Chron. 24:23-25) After describing the bloodguilt of those to whom he was talking, Jesus said: “All these things will come upon this generation.” (Matt. 23:36) Those words were fulfilled on Jerusalem and Judea in 70-73 C.E.

Who, then, was the father of this Zechariah—Barachiah or Jehoiada? Some have thought that the aged priest Jehoiada (2 Chron. 24:15) was actually Zechariah’s grandfather and that his father (Barachiah) was not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, though his name may have been preserved in the genealogies of the priests. Another suggestion, and one that is quite reasonable, is that Jehoiada, the father of Zechariah, who was murdered, may have had two names, as is the case with other Biblical persons. (Compare Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:14.) Interestingly, the meaning of Barachiah (Jah blesses) is much like that of Jehoiada (Jehovah knows or regards). In any event, Jesus could appropriately draw on the unrighteous murder of Zechariah in condemning persecutors of God’s servants in his day.

● Was the apostle Paul ever married?—L. B., U.S.A.

The Bible does not comment directly on this; though, from things Paul wrote, it seems possible that he was a widower during his years as a Christian.

One basis for this conclusion is the way he expressed himself in defending his apostleship when writing to the Corinthians. He pointed out that he had certain rights that he had not used. For one thing, he did not accept personal financial assistance from them, even though he had the right to eat at their expense. (1 Cor. 9:4, 11-15) Likewise, he wrote: “We have authority to lead about a sister as a wife, even as the rest of the apostles.” (1 Cor. 9:5) That he mentioned this while in the process of outlining things he had the right to do but did not do, indicates that he evidently did not have a wife at that time.

As for concluding that he was a widower, note his expression at 1 Corinthians 7:8: “I say to the unmarried persons and the widows, it is well for them that they remain even as I am.” He had just offered counsel to married persons. Then before going on to other matters involving married Christians, he directed comments to “the unmarried persons and the widows.” The Greek word here translated “unmarried persons” applies to all unmarried persons and can mean bachelors and formerly married persons who were then without living mates. The Greek word translated “widows” definitely means formerly married women. Since Paul recommended his own situation for such ones, it is quite possible that he was a widower himself.

Other arguments have also been offered to support the position that he had once been married. For example, some have reasoned that his insight into marital matters suggests that he experienced marriage himself. Possibly so, but, since he wrote under inspiration, that is not conclusive proof.—2 Pet. 3:15, 16.

Some have reasoned that Paul was formerly a member of the Sanhedrin, and that since being married was a requirement for membership in this high court of the Jews, that would prove he had been married. Proponents of this line of reasoning point to Acts 26:10 to establish that Paul had been a member of the Sanhedrin. That Ac 26 verse 10 reads: “When [some Christians] were to be executed, I cast my vote against them.” But whether he actually cast a vote as a member of the Sanhedrin or just expressed his personal support of the execution, we cannot be certain. Even if he was a member, the requirements for membership apparently were not always the same. At one time only a man with a wife and children was acceptable, and there is nothing to establish that Paul had any children. So the lack of complete details regarding the Sanhedrin membership requirements weakens arguments as to Paul’s marital state that are based on such possible membership.

Hence, if we hold to what can be learned from the Scriptures themselves, the most we can say is that Paul may have been married at one time, but was unmarried during the time of his missionary journeys.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Jehovah’s people have long rejoiced in the victories of their God Jehovah. In harmony with the prophecy at Psalm 68:24 they want men everywhere to see Jehovah’s victory processions. All the preaching that Jehovah’s people do throughout the earth today is really a part of this foretold victory procession. In carrying on their preaching work during July, Jehovah’s witnesses will be offering Bible study-aid publications from house to house. The offer will be the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, with a booklet, on a contribution of 50c.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND COMFORT?

Disappointments face us on all sides. Evidence is to be seen in the unsettled world conditions, the poverty-protest marches, student revolts against classroom and school administration, strikes against employers, rebellion against governmental controls. How will it all end? In an amicable solution of all social issues or as many are beginning to fear, in either anarchy or a police state? Regardless of what men do, God’s purpose for blessing this earth will not fail. Do you know how and when it will take place? how you can benefit? Take comfort! Read “Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie.” Send only 50c. Send now and receive free a booklet on a timely Bible subject.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

August 11: The Holy Scriptures Supply Spiritual Needs. Page 424. Songs to Be Used: 20, 100.

August 18: Drawing Comfort from the Scriptures. Page 430. Songs to Be Used: 41, 70.