The Watchtower — October 15, 1974

Human Plans Failing as God’s Purpose Succeeds

“Plans multiply in the human heart, but the purpose of Yahweh stands firm.”​—Prov. 19:21, Jerusalem Bible.

1. In view of what course of man does God need to carry out his purpose−soon?

IT IS comforting to know that, whereas human plans for mankind are failing, the purpose of a loving Creator is succeeding. The failure of human plans is causing all of us hardship and concern. But faith in God strengthens us to look ahead to our enjoying eternal good from the sure success of His purpose. He never needs to learn from such things as previous mistakes, for he makes none. Men ought to learn from past human mistakes, but they have the weakness of repeating the same mistakes. Failure follows. So now the unerring God needs to carry out his purpose​—soon!

2. How did plans laid for our twentieth century fail, and what questions arose as a result of introduction of atomic warfare?

² The grandiose plans that nineteenth-century planners laid for our twentieth century ended in failure. World War I pricked them as if a rainbow-colored soap bubble. The League of Nations plan did not repair matters. Soon it appeared that world planners had not learned by experience through collapse of the League of Nations. The future presented them a new challenge when two atomic bombs were dropped in the Far East, to usher in atomic warfare. All of us now confronted something indeed serious. What protective device would men responsible for world planning now provide? Something that experience guaranteed to prove a sure success? Something that expressed a wisdom superior to that of mortal man?

3. What kind of society is the United Nations, and how has it affected the world state of affairs?

³ No, the nation that exploded the atomic bombs took the lead in arranging with its war allies for another society of nations. Just another political league with a new dress and facial makeup, under a new name, the United Nations organization. It has its Declaration of Human Rights. It has its International Court of Justice. It has its police force, which has enforced the cease-fire along the Suez Canal. It has its General Assembly and Security Council as planning bodies for the now 135 members of the United Nations. Admittedly, it has served as a safety valve for an explosive world situation, but, for all that, the world state of affairs still continues explosive. The United Nations, although organized for world peace and security, has not prevented the development of the nuclear bomb and intercontinental ballistic missiles with warheads containing nuclear bombs of devastating power.

4. How far has the United Nations organization been able to go about calamitous conditions, and how is confidence in it shown to be waning?

⁴ In the United Nations we have another instance of international planning on a world scale, but by a number of participants larger than ever before. However, is such overall world planning by mortal men proving successful or offering hope of success? The United Nations investigates and publishes data on the deadly pollution of air, sea and land. Also, on the spread of death-dealing diseases and epidemics. Yes, on famines and droughts. It finds itself unable, however, to cope with the worsening situation. It takes note of the regional Treaty Organizations of Communist and anti-Communist political blocs outside the United Nations, but cannot interfere with these international groups. So human confidence in the United Nations weakens, and political rulers continue to depend upon their regional alliances and upon strong military stockpiles as the best deterrents to a Nuclear World War. Promises of politicians to lay the foundation for a “generation of peace” sound hollow!

5. Since the world situation does not better itself after all the human planning, what questions arise?

⁵ People are imperiled not only by international complications. They are afflicted by domestic problems and trouble, turmoil and anarchy, and the hardness of living in their own countries. What is the trouble? Why is it that with all the feverish and intensive planning and taking of preventive measures, the world situation does not better itself? Where does the fault lie? What is in error with all this human planning? What has been left out of consideration? Honest-hearted persons would like to know.

THE OVERLOOKED COUNSEL

6, 7. (a) In all such national and international planning, what has been overlooked? (b) After get-togethers opened by prayer, what have the planners failed to do?

⁶ In all the aforementioned cases of national and international planning, we note that there is an overlooking of the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the sea, an ignoring of His counsel.

⁷ Oh, the planners may claim to belong to the various religious sects of Christendom or to Judaism or to Buddhism or to Mohammedanism or to Hinduism or to some other religious group. They may have their political or social get-togethers for deliberation on problems opened with prayer by some clergyman. Yet, do they thereafter let themselves be guided by the counsel given by man’s Creator? Do they go to his written Word, where his counsel can be plainly read? Then, do they let themselves be guided by such counsel? Here a controversy might arise. The planners are not all agreed as to what the written Word of the Creator is, for they have different sacred books that they consider holy, the basis for their religious belief. But the true Creator of heaven and earth is the One who made man and put him on the earth and told man what he was to do here. This Creator also foretold with accuracy our present-day distress of nations with perplexity.

8. What is the book not considered or followed by worldly planners, and who made that book?

⁸ The Maker of man is also the Creator of this written Word, his inspired Book. That Book is the Holy Bible, written by the hand of faithful men whom the Creator inspired to write. Bible societies have spread this inspired Book all around the earth, in hundreds of languages. So it is not an unknown and inaccessible Book. Its very opening sentence says: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The first chapter of the Holy Bible also describes the creation of mankind, both male and female. (Gen. 1:26-31) This is the Book that is not consulted or followed by the worldly planners for human society.

9. What ancient Bible statement about human plans still stands uncontestable, as illustrated by what world powers?

⁹ The wise observation as made about three thousand years ago and as recorded in the Holy Bible remains uncontestable even today. It is recorded in Proverbs 19:21, and, according to the Jerusalem Bible translation of this proverb from the Hebrew language, it reads: “Plans multiply in the human heart, but the purpose of Yahweh stands firm.” (See also The New English Bible and Revised Standard Version.) The name Yahweh here is the pronunciation of the divine name that is preferred by some to the pronunciation Jehovah. Human plans, schemes and devices have multiplied throughout the past centuries and millenniums, but have they succeeded in standing firm and producing permanent gains and controls? Where today are the famous political empires that once held wide control, particularly the seven world powers of Bible history and prophecy? Where is the ancient Egyptian World Power, also the Assyrian, the Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, the Grecian, the Roman, the Anglo-American? Where is the incomparable British Empire that once embraced one fourth of the earth’s surface and a quarter of its population? Their glory has faded.

10, 11. (a) What indicates that Jehovah’s purpose regarding his kingdom moves forward to brilliant success? (b) What shows that Christendom’s growth has not been by preaching God’s kingdom?

¹⁰ What, though, about the counsel of Jehovah or “purpose of Yahweh”? It still stands firm, unchanged. It continues to prevail and to move forward to brilliant success. The kingdom of God continues to be preached world wide, this proclamation surpassing everything that has been known thus far in religious history.

¹¹ By the expression “the kingdom of God” we do not mean the religious organization of Christendom. For the first time in history the religious membership of Christendom has passed the billion mark, the latest published estimate of her membership being given as 1,024,106,500. (See The World Almanac, 1974, page 342.) But this growth has not been achieved by preaching the kingdom of God. It was the churches of Christendom that declared that the League of Nations is “the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth.” So, as long as that political organization for world peace and security continued, the churches preached the League of Nations. Christendom’s plan or scheme has also been “to put God in government.” For that reason her clergymen dabble in politics, and the clergymen urge their church members to involve themselves to the full in politics, even aspiring to the highest political offices in the land.

12. How do the words and course of Jesus and his disciples reflect on Christendom’s efforts “to put God in government”?

¹² However, does Jehovah God want to be put in political government of this world? If He is not already there, why does He have to be put in these human political governments? His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, when asked by a Roman politician, “Are you the king of the Jews?” answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” With reference to his true disciples, this Jesus said: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 18:33-36; 17:14) Neither Jesus nor his true disciples of the first century C.E. made any attempt “to put God in government.” Christendom’s multiplied plans to put the God of the Bible into the political governments of this world prove that she is not preaching the true kingdom of God and that her church members are not true disciples and imitators of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. Christendom is not the visible earthly expression of God’s kingdom.

13. How has Christendom’s plan to convert the world to her churches apparently failed, in spite of revivals and crusades?

¹³ For centuries Christendom’s plan has been to convert the world of mankind, either by force or by persuasion, and to make them members of her churches. The ostensible idea behind this was to get them to heaven and to save them from going to a place of everlasting conscious torment as disembodied souls. Christendom’s thought, too, was that in this way God’s kingdom would come and his will would be done on earth as in heaven. (Matt. 6:9, 10) But Christendom’s unscriptural plan for world conversion has apparently failed, as the number of non-Christians continues to be more than double that of Christendom’s membership and as antireligious forces, especially Communism, increase and more and more of Christendom’s members become religious hypocrites or nonactive. Her religious revivals and crusades prove to be of short-lived effect.

NO FAILURE POSSIBLE FOR THE DIVINE PURPOSE

14. Human plans have been based on what or inspired by what, with what outlook resulting for mankind?

¹⁴ Were the survival and salvation of the human race dependent upon the plans of men, all would be lost for mankind. Their multifarious plans are either based on human wisdom or inspired by malicious spirit demons. Self-reliant men might like to pooh-pooh the suggestion, but what was prophesied nineteen hundred years ago is more true today than they care to believe, that in “later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1) Because men have fallen away or deserted from the faith set forth in God’s written Word, they have ignored God’s plainly stated purpose. They are like the first human pair in the Garden of Eden. “This only I have found,” said the wise man Solomon, “that the true God made mankind upright, but they themselves have sought out many plans.” (Eccl. 7:29) Because of the failure of their plans, one after another, they have been obliged to reshape or remake their plans or schemes.

15, 16. The continuing of worldly nations in a United Nations organization is in the nature of what against Jehovah, and what Scriptural warning is there against it?

¹⁵ What worldly-wise men scheme is doomed to failure. They not only pass over God’s purpose but plan and fight against it. Even in this matter of combining together in a United Nations organization, the political and military leaders are going contrary to God’s purpose. It is really a conspiracy against Him. Over two thousand five hundred years ago, when foretelling a combining of worldly nations against God’s favored people, the prophet Isaiah was inspired to say to the enemy peoples: “Gird yourselves, and be shattered to pieces! Gird yourselves, and be shattered to pieces! Plan out a scheme, and it will be broken up! Speak any word, and it will not stand, for God is with us.” (Isa. 8:9, 10) The modern unification of the peoples in a United Nations organization for world peace and security will not triumph over God’s purpose for mankind. It must fail, just as the ancient observer of three thousand years of human history said:

¹⁶ “A wicked man has put on a bold face, but the upright is the one that will firmly establish his ways. There is no wisdom, nor any discernment, nor any counsel in opposition to Jehovah. The horse is something prepared for the day of battle, but salvation belongs to Jehovah.”​—Prov. 21:29-31.

17. What divisive factors dominate the increased number of nations, and why can unification of mankind not come by them?

¹⁷ A United Nations organization with its Security Council and its Disarmament Conference is not God’s way for unification of all mankind in a warless and secure earth. Since World War II of 1939-1945 C.E. mankind has been divided up into more national groups than ever before, each group claiming national sovereignty. The division of the human race is increased by language differences, varying customs, opposing political aims and ideologies, and racial and religious prejudices. Self-determination and self-preservation are the dominant factors. World government by man is impossible, and the unifying of all mankind will not come by this means. The world of mankind cannot be united among themselves, for they are not united to the one living and true God, Jehovah. His Son, Jesus Christ, said that the ruler of this world is Satan the Devil, the ruler of the demons. In harmony with that, the Christian apostle Paul said that this ruler of the world is also “the god of this system of things,” who blinds the minds of those not at unity with Jehovah God.​—John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4.

18, 19. (a) Where must order and unity be restored, and why? (b) To this end, what has God purposed to carry on “at the full limit of the appointed times”?

¹⁸ The lack of unity on the part of mankind with God is nothing less than a visible reflection of the disunity that exists in the invisible heavenly realm on the part of Satan and his demons toward Jehovah God. So there needs to be a restoring of order and unity both in the spiritual heavens and in the earth. God’s unfailing purpose takes this universal need into consideration and provides for it. The inspired writer of the letter to the congregation in ancient Ephesus, Asia Minor, writes about this, in these words to them:

¹⁹ “He [God] made known to us the sacred secret of his will. It is according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, namely, to gather all things together again [or, to reunite for himself (under one head) the all things] in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. Yes, in him, in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs, in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things according to the way his will counsels.”​—Eph. 1:9-11, NW; Rotherham, Diaglott.

20, 21. (a) In every nation there is complaint on the part of the people against what? (b) What did Solomon show to be the valid reason for the people’s restiveness?

²⁰ Thus it was God’s purpose to administer matters or pursue a course of action that would lead to unification in heavenly things and in earthly things. It was according to God’s good pleasure that there would be an administration, a management, a stewarding, by means of a special procedure on God’s part. Thus the term “administration” does not mean the Messianic kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ. Today there is great complaint on the part of the people in every nation because of the governments over them, and their way of administering or managing things. There must be a valid reason for the restiveness and rebelliousness of the people. The ancient proverb points to the reason, saying: “When the righteous become many, the people rejoice; but when anyone wicked bears rule, the people sigh.” (Prov. 29:2) Wise King Solomon of Jerusalem observed oppressive administration by men in his own day and said:

²¹ “I myself returned that I might see all the acts of oppression that are being done under the sun, and, look! the tears of those being oppressed, but they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, so that they had no comforter. And I congratulated the dead who had already died rather than the living who were still alive.”​—Eccl. 4:1, 2. Also Ec 5:8; 7:7.

22. After thousands of years of oppression by human administration, what is the case about comfort and deliverance for mankind?

²² At times the people are driven to act like crazy because of the oppression. (Eccl. 7:7) After thousands of years of oppression, and in the face of world conditions today, it proves to be true that the oppressed people have no comforter from any part of the present worldly administration of human affairs. There is no salvation for them, no deliverance for them, from human sources.

23. According to God’s purpose, how will unification of all the people come about, and what will this mean for them?

²³ The need for a better administration or managing of affairs the all-wise God foresaw long ago, and, according to his good pleasure, he purposed to institute such an administration. Under that administrating of affairs by him there will come the unification of all the people. That will mean peace, harmony and security everywhere on earth.

24. Who is the unification agent by whom God will administer things, and what is the definite purpose for this administration?

²⁴ Let us take a look at how God Almighty proceeded to administer affairs. Let us look at the unification agent by means of whom God administers things. That one is God’s Messiah, his Anointed One, the Christ. Hence, the inspired Bible writer points to that one when he says that the administration that is to be set in operation “at the full limit of the appointed times” is for a definite purpose, “namely, to gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. Yes, in him, in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs.” (Eph. 1:9-11) There is a lot of prejudice and animosity toward this Jesus Christ in both the religious and the nonreligious sections of mankind; and yet, what kind of administration are we to expect from God through him?

25, 26. (a) What did Psalm 72 say prophetically regarding the Messiah’s dealing with the poor people? (b) What record is given in Acts 10:37-39 about the relief work done by the Messiah Jesus?

²⁵ Regarding the Messiah, who is greater than King Solomon whose rule ended up oppressively for the people of Israel, Psalm 72:12-14 says prophetically: “He will deliver the poor one crying for help, also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper. He will feel sorry for the lowly one and the poor one, and the souls of the poor ones he will save. From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul, and their blood will be precious in his eyes.” We have every reason to believe that the Messiah Jesus will fulfill this prophecy in the near future. We have just to look back nineteen hundred years when he was on earth as a perfect man and ask: What oppression and violence did he ever practice toward the people? The inspired Scripture account gives Jesus Christ a clean record, with credit, rather, for relieving the people. A certain Jew who was almost constantly with him during his public career and who observed him closely said to an audience of non-Jews:

²⁶ “You know the subject that was talked about throughout the whole of Judea, starting from Galilee after the baptism that John preached, namely, Jesus who was from Nazareth, how God anointed him with holy spirit and power, and he went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him. And we are witnesses of all the things he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; but they also did away with him by hanging him on a stake.”​—Acts 10:37-39.

27, 28. (a) How did Jesus come to have a double claim upon King David’s kingdom over Israel? (b) In agreement with that, what did Isaiah 9:6, 7 say about the princely rule of the Messiah?

²⁷ We must remember that this Jesus whom God anointed to be the Messianic King over all mankind was a natural descendant of King David of Jerusalem, by a miraculous birth into David’s royal family. As such he was the natural heir to the kingdom of David over Israel. The man who adopted Jesus as his firstborn son was also a descendant from King David through Solomon, and so he had a legal right to David’s kingdom. Such legal right this adoptive father, Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth, bestowed upon Jesus by adopting him as his firstborn son. (Luke 2:1-24; 3:23-38; Matt. 1:1 through 2:23) Thus this Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, “the city of David,” had a double claim upon the inheritance of David’s kingdom over Israel. Now as regards this Descendant of David upon whose shoulder the princely rule is to be laid, the inspired prophet Isaiah said:

²⁸ “To the abundance of the princely rule and to peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom in order to establish it firmly and to sustain it by means of justice and by means of righteousness, from now on and to time indefinite. The very zeal of Jehovah of armies will do this.”​—Isa. 9:6, 7.

29. Thus Messiah’s princely rule will be of what kind, and why will it not come by democratic vote of the people?

²⁹ Here we have a promise from the Most High God that the Davidic kingdom of his Messiah will not only be a rightful one but also be established and maintained in justice and righteousness. This government of salvation for the people will be set up by God himself, not by the democratic vote of the people, for, as the prophet Isaiah says, “the very zeal of Jehovah of armies will do this.”

30, 31. (a) How did God give a guarantee of the promised government of the Christ? (b) How did Peter bear witness to this fact at Acts 10:40-43?

³⁰ What Jehovah is zealous for he will accomplish. He has inspired many other Bible prophecies respecting the perfect government that the Messiah Jesus will give all mankind. He has given us a guarantee of this promised government in that he resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day in vindication of the innocence of that one. As the apostle Peter went on to say, after telling of Jesus’ being hung unjustly on a stake:

³¹ “God raised this One up on the third day and granted him to become manifest, not to all the people, but to witnesses appointed beforehand by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after his rising from the dead. Also, he ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness that this is the One decreed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone putting faith in him gets forgiveness of sins through his name.”​—Acts 10:40-43.

RELIABLE BODY OF ASSOCIATES IN ATTENDING TO HUMAN AFFAIRS

32. So God could now proceed to do what gathering work, and with whom as his Agent for reuniting things?

³² That this resurrected Jesus Christ might be able to serve as God’s Agent in reuniting things, God exalted him to the divine throne in the heavens. (Acts 2:33-36; 1 Pet. 3:22) Thus God could proceed to “gather all things together again in the Christ,” not only the things on the earth but also the “things in the heavens.” Jesus Christ is thereby a heavenly, superhuman Messiah, with greater powers for doing good in behalf of the people than when he was down here on earth as a perfect man. All mankind will be unified under him as the Head appointed by God the Great Administrator.

33. What did God purpose for the Christ to have associated with him in taking care of human affairs, and so what is first formed on earth?

³³ However, God purposed that his Son Jesus Christ should have a body of associates with him in taking care of human affairs. These associates ruling over mankind were to be taken from among mankind. While yet on earth these were to be formed into a congregation having a bond of unity with him. The apostle Paul, when writing to the congregation in Ephesus, continued on to say: “It is according to the operation of the mightiness of [God’s] strength, with which he has operated in the case of the Christ when he raised him up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name named, not only in this system of things, but also in that to come. He also subjected all things under his feet, and made him head over all things to the congregation, which is his body.”​—Eph. 1:19-23.

34. From what sources were members of the “body” to be taken, and how was the barrier in between removed?

³⁴ Now what about the members of this congregation, the “body” of Jesus Christ? Well, it was God’s generous purpose that it should be made up not only of those who had been circumcised Jews but also of those who had been non-Jews or Gentiles. For 1,545 years (from 1513 B.C.E. to 33 C.E.) they had been disunited. The barrier, “the wall in between that fenced them off,” was the Law covenant mediated by the prophet Moses in the year 1513 B.C.E. In the year 33 C.E. Jesus Christ was used by God as the means by which to remove this barrier through his death on the torture stake. As the apostle continues on to say: “By means of his flesh [hung on the torture stake] he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, that he might create the two peoples in union with himself into one new man and make peace; and that he might fully reconcile both peoples in one body to God through the torture stake, because he had killed off the enmity by means of himself.”​—Eph. 2:14-16.

35. (a) When were the uncircumcised Gentiles brought into the congregational “body”? (b) How many members was the body to have?

³⁵ Three and a half years after the removal of the legal barrier, God began bringing Gentiles, non-Jews, into the congregational “body” of Jesus Christ. This God did by sending the apostle Peter to preach the message of the kingdom of God’s Messiah to interested uncircumcised Gentiles. When these accepted the Kingdom message, God anointed them with holy spirit and they got baptized as Christians. (Acts 10:1-48) After that, and especially after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in the year 70 C.E., many Gentiles were baptized into the congregational “body” of Jesus Christ; thus they were united with him as their spiritual “head.” Just as a human body had a definite number of members in order to be complete, so this congregational “body” of Christ had a definite limited number of members. The last book of the Holy Bible plainly says that the number of “body” members is limited to 12 x 12,000, or 144,000.​—Rev. 7:4-8; 14:1-3.

[Pictures on page 612]

RESULTS OF HUMAN PLANS

The League of Nations failed; the U.N. has also failed to bring genuine peace

Bribery is common in spite of claims of honesty

Crime increases despite plans to stop it

Famine conditions increase

Money losing value; inflation rampant world wide

[Pictures on page 613]

SUCCESS OF GOD’S PURPOSE

At Pentecost 33 C.E. the united Christian congregation was founded

Jews and Gentiles became united as Christians in 36 C.E.

Today people in over 200 lands are united in making known God’s purpose

Mankind will yet enjoy global unity on a Paradise earth

God’s Agents for Uniting All Things Are Succeeding

1, 2. (a) Why is there need for a unification work within the congregational “body” of the Christ? (b) For that purpose, what has God through Christ bestowed upon the congregation?

THE 144,000 who will form the cooperative body under the “head,” Jesus Christ, are taken “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” of mankind. (Rev. 5:9, 10) So, since the members of the congregational “body” on earth are drawn from such widely differing sources, there ought to be a great need for a unification work among them, to have them all hold to the one “head,” the glorified Jesus Christ. To carry on this unification work God provided “gifts in the form of men.” (Ps. 68:18) The apostle Paul points to the glorified Jesus Christ as the one whom God used to bestow these human “gifts” upon the congregation on earth for the purpose of unification, saying:

² “The very one [namely, Jesus Christ] that descended is also the one that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might give fullness to all things. And he gave some [gifts] as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ, until we all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, . . . speaking the truth, let us by love grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ.”​—Eph. 4:8-15.

3, 4. (a) Why could Christendom not be that “body of the Christ”? (b) Because of the fruitage she has borne, what will happen to her?

³ Christendom makes the claim that she is this “body of the Christ.” But how could such a thing ever be? For after more than sixteen centuries of operation she has ingloriously failed to attain to such Christian unity. She is split a thousand ways, by religious sects, all teaching different conflicting doctrines. She is not one religious “body,” not one church. Her separate religious sects are not the separate or individual branches in the Christ’s “vine.” (John 15:1-8) This is true in spite of Christendom’s World Council of Churches. Christendom’s religion has proved to be one of the most divisive forces in human experience. On this account her record has been a gory one, stinking with human blood.

⁴ This is not the fruitage of true Christianity. Jesus Christ said: “A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire. Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.” (Matt. 7:18-20) As a rotten tree, Christendom is bound to get cut down shortly and destroyed as if consumed by fire. She will not fare any better than the other members of religious Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion.​—Rev. 17:1 through 18:8.

5. What must we say as to whether, because of Christendom’s state, God’s purpose to have a unified congregation has failed?

⁵ What, then? Has God’s purpose to have a unified congregation that is gathered together in one under the Head Jesus Christ failed? No! Christendom’s unbiblical plans for the future are failing, but not so God’s purpose. He is not depending upon Christendom to furnish the members of the heavenly kingdom, which God will use in administering earthly affairs for the unity of mankind. All of those who want to be God’s people He tells to get out of Christendom and out of all the rest of Babylon the Great. (Rev. 18:4) Christendom is not the way into the privileges of the Messianic kingdom of God. The things that she practices debar her from any part in the uniting work by that heavenly government. The apostle Paul goes on to say to members of God’s true Christian congregation: “You know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no fornicator or unclean person or greedy person​—which means being an idolater—​has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and of God.”​—Eph. 5:5.

6. In spite of opposition by Babylon the Great, what does God now have in unity on earth, and theirs is a gathering of what kind of things?

⁶ In spite of all the opposition of Christendom and other members of Babylon the Great, yes, in spite of Satan the Devil and his demons with whom God’s true people have a struggle, God has now on earth his remnant, the final ones who are in line to have a part in God’s administering of human affairs through Jesus Christ, their Head. In spite of coming from various races and nations, they are a united congregation, all of them holding unitedly to the one invisible heavenly Head, Jesus Christ. Thus, in their case, God has ‘gathered together again in the Christ’ the “things in the heavens,” inasmuch as even now God has “seated [them] together in the heavenly places in union with Christ Jesus” and they are also heirs of the heavenly Kingdom.​—Eph. 1:10; 2:6.

7. What prophetic command of Christ is the remnant carrying out, and who are now associating with the remnant?

⁷ Since the end of the Gentile Times in the year 1914 they have unitedly been acting upon Jesus’ prophetic command: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; [after which] the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) Associated with this remnant of Christ’s congregational body are hundreds of thousands of dedicated worshipers of Jehovah God who have obeyed His command to come out of Babylon the Great. (Rev. 7:9-17) All together they are known world wide as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses.

“ADMINISTRATION AT THE FULL LIMIT OF THE APPOINTED TIMES”

8, 9. (a) The time has neared for action by what against what? (b) According to Galatians 4:4, when did God send to earth the one who was to be his Chief Servant in the administration?

⁸ By all indications from the world’s conditions and from the fulfillment of Bible prophecies, the foretold “end” of this system of things should be near. For sixty years now the prospective members of the Messianic kingdom, together with a “great crowd” of loyal helpers, have been preaching “this good news of the kingdom.” God will not have this preaching of his established Messianic kingdom go on indefinitely. He has his marked time for this heavenly kingdom to go into destructive action against this doomed system of things. The new government that God purposed to attend to the affairs of all mankind must shortly take over. Almost two thousand years ago God sent the one appointed to be his Chief Servant in the administration to the earth to prove his worthiness. He was born into the world as the rightful heir of King David. On this we read:

⁹ “When the full limit of the time arrived, God sent forth his Son, who came to be out of a woman and who came to be under law, that he might release by purchase those [Jews] under law, that we, in turn, might receive the adoption as sons. Now because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his Son into our hearts and it cries out: ‘Abba, Father!’”​—Gal. 4:4-6.

10. At what time did the gathering work begin in its first stage, and why?

¹⁰ When God’s Son Jesus Christ was glorified in heaven and founded the Christian congregation at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost of 33 C.E., the “administration at the full limit of the appointed times” started operation in its first stage, the most essential stage. The congregation of those who were to be associates in the unifying work with Jesus Christ in the heavens had to be gathered and unified under its Head, God’s Chief Servant. In this way “the things in the heavens,” the things destined for the heavens, would be ‘gathered together again in the Christ,’ so that the “body” used by God in his administration might be complete.​—Eph. 1:9-11.

11, 12. (a) When did the due time arrive for the second feature of God’s “administration,” namely, the gathering together in the Christ of “the things on the earth”? (b) From then onward the second stage of the gathering work went into operation under whose “administration”?

¹¹ However, according to God’s purpose, the due time must come for the second feature of his “administration,” namely, to ‘gather together again in the Christ’ “the things on the earth.” This time arrived when the Gentile Times came to their fulfillment in autumn of the year 1914 C.E. There the time came for the Messianic Kingdom rule as formerly exercised by King David over in the Middle East to be reinstated, not in earthly Jerusalem, but in the heavens.

¹² In heaven, at God’s right hand, was where the permanent Heir of King David was now located, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then it was that Jehovah installed this heavenly Heir of King David on the throne, with royal power not just over the territory of ancient Israel but over all the earth, over all mankind for whom Jesus Christ had died as a perfect human sacrifice. Thereby the Kingdom of the Messiah went into operation. At that time, in a culminating way, the “full limit of the appointed times” had been reached when the “administration” that God was conducting ‘should gather together again in the Christ’ the estranged “things on the earth.” This would be the second stage of the gathering or uniting work according to God’s purpose.

13. In view of unification failures on a large scale since 1914, what must go in its entirety?

¹³ In 1914 World War I broke out, dividing the world into two opposing economic, political camps. The postwar League of Nations failed to unify mankind. Now the United Nations continues to fail in unifying mankind. It was Christendom, the most powerful religious organization on earth, that failed to prevent two world wars, and, till now, she has failed to unify mankind in true peace and security. Not just these political and religious organizations will have to go, but the whole man-made system of things. It will go completely in the coming “great tribulation” such as mankind has never before experienced.​—Matt. 24:21, 22.

14. What is the only means for the salvation of the human race, and what kind of prospects now lie ahead of mankind?

¹⁴ The only means of salvation for us humans is the heavenly Messianic kingdom, which God purposed ever since our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned in the Garden of Eden and disunited themselves from God their Creator. (Gen. 3:15; Rom. 16:20) Now that the “full limit of the appointed times” has been reached in a complete sense, we find ourselves in a day with the finest of prospects ahead!

FINAL UNIFICATION UNDER GOD’S ADMINISTRATION

15. Who on earth today are hailing the Kingdom, and how are they showing where they stand as to rulership?

¹⁵ Shortly there will be completed the full membership of the heavenly Kingdom, the 144,000 Kingdom heirs under their Head, Jesus Christ. God’s unchanged purpose with regard to this Messianic kingdom will succeed, with glory, honor and vindication for Himself. Already a crowd of people from everywhere on earth discern that God has put the Kingdom in heavenly power, and they hail it joyfully and with loyal devotion. This crowd is already great, but it is still increasing as “this good news of the kingdom” continues to be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations. (Matt. 24:14) To prove where they now stand, they wholeheartedly join the still surviving remnant of Kingdom heirs in this preaching and in giving this worldwide witness.

16. So why may it be said that the work of gathering together the things on the earth under Christ has begun?

¹⁶ The last book of the Bible envisions this “great crowd” as giving their first attention to the heavenly throne of Jehovah God and to his Chief Servant used in his administration and crying out gratefully: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9, 10) Although this “great crowd” is made up of people from all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, they seek to be unified under God’s Chief Servant, Jesus Christ. They are at unity with the Kingdom remnant and are at unity among themselves. Unitedly they worship God at his spiritual temple and render to him sacred service day and night. So it may be said that, already, in this unified “great crowd,” the work of ‘gathering all the things on earth’ together in Christ has begun, in accord with God’s “administration.” What a reassuring token of things soon to come!​—Rev. 7:14-17.

17. What will this “great crowd” survive, and why will Satan and his demons be unable to interfere with their restoring of Paradise?

¹⁷ The last book of the Bible also gives assurance that this “great crowd” of worshipers of the one living and true God will come out of the “great tribulation” as survivors of this world calamity with which the whole earthly man-made system of things will be brought to an end as a complete failure. The thrilling task of transforming all the earth into a Paradise garden will stretch out before them. Satan the Devil and his spirit demons will be unable to interfere with this peaceful beautification work, for they will be bound and isolated in an abyss from which they cannot interfere with what goes on here on earth. Protectively over the “great crowd” on earth there will be the heavenly Messianic kingdom with authority to regulate earth’s affairs for a thousand years.​—Rev. 20:1-6.

18. (a) For the gathering together again of all the “things on the earth” into unity under Christ, what will be required? (b) How will the resisters of the unification be dealt with?

¹⁸ Thus God’s new order on earth will start off with a unified human society. But the unification work of the heavenly Messianic kingdom will not then be over. Throughout the millennium of its reign over the earth there must take place the miraculous resurrection of the human dead for whom Jesus Christ died as a ransom sacrifice. (1 Tim. 2:5, 6; John 1:29, 36) These billions of resurrected humans will all have to be brought together into a unity under Jesus Christ, the Chief Servant in God’s “administration.” The ultimate purpose of this is to bring about at length their unification with the Universal Sovereign, Jehovah God. This will require the uplifting of all the obedient ones of mankind to the human perfection such as Adam and Eve had at their creation in the Garden of Eden. All the disobedient resisters of such unification, yes, too, Satan and his demons, will be destroyed everlastingly, never again to be disturbers of the peace.​—Rev. 20:7-15; Acts 24:15.

19. With what are we comforted today, and to the success of what do we look forward, with blessings in store?

¹⁹ All honor to the Supreme Administrator, Jehovah God! He not only purposes but also faithfully fulfills his purpose. Let us all take courage, then! Although we see all human plans for earth’s administration disastrously failing today, we are comforted with the blessed knowledge of God’s all-excellent purpose. Confidently we look forward to seeing and experiencing the success of God’s purpose. Forever we expect to enjoy the endless blessings therefrom!

Insight on the News

Deserts Blossom in Israel

● The Negeb is a desertlike area lying south of what were once called the “mountains of Judah.” In Bible times Abraham found pasturage in the Negeb for large flocks. (Gen. 13:1, 2) But for well over a thousand years the area has been one of almost complete desolation. Yet ancient ruins of cisterns and remains of towns bear testimony that the area once had a considerable population, with farms under cultivation.

Now modern experiments demonstrate that the Negeb can indeed be productive. “Natural History” magazine tells of experimental farms using “runoff agriculture” with terracing, water catchments and channeling to get maximum benefit from the scant rainfall (3 or 4 inches annually). The farms now produce peaches, apricots, almonds, pomegranates, figs and olives, as well as asparagus, wheat, barley and other products.

Faith Healing?

● What do modern faith healers accomplish? To find out, Dr. William A. Nolen attended a healing session of a famous “Christian” faith healer in a large Minneapolis auditorium. Reporting his findings in “McCall’s” magazine (September 1974), he says that after music and prayer the healer, Kathryn Kuhlman, said:

“Now we’re going to take up the offering​—the money we need so we can come to you people and help the sick and needy everywhere. I want twenty people out there to write out checks for one hundred dollars. . . . fifty people to write checks for fifty dollars. . . . one hundred people to write checks for twenty-five dollars. We need that money.” Collection baskets were passed.

The results of the session? Typical was the young polio victim who took off her leg brace and stood on “one good leg and one short, withered leg.” Prompted by the healer, the young woman said she was ‘cured.’ The doctor comments: “This scene, to my mind, was utterly revolting. The girl’s leg was just as withered as it had been ten minutes earlier. . . . I could imagine how she would feel when the hysteria of the moment had left her and she again had to put on the brace she had worn for 13 years.”

Another, older woman, suffering from cancer, took off a back brace and ran across the stage. Visiting her two months later, Dr. Nolen found her bedfast. She related awakening the morning after the “cure” with a “horrible pain in my back.” Medical examination showed that a vertebra of her cancer-infected back had collapsed. Within four months of her “miraculous cure” she was dead.

In the New York “Times” (August 30, 1974), Arthur Pincus supplies another item. Of a young basketball “superstar” besieged by colleges and at least one professional team to play for them, the sportswriter says: “What is a teenager to think when Oral Roberts, the evangelical faith healer and president of the Tulsa (Oklahoma) college bearing his name, went to see Moses’s mother? And when Roberts found out she was suffering from an ulcer, he told her he would heal her ulcer if young [Moses] Malone played basketball for Oral Roberts U.”

Contrast all of this with the authentic restoration of health and healings of afflictions recorded in the Bible at Matthew 8:2, 3; 12:9-13; Luke 18:40-43; all done completely free, with no collections taken, with no ulterior motives involved.​—Matt. 10:8.

Religion and War on Rats

● India’s huge population presents an almost constant challenge as regards food production. Governmental plant protection adviser Dr. S. N. Benarjee recently focused on a distinctive fact of the country’s war against famine: the competition between humans and rats. The biologist said: “Both of us want the same food. . . . There is tremendous competition between the rats and ourselves for survival.” Indian scientists put the rat population at 2.4 billion or about 5 rats to each human, and it is thought that the rats consume some 2.4 million tons of grains per year.

While other countries face similar problems, here there is an unusual factor. Devout Hindus accord certain respect to rats, along with snakes and monkeys. Rajasthan has a temple devoted to the worship of rats and modern Calcutta has a rat park where the creatures play in broad daylight. Now the government must find a way to wage war on the rats without offending religious views.

Earthly Subjects of the Kingdom of God

MOST of the people in the lands known as “Christian” have prayed what is commonly called the “Lord’s Prayer” or the “Our Father.” This prayer in modern English, recorded at Matthew 6:9-13, petitions God: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”

As all persons familiar with the Bible know, heaven is the dwelling place of God himself. When his will is done on earth as it is done in heaven, this earth will have peace and tranquility and its inhabitants will enjoy health, life and happiness under God’s kingdom.

The Kingdom must “come” against the kingdoms of this world just as the stone seen by King Nebuchadnezzar in his dream, as recorded in the Bible, ‘came’ against the terrible image that he beheld, and it must crush those kingdoms to powder, just as the stone did the image. (Rev. 11:15; Dan. 2:32-35, 44) This will clear the earth of all things that oppose the sovereignty of Jehovah God, paving the way for God’s will to be thoroughly and completely done on earth. Will any survive that ‘crushing’? And, if anyone, who? What qualifies them to survive?

THE “SHEEP” AND THE “GOATS”

One of the most illuminating answers to these questions is provided by Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats. The parable was one of several given in answer to the apostles’ question, “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matt. 24:3) The parable’s fulfillment is one of the features of that “sign.” The time of its fulfillment is shown in its opening words: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.”​—Matt. 25:31-33.

Jesus makes it clear that the sheep and the goats represent, in the fulfillment, two classes of people. When a person reasons on this, it becomes evident that Christ’s ‘arrival’ in Kingdom power and glory must occur some time before he brings the Kingdom against this system of things to destroy it and before he begins his thousand-year reign of peace. (Isa. 9:6, 7; Rev. 20:4-6) Otherwise, how could the separating work be done, judging who qualify to continue living on earth and who merit destruction?

The separation is done, not on racial, national or tribal grounds. No, it is a judgment of personalities. A personality takes time to be fully developed, and a course of action is built up from a series of acts that become the regular thing for a person to do. It therefore takes a period of time before a judgment can be made as to the fixed personality and the unvarying habitual conduct of a person. This calls for time to be allowed before a just, irreversible sentence can be pronounced and executed upon a person. ‘But,’ someone may ask, ‘cannot Jesus Christ judge hearts without seeing the person commit this act or that?’ Yes, he can, but he allows them to demonstrate fully before all persons what judgment they merit.

‘INHERITING THE KINGDOM’

The “sheep” come to be placed at the right hand of favor. The parable continues: “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.’”​—Matt. 25:34.

The unspecified number of “sheep” are not told they will go to heaven, to be the joint heirs with Jesus Christ, experiencing the “first resurrection” and reigning with him. These latter ones are limited in number to 144,000. (Rev. 14:1-3; 20:4-6) The “sheep” of the parable come to number many times more. They are identical with the “great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” (Rev. 7:9, 10) They are part of those “other sheep,” whom Jesus differentiated from the “little flock” of 144,000 joint heirs by saying:

“I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.”​—John 10:16; Luke 12:32.

These sheeplike ones have been blessed by the Father, particularly in that he foresaw the sheep class of this time of Christ’s presence, and reserved a reward for them. ‘Inheriting the kingdom’ would not mean to inherit places on thrones in heaven. Under the original Greek word for “kingdom” (Ba·si·leiʹa), Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon states that the Greek word has also a passive meaning, namely, one’s “being ruled by a king,” and also may mean “reign.” So the “great crowd” of “other sheep” inherit a thousand years of peace right down here on earth, in the earthly realm of the Kingdom.​—Ps. 2:8; Dan. 2:35-45.

What, then, is “the founding of the world” referred to in the parable? It does not mean the beginning of this planet, nor the time of Adam and Eve’s creation, for God did not make a kingdom then, with Adam as king. It was after Adam had sinned that God expressed his purpose to have a Seed that would gain victory over the symbolic serpent, Satan the Devil. (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 12:9) This Seed would become a King over all mankind. Adam and Eve had become deliberate sinners against God, deserving nothing but death. But when children began to be born to them, these children inherited sin. Therefore, there was an opportunity for them to be delivered from sin and to come under the established kingdom of the Seed. So the “founding of the world” refers to the time when Adam and Eve produced children that could benefit from these provisions.​—Luke 11:50, 51.

HOW THE “SHEEP” QUALIFY FOR SURVIVAL

What is the basis on which the “sheep” receive the Father’s blessing? What qualifies them? Jesus explains: “‘I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I got thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; naked, and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to you?’ And in reply the king will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”​—Matt. 25:35-40.

We note that it was loving-kindness extended by the “sheep” to Christ through their treatment of his “brothers.” Here again we see that the “sheep” of the parable are not Christ’s spiritual, anointed joint heirs, to be in the heavens with him. These latter ones are called “brothers,” this distinguishing them from the sheeplike ones who extend these “brothers” help. The “sheep” ask, “When did we see you?” indicating that Christ is invisible during his presence, judging them, not by what they do for him personally, for certainly as heavenly King he has no need for their earthly help. But they can see Christ’s “brothers,” and these brothers of Christ yet on earth often come into need.

On what basis do the sheeplike ones extend help? Is it out of a purely humanitarian, philanthropic attitude? There are many humanitarian-minded people in the world, who will help anyone in need. This is a good, admirable trait. But when it comes to helping or standing by Christ’s “brothers,” who are “ambassadors” of Christ, it is another thing. (2 Cor. 5:20) When these ambassadors make announcement of God’s coming judgments on this world, they are generally not popular. Often they are persecuted. Under such circumstances many humanitarian-minded persons become fearful, sometimes even opposed, and refuse to give assistance.

On the other hand, those whom Jesus designates as “sheep” are glad to help whomever they can, but, in particular, they devote their energies to helping the “brothers” of Christ by every means at their disposal. They do it intelligently and deliberately because they recognize and acknowledge these as servants of God. This is what gives them special merit in Christ’s sight, in harmony with the principle he himself stated: “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink on the ground that you belong to Christ, I truly tell you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41) “Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I tell you truly, he will by no means lose his reward.”​—Matt. 10:42.

The “sheep” give, not only physical, material assistance to the spiritual brothers of Jesus Christ. These sheeplike ones see the work that these few remaining “brothers” of Christ on earth are doing, and they take up this work alongside them, even sharing the persecution they suffer. In fact, they now do the bulk of the preaching work because of their greater numbers. In other words, they go ‘all the way’ alongside Christ’s “ambassadors,” associating with them in their congregations, many being given positions of responsibility, because advanced age or ailing health limit many of the “brothers” of Christ.

YOU CAN BE ONE OF THE “SHEEP”

At the present time these sheeplike ones are coming in from “many nations,” 208 countries and island groups, in numbers many times 144,000, which is the total number of those who will reign in the heavens with Christ. They make a dedication of themselves and are baptized not only in the name of the Son, but also in the name of the Father, the Son’s Father, who is Jehovah.​—Matt. 28:18-20.

It is not only in this parable that we find the actions of this sheeplike class of people described. Long ago, the prophet Zechariah foretold their appearance, in these words: “It will yet be that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will come; and the inhabitants of one city will certainly go to those of another, saying: ‘Let us earnestly go to soften the face of Jehovah and to seek Jehovah of armies. I myself will go also.’ . . . It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a man who is a Jew, saying: ‘We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.’”​—Zech. 8:20-23.

In the fulfillment of this prophecy, the man whose skirt is taken hold of is a spiritual Jew, one of Christ’s 144,000 spiritual brothers. (Rom. 2:28, 29) The men “out of all the languages of the nations” going with such a one are described in Revelation 7:9-17, just after the gathering of the 144,000 is described.

Again, the prophet Isaiah foretold: “It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. And many peoples will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’”​—Isa. 2:2, 3.

Biblical evidence and physical facts show that we are in the “last days” of this system of things. Through his enthroned King, Jehovah is having his name and sovereignty made known. It is heavenly Jerusalem from which the law goes forth, and to which the people out of all nations gather. (Gal. 4:26) Just as the temple of Jehovah was located on a high eminence in the city of Jerusalem, so pure worship is now being lifted up by the worldwide proclamation of the Kingdom message. Many people are hearing and are willingly saying, ‘I will go also.’

Thus the true worship of God is expanding on earth, among those who appreciate life and want to live forever. Nowhere else can you find that hope expressed. Nevertheless, it is a well-founded hope, a true hope, based on the Word of the Eternal God. The sheeplike persons foretold in the parable, along with the remaining ones of Christ’s “brothers” on earth, are the only ones on earth who have the hope of surviving the destruction of this system of things.

Have you come in contact with the King’s “brothers,” or at least with their associates, the sheeplike ones who are doing the same work of proclaiming and teaching the good message of the Kingdom? If you recognize these as being disciples of Christ you will be blessed by associating with them in their Kingdom Halls, learning the Bible truths they present, and assisting them in their work.

How Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Different?

PEOPLE generally view Jehovah’s witnesses as ‘just another religion’ and frequently class them as a “fundamentalist” group. However, it is often recognized, to their credit, that the Witnesses are more active than others in their zeal to share their beliefs with everyone​—Catholics, Protestants, Jews and others.

There is a difference, indeed, in their manner of preaching. But the great difference lies in what Jehovah’s witnesses believe and teach.

BELIEVE ENTIRE BIBLE, BUT ARE NOT “FUNDAMENTALISTS”

The Witnesses hold the Bible to be the complete Word of God (the sixty-six books of the “Old and New Testaments,” as they are listed in most Bibles). But they are not “fundamentalists,” as that term is generally understood. They do not believe that everything in the Bible is to be taken literally. They take the balanced, commonsense view, which is indeed the Scriptural view, that, while the Bible has many direct, literal statements, such as the laws it gives to govern the Christian’s life, much in that Book is symbolic or figurative.

For example, the parables of Jesus Christ are admittedly symbolic. The Greek word used in the Bible for “parable” can be translated “illustration.” It is said of Jesus: “Indeed, without an illustration [parable] he would not speak to them [the crowds], but privately to his disciples he would explain all things.”​—Mark 4:34; Matt. 13:34.

The Bible’s prophecies are often symbolic. Of the prophetic book of Revelation the opening verse explains: “He [Jesus Christ] sent forth his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John.” (Rev. 1:1) Either by direct statements such as this, or by the context, it can easily be determined which statements are literal and which ones are symbolic.

Therefore, Jehovah’s witnesses are not led into unreasonable and unscientific conclusions, such as the fundamentalists’ belief that the earth was created in six literal twenty-four-hour days. The Witnesses know that the expression “day” basically means a period of time. For example, we might say, ‘In our grandfather’s day,’ which would cover a number of years. The Bible helps us on this point when, after outlining God’s acts during the six creative “days,” it speaks of them all together as being performed in one “day,” saying: “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth . . . in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” Accordingly, a Biblical “day” may be a period of a thousand or many thousands of years.​—Gen. 2:4, AV; Dy; 2 Pet. 3:8.

GOD’S KINGDOM A LITERAL GOVERNMENT

A marked difference between Jehovah’s witnesses and the churches of Christendom is that the Witnesses recognize God’s kingdom as a real government that will rule the earth undisputedly, from the heavens. It is not just something ‘in one’s heart’ that will gradually convert all mankind to do the will of God. The prophet Daniel was certainly speaking about a government when he said about God’s kingdom: “It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”​—Dan. 2:44.

The God of this kingdom is no “trinitarian” god. He alone is the Universal Sovereign, whose name is Jehovah. (Ps. 83:18) Jesus Christ is not part of a “godhead,” but is Jehovah’s Son, a separate and distinct individual. This Son is the One whom God seats on the throne of the Kingdom, which will rule the earth for a thousand years, to bring about the doing of God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven. (Rev. 20:4, 6; Matt. 6:9, 10) Christ’s reign will accomplish the resurrection of the dead and will raise all obedient humans up to perfection here on earth.​—Rev. 20:11–21:4.

Furthermore, Jehovah’s witnesses see, from Bible prophecy and the fast-moving world events in fulfillment of prophecy, that the Kingdom government has been established in the heavens, with Christ enthroned, at the end of the “Gentile Times” in 1914 C.E. (Luke 21:24) They realize that God is allowing time to give the people, especially those in Christendom, opportunity to receive warning of the destruction of this system of things so that they may find safety by taking their stand on the side of the Kingdom government. But Jehovah’s witnesses are giving warning that the time is now near when the Kingdom will crush all human governments at the war associated in the Bible with “Har–Magedon” or “Armageddon.”​—Rev. 16:14-16; 19:11-21; Ezek. 3:17.

A WAY OF LIFE

Jehovah’s witnesses recognize Christianity as not merely a belief​—it is a way of life. Actually, in apostolic times Christianity was called “The Way.” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:22) All the Bible’s fine principles must be applied in the Christian’s life, at home, in business​—at all times. Any among them who may turn from this way, insisting on violating God’s righteous laws by immorality, stealing, slandering, teaching false doctrine, causing divisions or sects, are expelled from their congregations.

In contrast, consider most of the churches of Christendom, which retain and even welcome those who continue to practice bad things, including sodomy and drug abuse. But the Witnesses do not ignore the Bible command. They keep the congregation clean, in order that God may continue his favor on the congregation, and to protect the members thereof. (1 Cor. 5:5, 9-13) Do you not expect Christians to be clean, upright people with whom you can enjoy spiritual association?

NO RITUAL, NO CLERGY-LAITY DISTINCTION

At the meetings of the congregations of Jehovah’s witnesses (of which there are more than 30,000 throughout the world) there is no ritual. The meetings are for education​—study and discussion of the Bible. The appeal is not through highly charged emotional displays, but by an intelligent yet warm approach that appeals to mind and heart. There are no membership dues or assessments, no tithing, and no collection plate is ever passed. The expenses of maintaining their Kingdom Halls are cared for by voluntary contributions. These halls are not ornate and image bedecked, but are neat and functional.​—2 Cor. 8:12-15; 9:6, 7.

There is no clergy-laity distinction. All, regardless of race or social status, are “brothers” and “sisters.” As among first-century Christians, a body of elders is appointed to oversee the activities of the congregation and to provide spiritual help to all. These men are selected on the basis of their Christian maturity, their love, their concern for and willingness to help others. They receive no salary and have no religious titles designating them as a special class, above others. They share in the work of preaching and teaching in the homes of the people, as did the apostles, and as do the rest of the congregation’s members.​—1 Tim. 3:1-7.

ATTITUDE TOWARD THE WORLD

Jehovah’s witnesses do not engage in any political movement or participate in any political activity, as do most of Christendom’s church members. As Jesus said of his followers, they are “no part of the world.” They are not trying to change the political or social structure of the world. They look to God to ‘make all things new.’ (John 15:19; Rev. 21:5) They are neutral as to all wars and other affairs of the governments and do not advocate “demonstrations,” strikes or any seditious or subversive activities. They obey the laws of the land in which they live. (Matt. 22:21) However, when an attempt is made to get them to violate their Christian consciences by disobeying God’s commands they take the course of choosing to “obey God as ruler rather than men.”​—Acts 5:29.

For similar reasons, Jehovah’s witnesses do not join or sponsor any interfaith or ecumenical movement. The churches of Christendom and the religions of the non-Christian world make themselves part of the world by their doctrines and practices, and so they do not fit Jesus’ description of his true followers. (John 17:14-16) Such religions, the Bible shows, constitute a great religious “empire,” called “Babylon the Great.” (Rev. 17:5, 18) These will suffer destruction at the hands of the world rulers, as a judgment from God.​—Rev. 17:15-17.

In short, Jehovah’s witnesses are different in that they hold closely to the Bible’s teachings. They reject worldly philosophy and the traditions of Christendom. If the Witnesses appear to some persons as “strange,” it is because these persons are measuring the Witnesses by the yardstick of Christendom’s religions. These very organizations have actually become “strangers” to God by substituting men’s philosophies for God’s Word, just as the ancient Jewish priesthood did. Jesus said to them: “You have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition.”​—Matt. 15:6.

Today, Christendom lists a membership of a thousand million persons. Significantly, Jesus Christ foretold that, at the time of his presence in Kingdom power, not a few, but many professed Christians will appeal to him, saying: “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?” They will be as strangers to Jesus, who will reply: “I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.”​—Matt. 7:22, 23.

Although Jehovah’s witnesses are no part of the world, they have loving concern for fellow humans. They feel a sense of urgency as they talk to people, for they look upon the short time remaining for this system of things as a time of Jehovah’s exercise of patience, knowing that he does not desire the death of anyone. (2 Pet. 3:9, 15; Ezek. 33:11) Therefore they urge people to study the Bible and to make all effort to bring their lives into harmony with the Bible’s principles, not putting it off.​—Zeph. 2:3.

If you are concerned for your family in these troublous, dangerous times, study the Bible in your own home with one of Jehovah’s witnesses; attend the meetings at their Kingdom Hall. In this way you will not only find safety; you will also find a happier, more peaceful, purposeful life now, with the prospect of everlasting life in the future under God’s kingdom.​—1 Tim. 4:8.

Growing in Appreciation for the “Divine Purpose”

WELL has our day been described as “an age of doubt and uncertainty.” People are unsure of the future, not knowing how to plan or what course to take. As a result, their lives are so often without purpose, and many live simply for the moment, ‘doing their own thing,’ as the expression goes.

Would you be glad to know, however, that there is a major exception?

The Trenton, New Jersey, Sunday Times Advertiser said: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are very certain. Through the apathy of the 50’s, the chaos of the 60’s and the disillusion that has already accompanied the burgeoning 70’s, they have continued to be very certain and to spread . . . a way of life governed by a word-for-word adherence to the Bible.”​—April 7, 1974.

But what effect really has their ‘way of life’ had?

THOSE WHO DESIRE GOD’S GUIDANCE

This past summer at remarkable gatherings called the “Divine Purpose” District Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses the effect of their way of life was especially manifest. A young man passing through Salt Lake City, Utah, decided to attend the assembly there. He was so impressed by what he saw and heard that he came to every session. By the last day he was determined to learn more of God’s purpose, and expressed a desire to live in accord with it.

In Portland, Oregon, a registered nurse lived just across the street from the Civic Stadium where the “Divine Purpose” assembly was in progress. From there, she was able to hear things that moved her to come over to the stadium. She was simply amazed. After attending the final two days of the assembly, her comment was: “I know this is the truth.”

What impressed so many visitors was that here were people that truly look to Almighty God for his guidance. In connection with the assembly in Toronto, Canada, newsman Jonathan Fear wrote: “For a Jehovah’s Witness, the Bible is a guide to living that is followed to the word.” The Camden, New Jersey, Courier-Post noted: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are basically Bible students.”

Was there a good reason for reporters to say this? Well, Hal Davee tells what he heard and saw at the San Diego Stadium, where over 30,000 delegates met daily: “Each speaker emphasized his remarks with constant reference to Bible scriptures . . . Probably for the first time in the stadium’s history, the entire audience was quietly reading Bible scriptures.” If you had been there you also probably would have concluded that here were people who desire God’s guidance.

From its first day, the assembly program emphasized the importance of relying on God’s Word, and not on personal viewpoints. The talk “On Whose Authority Do You Speak?” especially stressed this. “Regardless of our position in the congregation,” the speaker said, “all of us need to watch that our statements are Biblically sound.”

At each of the sixty-nine four-day “Divine Purpose” assemblies in the United States the same Bible-based program was presented. The total peak attendance was 891,819, an average of about 13,000 persons at each assembly! The crowds were accommodated in large stadiums, racetracks and auditoriums. The same program will eventually be enjoyed in almost every country of the world. Already reports from just 26 of these countries outside the United States show that 793,397 persons have attended.

But still you may wonder, what is it that causes hundreds of thousands of persons to flock to these huge assemblies? What is seen, heard and experienced there that is of such interest to them? A number of things are involved.

THE GRAND PURPOSE OF GOD

For one thing, the anticipation of receiving further insight concerning God’s purpose draws Jehovah’s witnesses. “God’s purpose? What do you mean by that?” you may ask.

Recall that we were taught to pray to God: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matt. 6:10) Yes, it is God’s purpose to have a kingdom, or government, that will bring righteous conditions to earth. But how? The Bible explains: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. . . . It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”​—Dan. 2:44.

Jehovah’s witnesses really believe this. God’s purpose, as quoted above from the Bible, is to set up his government that will crush out of existence all human rulership. Correct, therefore, was the headline in the Milwaukee Journal, “THE END IS NEAR, WITNESSES SAY.” The article noted: “There is a feeling of urgency among the estimated 41,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses meeting at County Stadium through Sunday.”

Imagine, if you can, the excitement of knowing that God will soon destroy this wicked system of things, and in time have the earth transformed into a paradise. Jehovah’s witnesses are extremely confident that this will soon occur, because of what God’s Word teaches. (Ps. 37:9-11, 29; 1 John 2:17; Rev. 21:3, 4) And so a principal reason why they flock to these assemblies is that they have a keen desire to learn more regarding this grand purpose of God.

SURVIVAL​—AT WHAT TIME?

“Survival and Life by Harmonizing with God’s Purpose. Does that arrest your attention? It was the title of the assembly’s keynote address.

A world ended, the speaker noted, when the Flood waters wiped out the wicked system in Noah’s day. “The end of today’s world of ungodly people,” he explained, is now imminent. (Matt. 24:37-39; 2 Pet. 3:5-7) Noah and his family survived in the ark because they harmonized their lives with God’s purpose. What, corresponding to the ark, will serve as a protection for humans through the end of this world?

It is the place of restored peaceful relations with God, the speaker explained. It is a condition where true spiritual beauty obtains, a state of affairs where love and the other fruits of God’s spirit dominate and where true Christian brotherhood exists. In short, it is a spiritual paradise into which God has brought his faithful worshipers in these “last days,” and it will serve as a protection clear through the end of the world. It is this spiritual paradise, therefore, that is pictured by the ark.

But where does this spiritual paradise exist? Where is there a people among whom true brotherhood and love exist? Writing in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reporter Lenora Steadman observed:

“One thing stands out about the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention here in Fort Worth and it’s not the size, although an impressive 11,000 people from Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana are attending the gathering.

“‘And (He) hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth . . .’ (Acts 17:26.)

“This Bible verse comes alive in true brotherhood in the religious meetings at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

“People include blacks, browns, whites and more.”​—July 20, 1974.

Yes, among Jehovah’s witnesses this brotherhood and love is indeed observable. The Hollywood Sun-Tattler noted of the gathering at Gulfstream Park in Florida:

“Plainly dressed, smiling and friendly Jehovah’s Witnesses were everywhere, and the spirit of love did in fact seem to be in the air.

“As evidence, the crowd flowed smoothly​—no jostling, no shoving. Not a single policeman could be seen watching over the throngs of people coursing amid laughter and gay conversation.”​—July 12, 1974.

Could it not be that these are the people that God will preserve to form the nucleus of his promised new system? It is indeed the hope of Jehovah’s witnesses to survive when God soon brings an end to the present wicked system of things. But when will this end come?

The publications of Jehovah’s witnesses have shown that, according to Bible chronology, it appears that 6,000 years of man’s existence will be completed in the mid-1970’s. But these publications have never said that the world’s end would come then. Nevertheless, there has been considerable individual speculation on the matter. So the assembly presentation “Why We Have Not Been Told ‘That Day and Hour’” was very timely. It emphasized that we do not know the exact time when God will bring the end. All we know is that the end will come within the generation that sees fulfilled on it the sign that Jesus Christ said would then be in evidence. (See Matthew chapters 24, 25.) All indications are that the fulfillment of this sign began in 1914. So we can be confident that the end is near; we do not have the slightest doubt that God will bring it about, the speaker stressed. But we have to wait and see exactly when, in the meantime keeping busy in God’s service.

GOD’S ADMINISTRATION AND KINGDOM

An assembly highlight always is the talk to which the public is especially invited. Jehovah’s witnesses are delighted to see the thousands of visitors who respond to the invitation to consider God’s purpose. This year the striking subject was “Human Plans Failing as God’s Purpose Succeeds.” It focused attention on the Bible passage at Ephesians 1:10, which speaks of God’s “administration at the full limit of the appointed times” for the blessing of mankind. What is this “administration”?

“The term ‘administration’ does not mean the Messianic kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ,” the speaker emphasized. No, rather, it refers to God’s way of administering or managing things, his procedure in handling matters with a view to producing unity. The instrument God uses in his “administration” or management of things, it was shown, is the kingdom of his Son Jesus Christ.

God’s kingdom was also a dominant theme of another highly anticipated talk, “The King’s Marriage Feast in God’s Purpose.” This dealt with the illustration in Matthew chapter 22, which began with the words: “The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man, a king, that made a marriage feast for his son.” What part in the Kingdom do the properly attired guests have? And when were the notifications to come to the feast given, as described in the parable?

The properly attired guests, it was shown, are those who will rule with Jesus Christ in God’s heavenly kingdom. The nation of Israel, as a result of being taken into a covenant with God in 1513 B.C.E., was then initially invited. (Ex. 19:1-6) However, when the time came in 29 C.E. to call individuals of this nation to come to the prepared feast, few responded. Thus a second call was extended beginning at Pentecost 33 C.E. When Israelites did not respond in sufficient numbers to fill the guest places, God called for replacements by the non-Jewish nations in 36 C.E.

Also, the speaker explained that the man at the feast without a wedding garment was, in fact, never invited. Thus he pictures, not those whom God anointed with his spirit and who proved unfaithful, but imitation Christians whom God never did recognize as Kingdom heirs. Further, when it says, “there are many invited, but few chosen,” the “many” does not refer to spirit-anointed ones who in large numbers prove unfaithful. Rather, these “many” are the Israelites, who were invited to fill all the places at the marriage feast, but only “few” responded favorably and were “chosen” as worthy. “So Jesus’ illustration nowhere pictures,” the speaker emphasized, “that an unknown number of anointed Christians would turn unfaithful and prove unworthy of the ‘kingdom of the heavens.’”

Jehovah’s witnesses really appreciate these in-depth discourses on God’s Word. But much more is involved in drawing them to these assemblies.

LONGED-FOR RIGHTEOUS CONDITIONS

Consider: If you could choose your surroundings, would you choose a place of peace where people were kind, considerate and helpful, and you knew everyone was honest and trustworthy? Would you desire to be a part of a clean society where people freely work and cooperate so that everything functions smoothly? What if, now, for a few days at least, you could enjoy such conditions on a large scale?

Jehovah’s witnesses know that they can​—at their assemblies. And that is one reason why they make strenuous efforts to attend them. Here they know that they will be amid thousands of trusted brothers and sisters who really have one another’s interests at heart. Can you imagine the effect? Of the crowds at the Toronto assembly, the Globe and Mail noted: “Their apparent happiness is almost uncomfortable for an outsider.”​—July 27, 1974.

Yet visitors are not treated as outsiders. And, as a result, many of them find that they really do enjoy these surroundings. But it is important to recognize what makes such pleasantness possible. The above Toronto paper pointed to the key to it all, perhaps unknowingly, when it observed: “If the Bible looks on something unfavorably you won’t find a Witness doing it.”

Visitors listening to the assembly talks were impressed by this fact. For example, the talk “Cultivating Hatred for What Is Bad” emphasized that loving what is good is vital, but it is not sufficient. We could still be in danger of carrying on some wrongdoing. But if we cultivate a genuine hatred for badness, the speaker explained, this will be a real protection in avoiding any wrong conduct.​—Ps. 97:10.

A newsman reporting on the program and the effects of the education received, wrote: “On Sunday, there was instruction on ‘Improving the Effectiveness of Your Conscience.’ That was a bit excessive here. At the lost and found, people were turning in pennies and nickels.”​—Norfolk Ledger-Star, July 22, 1974.

However, the benefits of such honesty are real. At the Los Angeles convention, a Witness was concerned as she came to the Lost and Found. She had lost a small card box, but it had been turned in. Her expression turned to one of relief as she checked behind the cards and found that the three one-hundred-dollar bills were still there.

Something else fine to behold was thousands of unpaid volunteers caring for the needs of conventioners, for example, providing food for the vast crowds. “Imagine feeding 4,000 people in just one hour, and giving each person the choice of a fish, chicken, knockwurst or salad meal. That’s what happened at noon yesterday in Agricultural Hall in the Allentown Fairgrounds, where the Jehovah’s Witnesses are holding a district assembly,” exclaimed the Allentown Morning Call.

Without doubt, you would enjoy the association of people who willingly give of themselves in such a generous way.

SPECIAL PROGRAM TREATS

A real assembly attraction enjoyed by all are the full-costume dramas set in early Bible times. These are not only entertaining, but instructive. As one presiding overseer of Jehovah’s witnesses noted: “They make the information live in my children’s minds. The contrast between reading the Bible account and seeing it is like the old saying, ‘one picture is worth a thousand words.’”

This year there were three such dramas. The longest portrayed prominent experiences in the life of the apostle Paul. What zeal, endurance and faith he manifested! After the gripping presentation, the speaker asked: ‘If the quality of your faith were tested to the degree that Paul’s was, would it endure?’ It gave something for each one to think about.

The medium-length drama depicted the Israelites’ Red Sea crossing, and their frequent complaining and lack of faith in the forty-year wilderness trek. The lesson, as stated at Hebrews 3:12, was powerfully driven home, namely: “Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God.” The short, half-hour drama emphasized that we should listen only to proper authority​—Jehovah God and his duly appointed representatives. It was based upon the happenings related in 1 Kings chapter 13.

Awaited, too, with keen anticipation at large assemblies is the possible release of new publications. Anticipations were fully realized this year​—two new 192-page books being received in English! The one entitled “God’s ‘Eternal Purpose’ Now Triumphing for Man’s Good” will be studied weekly, beginning in December, in congregations of Jehovah’s witnesses. And the book Is This Life All There Is? is sure to be a helpful instrument in making God’s purpose plain to thousands of truth seekers.

MORE NOW APPRECIATE GOD’S PURPOSE

At the assemblies this summer tens of thousands of such persons demonstrated publicly by water baptism that they really do love God and have dedicated their lives to serve him. In the United States alone, 22,760 were baptized!

Several of the persons baptized were in their nineties, showing that one is never too old to change. Former ministers of other religions were also baptized. Some candidates for immersion had been prostitutes. Many had been drug addicts, alcoholics, fornicators, adulterers, thieves, but these all had changed their lives prior to baptism.

A touching scene occurred at the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, assembly. Bible studies for months had been conducted by Jehovah’s witnesses with inmates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Many of these men progressed in Bible knowledge, and astounded prison officials with their radical change in conduct. Thus permission was granted for eight of them to be taken to Baton Rouge for the assembly. It was a heartwarming moment when these men, with their ankle chains and handcuffs, stepped from the cars and were led inside to take seats with the others to be baptized that day.

World wide, more and more persons are manifesting interest in the divine purpose. What about yourself? Attend the meetings of Jehovah’s witnesses, and see if you do not feel the same as did Thomas P. Harris, Executive Director of the Springfield (Illinois) Convention and Tourism Commission, who wrote after accepting such an invitation:

“It was truly an inspirational occasion in many ways. . . . The cooperation, friendliness, consideration for others, detailed planning and self-control made it possible for all to derive a great deal from the session. . . . I would suggest to anyone that if they wish to experience a rewarding occasion that they attend an Assembly when one is held in their area.”

[Picture on page 633]

40,163 were present at County Stadium in Milwaukee. A total of 891,819 persons attended the 69 assemblies in the United States

[Picture on page 634]

A united family thank God for their meal between assembly sessions at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh

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Warm friendship and conversation enjoyed at Tiger Stadium in Detroit

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Among the 22,760 persons baptized at the 69 assemblies in the United States were persons, such as this former hippie, who made radical changes to conform to God’s purpose

[Picture on page 637]

Deaf mutes join in singing with the use of their hands at Cincinnati, Ohio, assembly

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Often parents with their children, such as this mother and daughter, are among volunteers who care for the material needs of conventioners

Questions From Readers

● Psalm 5:4 says about Jehovah, “No one bad may reside for any time with you.” Why, then, did Jehovah allow Satan to remain in heaven for millenniums and even to come into His presence on occasion?​—U.S.A.

The context reveals that Satan did not “reside” with Jehovah God in the sense referred to by the psalmist David. In the fifth psalm, David expressed confidence in Jehovah’s readiness to listen to his prayer. Then, presenting his reason for this, David points to God’s righteousness, saying: “For you are not a God taking delight in wickedness; no one bad may reside for any time with you.” (Ps. 5:3, 4) Such ‘residing’ with God means being an approved guest in his house or holy temple. (Compare Psalm 15:1-5.) This is clear from David’s later words. Contrasting his own situation with the practicers of bad, who are not allowed to “reside” with Jehovah, he says: “As for me, in the abundance of your loving-kindness I shall come into your house, I shall bow down toward your holy temple in fear of you.”​—Ps. 5:7.

Satan the Devil was permitted to continue in heaven for millenniums and on certain occasions (evidently for some specific reason) allowed to be present in an assembly of God’s sons. (Job 1:6, 7; 2:1) But it was only because of a moral issue needing settlement that Jehovah God tolerated Satan’s presence in the heavens. As evident from the book of Job, Satan maintained that all intelligent creatures were basically selfish and would prove to be unfaithful and disloyal to God if obedience to Him no longer appeared to be a course of material or personal gain. (Job 2:4, 5) So that this universally important issue might be settled, Jehovah God permitted Satan to attempt to prove his claim. This allowed Satan to use his influence in trying to persuade other angelic sons to assert their independence, thereby putting them to a test as to their loyalty to God.

Many angels did become disloyal. But all such unfaithful ones, though still having access to the heavens, lost their positions of trust and responsibility. They were debased, put under restraint and deprived of additional divine enlightenment. This situation is spoken of figuratively at Jude 6: “The angels that did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place he has reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day.”

Thus these unfaithful angels were expelled from God’s family of loyal spirit creatures. Neither they nor their ruler, Satan, continued residing with Jehovah God in the manner that they had enjoyed as his obedient sons. Though having access to the heavenly realm, they were now outcasts.

What Does It All Mean?

Crime increases. Food prices skyrocket. The energy crisis persists. Consideration for others declines. Why? What is the meaning of these things?

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