The Watchtower — May 1, 1991

Crime in a Chaotic World

CRIME is not a modern phenomenon. The first murder took place thousands of years ago when Cain murdered his brother Abel. Rape and sodomy are mentioned in the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. (Genesis 4:8; 19:4, 5; 34:1-4) People were being mugged in the first century of our Common Era, as the parable of the good Samaritan shows. (Luke 10:29-37) But there is a difference today.

The feeling of people in many major cities of the world, whether it be New York, London, Calcutta, or Bogotá, is that crime is more prevalent and more threatening. A report from India Today carrying the headline “Cult of Anarchy” states: “A disturbing development threatening to rend asunder the delicate moral and social weave that knits the country together is the elevation of violence, defiant indiscipline, and lawlessness to a cult.” In their fight against crime, even the police are sometimes tempted to overstep the boundaries of law enforcement and use criminal methods themselves. The previous report from India states: “Deaths in police custody continue to make news.” And that is also true in other countries.

The odds against being a victim of crime seem to be getting worse. A report from the United States says that “one in four American households was touched by a crime of violence or theft in 1988.” Moreover, people are now committing violent crimes at younger ages. The Latin-American magazine Visión states that “nine out of every ten sicarios [paid killers] are minors. [They are] ‘children’ in the genetic sense and under legal protection.” Again, the committing of violent crimes by minors is a worldwide trend.

The Bible prophesied nearly 2,000 years ago: “But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, . . . disloyal, having no natural affection, . . . without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride . . . Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.”​—2 Timothy 3:1-4, 13.

Since 1914 evidence abounds that we are living in those critical last days. The world, having suffered two world wars and other major conflicts, has become in many ways ungovernable, chaotic. Crime is rampant. In many city areas, the criminals have taken over, changing the life-styles of the law-abiding majority. As a prominent U.S. senator stated: “There are so many things to worry about now, things we never used to fear. Sometimes we are so afraid that we become prisoners, while those who should be locked up go free.”

As a consequence, people today are taking precautions that were unnecessary 20 or 30 years ago. Doors have double or triple locks and are reinforced with steel. People in many places carry enough money to satisfy a mugger so as hopefully to avoid being beaten for having nothing to hand over to thieves. Many streets are almost deserted after sundown, frequented by only the naive, the foolhardy, and those who are forced by circumstances to be there​—easy targets for the predators who roam the city jungle.

What can we do to avoid being victims of crime in this chaotic and anarchic world? How can we cope?

Coping With Crime in a Chaotic World

ARE you afraid to go out at night? Do you need two or three locks on your doors and windows? Has your car or your bicycle ever been stolen? Have you had the radio ripped out of your car? Do you feel threatened in certain neighborhoods?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you are trying to cope with crime in a chaotic world. What can you do about it? Can the Bible help you cope?

The Criminal Mentality and Justice

In the world of crime, there are three basic elements: the criminals, the police, and the victims. What is necessary in order for you, the potential victim, to be able to cope with crime? Can you influence any of these three elements? For example, can you change the criminals?

Well, many criminals have made crime their career. They have chosen it as an easier way of life. ‘Why work if you can live off what others have earned?’ seems to be their philosophy. The muggers know that the average victim will hand over his or her money without a struggle. And with the odds against being caught and sent to prison so great, for them crime does pay.

Moreover, court procedures are complicated and time-consuming. In many countries, there are too few courts, judges, and prisons. The criminal caseload overwhelms the system. The wheels of justice turn so slowly that the situation is as the Bible described it over three thousand years ago: “Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad.” As this Bible principle indicates, there is little hope of a solution by reducing the number of criminals or reforming them.​—Ecclesiastes 8:11.

What about the second element, the police? Is there any hope that the police will master the situation? They themselves will answer: With the laws often weighted in favor of the rights of the criminal, with unscrupulous lawyers who manipulate the law to get a guilty man off, with communities reluctant to shoulder the huge expense of more and bigger prisons, and with the understaffing of police forces, there is little headway they can make against the avalanche of crime.

That leaves the third element, the potential victims: us, the public. Is there anything we can do to help ourselves better cope in this almost anarchic situation?

Practical Wisdom and Common Sense

The Bible book of Proverbs states: “Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability, and they will prove to be life to your soul and charm to your throat. In that case you will walk in security on your way, and even your foot will not strike against anything.” This counsel can apply in situations that are likely to make one a victim of crime. What are some ways in which practical wisdom can help us in this field?​—Proverbs 3:21-23.

Criminals tend to be like predatory wild beasts. They look for the easiest prey. They do not want to risk a struggle and possible capture if they can get the same return from an easy victim. So they go after the elderly, the sick, the disoriented, and the ones who may be unaware of a dangerous situation. The thugs choose the time and place that best suit them to attack. Here is where potential victims can use practical wisdom.

As the Bible describes them, lovers of evil often do their works under cover of darkness. (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:11, 12) It is true today that many crimes against people and property are committed at night. (Compare Job 24:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2.) Therefore, where possible the wise person will avoid being out in dangerous areas at nighttime. In the crime-ridden city of New York, the daily police record reveals that many people get mugged after sundown and especially after ten o’clock, often as they return to their apartments. The predators are on the deserted streets looking for victims. Hence, if you have the choice of waiting for a bus or a taxi or walking through a dangerous area, be patient and wait. Otherwise, the experience could be painful.

One Christian was severely beaten and robbed when instead of waiting for a bus at about ten o’clock in the evening, he walked a short distance in semidarkness. There were other people on the street, but three thugs had set a trap for the unwary. One signaled to the others when a likely victim was on the way up the street. Without saying a word, they assaulted the victim and then robbed him. It was over so fast that even a neighbor had no time to intervene. The victim later admitted: “The next time I will wait for the bus.”

The Artful Dodger, a young pickpocket in Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, was a relatively benign prototype of the modern street delinquent. Unlike the Artful Dodger, today’s thieves and muggers, regardless of age, are likely to carry a gun or a knife, and they will use it. Disoriented tourists, visitors, and casual browsers in a bustling city are easy targets for such unscrupulous felons. They will steal whatever is available faster than you can blink an eye! What may set a thief’s pulse racing? A gold chain or other expensive jewelry worn openly. Or a camera hanging from the neck of a tourist. It is tantamount to wearing a sign that says, “Come and get me!” Thus, discretion is needed. Conceal any jewelry, and carry the camera in a less obvious manner, perhaps hidden in a shopping bag. This is practical wisdom.

Being alert is another way to cope with crime. The Bible states: “As regards anyone wise, his eyes are in his head; but the stupid one is walking on in sheer darkness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:14) Applying this warning to the problem of crime will lead one to take note of people loitering suspiciously with no apparent purpose. Watch out for thieves who may come up behind you and snatch your bag as you walk down the sidewalk. Since some ride bikes and snatch other people’s property as they hurtle by, never walk right along the edge of the sidewalk, especially if you are carrying any kind of briefcase or handbag. Avoid subway cars that are almost empty. You are safer with a mass of people in a place where there is plenty of light. Thieves do not want to be observed and identified.

Burglary is another common crime that could often be avoided if people were more crime conscious. The Bible rightly used the comparison: “Through the windows they go in like the thief.” (Joel 2:9) Practical wisdom dictates that you not leave doors or windows unlocked. It is always true that prevention is far better than a cure. Extra expense to protect your home is really an insurance against theft and bodily harm.

What if You Are Mugged?

Yes, what if, in spite of all precautions, you are stopped by a mugger? Try not to panic or make any hasty movements. Remember that the thief may also be nervous and may misinterpret your actions. Try to talk and reason with the person if he or she allows it. (Yes, your assailant may well be a female.) Sometimes muggers have been softened by knowing they are attacking a sincere and genuine Christian. Regardless of the reaction, do not try to resist if it is only your money or possessions they want. Hand over whatever is being demanded. The Bible teaches that a person’s life is worth more than anything he may possess.​—Compare Mark 8:36.

Without making it look like close scrutiny, try to note any distinctive characteristics the mugger may have, either in clothing or in physical appearance. What kind of accent does he have? All these details may be useful when you report the crime to the police, since most criminals are regulars with their individual modus operandi and can thus be more easily identified.

What about carrying a weapon for self-defense? Certainly it would not be wise for a Christian to carry weapons. If a thug thought you were reaching for a weapon, he would not think twice about hurting or killing you. Furthermore, how can you follow the Bible principle to “be peaceable with all men” if you are armed for violent counterattack?​—Romans 12:18.

Regardless of the precautions you might take, there is no guarantee that you will not some day be a victim. In cities rife with crime, you only need to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not too long ago in New York, a lawyer left his office to buy a cup of coffee. As he entered the store, some youths drove by and shot up the place. The lawyer was killed by a bullet in the head. Because of “time and unforeseen occurrence,” he lost his life. What a tragedy! Is there any hope of a permanent solution to the present crime avalanche that is sweeping the world?​—Ecclesiastes 9:11.

When Crime Will Cease

Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus foretold that a generation would come that would see more frightening events than any previous generation. With television and instant communication, millions, no, thousands of millions, witness on their local news channels atrocities as they are actually being committed. The world has become a village, and world news is immediately local news. As a consequence, reality strikes home daily, and as Jesus prophesied, many people “become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.”​—Luke 21:26.

Jesus foresaw the events that have taken place since 1914, events that would be a prelude to Armageddon, with which “the conclusion of the system of things” terminates. (Matthew 24:3-14) But he also said: “When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31) That means that God’s righteous rulership will soon dramatically affect the earth.​—Matthew 6:9, 10; Revelation 21:1-4.

Under that rule, only the meek, the peaceable, and those who are obedient to God will share the earth’s Paradise conditions. What will happen to the criminals and the evildoers? “Like grass they will speedily wither, and like green new grass they will fade away. For evildoers themselves will be cut off, but those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth.” Under that righteous heavenly government, there will be neither chaos nor crime.​—Psalm 37:2, 9.

If you would like to know more about this Bible-based hope of a peaceable and lasting world government, contact Jehovah’s Witnesses in your neighborhood or at their local Kingdom Hall. They will gladly help you to understand the Bible, free of charge.

[Blurb on page 6]

“Evildoers themselves will be cut off, but those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth”

[Pictures on page 7]

Charles Dickens’ pickpocket, the Artful Dodger, was a novice compared to modern muggers

[Credit Line]

Graphic Works of GEORGE CRUIKSHANK, by Richard A. Vogler, Dover Publications, Inc.

Jesus’ Life and Ministry

Final Appearances, and Pentecost 33 C.E.

AT SOME point Jesus makes arrangements for all 11 of his apostles to meet him at a mountain in Galilee. Other disciples are apparently told about the meeting, and a total of more than 500 people assemble. What a happy convention this proves to be when Jesus appears and begins teaching them!

Among other things, Jesus explains to the large crowd that God has given him all authority in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore,” he exhorts, “and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”

Think of it! Men, women, and children all receive this same commission to share in the disciple-making work. Opposers will try to stop their preaching and teaching, but Jesus comforts them: “Look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Jesus remains with his followers by means of the holy spirit, to help them fulfill their ministry.

Jesus shows himself alive to his disciples for a period of 40 days following his resurrection. During these appearances, he instructs them about the Kingdom of God, and he emphasizes what their responsibilities are as his disciples. On one occasion he even appears to his half brother James and convinces this onetime unbeliever that He is indeed the Christ.

While the apostles are still in Galilee, Jesus evidently instructs them to return to Jerusalem. When meeting with them there, he says to them: “Do not withdraw from Jerusalem, but keep waiting for what the Father has promised, about which you heard from me; because John, indeed, baptized with water, but you will be baptized in holy spirit not many days after this.”

Later Jesus meets again with his apostles and leads them out of the city as far as Bethany, which is located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Amazingly, despite everything he has said about his soon departing for heaven, they still believe that his Kingdom will be established on earth. So they inquire: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

Rather than try again to correct their misconceptions, Jesus simply answers: “It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction.” Then, stressing once again the work they must do, he says: “You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.”

While they are still looking on, Jesus begins rising heavenward, and then a cloud obscures him from their sight. After dematerializing his fleshly body, he ascends to heaven as a spirit person. As the 11 continue gazing into the sky, 2 men in white garments appear alongside them. These materialized angels ask: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who was received up from you into the sky will come thus in the same manner as you have beheld him going into the sky.”

The manner in which Jesus has just left the earth is without public fanfare and with only his faithful followers observing. So he will return in like manner​—without public fanfare and with only his faithful followers discerning that he has returned and has begun his presence in Kingdom power.

The apostles now descend the Mount of Olives, cross the Kidron Valley, and enter Jerusalem once again. They remain there in obedience to Jesus’ command. Ten days later, at the Jewish Festival of Pentecost 33 C.E., while about 120 of the disciples assemble in an upper room in Jerusalem, a noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze suddenly fills the whole house. Tongues as if of fire become visible, and one sits upon each of those present, and the disciples all begin to speak in different languages. This is the outpouring of the holy spirit that Jesus had promised! Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:49-52; 1 Corinthians 15:5-7; Acts 1:3-15; 2:1-4.

◆ To whom does Jesus give parting instructions at a mountain in Galilee, and what are these instructions?

◆ What comfort does Jesus provide for his disciples, and how will he remain with them?

◆ For how long after his resurrection does Jesus appear to his disciples, and what does he teach them?

◆ To what person, who was evidently not a disciple before Jesus’ death, does Jesus appear?

◆ What two final meetings does Jesus have with his apostles, and what occurs on these occasions?

◆ How is it that Jesus will return in the same manner as he departs?

◆ What occurs at Pentecost 33 C.E.?

Become United by the Pure Language

“Then I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language,in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder.”​—ZEPHANIAH 3:9.

1. Have people ever heard Jehovah God speak?

JEHOVAH God’s language is pure. But have people ever heard him speak? Why, yes! That happened when his Son, Jesus Christ, was on the earth 19 centuries ago. For instance, when Jesus was baptized, God was heard to say: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” (Matthew 3:13-17) That was a statement of pure truth, heard by Jesus and John the Baptizer in a human language.

2. What is indicated by the apostle Paul’s reference to “the tongues of . . . angels”?

² Some years later the Christian apostle Paul spoke of “the tongues of men and of angels.” (1 Corinthians 13:1) What does this indicate? Why, it shows that not only humans but also spirit persons have language and speech! Of course, God and the angels do not communicate with one another by using voices and language audible and understandable to us. Why not? Because an atmosphere such as that surrounding the earth is needed to propagate vocal sound waves that humans can hear and understand.

3. How did human language originate?

³ How did human language originate? Some say that our ancestors struggled to communicate with one another by resorting to grunts and groans. Says the book Evolution (Life Nature Library): “An ape man of about one million years ago . . . possibly mastered a few speech sounds.” But renowned lexicographer Ludwig Koehler said: “Human speech is a secret; it is a divine gift, a miracle.” Yes, human speech is a divine gift, for God gave the first man, Adam, a language. It was evidently the one eventually called Hebrew. That language was spoken by the Israelite descendants of “Abram the Hebrew,” a faithful patriarch whose ancestor Shem was a son of the ark builder Noah. (Genesis 11:10-26; 14:13; 17:3-6) In view of God’s prophetic blessing on Shem, it is reasonable to conclude that his language was not affected by something Jehovah God did miraculously 43 centuries ago.​—Genesis 9:26.

4. Who was Nimrod, and how was he used by Satan the Devil?

⁴ At that time ‘all the earth was of one language and one set of words.’ (Genesis 11:1) Living then was the man Nimrod, “a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah.” (Genesis 10:8, 9) Mankind’s invisible archenemy, Satan, especially used Nimrod to set up the earthly part of the Devil’s organization. Nimrod wanted to make a name for himself, and that arrogant attitude spread to his followers, who embarked on a special construction project in the land of Shinar. According to Genesis chapter 11, verse 4, they said: “Come on! Let us build ourselves a city and also a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a celebrated name for ourselves, for fear we may be scattered over all the surface of the earth.” That venture in opposition to God’s command to “fill the earth” ended when Jehovah confused the language of the rebels. “Accordingly,” says the Bible account, “Jehovah scattered them from there over all the surface of the earth, and they gradually left off building the city.” (Genesis 9:1; 11:2-9) That city was named Babel, or Babylon (meaning, “Confusion”), “because there Jehovah mixed up the speech of all the earth.”​—Byington.

5. (a) What was prevented when God confused the language of mankind? (b) What can we conclude about the language of Noah and Shem?

⁵ That miracle​—the confusion of the one human language—​led to filling the earth as God had commanded Noah, and it blocked any plan Satan may have had to establish united unclean worship of himself by humans who had rebelled against the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. True, by practicing false religion in any form, the people were victims of the Devil, and they were serving the demons when they made gods and goddesses, gave them names in their different languages, and worshiped them. (1 Corinthians 10:20) But the action taken by the only true God at Babel prevented the forming of one united false religion giving the Devil the worship he apparently craved. Of course, righteous Noah and his son Shem never got mixed up in that debacle in the land of Shinar. So it can reasonably be concluded that their language remained the one spoken by faithful Abram (or Abraham)​—the tongue in which God talked to the man Adam in the garden of Eden.

6. On the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., how did Jehovah show that he could impart ability to speak in tongues?

⁶ Jehovah, who confused mankind’s original language, can also impart the ability to speak in tongues. Why, he did that very thing on the day of Pentecost in the year 33 of our Common Era! According to Acts 2:1-11, about 120 followers of Jesus Christ were then assembled in an upper chamber in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:13, 15) Suddenly, there was a noise from heaven “just like that of a rushing stiff breeze.” “Tongues as if of fire” became visible and were distributed about. At that the disciples “became filled with holy spirit and started to speak with different tongues, just as the spirit was granting them to make utterance.” In those divinely imparted languages, they spoke “about the magnificent things of God.” And what a miracle that was, as Jews and proselytes of different tongues, from such far-flung places as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Libya, and Rome, understood the life-giving message!

A God-Given Language Today!

7. What prospects would there be if only one language was spoken and understood worldwide?

⁷ Since God can impart different tongues miraculously, would it not be wonderful if he made it possible for only one language to be spoken and understood worldwide? That would promote greater understanding within the human family. As The World Book Encyclopedia puts it: “If all peoples spoke the same tongue, cultural and economic ties would be much closer, and good will would increase between countries.” Well, at least 600 universal languages have been proposed over the years. Of these, Esperanto has had the most impact because about 10,000,000 people have learned it since its creation in the year 1887. Yet, human efforts to unify mankind by means of a universal language have never been successful. In fact, more and more problems are causing division in this world as ‘wicked men advance from bad to worse.’​—2 Timothy 3:13.

8. Even if a universal language were adopted in today’s world, what would still exist, and why?

⁸ Religiously speaking, there is great confusion. But should we not expect this, since the Bible book of Revelation calls the world empire of false religion “Babylon the Great”? (Revelation 18:2) Yes, for “Babylon” means “Confusion.” Even if an artificial language or a natural tongue such as English, French, German, or Russian were to be adopted as a universal language in today’s world, disunity would still exist religiously and otherwise. Why? Because “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” Satan the Devil. (1 John 5:19) He is the very epitome of selfishness, and he greedily yearns to be worshiped by all mankind, just as he did in the days of Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. Why, a universal language spoken by sinful humans could even give Satan the opportunity to set up united Devil worship! But Jehovah will never permit that; indeed, he will soon bring an end to all false, Devil-inspired religion.

9. How are people of all nations and races now being unified?

⁹ Yet, an amazing fact is that good people of all nations and races are being unified right now. This is happening on God’s terms and for the sake of his worship. Today, God is making it possible for humans to learn and speak the only pure language on earth. And it really is a universal language. Indeed, Jehovah God is teaching this pure language to many people out of all nations of the earth today. This is in fulfillment of God’s prophetic promise through his prophet and witness Zephaniah: “Then I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language [literally, “a clean lip”], in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder.” (Zephaniah 3:9) What is this pure language?

The Pure Language Defined

10. What is the pure language?

¹⁰ The pure language is the truth of God found in his own Word, the Holy Scriptures. It is particularly the truth regarding God’s Kingdom, which will bring peace and other blessings to mankind. The pure language does away with religious error and false worship. It unites all who speak it in the pure, clean, wholesome worship of the living and true God, Jehovah. Today, some 3,000 languages act as a barrier to understanding, and hundreds of false religions confuse mankind. So how glad we are that God is giving to peoples the change to this wonderful, pure language!

11. What has the pure language done for people of all nations and races?

¹¹ Yes, the pure language is being mastered by people of all nations and races. As the only spiritually pure tongue on earth, it serves as a mighty unifying force. It enables all those speaking it “to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder,” or literally, “with one shoulder.” They thus serve God “with one consent,” “with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder.” (The New English Bible; The Amplified Bible) The translation by Steven T. Byington reads: “Then I [Jehovah God] will turn the lips of all the peoples clean, that they may all call on Jehovah’s name and cooperate in his service.” Such worldwide multilingual cooperation in God’s service exists only among Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 212 lands today, over four million of these Kingdom proclaimers are preaching the good news in many human languages. Yet, the Witnesses “speak in agreement” and are “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) This is so because, no matter where they are on the earth, all of Jehovah’s Witnesses speak the one pure language, to the praise and glory of their heavenly Father.

Learn the Pure Language Now!

12, 13. (a) Why should you be concerned about speaking the pure language? (b) Why are the words at Zephaniah 3:8, 9 so significant today?

¹² Why should you be concerned about speaking the pure language? For one thing, because your life depends on learning and speaking it. Just before God promised to “give to peoples the change to a pure language,” he warned: “‘Keep yourselves in expectation of me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘till the day of my rising up to the booty, for my judicial decision is to gather nations, for me to collect together kingdoms, in order to pour out upon them my denunciation, all my burning anger; for by the fire of my zeal all the earth will be devoured.’”​—Zephaniah 3:8.

¹³ Those words of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah were first spoken 26 centuries ago in Judah, of which Jerusalem was the capital. But that statement was especially meant for our day because Jerusalem was a type of Christendom. And our time, since God’s heavenly Kingdom was set up in 1914, is Jehovah’s day for gathering nations and assembling kingdoms. He has brought all of them together under his attention by means of a great witness work. In turn, this has stirred them up in opposition to his purpose. However, Jehovah God is mercifully enabling people out of all these nations to unite in speaking the pure language. With it, all seeking life in his promised new world may serve him in unison before all the nations are consumed in the fiery expression of divine wrath at “the war of the great day of God the Almighty,” commonly called Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14, 16; 2 Peter 3:13) Happily, those who speak the pure language and call upon Jehovah’s name in faith as united true worshipers will enjoy divine protection during the heat of that world disaster. God will bring them safely into the new world, where only the pure language will finally be on the lips of all mankind.

14. Through Zephaniah, how did God show that surviving the end of this system of things calls for immediate action?

¹⁴ Through his prophet Zephaniah, Jehovah makes it clear that those hoping to survive the end of the present wicked system of things must take immediate action. According to Zephaniah 2:1-3, God says: “Gather yourselves together, yes, do the gathering, O nation not paling in shame. Before the statute gives birth to anything, before the day has passed by just like chaff, before there comes upon you people the burning anger of Jehovah, before there comes upon you the day of Jehovah’s anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”

15. (a) What was the initial fulfillment of Zephaniah 2:1-3? (b) Who survived God’s execution of judgment upon Judah, and what will parallel this survival in our day?

¹⁵ Those words had their initial fulfillment upon ancient Judah and Jerusalem. The sinful people of Judah did not respond favorably to God’s appeal, as shown by his execution of judgment upon them at Babylonian hands in the year 607 B.C.E. Even as Judah was the “nation not paling in shame” before God, so Christendom has been a shameless “nation” before Jehovah. Because of heeding God’s word, however, some Judeans and others survived, among them Jehovah’s faithful prophet Jeremiah. Other survivors were an Ethiopian named Ebed-melech and descendants of Jehonadab. (Jeremiah 35:18, 19; 39:11, 12, 16-18) Similarly today, “a great crowd” of Jesus’ “other sheep” gathered out of all nations will survive Armageddon into God’s new world. (Revelation 7:9; John 10:14-16) Only those who learn and speak the pure language will be joyful survivors.

16. What must one do to be concealed “in the day of Jehovah’s anger”?

¹⁶ Just as it was Jehovah’s statute that Judah and Jerusalem should be wiped out, so Christendom must perish. Indeed, the destruction of all false religion is near, and those wishing to survive must act immediately. They must do so “before the day has passed by just like chaff,” quickly blown away by the wind, as when grain is thrown into the air at a threshing floor. To be delivered from God’s wrath, we must speak the pure language and respond to God’s warning before the day of Jehovah’s burning anger comes upon us. In Zephaniah’s day and today, meek ones seek Jehovah God, along with righteousness and meekness. Our seeking Jehovah means loving him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:29, 30) “Probably [those doing so] may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.” But why does the prophecy say “probably”? Because salvation depends on faithfulness and endurance. (Matthew 24:13) Those who conform to God’s righteous standards and keep speaking the pure language will be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.

17. What questions remain for our consideration?

¹⁷ Since the day of Jehovah’s anger is near and salvation depends on learning and using the pure language, now is the time to be deeply involved in studying and speaking it. But how can a person learn the pure language? And how can you benefit from speaking it?

How Would You Answer?

◻ How did human speech originate?

◻ What is the pure language?

◻ Why are the words at Zephaniah 3:8, 9 so significant today?

◻ What must we do to be concealed “in the day of Jehovah’s anger”?

[Picture on page 10]

At Babel, God scattered mankind by confusing their language

Speak the Pure Language and Live Forever!

“Seek Jehovah . . . Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”​—ZEPHANIAH 2:3.

1. (a) What methods do students use to learn a foreign language? (b) Why speak the pure language?

STUDENTS may learn a new tongue by using the grammar method or the spoken-language method. Under the grammar method, they generally use textbooks and learn grammatical rules. Under the spoken-language method, they imitate the sounds and word patterns spoken by their teacher. Both methods are used in learning the “pure language.” And it is vital that we speak this language if we hope to be “concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”​—Zephaniah 2:1-3; 3:8, 9.

2. How can we learn what might be called the rules of grammar for the pure language?

² The principal textbook used to learn the pure language is the Bible. Diligent study of it and of Bible-based publications teach you what might be called the rules of grammar for the pure language. A home Bible study conducted by one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a good start. For those already dedicated to God, regular and diligent study of the Scriptures is essential. But are there especially effective ways to learn the pure language? And what benefits result from speaking it?

How to Learn the Pure Language

3. What is one way to learn the pure language?

³ One way to learn the pure language is to associate truths you are learning with points you already know, as a language student might progressively relate various grammatical rules. For example, at one time you may have known that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, but you knew little about his duties. Since then, study of the Bible may have taught you that Christ now rules as a heavenly King and that during his Thousand Year Reign, obedient mankind will be uplifted to perfection. (Revelation 20:5, 6) Yes, associating new thoughts with those already known improves your grasp of the pure language.

4. (a) What is another way to learn the ‘grammatical rules’ of the pure language, and what Bible account is used to illustrate this? (b) What happened as Gideon and his three hundred men took action? (c) The account about Gideon teaches what lesson?

⁴ Another way to learn the ‘grammatical rules’ of the pure language is to visualize Biblical events. To illustrate: Try to ‘see and hear’ the account recorded at Judges 7:15-23. Look! Israelite judge Gideon has divided his forces into three companies of a hundred men each. In the darkness, they quietly descend from Mount Gilboa and surround the camp of sleeping Midianites. Are they well armed, these three hundred? Not militarily. Why, they would draw scornful laughter from haughty militarists! Each man has only a horn, a large water jar, and a torch within the jar. But listen! At a given signal, the hundred men with Gideon blow their horns and smash their water jars. So do the two hundred others. As all raise flaming torches aloft, you hear them shout: “Jehovah’s sword and Gideon’s!” How this terrorizes the Midianites! They stumble out of their tents, their sleep-filled eyes widen in fright at the leaping flames that highlight shadowy shapes and ignite superstitious fear. As the Midianites begin to flee, Gideon’s men continue to blow their horns, and God sets their foes against one another. What a powerful lesson in the pure language! God can deliver his servants without a human military force. Moreover, “Jehovah will not desert his people for the sake of his great name.”​—1 Samuel 12:22.

5. How can Christian meetings help to refine our speech?

⁵ When students are taught a foreign tongue through the spoken-language method, they try to repeat the teacher’s sounds and word patterns correctly. What fine opportunities there are to speak the pure language at Christian meetings! There we hear others express themselves in that language of Scriptural truth, and we may be privileged to comment ourselves. Are we afraid that we may say something wrong? Let that not be our prime concern, for an error kindly corrected by the elder presiding at such a meeting as the weekly Watchtower Study can refine our speech. Therefore, attend and participate in Christian meetings regularly.​—Hebrews 10:24, 25.

Infiltration of Impurities

6. Why is there such a contrast between Jehovah’s Witnesses and the religious organizations of Christendom?

⁶ Those who declare Jehovah’s purpose and announce his heavenly Kingdom speak the pure language as his Witnesses. They make known his name and serve him “shoulder to shoulder,” or with one consent. (Zephaniah 3:9) Though Christendom’s religions have the Bible, they do not speak the pure language or call upon God’s name in faith. (Joel 2:32) They have no harmonious message based on the Scriptures. Why? Because they place religious traditions, worldly philosophies, and political loyalties above God’s Word. Their purposes, hopes, and methods are of this wicked world.

7. What differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and false religions are indicated at 1 John 4:4-6?

⁷ Christendom​—in fact, the entire world empire of false religion—​does not speak the same language as Jehovah’s Witnesses do. Interestingly, to those speaking the pure language, the apostle John wrote: “You originate with God, . . . and you have conquered those persons, because he that is in union with you is greater than he that is in union with the world. They originate with the world; that is why they speak what proceeds from the world and the world listens to them. We originate with God. He that gains the knowledge of God listens to us; he that does not originate with God does not listen to us.” (1 John 4:4-6) Jehovah’s servants have conquered false teachers because God, who is in union with his people, “is greater than [the Devil, who] is in union with the world,” unrighteous human society. Since apostates “originate with the world” and have its wicked spirit, “they speak what proceeds from the world and the world listens to them.” But sheeplike individuals listen to those originating with God, realizing that Jehovah’s people speak the pure language of Bible truth provided through his organization.

8. What is the identity of the man of lawlessness?

⁸ A great apostasy was foretold, and a ‘mystery of lawlessness’ was already at work in the first century C.E. In time, men who accepted​—or seized—​teaching positions in the congregation taught many false doctrines. Their language was far from pure. So there arose a composite “man of lawlessness,” the clergy of Christendom, bound to false religious traditions, worldly philosophy, and unscriptural teachings.​—2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7.

Pure Language Heard Worldwide

9. What religious developments were there during the 19th century?

⁹ Only a small minority of God-fearing people ‘put up a hard fight for the faith delivered to the holy ones.’ (Jude 3) Where could such believers be found? For centuries, false religion kept the multitudes in spiritual darkness, but God knew those few who had his approval. (2 Timothy 2:19) And then, amid the commercial, industrial, and social changes of the 19th century, there arose voices that stood out from the general babel of false religious confusion. Small groups tried to read the signs of the times and predict Jesus’ second coming, but not all spoke the pure language.

10. Which “second coming” group did God choose to speak the pure language, and why is it evident that the hand of Jehovah has been with them?

¹⁰ In 1879, however, it became clear which “second coming” voice was being chosen by Jehovah to speak the pure language as his Witnesses. By then a small Bible-study group led by Charles Taze Russell was meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. They had become certain that Jesus’ second coming would begin his invisible presence, that a time of world distress was ahead, and that this would be followed by the Thousand Year Reign of Christ that would restore Paradise on earth, with eternal life for obedient humans. In July 1879 these Bible Students began to publish the magazine now known as The Watchtower. Only 6,000 copies were distributed of the first issue. But “the hand of Jehovah” was with those Witnesses, for this journal is now published in 111 languages, with an average printing of over 15,000,000 for each issue.​—Compare Acts 11:19-21.

11, 12. What are some Scriptural truths understood by those speaking the pure language?

¹¹ Through the Bible and the publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and especially by these zealous Christians’ proclaiming the good news, the pure language has become known earth wide. And what grand benefits are enjoyed by those speaking it! Instead of saying that ‘God is God, Christ is God, and the Holy Ghost is God’ in the mysterious lingo of Trinitarianism, they agree with the Bible’s position that Jehovah is the Most High, Jesus Christ as a lesser one is His Son, and the holy spirit is God’s amazing active force. (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 83:18; Matthew 3:16, 17) Speakers of the pure language know that man did not evolve from a lower form of life but was created by a loving God. (Genesis 1:27; 2:7) They realize that the soul ceases to exist at death​—a fact that eliminates fear of the dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Ezekiel 18:4) Hell is understood to be mankind’s common grave, not a place of fiery torment devised by a fiendish deity. (Job 14:13) They also know that the resurrection is the God-given hope of the dead.​—John 5:28, 29; 11:25; Acts 24:15.

¹² Those speaking the pure language show respect for blood and life. (Genesis 9:3, 4; Acts 15:28, 29) They realize that Christ’s earthly life is the ransom price paid for obedient humans. (Matthew 20:28; 1 John 2:1, 2) Never do they pray to “saints,” knowing that their prayers must be directed to Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6, 13, 14) Since God’s Word condemns idolatry, images are not used in their worship. (Exodus 20:4-6; 1 Corinthians 10:14) And they avoid the perils of demonism because they reject spiritism, also condemned in the Bible.​—Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Galatians 5:19-21.

13. Why are those who speak the pure language not bewildered?

¹³ Jehovah’s servants, who speak the pure language, are not bewildered about where they are in the stream of time. Jehovah has taught them that they are in “the time of the end,” with Jesus present as a glorious invisible spirit. (Daniel 12:4; Matthew 24:3-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 Peter 3:18) With mighty heavenly forces behind him, Christ is about to ride into battle to execute God’s judgment against this system of things. (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14, 16; 18:1-8; 19:11-21) Yes, and those speaking the pure language are busy declaring the good news that God’s Kingdom under Christ will soon bring grand blessings to all obedient mankind on a paradise earth. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 6:9, 10; 24:14; Luke 23:43) All of that, and we have only skimmed the surface! Surely, the pure language is the richest, most precious tongue on earth!

14. What other benefits are enjoyed by those speaking the pure language?

¹⁴ Benefits enjoyed by those speaking the pure language include “the peace of God” that guards hearts and mental powers. (Philippians 4:6, 7) They obey Bible laws, which promote health, happiness, and the satisfaction that comes from pleasing Jehovah. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) Yes, and speakers of the pure language have the hope of life eternal in God’s promised new world.​—2 Peter 3:13.

Use It or Lose It

15. How will you benefit from a fine grasp of the pure language?

¹⁵ If you are to speak the pure language in the new world, you must know it so well that it becomes the language in which you think. When a person is learning a language, he at first thinks in his native tongue and translates his thoughts into the new one. But as he becomes more proficient in the new language, he begins to think in it without needing the translation process. Similarly, through diligent study, you can get such a fine grasp of the pure language that you will know how to apply Bible laws and principles to solve problems and remain on “the path of life.”​—Psalm 16:11.

16. What can happen if you do not use the pure language regularly?

¹⁶ You must use the pure language regularly, or you will lose the ability to speak it well. To illustrate: Years ago, some of us learned a foreign language. We may recall some words in that tongue but have likely lost our command of it because we have not put it to constant use. The same thing can happen with the pure language. If we do not use it regularly, we can lose our command of it, and that would have tragic consequences spiritually. Let us therefore speak it regularly at meetings and in the Christian ministry. These activities, coupled with personal study, will enable us to say things correctly in the pure language. And how important that is!

17. What illustrates that speech can be lifesaving or death dealing?

¹⁷ Speech can be lifesaving or death dealing. This was shown during a conflict between the Israelite tribe of Ephraim and Judge Jephthah of Gilead. To identify Ephraimites trying to flee across the Jordan River, the Gileadites used the password “Shibboleth,” which had an initial “sh” sound. The men of Ephraim betrayed themselves to the Gileadite sentries at the fords of the Jordan by saying “Sibboleth” instead of “Shibboleth,” mispronouncing the opening sound of the word. As a result, 42,000 Ephraimites were slain! (Judges 12:5, 6) Similarly, what Christendom’s clergy teach may sound close to the pure language to those not well acquainted with Bible truth. But speaking in a false religious way will prove fatal in the day of Jehovah’s anger.

Unified We Remain

18, 19. What is the significance of Zephaniah 3:1-5?

¹⁸ Referring to unfaithful Jerusalem of old and her modern counterpart, Christendom, it is said at Zephaniah 3:1-5: “Woe to her that is rebelling and polluting herself, the oppressive city! She did not listen to a voice; she did not accept discipline. In Jehovah she did not trust. To her God she did not draw near. Her princes in the midst of her were roaring lions. Her judges were evening wolves that did not gnaw bones till the morning. Her prophets were insolent, were men of treachery. Her priests themselves profaned what was holy; they did violence to the law. Jehovah was righteous in the midst of her; he would do no unrighteousness. Morning by morning he kept giving his own judicial decision. At daylight it did not prove lacking. But the unrighteous one was knowing no shame.” What is the significance of those words?

¹⁹ Both ancient Jerusalem and modern-day Christendom rebelled against Jehovah and polluted themselves with false worship. The wrongdoing of their leaders resulted in oppression. Despite God’s repeated warnings, they did not listen and draw near to him. Their princes have been like rapacious lions, arrogantly disregarding righteousness. Like ravenous wolves, their judges have ripped justice to shreds. Their priests have ‘profaned what is holy and done violence to the law’ of God. So Jehovah is about ‘to gather nations and collect together kingdoms, in order to pour out upon them his denunciation, all his burning anger.’​—Zephaniah 3:8.

20. (a) What must be done to survive the day of Jehovah’s anger? (b) How can you hope to enjoy eternal blessings from God?

²⁰ The day of Jehovah’s anger is approaching rapidly. To survive into God’s new world, therefore, learn and speak the pure language without delay. Only by doing so can you find protection from spiritual disaster now and from the fast-approaching global calamity. Jehovah’s Witnesses are declaring the day of God’s anger and the heartening message of his Kingdom. How they delight to talk about the glory of his kingship! (Psalm 145:10-13) Become united with them, and you can hope to enjoy eternal life and other blessings from the Originator of the pure language, the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.

How Would You Answer?

◻ What are some ways to learn the pure language?

◻ Why is it beneficial to speak the pure language?

◻ What can happen if you do not use the pure language regularly?

◻ How can a person survive the day of Jehovah’s anger and enjoy eternal blessings?

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Gideon and his men blow their horns and raise their torches

[Picture on page 18]

From 1879 onward it was made clear that Charles Taze Russell and his associates were being used by God to promote the pure language

[Pictures on page 20]

Are you united with Jehovah’s Witnesses in speaking the pure language?

Thrilling Visions That Strengthen Faith

Highlights From Revelation

JEHOVAH’S servant John is on the small island of Patmos, off the west coast of Asia Minor. There this aged apostle beholds wonderful things​—symbolic, often startling, and significant indeed! He comes to be in the Lord’s day, running from Jesus’ enthronement in 1914 till the end of His Millennial Rule. Though John sees events that will take place during mankind’s darkest hour, how splendid is his foreview of Christ’s Thousand Year Reign! What blessings obedient mankind will then enjoy!

John recorded these visions in the Bible book of Revelation. Penned in about 96 C.E., it can strengthen our faith in the God of prophecy, Jehovah, and in his Son, Jesus Christ.​—For details, see the book Revelation—​Its Grand Climax At Hand!, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Christ Gives Loving Counsel

Early in the revelation from God through Christ appear letters to seven congregations of Jesus’ fellow Kingdom heirs. (1:1–3:22) Overall, the letters offer commendation, identify problems, provide correction and/​or encouragement, and cite blessings resulting from faithful obedience. Though the Ephesians had endured, they had left the love they had at first. The spiritually rich Smyrna congregation is encouraged to remain faithful amid tribulation. Persecution has not overcome the Pergamum congregation, but it has tolerated sectarianism. Despite increased activity by Christians in Thyatira, a Jezebel influence exists there. The Sardis congregation needs to wake up spiritually, the one in Philadelphia is urged to hold on to what it has, and the lukewarm Laodiceans require spiritual healing.

What fine words for training future heavenly kings​—in fact, all Christians! For instance, have any of us become lukewarm? Then take action! Become as refreshing as a cup of cold water on a hot day but also begin to display hot zeal for Jehovah and his service. ​—Compare Matthew 11:28, 29; John 2:17.

The Lamb Opens a Scroll

Jehovah is next beheld on his throne in splendor. (4:1–5:14) He is surrounded by 24 elders and four living creatures. A scroll sealed with seven seals is in his hand. Who can open the scroll? Why, the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is worthy to do so!

Dramatic events unfold as the Lamb opens six of the seals. (6:1–7:17) As the first seal is opened, Christ appears on a white horse, receives a crown (in 1914), and goes forth conquering. As three more seals are opened, other horsemen bring war, famine, and death to mankind. With the opening of the fifth seal, those martyred for Christ cry out for the avenging of their blood, and each one is given “a white robe,” signifying a righteous standing related to their resurrection to be immortal spirit creatures with royal privileges. (Compare Revelation 3:5; 4:4.) When the sixth seal is opened, the day of wrath of God and of the Lamb is heralded by an earthquake. But “the four winds of the earth,” symbolizing destructive judgment, are held back until the 144,000 slaves of God are sealed. When they are anointed with God’s spirit and adopted as his spiritual sons, they receive an advance token​—a seal, or pledge—​of their heavenly inheritance. Only after testing will the sealing become permanent. (Romans 8:15-17; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) And how amazed John must be to see “a great crowd” out of all nations​—a multitude with the hope of eternal life in an earthly paradise! They come out of “the great tribulation,” a time of unparalleled distress for mankind.

What startling events occur as the seventh seal is opened! (8:1–11:14) A half-hour silence, allowing the prayers of the holy ones to be heard, is followed by the hurling to the earth of fire from the altar. Then seven angels prepare to blow trumpets announcing God’s plagues on Christendom. The trumpets are sounded throughout the time of the end until the great tribulation. Four trumpets herald plagues on the earth, the sea, freshwater sources, and the sun, moon, and stars. Blowing the fifth calls forth locusts that picture anointed Christians swarming forth to do battle from 1919 onward. With the sixth trumpet blast, a cavalry attack takes place. In fulfillment, anointed ones, reinforced since 1935 by the “great crowd,” proclaim tormenting judgment messages against Christendom’s religious leaders.

John next eats a little scroll, denoting that the anointed accept their assignment and draw nourishment from the portion of God’s Word containing expressions of divine judgments they declare against Christendom. The apostle is commanded to measure the temple sanctuary, signifying the certain fulfillment of Jehovah’s purposes regarding the temple arrangement and that divine standards be met by those associated with it. Then God’s anointed “two witnesses” prophesy in sackcloth, are killed, but are raised. This points to 1918-19, when their preaching work was rendered almost dead by foes, but Jehovah’s servants were miraculously revived for their ministry.

The Kingdom Is Born!

The sounding of the seventh trumpet announces the birth of the Kingdom. (11:15–12:17) In heaven a symbolic woman (Jehovah God’s heavenly organization) gives birth to a male child (God’s Kingdom with Christ as King), but the dragon (Satan) tries in vain to devour it. Climaxing the war in heaven following the Kingdom’s birth in 1914, victorious Michael (Jesus Christ) casts the dragon and its angels down to the earth. There the dragon continues to wage war against the anointed remnant of the heavenly woman’s seed.

John next beholds a wild beast to which a disgusting image is made. (13:1-18) This seven-headed, ten-horned political wild beast arises from “the sea,” the turbulent masses of mankind from which human government springs. (Compare Daniel 7:2-8; 8:3-8, 20-25.) What is this symbolic creature’s source of authority? Why, none other than Satan, the dragon! And just imagine! To this political monstrosity a two-horned beast (the Anglo-American World Power) is seen to make an “image,” now known as the United Nations. Many are coerced to worship the wild beast and accept its “mark” by doing things its way and letting it rule their lives. But Jehovah’s Witnesses staunchly reject the demonic mark of the wild beast!

Jehovah’s Servants Take Action

Various servants of God are seen in action as seven bowls of his wrath are poured out. (14:1–16:21) Listen! On heavenly Mount Zion, John can hear the 144,000 singing as if a new song. An angel flying in midheaven has everlasting good news to declare to earth’s inhabitants. What does this show? That Jehovah’s Witnesses have angelic help in proclaiming the Kingdom message.

John must be astounded to see the vine of the earth reaped and entire nations crushed as the winepress of God’s anger is trodden. (Compare Isaiah 63:3-6; Joel 3:12-14.) At Jehovah’s command, seven angels next pour out seven bowls of divine wrath. The earth, the sea, and freshwater sources, as well as the sun, the throne of the wild beast, and the Euphrates River, are affected at the pouring out of the first six bowls. Imagine John’s excitement as he notes that demonic propaganda is gathering human kings to God’s war of Har–Magedon. And the results are devastating as the seventh bowl is poured out upon the air.

Two Symbolic Women

Surely, John is thrilled to witness the end of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, and to observe the joyous events that follow her destruction. (17:1–19:10) Drunk with the blood of holy ones, she is seen astride a scarlet-colored wild beast with seven heads and ten horns (the League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations). Ah, but what devastation she suffers as the horns turn against her!

Heavenly voices are heard praising Jah for the destruction of Babylon the Great. And what thunderous praise heralds the marriage of the Lamb and his bride, the resurrected anointed ones!

Christ Triumphs and Rules

John next beholds the King of kings as he leads heavenly armies in destroying Satan’s system of things. (19:11-21) Yes, Jesus, “The Word of God,” wages war against the nations. The apostle sees the wild beast (Satan’s political organization) and the false prophet (the Anglo-American World Power) being hurled into “the fiery lake,” symbolic of complete, eternal destruction.

What next? Why, John observes the abyssing of Satan. There follows a foreview of Christ’s Thousand Year Reign, during which Jesus and his resurrected corulers judge mankind, lifting obedient ones to human perfection! (20:1-10) It is now time for a final test. Released from the abyss, Satan will set out to mislead perfected mankind, but destruction will end the careers of all demon and human rebels against God.

Backtracking in time, how enthralled John must be to see all of those in death, Hades (mankind’s common grave), and the sea resurrected and judged before God, who is seated upon a great white throne! (20:11-15) And what relief the upright will enjoy when death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire, never again to claim victims!

As John’s visions come to an end, he beholds New Jerusalem. (21:1–22:21) That governmental city is coming down from heaven and bringing illumination to the nations. Flowing through New Jerusalem is “a river of water of life,” picturing Scriptural truth and every other God-given provision based on Jesus’ sacrifice for recovering obedient humans from sin and death and granting them everlasting life. (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 John 2:1, 2) On each bank of this river, John sees trees with healing leaves, picturing part of Jehovah’s provision for giving eternal life to obedient mankind. Concluding messages from God and Christ are followed by an invitation. How wonderful it is to hear the spirit and the bride invite everyone thirsting to ‘come, take life’s water free’! And as we read Revelation’s closing words, doubtless we share the fervor of John’s exclamation: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”

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Stay Awake: Amid prophetic words about God’s war of Har–Magedon (Armageddon), it is said: “Look! I [Jesus Christ] am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness.” (Revelation 16:15) This may be an allusion to the duties of the overseer, or officer, of the temple mount in Jerusalem. During the watches, he went through the temple to see whether its Levite guards were awake or asleep at their posts. Any guard found sleeping was struck with a stick, and his outer garments might be burned as shameful punishment. With Armageddon now so near, the anointed remnant of the “royal priesthood,” or “spiritual house,” are determined to stay spiritually awake. So must their associates, the “great crowd,” with earthly hopes, for they are also rendering sacred service to God at the temple. (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 7:9-17) Especially should Christian overseers remain on the watch against the development of bad conditions in the congregation. Because they stay awake, all loyal worshipers at God’s spiritual temple keep on their “outer garments,” denoting their honored service as Witnesses of Jehovah.

Kingdom Proclaimers Report

Jehovah Provides Relief

RECENTLY, Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Africa received word of the desperate plight of their spiritual brothers in a nearby country where their preaching work is banned. It was reported to them that because of a severe drought, their brothers were surviving by eating certain roots. They also lacked proper clothing, which made some Witnesses reluctant to share in the field ministry.

Immediately the brothers in South Africa responded. A call was put out to local congregations in the Johannesburg area about the need for clothing. Within days, three tons of clothing had been donated. The items were then sorted out by volunteer workers. Arrangements were made to send 3 tons of beans, 1 ton of oil, 1 ton of soap, and 17 tons of maize meal. When the company that supplied the maize meal heard of the plight of the Witnesses in the drought-stricken land, they donated more than a ton of this much-needed food.

On Monday, April 16, 1990, a truck with a 25-ton load of relief provisions left South Africa on its 3,400-mile [5,500 km] trek. But now permission had to be obtained from the authorities in order to take the supplies through to their war-torn country.

The authorities at the consulate said that although Jehovah’s Witnesses were not recognized in their country, they were well aware of their presence. There would be no objection to sending relief supplies to our brothers. Permission was granted. The necessary documents were issued, and on Friday, April 20, the Witnesses crossed the border with no problem. Nevertheless, they encountered more than 30 roadblocks, where they often were required to show their documentation. Only then did they realize how necessary those documents were.

After they had traveled some 90 miles [140 km] into the country, their progress was blocked by a large river in flood. The original bridge had been destroyed, and the temporary structure in its place was unsuitable for a large truck to use. However, they found that the smaller vehicle accompanying the convoy could cross the flooded bridge safely. It was decided to split into two parties. A camp was set up at the flooded river for one party, while the other party continued on their way to meet the brothers some 160 miles [260 km] farther north. How happy they were finally to make contact with the brothers! They could not stop smiling, hugging, and shaking hands. Soon two local trucks were on their way to meet the other group of brothers waiting by the river. There, the relief supplies were transferred from the large truck to the two smaller ones.

Reports received indicate deep gratitude for Jehovah’s provision of material relief. Yet, despite their physical plight, the brothers’ cry for spiritual food was even more desperate. One congregation had access to only one Watchtower, which had to be copied for each family. Thanks to Jehovah, arrangements are now in progress to provide a steady flow of spiritual food to the brothers in that country.

Keep Sowing Seed​—Jehovah Will Make It Grow

AS TOLD BY FRED METCALFE

EARLY in 1948, in the course of my house-to-house ministry,I visited a small farm on the outskirts of Cork in the south of Ireland. When I explained to the farmer who I was, his face reddened. He flew into a rage, screamed that I was a Communist, and ran to get his pitchfork. Without a second thought, I dashed out of the farmyard and made a flying leap onto the bicycle I had left at the roadside. The hill there was very steep, but I pedaled down it as fast as I could, not looking back, as I imagined the farmer hurling his pitchfork after me like a javelin.

I had grown used to such reactions in the two years since I came to the Republic of Ireland from England as a special pioneer in 1946. The small band of Kingdom preachers that I joined, only about 24 in number, had already experienced a barrage of hostility and vilification. But I was confident that Jehovah’s spirit eventually would produce results.​—Galatians 6:8, 9.

Before I relate how things developed, however, let me tell you a little about my early life and the training that stood me in good stead under such trying circumstances.

Good Parental Example and Training

My father contacted the truth early in 1914. While traveling home from a soccer match in Sheffield, England, he read a Bible tract that explained the condition of the dead. He had already visited a number of churches in search of answers to his questions but with little success. What he now read in that tract excited him. He sent for the six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures that the tract advertised, and he read them avidly, often into the early hours of the morning. Dad quickly recognized the truth.

Soon he began associating with the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, an association that lasted over 40 years, for most of which he served as presiding overseer. To my father’s delight, two of his brothers and all three of his sisters accepted the truth. One of his brothers witnessed to a young shop assistant, and she and her sister both became dedicated, anointed Christians. My father and his brother married these two young women.

In my family I was one of four boys brought up in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4, King James Version) I am glad that my parents spared no effort in implanting the truth in us. At the time there were no publications specially designed to help parents teach children Bible truths; but we had a regular family Bible study twice a week using the book The Harp of God, as well as a regular discussion of the text for the day.​—Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.

My mother and father were also a wonderful example in their appreciation for meetings and in their zeal for the ministry. In addition to his fine spiritual qualities, my father also had a good sense of humor, which he passed on to his children. My parents’ hard work led to good results. All four of their sons, now in their 60’s, are still happily serving Jehovah.

Into the Pioneer Service

In April 1939, at 16 years of age, I finished school and became a regular pioneer. My father joined me in the pioneer service and gave me first-class training. Traveling by bicycle, we thoroughly covered all the territory within a seven-mile [11 km] radius of our home. Each day both of us took 50 booklets, and we did not come home until we had placed them.

Two years later I was privileged to be among the first special pioneers appointed in Britain. It was a joy to receive this blessing, but it was traumatic to leave the happy security of a theocratic home. In time and with Jehovah’s help, I adjusted.

My pioneer service was interrupted during World War II when, with other young Witnesses, I was imprisoned over the issue of neutrality. In Durham Prison, I was classed as a YP (Young Prisoner). This meant I had to wear short trousers​—a distinct disadvantage in cold weather. Just imagine Wilf Gooch (now Branch Committee coordinator in Britain), Peter Ellis (a member of Britain’s Branch Committee), Fred Adams, and me​—all about six feet [1.8 m] tall—​standing together and wearing short trousers like schoolboys!

Assignment​—Ireland

Following my release from prison, I pioneered in different parts of England for three years. Then I received an assignment that was to prove both testing and immensely satisfying​—the Republic of Ireland. All I knew about southern Ireland was that nearly everyone there was Roman Catholic. But I ignored the negative comments made by some and did not hesitate to accept the assignment. This was a time for the expansion of true worship, and I was sure that Jehovah, through his holy spirit, would help me.

Most of the Witnesses in the Republic of Ireland were in the capital, Dublin, with just one or two scattered elsewhere. Hence, most people had never even seen one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Along with three other special pioneers, I started work in Cork city. It was not easy to find a listening ear. At their Mass, the priests constantly warned against us, calling us “Communist devils.” Newspapers too warned against our activities.

One day a barber was trimming my hair using a straight (cutthroat) razor. In the course of conversation, he asked what I was doing in Cork. When I told him, he flew into a rage and swore at me. His hand was shaking with anger, and I had visions of walking out of the shop with my head tucked under my arm! What a relief to get out of his shop in one piece!

Mob Violence

Sometimes we had to face mob violence. For example, one day in March 1948, we were busy in the house-to-house ministry when a mob attacked my partner, Fred Chaffin. Pursued by the crowd, Fred ran to a bus terminus and appealed to a bus driver and a conductor for help. Instead, they joined in the attack. Fred ran farther up the road and managed to hide behind a high wall that bounded the priest’s house.

Meanwhile, I had gone for my bicycle. To get back to the city center, I took a side road, but when I emerged onto the main road, the mob was waiting. Two men grabbed my briefcase and threw its contents into the air. Then they began punching and kicking me. Suddenly a man appeared. He was a plainclothes policeman, and he stopped the attack, taking me and the attackers to the police station.

This attack provided a basis for ‘defending and legally establishing the good news.’ (Philippians 1:7) When the case came to court, the policeman who had rescued me, himself a Roman Catholic, gave evidence, and six individuals were convicted of assault. The case showed that we had a right to go from door to door and served as a deterrent to others who might think of resorting to violence.

At first it was considered too dangerous to send sisters as pioneers into places like Cork. However, it often seemed it would be better for sisters to call on interested women. So, just prior to this attack, the Society had assigned two fine pioneer sisters to Cork. One, Evelyn MacFarlane, later became a missionary and did excellent work in Chile. The other, Caroline Francis, who had sold her home in London in order to pioneer in Ireland, became my wife.

Seeds of Truth Germinate

It would have been easy to think we were wasting our time sowing seeds of Kingdom truth under such conditions. Seeing the truth germinate here and there, though, sustained our confidence in Jehovah’s power to make things grow. For example, the Society once sent the name and address of a man who had written requesting a copy of the book Let God Be True. The address was in Fermoy, a small town some 22 miles [35 km] from Cork city. So off I went on my bicycle one Sunday morning to locate this person.

When I reached Fermoy, I asked a man for directions. “Oh,” he said, “that is another nine miles [14 km] along the road.” Off I went again and eventually reached a farm down a little country road. The young man who had sent for the book was standing at the farm gate. When I introduced myself, he said: “That book is worth its weight in gold!” We had a fine discussion, and I hardly noticed the 30-mile [50 km] bicycle ride home. Even now, over 40 years later, I get much pleasure when I meet that “young” man, Charles Rinn, each year at conventions. Today, there are ten congregations in the Cork area.

During the 1950’s, Caroline and I scattered seeds of truth in the midlands of Ireland. Encouragement to persevere came in 1951 when meek people like “Granny” Hamilton and her daughter-in-law responded quickly. “Granny” Hamilton became the first baptized publisher in County Longford.​—1 Thessalonians 2:13.

Accommodations were a problem. As soon as pressure was exerted on landlords, they asked us to leave. So, having lost three different lodging places in quick succession, we bought a tent, groundsheet, and sleeping bags and carried them around in a Y-model Ford. We set up the tent wherever we could at the end of each day’s witnessing. Later, we obtained a 13-foot-long [4 m] trailer. It was tiny, with few modern conveniences​—we had to walk a quarter of a mile [half a kilometer] for drinking water—​and no insulation, but to us it was luxury. My sense of humor was tested one day when I slipped on a wet tree root and fell backward into a long, narrow, but not very deep, well. Still, we accommodated the circuit overseer and his wife in that trailer when they visited us.

At times goodhearted people showed unexpected kindness. For example, we went to Sligo in the west of Ireland in 1958, eight years after another pioneer couple had been thrown out of town. We prayed for Jehovah’s help to find a site for the trailer, and after many hours of searching, we came across a large, unused stone quarry. A man herding cattle down the lane told us his family owned the quarry. “Could we use it?” we asked, telling him we were agents of a Bible society. He said that would be fine.

Soon after he inquired: “What Bible Society do you belong to?” It was an anxious moment. We told him we were Jehovah’s Witnesses. To our immense relief, he remained friendly. A few weeks later, he handed us a receipt for a year’s rent for the site. “We do not want any money,” he said. “But we know the opposition you people face, so if anyone questions your right to be on this site, there is your evidence.”

While in Sligo, we heard of a man, a well-known shopkeeper and soccer player, who had shown some interest while the previous pioneers were still in town. He had had little contact for eight years, however, so we wondered how he was now. The beaming smile on Mattie Burn’s face when I introduced myself gave the answer. The seeds of truth planted years before had not died. He is still a member of the active little congregation in Sligo.

Changing Attitudes

One place that epitomized the antagonistic attitude of many toward us was the town of Athlone. When concentrated witnessing began there in the 1950’s, priests arranged for all who lived in one part of the town to sign a petition saying that they did not want Jehovah’s Witnesses to call at their doors. They sent this to the government, making the work in Athlone very difficult for some years. Once a group of youths recognized me as a Witness and began to throw stones. When I positioned myself in front of a shop window, the proprietor invited me into his shop​—more to protect his window than to protect me—​and let me leave through a rear exit.

Recently, however, in August 1989, when I conducted a funeral service in Athlone for a faithful brother, I could not help but marvel at how Jehovah made things grow there. Besides members of the congregation, some 50 local people listened respectfully to the funeral service in the fine Kingdom Hall the brothers had built.

Special Training at Gilead School

In 1961, I was invited to a ten-month course at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. This special course was for brothers only, so Caroline and I had to give the invitation prayerful consideration. We had not been separated for 12 years. Moreover, since my wife also had a keen desire to attend Gilead School and be a missionary, she was especially disappointed not to be invited. But, being noble-minded, she put Kingdom interests first and agreed that I should go. The course was a marvelous privilege. But it was a joy to return home and to get involved in work in the Society’s branch office, giving encouragement to the 200 or more Witnesses who were planting and watering in Ireland in the early 1960’s.

Some years later, in 1979, Caroline got to go to the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York when I was invited to a special Gilead course for Branch Committee members. It was the highlight of what turned out to be the final part of her life. Two years later she died. In all the 32 years we served together in full-time service, Caroline never lost her zeal for Jehovah’s service nor her confidence that he would make things grow.

I missed her greatly. One thing that helped me to cope was an article in an Awake! magazine of the time, entitled “Learning to Live Without One You Love.” (February 8, 1981) Tears came to my eyes whenever I thought of my lost companion, but I did what that article suggested and kept busy in Jehovah’s service.

Jehovah’s Blessing Continues

A year before this, in April 1980, I was present when Brother Lyman Swingle of the Governing Body dedicated a new branch building in Dublin. What excitement to see 1,854 publishers in the field, which by then also included Northern Ireland! And now, ten years later, the Yearbook reports a peak of 3,451 for 1990!

In the meantime I have had an added blessing. While serving as a Kingdom Ministry School instructor, I met Evelyn Halford, an attractive and zealous sister who had moved to Ireland to serve where the need was greater. We were married in May 1986, and she has proved to be a real support to me in all my theocratic activity.

Of my 51 years of full-time service since leaving school, 44 have been spent in Ireland. It is heartwarming to see many I helped who are still serving Jehovah, some as elders and ministerial servants. I can say without hesitation that one of the greatest joys anyone can have is to help someone else on the way to life.

It has been faith strengthening to see true worship blossom in one place after another in Ireland, despite fierce opposition. Now, some 3,500 publishers are associated with over 90 congregations throughout the country. Truly, there is no limit to what Jehovah can do. He will make things grow if we diligently plant and water. (1 Corinthians 3:6, 7) I know this to be true. I have seen it happen in Ireland.

Welcome to the “Lovers of Freedom” District Conventions!

FREEDOM! What a pleasant sound that word has! No one enjoys being in bondage or in captivity. Recent years saw more movement toward hoped-for political freedom than any others within memory.

However, as desirable as political freedom is, there is a freedom that is far more important and desirable. It is the freedom that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, spoke about when he said to his disciples: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32) This is freedom from false religious beliefs, freedom from the fear of man, freedom from slavery to sinful addictions, and much more.

It is this freedom that is the theme of the “Lovers of Freedom” District Conventions to be held by Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout the world beginning in the summer of 1991. Since the year 1919, which was marked by the releasing of government restrictions on those taking the lead among them, God’s people have been enjoying increasing freedom as regards their pure worship.

It is most fitting that the subject of freedom has been highlighted over the years at theocratic conventions, by such themes as the “‘Free Nation’s’ Theocratic Assembly” and the “‘God’s Sons of Liberty’ District Assemblies.” Freedom is also extensively discussed in such publications as “The Truth Shall Make You Free” and Life Everlasting​—In Freedom of the Sons of God.

The God-given freedom that Jehovah’s servants have is not just for their own well-being and enjoyment. As we read at Galatians 5:13: “You were, of course, called for freedom, brothers; only do not use this freedom as an inducement for the flesh, but through love slave for one another.” The “Lovers of Freedom” District Convention will help us to appreciate the purpose of our freedom, enable us to hold on to our precious freedom, and show us how to make the best use of it.

The convention will begin on Friday morning at 10:20 with a musical program that will put us in the right frame of mind for the spiritual food to follow. The theme of the first day is “Knowing the Truth That Sets Us Free,” based on John 8:32. The forenoon will feature the chairman’s welcoming remarks and the keynote address, “The Purpose and Use of Our God-Given Freedom.” This talk will highlight the difference between Jehovah’s absolute freedom and the relative freedom that God grants to us. It will also encourage us to make the best possible use of the freedom we have. The afternoon’s program will deal with various aspects of our freedom and our ministry and will conclude with a drama, Set Free to Promote True Worship.

The theme of the second day is “Standing Fast in Our God-Given Freedom,” based on Galatians 5:1. The morning’s program will feature a symposium showing how the individual members of a family can enjoy God-given freedom within the family circle. Those ready to be baptized will especially appreciate the remarks regarding how freedom is achieved by dedication and baptism. Included in the afternoon’s program will be an intriguing discussion of whether marriage is the key to happiness or not. There will also be a symposium on the different aspects of freedom and then a concluding talk that focuses on God’s Chief Agent for providing freedom and everlasting life.

Sunday has the theme “Using Our Freedom in Harmony With God’s Spirit,” based on 2 Corinthians 3:17. The program will feature a most interesting symposium on Jesus’ parable recorded at Matthew 13:47-50, revealing how Jehovah’s Witnesses serve as fishers of men. The public talk in the afternoon is “Hailing God’s New World of Freedom!” It will be followed by a new feature for a district convention: a summary of the Watchtower lesson for that week. And the program will close with the Scriptural exhortation for all of us to keep advancing in making good use of our God-given freedom in our conduct and in our witnessing.

To all lovers of freedom, we say in the words of the psalmist David: “Taste and see that Jehovah is good.” (Psalm 34:8) Leave no stone unturned in your efforts to get to this convention. Make it your business to be present from the opening session on Friday morning until the closing talk on Sunday afternoon. If you come with a healthy spiritual appetite, fully conscious of your spiritual need, you will indeed be happy! (Matthew 5:3) And let us not overlook the principle, “He that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” This also applies to how earnestly we prepare in advance to attend, how diligently we listen to the program as it is presented, and how enthusiastically we undertake whatever privileges of volunteer service are open to us in connection with our “Lovers of Freedom” District Convention.​—2 Corinthians 9:6.

A Morning of Tranquillity

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