The Watchtower — February 1, 1971

When Will God’s Will Be Done on Earth?

“LET your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”​—Matt. 6:10.

Nineteen hundred years have passed since those words were first spoken by Jesus of Nazareth as part of a model prayer given to his disciples. Since then they have been repeated by thousands of millions of persons, thousands of millions of times, all over the earth.

Is what we see on earth today a fulfillment of that prayer? The answer obviously is, No! Some persons may try to assure us that mankind is in fine shape and that the future looks good. But their statements have a hollow sound when compared with the actual facts.

Not wild-eyed fanatics, but presidents, statesmen, scientists, historians and other men of repute today voice grave concern about man’s future. They warn that this earth could easily become a colossal graveyard for men and animals if solutions are not found​—and found quickly—​for the major problems facing the planet’s inhabitants. There is not only the possible triggering of World War III with intercontinental missiles carrying hydrogen bombs lacing the skies, but also the already existing poisoning by mass pollution of air, land and water, the problem of feeding a growing world population that threatens to double in the next thirty years, plus the breakdown in respect for authority and standards of moral conduct.

What solutions, then, do men offer? Recently, Charles A. Lindbergh, discussing the urgent need to prevent further damage to the earth by modern technology, said: “We need a policy and plan that covers our entire planet and extends to the utmost of human capability into space and time.”

But who can offer such an earth-wide plan or formulate a worldwide policy that would work and effectively control human capabilities? Are the scientists​—the ones that developed the atomic weapons and the modern technology that now endanger our environment—​the ones to formulate such plan? And what government or combination of governments could ensure the enforcement of such a policy if produced?

If your mind turns to the most comprehensive international organization men have yet produced, the United Nations, what assurance do you find? Speaking before a congress of World Federalists, UN Secretary-General U Thant called for reforms in the United Nations and a “body of enforceable world law” backed by “the necessary executive, legislative and judicial functions,” saying: “The degradation of our environment is now so serious that unless immediate measures are taken, the very capacity of the planet itself to sustain human life will be in doubt.”

About two months later, when opening the twenty-fifth annual session of the UN General Assembly, Thant asked: “Is it not high time for the leaders of this world to turn radically away from the errors of the past and to realize that understanding, love and tolerance are the highest forms of interest on our small and interdependent planet?”

“Understanding, love and tolerance”​—has the United Nations made progress in teaching these qualities and inculcating them into the minds and hearts of people everywhere, all over the earth? The facts say No. Can we count on the world’s religions to do this? Not when we see how little they have succeeded in their centuries of existence and observe how unsettled and troubled they are themselves.

GOD’S WAY TO BRING THE NEEDED CHANGE

The Bible shows that the Creator of earth, man and all forms of life, is the only One who can and will provide the global direction and moral guidance the inhabitants of this planet so desperately need. His selected means for doing this is a government, heaven based and headed by his own Son, Christ Jesus. That government is the Kingdom for which persons have been praying for centuries.

But someone may here say, “Just how realistic is it to put our hope in God to straighten out matters on earth if, after nineteen centuries, that prayer still has not seen fulfillment?”

Would it not be better to ask: “How realistic is it to keep on putting hope in imperfect men to do the job when, after all these centuries, their leaders now admit their concern and even anxiety for the future of mankind as a whole?” Rather than think it strange to turn to the everlasting God for hope for the future, is it not far stranger that people should keep on trusting dying men to bring them out of the world’s worsening situation?

Men of affairs admit that for any real improvement to come there must be full cooperation on the part of people, rulers and subjects, earth wide. Selfishness, national and individual, must be set aside. Do you personally see any genuine progress in that direction? Are people in your neighborhood changing in that direction?

Make no mistake about it, however. The Bible does not say that the needed change will come about by world conversion of all persons by religious organizations. It foretold in plain terms that conditions on earth would develop to their present point for the very reason that the nations​—rulers and people in general—​would stubbornly refuse to submit to God’s will and bring their lives into harmony with it.

In the last book of the Bible, the nations of the earth, their armies, and the people, from both the ‘free world’ and the ‘enslaved world,’ are shown as opposing the carrying out of God’s will for the earth by his kingdom. For that reason, Christ Jesus is represented as ‘shepherding the nations with a rod of iron,’ ridding the earth of all who oppose his Kingdom rule. (Rev. 19:11-21) This is, in fact, what you pray for if you pray, “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”

1914 THE TURNING POINT

As far back as its issue of March 1880, this journal, The Watchtower, called attention to Bible prophecies focusing on the year 1914 as the date when what Jesus called the “appointed times of the nations” would end. (Luke 21:24) That would mean this world’s systems would then enter their “last days” leading up to a “great tribulation” that would see those systems forever end, replaced by a new system of God’s making. (2 Tim. 3:1; Matt. 24:21, 22) Every year that has passed since 1914 has served to strengthen our conviction that this has been the case.

As British historian H. R. Trevor-Roper said in 1954: “Since 1914 the world has had a new character: a character of international anarchy.” Ten years later, Konrad Adenauer, then chancellor of Germany, stated: “Security and quiet have disappeared from the lives of men since 1914.”

This magazine has also repeatedly shown from the Scriptures that the distressing conditions that have developed and intensified since 1914 are solid proof that we live in the generation that will see God’s will take place on earth. Yes, that we can now do as Christ Jesus said: “Raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near. . . . When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.”​—Luke 21:28-32.

Men of this world offer you nothing stable, nothing sure. Their promises and predictions of better things have failed time and again. Why let yourself be carried along with them in a steadily downward course to ultimate disaster due to rejecting God’s will? God’s prophetic Word has not failed. Time has confirmed its truthfulness, its unerring accuracy. The generation that saw the start of the time of distress that began in 1914 is now dwindling in numbers. Before it passes off the scene the prophesied “great tribulation” will come. You can be among the joyful survivors, experience deliverance from a world system that has proved oppressive, unworkable and death dealing. Why not investigate God’s prophetic Word and seek knowledge and understanding that will give you the faith you need to endure now and to win the privilege of life in God’s righteous new order? Jehovah’s witnesses offer to help you in gaining such strengthening, life-giving knowledge. Why not write us for such help, free of charge?

[Box on page 69]

“WHEN YOU SEE THESE THINGS OCCURRING, KNOW THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR.”

[Footnotes]

Effective Use of Study Time Brings Joy

FINDING joy and getting results in personal study are not always a matter of spending more time at it. There is another consideration, an even more important one. It is how you use the time you do take.

Those whose study is fruitful and enjoyable do not necessarily put more time in study than poor students. But they do make more effective use of the time they spend. They are skilled at study.

Some have difficulty with study because of problems such as a slow reading rate, poor grammar, or poor study habits. If these are remedied, the student could make far better use of the time spent and enjoy it much more.

There are remedies for such problems, but the remedies require effort. But then, anything new usually does. When you were a child, did you learn to walk confidently overnight? It took months of repeated falls. Now you enjoy walking with little effort. If you are a housewife, your first attempts at cooking were likely frustrating and not very successful. But what a calamity for your family if you had given up trying to learn! If you play a musical instrument, your first tries and the constant practice were likely not very enjoyable. But by persisting you became proficient enough to enjoy it.

So, too, with study habits. You cannot expect to improve them without hard effort, particularly at first. But in time, good study procedures will become easier, even habitual. They will then make your personal study far more effective and enjoyable.

Do you want the best help anyone can give you toward improving your study? Who could help better than the One who created your mind? Since study related to the Bible involves Jehovah, and the material is provided by means of his spirit and organization, begin by asking Jehovah’s assistance. Jesus said: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. . . . the Father in heaven [will] give holy spirit to those asking him.”​—Luke 11:9-13.

READING SPEED

One of the main reasons some find study difficult is that they are poor readers. The cure is PRACTICE. Do you want to cook well? PRACTICE! Do you want to play a musical instrument well? PRACTICE! Do you want to be a good reader? PRACTICE!

But the practice must be based on proper reading principles. One habit poor readers have is that their eyes stop at every word, even each syllable in words. That is very slow and makes for poor comprehension. A good reader will average several words for each stop. He will let his eyes come to rest just a few times for a line of the length you are now reading. A poor reader will stop many more times.

Are you a slow reader? Practice reading more rapidly than you do now. Force yourself to take in at least two of the smaller words at a time, then more if you can. At first you will lose some of the meaning. But soon you will develop the habit of reading faster with the same understanding as before. In time your understanding will improve, as you will come closer to reading thoughts instead of just words or syllables.

As you learn to take in several words with one stop of the eye, keep going. Do not let your eyes backtrack because you have missed a word. For lighter reading you eventually will want to avoid any backtracking, as that slows reading down greatly.

Also, with lighter material, avoid pronouncing each word out loud, or even moving your lips. If you come across words you do not know, wait until you are finished with the article, or at least the paragraph, then look them up in a dictionary.

However, what if the subject matter is weighty? Would you want to read it the same way, rapidly? No. For instance, if you are preparing for the weekly Watchtower study held at the Kingdom Hall, your reading method will be different. You may have read the material more rapidly when you first received your magazine, but now for the actual lesson preparation you will want to slow down and digest one paragraph at a time, meditating on what you read. With this kind of reading, as with Bible reading, reading out loud “in an undertone” can be very profitable. This makes use of your ears and your mouth as well as your eyes. It helps you to keep your attention focused on the lesson.​—Josh. 1:8.

So there is a difference between reading for general interest, which is much faster, and doing deeper study for a lesson, which is much slower. A good reader may be able to move along at the rate of 1,000 words or more a minute with light material, but may slow down to 100 words or less a minute in deep study. Hence, do not expect to treat lighter material the same way you would deeper material.

STUDY CONDITIONS

As you prepare to study, establish the right study conditions.

There are many things in a home that can be of interest. If you do not shut these off as much as possible, they can divert your attention before long. It would be well, as much as you can, to eliminate all interesting sounds and activity from your study area. This includes conversations, television programs, and even a radio playing pleasant music.

Although pleasant music playing in the background may seem to be desirable, it is often interesting enough to divert some of your mental energy. The efforts to pull your mind back to the lesson will be tiring. And pleasant music may tend to lull you to sleep. There is a time and a place for pleasant music, as well as television programs and interesting conversations. But the private study period is not that time.

Since soft beds and pillows are associated with sleep, for serious study it usually is not good to lie on a bed or sit in a chair that is too comfortable. You should be comfortable, but not overly so, as that might suggest relaxing, sleep. And if you are already too tired or sleepy, then a brief nap or rest, or an invigorating shower, or both, may be beneficial before beginning your study.

For serious study it is good to sit at a plain table in an attitude of work, since study requires work. Keep the table free from clutter, which is distracting. Have the necessary tools for study and as little else as possible on it. The lighting should be good, but avoid glare. If you can, keep room temperature comfortable, but not so warm as to encourage drowsiness.

HOW MUCH MATERIAL?

Some who are skilled in study spend whatever time they need to study an entire Watchtower lesson well in just one study period. But if you are one who can study seriously for only a short time to begin with, then concentrate on just a portion of the study.

You may choose the part that affects you more directly, or perhaps the beginning part. Cover that material well. The rest you will get to an extent by paying close attention to comments from others at the congregation study itself. By covering a portion using good study habits, you will learn how to study correctly. In time, you will be able to expand this so you can cover the entire lesson.

Should you try to speed along and cover as much material as possible? No. Why not? Because coverage of material is not the main consideration. How much serious study material would sink down into your heart, where it really counts, if you were to speed through it? What is better​—merely to skim over a lesson and learn and remember little or nothing? or to concentrate on a part of it, having those thoughts sink down deep into your heart? How much good would excellent food do you if all you ever did was to smell it, but never ate any?

EFFECTIVE STUDY

How can you improve effectiveness in serious study, such as for a Watchtower lesson? Consider the following five steps.

(1) Survey the Material. First, correctly determine the lesson for that week. Then look at the title of the article, which will tell you what the subject is. Next, read the Scripture text under the title, which reinforces the theme. Lastly, go through the pages of the lesson and read just the subheadings. These steps will give you an overall picture of what is to be discussed, the general plan of the material. This survey should take no longer than thirty to sixty seconds.

(2) Read the Question on the Paragraph. Before reading each paragraph, go down to the bottom of the page and read the question, or questions, for that particular paragraph. This will call your attention to the main points in that paragraph.

(3) Read the Paragraph. You may do this silently, but reading out loud, in an undertone, is even more effective, since you are not trying to hurry anyway. And as you read, read actively, not passively. Search for the answer to the question. Meditate on the material. “The heart of the righteous one meditates so as to answer.” (Prov. 15:28) Ask yourself: How does that information fit what I already know? How should I revise my attitudes or actions to harmonize with what I read? Such searching and meditation creates interest as well as sounding down the material into your heart. After reading the paragraph in this way, you can look up scriptures that are cited but not quoted, as well as looking up in a dictionary words you do not know.

(4) Give the Answer. Having done this, now look down at the question again. Can you answer it in your own words as though you were explaining it to someone else? If you can, then you know what the main point is. If you cannot, then go over the paragraph again to search for that answer. It is helpful too, to underline the answer, marking only key words or phrases. You can underline an additional point or two of interest, but avoid underlining too many things in one paragraph as this makes it difficult to locate the main ideas.

(5) Review. When you have finished the entire lesson, or as much of it as your time allows, review it to get the overall picture. Check the points you have underlined and see how they fit the subheading under which the paragraphs fall. This final review will help to fix points in your mind, since repetition is a key to learning. And if there are additional points you want to check, or you have questions, then after the lesson you can consult such helps as the Watch Tower Publications Index or Aid to Bible Understanding. Also, if you have the opportunity to talk to someone else about the material, this will reinforce what you know about the subject.​—Heb. 5:14.

Now you are prepared for the Watchtower study that week. And you will find the study hour far more enjoyable. You can be an active participant and not just a passive listener. Also, when the paragraph is read by the reader, you will not be looking ahead to the next paragraph, trying to find an answer, as some have the bad habit of doing. This poor practice deprives you of following the reading and having the paragraph’s thoughts further impressed on your mind.

Following the reading also enables you to confirm the pronunciation of difficult words. It will help you to learn how words go together when spoken correctly, all of which helps to improve your speaking ability. So follow the reading instead of looking ahead to the next paragraph.

But what of other material used at congregation meetings that you may not be able to study beforehand? For example, what if you have not studied all the material presented in the Theocratic Ministry School? Well, since you are present at the school for one hour, why not pay careful attention to what is said? In that way, in a sense, you could be studying the material, benefiting from what the others say. Since you are there already, what better use of the time could you make?

BENEFITS

By using good study methods, you will find that your reading ability will improve, as well as your choice and use of words, and grammar. You will learn more, and remember more, as Jehovah’s Word gets past your mind and down into your heart.

You will be better equipped to make judgments when faced with important decisions or issues of right and wrong. You will enlarge and make stronger the shield of faith to protect you from this world’s wicked influences. You will give better talks, more upbuilding comments at meetings and home Bible studies. Yes, the more you learn, the better equipped you will be to give others the reasons for the Kingdom hope within you.​—1 Pet. 3:15.

Thus, by improving your study habits, you can grow spiritually strong instead of remaining a spiritual babe. You will plant your feet more firmly on the road that leads to eternal life in Jehovah’s new order. So be diligent about your study. “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright.”​—2 Tim. 2:15.

Then you can be like one of those happy persons about whom the psalmist said: “His delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.”​—Ps. 1:2.

Love for Our Brothers and Sisters

An article specially designed for parents to read with their children

HOW many brothers and sisters do you have? Not everyone has a brother or a sister in his family at home. If you have even one, you can be thankful.

God made us so that we feel especially close to certain people. We may have many friends, but brothers and sisters usually care about one another even more than friends do. When one is in trouble, the other helps out. That’s the kind of brother you would want to have, isn’t it?

But not everyone is good to his brother or his sister. Have you ever seen brothers or sisters fight each other? Do you think it is right to do that? The Bible tells us about a person who hit his brother. Do you know his name? He was Cain, a son of the first man.

One day Cain took some food that he had grown. He made a gift or an offering of this food to Jehovah. His brother Abel also made an offering to Jehovah. Abel offered to God the very best sheep that he had. God was pleased with Abel and with his offering. But he was not pleased with Cain and his offering.

Why was that? It was not because Abel offered the most. And it was not just the kind of offering that made the difference. The Bible tells us that God can see what is in our hearts. He knows how we feel deep inside ourselves. He could see what was in the heart of Cain, and he could see what was in Abel’s heart. What he saw in Cain’s heart was not good.

What did God see in Cain’s heart? He saw that Cain did not really love his brother. When Cain saw that Jehovah was pleased with Abel and his offering, did he try to change so that he would be like his brother? No. He became angry. His face showed that he was angry.

Have you ever felt angry when your brother or sister did something better than you did? We can learn a lesson about this from what happened with Cain and Abel.

Jehovah saw that Cain was angry. So Jehovah said to Cain: ‘Why are you angry with your brother? If you do what is good, I will show favor to you. But if you do not change, sin will get a hold on you and you will do something very bad.’

Did Cain listen to Jehovah? Did he change his thinking? If he had really loved God, he would have paid attention to him. But he did not love God. And he did not love his brother. So, do you know what Cain did?

One day he said to Abel: “Let us go over into the field.” Cain had bad in his heart, but Abel did not know it. So Abel went along with Cain. While they were there in the field alone, Cain hit his brother. He hit him so hard that he killed him. Wasn’t that terrible?​—Gen. 4:2-8.

The Bible tells us that there is a special lesson that we should learn from that. Do you know what it is? The apostle John tells us. He says: “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.” (1 John 3:11, 12) So brothers and sisters should have love for one another. They should not be like Cain.

Why would it be so bad to be like Cain? Because the Bible says that he “originated with the wicked one.” Who is the wicked one? The main wicked one is the Devil. Cain acted like the Devil. The Devil does bad things to people. Cain was just the same as the Devil is. So the Bible says that it was just as if the Devil were his father. Think of that!

Do you see why it is so important to love your brothers and sisters? If you do not love them, whose child would you be? You would be a child of the Devil. You wouldn’t want to be that, would you? So how can you prove that you want to be a child of God? It is by really loving your brothers and sisters.

But what is love? Love is a deep feeling inside us that makes us want to do good things for other people. We show that we love others when we have a good feeling toward them. We show it when we do good things for them.

The Bible says, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) God is always doing good things for people. God made the beautiful earth for us to live on. He gives us the sunshine and the rain. Even before we loved God, God loved us. We can learn from this. Even before others do good to us, we can do good to them. We can love them first.

Jesus was the Great Teacher, and he was like that. He had brothers and sisters. The names of some of them were Joseph, James and Simon. Were they always kind to him? No, it does not seem so. They may have been among Jesus’ relatives who said about him: “He has gone out of his mind.” They made fun of Jesus.​—Mark 3:21.

But did Jesus let anger grow in his heart for his brothers and sisters? No, he did not. He showed love for them. And do you know what the result was? These brothers came to love Jesus, and they became his disciples. Isn’t that fine?​—Acts 1:14.

Now they were Jesus’ brothers in a very special sense. You see, the Bible says that Christians have many more brothers and sisters than just those who live in the same house with them. Do you know who they are? Jesus said: ‘Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister.’ (Matt. 12:50) That means that all who do God’s will are brothers and sisters in the faith. They are a special family of brothers and sisters. Did you know that?

Do you love all the brothers and sisters in this big Christian family? Jesus said that we should. He said: ‘Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.’ (John 13:35) We cannot love just a few of them. We must love all of them. If we love them, we won’t stay away from them because we don’t want to talk to them. We will be friendly to all of them. We will always do good to them. If ever they are in trouble, we will come to their help, because we are truly a big family.

When we really do love all our brothers and sisters, what does it prove? It shows that we are disciples of Jesus, the Great Teacher. And isn’t that what we want to be?

“If anyone makes the statement: ‘I love God,’ and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.”​—1 John 4:20

Proclaiming Good News World Wide

“How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ‘Your God has become king!”’​—Isa. 52:7.

1, 2. How does the earth appear to one far out in space, and how did the angels react when God created it?

IN YOUR mind’s eye see the earth as it was photographed for the first time by the Apollo 8 astronauts. See it hanging in the blackness of space with the rays of the sun making it look like a giant multicolored bowling ball. Through bands of fluffy white clouds can be seen the sparkling blue waters of the oceans and the browns and greens of the land areas. What a beautiful planet God created for mankind! For all who dwell on it he has good news. Do you know what it is?

² When one is looking at the earth from a point far out in space it is not difficult to imagine why the Bible says that the angelic sons of God “began shouting in applause” when God created the earth. (Job 38:7) It is so outstandingly different from all the other planets in our solar system that the angels felt impelled to cry out joyfully together in praise of the Creator, Jehovah God. Then when he populated the earth with living creatures and capped his work on earth by creating man, they had even more reason to shout in applause.

3, 4. What has happened to the earth as a result of man’s efforts to rule himself without God?

³ But what has happened on earth since the time God created man? Because man rebelled and turned his back on his Creator living conditions have been far from ideal. Men have leaned upon their own wisdom and tried to rule the earth without God. This has resulted in a colossal mess. Mankind has become divided into nationalistic groups that are constantly quarreling and fighting among themselves. Vast cities have become asphalt jungles where people prey upon one another, acting like unreasoning wild beasts. Violence, crime, injustice and rebellion are everywhere.

⁴ Man in his folly is even ruining his earthly environment upon which he depends for life. He is polluting the air and fouling the rivers, lakes and oceans. He has ruined fertile lands by unwise agricultural practices and has ruthlessly slaughtered vast numbers of wild creatures, causing many to become extinct. Indeed, man’s effort to rule himself without God has been a monumental failure.

SOMETHING BETTER IS COMING

5, 6. What is the good news God has for mankind, and how were his actions regarding war foretold?

⁵ For all who are “sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done” the Creator of this beautiful earth has good news. (Ezek. 9:4) He has set up a kingdom of his making by which he will rule the entire earth in justice and righteousness. Under its rule mankind will no longer be divided into warring national groups but will live in permanent peace.

⁶ Speaking as if it already has happened, a Bible prophecy says: “Come, you people, behold the activities of Jehovah, how he has set astonishing events on the earth. He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire.” (Ps. 46:8, 9) These ancient instruments of war employed at the time when this prophecy was written are used here to symbolize all weapons of war. There will be no need for them under the peaceful and righteous reign of God’s kingdom.

7. Identify the foundation of God’s kingdom, and explain why the people under the Kingdom will act in a straight and truthful manner.

⁷ The king of that kingdom has already been selected and installed in office. He is none other than the tried and faithful Son of Jehovah God, Jesus Christ. He was spoken of in Bible prophecy as “a tried stone, the precious corner of a sure foundation.” (Isa. 28:16) The whole structure of God’s kingdom is built upon him as its King. This prophecy in Isaiah goes on to foretell that the rule of God’s kingdom under Jesus Christ will be one of justice and righteousness. “And I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the leveling instrument.” (Isa. 28:17) As a plumb line reveals the trueness of a supporting pillar in a building or of a wall so the quality of righteousness that will predominate in God’s kingdom will cause people to act in a straight and truthful manner. How different it is today under the unrighteous rule of imperfect men! Wicked people have “made a lie [their] refuge and in falsehood [they] have concealed [themselves].”​—Isa. 28:15.

8. Why will no one under the rule of God’s kingdom need to feel fearful or insecure?

⁸ With righteous rulers in God’s kingdom ruling the earth in justice, righteousness and peace, there will be no reason for anyone to feel fearful and insecure. The wicked will no longer be present to threaten them with violence and death or to try to steal their possessions. Our Creator has assured us that the “wicked one will be no more.” (Ps. 37:10) Instead of the earth being dominated by violent people who rebelliously violate the laws of God, people who are mild-tempered and obedient to those laws will possess it. Jesus Christ himself foretold this when he said: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” This is certainly good news!​—Matt. 5:5; Ps. 37:11.

9. Explain why God’s kingdom, especially its establishment, is good news for mankind.

⁹ In view of the marvelous purpose God has for the earth his kingdom is good news for mankind. It gives us assurance that the wicked will not dominate the earth indefinitely, and it gives us hope for much better living conditions to come. The fact that God’s kingdom has been established in the heavens and that we are now living in the last days of the present wicked system of things is especially good news. To those putting their trust in that kingdom at this time, Jesus Christ said: “But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.”​—Luke 21:28.

BEGAN IN FIRST CENTURY

10. (a) When and how did the proclaiming of the good news begin? (b) Why could the Kingdom be said to be near at that time?

¹⁰ The proclaiming of the good news of the kingdom began in the first century of our common era. It was taken up by Jesus Christ, and his followers were instructed to engage in it. “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.”’ (Matt. 10:7; 4:12-17) Although the kingdom of God was not yet established at that time, the message was appropriate and the Kingdom could be said to be near because its anointed King, Jesus Christ, was present. He represented it.

11. How did Jesus set an example as to the way the good news ought to be preached?

¹¹ Jesus took the good news of the Kingdom directly to the people by going to them and preaching to them. “Then he went around throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom.” (Matt. 4:23) He also preached to people in their private homes. He called at the home of Zacchaeus in Jericho, the home of Matthew and at the home of a ruler whose daughter had died, just to mention a few. (Luke 19:5; Matt. 9:9, 10, 18, 23) He also preached in the mountains, at the seashore and in the marketplaces. It was to all types of people that he preached​—rulers, priests, merchants, fishermen, tax collectors, harlots, soldiers, and so forth. Jesus thus set an example for the way his followers should preach the good news of the Kingdom.

12. How did Jesus fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2?

¹² As Jesus walked about proclaiming the good news he was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2: “The spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me . . . to proclaim the year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah . . . to comfort all the mourning ones.” To the meek and distressed people of that time his coming among them with the good news of the Kingdom was a pleasing sight indeed. His feet would be a comely or pleasant sight. People would be grateful that he came among them because of the good he did for them. He brought to distressed people comfort, and to downhearted ones hope. They learned from him that God has purposed something better that would come by means of his kingdom.

13. Describe how Jesus’ disciples followed his example of preaching after Pentecost.

¹³ Following the example Jesus set, his disciples after Pentecost of 33 C.E. preached the good news of the Kingdom wherever they went, even when they were scattered by persecution. “However, those who had been scattered went through the land declaring the good news of the word.” (Acts 8:4) They were used in fulfilling Isaiah 52:7: “How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ‘Your God has become king!”’ Those that went to other lands also preached the good news. The Bible gives detailed information on how the apostle Paul and those traveling with him did this in several lands over a period of many years. Like Jesus they went directly to the people, calling at their homes and talking to them in the marketplaces and in other locations where the public gathered.

14. How did Paul describe his efforts to help people learn of God’s purpose?

¹⁴ To a group of persons in Asia Minor who had embraced the hope of God’s kingdom because of his efforts, the apostle Paul said: “You well know how from the first day that I stepped into the district of Asia I was with you the whole time, slaving for the Lord with the greatest lowliness of mind and tears and trials that befell me by the plots of the Jews; while I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:18-20) See how he expended himself so people could learn the good things that God has purposed for mankind. Were not his feet also “comely” or pleasant in appearance to the many people he comforted with the good news?

15. Why can we be certain that the prophecy at Isaiah 52:7 applies to Jesus’ anointed followers?

¹⁵ The anointed followers of Jesus who have the prospect of eventually ruling with him fulfill the prophecy at Isaiah 52:7. This is indicated by Paul himself. They too publish peace, bring “good news of something better” and publish salvation. Pointing out the need for them to preach the good news to others, Paul wrote: “However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth? Just as it is written: ‘How comely are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!’” (Rom. 10:14, 15) See how Paul quoted the prophecy at Isaiah 52:7 and applied it to those following Jesus’ example of proclaiming the good news.

16. What was the result of the preaching done by the early Christian organization?

¹⁶ As a result of the zealous and diligent preaching effort of the early Christian organization people in many lands heard the good news and became believers. Reporting the results of the first missionary tour by Paul and Barnabas through Cyprus and Asia Minor, the Bible says: “When they had arrived and had gathered the congregation together, they proceeded to relate the many things God had done by means of them, and that he had opened to the nations the door to faith.” (Acts 14:27) The people in these other lands who listened and responded in faith to what they heard were most grateful that Paul and Barnabas had come to them. They certainly regarded the feet of these publishers of good news as “comely.” Thus the good news spread throughout the Roman Empire, and a great many people became part of God’s organization. But that was just the beginning.

“PREACHED IN ALL THE INHABITED EARTH”

17, 18. What happened to the Christian organization after the death of the apostles?

¹⁷ After the death of the apostles the Christian organization began to deteriorate because of corrupting beliefs brought into it from false religions. Also individuals began promoting their own ideas, causing divisions in the congregations. These self-important persons gathered to themselves members of the congregation and went off on their own course. All this was foretold by the apostle Paul. “I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.”​—Acts 20:29, 30.

¹⁸ From this corrupting of the Christian organization came a fusion religion that appeared outwardly to be Christian but actually was fused with falsities of paganism. Because of being filled with pagan beliefs and practices it became less objectionable in the Roman Empire, eventually being made to dominate it. As might be expected, this corrupted organization did not carry on the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom and did not encourage the people to do so. Its people became spiritually dead.

19. Can God’s Christian organization be blamed for conversions by the sword?

¹⁹ In view of this, we can see that it was not the true Christian organization but one that even used military arms to force people throughout Europe to become so-called Christians. This was not the way Jesus instructed his followers to make disciples. Such forced conversions were the result of twisted thinking by men who thought more of their own ideas than of God’s Word of truth. Such men had become a clergy class that preached the religious philosophies of men to church members who formed an inactive and inferior laity class. This was not God’s way, and the religious organization that prompted it was not his. Although the preaching of the good news stopped, it was not God’s will that it should cease permanently. It was his will that it should be preached in all the inhabited earth.

20. Explain how the preaching of the good news was revived.

²⁰ After a lapse of many centuries God revived the preaching of the good news in the latter part of the nineteenth century. This revival started with a small group of Bible students in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. It had become evident to them that the churches of Christendom were not fulfilling the commission that Jesus Christ gave to his followers. Instead, they were engrossed in politics, social activities, human philosophy, unscriptural teachings and human traditions. Seeing the need for proclaiming the good news, these modern-day followers of Jesus Christ expressed their willingness to serve as did Isaiah. That prophet said: “I began to hear the voice of Jehovah saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I proceeded to say: ‘Here I am! Send me.’” (Isa. 6:8) So this group of faithful Christians under the leadership of Charles Taze Russell began taking up the long-neglected work of proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. God’s Christian organization began to reappear.

21, 22. (a) To what extent has the number of proclaimers of the good news grown since the 1870’s? (b) How have they been fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy for the “last days,” and how have they followed Jesus’ example?

²¹ From that small beginning back in the 1870’s the body of proclaimers of the good news has grown to an organization of more than a million active Christian witnesses of Jehovah today. This is God’s active organization, and it has been doing what Jesus foretold would be done in the last days of the present worldly system of things​—preaching the good news of the Kingdom “in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.”​—Matt. 24:14.

²² Every dedicated, baptized person in this Christian organization is a preacher. All are spiritually active and are continually being encouraged by Jehovah’s organization to continue being active in the ministry. This is the way his organization was in the first century while the apostles were still living. Like Jesus they have been going to the homes of the people and to every other place where they can find people who are willing to listen. To grateful people who have been comforted by the good news they have brought, they are a pleasant sight.

23. Show how God’s organization today is indeed preaching the good news in all the inhabited earth.

²³ In the first century the preaching of the good news was directed considerably to the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea, but today we see it being done throughout the inhabited earth as Jesus foretold. In 1970, Jehovah’s witnesses were busy preaching it in 206 lands, spending more than 267 million hours at it and distributing approximately 232 million pieces of literature about God’s Word and purposes. Certainly this is the scale of preaching of the good news that Jesus foresaw over 1900 years ago as taking place in the last days of the earth-encompassing system of wicked men.

PREACHING ORGANIZATION

24, 25. Why is an organization necessary among those whom God uses, and what evidence do we have of its existence among the early Christians?

²⁴ To carry on the worldwide preaching of the good news that God has purposed to be done an organization is necessary. It is needed to unify the efforts of the hundreds of thousands of Christians whom God is using to do this preaching work. Its governing body directs the work for the best results and settles differences. Such an organization existed after Pentecost in the year 33 C.E., and its governing body consisted of the twelve apostles along with some other mature Christians in Jerusalem. This group rendered decisions, appointed persons to special service and settled disputes. Its decisions were binding upon the entire organization of Christians in that day as we see in the fifteenth chapter of Acts.

²⁵ When we read the fifteenth chapter of Acts, particularly Acts 15 verses 23-29 twenty-three to twenty-nine, we see the governing body of God’s organization in action. A dispute that had arisen among the Christians in Antioch, Syria, one that could not be resolved locally, was brought before it. After hearing it, the governing body rendered a decision that was dispatched to Antioch.

26. Identify the governing body in God’s organization today.

²⁶ Today the organization that God has raised up for preaching the good news of the Kingdom also has a governing body. It represents the “faithful and discreet slave” class of anointed Christians that Jesus spoke about in an illustration at Matthew 24:45 to 47. These fulfill their responsibility to provide spiritual food “at the proper time,” doing so through the governing body. This governing body is closely associated with the board of anointed directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

27. Explain how God’s organization is devoted exclusively to serving his interests.

²⁷ Unlike Christendom’s churches that have become involved in politics, social reforms, operating businesses and investing in business corporations, God’s organization of faithful witnesses has concentrated on only one thing​—the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom. It has not lost sight of the commission that Jesus gave his followers to “make disciples of people of all the nations” and to teach them “to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) It therefore is fulfilling today Jesus’ prophecy about the worldwide preaching of the good news of the Kingdom.​—Matt. 24:14.

28, 29. Whom did Jesus train to be proclaimers of the good news, and how is God’s organization today following his example in this respect?

²⁸ When Jesus was preaching the good news of the Kingdom he taught common people such as fishermen and tax collectors to be preachers and teachers of God’s Word of truth. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees who had been trained in the religious schools of higher learning of those days, these common people had God’s blessing and authorization to preach. They actually did his will, whereas the scribes and Pharisees did not.

²⁹ So today, God’s organization teaches and trains common people of all walks of life to be preachers and teachers of his written Word. They do not have to go to a religious seminary of higher learning to have God’s authorization to preach. It even trains children to preach the good news. Like the fishermen of Jesus’ day, these common people are being taught to do what they probably never dreamed they could do.

30. What training is given to those who are sent to other lands, and what has been the result of their efforts?

³⁰ A special school established by the organization also provides training for those selected to be sent to other countries as missionaries. An intensive five-month course of study is given them in the Bible as well as a foreign language. When they arrive in their foreign assignments they devote 150 hours a month to proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and teaching the truths of God’s Word to the local people. Graduates of this special school of Gilead have opened up the work of preaching the good news in many lands, territories and islands of the world. They have assisted thousands of persons to take a stand for God’s kingdom.

HOW MUCH LONGER?

31, 32. What is indicated by the worldwide preaching of the good news, and what has God’s organization been doing in fulfillment of Isaiah 52:7?

³¹ The very fact that the good news is now being preached in all the inhabited earth and on a scale such as never before seen is evidence in itself that we are in the last days of this present wicked system of man-made governments. Jesus made it clear that, when this would be seen along with the other world events he foretold, it would be the “time of the end,” and the final climax would be near.​—Luke 21:28.

³² We have been in the “time of the end” since 1914 C.E. During this time Jehovah’s organization of witnesses has been “publishing peace,” “bringing good news of something better” and saying, “Your God has become king!” This is what the prophet Isaiah foretold.​—Isa. 52:7; Rev. 11:17, 18.

33. Why is it important for everyone who wants the blessings that come with being part of Jehovah’s organization to preach the good news?

³³ The time remaining to proclaim the good news is very short. Much is still to be done, for, as Jesus said, “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Matt. 9:37) If you want the blessings that God has in store for those in his organization, become part of it now. Join in the ingathering work by being an active proclaimer of the good news. Let people know what Jehovah God has purposed for our beautiful earth. Be one of those of whom Isaiah prophesied that they would publish peace and bring good news of something better.

Where More Proclaimers of the Good News Are Especially Needed

“Step over into Macedonia and help us.”​—Acts 16:9.

1, 2. What was Paul’s experience when he first visited Ephesus, and what did he recognize and promise?

FOR those who appreciate the Christian responsibility to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom, it is a thrilling experience to find people who plead with them to stay and teach them the truth. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, had this experience when he first visited the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor. It was about the middle of the first century of our Common Era. He stopped there briefly on his way back to Antioch, Syria, during his second missionary tour. When people in a synagogue heard him proclaim the good news, they urged him to stay so they could hear more.

² Paul recognized that the need for preachers of the good news in Ephesus was great. He could not stay and help them at that time, but he promised to return, saying: “I will return to you again, if Jehovah is willing.” (Acts 18:21) This he did on his third missionary tour, staying there for three fruitful years. He built up a congregation in Ephesus that was specifically mentioned by the resurrected Jesus Christ more than forty years later. Jesus inspired the apostle John to commend the Ephesus congregation for its endurance and labor but also to rebuke it for having “left the love you had at first.”​—Rev. 2:2-4.

3. How did Paul manifest the right attitude when he spoke with the Ephesians on his third missionary tour?

³ At the conclusion of his third missionary tour, Paul stopped at Miletus, a small town a little south of Ephesus, and he sent for the older men of the congregation in Ephesus. When they arrived he spoke with them and reminded them of how he had expended himself so they could learn the good news. From the moment he had stepped into the Roman province of Asia, which was an area that embraced the western part of the peninsula of Asia Minor and which had Ephesus as its capital, he kept preaching the good news despite persecution. This fine attitude is what persons today need who go to where the need for proclaimers of the good news is very great.

4. How did Paul respond to the plea to come to Macedonia and help people there?

⁴ On an earlier occasion Paul manifested his willingness to serve where more preachers were needed. This was on his second missionary tour. He was at the town of Troas in the northwest corner of the peninsula of Asia Minor. There he received a vision of a man of Macedonia entreating him to come over and help the people of Macedonia. (Acts 16:9, 10) Recognizing this as Jehovah’s direction to go to this territory where the need was very great, Paul promptly boarded a vessel and sailed to Neapolis in Macedonia. From there he went to the city of Philippi, which was on a trade route. It was always his policy to establish himself in cities that were on trade routes, evidently so the preaching he did would be carried by travelers to other cities. The congregation he formed in Philippi was always especially grateful to him for his labors and often sent gifts to him.

5. What example did Paul, Aquila and Priscilla set for us today?

⁵ Paul set a fine example for Jehovah’s dedicated servants today. He put the interests of God’s kingdom first in his life and was willing to go to other places where the need for preachers was great. This also appears to have been true of Aquila and Priscilla. Paul met them in Corinth during his second missionary tour, and when he left they accompanied him as far as Ephesus. There they stayed and preached. Persons who are dedicated servants of Jehovah today can manifest the same willingness to serve where the need for preachers of the good news is greater than where they are.

PLACES WHERE THERE IS GREAT NEED

6, 7. (a) How can a Kingdom publisher make his efforts more fruitful? (b) Should a Christian move to another territory if he is getting good results where he is?

⁶ There are many places today where the need for more preachers of the good news of the Kingdom is very great, and these places provide fine opportunities for dedicated servants of Jehovah to make their efforts in the ministry as fruitful as possible in the short time that remains to the present system of things.

⁷ Of course, if one of these dedicated Christians is having good results in the territory assigned to his congregation, and people are responding to the good news of the Kingdom by associating with Jehovah’s organization, he is needed right there. He has a fertile field for the ministry, and he might as well continue working it instead of going elsewhere. But suppose the territory is being worked frequently without much fruit coming from his efforts, what then? Should he slow down or quit? By no means! His endurance is pleasing to Jehovah God.

8. Why is it advisable to move, if possible, when a territory is not productive?

⁸ However, if he is in a position that permits him to help out in another territory where more preachers are needed, would it not be a wise move for him to go to that territory? A fisherman that finds that his boat is in a location where the fishing is bad will move his boat to fishing grounds where the possibility of a catch is more promising. He is interested in catching as many fish as he can before the day ends. As spiritual fishermen Jehovah’s witnesses today want to work where their efforts will be the most productive.

9, 10. If a person can move to another country, what are some of the countries where the need is very great that he might consider?

⁹ It may be possible that a family can arrange its affairs so as to go to another country where the need for preachers is exceptionally great. In the United States the ratio of publishers to population is one to 524, but there are a number of countries where the ratio is not as good, indicating a great need for more preachers of the good news of God’s kingdom. For example, in Bolivia the ratio is one in 4,222; in El Salvador it is one to 1,951; in Guatemala it is one to 2,298; in Colombia it is one to 3,021; in Ecuador it is one to 2,095; in Paraguay it is one to 2,963, and in Peru it is one in 3,007. These countries are all in Central and South America, where the “fishing” has proved to be very good. Some of them, however, still have entire cities without a congregation of Jehovah’s people.

¹⁰ Now suppose we take a look at Africa and see how great the need for preachers of the kingdom is there. In Burundi the ratio of Jehovah’s witnesses to population is one to 71,174; in Senegal it is one to 20,339; in Gambia it is one to 35,111; in Ivory Coast it is one to 9,513; in Kenya it is one to 11,094; in the Republic of Mali it is one to 700,000; in Niger it is one to 106,296; in Tchad it is one to 50,000, and in Uganda it is one to 98,234. These countries offer a fine “fishing” opportunity to dedicated servants of Jehovah who are able to move to another country.

11, 12. Describe what Witness missionaries are finding in some of the African countries.

¹¹ There is so much interest in some of these countries that the Witnesses there have waiting lists of people who want to study the Bible with them. In Kenya, for example, they do not waste time with persons who fail to keep appointments. When a person fails to be home a few times when the study is supposed to be held, the Witness will discontinue the study and spend his time with someone else who shows more appreciation for it. If after a study has been discontinued the person promises to keep his appointments and wants the study to be renewed, he is put at the bottom of the list of those waiting for studies.

¹² A missionary that went to Dahomey reported that in a little over six months she was conducting fifteen home Bible studies. She writes: “There is not enough time to cope with everyone who would like to study. We are getting well known in the town and people just stop us and ask if we will study with them.” The good “fishing” conditions in these countries are indicated by the fine increases in the number of those associating with Jehovah’s organization. These too are active in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom.

13. What did a Witness find in the Truk Islands, and what question confronts you?

¹³ As might be expected, those who have gone to countries where the need for preachers is very great have had some stimulating experiences. One who visited some of the many islands in the Truk District found people who had never seen a Bible and had never heard the good news of the Kingdom. They eagerly listened to him. When he left an island after preaching to the people for a while, they repeatedly asked, “When are you coming back?” How like the people of ancient Ephesus when the apostle Paul first visited them. Can you respond to the plea of such people in various countries to “Step over . . . and help us”?

WITHIN ONE’S OWN COUNTRY

14. How can a person serve where more proclaimers of the Kingdom are needed within his own country?

¹⁴ If a family is not able to go to another country, it may be able to move to one of the isolated territories within its own country. Many Witnesses have done this with good results. Some have moved to territories a great distance from their hometown, and others have moved only a few miles away where more help is needed. In some instances the territory is isolated from a congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses. The interest there must be developed so a congregation can be formed. In other instances a congregation may be present but is small and weak. It is in need of help and encouragement. In other instances a congregation may need stronger leadership, and this provides opportunity for a mature minister in Jehovah’s organization to move his family to that town and help that congregation.

15. How can mature Witnesses help a small congregation?

¹⁵ Much good can be done by mature Witnesses who move where there is a small congregation in need of help. By taking a zealous lead in the ministry they can infuse new life into the congregation and help the local Witnesses to become more productive “fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19) They can be a stimulating example to the local congregation, as Paul and his companions were to the congregation at Thessalonica. Writing to the Christians in that congregation, Paul said: “For we know, brothers loved by God, his choosing of you, because the good news we preach did not turn up among you with speech alone but also with power and with holy spirit and strong conviction, just as you know what sort of men we became to you for your sakes; and you became imitators of us and of the Lord.”​—1 Thess. 1:4-6.

16. What special joy did the apostle Paul have, and how can Witnesses today share that joy within their own countries?

¹⁶ The apostle Paul found great joy in opening up new territories to the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom. In his letter to the Roman Christians, those living at Rome, he revealed this joy by saying: “In this way, indeed, I made it my aim not to declare the good news where Christ had already been named, in order that I might not be building on another man’s foundation; but, just as it is written: ‘Those to whom no announcement has been made about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”’ (Rom. 15:20, 21) This can be the joy of Witnesses today who are willing to move to an isolated territory where there is no established congregation.

17. What kind of persons must those be who contemplate moving to where the need for preachers is especially great?

¹⁷ Those who move to where the need is greater must necessarily be persons who have a keen appreciation for the truth of God’s Word and who manifest this appreciation by zealous activity in the ministry. They need to be persons who are strong in the truth and able to “make a defense before everyone that demands of [them] a reason for the hope in [them].” (1 Pet. 3:15) They need to be persons who are willing to endure inconveniences, hardships and even persecution in order to carry on the ministry. This was the attitude the apostle Paul had. He said: “You well know how from the first day that I stepped into the district of Asia I was with you the whole time, slaving for the Lord with the greatest lowliness of mind and tears and trials that befell me.”​—Acts 20:18, 19.

THOSE WHO CANNOT MOVE

18, 19. How can arrangements be made so those who cannot move can serve where there is great need?

¹⁸ But what about those who cannot move? How can they serve where more preachers of the kingdom of God are needed? It may be that within their circuit of about twenty congregations there is territory that contains many people interested in the good news, but perhaps the local congregation has too much territory to care for this interest. Arrangements can be made with that congregation for Witnesses in another congregation to come in and develop the interest. Why should they spend their time in unfruitful territory when there is better “fishing” in territory that another congregation holds but which is too much for that congregation to handle?

¹⁹ Witnesses in other parts of the circuit who can travel to such a territory could be assigned to develop the interest there. When interest is found they will want to start studies and to conduct those studies regularly. This, of course, will be an expense to them in time and money. If they are able to carry this expense they will be able to serve where more proclaimers of the Kingdom are needed without having to move from their homes.

MEETING PROBLEMS

20-22. Describe problems that may be encountered with accommodations and employment and how they can be overcome.

²⁰ As might be expected, problems are certain to confront anyone who goes to a territory that is distant from his home or who moves to another city or country. For those who move it may mean they will have to content themselves with accommodations that are below their accustomed standard of living. This will require an adjustment in their thinking in order to continue preaching in that territory. It would be difficult to stay if they kept thinking about what they had left behind.

²¹ Finding employment may be another problem, but can we say that it is an impossible one to solve? In some instances the local Witnesses have been able to help a family to locate work. In others it has been necessary to take work that was different from what the person had been accustomed to doing. He may even have to take work that does not pay as well, but that may be necessary in order to stay there where the need for preachers is great. Here again developing the right mental attitude is important. Paul pointed out the view to take when he said: “Having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.”​—1 Tim. 6:8.

²² So the family that moves will do its best to get along on possibly lower income and perhaps less desirable accommodations so it can stay where more proclaimers of the Kingdom are needed. This would be putting the interests of God’s kingdom ahead of material interests, as Jesus recommended.​—Matt. 6:33.

23. How can a person view the leaving of good friends so as to serve where more proclaimers of the good news are needed?

²³ The difficulty of leaving good friends may be still another problem. Moving does not mean the end of their friendships but rather the opportunity to expand friendships. A family will find new friends to add to those it already has. Remember Jesus’ promise that those who leave relatives in order to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom elsewhere will receive relatives and houses a hundredfold. New friends who are also dedicated servants of Jehovah God will become as close as fleshly relatives. Because of their hospitality their homes will be open to such persons. Graduates of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead who have gone as missionaries to other countries have proved Jesus’ statement to be true.​—Mark 10:29, 30.

24. What helps to make insignificant the problems of serving where there is need for Kingdom proclaimers?

²⁴ No matter what the problems may be in trying to serve where the need for more proclaimers of the Kingdom is great, the joy of being able to help people come to a knowledge of the truths of God’s Word makes them fade to insignificance. It makes the effort and endurance worth while. There is an inner satisfaction of knowing that you are helping others and, above all, are doing what is pleasing in the eyes of God. Mature Witnesses know the satisfaction that comes when their efforts in the ministry bear good fruit. Think how much greater that joy can be when the fruit is abundant because of working in territory where the need is great. Certainly there is happiness in unselfishly giving one’s time and energy to helping people to learn about Jehovah, his Son and his wonderful purposes for mankind.

COUNT THE COST

25. Before moving, what is it necessary for a family to do?

²⁵ Those who are dedicated servants of Jehovah ought to take stock of their situation and seriously consider going where more preachers are needed. If a family thinks it can move to another country or to another location within its own country it must necessarily count the cost and decide whether it can meet it or not. The reason why this is so necessary was explained by Jesus when he said: “Who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it.”​—Luke 14:28, 29.

26, 27. Why is it only sensible to work where our efforts will produce the most fruit, and how did Paul set an example in this respect?

²⁶ Since the time left for this old system of things is very short, it is only sensible to work where our efforts will produce the most fruit. If we are in position to make a move, it is not reasonable to continue struggling with unproductive territory when the “fishing” is better in another territory that is short of preachers. But when a family moves it should be able to stay. So advance planning and counting of the cost are essential.

²⁷ The apostle Paul saw the wisdom of moving to more productive territory when he found himself where the “fishing” was not good. It was for this reason that he did not remain longer in Athens. It was a relatively unfruitful territory. So he moved to Corinth, where he remained for one and a half years during his second missionary tour. This was what the Lord wanted him to do. In a vision he told Paul: “Have no fear, but keep on speaking and do not keep silent, because I am with you and no man will assault you so as to do you injury; for I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9, 10) This proved to be so.

28, 29. What is the procedure if a family decides it can move to where it can be more productive?

²⁸ If a family, after counting the cost, decides that in one way or another it can serve where more preachers of the good news are needed, what should it do? Everyone in the family should take the matter to Jehovah in prayer, asking for his guidance and help in making the right decision. Then they can proceed to make all the necessary advance preparations so as to ensure their ability to remain in the new territory once they arrive. If possible, the new territory ought to be scouted out in advance, especially if it involves moving. Accommodations as well as employment need to be located.

²⁹ Suppose the family decides to go to another country, what then? It can write to the branch office of the Watch Tower Society in the country where it wants to go, asking for whatever information may be needed. On the other hand, if the contemplated move is within the country where the family lives, it can write to the Society’s offices in that country. The Society will be happy to inform the family of places where more proclaimers of the good news are especially needed.

30. What is the best way to follow the example of Jesus Christ and Paul? Why?

³⁰ It would be very fine if the family could spend most of its time in the ministry as pioneers. Much more would be accomplished, and it would be better able to care for the interest that is found. This is the best way to follow the example set by Jesus and the apostle Paul, who devoted most of their time to the ministry.

31. Of what evidence is the great growth of Jehovah’s organization, and how have people coming into that organization shown their gratitude that someone had preached the good news to them?

³¹ The tremendous growth of Jehovah’s organization just since the end of World War II is good evidence of how fruitful the proclaiming of the good news of the Kingdom has been. It is also a good indication that the method used is the best. In 1945 there were 141,606 Witnesses proclaiming the good news in 68 lands. By 1970, twenty-five years later, the organization had grown to more than ten times that size, to 1,483,430 active proclaimers in 206 lands. To these many people who heard the good news and responded to it the feet of those who brought it to them were “comely,” as the prophet Isaiah foretold. (Isa. 52:7) They are grateful that there are people in these modern times who are willing to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom even in distant places. They are showing their gratitude by also proclaiming the good news for the benefit of still others. In doing this they follow the way recommended by Jehovah’s organization.

32. How are we seeing now the fulfillment of Isaiah 60:22?

³² Here we are seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy at Isaiah 60:22: “The little one himself will become a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah, shall speed it up in its own time.” With the pace of response from the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom rapidly increasing, it is clearly evident that this is the time when Jehovah is speeding up the growth of his earthly organization.

33. Why is it necessary for Jehovah’s witnesses to examine seriously how they can increase their productiveness as proclaimers of the good news of the Kingdom?

³³ The ingathering is great, the workers few and the time left to do the work greatly reduced. If you are dedicated to Jehovah as one of his witnesses, seriously examine how you can increase your efforts in the great ingathering of people desiring Jehovah’s favor and the benefits of his kingdom. Seriously consider how you can increase your productiveness in the Christian ministry by working where more proclaimers of the good news of God’s kingdom are especially needed. Could it be that it is where you are now living?

Madagascar Denies Freedom of Worship

IN THESE days of increasing crime and violence, every country desperately needs citizens who are peaceful, who respect the rights of their neighbors, and who are obedient to the law of the land.

Jehovah’s witnesses are such kind of people. They have a deep love for God, for their fellowman, and a respect for authority. They teach their own children, and others too, the highest and most beneficial moral standards in existence. Thus, many countries in which Jehovah’s witnesses have long lived recognize that they are the kind of people a country very much needs in these times of hatred, killing, revolt and delinquency.

If you were in the seat of governmental power, what kind of persons would you want in your country? Would it not be those who are peaceful and respectful of authority? Surely that would be the reasonable and practical course. It would be the criminals, delinquents, anarchists, drug addicts, those who disrespect authority​—both God’s and man’s—​that would be undesirable.

It is for this reason that decent persons all over the world are so shocked when a government issues decrees banning its most peaceful citizens! They find it difficult to understand such a tragic situation, especially when that very government’s Constitution guarantees freedom of worship!

This very unreasonable and perverse action has been taken lately on the island of Madagascar. This large island off the southeast coast of Africa is also officially called the Malagasy Republic. The motto of this land is “Liberty, Fatherland, Progress.” With such a motto you might expect progress in respect to freedom of worship. But the progress has been in the wrong direction. The Malagasy Republic is closing its doors to freedom of worship!

Denying this liberty, the Malagasy Republic, in June 1970, informed all the missionaries of Jehovah’s witnesses that they must leave the country within a few days. Why all the hurry? Were they dangerous criminals or revolutionaries? No, yet the reason given on the deportation order was that their presence “constitutes a threat to public order and security.” Not a single fact was produced in support of this accusation.

BAN ON JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Then on August 8, 1970, a decree was published in the Official Journal of the Malagasy Republic. Decree No. 70-431 dissolved the “Association” of Jehovah’s witnesses. The ban, according to the decree, is based on an ordinance directed against “associations and . . . persons convicted of subversive acts.”

But what “subversive acts” have Jehovah’s witnesses committed? Again, no specific actions were mentioned, and no witness of Jehovah was brought into court and charged with any subversive acts.

DISREGARD FOR CONSTITUTION

The decree banning the Witnesses said that the action was being taken “in pursuance of the Constitution.” But is that true? What does the Constitution of the Malagasy Republic state? The Preamble to it, as published in the Annuaire National of the Malagasy Republic for 1970, states:

“Affirming their belief in God and in the eminent dignity of the human person, determined to guarantee the fundamental rights of man, . . . inspired by the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Malagasy people solemnly proclaim that:

“​—All men have equal rights and duties without distinction of origin, race or religion. . . .

“​—Freedom of thought, of conscience and freedom to practice religion is guaranteed to everybody, provided that morals and public order are respected. The State protects the freedom to worship.”

But does the ban on Jehovah’s witnesses really reflect a determination “to guarantee the fundamental rights of man”? Such a ban tramples to the ground the guarantee of “freedom to practice religion.” The Malagasy Republic has not shown respect for its own Constitution.

Obviously the matter is a serious one. With liberty to worship according to the Bible being denied in Madagascar, what is any prospective visitor to that land to think? Has he any assurance that his own freedom of worship and liberty would not be infringed by a government that chooses to violate its own Constitution? Would you feel secure in a country that tramples on such basic freedoms?

What Madagascar has done is fast becoming news around the world, and it calls into question its adherence to the Declaration of Human Rights that has been issued by the United Nations, to which the Malagasy Republic belongs.

NO THREAT TO PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY

In the 206 lands where Jehovah’s witnesses preach God’s kingdom and other Bible truths, they have never been found taking part in any uprising to overthrow a government. Moreover, in their publications, which get worldwide circulation, they urge obedience to governments and respect for the laws of the land. Their Bible handbook The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, printed in thirty-two million copies and in sixty languages, urges such respect in its chapter “Christian Obedience to Law.”

Often the public press has commented on the good public order and conduct of the Witnesses. On the occasion of an international assembly held in France in August 1969, bringing to the Colombes Stadium near Paris 47,480 conventioners from 78 countries, including the Malagasy Republic, the French press was unanimous in rendering praise for the peaceful conduct of the Witnesses. A well-known newspaper said in a report under a four-column title “God in the Stadium” the following:

“‘Brother’ Knorr [president of the world organization of Jehovah’s witnesses] showed in his instructions that although the governments of this world will have to give way to the Kingdom of God some day, ‘this does not authorize the Christian to try to overthrow the present systems, nor to incite his fellow-citizens to disobey the legitimate laws of the nations: Jehovah’s Witnesses are not anarchists. They pay their taxes and cooperate with the police to maintain order.’”​—Le Monde, August 7, 1969, p. 8.

People who truly live by the Bible are no threat to any government. And Jehovah’s witnesses, as Collier’s Encyclopedia states, place “great emphasis on the Bible.” Concerning the influence that the Bible has on the Witnesses, the Dutch newspaper Het Stadsblad (The City Journal), edition for Breda and Baronie, said in its issue of November 23, 1967, in an article by journalist M. van Dael: “For these witnesses the Bible is the book out of which all wisdom and all truth can be drawn up. The method applied has been grafted onto the system that the first Christians used some 2000 years ago.”

So the Malagasy ban on Jehovah’s witnesses is in effect a ban on the Bible and Christianity, which they preach and teach.

APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

If you love freedom of worship and wish to help these peaceful Christians to regain their “fundamental rights” to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences, we invite you to write respectfully to the ambassador of the Malagasy Republic in your country and to government officials in Madagascar.

The government officials can be asked to investigate the facts: That throughout the earth Jehovah’s witnesses are known as Christians that do not meddle in politics; that they everywhere respect the country in which they live and that they prove it. How? By not defrauding the government of tax money, by not plotting against rulers or engaging in political strife, and by building up the community by teaching the Bible’s high moral principles.

You may wish to entreat the officials to heed the warning issued to the religious persecutors of the apostles of Jesus Christ: “Do not meddle with these men, but let them alone; (because, if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them;) otherwise, you may perhaps be found fighters actually against God.”​—Acts 5:38, 39.

The Constitution of the Malagasy Republic speaks of “affirming their belief in God.” In your appeal you may wish to urge them, if that is really true, to refrain from fighting a losing battle against Jehovah God. Your written appeal may request to hear at the earliest possible time the news published to the whole world that the Malagasy Republic has revoked its ban on the Christian witnesses of Jehovah and has once again dignified itself by granting to these peaceful Christians the religious freedom that the Malagasy Constitution “guarantees.”

Lovers of freedom of worship, having made this appeal, will eagerly await the response of government officials, not merely by written word, but mainly by the favorable action of the government of Malagasy Republic before the judgment bar of Almighty God.

[Box on page 91]

OFFICIALS OF MALAGASY REPUBLIC

His Excellency

President Philibert Tsiranana

Résidence de Mahazoarivo

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

The Honorable Calvin Tsiébo

Vice-president, Justice

Antaninarenina

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

The Honorable André Resampa

Vice-president, Interior

Tsimbazaza

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

The Honorable Jacques Rabemananjara

Vice-president, Foreign Affairs

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

Rue Jean-Assolant

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

Mr. Césaire Rabenoro

Secretary of State for African Affairs

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

Rue Jean-Assolant

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

Mr. Jean-François Jarison

Minister of Justice

43, rue George V

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

Mr. René Rasidy

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

Mr. Pierre Bora

Director of National Security

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic

His Excellency

Embassy of the Malagasy Republic

2374 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20008

His Excellency

301 E. 47th St.

New York, N.Y. 10017

Look to God for a Reward

TO DO what is right, to serve God with the hope of a reward is not at all selfish. It does not deprive either God or any fellow human creature of that which is due a person. In fact, Jehovah God, as a God of justice and love, obligates himself to reward those who serve him.​—Heb. 6:10.

It takes faith for one to serve Jehovah God with the hope of a reward from him. That is why so few people today even profess to serve God. Such faith is in itself a virtue. Far from being selfish, it is only a matter of being grateful, of being appreciative of the blessings that God offers on the condition of obedience and right-doing.​—Luke 18:8; 2 Thess. 3:2.

That is why God’s Word gives much encouragement to do what is right with the hope of a reward from Jehovah. Typical of this is what it tells about a certain young Moabite widow, Ruth. Because of her taking her stand with Jehovah God, the God of her mother-in-law Naomi, and for taking good care of Naomi, she was told by a kinsman of her mother-in-law: “May Jehovah reward the way you act, and may there come to be a perfect wage for you from Jehovah the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”​—Ruth 2:12.

That this prayer (which it was in effect) was fitting in the case of Ruth can be seen from the affection and determination she expressed toward her mother-in-law: “Do not plead with me to abandon you, to turn back from accompanying you; for where you go I shall go, and where you spend the night I shall spend the night. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I shall die, and there is where I shall be buried. May Jehovah do so to me and add to it if anything but death should make a separation between me and you.” And Ruth was richly rewarded for her noble course of action. She became the happy wife of God-fearing and prosperous Boaz and also the ancestress of King David and of Jesus Christ. She even had one of the books of the Bible named after her!​—Ruth 1:16, 17.

‘Your reward is from Jehovah.’ What a happy thought, what a faith-strengthening thought! And who can hope to receive such a reward? Not the workers of iniquity. God rewards only those who recognize him as their God and endeavor to please him. Ruth was of that frame of mind as her words to Naomi clearly showed. How can it be selfish when God’s Word tells us that to please Jehovah God we must believe not only that he exists, but also that he ‘rewards those earnestly seeking him.’​—Heb. 11:6.

Parents and children, husbands and wives, employees and employers, overseers, ministerial servants and individual members in the Christian congregation all have certain obligations to discharge. At times some of these may feel that they are not being appreciated, that they are being exploited or taken advantage of. Then again, it may seem that their tasks are boring, monotonous, frustrating, offering little or no hope of betterment. While those without faith in God often feel so frustrated and resentful that they create riots and engage in other acts of violence, Christians have no reason to do so. Rather, if unable to change their circumstances, if unable to improve their lot in an honorable way, by appeals to reason and in a peaceful manner, they still can take comfort nevertheless. Take comfort in what? In the thought that by doing that which is right they are pleasing to Jehovah God and will be rewarded by him both now and in the future.

Rewarded even now? How so? you ask. One of the ways in which God now rewards right doing is by his angels. Time and again those serving Jehovah God have been recipients of blessings that can only be accounted for as being in answer to their prayers, as coming directly from Jehovah God through his angels. Then again, Jehovah God’s holy spirit is the instrument used by him to reward his faithful servants. And often God puts it into the mind and heart of some of his faithful earthly servants to show kindness to fellow servants, thus rewarding them, as it were. Ruth’s reward from Jehovah came through a human agency, the kinsman of her mother-in-law Naomi, namely, Boaz.​—Ruth 4:9-17.

That Jehovah’s servants can indeed expect such blessings from their God is clear from the promise found at Proverbs 10:22: “The blessing of Jehovah​—that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it.” Besides, did not Jesus say that if his followers would seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness all other necessary things would be added to them? He truly did!​—Matt. 6:33.

Still another reward that Jehovah God might be said to give at the present time to those of his servants who truly seek to please him is peace of mind with contentment and happiness, surely no mean ‘wage.’ Yes, “godly devotion along with self-sufficiency” is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6) It is indeed a happy state of mind to be able to say as did the apostle Paul: “I have learned, in whatever circumstances I am, to be self-sufficient,” that is, content. Thus we read regarding the patriarch Abraham, who served Jehovah God to an age of 175 years, that he died “old and satisfied.”​—Phil. 4:11; Gen. 25:8.

Today it is also true that Jehovah God rewards his faithful servants. Indeed, there are faithful Christian witnesses of Jehovah by the hundreds of thousands that can testify to this. Proof of this is seen in their life stories as they have appeared in the Watchtower magazine. And proof of this can also be seen at their large conventions, where their happy state is so noticeable by reason of their great numbers.

And then, of course, there is also the hope of a future reward, which reward is repeatedly held out in the Scriptures. Jesus assured his followers that they would “be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous ones.” And the apostle Paul assured Christians of this in the conclusion to his powerful exposition of the resurrection, saying: “Consequently, my beloved brothers, become steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.” Similarly he told Christian slaves of his day: “Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance.”​—Luke 14:14; 1 Cor. 15:58; Col. 3:23, 24.

No question about it, Jehovah God does reward those who abide by his principles and who do what is pleasing in his sight. They have present rewards and can hope for future rewards in his due time. Such is not selfish but is merely taking Jehovah God at his word, even as Joshua reminded the Israelites: “Not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed.” (Josh. 23:14) So look with faith to Jehovah God for your reward!

Where She Finds Refreshment

A woman, in her letter “To the Editors” that was recently published in Commonweal magazine, said: “How about Jehovah’s Witnesses as an example of a healthy, growing church? 80 percent of its members are said to be former Catholics.

“Much of the secret of their success can be found by reading their humble publications, Watchtower and Awake. The first studies and discusses the Bible, and the second is on general subjects.

“Why is it, that after I read those magazines, with their rather old-fashioned graphics and cheap paper, I feel refreshed, inspired, and ready to roll up my sleeves again and tackle life (in my case, the raising of seven sons and two daughters)?

“Why is it that after I read certain Catholic publications I feel tired, depressed, and a little bored with religion? After unraveling the tangled web of erudite words some writers weave around a slight thought, I only wish I had expended the energy on some useful task around the house.

“I think the answer is to be found in Matthew, Chapter 18. ‘Unless you change and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.’

“The Witness magazines’ anonymous writers write clearly and simply. Their object is to share the good word of the Gospel and to encourage you to go to the source of their wisdom. It inspires, instructs, and comforts. It is un-selfconscious.

“I am not a Jehovah’s Witness myself, but it is a great thing that Catholic people are beginning to look their fellow believers in Christ in the eye and seeing a few virtues there.”

As Jesus Christ himself said: “Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, . . . and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.”​—Matt. 11:28-30.

Loyally Advocate God’s Word

Why can we loyally advocate the Bible as being God’s Word?

Among the loyal advocates of God’s Word in apostolic times were the Christians at Thessalonica. This is apparent from the words of the apostle Paul as found at 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “When you received God’s word, . . . you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God, which is also at work in you believers.”a

Among the many reasons why we can, like the Christians at Thessalonica, be loyal advocates of God’s Word is that Christianity, the religion of the Bible, is distinguished from all other religions by its historical character. It presents a scheme of doctrine based on facts. The Bible is indeed built around people who actually lived and places that truly existed.

Another reason why we can loyally advocate God’s Word is that it is a book of reliable prophecy. Ever so many of its prophecies have actually come to pass, many even being fulfilled in the lifetime of those who first heard them.

Still another reason why we can loyally advocate the Bible as God’s Word is the obvious truthfulness, the honesty, the frankness, the candor and the humility of its writers. In their very frank manner they recorded not only the fine and noble things that God’s servants did, but also their mistakes, their shortcomings and their sins. They recorded that Noah on one occasion got drunk, and that Moses once lost his temper and so forfeited his privilege to enter the land of promise. Bible writers also tell of the shortcomings of Jesus’ twelve apostles, that Peter denied his Master three times and that they all fled when Jesus was taken captive. All such honesty helps us to advocate God’s Word loyally.

And so does the fact that the Bible as God’s Word gives us information obtainable from no other source. And what is that? It alone tells us of the origin of the universe, of the earth and of man. It alone tells us why humankind is so plagued with difficulties, disease and death, and it alone tells about God’s purpose to restore paradise and humankind to perfection.

In what practical ways can we loyally advocate God’s Word?

Children often have the privilege of doing this in school when such subjects as biology, history or evolution come up for consideration, by boldly presenting what the Bible has to say about these subjects. The same is also true when there is a discussion regarding morals and principles. If children are asked to write an essay, they can use this opportunity to choose some Biblical subject and thus give a witness.

Adults similarly can be alert to opportunities for showing loyalty to God’s Word in their day-to-day contacts with other people by incidental witnessing.

And, of course, a person is a loyal advocate of God’s Word when he applies Bible principles. By the way Christians dress, by the kind of language they use, by their refusal to laugh at obscene jesting, by their being conscientious in meeting all their financial obligations and by their obeying the laws of Caesar, whether these are tax laws or related to their driving an automobile. In all such ways God’s servants can show themselves to be loyal advocates of his Word.

[Footnotes]

Questions From Readers

● What is the meaning of the comment at Revelation 19:10, “the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying”?​—U.S.A.

This statement is part of what an angel told the aged apostle John when John, in a moment of strong emotion, began to do obeisance before him. The angel said: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires [literally, “is the spirit of”] prophesying.” (Rev. 19:10) The words in question basically mean that the “spirit” or the whole intent and purpose of Bible prophecy is to point to Jesus Christ.

Jehovah had assigned his Son Jesus the key role in the outworking of God’s purpose to sanctify His name and restore the earth and its human population to the proper place in His arrangement. (Eph. 1:9, 10; Col. 2:3) The fulfillment of God’s great purpose is all bound up in Jesus; hence the main thrust of Bible prophecy or inspired messages from God proclaimed by his servants pointed forward to Jesus.

God himself began this prophesying when he foretold the “seed” that would eventually crush the head of the serpent, God’s adversary the Devil. (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 12:9) The numerous inspired prophecies about the seed and his position and accomplishments all bore witness to Jesus. (Gen. 22:18; 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 2:6-12; 110:1-7; Isa. 53:1-12; Mic. 5:2-6) As the apostle Peter said, “To him [Christ] all the prophets bear witness.” (Acts 10:43) The prophetic visions of the book of Revelation also contain much regarding Jesus as God’s conquering King.​—Rev. 5:12–6:2; 19:11-16.

Even the faithful angels in heaven were interested in the prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures concerning the Christ. (1 Pet. 1:10-12) Along with God’s servants on earth, they could recognize, once Jesus proved his faithfulness to death and was resurrected, that “no matter how many the promises of God are, they have become Yes by means of him.” (2 Cor. 1:20) So the angel who spoke to John could properly point out that the entire “spirit” or whole inclination and purpose of these prophecies was to bear witness to Jesus.

The same can be said of the prophesying and prophecies mentioned in the Christian Greek Scriptures. These evidently involved witnessing about Jesus directly, the accomplishing of the preaching work he commissioned or the understanding of God’s purposes that revolve around the Kingdom of which Jesus is king. (Acts 21:9-13; 1 Cor. 14:22-25) It is similar with the prophecying by God’s servants in these “last days” before “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” (Joel 2:28-32) Jehovah’s witnesses are not giving new prophecies about the future. But they are proclaiming the present and future fulfillment of prophecies recorded in the Bible, as well as prophesying in the sense of declaring God’s message today. In this they emphasize Jesus’ role as the key one in Jehovah’s purposes, the king of His kingdom.

Announcements

YOU CAN UNDERSTAND “REVELATION”

Have you been puzzled by the prophetic visions of the Bible book of Revelation? Would you like to know what those visions mean and what the many symbolisms used in them represent? Since so many other prophecies of the Bible mark our period as the “last days” of the present system of things, is it not reasonable to expect an understanding of Revelation to be made available now? Would you be interested in learning how the Revelation relates to us? about the events it foretells for more than a thousand years into the future? You can by reading the books “Then Is Finished the Mystery of God” and “Babylon the Great Has Fallen!” God’s Kingdom Rules! Between these two fascinating books the entire Bible book of Revelation is discussed verse by verse. They can open your understanding to the many inspired truths it contains. These two fine Bible study aids can be had for only $1.25. As a free gift you will also receive the booklets “Look! I Am Making All Things New” and Rescuing a Great Crowd of Mankind Out of Armageddon.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

March 7: Proclaiming Good News World Wide. Page 76. Songs to Be Used: 86, 4.

March 14: Where More Proclaimers of the Good News Are Especially Needed. Page 83. Songs to Be Used: 74, 103.