The Watchtower — October 1, 1969

The Blessing of Having Much to Do

IS HAVING much to do a blessing? How can that be? some may ask. Does not the Bible tell us that work is a curse that God placed upon man? Unfortunately that is one of the popular misconceptions about the Bible that is held by some who profess to understand it.

Thus Professor W. R. Bowie, in commenting on Genesis 3:17-19, states: “Work is represented as the curse laid upon Adam and his descendants. To have to work . . . seemed to the human instinct to be the mark of punishment. . . . The men who shaped the traditions which have come down in Genesis were here trying to interpret experience and the good and bad they found in it. The necessity of labor was something they did not like; so they regarded it as evil. It felt like punishment, so they concluded that it was punishment.”—The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 1, p. 511.

After Adam had disobeyed, God said to him: “Cursed is the ground on your account. . . . In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken.” The ground was cursed, but is work itself a curse?—Gen. 3:17-19.

Man, when first created and perfect, was given work to do. “Jehovah God proceeded to take the man and settle him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.” This garden of Eden was a vast park, large enough to accommodate some of all the species of land animals that God created, for Adam named them all without leaving Eden. To take care of such a large park and cultivate it meant work. But it was not grievous, backbreaking labor. It was a joy. Such work was not a curse.—Gen. 2:15.

That this is the right conclusion can be seen from the rest of the Holy Scriptures. They tell us to do with our very power what our hands find to do, for in the grave we can no longer work. (Eccl. 9:10) The lazy one “will be of little means,” the Bible says, “but the hand of the diligent one is what will make one rich.” (Prov. 10:4) We are warned that the lazy one “is a brother to the one causing ruin,” chief of whom is none other than Satan himself! (Prov. 18:9) Well did King Solomon say: “I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life; and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”—Eccl. 3:12, 13.

Jesus Christ, when upon earth, stated that his Father kept on working and that he also worked. (John 5:17) And repeatedly the apostle Paul counseled others to work as well as telling of his own labors: “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit.” “Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work, doing with his hands what is good work, that he may have something to distribute to someone in need.”—Rom. 12:11; Eph. 4:28; 2 Cor. 11:27.

Among the blessings of having much to do is that it helps to keep us out of trouble. This principle is supported by the words of the apostle Paul that young widows should marry and rear children because having much to do would be a safeguard to them.—1 Tim. 2:15; 5:14.

Having much to do is also a blessing in that it helps to make time fly by fast. This is a fact especially appreciated by those retired because of their age. Without having anything to do or having too little to do they are apt to become frustrated, bored.

And it should especially be observed that having much to do is also a blessing in that with it goes the satisfaction of having accomplished much. But, of course, it is taken for granted that the work here being considered is honorable, honest toil. Those who work at robbing, cheating or otherwise selfishly exploiting others cannot expect any blessings from having much of such things to do, however much they may at the time benefit materially from it!

It may well be said that no group today is busier than the Christian witnesses of Jehovah, They do much private Bible study, attend five weekly congregation meetings and spend much time each month preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and making disciples of people, in addition to making honest provision of material things for themselves and their families. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) Having plenty to do in the Lord’s work serves as a protection from many of the snares of the world, the flesh and the Devil. They also have the joy and satisfaction of bringing honor to Jehovah’s name and bringing comfort to mourning truth-seekers. And they have the promise of the reward of eternal life.—1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 8:21; 1 Tim. 5:8.

Should you visit an average congregation of these Witnesses and get acquainted with them you would find that they are truly a happy people. You would also likely discover that the happiest among them are those having the most to do in preaching and teaching God’s Word to others. This is bound to bring many blessings, for there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.—Acts 20:35.

Not that the Witnesses are fanatics or extremists. They are reasonable. In particular, family men with positions of responsibility in the congregation are careful to be balanced in these matters. They recognize their responsibility to spend time with their families. They let their families share in their activities as much as possible, and especially do they make certain to study the Bible together. They also see to it that recreation is a family affair.

Can the Bible be charged with terming work a curse? Absolutely not! Is there blessing in having much to do? Yes, there is, if we are doing the right kind of work and balancing it with our other needs and the needs of our loved ones.

Do You Continue to Make Progress?

What progress is of greatest importance? How can it be made?

IN ALL levels of society there is interest in progress. Governments institute programs for the cultural, educational and economic progress of their citizens. Business corporations are always on the lookout for progressive-minded men to serve in administrative positions. And what parent is not joyful in noting commendation on the “Progress Report” his child brings home from school?

So it matters not where we look today, we observe that people are interested in progress. However, a brief reflection reveals that the progress the majority are interested in is of an economic or materialistic nature. Little or no emphasis is placed on moral or spiritual values. As a result, we are witnessing on a worldwide scale what happened to the ancient nation of Israel when too much emphasis was placed on the material side of life.

Appreciating the fact that materially prosperous persons may readily forget God and become self-confident, God’s prophet Moses warned that nation as it stood ready to take possession of the rich land that God had promised it:

“Watch out for yourself that you may not forget Jehovah your God so as not to keep his commandments and his judicial decisions and his statutes that I am commanding you today; for fear that you may eat and indeed satisfy yourself, and you may build good houses and indeed dwell in them, and your herd and your flock may increase, and silver and gold may increase for you, and all that is yours may increase; and your heart may indeed be lifted up and you may indeed forget Jehovah your God.”—Deut. 8:11-14.

Later Bible history tells us that this is exactly what happened: “Israel began forgetting his Maker.” (Hos. 8:14) Why, they even began worshiping a materialistic false god named Baal, attributing their material prosperity to him! So, instead of growing in favor with the true God, Jehovah, the nation retrogressed. Or, as Jehovah himself expressed it, “they became backward in direction and not forward.” (Jer. 7:24) For failing to make spiritual progress due to lack of faith the nation was finally rejected by God.—Heb. 3:19.

Concerning the judgments executed by God on that nation of Israel the Christian apostle Paul wrote: “Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us.” (1 Cor. 10:11) Now what warning should we learn from that nation that “became backward in direction and not forward”? It is the lesson that if we do not continue to grow in faith toward God, to make spiritual progress, we will merit God’s disapproval.

So, are you making spiritual progress? Are you growing in faith?

FAITH ESSENTIAL TO PROGRESS

At the mention of faith many are prone to respond: “Oh, I have faith in God!” Yet many of these have not even read the Bible, the Word of God. Therefore, what they may know about God is simply what others have told them. And in this day and age when so many are misrepresenting God we are justified in asking, “Do such ones really have an accurate knowledge of God?” Usually they do not. If we desire accurate knowledge it is vital that we study the Bible personally.

True faith is firm conviction based on an accurate knowledge of God’s Word, which is the truth. (Rom. 10:17; John 17:17) The Bible defines true faith as “the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” Real faith is founded on “realities,” not hearsay.—Heb. 11:1.

Thus, without an accurate knowledge of God’s Word it is impossible to have the faith with which to please God. Whether you continue to make spiritual progress or not really depends upon the depth of your appreciation of God and of his provisions for life. Such appreciation grows in relation to the knowledge you gain of him. Hence, what are you doing to increase your knowledge of God so as to deepen your appreciation, so as to build your faith?

NEED TO INCREASE IN ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE

You may have some knowledge of the Bible because you have read it. Or you may even have studied the Bible with those who distribute this journal, the Christian witnesses of Jehovah. And perhaps you have attended some of their meetings at the local Kingdom Hall. When you reflect on your present knowledge of the Bible as compared with the knowledge you possessed at the time of your first contact with Jehovah’s witnesses, very likely you will find that you have increased in accurate Bible knowledge. But are you continuing to make spiritual advancement? Do you as yet “have faith to the preserving alive of the soul”? (Heb. 10:39) Or have you allowed the anxieties of life to interfere with your spiritual progress?

Jesus, in his illustration of the sower, showed that there would be those who would hear the word of truth, but who would allow “the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches” to interfere with their spiritual progress. (Matt. 13:22) While it is true that in most parts of the earth it is becoming more difficult to provide the necessities of life, is this reason to allow a ‘choking of the word’? Jesus showed that those who are overly concerned with daily necessities, such as what they will wear and what they will eat, are really lacking faith. (Matt. 6:30) If we have the same desire as Jesus’ apostles, who said, “Give us more faith,” then we will not neglect our spiritual needs because of anxiety over material things.—Luke 17:5.

Also, there are many persons who love God’s Word but who are allowing relatives or friends to discourage them from taking the study of God’s Word seriously. It may be said that such persons are hindered from making spiritual progress because they are caught in a snare, for “trembling at men is what lays a snare.” (Prov. 29:25) Are you caught in that snare? If so, then you need to be reminded that it is not man, but Jehovah God who “should be the object of your fear, and he should be the One causing you to tremble.”—Isa. 8:13.

We should have a reverent fear of God, a fear to displease him. “Jehovah is finding pleasure in those fearing him,” but of the one who “shrinks back” he says, “my soul has no pleasure in him.” (Ps. 147:11; Heb. 10:38) So obviously there cannot be a shrinking back or compromising if we are going to receive the approval of the One who can reward us with everlasting life.

Those who are meeting successfully the challenges to their faith appreciate the need to develop their faith through regular study of the Bible and through regular association with God’s name people. They recognize the need to be “nourished with the words of the faith” in order to grow firm in faith. (1 Tim. 4:6) In their desire to “grow to salvation” they have formed “a longing for the unadulterated milk belonging to the word.” (1 Pet. 2:2) They are not satisfied with infrequent study of the Bible or with occasional feeding at God’s spiritual table in the congregational meetings. If you are going to “go on . . . increasing in the accurate knowledge of God,” you must follow their fine example of faith.—Col. 1:10.

MAKING PUBLIC DECLARATION OF YOUR FAITH

As you continue to grow in knowledge and understanding of the truth of God’s Word, you will find your faith in God growing. The assured expectation of the fulfillment of God’s promises respecting a new order of righteousness will become your expectation. When you read in the Bible the prophetic foregleams of God’s new system of things, there will be cultivated within you the hope of living then to enjoy its blessings. (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:3, 4) And quite naturally you will have the urge to tell others of your Bible-based hope, to speak out of your heart’s abundance.—Matt. 12:34.

The Christian apostle Paul felt the urge to make public declaration of his faith. (Rom. 10:10) He knew that God’s “will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4) Due to the accurate knowledge he had of the truth, he considered himself a debtor to all. In connection with declaring the good news he said: “There is eagerness on my part to declare the good news . . . For I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith.” (Rom. 1:14-17) Will you manifest the eagerness of Paul in sharing the good news? Or will you be ashamed of the good news and thus remain silent?

The apostle Paul was not one to accept the undeserved kindness of God and miss its purpose. (2 Cor. 6:1) He realized that he was really in a race, the prize of which was life, and he was determined to run in such a way that he might attain it. “Therefore,” he said, “the way I am running is not uncertainly.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27) Rather, he was “stretching forward to the things ahead, . . . pursuing down toward the goal for the prize.” He was making progress along the way that leads to life and encouraged us to do the same, saying: “To what extent we have made progress, let us go on walking orderly in this same routine.”—Phil. 3:13-16.

To what extent have you made progress? Does attaining the prize of life mean as much to you as it did to Paul? Or are you running uncertainly, limping upon two different opinions, so to speak? If you are not yet serving God with a complete heart, then do not the following words of the Christian apostle Peter apply in your case: “The time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations”? (1 Pet. 4:3) Knowing that the will of the nations cannot prevail over the will of God, should you not respond affirmatively to the question, “Who is on Jehovah’s side?” (Ex. 32:26) But perhaps you ask: “How can I declare myself on God’s side?”

DECLARING YOURSELF ON GOD’S SIDE

You can declare yourself on God’s side by humbly acknowledging that he is ‘worthy to receive the glory and the honor because he created all things,’ that “by him we have life and move and exist.” (Rev. 4:11; Acts 17:28) This acknowledgment must be backed up by a decision on your part to do the will of God. This should be a decision based upon knowledge you have gained of God and his purposes, and a heartfelt desire to do his will. And how should this humble acknowledgment and decision to serve God be made known to him?

It is properly made known to God in prayer, even as Jesus did when presenting himself to do the will of his Father. At that time he said: “Look! I am come to do your will.” (Heb. 10:9) Your decision or dedication to do God’s will is a very important step forward in your life of praise to God. After taking it, you should then demonstrate to others that you have chosen to be found on Jehovah’s side by submitting to water baptism, after the example of Jesus.—Matt. 3:13-17.

As seen in the light of Bible prophecy, present world events signify that the time left in which you can identify yourself on God’s side is greatly reduced. Very shortly now God will put it in the minds of the rulers of the earth to destroy completely what remains of the world empire of false religion, “Babylon the Great.” That day of the execution of God’s judgment upon false religion will come suddenly, swiftly. Then it will be too late to make an escape from that harlot-like system that holds in bondage all those not enjoying the freedom that only true worship brings. Therefore, it is urgent to take the positive step of declaring yourself on Jehovah’s side without delay.—Rev. 17:5, 16, 17; 18:21.

There is great joy that comes as a result of making spiritual advancement. And, because one’s everlasting destiny is involved, indeed there is no advancement that is more urgent. Do not be discouraged by the progressive steps involved in attaining Christian maturity. As your faith grows through your receiving the Word of God into a right and good heart, it will motivate you to take each logical forward step.

Just as a child progresses toward adulthood little by little, in the same way you may expect to become full grown in a spiritual sense. And just as loving parents are ready to help their child advance toward physical, mental and emotional maturity, so the Christian witnesses of Jehovah are anxious to help you make progress toward spiritual maturity. They experience a unique joy in seeing persons with whom they study the Bible advance in knowledge and understanding of God’s purposes to the point of also becoming active servants of God. Therefore, accept their assistance with the full assurance that it is being offered without ulterior motive, but rather out of genuine “love” that “does not look for its own interests.”—1 Cor. 13:4, 5.

Pay Attention to “The Prophetic Word”

“You are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place.”—2 Pet. 1:19.

1. How does God’s prophetic Word well describe modern-day predictions by men?

A DARK gloom is settling down on mankind. Oh, there have been many predictions of better times, of ‘a world made safe for democracy’ and of ‘four freedoms,’ and glowing prophecies have been made concerning what the League of Nations, and later the United Nations, would accomplish. But somehow, all of these prophecies have gone unfulfilled. The situation is like that which caused God to declare, in another day of crisis: “And they try to heal the breakdown of my people lightly, saying, ‘There is peace! There is peace!’ when there is no peace.” (Jer. 6:14) How true of this world today!

2. Why do many human forecasts fail? How do they contrast with Jehovah’s prophetic utterances?

² Why is it that human forecasts of better times and of peace are all failing? For one thing, they are usually based on wishful thinking, rather than fact. Many of them are made for propaganda purposes. And most importantly, these human predictions run counter to God’s inspired Word, the Bible. They are not in harmony with God’s declared purposes for this earth. Jehovah God’s utterance to these would-be prophets is: “For the thoughts of you people are not my thoughts, nor are my ways your ways.” Concerning his own prophetic Word, he adds: “It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it.” (Isa. 55:8, 11) You, too, can have certain success by urgently heeding that Word!

A “SEED” OF VINDICATION

3. (a) Against whom was God’s first prophecy spoken, and what does it foretell? (b) What basis is there for believing that peace and freedom will be restored to earth?

³ Let us turn back the pages of the Bible to the first prophecy inspired by God, almost six thousand years ago. Listen to his judgment pronounced in Eden. It is against the renegade Satan, seducer of our first parents. Jehovah declares: “And I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.” (Gen. 3:15) A bruising of Satan’s head is foretold. And note how the apostle Paul applies this scripture in writing to true lovers of God and righteousness: “For his part, the God who gives peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” (Rom. 16:20) It is by the crushing of Satan and his “seed” that Jehovah brings real peace to this earth, restoring the groaning creation to “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Jehovah’s prophecy in Eden provides the basis for this hope.—Rom. 8:20, 21.

4. (a) Who was first called a “prophet” in the Bible? (b) What two noteworthy miracles were performed in connection with Isaac?

⁴ But who is the woman’s “seed”—the “seed” of vindication that upholds Jehovah’s side of the issue against Satan? It was two thousand years after Eden that Jehovah shed much light on this question through his dealings with his “friend” Abraham—the first man called “prophet” in the Bible record. (Jas. 2:23; Gen. 20:7) Jehovah performed two noteworthy miracles in connection with faithful Abraham. The first of these was to empower Abraham and his wife, the long-barren Sarah, to produce their only son, Isaac, in their old age. (Gen. 21:1-7) Years later, when Isaac had grown to young manhood, Jehovah commanded Abraham to slay Isaac in sacrifice on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeyed. But as he was about to apply the knife to Isaac, another miracle! An angel called to Abraham to desist. And look! a ram was at hand to replace Isaac as the burnt sacrifice. Isaac was restored to Abraham, as though by a resurrection.

5. What sworn promise did Jehovah make to Abraham, and how may you share in its fulfillment?

⁵ How Abraham must have been stirred by what he next heard!—Jehovah’s sworn utterance of prophecy, as conveyed through the angel: “That by reason of the fact that you have done this thing and you have not withheld your son, your only one, I shall surely bless you and I shall surely multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and like the grains of sand that are on the seashore; and your seed will take possession of the gate of his enemies. And by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice.” That oath-bound promise has had remarkable fulfillment already. By cultivating faith like Abraham’s you may have the joy of sharing in its further fulfillments.—Gen. 22:1-18; Heb. 11:8-19.

6. (a) What are some of the things prophecied concerning the “seed”? (b) What important purpose did these prophecies accomplish?

⁶ During the next two thousand years, Jehovah’s prophets down to Malachi, and to John the Baptist, continued to focus attention on the promised “seed.” Isaac’s own son, Jacob, prophesied that the “seed” would be a ruler called Shiloh, or “The One to Whom It Belongs,” out of Judah. (Gen. 49:10) Isaiah foretold his being born of a virgin, from David’s house, his humiliation and rejection and his sacrificial death. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6, 7; 28:16; 50:6; 53:5-12) Daniel described him as “Messiah the Leader,” and foretold the exact dates of his appearing and of his being cut off in death. (Dan. 9:24-27) Other prophets added minute details about his life and ministry, and his death and resurrection. (Mic. 5:2; Hos. 11:1; Zech. 9:9; 11:12; Ps. 22:16-18; 34:20; 16:10; 110:1) Did these hundreds of prophecies serve to identify the “seed” when this One finally appeared? Certainly they did, as Messiah’s faithful disciples repeatedly testified under inspiration!—Matt. 1:22, 23; 2:15, 17, 18; 12:40; 21:4, 5; 27:9; Luke 2:11; John 19:23, 24, 31-37; Acts 2:29-36.

7. (a) How did Jesus’ apostles positively identify the “seed”? (b) To what glorious fulfillment did four thousand years of prophesying come?

⁷ No wonder that Peter, when questioned, could say so positively to that One: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”! (Matt. 16:16) To which Paul adds his testimony: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It says, not: ‘And to seeds,’ as in the case of many such, but as in the case of one: ‘And to your seed,’ who is Christ.” (Gal. 3:16) So, here was the “seed” of vindication promised in Eden—and Abraham’s “seed.” Surely, four thousand years of prophesying had not been in vain! How wonderfully had the Edenic and Abrahamic promises blended in their fulfillment! For the miraculous birth of Isaac, in Abraham’s and Sarah’s old age, had well represented God sending forth the promised “seed” from his heavenly, wifelike organization of holy angels, after four millenniums of waiting. And the circumstances surrounding the sacrifice of Isaac tied in with the Edenic ‘seed’s’ receiving a ‘heel bruise’ from which he could be recovered, for here was pictured Jesus’ great sacrifice on earth, and his restoration to his Father’s heavenly presence by a resurrection. Here, then, is grand assurance that all of Jehovah’s prophecies will come to glorious fulfillment.

8. How was Abraham’s “seed” multiplied, and what about its number?

⁸ The apostle Paul was inspired, also, to explain the multiplying of Abraham’s “seed”—“like the stars of the heavens and like the grains of the sand that are on the seashore.” He described Jesus’ anointed followers as becoming “all one person in union with Christ Jesus. . . . really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise.” They are to inherit the heavenly kingdom with Christ. But not for always did their number remain indeterminate ‘like the stars and grains of sand,’ for God later revealed that this spiritual Israel is made up of 144,000 redeemed from the earth.—Gal. 3:28, 29; Rev. 7:4; 14:1, 3.

9. How did Jehovah use Israel, and to what did the tabernacle pattern point?

⁹ In marvelous portrayal of the glorious service to be performed by the promised “seed,” Jehovah used Abraham’s fleshly seed, ancient Israel, in making prophetic patterns. Following the inspired “blueprint” from Jehovah, skilled workmen, filled with “the spirit of God,” built the tabernacle, with its tent and furnishings. (Ex. 35:30–36:3) Here for about five hundred years, and for a further four hundred years at the temple built by Solomon, Israel’s priesthood was obliged to make the sacrifices commanded by Jehovah. Probably millions of sacrifices were offered over the centuries, and all of these ‘bore witness to Jesus,’ pointing to his perfect human sacrifice and his work as resurrected High Priest in ministering to those of mankind “earnestly looking for him for their salvation.”—Heb. 7:26-28; 9:23-28; Rev. 19:10.

10. (a) In what way did Jesus prove to be a “seed” of vindication, and how was he rewarded? (b) Of what prophecies does Hebrews 10:12, 13 remind us?

¹⁰ Jesus proved to be a “seed” of vindication, in that he kept flawless integrity to Jehovah and magnified Jehovah, even while receiving the painful ‘heel wound’ on the torture stake. In this, Jehovah God was blessed, as the One typified by Abraham. (Gen. 22:17) But further blessing was to come! In showing the fulfillment of Psalm 110, Paul states of Jesus: “This man offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.” (Heb. 10:12, 13) Ah, “his enemies.” This expression takes us right back to Genesis 3:15, where we read of “enmity” between the two ‘seeds.’ It reminds, too, of God’s sworn promise to Abraham, that his “seed will take possession of the gate of his enemies.” Who is this enemy “seed,” and how does the “seed” of God’s woman humiliate it?

THE SERPENT AND HIS BROOD

11. How does John describe the “children of the Devil”?

¹¹ Concerning the “seed” of the archenemy Satan, the apostle John writes: “The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should have love for one another; not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and slaughtered his brother. And for the sake of what did he slaughter him? Because his own works were wicked, but those of his brother were righteous.”—1 John 3:10-12.

12, 13. (a) With what has the ‘seed of the serpent’ always been identified? (b) What various parts are there to Satan’s “seed”?

¹² It was a mistaken way of worship, coupled with hatred for his brother, that made Cain a child of the Devil. (Gen. 4:3-8) And to this day, the ‘seed of the serpent’ has been identified with false worship, and has persecuted and slain true worshipers of God. Following the flood of Noah’s day, a worldwide empire of false religion developed, based on the mysteries of Babylon. (Gen. 10:9) So reprehensible is this empire of false religion in God’s sight, that the concluding prophecy of the Bible describes it as “Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth.”—Rev. 17:5.

¹³ We need to be on guard against this religious “seed” of Satan, and also against the Satanic “heavens,” which are also part of his “seed.” (Eph. 6:12) Satan organized this spirit “seed” from the angels who proved disobedient in Noah’s day, and over whom he became “Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” (Matt. 12:24; 2 Pet. 2:4) Satan also brought “all the kingdoms of the world” under his control, using his demons as ‘princes’ over them. (Matt. 4:8, 9; Dan. 10:13, 20) Satan’s “seed” thus came to be a powerful organization in heaven and on earth. It is his instrument whereby he seeks to devour lovers of righteousness, and we should be careful never to become enslaved by it.—1 Pet. 5:8, 9.

14. What did Jesus call the religious clergy of his day, and why?

¹⁴ The religious clergy of Jesus’ day were part of Satan’s “seed.” They taught traditions instead of God’s Word, and they spilled the righteous blood of God’s prophets. Jesus called them to their face “serpents, offspring of vipers.” (Matt. 23:33-36; 15:6) They claimed to be Abraham’s “seed,” but Jesus told them: “If you are Abraham’s children, do the works of Abraham. But now you are seeking to kill me, a man that has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the works of your father. . . . You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him.”—John 8:39-41, 44.

15, 16. (a) Are all religions good? Why do you so answer? (b) How does Christendom stand, with regard to Matthew 7:15, 16?

¹⁵ To which “seed” do modern-day religions of this world belong? We should beware of such statements as, “All religions are good.” Not all religions are good, and especially those that are deeply involved in worldly politics. Paul warned first-century Christians of a corrupting of true religion, saying: “But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent seduced Eve by its cunning, your minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are due the Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:3) Did this corrupting take place? History proves that it did, exactly as the apostles foretold. (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thess. 2:3-12; 1 John 2:18, 19)Jesus also prophesied of this, when he said: “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them.”—Matt. 7:15, 16.

¹⁶ What fruits, for example, has Christendom produced? Due to having replaced pure Bible teaching with Babylonian traditions, both Catholicism and Protestantism today are in a state of doctrinal confusion. Look, too, at her “fruits” in the form of the inquisitions, the crusades, the “holy wars” and the two world wars that were launched from within Christendom, and which received willing support from the clergy and chaplains on both sides. Can Christendom lay any claim to being identified with the “seed” described in Jehovah’s Word of prophecy as the “Prince of Peace”?—Isa. 9:6, 7; 2:4.

CLIMAX OF THE ISSUE

17. How has the issue moved toward a climax since 1914, and why?

¹⁷ As explained in detail in the book The Time Is at Hand, published by the Watch Tower Society in 1889, Bible prophecy, including that at Daniel chapter 4, pointed to the year 1914 as a marked date.a This was to be the end of “seven times,” or 2,520 years, of uninterrupted domination of the earth by the nations under Satan. It would be the time for the promised “seed” to take kingdom power in heaven. And indeed, the world war that came in 1914 as a start of the “pangs of distress” was a clear proof that Satan’s system of things was now entering its last days. Distress on earth has continued to mount, in remarkable fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy at Matthew chapters 24 and 25 concerning “the conclusion of the system of things.” Enmity between the two ‘seeds’ has also moved toward a peak, as Jesus forewarned his followers: “Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. . . . And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” (Matt. 24:3, 9-13) True to the prophecy, Christendom is plagued by lawlessness. And where in Christendom can you find genuine love for Jehovah God and his righteousness? But happy are those who have come out of Christendom’s Babylonish religious system, and who are enduring in the hope of salvation through Christ, the “seed.”—Heb. 9:28; Luke 21:34-36.

18, 19. (a) Why does the enemy “seed” attack true Christians? (b) What examples are given of God’s protecting his people, and what can we learn therefrom?

¹⁸ Bible-based Christians are busy in obeying Jesus’ prophetic command for this day: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) For this, the enemy “seed” has persecuted them ruthlessly at times. For example, during World War II, Catholic Hitler of Germany declared concerning these Christian witnesses of Jehovah: “This brood will be exterminated in Germany!” To the concentration camps with them! But finally it was Hitler that perished, while Jehovah’s witnesses were freed to continue their organized preaching. Here is one fine example of Jehovah’s preserving his people through those troublous times:

¹⁹ In April 1945, the approach of the Russian army compelled the Nazis to evacuate the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. A group of Jehovah’s witnesses had to march out with the rest. Looting, panic and shootings surrounded them, and the thunderous bombardments of war drew ever nearer. What did they do? They kept together. They stayed close to Jehovah in prayer. They maintained theocratic order in their camp. They witnessed concerning God’s kingdom to those whom they met along the way. The people heard them gladly and provided them food and shelter for the night, whereas other thousands were dying all around them. Jehovah was with his people of integrity, as the following account by one of the group shows:

“From our troop of about 230 brothers and sisters none, not even the weakest, was lying on the road; in spite of the fact that we had some brothers from 65 to 72 years of age. They were all standing faithfully. You could again see the Theocratic spirit and arrangement and how the Lord’s angel protected us. How wonderfully on this day the promises were fulfilled by Jehovah from Isaiah 40:29-31.”

Jehovah does indeed ‘make full might abound’ among those who loyally support his side of the issue between the two ‘seeds.’

20. (a) What recent examples show Jehovah’s strength on behalf of his people? (b) What is Satan’s determination, and what may be expected?

²⁰ And in more recent days, how wonderfully has Jehovah strengthened his loyal servants to hold fast to true worship in the face of demonic opposition in Cuba, in Spain and Portugal, and in Malawi, Zambia and the United Arab Republic! In his wrath against God’s womanlike organization, Satan is determined, to the bitter end, “to wage war with the remaining ones of her seed, who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus.” Satan musters his entire “seed” organization in heaven and on earth for the final all-out assault on the apparently defenseless Witnesses who proclaim Jehovah’s Kingdom purposes by Christ.—Rev. 12:17; Ezekiel chap. 38.

21. (a) Why is it high time to ‘stay awake’? (b) What awaits “Babylon the Great,” and on what does survival depend?

²¹ The final showdown draws near! Satan tries to befuddle the people with propaganda, as “inspired expressions of demons” gather the nations “together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty . . . Har–Magedon.” It is now the time of all times for God’s own people to ‘stay awake’! (Rev. 16:13-16) Lawlessness, violence and distress are increasing in the earth. But sometime before liberty is proclaimed in all the earth for all mankind, Satan’s “seed,” including “Babylon the Great,” must be put out of business. Religious Babylon’s fate is well deserved, for she is described as being “drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.” This desolating of false religion’s world empire comes with surprising suddenness, in just “one hour,” as Revelation emphasizes three times. It is now vitally urgent for all who wish to be identified with the true “seed” of promise to heed the angel’s command: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.” Your very survival depends on getting free from all entanglement with false religion!—Rev. 17:6; 18:4, 10, 17, 19.

22. How does the prophetic Word describe the victory over Satan and his “seed”?

²² In many places, the prophetic Word warns of God’s executing judgment on Satan and his “seed.” For example, there is Jeremiah 25:31-38, which tells us that “those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth.” To the forefront are the political and religious “shepherds,” who will ‘howl’ and ‘cry out,’ and wallowing with them are the “majestic ones of the flock,” including the favored prominent followers, who follow them into destruction. Finally, the original Serpent himself, together with his demons, will be shut up for a thousand years. Revelation 19:11 to 20:3 describes how Christ Jesus and the holy angels of heaven will fight for just such a victory, in vindication of Jehovah’s name. The triumph over the Serpent and his “seed” will be complete!

BLESSING THROUGH THE “SEED”

23, 24. (a) How will the final part of the promise to Abraham be fulfilled? (b) Why may we be assured of this, and so how should we act?

²³ Thus the “seed” possesses the “gate of his enemies.” But more is to follow. For Jehovah’s sworn utterance to Abraham concludes with the words: “And by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice.” (Gen. 22:18) To “bless themselves,” these “nations” must obey, just as Abraham did. Whether they are those of mankind that pass alive through Har–Magedon, or whether they are “the dead, the great and the small,” who stand on this earth again by a resurrection, all must exercise faith in the priestly “seed” and his ransom sacrifice, and all must come under the kingly rule of the “new heaven,” comprised of Christ and his 144,000 associates. And what grand blessings are in store for all who thus “bless themselves” in obedience! For they will become a “new earth”—a happy, peaceful, loving society of men of all races. They will be restored to radiant health and youthfulness, with the prospect of life everlasting in “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” After the apostle John had a magnificent vision of God’s grand arrangement for that time, Jehovah himself added his seal to the description of these blessings in store for mankind, saying, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”—Rev. 21:1-5; 20:11-13; Rom. 5:12, 18; 8:21.

²⁴ Again, in Revelation 22:6 we read: “These words are faithful and true; yes, Jehovah the God of the inspired expressions of the prophets sent his angel forth to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place.” And with a note of urgency the prophecy adds: “Look! I am coming quickly. Happy is anyone observing the words of the prophecy of this scroll.” “Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is.” May we strive for that reward, by working in loyal support of the “seed” that vindicates Jehovah’s holy name!—Rev. 22:7, 12.

[Footnotes]

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Jesus told the religious leaders of his day: “You are from your father the Devil.” In the light of this truth, we should beware of such statements as, “All religions are good”

A Prophetic Pattern for Our Day

“I am Jehovah. . . . new things I am telling out. Before they begin to spring up, I cause you people to hear them.”—Isa. 42:8, 9.

1. What consideration does Jehovah show in bringing his prophecies to fulfillment?

JEHOVAH is the God of true prophecy. In fulfilling his own prophecies, he moves irresistibly forward with his grand purpose to rid the universe of all rebels. However, it was stated of him in ancient times that “the Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) In modern times, too, God’s servants can be assured that he will give them advance notice of what is about to happen, so that they may act for the salvation of themselves and others.—1 Tim. 4:16.

2, 3. (a) What assures us that events of ancient times have a prophetic meaning ? (b) What were your strongest impressions on reading Joshua chapters one through six?

² “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching.” (2 Tim. 3:16) This includes, not only the prophecies bearing directly on the settlement of the agelong issue between the two ‘seeds,’ but also many dramatic events directed by Jehovah in the history of his people. Many of these events were for a warning to us today. “Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.” (1 Cor. 10:11) Some of these ancient dramas show how God will gain the victory over his foes, and the work we are privileged to do as we share in the victory procession.

³ One such drama is that enacted by Joshua and the nation of Israel in entering the Promised Land. You can read the thrilling account at Joshua chapters one through six. It is suggested that you open your Bible and do this, so as to be better able to appreciate the drama’s impact.

ZEALOUS FOR JEHOVAH’S CAUSE

4. What in Joshua’s background is of interest to us today?

⁴ Let’s consider something of Joshua’s background. Some forty years earlier, as shown in the Bible account, he joined Caleb in urging the disgruntled Israelites to go up and take possession of the “very, very good land” promised them by Jehovah. Because of their lack of faith, those Israelites perished in the wilderness, but Jehovah preserved Joshua to lead a new generation of Israelites into the land “flowing with milk and honey”—and that at the good old age of about eighty! In this, Joshua was just like many faithful pioneers of advanced years today, who are still leading out in God’s service—a sterling example to others.—Num. 14:6-9; Deut. 31:7, 8.

5. (a) What were some of Joshua’s attributes? (b) How may we become strong, like Joshua?

⁵ Joshua was a fighter, and that is what we should be—theocratic warriors trained to wield the “sword of the spirit,” the Word of God. (Eph. 6:11-18) Joshua was alert, fearless and thorough in carrying out his assignments, and we can be that way too. For we can draw strength from the same source as did Joshua. We should pay close attention to Jehovah’s words at Joshua 1:7-9, even as Joshua did:

“Only be courageous and very strong to take care to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, in order that you may act wisely everywhere you go. This book of the law should not depart from your mouth, and you must in an undertone read in it day and night, in order that you may take care to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful and then you will act wisely. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and strong. Do not suffer shock or be terrified, for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.”

6. How may we cultivate zeal even greater than Joshua’s?

⁶ Joshua had God’s law in the form of the first five books of our modern-day Bible and possibly the book of Job. Today, we have some sixty more inspired books—all the prophets, the psalms and the writings of Jesus’ Jewish disciples. As we now peer “into the perfect law that belongs to freedom,” we may become equipped to do works far greater than did Joshua. (Jas. 1:25; John 14:12) Our zeal should even exceed that of Joshua. And certainly we will always be zealous for Jehovah’s cause if we meditate day and night on his Word, diligent in the reading and studying of the inspired Scriptures.

ORGANIZING FOR THEOCRATIC WARFARE

7. (a) When does the drama start to be fulfilled, and why was the remnant of spiritual Israel blessed? (b) How does Joshua appropriately picture Jesus?

⁷ Jehovah had commanded the conquest of Canaan. Joshua’s faith in Jehovah was immovable, and likewise the Israelites put faith in Joshua, saying to him: “All that you have commanded us we shall do, and wherever you may send us we shall go.” (Josh. 1:16) Following World War I, the remnant of spiritual Israel, in getting reorganized to witness to God’s kingdom, expressed a similar loyalty and willingness, and Jehovah blessed them through the Greater than Joshua, Jesus Christ. How appropriate it is that “Jesus” is the Greek-language equivalent of the Hebrew word “Joshua,” meaning “Jehovah is Salvation.”

8. What are pictured by Canaan and Jericho, and in what way?

⁸ Joshua now sent two men to spy out Canaan, telling them: “Go, take a look at the land and Jericho.” (Josh. 2:1) “Canaan” means “humbled.” It would appear to picture the land of Satan’s organization, his accursed “seed” on earth. As the firstfruits of conquest, the idolatrous city of Jericho appears to picture “Babylon the Great,” of which Christendom is a principal part, and which is to be ‘completely burned with fire’ when God begins to execute judgment on the present system of things.—Rev. 17:5, 16, 18.

9. What fulfillment was there to the spying in Canaan?

⁹ Secretly, the two spies entered Jericho and went straight to the house of Rahab, where they took up lodging. En route, they were well able to size up the situation in Canaan and in Jericho. Likewise, as they entered upon their modern-day theocratic warfare, Jehovah’s witnesses came to appreciate clearly, from God’s Word of prophecy, that Satan had a great organization on this earth, of which false religion formed the most corrupt part, and that all of this visible “seed” of Satan was doomed to early destruction.

10. (a) Who is pictured by Rahab? (b) What shows that Rahab had separated from false religion?

¹⁰ But whom does Rahab picture? One meaning of her name, besides “wide; broad,” is “at liberty,” by implication, thus indicating that she was one who had broken free from the demonic religion of Canaan. She must also have broken free from her previous profession as a prostitute, else Jehovah would not have directed the spies to her house. (Deut. 23:17, 18) She well represents a class that come out of, and that is scorned by Babylonian religion. This is the class of sheeplike ones that fulfills Jesus’ prophecy at Matthew 25:34-40 in showing kindness to Christ’s brothers. This is the “great crowd,” which, like Rahab, comes to hear of Jehovah’s mighty works and to acknowledge that he is “God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”—Josh. 2:11; Rev. 7:9, 10.

11. (a) How would the spies spend their time with Rahab, and what does this picture? (b) For what does God’s Word commend Rahab?

¹¹ We can be sure that the spies did not spend their time with Rahab in idle talk. What a grand opportunity they had for instructing her concerning God’s law! Jehovah’s anointed witnesses today, also, have been happy to spend time teaching the despised ones of earth concerning God’s way of salvation. In this, they follow Jesus’ example. (Matt. 21:31; 11:19) Rahab was no doubt an industrious worker in flax, but now she was anxious to prove her faith by another kind of work, so that she sought a covenant with the Israelites. For this, God’s Word commends her, saying: “You see that a man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone. In the same manner was not also Rahab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way?”—Jas. 2:24, 25; Josh. 2:6, 12, 13.

12. (a) How must the “great crowd” act today, as foreshadowed by Rahab? (b) What does the “scarlet cord” represent?

¹² In these dangerous “last days,” the “great crowd” must act in cooperation with the anointed remnant of Christ’s brothers and for the protection of them. Moreover, they have an urgent responsibility to teach still others. This is well pictured by Rahab’s harboring the spies and sending them away to a safe hideout in the mountains, as well as in her subsequent zealous action on behalf of her family. But one thing more was required! Rahab had let the spies down from her window by a rope. This “cord of scarlet thread” may have been the same cord that the spies instructed Rahab to tie in her window. Those gathered to her house must remain under the protection of that scarlet thread, not going out lest they incur death, their blood being on their own heads. This reminds of God’s protecting the firstborn of Israel in blood-marked houses at the first Passover, and also of the cities of refuge whereby the unwitting manslayer was freed from execution for bloodguilt. The “scarlet cord” points to God’s provision today for the salvation of the “great crowd,” which provision centers in Jesus’ sacrifice. (Heb. 9:19, 28) Those coming out of Babylon the Great must continue under that provision.

13. What dedicated service did Rahab perform, and how is this prophetic?

¹³ After the departure of the spies, Rahab must have intensified her efforts in behalf of her household. As a non-Israelite, she would have to make a personal dedication to Jehovah, just like the “great crowd” who cooperate so zealously with the anointed remnant of spiritual Israel in today’s earth-wide Bible education campaign. Probably you are one of these, and you may even have had the thrilling experience of leading some of your own family to safety, through a home Bible study. Or you may have studied with others who have become your “brothers and sisters and mothers and children” in a spiritual way, with the hope of everlasting life in the coming system of things. (Mark 10:30) All of you who have been gathered in dedication to Jehovah through Christ, keep exercising faith on the basis of Jesus’ shed blood. It will mean your salvation, just as the “scarlet cord” spelled out salvation to Rahab and her household!—Josh. 2:17-21; 1 John 1:7.

DIVIDING THE WATERS

14, 15. (a) How did Joshua demonstrate his faith? (b) What miracle now occurred, and what did it picture?

¹⁴ Back, now, with the spies, to Joshua’s camp! It was flood time in the Jordan, and the Canaanites must have thought Joshua crazy to attempt a crossing. But Joshua was exercising faith in Jehovah, whose presence with Israel was represented by the ark of the covenant in their midst. Like so many faithful pioneers today, “Joshua got up early in the morning”—to move the vast encampment of millions of Israelites down to the flooding river. Next day, the priests advanced to Jordan’s brink, “carrying the ark of Jehovah, the Lord of the whole earth.” And as the priests’ feet dipped into the river, ‘at that instant’ an amazing thing happened! “Then the waters descending from above began to stand still,” and those descending toward the Salt Sea “were exhausted.”—Josh. 3:1, 13, 15-17.

¹⁵ What miraculous proof of Jehovah’s presence with his people! And there is similar proof today. As the peoples of the world reach flood stage, both in numbers and in wickedness, the Christian witnesses of Jehovah have stepped out boldly among them. The Kingdom message has not failed to cause a sharp and conclusive division between the “upper,” righteously inclined people and those bent on hurtling their way with the crowd into Armageddon destruction. Even as the priests carrying the Ark “kept standing immovable on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan as all Israel were passing over,” so Jehovah’s anointed witnesses of modern times have continued “steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord,” while many are thereby enabled to pass over to salvation.—Josh. 3:14-17; 1 Cor. 15:58.

16. What memorial did Joshua then make, and with what modern-day significance?

¹⁶ So important did Joshua consider Jehovah’s miracle to be that he took twelve great stones out of Jordan to set up at Gilgal, as a witness to the future generations of Israel. Also, he set twelve other stones in the riverbed, where the Ark-carrying priests’ feet had stood still. Jordan’s swirling waters must ever thereafter pass by those stones of witness. In like manner, the plunging waters of mankind today cannot ignore the worldwide judgment proclamation that has increased to a crescendo since its start in 1919. Are you not glad that you may now share in that witness? It is given “in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Jehovah’s hand, that it is strong; in order that you may indeed fear Jehovah your God always.”—Josh. 4:14-24.

17. What is the condition of the world today, as pictured by Canaan?

¹⁷ But did Jehovah’s miracle result in a change of heart for the Canaanites? Far from it! If their “hearts began to melt,” it was only to set in a harder mold. The description of the Canaanites and their practices at Leviticus 18:3, 21-27 and Deuteronomy 18:9-12 shows that they were too deeply submerged in depravity ever to be able to turn with repentant hearts to Jehovah. They were past knowing the power of Jehovah’s spirit. The land could be cleansed only by exterminating them. Today, also, “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” and is continually sinking to new lows of immorality. “The day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men” is at hand! Satan’s entire organization must perish.—Josh. 5:1; 1 John 5:19; 2 Pet. 3:7.

18. What cleansing was necessary, in ancient and in modern times?

¹⁸ Warfare for possession of the Promised Land was near! But first God’s own people must be cleansed. The new generation of Israel born in the wilderness had not been circumcised. Their condition remained as a reproach. Hence the males of the entire nation were circumcised at Gilgal, to ‘roll away the reproach of Egypt.’ (Josh. 5:9) In modern times, too, Jehovah’s people have had to undergo the ‘circumcision that is of the heart by spirit,’ which includes a complete cleansing from the filth of Satan’s world and a giving of exclusive devotion to Jehovah in his service. Are you one of those now diligently serving Jehovah in dedication, out of a pure heart?—Rom. 2:29.

19. What is the prophetic significance of the events leading up to the assault on Jericho?

¹⁹ What joy must have marked the celebration of the first Passover in the Land of Promise! And now, as Israel began to eat the produce of the land, the miraculous manna, their food for forty years, ceased. In modern times, too, Jehovah’s people, ever appreciative of the sacrifice of the “Lamb of God,” have passed on to more solid spiritual food and to deeper understanding of Jehovah’s grand Word of prophecy. They have been strengthened for spiritual warfare. Just as the “prince of the army of Jehovah,” unquestionably the Logos or “Word” (John 1:1), appeared to strengthen Joshua at this point, so Jehovah’s people today have strengthening assurance from God’s Holy Scriptures that the glorified Christ is with them to lead them in theocratic warfare.—Josh. 5:14, 15.

20. What strange war strategy did Joshua follow, and why?

²⁰ But now we turn to Jericho, a city “tightly shut up” behind massive walls. Fire-scorched ruins that remain till this day tell of the city’s well-nigh impregnable strength. No mere human army could take it by quick assault. But no mere human army ever followed strategy like that now commanded by Jehovah! Israel must march, all the men of war. Once each day, for six days, round the city they must march, with priests, trumpets and the ark of Jehovah going in their midst, and the priests continually blowing on horns. How strange! And how those on Jericho’s walls must have laughed and mocked!—Josh. 6:6-9.

21. How does the courageous marching of Israel find fulfillment?

²¹ It took courage for those Israelites to march in theocratic order round that great city. And it takes courage for Jehovah’s witnesses today to keep marching round Babylon the Great, with its principal stronghold of Christendom, trumpeting forth the message of doom. But round and round the territory we go, scorning the reproaches, and with strong reliance on Jehovah’s presence with us. The judgment message is God’s, and it proclaims in clear tones that Satan’s organization of false religion is actually to “crash in ruins.” Only a “holy seed” that carries forward the pure, true worship of Jehovah God is to remain.—Isa. 6:11-13.

22. What does Israel’s obedience to Joshua’s command foreshadow?

²² Joshua had commanded the people: “You must neither shout nor let your voices be heard, and no word should come out of your mouths until the day when I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you must shout.” (Josh. 6:10) In modern times, too, Jehovah’s witnesses zealously trumpet forth “this good news” of God’s established kingdom, but without engaging in shouting matches or entering into angry debate with the hardened opposers in Christendom. A “great chasm” now divides these from the true worshipers of God. (Luke 16:26) However, honest-hearted individuals may still escape from Babylonish religion. But they must act, and act quickly, as did Rahab and her household.—Zeph. 2:3.

THE CLIMAX OF THE MARCH

23. (a) Why was the seventh day unusual? (b) How do Jehovah’s witnesses react to the meaning of the times, and with what assurance?

²³ It is now the seventh day for marching. Could this be a day for “sleeping in,” or for taking things easy due to the length of the march? Far from it! There had been no sabbath of rest during the six days, nor was this seventh day to be a sabbath. This day “they proceeded to get up early, as soon as the dawn ascended.” Now they must march round the city seven times just on one day! Why, this final effort was to be more than that of all the previous days put together! (Josh. 6:15) And today, with less than seven years remaining to the end of six thousand years of human history, and with all the prophetic evidence that Christendom is about to be shaken from her proud foundations, are we not fired with zeal to get round our territory seven times and more? Time is short, and the message must be sounded! It is no time for drooping hands or wobbling knees. (Zeph. 3:16, 17; Isa. 35:3, 4) As we give our all in his service, we can be confident that Jehovah, the God who “does not tire out or grow weary,” will be in our very midst to strengthen us, just as the ark of Jehovah’s presence was in the midst of Joshua’s marching army. He will continue to infuse power into us as the final march intensifies.—Isa. 40:28.

24. How may we now share in the stepped-up activity of the “seventh day”?

²⁴ Grand instruments for ‘horn-blowing’ in this final march are the magazines The Watchtower and Awake!, which now have a combined circulation of over 11,400,000 copies each issue, being published twice a month in all major languages of the earth. Can you intensify your share in distributing these magazines as the end draws close? And can you be just as diligent as was Rahab in expanding your study work, making good use of the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life and other study literature, together with the Bible as key textbook? Rahab was no doubt quick to observe the stepped-up marching of the Israelites on the seventh day, so that she would redouble her efforts to bring in all her family. As we today read the signs of false religion’s approaching destruction, we should likewise redouble efforts to gather in all our own family members, as well as others who may yet become part of God’s earthly family.—Eph. 3:14-16.

25. What climaxed the victory march, and of what can we be sure today?

²⁵ Rahab’s family had been gathered in. As the complete “seven times” of marching drew to its end, the horn-blowing rose to its final crescendo. Now Joshua commanded: “Shout; for Jehovah has given you the city.” (Josh. 6:16) As the people began to shout “a great war cry,” Jericho’s walls were thrown crashing to the ground, and Israel rushed straight up to the city, to devote man and animal to destruction. Only Rahab and her family members survived the holocaust alive! What form, in fulfillment, the final victory shout will take, we do not yet know. Nor do we know its timing. (Matt. 24:36-39) But we can be sure that the work of proclaiming God’s judgments, and of teaching Bible truth to the meek, will prosper and increase up to the final climax. What a privilege it will be then for God’s people to share in that great cry of victory, and to see the modern citadel of false religion topple to its doom, never to rise again! Like Jericho, it will be cursed for all time.—Josh. 6:20, 26; 1 Ki. 16:34.

26. What prospect lies before the “great crowd” today, and how was this pictured?

²⁶ But the survivors, like those who came out of Jericho’s destruction through exercising faith in the “cord of scarlet thread,” may look forward to rich blessings of everlasting life by virtue of Christ’s ransom sacrifice. They will continue to ‘dwell’ as God’s favored people, even as was pictured by Rahab and her household of old: “And Rahab the prostitute and the household of her father and all who belonged to her, Joshua preserved alive; and she dwells in the midst of Israel down to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent out to spy on Jericho.” All those of the “great crowd” who cooperate with the remnant of Christ’s brothers in the great preaching and teaching work of this modern-day judgment period can expect similar favor from Jehovah.—Josh. 6:25.

27. What qualities should we now display, and what blessings like Rahab’s may the “great crowd” enjoy?

²⁷ Oh, may we ever display the same sterling quality of faith that characterized Joshua, all Israel and Rahab and her household in those momentous times! Strong faith, coupled with obedience, had its reward: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who acted disobediently, because she received the spies in a peaceable way.” (Heb. 11:30, 31) And Rahab had a further grand reward, in that Salmon—perhaps one of the two spies—took her as wife, so that she bore him Boaz, one of the fleshly line leading to the Promised Seed. Those who serve today with faith like that of Rahab also have grand privileges in spiritual companionship with those called to be part of the “seed” through “faith in Christ Jesus.”—Gal. 3:26-29.

28. What urgent privilege may true Christians now enjoy, and with what prospect?

²⁸ “So Jehovah proved to be with Joshua, and his fame came to be in all the earth.” (Josh. 6:27) Jehovah will likewise be with the “Seed,” Christ Jesus, as he fights to overthrow “Babylon the Great,” including Christendom, and then the rest of the Canaan-like “seed” or organization of Satan, all to the vindication of Jehovah’s holy name. True Christians on earth today may rejoice in their urgent privilege of proclaiming the certain doom of Satan’s crowd, and of tenderly leading honest-hearted persons in the way to protection and salvation. May Jehovah strengthen you for your own part in this grand work during the last “seven times” around modern Jericho!

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Jericho’s walls crashed in ruins. Rahab and her household alone survived because of faith in the “scarlet cord.” Do you show a similar lifesaving faith today?

Christians Maintain the Assault on False Religion

What attacks on false religion have been unsuccessful?

The attacks on pagan religions made by the missionaries of Christendom throughout the years have been unsuccessful. In times past the Roman Catholic Church used force to gain converts in many lands, and today, both Catholic and Protestant missionaries are using secular education and material benefits to win converts. Not only have their efforts made little dent upon the nations steeped in demon worship and rank idolatry, but even where they have gained converts they have merely succeeded in changing people from one false religion to another.

Neither have the attacks of Communism against the false religions of Christendom been successful. After fifty years of bitter antireligious campaigning, backed by the powerful State, a compromise has been effected, as Communism had nothing better to offer. Today many of the false religions of Christendom exist openly in Communist lands, but the pure worship of Jehovah must still be carried on underground.

What ancient successful assaults on false religion does God’s Word record?

Jehovah God himself made a successful assault on false religion by confounding the language of the builders of the Tower of Babel. Later he ordered his people Israel to assault false religion in all its forms upon entering the Promised Land. (Deut. 7:23-26) When false religion made inroads in the nation of Israel, Jehovah God raised up righteous judges, and later used such rulers as Kings Hezekiah, Josiah and Jehu to make successful assaults on false religion. But when the rulers repeatedly failed to maintain the assault on false religion, Jehovah permitted the nation to go into captivity to Babylon in 607 B.C.E.

By what means did the apostles and others successfully assault false religion?

They did so not by being literal iconoclasts but by using the sword of the spirit, the Word of God. (2 Cor. 10:3-5)a Clothed in spiritual armor and filled with holy spirit, Paul, Barnabas and others went from city to city preaching and teaching. They stayed at these various cities over a period of time to assist their listeners to turn from their idols and slave for the living God.—Acts. 14:14, 15; 1 Thess. 1:9, 10.

That they were successful in maintaining the assault against false religion can be seen from their establishing Christian congregations in one city after another. The opposition they aroused, both on the part of their religious enemies, the fanatical Jews, and on the part of those who made money by selling religious images, such as the silversmiths of Ephesus, was also indicative of their success.

How do Christians today heed the command to maintain the assault on false religion?

To maintain the assault on false religion it is necessary for Christians to be fully equipped with the spiritual armor of God. (Eph. 6:11-18; Heb. 4:12) Thus equipped, they go forth spreading the good news of the kingdom of God from house to house and on the street corners. Finding interested persons, they arrange to call back upon these and conduct Bible studies with them, making good use of the Bible-study aid The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life. Thus they aid them to come out of Babylon the Great and take their stand on the side of Jehovah and his kingdom.—Rev. 18:4.

The effectiveness of these methods can be seen in the results these have had. Today there are about a million who have come out of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. These have joined the remnant of anointed Christians in maintaining the assault on false religion, carrying it on in 200 lands and islands of the seas and in more than 160 languages. Their official journal, The Watchtower, itself is published in seventy-two languages and in upward of 5,800,000 copies each issue. Last year more than 82,000 forsook false religion and took their stand for Jehovah and his kingdom.

The Christian witnesses of Jehovah will maintain their assault on false religion until Jehovah rises up to do his strange deed and his unusual work, destroying not only all false religion and its worshipers but also all others who are opposed to him and his kingdom, his enemies, invisible and visible. Then the pure religion alone will be carried on in the earth.—Isa. 28:21, 22; Hab. 2:14.

[Footnotes]

European “Peace on Earth” Assemblies Build Faith

THIS is an age when the faith in God of many persons in Christendom is diminishing. Even the clergy now criticize God and the Bible. But this is just as Bible prophecy foretold for our time.—Matt. 24:12; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:3, 4.

However, Bible prophecy also foretold that while false religion would crumble, true worship would expand rapidly before this system of things came to its end. (Isa. 2:2-4; Matt. 24:14) Such building of true faith was certainly in evidence at the “Peace on Earth” International Assemblies of Jehovah’s Witnesses held in Europe in late July and August.

Comments in the press showed the astonishment of Europeans at seeing hundreds of thousands of persons gathering to build up their faith in God and in his Word, the Bible. At five assembly cities, 348,262 persons attended the public lecture entitled “The Approaching Peace of a Thousand Years.” The huge turnouts followed the pattern set by the eight assemblies held in North America during July.

LONDON SEES HUGE ASSEMBLY

The first assembly in Europe was held at Wembley Stadium in London from July 29 to August 3. Delegates came from 63 different countries. The main lecture Sunday afternoon was heard by 82,416 persons. The stadium was packed out. The cinder track of the stadium was filled with extra seats, overflow facilities at Empire Pool, next door, were filled. People were also grouped around loudspeakers at tents outside the stadium.

During the entire assembly at Wembley, as at all the other assemblies, the program centered around increasing faith in God and his Word, the Bible. The depth of this faith was noted by a journalist who was impressed by the baptism of 2,215 new ministers. He stated: “No one shouting out ‘Hallelujah, praise the Lord!’ No one with glassy eyes or rolling on the ground—but everyone is so SURE and knows just what he is doing.”

God’s Word says that “faith, if it does not have works, is dead.” (Jas. 2:17) So right conduct must accompany true faith in God. In this regard, the Wembley News reported: “How did the townspeople react to the Witnesses? Some were impressed by the good behaviour. One went so far as to suggest ‘that if, through this belief, the conduct of so many thousands can be so creditable, then perhaps their belief is worth a little more thought, and that futurely Jehovah’s witnesses should be accepted with greater appreciation than in the past by those unassociated with their activities.’”

DENMARK IMPRESSED BY COPENHAGEN ASSEMBLY

Denmark was impressed by the assembly held in Copenhagen, in the district of Østerbro, from August 5 to 10. The attendance was 42,073, with 1,407 being baptized. The Danish newspaper Øbrobladet carried this headline: “INTEREST IN WORLD PEACE ATTRACTS THE LARGEST CROWD OF TOURISTS EVER TO ØSTERBRO.”

Also, a leading national newspaper, Berlingske Tidende, said: “Mass rallies are rare in Denmark . . . and particularly are mammoth religious arrangements nearly unknown. For that reason the international congress carried out by Jehovah’s witnesses in Copenhagen has quite naturally aroused a certain attention. One is operating with impressive figures at this assembly—an estimated forty to fifty thousand participants, of which between ten and twenty thousand have settled around the city as campers. . . . It causes many to open their eyes widely in surprise, . . . One might wish that the church would work just half as zealously to spread information on what Christianity is as the Witnesses.”

Delegates poured in from nearby Finland, Norway and Sweden. In all, thirty countries were represented. The program was presented simultaneously in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish at four different sections. When speakers from the United States gave talks in English, they were translated immediately into the four languages. Parts of the program were also held in the English and Icelandic languages.

The penetrating talks, whether on Bible prophecy or Christian conduct, and the impressive Bible dramas portrayed on the four stages, made a lasting impression on all attending. It built up their faith in God and his purposes. Especially were the delegates thrilled to receive the new 192-page book Is the Bible Really the Word of God? in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish. It had already been released in English and Spanish at the assemblies in North America and England. Those attending deeply appreciated it, knowing that it is designed to build solid faith in God and in his Word.

Faith in God expresses itself in obedience to His laws, including those of honesty. One of many experiences at the Copenhagen assembly shows how this honesty works, and also demonstrates how rare such genuine honesty is considered by people of this world. One of Jehovah’s witnesses went to a local store to buy an item for her baby. As she left, she noticed that the shopkeeper had given her ten crowns too much in change. She went back to the store and informed the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper was so astounded at this display of honesty that she gave the Witness two blouses for her two-year-old daughter! This was a value of 17 crowns—for returning 10 crowns!

When people obey God’s laws, it brings true peace, order and unity, even when there are large numbers of Christians working closely. A Copenhagen taxi driver remarked: “I have been to many different large affairs, including royal receptions, but I have never seen anything compared to this as regards organization. Everything works so smoothly.” Another observer said: “It has been an enriching experience and very encouraging to see that there is a place on earth where people can be at unity and get along in peace. You usually see disunity everywhere, especially in connection with religion. But not here.”

PARIS ASSEMBLY GETS UNPRECEDENTED COVERAGE

At the same time that the assembly was in progress in Copenhagen, another was being held in Paris. Delegates came from 78 lands. The 47,480 who attended the public talk quickly filled the 25,000 seats available at the Colombes Stadium. Thousands more were seated in the bleachers and, by special permission, on the new Olympic running track. Many others listened by means of loudspeakers installed at a nearby campsite and also outside the stadium.

The tremendous impact of the assembly was seen in the unprecedented attention given by the press, radio and television. Reports of the assembly appeared on the first pages of the most widely read French newspapers. This coverage was not limited to special editions sold around the stadium, but was in the national editions sold all over France. The popular Paris Sunday paper Le Journal du Dimanche said of others who noted the assembly: “Some will be tempted to shrug their shoulders. However, the greater number will be set thinking. The public discovered with astonishment that there are 30,000 ‘Witnesses’ in France, a million [1,322,001] in the world and that during the past twenty years they have grown to an extraordinary extent: some 700 percent. . . . this phenomenon merits our attention.”

In addition to French the program was held in other languages. At the Portuguese meeting 2,731 heard the public talk. This was more than triple the attendance when they gathered at Toulouse in 1968. At the Polish meeting 600 attended. There were also special sessions for English-speaking delegates.

The number baptized at Paris was an amazing 3,619. When three entire sections of the stadium arose to answer the two questions put to baptism candidates, and when these thousands of candidates replied with a resounding “Oui!” the entire audience broke into hearty applause. Many a tear flowed down appreciative cheeks. It was an unforgettable sight.

The Catholic daily L’Aurore said of the baptism: “This has never happened before in any swimming pool in the Paris region, not even on the hottest of days . . . at 10 o’clock [3,619] persons were waiting under a burning sun in order to get into the Olympic Swimming Pool. . . . To have such patience the motive must be more powerful than the simple desire to plunge into the water. . . . However, one should not think that just anybody can get baptized in this way, . . . Before the baptism his knowledge of the Bible is checked by an examination where 80 questions are put to him. Obviously, a new-born child could not meet this requirement.”

At the assembly, the delegates enthusiastically greeted the release of the new book Is the Bible Really the Word of God? in both French and Portuguese. The book is very much needed in Europe. For instance, although 80 percent of the French people are called Catholic, many are so in name only. Such ones have for the most part abandoned their religion. Since the Catholic Church has not instilled in them the need to study the Bible as God’s Word, these have no spiritual life. Thus, the great need of the French people is to get an assurance that the Bible is really God’s inspired guide for mankind.

A NEW “CITY” BUILT AT NUREMBERG

A city built to accommodate at least 120,000 persons—just for eight days—which would then be torn down! That describes the mammoth metropolis that was put up by Jehovah’s witnesses for the gigantic assembly at Nuremberg, Western Germany, from August 10 to 17. It saw 150,645 persons from 78 countries in attendance to hear the lecture “The Approaching Peace of a Thousand Years.”

When the residents of this new metropolis moved in, they found everything ready for them—housing, feeding, sanitation. Within fourteen hours the great majority of the incomers here accommodated! There were 119,713 “residents” within her “walls” on the first day!

What were the requirements for building such a city? First, there would have to be an enormous area on which to build. Then there would also have to be huge parking grounds for about 20,000 cars and 250 buses. There would also have to be a train station nearby that could handle a special train with 1,200 passengers every 21 minutes—40 such trains in all.

These requirements were all met by the vast parade grounds on the edge of Nuremberg. The spacious fields would be ideal for trailer camps, tenting grounds, cafeteria and other departmental facilities. A huge landing strip for helicopters, not in use at the time, would solve the problem of parking vehicles—it proved to be an enormous parking lot! And at the rear of the speaker’s platform which overlooked the huge parade field there was a railway station equipped to handle 40 special trains a day!

Truly, this was an ideal location that would be difficult to duplicate elsewhere. Hitler had these grounds especially constructed for his Nazi parades. The Nazis had severely persecuted Jehovah’s witnesses, throwing thousands into concentration camps, killing many. Now, Jehovah’s witnesses, many times stronger than in Hitler’s day, would use the grounds.

The “city within a city” arose quickly. Tents were erected for the 26 departments taking care of the administration of this “city.” There were washing facilities and toilets—1,200 of them—installed on the camping grounds. Seven refrigerator cars used to store perishable food made up a small train. The cafeteria tents could feed 65,000 people an hour. The electrical installations alone required 13,000 meters (8 miles) of cable. And 148,000 seats were made ready on the parade grounds so the delegates could listen to the program.

Under the caption “A New City Sprang Up on the Edge of the City,” the Nuremberger Nachrichten reported a day before the assembly: “They will all find a place to live and it will be governed perfectly, right down to the minutest detail. Volunteer [workers] of the [Watch Tower] Society have done their job well.” And the Fraenkische Tagespost wrote that the assembly was “an organizational accomplishment of the first degree that commands the undivided amazement of the scoffer and the outsider.”

Arrangements were also made for sessions of the program to be held in languages other than German: in Croatian, Dutch, Greek, Slovenian and Turkish. The enthusiasm of these foreign delegates was tremendous, since many of them cannot meet freely at such assemblies in their own countries. One delegate from Turkey exclaimed: “I don’t know whether this is a dream or reality. It is the greatest event in my life. Oh, if these wonderful days would just never end!” The attendance at the special language sessions other than German reached peaks as follows: Croatian, 1,791; Dutch, 20,545; Greek, 5,093; Slovenian, 1,026; Turkish, 361.

When the Witnesses from Greece and Turkey heard that the Watch Tower Society had printed the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life in their languages, they expressed enormous delight. And among the many other new publications released was the book Is the Bible Really the Word of God? in Dutch and German.

News reporters were astonished at the mass baptism of 5,095 new ministers. The manager of the swimming pool where the immersion took place declared: “It is surprising how well everything works out and that everyone gets along so well without any disputes.” He said that he would rather work with 5,000 Jehovah’s witnesses than with 300 other persons!

How clearly the impression of Jehovah’s witnesses has been formed in the minds of Nuremberg residents can be seen by the following experience. A young man wearing a lapel badge of Jehovah’s witnesses was observed smoking in a streetcar. A policeman noticed this and approached the young man, saying: “Since when do Jehovah’s witnesses smoke?” The young man was so taken aback that he could think of no answer, whereupon the policeman then asked to see his identification papers and took him along to the police station. There they found several stolen bags and purses in his case. The identifying mark that had exposed him as not being one of Jehovah’s witnesses was his smoking!

GRAND ASSEMBLY IN ROME

While the assembly was being enjoyed in Nuremberg, there was another being enjoyed in Rome. The assembly sites were the Palazzo dello Sport and also the Palazzo dei Congressi. These two huge buildings, located near each other, were used for programs in Italian and Spanish.

Here, too, there was a tremendous reaction from the press, unprecedented for Italy. It was the first time that such extensive coverage was experienced. Dozens of favorable newspaper articles appeared, as well as good television and radio coverage. The most important news sources repeatedly requested information from the assembly’s Public Relations Department.

Milan’s Il Giorno noted the Biblically based faith of Jehovah’s witnesses and said: “They are conscientious objectors, but they pay taxes as real model citizens, putting to practice the Biblical principle ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’ . . . they make up an extremely united group with simple, severe and religious moral rules.”

A representative of the Catholic Press said: “From the practical viewpoint I must recognize that you live Christianity much better than we Catholics do.” And an editorial secretary of France-Soir stated: “Certainly, if all the world managed to live as you live, we would already be in Paradise.”

On the first day of the assembly, the Palazzo dello Sport was, as one delegate expressed it, “full of police.” There were police from the local police station, from police headquarters, and also from the political police. But the next day there were hardly any! One officer stated: “Yesterday, I stopped to hear some talks. I was really enthusiastic about the contents of these talks, particularly the one entitled ‘How Do You View Authority?’ Later I found one of the delegates who explained to me very clearly some Biblical points that I had never understood before.” He, along with other officers, marveled at the orderly behavior of the delegates.

On the final day, there was a total of 25,648 persons in attendance, 19,438 at the Italian program and 6,210 at the Spanish. Also, a very fine total of 2,212 persons was baptized. And all the Italian and Spanish delegates were delighted when they were presented with the new book Is the Bible Really the Word of God? in their own languages.

Thus, with the conclusion of the assemblies at Nuremberg and Rome, the European phase of the international “Peace on Earth” assemblies came to a close. So far, at thirteen North American and European cities, 840,572 had attended, with 27,442 being baptized.

Twelve more international assemblies are yet to be held in other parts of the world from October through December. Without a doubt those who will yet attend will feel just as did the delegates who have already attended—that their faith in God and his marvelous promises has been built up.

[Picture on page 600]

Young delegate greets African arrivals, part of 82,416 at Wembley Stadium, London

[Picture on page 601]

At Copenhagen, delegates from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden heard program simultaneously in their four languages

[Picture on page 602]

Bible dramas highlighted points that built faith in God

[Picture on page 603]

European and African delegates at Paris enjoy release of book “Is the Bible Really the Word of God?” in French

[Picture on page 604]

Part of new “city” built by Jehovah’s witnesses near Nuremberg to house, feed and seat 150,645 persons from 78 countries at “Peace on Earth” assembly

[Picture on page 605]

Section of huge kitchen at Nuremberg showing some of dozens of steam cookers used in preparing meals

[Picture on page 606]

Italian delegates inside Palazzo dello Sport in Rome enjoy program. Assembly received unprecedented press coverage

Questions From Readers

● What were the “goat-shaped demons” that are mentioned in the Bible?—T. W., U.S.A.

The Hebrew word sa‘ir, literally meaning “hairy or shaggy one,” usually refers to a goat or kid of the goats. (Gen. 37:31; Lev. 4:24) However, in four texts translators generally view the Hebrew word as having a meaning beyond its ordinary usage.—Lev. 17:7; 2 Chron. 11:15; Isa. 13:21; 34:14.

At Leviticus 17:7 and; 2 Chronicles 11:15 the term (se‘irim, plural) is used in reference to things to which worship and sacrifice are given in connection with false religion. In the Greek Septuagint the word is rendered “the senseless things” and in the Latin Vulgate it is “the demons.” Modern translators and lexicographers often adopt the same view, translating it “demons,” “satyrs” (Ro, AT, RS, The Jerusalem Bible) or “goat-shaped demons.”—NW, Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros, Hebrew, German and English Lexicon of the Old Testament.

Evidently the Israelites had been affected to some extent by the false worship carried on in Egypt. (Josh. 24:14; Ezek. 23:8, 21) Hence, some scholars consider Leviticus 17:7 and; 2 Chronicles 11:15 as indicating that there was some form of goat worship among the Israelites, as was prominent in Egypt. Herodotus claims that from such Egyptian worship the Greeks derived their belief in Pan and satyrs, lustful woodland gods that were depicted with horns, a goat’s tail and goat’s legs.

The Bible does not state just what such “hairy or shaggy” ones actually were. The term does not necessarily indicate idols in the form of goats, for the use of “goats” may merely be an expression of contempt even as the word for “idol” is drawn from a term originally meaning “dung pellets.” Possibly “hairy ones” or “goats” simply indicated that in the minds of those worshiping them such false gods were conceived of as goatlike in shape or hairy in appearance.

The sense of se‘irim at Isaiah 13:21 and Isa 34:14 is not as clear cut since false worship is not directly being condemned. In depicting the desolate ruin that Babylon would become, Isaiah wrote: “There the haunters of waterless regions will certainly lie down, and their houses must be filled with eagle owls. And there the ostriches must reside, and goat-shaped demons themselves will go skipping about there.” (Isa. 13:21) Interestingly, the Septuagint uses “demons” in this instance; and in Revelation 18:2 the description of Babylon the Great mentions that it is the habitat of unclean birds and “demons.”

Consequently, if se‘irim is to be understood as referring in Isaiah 13:21 and Isa 34:14 to something beyond the meaning “goat,” the rendering “goat-shaped demons” would be appropriate, being consistent with the rendering in Leviticus 17:7 and; 2 Chronicles 11:15.

Isaiah may have injected into his list of literal animals and birds a reference to demons, not meaning that they materialized in the form of goats, but that the pagans around Babylon and Edom would imagine such places to be inhabited by demons. History shows that the people of Syria and Arabia have long associated monstrous creatures with similar ruins. And if shaggy-haired animals were in the desolate ruins of Edom and Babylon, observers might be led to think of demons.

● Since the apostle Paul taught that Christians are not under the Mosaic law, why did he go through a ceremony at the temple in Jerusalem in connection with a vow to God?—M. G., U.S.A.

It is undeniable that the apostle Paul recognized that Christians are not bound by the Mosaic law. He wrote under inspiration: “We have been discharged from the law, because we have died to that by which we were being held fast”; “You are not under law but under undeserved kindness,” and, “If you are being led by spirit, you are not under law.”—Rom. 7:6; 6:14; Gal. 5:18.

That fact, though, does not mean that he viewed the requirements of the Law as sinful. He wrote: “On its part, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Rom. 7:12) The point is that God’s servants are not required to keep the Law in order to please Jehovah and gain salvation. For instance, it is not a sin to be circumcised; it is not an unchristian act. But it would be wrong to believe that a Christian must be circumcised in order to be saved.—Acts 15:1, 2, 5, 22-29; 16:3.

It was not uncommon among the Jews for one who had escaped some danger or misfortune to make a vow to Jehovah, possibly vowing to abstain from alcoholic beverages for a period of time. This might be similar to a Nazirite vow. (Num. 6:1-21) When the set period was completed the Jew would cut off his hair and probably render up sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem.

In Acts 18:18 we read that Paul “had the hair of his head clipped short in Cenchreae [near Corinth], for he had a vow.” Whether he had made this vow before becoming a Christian is not stated, nor do we even know definitely whether this was the beginning or end of his vowed period. We cannot rule out the possibility that this is related to what later took place in Jerusalem.

When Paul was in Jerusalem after his third missionary trip the Christians making up the governing body mentioned that there was a great deal of resentment among the Jews toward Paul. Believing rumors, the Jews thought that Paul was rabidly preaching against the Mosaic law. In this they were incorrect, as we have seen. So as to demonstrate that to all publicly, James and the spiritually older men advised Paul: “We have four men with a vow upon themselves. Take these men along and cleanse yourself ceremonially with them and take care of their expenses, that they may have their heads shaved. And so everybody will know that there is nothing to the rumors they were told about you, but that you are walking orderly, you yourself also keeping the Law.”—Acts 21:23, 24.

Paul and the four Christians who had a vow upon them did this. (Acts 21:26) Their course was not an apostate act or a compromise of Christianity. They demonstrated that the Jewish regulations regarding vows had not become wicked just because Christians need not follow them. It is not as if they had offered incense to a pagan deity—a thing that was definitely contrary to true Christian worship. What they did was not in itself improper, and it seemed that it would counteract Jewish prejudices and allow for many others to hear the good news of salvation that Paul was intensely interested in preaching.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Spiritual warefare! This is the warfare for true Christians: “The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things.” (2 Cor. 10:4) Among those strongly entrenched things against which Christians wage spiritual war are Babylonish teachings of false religion. Against these Babylonish ideas, Jehovah’s witnesses wield the “sword of the spirit,” the Word of God. Also helping in maintaining the assault on false religion are the publications of the Watch Tower Society. For example, Awake! magazine last April featured a special issue entitled “Are the Churches Nearing Their End?” Each issue of Awake!, in fact, helps Christians in their spiritual warfare. As they maintain the assault on false religion during October, Jehovah’s witnesses will offer a year’s subscription for the Awake! magazine, with three Bible-study-aid booklets, on a contribution of $1.

HOW DO YOU VIEW THE FUTURE?

Do you face the future with anxiety and bewilderment? You need Awake! It is a companion magazine to The Watchtower. It is awake to the vital issues of our times and speaks out unfettered by censorship or selfish interests. Its pages review matters of government, commerce, religion, history, geography, science, social conditions, natural wonders. Awake! is pledged to righteous principles; it reflects hope of God’s new order for man’s lasting benefit. It is currently published in 26 languages, over five and one-half million copies each issue. Send today. One year, only $1. Send now and receive three timely Bible-based booklets free.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

October 12: Pay Attention to “The Prophetic Word.” Page 585. Songs to Be Used: 69, 59.

October 19: A Prophetic Pattern for Our Day. Page 592. Songs to Be Used: 113, 116.