The Watchtower — January 1, 1990

Good News for All Mankind!

“I SAW another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” (Revelation 14:6) With those words, the aged apostle John described his inspired prophetic vision, a vision being fulfilled in our own day. What a relief to know that there is good news in this age of rising crime, pollution, terrorism, war, and widespread economic uncertainty! But what news could be so good that it needs an angel to announce it? What tidings could be glad enough to merit being declared to every nation and tribe and tongue and people?

We can answer that if we think back to another occasion when an angel personally announced good news. This was when the first century B.C.E. was drawing to a close, almost a hundred years before John saw his vision. Shepherds were out with their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem, and an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus, saying: “Look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in David’s city.”​—Luke 2:10, 11.

Jesus’ birth was truly “good news of a great joy.” He grew up to be the promised Christ and Savior, the one who gave his perfect human life so that righthearted believers may live. More than that, he was to become King of God’s Kingdom, the “Prince of Peace,” under whose rule justice and peace would finally come to mankind. (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:33) Truly, his birth was good news that deserved to be announced by an angel!

Jesus Is King

Back in the first century, Jesus fulfilled many of God’s purposes for him, but he was not then enthroned as King of God’s Kingdom. As this magazine has often pointed out, that did not happen until 1914. As the fulfillment of prophecy clearly shows, in that year God’s Kingdom was established in the heavens. (Revelation 12:10, 12) Although there was very bad news in 1914​—outbreak of World War I—​the birth of God’s Kingdom was the best of news. That was why Jesus prophesied for our day: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.”​—Matthew 24:14.

Has Jesus’ prophecy been fulfilled? The answer is yes! And John’s prophetic vision has also been fulfilled. True, we cannot see the invisible angel that John saw. But Jehovah’s Witnesses have been very visible as they have published the angel’s good news “to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” In 212 lands and islands of the sea, their voices have been heard. And multitudes are responding. The experiences of some of these will show just how good the news about God’s Kingdom really is.

Global Publishing of Good News

GOD’S Kingdom rules! This is the very best of news. That is why in 1989 over 3,700,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world enthusiastically proclaimed the “good news” prophesied by Jesus and the “glad tidings” declared by the angel in John’s vision. (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 14:6) As the apostle Paul said: “Into all the earth their sound went out, and to the extremities of the inhabited earth their utterances.” (Romans 10:18) And individuals of virtually every nation and tribe and tongue and people gladly responded to their call to “fear God and give him glory.”​—Revelation 14:7.

No More Life Insurance

One such was a man in England who made his living from the uncertainty of life. Ken was an insurance salesman, and when he called on a household of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they asked him: “Would you like to live in a world where life insurance would be unnecessary?” What did they mean? That according to the Bible, under God’s Kingdom many things that make life so uncertain now, including sickness and death, will be no more.

Is such a thing possible? Yes, God himself has promised it. For example, the Bible says: “God himself will be with them [mankind]. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3, 4) What will bring about such a change? God’s Kingdom. According to God’s Word, this will shortly “crush and put an end to all these [modern-day political] kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”​—Daniel 2:44.

Scriptures like these were brought to the attention of hundreds of millions of people by Jehovah’s Witnesses during their global preaching campaign. Many, like Ken, came to realize that this is not just wishful thinking. The evidence is conclusive. These divine promises are trustworthy and will soon be fulfilled.

A Changed Set of Values

Those who listen to Jehovah’s Witnesses as they echo the joyous proclamation of the angel come to realize that fearing God and giving him glory involves more than just believing in the Bible’s promises. It changes their whole outlook and relieves many of the frustrations of life.

Rafael and his wife found this to be true. They live in Argentina, and when they got married more than 40 years ago, they made it their main goal in life to work hard and save for a secure future. However, 21 years later, all they had to show for their hard work was a small home that constantly needed repairing. They did not feel any more secure than when they were first married.

Then they heard the good news from Jehovah’s Witnesses and learned of a better kind of wealth and a better kind of security. Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, spoke of this when he said: “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”​—Matthew 6:19, 20.

While the Bible does not teach us to be impractical as far as material wealth goes, it does urge us not to put our hope in such things. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) Rather, we should work to gain spiritual riches by studying the Bible, learning God’s will, and making the doing of that will the first thing in our lives. (Matthew 6:33) Rafael and his wife started to amass this spiritual wealth, and they now feel truly rich, not because of their financial situation, but because of their relationship with God. (Revelation 3:17, 18) The message of God’s Kingdom was very good news for them.

A Mended Marriage

The good news has real power to accomplish good. For example, John, who lives in England, was not interested in the Bible, but his wife and children were. So they began attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses while John went drinking with his friends. As a result, he got involved in heavy drinking, smoking, and, eventually, immorality. Finally, he left his wife to live with another woman.

Divorce proceedings got started. But John was surprised to see that his wife​—who had learned Christian conduct from her study of the good news—​still treated him considerately. John could not understand why. Three weeks before the divorce was final, the Christian conduct of John’s wife had its effect. He expressed genuine remorse for his conduct, and the divorce proceedings were terminated. John now looked into the good news for himself and studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now he too is a Christian and, with his wife, is telling others of the good news of the Kingdom.

In these days of crumbling family values, many need the help that the Bible-based good news has to offer. One of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Peru was seated next to an army colonel during an airplane flight. They got into a conversation and the colonel started pouring out his family troubles, including the fact that his wife was addicted to drugs and was about to leave him for a younger man. The Witness tactfully showed him that the Bible gives good, solid advice on family matters and that it had helped him personally to solve his own family problems.​—Ephesians 5:21–6:4.

The colonel thanked the Witness for his comforting words and subscribed for the Watchtower and Awake! magazines so that he could further his knowledge of the good news. Then, when the Witness was leaving the plane, a young couple hurried to catch up with him and asked to talk with him. “We were sitting right in front of you,” they said, “and we heard your conversation with the gentleman. We would like to subscribe for those magazines too.” They also wanted to learn the good news that can improve lives.

A Changed Life

Further, the Bible-based good news changes people. As the apostle Paul said: “The word of God is alive and exerts power.” (Hebrews 4:12) This was true in the case of a young man in Macedonia, Greece. He was startled to learn that, according to the Bible, God’s name is Jehovah. So he asked a friend to get him in touch with Jehovah’s Witnesses as soon as possible. Two discussions were arranged with the Witnesses, each of which lasted about four hours. The young man then embarked on a regular study of the Bible, the first of which lasted until two o’clock in the morning!

From that first study, the young man rapidly conformed his life to Bible standards. He attended meetings for worship with Jehovah’s Witnesses and came to love the Creator very much. And Jehovah in turn blessed him. The first week of his Bible study, he cut his long hair. The second week, he stopped going to cafés and discos to seek out exciting companions. The third week, he threw away his last cigarette. After studying for two months, he began to join with the Witnesses in telling others the good news of the Kingdom. Yes, he was glad that Jehovah’s Witnesses had brought the good news to his part of the earth.

The Good News in Prison

Even prison bars are no barrier to the good news. In Spain a young man named José is serving a long prison sentence because of armed robbery and other criminal acts. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses were able to tell him the good news, and the Bible’s message completely changed his outlook. Jehovah ‘imparted power’ to him.​—Philippians 4:13.

José says he may well spend the rest of his life in this system of things behind bars because of his former conduct. But he has been baptized and is now a Christian. His wife is firmly supportive of him, and she is trying to give their young son a Christian upbringing. Meanwhile, José shares the good news with fellow prisoners, people hard to reach by those who live outside the prison walls. Now his cell mate is also a baptized Christian.

These are just a few examples to show the results of the global preaching campaign of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Truly, the good news declared by the invisible angel has been echoed by Jehovah’s Witnesses “as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”

It is the best of news, and it is mankind’s only hope. We urge you to heed it. Like Ken and John in England, like Rafael and his wife in Argentina, like José in Spain, and like myriads of others, we join the angel in urging all to “fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.”​—Revelation 14:7.

Kingdom Proclaimers Report

“Aglow With the Spirit” in Mexico

“THE entire country seems to be aglow and vibrating with activity.” So writes the Watch Tower Society’s branch office in Mexico, and how true that comment is! The vibrant activity in that land is evidenced in that as of August, there had been 70 consecutive monthly peaks, culminating in 277,436 publishers. In addition, more than 400,000 Bible studies were reported, and the Memorial attendance last year reached 1,046,291. What a fine basis for future growth!

A highlight of 1989 was a change in the status of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico. As a result, the Bible could be used in the house-to-house preaching work for the first time, and meetings could be opened with prayer. This had an immediate effect. In two months, the number of publishers jumped by over 17,000.

The joy of the brothers at this development is seen in their comments. One wrote: “When the letter was read in the congregation, it was interrupted twice by spontaneous applause. It was thrilling!” Another said: “We could not hold back the tears of joy. The results have been manifest in better punctuality. Everyone wants to be present for the opening prayer.”

“In our territory,” said another Witness, “a woman who is active in the Bible study program of the Catholic Church commented: ‘If before with just their comments and their magazines, [the Witnesses] left us speechless, now that they are opening the Bible at the doors, we are lost!’”

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico also stress informal witnessing with the Bible. One sister approached a woman who asked what she thought about abortion. The Witness replied: “What I think is not as important as what the Bible says.” After reading several scriptures, the sister reasoned: “To the Creator life is very important, even the life of those who have not yet been born.”

The lady then confessed that she was expecting her first baby, but clinical examinations suggested that the baby would be abnormal. Her doctor wanted her to have an abortion, and her husband agreed, but the lady herself was not sure. The publisher reasoned with her further from the Bible, gave her name, and then they parted.

Five years later at a district convention, a couple with a four-year-old child wanted to see the sister and her husband. It was the same woman! What had happened? After her conversation with the Witness, the woman decided to have her baby. Her doctor refused to see her again, and her husband even threatened to leave her if the baby was born deformed. When the time came for her to give birth, she just went for help to the first doctor she could find.

Immediately after the baby was born, the doctor said: “Congratulations, mother! You have a lovely little girl.” Not believing her ears, she asked him to check the baby carefully. Then she told him her story. The doctor could only say: “This is a miracle.” The woman was delighted that she had had the courage to respect Jehovah’s view of the sanctity of life, and she named her beautiful, healthy baby after the sister. As soon as she was strong enough, she sought out the Witnesses and started to study the Bible with them. In less than a year, she and her husband were baptized.

The apostle Paul urged: “Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah.” (Romans 12:11) Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico, like true Christians everywhere, respond to this exhortation with all their heart. That is why the whole country is aglow and vibrating with spiritual activity. How richly Jehovah blesses his faithful ones!

Jesus’ Life and Ministry

Exposed by Vineyard Illustrations

JESUS is at the temple. He has just confounded the religious leaders who demanded to know by whose authority he was doing things. Before they recover from their confusion, Jesus asks: “What do you think?” And then by means of an illustration shows them what kind of persons they really are.

“A man had two children,” Jesus relates. “Going up to the first, he said, ‘Child, go work today in the vineyard.’ In answer this one said, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go out. Approaching the second, he said the same. In reply this one said, ‘I will not.’ Afterwards he felt regret and went out. Which of the two did the will of his father?” Jesus asks.

“The latter,” his opponents answer.

So Jesus explains: “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the harlots are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God.” The tax collectors and the harlots, in effect, initially refused to serve God. But then, like the second child, they repented and did serve him. On the other hand, the religious leaders, like the first child, professed to serve God, yet, as Jesus notes: “John [the Baptizer] came to you in a way of righteousness, but you did not believe him. However, the tax collectors and the harlots believed him, and you, although you saw this, did not feel regret afterwards so as to believe him.”

Jesus next shows that the failure of these religious leaders is not simply in neglecting to serve God. No, but they are actually evil, wicked men. “There was a man, a householder,” Jesus relates, “who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and erected a tower, and let it out to cultivators, and traveled abroad. When the season of the fruits came around, he dispatched his slaves to the cultivators to get his fruits. However, the cultivators took his slaves, and one they beat up, another they killed, another they stoned. Again he dispatched other slaves, more than the first, but they did the same to these.”

The “slaves” are the prophets that the “householder,” Jehovah God, sent to “the cultivators” of his “vineyard.” These cultivators are leading representatives of the nation of Israel, which nation the Bible identifies as God’s “vineyard.”

Since “the cultivators” mistreat and kill the “slaves,” Jesus explains: “Lastly [the owner of the vineyard] dispatched his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ On seeing the son the cultivators said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance!’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”

Now, addressing the religious leaders, Jesus asks: “When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those cultivators?”

“Because they are evil,” they answer, “he will bring an evil destruction upon them and will let out the vineyard to other cultivators, who will render him the fruits when they become due.”

The religious leaders thus unwittingly proclaim judgment upon themselves, since they are included among the Israelite “cultivators” of Jehovah’s national “vineyard” of Israel. The fruitage that Jehovah expects from such cultivators is faith in his Son, the true Messiah. For their failing to provide such fruitage, Jesus warns: “Did you never read in the Scriptures [at Psalm 118:22, 23], ‘The stone that the builders rejected is the one that has become the chief cornerstone. From Jehovah this has come to be, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? This is why I say to you, The kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits. Also, the person falling upon this stone will be shattered. As for anyone upon whom it falls, it will pulverize him.”

The scribes and chief priests now recognize that Jesus is speaking about them, and they want to kill him, the rightful “heir.” So the privilege of being rulers in God’s Kingdom will be taken from them as a nation, and a new nation of ‘vineyard cultivators’ will be created, one that will produce suitable fruits.

Because the religious leaders fear the crowds, who consider Jesus a prophet, they do not try to kill him on this occasion. Matthew 21:28-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19; Isaiah 5:1-7.

◆ Whom do the two children in Jesus’ first illustration represent?

◆ Who are represented by the “householder,” the “vineyard,” “the cultivators,” the “slaves,” and “the heir” in the second illustration?

◆ What will become of the ‘vineyard cultivators,’ and who will replace them?

“Not Ashamed of the Good News”

“I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith.”​—ROMANS 1:16.

1. How is good news usually received, but how would faithless people of the world view the good news of God’s Kingdom?

WHAT appears to one person to be good news may not be viewed as good news by another. Ordinarily, a bearer of good news is received with a hearty welcome, and an ear eager to hear the news would be turned toward him. However, the Bible foretold that faithless people of the world would not view the good news of God’s Kingdom and its message of salvation as delightsome.​—Compare 2 Corinthians 2:15, 16.

2. What did the apostle Paul say about the good news he declared, and why is the message he declared still good news today?

² The apostle Paul was one sent to bear good news to the public. How did he feel about his commission? He said: “There is eagerness on my part to declare the good news also to you there in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the good news.” (Romans 1:15, 16) For news to be still good today, nearly 2,000 years after the apostle Paul wrote the Christians back there in Rome, it would really have to be long-lasting good news. It is, in fact, “everlasting good news.”​—Revelation 14:6.

3, 4. Why did the apostle Paul say that he was not ashamed of the good news?

³ Why did the apostle Paul say that he was not ashamed of the good news? Why could he have been ashamed of it? Because it was not a popular message, for it had to do with a man who had been impaled on a torture stake in the manner of a despised criminal, to all outward appearances putting him in a very bad light indeed. For three and a half years, this man had gone up and down Palestine with the good news and had met up with stiff opposition from the Jews, especially the religious leaders. And now Paul, bearing the name of that scorned man, was facing similar hostility.​—Matthew 9:35; John 11:46-48, 53; Acts 9:15, 20, 23.

⁴ Because of such opposition, Paul and his fellow disciples of Jesus Christ might have been viewed as having something of which to be ashamed. Indeed, Paul now adhered to something that he himself formerly looked upon as being shameful. He had personally shared in heaping reproach upon the followers of Jesus Christ. (Acts 26:9-11) But he had ceased that course of action. As a result, he, along with others who became Christians, suffered violent persecution.​—Acts 11:26.

5. How did Paul explain his statement about not being ashamed of the good news?

⁵ If a person allowed himself to feel shame at being a follower of Jesus Christ, he would be taking a human viewpoint of things. The apostle Paul was not like that. Rather, in explanation of his not feeling ashamed of the good news that he preached, he said: “It is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith.” (Romans 1:16) The power of God is no cause for shame if it is operative through a disciple of Jesus for the accomplishing of the praiseworthy purpose of the glorious God of whom Jesus Christ himself was a worshiper and a praiser.​—Compare 1 Corinthians 1:18; 9:22, 23.

Good News Proclaimed Worldwide

6, 7. (a) What responsibility regarding the good news are Jehovah’s Witnesses endeavoring to live up to, and with what result? (b) Though we never want to let fear hold us back from giving a witness, what may be necessary at times? (See footnote.)

⁶ Like Paul, the Witnesses of Jehovah today are disciples of His glorified Son, Jesus Christ. To these Witnesses of his, Jehovah has entrusted this treasure of “the glorious good news.” (1 Timothy 1:11) Jehovah’s Witnesses have not failed to live up to this heavy responsibility, and they are urged not to be ashamed of it. (2 Timothy 1:8) It is vital never to let fear or timidity hold us back from giving a witness and identifying ourselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses.a

⁷ Such bold and fearless witnessing has resulted in the name of the Most High God being proclaimed throughout the earth and in the preaching of the good news of his Kingdom on a worldwide scale. The Son of God said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come,” and never could his prediction be allowed to experience failure. (Matthew 24:14) The good news is now being preached in over 210 lands, and the end of this preaching work has not yet been reached. Unashamed of the good news and facing the future with courage, we pray as did the early disciples of Jesus Christ: “And now, Jehovah, . . . grant your slaves to keep speaking your word with all boldness.”​—Acts 4:29.

8. Why should Jehovah’s Witnesses not be discouraged by opposition in all the nations of the earth?

⁸ While it is true that Jehovah’s Witnesses are hated and opposed in all the nations of the earth, this is in fulfillment of what was foretold to be an identifying mark of genuine worshipers of the one living and true God. (John 15:20, 21; 2 Timothy 3:12) So instead of being discouraged and disheartened by this, proclaimers of the good news are reassured that they have divine approval and belong to the approved organization of the Universal Sovereign, Jehovah.

9. Why does it not matter that we have the whole world against us?

⁹ Never forget: We have the backing of the Most High God of all the universe. So, what does it matter if the world with all its religious sects and political parties is against us? God’s only-begotten Son had the whole world against him, and we are not ashamed to be found in the same situation. As he said to his apostles: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.”​—John 15:18, 19.

10. From what source has come much of the persecution of the Witnesses, and why are they not ashamed of it?

¹⁰ Jehovah’s Witnesses have thus endured persecution all around the world but most prominently in those nations that make up so-called Christendom. Such persecution by Christendom does not prove the Witnesses to be non-Christians. Rather, it substantiates their claim to being true Christians, Witnesses of the God and Father of Jesus Christ, namely, Jehovah. Because they are God’s Witnesses, they are not ashamed when they suffer persecution on such religious grounds. Therefore, the admonition of the apostle Paul to the first-century Christians not to be ashamed aptly applies to Jehovah’s Witnesses now.​—See Philippians 1:27-29.

Best News That Could Be Proclaimed

11. By taking the name Jehovah’s Witnesses, why do we not cease to be followers of Jesus Christ?

¹¹ Jehovah’s Witnesses have courageously accepted their name in fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise to his covenant people at Isaiah 43:10. This does not mean, however, that they no longer follow Jesus Christ. Jesus is their Leader, the one whose pattern they follow. He is himself one of Jehovah’s witnesses. In fact, he is the leading Witness of Jehovah.​—1 Timothy 6:13; Revelation 1:5.

12. What kind of news do Jehovah’s Witnesses preach worldwide, and why?

¹² The message that these Witnesses of Jehovah preach worldwide is the best news that could ever be proclaimed. No government could be better for mankind than the Messianic Kingdom that Jehovah has established to rule over the world of humankind, to redeem which he sent his only-begotten Son. (Isaiah 9:6, 7) The inhabitants of the earth to whom the Kingdom good news is being preached are being given the opportunity to accept it and to prove worthy of the gift of everlasting life in human perfection on a paradise earth.

13. Why can we be certain that the Messianic Kingdom government will be the very best, and what do the Witnesses unashamedly recommend?

¹³ Surely, if Jesus was willing to undergo a cruel death in order to redeem those who were to become his subjects, he would be certain to give them no other government than the very best. We recommend to every human creature on earth: Become a faithful, obedient subject of that government. We are not ashamed of the government that we sincerely recommend to all mankind. We do not shrink back from preaching the Kingdom, though this course may bring us persecution. Like the apostle Paul, each one of us says: “I am not ashamed of the good news.”

14. According to Jesus, how widespread would Kingdom preaching be in our day?

¹⁴ Jesus predicted that the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom would be on a worldwide scale, and this broad, sweeping prophecy was fitting for such a message. (Mark 13:10) He was not reluctant to foretell the preaching of Jehovah’s Kingdom to the farthest extent​—yes, to the very ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Jesus knew that anywhere people could be found, his faithful followers would make a sincere effort to reach them with the good news of the Kingdom.

15, 16. (a) Who deserve to be reached with the good news? (b) Why will the preaching work be accomplished despite persecution by the Devil’s organization?

¹⁵ The inhabitants of the earth today number into the thousands of millions and are spread over all the continents and major islands of the oceans. Yet, no part of the inhabited earth has been too far off for Jehovah’s Witnesses to make an endeavor to reach it with the good news. All the inhabited earth is the symbolic footstool of Jehovah God. (Isaiah 66:1) Human creatures occupying any part of his footstool deserve to be reached by this message of salvation.

¹⁶ The good news today is happifying news of a royal government that has already been established in the hands of the Messiah. Jesus knew that in spite of the most vicious persecution on the part of the Devil’s organization, God’s spirit would motivate the true followers of the Messiah to go to the very limit in order that “this good news of the kingdom” as an established fact might be “preached in all the inhabited earth.”​—Matthew 24:14.

Unashamed of Jesus Christ and Jehovah

17. (a) Of what are true worshipers not ashamed? (b) What rule did Jesus set forth at Mark 8:38, and what is its significance?

¹⁷ The Most High God was not reluctant to give himself a name, Jehovah; nor should his faithful worshipers be ashamed of that name. True worshipers are happy to be known and recognized as those who give undivided worship and obedience to him. Concerning himself, Jesus set forth the rule, or principle, at Mark 8:38: “Whoever becomes ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when he arrives in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Similarly, whoever would become ashamed of the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, Jehovah would rightly be ashamed of such one. And any creature of whom Jehovah would become ashamed because of his unfaithful course of action would not deserve to enjoy existence in any part of God’s realm in heaven or on earth.​—Luke 9:26.

18. (a) Why should Jesus’ words at Matthew 10:32, 33 be ingrained in our hearts and minds? (b) What happens to those who disown Jesus and Jehovah out of fear of men? (Give examples based on footnote.)

¹⁸ Let the following words of Jesus Christ be ingrained in our hearts and minds: “Everyone, then, that confesses union with me before men, I will also confess union with him before my Father who is in the heavens; but whoever disowns me before men, I will also disown him before my Father who is in the heavens.” (Matthew 10:32, 33; Luke 12:8, 9) On the same basis, whoever would disown the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ would be disowned by Him. He would not be counted worthy to be a member of the household of which Jesus Christ is the chief Son. He would therefore be destroyed at God’s appointed time.b

19, 20. (a) Why will those who have prayed for Jehovah’s name to be sanctified have nothing of which to be ashamed? (b) What have the fearless Kingdom proclaimers accomplished, and with what backing?

¹⁹ The model prayer that Jesus taught his disciples will be answered: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:9, 10) When that happens, Jesus’ loving disciples will have nothing of which to be ashamed. Jehovah’s name will be revered, sanctified, not only by millions now living who need never die but also by thousands of millions of humankind whom he will call forth from their graves during his thousand-year Kingdom rule. They will have the opportunity of living on a paradise earth forever.

²⁰ Without shame, these fearless proclaimers of the good news of the Kingdom have been able to accomplish a global witness despite worldwide opposition because they have superhuman power behind them​—the backing of the heavenly angels. Hence, Jehovah’s Witnesses “fear God and give him glory.”​—Revelation 14:6, 7.

Unashamed to Fear God and Give Him Glory

21. What have Jehovah’s Witnesses not been ashamed to do, and with what result?

²¹ Jehovah’s Witnesses have proved themselves to be unashamed to fear God and give him glory, even using his own personal name, Jehovah. This has resulted in unspeakable blessings for them. These blessings have come in faithful fulfillment of the promises of the Most High God. What a vindication this has been of him as the one living and true God, the Sovereign of the universe!

22. Why will Jehovah’s Witnesses face vicious persecution, but what joy will be theirs?

²² In the oncoming future, the secular governments will turn against religious rulerships and will wipe all of them​—including Christendom—​out of existence. (Revelation 17:16, 17) Consequently, Jehovah’s Witnesses will face a period of vicious persecution by the worldly elements. They would not be able to endure and survive if the everlasting God was not with them. But he is, and so they will have the joy of seeing all such anti-Christian, anti-Jehovah enemies wiped out of existence by the God whom the Witnesses undeviatingly worship. They will not suffer the shame of being exposed and destroyed as enemies of true theocracy but will experience unspeakable joy at singing to Jehovah: “Even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God.”​—Psalm 90:2.

23. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses have nothing of which to be ashamed, and what will result?

²³ They will glory in God, the Father of Jesus Christ, by means of whom the human family is redeemed to enjoy everlasting life in human perfection and happiness on a paradise earth. How powerful a God Jehovah has shown himself to be by means of Christ Jesus! How beautifully Jehovah has displayed himself to be a wise and loving user, not abuser, of his almighty power! Accordingly, we have nothing of which to be ashamed in connection with him or his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. We are not ashamed to be proclaimers of the glorious good news, which sets forth the all-conquering power of Jehovah God by means of Christ Jesus, who said in the closing hours of his earthly life: “Take courage! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) In taking this course, let us always follow the example of the apostle Paul, who was never ashamed of the good news. If we do that, Almighty God will not become ashamed of us.

[Footnotes]

Questions in Summary

◻ Like the apostle Paul, what attitude should we have with respect to declaring the good news, and why?

◻ Why is the message that Jehovah’s Witnesses proclaim the best news ever?

◻ What warning did Jesus give about anyone who would become ashamed of him upon his arrival in Kingdom glory?

◻ What happens to those who disown Jesus and Jehovah?

◻ What have the proclaimers of the good news been able to accomplish without shame, and why?

Persecution Continues in Burundi

EARLY in 1989, the rulers of the central African nation of Burundi unleashed a wave of persecution on Jehovah’s Witnesses. As was reported in the August 15, 1989, issue of The Watchtower, the authorities tried to force the Witnesses to abandon their faith, using harassment, arrests, beatings, and other harsh measures. What has been the situation since then?

Another report out of Burundi says that during the visit of the district overseer to Kinyinya and Gitega, the authorities tried to arrest the members of the congregation at a meeting. The district and circuit overseers managed to escape, but those who were arrested included two high school students and a girl in primary school. All were beaten. The next day the Witnesses who were arrested appeared before the governor and explained why they could not be members of the political party. They were again beaten. Other reports tell of like happenings.

A responsible Christian elder in Burundi writes: “No Witness of Jehovah has been arrested for theft, murder, or subversion. If the authorities have real grounds to punish the Witnesses, let them do so in open court instead of torturing peaceable citizens, seizing their belongings, and chasing them like wild animals. Many brothers in the interior have been obliged to flee their houses and live like fugitives. One sister whose husband is in prison has been to see many of the authorities in an effort to get her husband released. She has been turned away by all with the answer: ‘We can never release your husband while you receive money from abroad in order to destabilize our country.’ What slander!”

There is, however, good news out of Burundi. The Witnesses there are not cowed or intimidated. Cautiously but surely the preaching of the good news expands, and the brothers and sisters realize that with full trust in Jehovah, they can endure. Many letters expressing outrage have already been written to Burundi, and doubtless many more will follow when the world realizes that Burundi is continuing its merciless campaign of persecution against Jehovah’s Witnesses.

[Box on page 15]

The address of the president of Burundi is:

His Excellency Major Pierre Buyoya

President of the Republic of Burundi

Bujumbura

REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI

Scenes from the Promised Land

Valley of Elah​—Where David Slew a Giant!

FEW Bible accounts are more thrilling than that describing how “David, with a sling and a stone, proved stronger than the Philistine” giant, Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:50) This was in the Valley of Elah.

But where is that valley, and what is it like? Knowing this will enable you to visualize this famous victory of the lad anointed as Israel’s future king. God later made with David a kingdom covenant that can bring us everlasting benefits, and this should give us added reason to learn about what happened in the Valley of Elah.

The Philistines lived along the coast of Canaan. The Israelites controlled the Judean mountains (south of Jerusalem). So there you have it​—enemies in the lowland to the west, God’s servants in the higher country to the east. Between them was a disputed buffer region, the lower hills called the Shephelah. How could the Philistines attack Israel? A logical route was up an east-west wadi, or pass, a main one being the Valley of Elah. This extended from the plains near their cities of Gath and Ekron, up through the Shephelah, to the mountains about 15 miles [24 km] southwest of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The picture (viewed to the southeast) shows the upper end of this valley. On the horizon you see the Judean mountains.a

Looking at this photograph, imagine the Philistines having come up this flat valley toward the mountains. To halt them, the Israelites came southwest from Judea. Here a standoff developed. Why? “The Philistines were standing on the mountain on this side, and the Israelites were standing on the mountain on that side, with the valley between them.”​—1 Samuel 17:3.

Though we do not know precisely where along the valley it happened, visualize the Philistines on the hill in the lower right. Saul’s army could have been across on the hill beyond the brownish field. Neither army would descend, cross the valley, and attack the opposing force in its elevated, defensively secure position. The resulting standoff lasted for over a month. What would break it?

Each morning and evening Goliath, a Philistine champion who was over nine feet [2.7 m] tall, stood in the valley taunting Saul’s camp to decide the matter by single combat. But no Israelite dared to answer him. Finally, a young shepherd named David came from Bethlehem with food for his brothers in the camp. His reaction to this insulting challenge? “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he has to taunt the battle lines of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:4-30) David clearly had the view reflected in the theme text that Jehovah’s Witnesses have for 1990: “Be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper.’”​—Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 56:11; 118:6.

When King Saul heard that this lad, though unarmed and untrained as a warrior, would face the awesome Goliath, he offered the use of his armor. David declined, being willing to go against the giant with his shepherd’s staff, a leather sling, and five stones that he found in the valley. What were the stones like? It is unlikely they were mere pebbles the size of grapes or olives. Slingstones have been found that are from 2 to 3 inches [5 to 8 cm] in diameter, the size of a small orange. A slinger could fling such a stone at speeds of from 100 to 150 miles per hour [160 to 240 km/​hr].

You have no doubt read what happened down in the valley, in full view of both armies. David declared: “You are coming to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have taunted.” Jehovah then gave the victory. The lad slung a stone so forcefully that it sank into Goliath’s forehead, killing him. Then the shepherd ran up and with the giant’s own sword cut his head off.​—1 Samuel 17:31-51.

Encouraged by David’s faith and trust in God, the Israelites charged their dispirited enemies, pursuing them down through the Shephelah and back into Philistia.​—1 Samuel 17:52, 53.

Think of the rejoicing that must have been heard in Judah! God’s people in the mountains could look to the west down into the Valley of Elah and the Shephelah, as in the modern view below from an area near Hebron. The white blossoms of an almond tree are a beauty to behold, but the beauty of a victory over God’s enemies was even more beautiful. Well could the Israelite women say: “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his tens of thousands,” including that giant whom he struck down in the Valley of Elah.​—1 Samuel 18:7.

[Footnotes]

[Picture on page 17]

[Picture Credit Line on page 16]

Pictorial Archive (Near Eastern History) Est.

‘Happy Are Those Who Have Endured’

1. Since 1914, what situation on earth has fulfilled Matthew 24:3-8, and what claims for the League of Nations and the United Nations have failed?

IN HIS book The Present Age, Robert Nisbet speaks of “the Seventy-Five Year War that has gone on, rarely punctuated, since 1914.” Yes, “wars and reports of wars,” including world wars​—that is what Jesus Christ foretold for this time of the end. (Matthew 24:3-8) The League of Nations was brought forth in 1920 “to prevent war forever.” How miserably it failed! The United Nations was organized in 1945 “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” But Max Harrelson’s book Fires All Around the Horizon relates: “There has scarcely been a day since the end of World War II when there was not fighting somewhere.”

2. What do some people ask regarding world conditions, but what questions should we be asking?

² Terrorism and violence, corruption and poverty, drugs and pestilences​—all of these add to the sorry picture. Some people may ask: ‘How can humanity continue to endure such disturbing conditions?’ More important, though, we should ask: ‘How does God endure the despoiling of his earthly creation? How much longer will he allow wicked men to ruin the earth and heap reproach on his precious name?’

3. (a) What question did the prophet Isaiah ask, and why? (b) What answer did Jehovah give, and what does this indicate for our day?

³ The prophet Isaiah raised a similar question. He was assigned to declare to his fellow countrymen a message from Jehovah. But he was forewarned that they would pay no heed either to him or to the God who sent him. So Isaiah asked: “How long, O Jehovah?” Yes, how long would Isaiah have to preach to this stubborn people, and how long would Jehovah put up with their insulting refusal to heed his message? Jehovah replied: “Until the cities actually crash in ruins, to be without an inhabitant, and the houses be without earthling man, and the ground itself is ruined into a desolation.” (Isaiah 6:8-11) Likewise today, God endures such reproaches until his appointed time to execute judgment on a world in which the principal offender has been unfaithful Christendom.

4. What was the outcome of Job’s endurance, and what assurance does this give us today?

⁴ Jehovah has long endured Satan’s taunts. Some 3,600 years ago, faithful Job also endured, refuting Satan’s challenge that he could not keep integrity under test. How this caused Jehovah’s heart to rejoice! (Job 2:6-10; 27:5; Proverbs 27:11) As Jesus’ half brother James later stated: “Look! We pronounce happy those who have endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.” Likewise, those who endure with Jehovah today are assured of a happy outcome.​—James 5:11.

5. How did Jesus show that endurance would be required of God’s people today, and while doing what work would they need to endure?

⁵ Jesus showed clearly that endurance would be required of God’s people in our day. In foretelling the sign of “the conclusion of the system of things,” he said: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” Endure while doing what? Jesus’ very next words answer: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” (Matthew 24:3, 13, 14) Only then ‘will the end come.’​—See also Mark 13:10, 13; Luke 21:17-19.

Why Jehovah Endures

6. Why is Jehovah an outstanding example of endurance, and what is one reason he has so endured?

⁶ The apostle Paul explained that “God, although having the will to demonstrate his wrath and to make his power known, tolerated with much long-suffering vessels of wrath made fit for destruction.” (Romans 9:22) Why has Jehovah endured the continued existence of the wicked, these vessels of wrath? One reason is this: to demonstrate that human rule, independent of man’s Creator, is doomed to failure. (Jeremiah 10:23) Shortly, God’s sovereignty will be vindicated as he proves that he alone can bring peace, harmony, and happiness to the human family, through Jesus’ Kingdom rule.​—Psalm 37:9-11; 45:1, 6, 7.

7. For what other reason has Jehovah endured, and what benefit has this brought to millions since the 1930’s?

⁷ Further, Jehovah has endured “in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy.” (Romans 9:23) These vessels of mercy are integrity-keeping anointed ones who are “bought from among mankind” to reign with Christ Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom. The sealing of the 144,000 has continued from apostolic times. It now draws to a close. (Revelation 7:3; 14:1, 4) And look! Since the 1930’s Jehovah’s continuing endurance has permitted the gathering of millions of others, “a great crowd . . . out of all nations,” who rejoice in the prospect of surviving the final tribulation to inherit everlasting life in a paradise earth. (Revelation 7:4, 9, 10, 13-17) Are you one of that great crowd? If so, are you not glad that Jehovah has endured the presence of vessels of wrath until now? However, you must continue to endure, as Jehovah has endured.

Endurance Rewarded

8. Why do all of us need endurance, and what example of endurance should we consider intently?

⁸ All of us have need of endurance if we are to receive the promises. After stating this basic truth at Hebrews 10:36, the apostle Paul describes in detail the sterling faith and endurance of a great “cloud of witnesses” of ancient times. Then he admonishes us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him,” Jesus endured in wholehearted service, never losing sight of the reward. How his example strengthens us also to endure!​—Hebrews 12:1, 2.

9. What has resulted from modern-day examples of endurance?

⁹ Modern-day examples of endurance abound too. You may know, or have known, brothers and sisters who have been outstanding in their endurance. How their faithfulness has stimulated us! And each year, as Jehovah’s Witnesses report their worldwide activity to the Watch Tower Society, further thrilling accounts of endurance and integrity keeping are received. The chart on the four pages that follow epitomizes the grand work accomplished during 1989 as these Witnesses have ‘added to their faith endurance.’​—2 Peter 1:5, 6.

Our Grandest Year

10. (a) How many lands and island groups shared in preaching the good news of the Kingdom in 1989, and how many took part in this work? (b) How many pioneers reported in the peak month, and what was the total number of hours spent in the field service?

¹⁰ As the preceding chart shows, 212 lands and island groups shared in preaching Jehovah’s incoming Kingdom. Dear Watchtower reader, were you privileged to be one of the 3,787,188 who took part in this grand work? Were you one of the 808,184 who reported as pioneers in the peak month for that service? Whatever you contributed to the 1989 global total number of 835,426,538 hours spent in field service, you have reason to rejoice.​—Psalm 104:33, 34; Philippians 4:4.

11. (a) What attendance at the Memorial last March 22 is a cause for rejoicing, and why? (b) How many were baptized, and what lands in the chart were outstanding in this respect?

¹¹ Rejoice, too, in that splendid total of 9,479,064 attenders, last March 22, at the worldwide celebration of the Memorial of Jesus’ death! This indicates a potential of 5,691,876 additional Kingdom proclaimers, if only these interested sheeplike ones can be lovingly shepherded into the sheepfold, to have a regular part in serving Jehovah. Can we help them in this? (John 10:16; Revelation 7:9, 15) Many are already responding, as indicated by the grand total of 263,855 new Witnesses baptized during the 1989 service year.

12. What are some features that the chart does not reveal (a) regarding factories of the Watch Tower Society? (b) regarding magazine placements and subscriptions?

¹² There are some features that the chart does not reveal. The thirst for publications​—Bibles, books, brochures, magazines—​was insatiable. For example, the Watchtower factories in Brooklyn used some 15,000 tons of paper in printing 35,811,000 Bibles and books, a 101-percent increase over 1988. Other large factories of the Watch Tower Society, notably in Germany, Italy, and Japan, worked extra shifts, supporting “the faithful and discreet slave” in giving out spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matthew 24:45) During April and May, exceptionally fine placements of magazines and subscriptions were reported in a number of lands, with special emphasis on distribution of the Watchtower issues on “Babylon the Great.” (Revelation 17:5) No doubt, this coming April, auxiliary pioneers and other Witnesses will swarm into the world field in what should prove to be our finest witnessing campaign of the 1990 service year.​—Compare Isaiah 40:31; Romans 12:11, 12.

13. What countries are listed in the chart that were not listed last year? Explain.

¹³ Look again at the chart. Do you see some countries that were not listed by name last year? Why, yes! Hungary and Poland, where our work has recently been legalized. We are grateful to the authorities in these lands that they now show such consideration for Jehovah’s Witnesses. In this respect, the prayers of the worldwide brotherhood have been answered, “in order that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness.”​—1 Timothy 2:1, 2.

14. Give some highlights of the “Godly Devotion” District Conventions in Poland.

¹⁴ “Godly devotion”! Why, the “Godly Devotion” District Conventions could be held even in Poland, in three locations, during August! What marvelous hosts our 91,024 Polish brothers proved to be! (Hebrews 13:1, 2, 16) As if by a miracle, tens of thousands of brothers​—Czechs, Germans, Russians, and others—​obtained visas to come by bus, train, and even on foot. Other thousands flew in from the Americas, Western Europe, and as far away as islands of the Pacific and Japan. The huge stadiums, made spotlessly clean by our brothers, were barely large enough to accommodate 65,710 at Chorzów, 40,442 at Poznan, and 60,366 at Warsaw​—a grand total attendance of 166,518! At each center, the spectacle of the baptism elicited tears of joyful emotion. At Poznan a 9-year-old and a 90-year-old were immersed, and the total of 6,093 immersed at the three conventions included numerous teenagers, many of these from lands where it had been said that religion would die out with the old folks. Not so the true religion based on God’s Word! (Compare Psalm 148:12, 13; Acts 2:41; 4:4.) How wonderfully the endurance of our brothers in Eastern Europe has been rewarded!

Continued Faithfulness Under Trial

15. How have the Witnesses in Lebanon shown endurance and steadfastness, and with what fine results?

¹⁵ Like the apostle Paul, Jehovah’s Witnesses are called on to show endurance under many and varied circumstances. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27) In Lebanon civil war rages. How do our brothers respond? With steadfastness and determination. The year 1989 saw very heavy shelling and bombing, but even where these were the heaviest, the brothers were determined not to slow down. A congregation in Beirut reports: “Regular groups for field service were arranged on all evenings of the week. Despite difficult security conditions, the brothers were not discouraged. We covered more territories than ever before. In April we had a peak in the number of pioneers. New Bible studies were started, and more magazines and books were placed.”

16. How have our brothers in Colombia shown endurance by bringing the good news to towns where there were no Witnesses?

¹⁶ Colombia has been in the news because of the drug traffic and violence. But the faithful endurance of Christians there also makes news. Recently, temporary special pioneers were sent to 31 towns of ten thousand or more inhabitants where there were no Witnesses. In one town, when newly interested persons found that the pioneers would be there for only a few months, they pleaded for the pioneers to stay. In another, 18 interested persons signed a letter of appreciation for the spiritual help given during the three-month stay of the pioneers and requested additional help. “This is serious business,” they said. Needless to say, in both cases arrangements were made to continue cultivating the interest. Developing such distant territory takes endurance, but the hard work of the pioneers who do so is richly blessed.

17, 18. (a) Under what circumstances have Jehovah’s Witnesses endured in Italy? (b) How have the Witnesses fared despite the spreading of lies about them?

¹⁷ In Italy, Jehovah’s Witnesses face strong clergy opposition, but in Jehovah’s strength they have endured. In various parishes, the clergy distributed stickers to be attached to the doors of their parishioners’ homes telling Jehovah’s Witnesses not to ring the doorbell. Many priests recruited young boys to put these stickers on all the doors in a particular area​—even at the homes of Witness families! The Witnesses, however, are not easily intimidated, and often they use the stickers to start a conversation. Further, the press and national television gave wide coverage to the matter, condemning the religious intolerance shown and underlining that tactics such as this are really a sign of weakness on the part of the church. One university professor was so offended by the controversial anti-Witness stickers that he subscribed to The Watchtower and Awake!

¹⁸ The Catholic Church in Italy even uses apostates to spread lies about Jehovah’s people, but this does not work either because the 172,382 publishers are well-known and respected. One man told visiting Witnesses that he had read bad things about us in literature written by ex-Witnesses. He was very opposed, therefore, when his brother became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After a while, though, he noticed what a good effect his brother’s change of religion had had on him. He wondered: ‘How is it possible for something so bad to produce such good results?’ Hence, he asked for a Bible study with the visiting Witnesses.​—Compare Colossians 3:8-10.

Coping With Indifference

19, 20. (a) What situation has required endurance on the part of the Witnesses in Finland, and what is really significant about a church poll? (b) What experience illustrates the importance of endurance in preaching the good news?

¹⁹ In lands where the Witnesses call frequently, there is often widespread indifference to the good news. This is certainly the case in Finland. The church in that land conducted a poll and found that 70 percent of the population do not like the Witnesses’ visiting their homes. However, 30 percent do not strongly object, and of these, 4 percent said they actually like Jehovah’s Witnesses. This is a significant figure. Four percent of the population of Finland represents 200,000 people. Compare that with the present publisher figure of 17,303!

²⁰ One publisher out in service had his attention drawn to this poll and was asked: “Don’t you know that 70 percent of us consider you people undesirable? Why do you keep coming to our doors?” The publisher replied: “Yes, but that same study showed that 4 percent of you like us. We are trying to find those people. Even if they were only 1 percent, we would still go from house to house trying to find them.” The householder thought for a moment and said: “Is your message that important to them?” The publisher replied by asking: “Would you like to hear it?” Soon this householder manifested interest in the good news.

What the Future Holds

21. (a) What kind of fight must we put up in this system, and why? (b) What may we have to endure, and of what does Habakkuk’s prophecy assure us?

²¹ What about all of us today? Are we determined to endure with Jehovah and Christ Jesus through to the end? It may not be too long, but we must endure! In Satan’s system, we have to put up a hard fight for the faith, as the world’s immorality, corruption, and hatreds surround us on all sides. (Jude 3, 20, 21) We may have to endure persecution of one kind or another. Even now, thousands of our brothers are suffering in prisons, and some are cruelly beaten. These are thankful for our prayers. (2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2) Very soon, the present system will be no more! As Habakkuk states: “The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.”​—Habakkuk 2:3.

22. What outcome may we confidently expect if we exercise the patience of the prophets and the endurance of Job?

²² The disciple James lovingly tells us: “Brothers, take as a pattern of the suffering of evil and the exercising of patience the prophets, who spoke in the name of Jehovah.” We today who speak in Jehovah’s name can be integrity keepers during bitter trials, as were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and others. Like Job, we can endure. How wonderfully he was rewarded for his endurance! Jehovah’s mercy and loving-kindness will bring us comparable rewards​—if we endure to the end. And may James’ words be fulfilled toward each one of us: “Look! We pronounce happy those who have endured.”​—James 5:10, 11; Job 42:10-13.

How Would You Answer?

◻ What need for endurance did Jesus stress?

◻ For what reasons has Jehovah endured?

◻ What are some highlights of the grand work accomplished during 1989?

◻ How has the endurance of our brothers in Poland been rewarded?

◻ How have the Witnesses in Lebanon, Colombia, and Italy shown faithfulness under trial?

[Chart on page 20-23]

1989 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE

(See bound volume)

Rejoicing at the Harvest in India

As told by F. E. Skinner

TO ME it was almost beyond belief​—21 conventions in ten languages, over 15,000 in attendance to learn the meaning of divine justice, and 545 baptized to symbolize their love for the great God of justice, Jehovah! For the 9,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in India, this was a highlight of 1989. But for me it was especially a cause for rejoicing. Why? Because I could hardly have imagined such grand events when I first stepped onto Indian soil in July 1926. Then there were fewer than 70 publishers of the Kingdom message in the entire country. What an assignment my partner and I received over 63 years ago!

How I Came to India

In May 1926 I attended a large convention in London, England, and right afterward I returned to my home in Sheffield. A couple of days later, after coming in from the field ministry, I found a telegram waiting. It read: “Judge Rutherford wants to see you.”

Brother Rutherford, the Watch Tower Society’s second president, had come over from New York for the recent convention, and he was still in London. The next morning on the train back to London, I was wondering, ‘What does this mean?’ At the branch office, I was taken to Brother Rutherford, and he asked me: “Do you mind what part of the world you work in?”

“No,” I replied.

“How would you like to go to India?”

“When do you want me to go?” I replied without hesitation. Thus, three weeks later, George Wright and I were on the boat headed for India. I was 31 years old, and there was no question in my mind and heart as to what I wanted to do with my life.

Deciding on a Life Course

By 1918 the first world war was over, and I had just completed four years in the British army. I was interested in photography and radio transmission, and good business opportunities were open to me. Also, I was comtemplating marriage. Yet, at the same time, I was coming to an understanding of things that was changing the entire focus of my life.

My father had accepted a set of Studies in the Scriptures, and a colporteur, as pioneers were then called, began studying the Bible with our family. The woman had been a schoolteacher. In time, a group of young men my age were going over to her house every Saturday for a cup of tea and a Bible study. She repeatedly told us to make ourselves available to Jehovah, saying: “Never refuse an assignment.” She also encouraged me to remain single.

For a time I struggled over what I would do. Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler at Matthew 19:21 helped me: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” I handed in my resignation to the firm I was working for, and within three months I was a colporteur. This, as well as the decision to remain single, qualified me to receive that precious assignment to India about four years later.

A Tremendous New Field

George Wright and I were assigned to oversee the Kingdom preaching not only in India but also in Burma (now Myanmar) and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Later, Persia (now Iran) and Afghanistan were added. The area of India was somewhat less than that of the United States, but the population was a number of times greater. It was a land with different foods, customs, and languages, with people of varied religious beliefs​—Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists, as well as Catholics and Protestants.

The preaching work had begun in India in 1905, and it received impetus when Charles T. Russell, the Watch Tower Society’s first president, visited in 1912. Russell’s interview with A. J. Joseph, a zealous young Bible student, led to a permanent arrangement for continued preaching activity. Joseph translated Bible literature into his native Malayalam tongue and traveled and lectured extensively, particularly in southern India. Today, about half of India’s publishers live in this area where Malayalam is spoken, although only about 3 percent of India’s population lives there. This area, formerly Travancore and Cochin, became Kerala State in 1956.

George Wright and I alternated between attending to the Bombay office and going out for extended preaching tours. We fully utilized India’s railroads, horses, and bullock carts. Later we used a car. The idea then was simply to leave literature and to invite people to come to a meeting place for group study. We concentrated on English-speaking nominal Christians.

Initially, I was given the names and addresses of all the Watchtower subscribers. These were mostly railway or telegraph people. I visited every one of them to search out genuine interest. For many years I would go to the Punjab in northern India in January and tour from Lahore to Karachi. Since the masses were averse to the Bible, the villages where there were nominal Christians were few and far between.

A brother would travel with me as an interpreter, and we lived and ate with the people. The villagers lived in houses built of sun-baked mud, with roofs either thatched or timbered. They slept on charpoys, four-legged cots of wooden framework with intertwined rope. Often the farmers would sit on their charpoys with Bible in hand, smoking a water-cooled pipe with a stem two to three feet [0.5 to 1 m] long, turning from scripture to scripture as we explained God’s truths to them. Outdoor meetings proved ideal, as the greater part of the year was rainless. While most Europeans were too snobbish to attend such meetings, the Indians would gather anywhere.

We tried to publish literature in as many languages as possible. The booklet World Distress in the Kanarese language met with particular success. It moved the editor of a Kanarese religious periodical to invite us to supply articles for his paper, and for some time, we ran the Deliverance book as a serial every fortnight.

The years from 1926 to 1938 saw an immense amount of preaching by enthusiastic pioneers. We traveled thousands of miles, and great amounts of literature were distributed, but the increase was modest. By 1938 there were only 18 pioneers and 273 publishers in 24 congregations scattered throughout India.

During World War II

World War II broke out in 1939, yet we continued right on with our preaching. In fact, early in 1940 street witnessing work was introduced. Even our Indian sisters took part, which is remarkable in view of local customs. Years later a Bible student told a Witness who asked her to share in such work: “I’m an Indian woman, and I cannot be seen talking to a man on the street because I would be disgraced in the whole neighborhood. I cannot speak to a man on the street even if he is a relative.” Nevertheless, our Christian sisters in India have become zealous public ministers.

In those early years, conventions were also arranged. Mornings were devoted to field service, which consisted mostly of walking many miles telling residents and passersby about the public meetings. Over 300 attended one of these, the sessions being held under the shade of a bamboo and palm-leaf structure. But it did not do much good to specify a starting time, since few people owned a timepiece. They just came along when they felt like it, and the meetings began when a sufficient audience had assembled. Stragglers kept arriving as the meeting progressed.

The program was usually in progress until ten o’clock at night, and then many had to walk miles to get home. If it was moonlight, all the better; it was cool and enjoyable. If there was no moon, people picked up a palm branch and twisted it into a torch. When lit, the torch glowed a dull red. When additional light was wanted, the torch was swung around in the air until it burst into flames. This gave sufficient light to find the way on rough ground.

About this time a government ban was imposed on the importation of the Society’s literature into India and Ceylon. Our small printing press in Travancore was seized, and the central government issued an order forbidding the printing of our literature. Later, in 1944, one of our brothers who practiced physiotherapy was treating Sir Srivastava, a minister in the Viceroy’s Cabinet, and the subject of the ban was brought up to him.

“Well, don’t worry,” our brother was told. Sir Srivastava explained to him that Mr. Jenkins (a minister who was unfavorable toward our work) would be retiring soon and a good friend of Sir Srivastava would replace him. “Ask Mr. Skinner to come up,” Sir Srivastava encouraged, “and I will introduce him to Sir Francis Mudie,” Jenkins’ replacement. Eventually, I was called; I spoke with Mr. Mudie, and the ban was officially removed December 9, 1944.

Reasons for Rejoicing

A great cause for rejoicing came in 1947 when the first Gilead-trained missionaries arrived in India. Their arrival coincided with a crucial time in Indian history, as that very year, on August 15, independence was obtained from British rule. When the nation split into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan, bloody massacres occurred. In spite of this, two Gilead graduates were sent to Pakistan, which had become an independent nation on August 14. Soon ten more missionaries were working in India itself, and many more arrived to help in the following years.

It brought further rejoicing to my heart as organizational procedures were instituted. Circuit work began in 1955 when brother Dick Cotterill, a Gilead graduate, was appointed the first circuit overseer. He served faithfully until his death in 1988. Then, in 1960, we had our first regular district overseer arrangement, which did much to help the circuits. After 1966 no more foreign missionaries were allowed into the country. But soon the special pioneer work opened up, and qualified Indian pioneers were sent to many parts of India. Today, there are about 300 in this work.

It was not until 1958 that we finally reached 1,000 Kingdom publishers. But then the pace picked up, and now we have over 9,000. Moreover, our 1989 Memorial attendance of 24,144 shows that many more interested ones are seeking help. Sri Lanka is now a separate branch. What a joy it is to see that they have increased from just two publishers in 1944 to well over 1,000 today, despite the ongoing fighting in their country.

Growth in publishers has meant growth in our branch too. After 52 years in bustling Bombay, our headquarters moved in 1978 to the nearby town of Lonavla. I never imagined that we would have sophisticated equipment such as the MEPS computers and a big two-color press to print literature in the many Indian languages. Today, we are producing The Watchtower in 9 languages and other literature in 20 different languages.

Needless to say, the days of our two-man branch are long gone. Now we have a Bethel family of over 60 members! At the age of 95, I am happy still to be in full-time service at the branch office and to serve as a member of India’s Branch Committee. And especially am I thrilled to witness the harvesting work in these last days. Truly, it is a matter for rejoicing.

Finding Treasure in Distant Places

The search for gold, or other material treasure, has caused many to travel to distant places. But others have gone to find something far more precious​—people with qualities that make them highly desirable to God. Read in the 1990 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses about this genuine treasure.

A person who read last year’s Yearbook wrote: “It’s amazing how close you get to some of those you’ve never even met, and how you share with them in their sorrows and joys! I get such great encouragement from these accounts.”

This year’s Yearbook has exciting reports about the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Colombia, Finland, and Suriname, as well as an up-to-date picture of the work that Jehovah’s Witnesses are doing worldwide.

Please send, postpaid, the 1990 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I enclose $1 (U.S.).