The Watchtower — February 15, 1996

Violence Is Everywhere

SITTING in his car waiting for the traffic light to change, the driver suddenly noticed a big man coming toward him, shouting obscenities, shaking his fist in the air. The driver hurried to lock his doors and close his windows, but the big man kept coming. Reaching down, the man rocked the car and pulled on the car door. Finally, out of frustration he raised his big fist and smashed it into the windshield, shattering it to bits.

Is this a scene from an action movie? No! This was a traffic dispute on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, known for its tranquil, relaxed atmosphere.

It is not surprising. Locks on doors, bars on windows, security personnel at buildings, even signs on buses that say “Driver does not carry cash”—all point to one thing: Violence is everywhere!

Violence at Home

The home has long been cherished as a person’s safe haven. This idyllic picture, however, is fast changing. Family violence, which includes child abuse, spouse beating, and homicide, is making news headlines all over the world.

For example, “at least 750,000 children in Britain may suffer long-term trauma because they are exposed to domestic violence,” says the Manchester Guardian Weekly. The report was based on a survey that also found that “three out of four women questioned said their children had seen violent incidents, and almost two thirds of the children had seen their mothers beaten.” Similarly, according to U.S.News & World Report, the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect estimates that “2,000 children, most of them under 4, die each year at the hands of parents or caretakers.” This exceeds the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents, drownings, or falls, says the report.

Domestic violence also includes spouse abuse, which ranges from being pushed or jostled to being slapped, kicked, choked, beaten, threatened with a knife or a gun, or even killed. And today this form of violence works both ways. One study finds that among reported violence between couples, about one quarter of the cases are started by the man, another one quarter by the woman, and the rest can best be described as brawls in which both parties must share the blame.

Violence at the Workplace

Away from home the workplace has traditionally been where a person finds order, respect, and civility. But that seems no longer to be the case. For instance, statistics released by the U.S. Department of Justice show that each year more than 970,000 people are victims of violent crime at the workplace. Put another way, “workers may have a one-in-four chance of being the victim of some form of violence at work,” according to a report in Professional Safety—Journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers.

What is most troubling is that workplace violence is not limited to altercations and slurs. “Violence specifically directed against employers and employees by other employees is now the fastest-growing category of homicide in the U.S.,” says the same report. In 1992, 1 in 6 work-related fatalities was a homicide; for women, the figure was nearly 1 in 2. There is no denying that a wave of violence is sweeping through the once orderly workplace.

Violence in Sports and Entertainment

Sports and entertainment have been pursued as means of diversion or relaxation to refresh a person for the more serious endeavors of life. Today entertainment is a multibillion-dollar industry. In order to carve out as large a chunk of this lucrative market as possible, purveyors are not averse to using any means at their disposal. And one of such means is violence.

For example, Forbes, a business magazine, reported that a video-game manufacturer has a popular war game in which a warrior rips off his opponent’s head and spine while spectators chant, “Finish him! Finish him!” A version of the same game made for a competing company, however, does not have that bit of gore. The result? The more violent version outsells its competitor by a ratio of 3 to 2. And this translates into big money. When the home versions of these games came on the market, the companies grossed $65 million internationally in the first two weeks! When profit is involved, violence is just another hook for consumers.

Violence in sports is quite another matter. The players often take pride in what damage they can mete out. At one hockey game in 1990, for instance, there were 86 penalties—an all-time high. The game was interrupted by three and a half hours of mayhem. One player was treated for a fractured facial bone, a scratched cornea, and a gash. Why such violence? One player explained: “When you win a real emotional game, with a lot of fights, you go home and you feel a little closer to your teammates. I thought the fights made it a real spiritual game.” In so much of today’s sports, violence, it seems, has become not just the means to an end but the end itself.

Violence in School

School has always been viewed as a citadel where young people can leave all their other concerns behind and concentrate on developing their minds and bodies. Today, however, school is no longer such a safe and secure place. A Gallup poll in 1994 found that violence and gangs constitute the number one problem in public schools in the United States, outstripping finances, which topped the list the previous year. Just how bad is the situation?

To the question, “Have you ever been the victim of a violent act that occurred in or around school?” nearly 1 in every 4 students in a survey answered yes. More than one tenth of the teachers also answered in the affirmative. The same survey found that 13 percent of the students, boys and girls, admitted to having carried a weapon to school at one time or another. Most of them claimed that they did so only to impress others or to protect themselves. But one 17-year-old student shot his teacher in the chest when the teacher tried to take his gun away.

A Violent Culture

There is no denying that violence is everywhere today. In the home, on the job, in school, and in entertainment, we face a violent culture. Being exposed to it daily, many have come to accept it as normal—until they are victimized. Then they ask, Will it ever end? Would you too like to know the answer? Then please read the following article.

The Permanent End of Violence—How?

TO STEM the tide of violence, a number of cities in the United States experimented with a novel idea—cash or goods for guns turned in, no questions asked. The result? At a cost of $341,000, the city of St. Louis, for example, collected 8,500 guns. A similar program in New York City netted more than a thousand weapons.

What effect did all of this have on crime? Regrettably, very little. Gun-related homicides reached an all-time peak in St. Louis the following year. In New York City, there are still an estimated two million guns on the streets. In the United States, there are about 200 million guns in private hands, nearly one for every man, woman, and child. In other lands, gun-related violence is increasing at an alarming rate. In Britain “between 1983 and 1993, the number of offences recorded by police in which firearms were involved nearly doubled, to 14,000,” says The Economist. Though the homicide rate is relatively low, there are about one million illegal weapons in that country.

Surely, any reduction in those fearsome numbers is a step forward. However, measures such as those described above hardly get to the root causes of violence. What are those causes? Many factors have been cited, but a few of them are fundamental. Lack of family stability and moral instruction has driven many youths to join gangs for a sense of belonging. The lure of big profits induces many to resort to violence. Injustice pushes others to redress matters by violent means. Pride of country, race, or station in life causes people to ignore the suffering of others. These are deep-rooted factors for which there are no quick fixes.

What Can Be Done?

More police, stiffer prison terms, gun control, the death penalty—these have all been proposed and tried as means to curb crime and violence. They have brought varying degrees of success, but the sad fact is that violence is still very much with us. Why? It is because these measures merely treat the symptoms.

On the other hand, many experts feel that the key to putting an end to violence is education. While this idea is sound, we must note that violence is not limited to nations where educational opportunities are limited. If anything, it seems that some of the most violent nations are also those with the highest standards of education. It is not difficult to see that what is needed is not just education but the right kind of education. What kind would that be? Is there someone who is able to teach people to be peace-loving and upright individuals?

“I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17, 18) How does Jehovah God teach people to be peace loving and righteous? Primarily through his Word, the Bible.

The Power of God’s Word

The Bible is far from being just a collection of old fables and sayings that are out-of-date and irrelevant. It contains principles and ideas from mankind’s Creator, who, from his supreme vantage point, knows human nature better than anyone else. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts,” says Jehovah God.—Isaiah 55:9.

For this reason the apostle Paul testifies that “the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Yes, God’s Word has the power to reach in and touch a person’s heart and change his thinking and behavior. Is this not what is needed to change people’s violent ways today?

Jehovah’s Witnesses, now numbering about five million in over 230 lands, are living proof that God’s Word, indeed, has power to transform lives for the better. Among them are people from every nationality, language, and race. They also come from all walks of life and social backgrounds. Some of them formerly led violent and troubled lives. But instead of allowing such factors to foment animosity, rivalry, discrimination, and hatred in their midst, they have learned to overcome these barriers and have become a peace-loving and united people worldwide. What has made this possible?

A Campaign That Ends Violence

Jehovah’s Witnesses are committed to helping others to gain accurate knowledge of God’s purpose as revealed in his Word, the Bible. In every corner of the earth, they are searching out those who want to learn Jehovah’s ways and be taught by him. Their efforts are bearing fruit. The result of this educational campaign is that a marvelous prophecy is being fulfilled.

Some 2,700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write: “It must occur in the final part of the days that . . . many peoples will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’”—Isaiah 2:2, 3. 

Being taught by Jehovah and walking in his paths can produce wonderful changes in people’s lives. One of the changes is foretold in the same prophecy: “They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) Many people have read this scripture. In fact, this text is carved on a wall at the United Nations Plaza in New York City. It is a reminder of what the United Nations aspires to but has failed to realize. This elimination of war and violence is not to be achieved by any man-made political organization. It is something that Jehovah God alone is capable of doing. How will he accomplish it?

Obviously not everyone will respond to the invitation to “go up to the mountain of Jehovah” and ‘be instructed about his ways’ and “walk in his paths”; nor will all be willing to “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.” What will Jehovah do about such ones? He will not forever hold open the door of opportunity or wait on them to change. To bring an end to violence, Jehovah will also bring an end to those who insist on their violent ways.

A Vital Lesson

What God did in Noah’s day provides a warning lesson for us today. The Bible record shows what kind of world existed then: “The earth came to be ruined in the sight of the true God and the earth became filled with violence.” On this account, God informed Noah: “The end of all flesh has come before me, because the earth is full of violence as a result of them; and here I am bringing them to ruin together with the earth.”—Genesis 6:11, 13.

We must note one important point. When bringing the Deluge upon that generation, God preserved Noah and his family. Why? The Bible answers: “Noah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the true God.” (Genesis 6:9; 7:1) While not everyone living at that time was necessarily a violent person, only Noah and his family “walked with the true God.” Because of that they survived when that violent world was brought to an end.

As we see the earth once again becoming “filled with violence,” we can be sure that it does not go unnoticed by God. Just as he did in Noah’s day, so he will soon take action and put an end to violence—permanently. But he will also provide a way to safety for those who are now learning to ‘walk with the true God,’ those who are responding to his great educational campaign for peace.

Through the psalmist, Jehovah gives this assurance: “Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”—Psalm 37:10, 11.

Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to study the Bible with you so that you can join those who say: “Let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:3) By so doing, you can be among those who will see the end of all wickedness and violence. You can find “exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”

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Reuters/Bettmann

We Have Reason to Cry Out for Joy

“To exultation and rejoicing they will attain, and grief and sighing must flee away.”—ISAIAH 35:10.

1. Who today have particular reason for joy?

YOU have likely noted that few people have real joy nowadays. Yet, as true Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses have joy. And the prospect of obtaining that same joy lies right before additional millions of yet unbaptized ones, young and old, who associate with the Witnesses. The fact that you are now reading these words in this magazine indicates that this joy is already yours or is within your grasp.

2. How does a Christian’s joy contrast with the general state of most people?

² Most people sense that their life lacks something. What about you? Granted, you may not have every material item you could use, certainly not all that today’s rich and powerful ones have. And you might like to have more in the way of good health and vigor. Still, it is safe to say that when it comes to joy, you are richer and healthier than most of earth’s billions. How so?

3. What meaningful words merit our attention, and why?

³ Call to mind Jesus’ words: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11) “Your joy may be made full.” What a description! An in-depth study of the Christian way of living would reveal many reasons for our joy being full. But right now, note the meaningful words at Isaiah 35:10. These are meaningful because they have much to do with us today. We read: “The very ones redeemed by Jehovah will return and certainly come to Zion with a joyful cry; and rejoicing to time indefinite will be upon their head. To exultation and rejoicing they will attain, and grief and sighing must flee away.”

4. What sort of joy is mentioned at Isaiah 35:10, and why should we give attention to this?

⁴ “Rejoicing to time indefinite.” The phrase “to time indefinite” is an accurate rendering of what Isaiah wrote in Hebrew. But, as borne out by other scriptures, the import in this verse is “forever.” (Psalm 45:6; 90:2; Isaiah 40:28) So the rejoicing will be endless, in conditions that will permit—yes, justify—everlasting rejoicing. Does that not sound delightful? Perhaps, though, that verse strikes you as a comment on an abstract situation, leaving you feeling: ‘That does not actually involve me in the sense that my everyday problems and concerns do.’ But the facts prove otherwise. The prophetic promise at Isaiah 35:10 has meaning for you today. To find out how, let us examine this beautiful chapter, Isaiah 35, noting each part in context. Be assured that you will enjoy what we find.

People Who Needed to Rejoice

5. In what prophetic setting is the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 35 found?

⁵ As an aid, let us look at the background, the historical setting, for this fascinating prophecy. The Hebrew prophet Isaiah wrote it somewhere around 732 B.C.E. That was decades before the Babylonian armies destroyed Jerusalem. As Isaiah 34:1, 2 indicates, God had foretold that he was going to express vengeance on the nations, such as Edom, mentioned at Isaiah 34:6. Evidently he used the ancient Babylonians to do that. Similarly, God had the Babylonians desolate Judah because the Jews were unfaithful. The result? God’s people were taken into captivity, and their homeland lay desolate for 70 years.—2 Chronicles 36:15-21.

6. What contrast is there between what was to come upon the Edomites and what was to come upon the Jews?

⁶ However, there is a significant difference between the Edomites and the Jews. The divine retribution on the Edomites was never-ending; in time they disappeared as a people. Yes, you can still visit the empty ruins in the area where the Edomites used to live, such as the world-famous remains of Petra. But today, there is no nation or people that can be identified as ‘the Edomites.’ On the other hand, was the Babylonian desolation of Judah to be forever, leaving the land eternally joyless?

7. How might Jews captive in Babylon have responded to Isaiah chapter 35?

⁷ Here the wonderful prophecy in Isaiah chapter 35 has exciting meaning. It might be called a restoration prophecy, for it had its first fulfillment when the Jews returned to their homeland in 537 B.C.E. The Israelites who had been captive in Babylon were granted freedom to return to their homeland. (Ezra 1:1-11) Yet, until that happened the Jews captive in Babylon who considered this divine prophecy might have wondered what sort of conditions they would find back in their national homeland, Judah. And what condition would they themselves be in? The answers bear directly on why we truly have reason to cry out for joy. Let us see.

8. What conditions would the Jews find upon returning from Babylon? (Compare Ezekiel 19:3-6; Hosea 13:8.)

⁸ The situation certainly would not seem promising to the Jews even when they heard that they could return to their homeland. Their land had lain desolate for seven decades, a whole lifetime. What had happened to the land? Any cultivated fields, vineyards, or orchards would have become wilderness. Irrigated gardens or tracts would have declined into arid wasteland or desert. (Isaiah 24:1, 4; 33:9; Ezekiel 6:14) Think, too, of the wild animals that would abound. These would include carnivorous ones, such as lions and leopards. (1 Kings 13:24-28; 2 Kings 17:25, 26; Song of Solomon 4:8) Nor could they overlook bears, who had the ability to strike down man, woman, or child. (1 Samuel 17:34-37; 2 Kings 2:24; Proverbs 17:12) And we hardly need to mention the vipers and other poisonous snakes, or the scorpions. (Genesis 49:17; Deuteronomy 32:33; Job 20:16; Psalm 58:4; 140:3; Luke 10:19) Had you been with the Jews returning from Babylon in 537 B.C.E., you probably would have been hesitant to walk around in such an area. It was no paradise when they arrived.

9. For what reason did the returnees have a basis for hope and confidence?

⁹ Still, Jehovah himself had led his worshipers home, and he has the ability to reverse a desolate situation. Do you not believe that of the Creator? (Job 42:2; Jeremiah 32:17, 21, 27, 37, 41) So what would he do—what did he do—for the returning Jews and for their land? What bearing does this have on God’s people in modern times and on your situation—present and future? First let us see what took place back then.

Joyful Over a Changed Situation

10. What change did Isaiah 35:1, 2 foretell?

¹⁰ What would happen when Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to that grim land? Read the thrilling prophecy at Isaiah 35:1, 2: “The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron. Without fail it will blossom, and it will really be joyful with joyousness and with glad crying out. The glory of Lebanon itself must be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and of Sharon. There will be those who will see the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of our God.”

11. Upon what knowledge of the land did Isaiah draw?

¹¹ In Bible times, Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon were noted for their verdant beauty. (1 Chronicles 5:16; 27:29; 2 Chronicles 26:10; Song of Solomon 2:1; 4:15; Hosea 14:5-7) Isaiah drew on those examples to describe what the transformed land would be like, with God’s help. But was this to be an effect merely on the soil? Certainly not!

12. Why can we say that the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 35 centers on people?

¹² Isaiah 35:2 speaks of the land being “joyful with joyousness and with glad crying out.” We know that the soil and plants were not literally “joyful with joyousness.” Yet, their transformation to become fertile and productive could cause people to feel that way. (Leviticus 23:37-40; Deuteronomy 16:15; Psalm 126:5, 6; Isaiah 16:10; Jeremiah 25:30; 48:33) The literal changes in the land itself would correspond to changes in the people, for people are central to this prophecy. Hence, we have reason to understand Isaiah’s words as focusing primarily on the changes in the Jewish returnees, especially their joyousness.

13, 14. What change in people did Isaiah 35:3, 4 foretell?

¹³ Accordingly, let us examine more of this stimulating prophecy to see how it found fulfillment after the Jews’ liberation and return from Babylon. In Isa 35 verses 3 and 4, Isaiah speaks about other changes in those returnees: “Strengthen the weak hands, you people, and make the knees that are wobbling firm. Say to those who are anxious at heart: ‘Be strong. Do not be afraid. Look! Your own God will come with vengeance itself, God even with a repayment. He himself will come and save you people.’”

¹⁴ Is it not strengthening to think that our God, who could reverse the desolate condition of the ground, is so interested in his worshipers? He did not want the captive Jews to feel weak, discouraged, or anxious about the future. (Hebrews 12:12) Think of the condition of those Jewish captives. Aside from what hope they could draw from God’s prophecies about their future, it would have been hard for them to be optimistic. It was as if they were in a dark dungeon, not free to move about and to be active in serving Jehovah. It might well have seemed to them as if there were no light ahead.—Compare Deuteronomy 28:29; Isaiah 59:10.

15, 16. (a) What may we conclude that Jehovah did for the returnees? (b) Why would the returnees not have expected miraculous physical healings, but what did God do in line with Isaiah 35:5, 6?

¹⁵ How that changed, though, when Jehovah had Cyrus release them to return home! There is no Biblical evidence that God there miraculously opened any blind eyes of the returning Jews, unstopped the ears of any deaf ones, or healed any crippled or missing limbs. However, he really did something far grander. He restored them to the light and freedom of their beloved land.

¹⁶ There is no indication that the returnees expected Jehovah to perform such miraculous physical healings. They must have realized that God had not done so with Isaac, Samson, or Eli. (Genesis 27:1; Judges 16:21, 26-30; 1 Samuel 3:2-8; 4:15) But if they expected a divine reversal of their condition figuratively, they were not let down. Certainly in a figurative sense, Isa 35 verses 5 and 6 found a real fulfillment. Isaiah accurately foretold: “At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness.”

Making the Land Like a Paradise

17. What physical changes did Jehovah evidently bring about?

¹⁷ Those returnees would certainly have had reason to cry out in gladness over conditions such as Isaiah went on to describe: “For in the wilderness waters will have burst out, and torrents in the desert plain. And the heat-parched ground will have become as a reedy pool, and the thirsty ground as springs of water. In the abiding place of jackals, a resting-place for them, there will be green grass with reeds and papyrus plants.” (Isaiah 35:6b, 7) Though we may not see it over that entire region today, the evidence suggests that the area that was Judah once was “a pastoral paradise.”a

18. How would the Jewish returnees likely have responded to God’s blessings?

¹⁸ As to causes for joy, think of how the Jewish remnant must have felt when repatriated to the Promised Land! They were in position to take the wasteland, inhabited by jackals and other such animals, and transform it. Would you not have found joy in doing such restorative work, especially if you knew that God was blessing your efforts?

19. In what sense was the return from Babylonish captivity conditional?

¹⁹ It was not, however, that just any and every Jewish captive in Babylon could or did head back to share in that joyous transformation. God set conditions. No one contaminated with Babylonish, pagan religious practices had a right to return. (Daniel 5:1, 4, 22, 23; Isaiah 52:11) Nor could anyone return who was foolishly committed to an unwise course. All such persons were disqualified. On the other hand, those who met God’s standards, whom he viewed as being holy in a relative sense, could head back to Judah. They could travel as if along a Way of Holiness. Isaiah made that clear in Isa 35 verse 8: “There will certainly come to be a highway there, even a way; and the Way of Holiness it will be called. The unclean one will not pass over it. And it will be for the one walking on the way, and no foolish ones will wander about on it.”

20. What did the Jews not need to fear as they returned, resulting in what?

²⁰ The returning Jews did not need to fear any attack from beastlike men or packs of marauders. Why? Because Jehovah would not permit such to be on the Way with his repurchased people. So they could travel with joyful optimism, with happy prospects. Note how Isaiah described that in concluding this prophecy: “No lion will prove to be there, and the rapacious sort of wild beasts will not come up on it. None will be found there; and the repurchased ones must walk there. And the very ones redeemed by Jehovah will return and certainly come to Zion with a joyful cry; and rejoicing to time indefinite will be upon their head. To exultation and rejoicing they will attain, and grief and sighing must flee away.”—Isaiah 35:9, 10.

21. How should we today look upon the fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 35 that has already occurred?

²¹ What a prophetic picture we have here! We should not, though, view this as dealing with just past history, as if it were a quaint account having little to do with our situation or our future. The fact is that this prophecy finds an amazing fulfillment today among God’s people, so it does truly touch each of us. It provides us with sound reason to cry out for joy. These aspects involving your life now and in the future are treated in the following article.

[Footnote]

Do You Recall?

◻ When did Isaiah chapter 35 have its first fulfillment?

◻ What effect would the prophecy’s initial fulfillment produce?

◻ How did Jehovah fulfill Isaiah 35:5, 6?

◻ What changes in the land and in their situation did the Jewish returnees experience?

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The ruins of Petra, in the area where the Edomites once lived

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Garo Nalbandian

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While the Jews were in exile, much of Judah became like a wilderness, overrun with ferocious beasts like bears and lions

[Credit Lines]

Garo Nalbandian

Bear and Lion: Safari-Zoo of Ramat-Gan, Tel Aviv

Joyful Now and Forever

“Exult, you people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation.”—ISAIAH 65:18.

1. How has true worship affected individuals over the centuries?

THROUGHOUT the centuries, countless numbers have found rich joy in serving the true God, Jehovah. David was but one who was joyful in true worship. The Bible relates that when the ark of the covenant was brought up to Jerusalem, “David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of Jehovah with joyful shouting.” (2 Samuel 6:15) Such joy in serving Jehovah is not a mere thing of the past. You can share in it. And even new measures of joy can soon be yours!

2. Beyond the original fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 35 on the Jewish returnees, who today are involved in another fulfillment?

² In the preceding article, we examined the initial fulfillment of the stimulating prophecy recorded in Isaiah chapter 35. We can rightly call this a restoration prophecy because that is what it turned out to be for the Jews of old. It has a similar fulfillment in our time. How so? Well, beginning with Jesus’ apostles and others at Pentecost 33 C.E., Jehovah has been dealing with spiritual Israelites. These are humans anointed with God’s holy spirit who become part of what the apostle Paul calls “the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16; Romans 8:15-17) Recall, too, that at 1 Peter 2:9, these Christians are called “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.” Peter goes on to identify the assignment given to spiritual Israel: “‘You should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

A Fulfillment in Our Time

3, 4. What was the situation when Isaiah chapter 34 found a fulfillment in modern times?

³ There was a time early in this century when the remnant of spiritual Israel on earth were not consistently active in declaring such a message. They were not rejoicing fully in God’s wonderful light. In fact, they were in considerable darkness. When was that? And what did Jehovah God do about it?

⁴ It was in the World War I period, soon after God’s Messianic Kingdom was set up in heaven in 1914. The nations, with the backing of the clergy of the churches in various lands, were wrathful with one another. (Revelation 11:17, 18) God, of course, was as opposed to apostate Christendom with its elevated clergy class as he had been to the high-minded nation of Edom. Hence, Christendom, the antitypical Edom, is in line to feel the modern-day fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 34. This fulfillment by means of permanent extermination is just as certain as was the first fulfillment against ancient Edom.—Revelation 18:4-8, 19-21.

5. What sort of fulfillment has Isaiah chapter 35 had in our time?

⁵ What of chapter 35 of Isaiah’s prophecy, with its emphasis on joy? That has also undergone fulfillment in our time. How is that? It has been fulfilled in a restoration of spiritual Israel from a type of captivity. Let us examine the facts in what really is recent theocratic history, falling within the lifetime of many still alive.

6. Why can it be said that the remnant of spiritual Israel came into a captive condition?

⁶ For a relatively brief span during the World War I period, the remnant of spiritual Israel had not kept entirely clean and aligned with God’s will. Some of them were spotted with doctrinal errors and compromised by not taking a clear stand for Jehovah when put under pressure to support the warring nations. During those war years, they suffered all manner of persecution, their Bible literature even being banned in many places. Finally, some of the more prominent brothers were convicted and imprisoned on false charges. In retrospect it is not difficult to see that, in a sense, God’s people, rather than being free, were in a captive condition. (Compare John 8:31, 32.) They were seriously lacking in spiritual vision. (Ephesians 1:16-18) They showed a relative muteness as to praising God, with the result that they were unfruitful spiritually. (Isaiah 32:3, 4; Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:11) Do you see how this parallels the situation of the ancient Jews in captivity in Babylon?

7, 8. What type of restoration did the modern-day remnant experience?

⁷ But would God leave his modern-day servants in that state? No, he was determined to restore them, in line with what was foretold through Isaiah. Thus this same prophecy in Isa chapter 35 finds a distinct fulfillment in our time, with the restoration of the remnant of spiritual Israel to prosperity and health in a spiritual paradise. At Hebrews 12:12, Paul applied Isaiah 35:3 in a figurative sense, bearing out the validity of our making a spiritual application of this portion of Isaiah’s prophecy.

⁸ In the post-war period, the remaining anointed ones of spiritual Israel came out of captivity, as it were. Jehovah God used Jesus Christ, the Greater Cyrus, to liberate them. Thus, this remnant could do a rebuilding work, comparable to the work of the remnant of ancient Jews, who went back to their land to rebuild the literal temple in Jerusalem. Furthermore, these spiritual Israelites in modern times could set about cultivating and producing a verdant spiritual paradise, a figurative garden of Eden.

9. How did something like that described at Isaiah 35:1, 2, 5-7 develop in our time?

⁹ With the above in mind, let us consider once again Isaiah chapter 35, and look first at Isa 35 verses 1 and 2. What had seemed to be a waterless region truly began to blossom and be productive like the ancient plains of Sharon. Then, look at Isa 35 verses 5 to 7. The remnant, a number of whom are still alive and active in Jehovah’s service, had their eyes of understanding opened. They could see better the meaning of what had happened in 1914 and afterward. That has also had an influence on the many of us who make up the “great crowd,” now serving alongside the remnant.—Revelation 7:9.

Are You Part of the Fulfillment?

10, 11. (a) How have you been involved in the outworking of Isaiah 35:5-7? (b) How do you personally feel about these changes?

¹⁰ Take yourself for example. Before you came in contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses, did you read the Bible regularly? If you did, how much understanding did you have? You now know, for instance, the truth about the condition of the dead. Probably you could refer someone interested in the matter to relevant texts in Genesis chapter 2, Ecclesiastes chapter 9, and Ezekiel chapter 18, as well as many other passages. Yes, you likely understand what the Bible teaches on many subjects or issues. Simply put, the Bible makes sense to you, and you can explain much of it to others, as you undoubtedly have.

¹¹ We each would do well to ask, though, ‘How did I learn all I know of Bible truth? Before studying with Jehovah’s people, had I located all the passages just mentioned? Had I made sense out of them and reached right conclusions as to their import?’ The frank answer to these questions is probably no. No one should take offense at such a statement, but it can be said that basically you were blind as to these texts and their meaning. Is that not so? They were there in the Bible, but you could not see them or grasp their significance. How, then, were your eyes opened spiritually? It was by what Jehovah has done in fulfilling Isaiah 35:5 upon the anointed remnant. In turn, you have had your eyes opened. You are no longer in spiritual darkness. You can see.—Compare Revelation 3:17, 18.

12. (a) Why can we say that this is not the time for miraculous physical healing? (b) How did the case of Brother F. W. Franz illustrate the way Isaiah 35:5 is fulfilled in our time?

¹² Keen students of the Bible and of God’s dealings over the centuries know that this is not the period in history for physical miracles of healing. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10) So we do not expect Jesus Christ to be opening blind eyes in proving that he is the Messiah, the Prophet of God. (John 9:1-7, 30-33) Nor is he enabling all the deaf to hear again. As Frederick W. Franz, one of the anointed and then president of the Watch Tower Society, approached 100 years of age, he was legally blind and had to use a hearing aid. For some years he could no longer see to read; yet, who would think of him as blind or deaf in the sense of Isaiah 35:5? His acute spiritual vision was a blessing to God’s people earth wide.

13. What reversal or restoration did God’s modern-day people experience?

¹³ Or what about your tongue? God’s anointed ones may have been muted during their spiritual captivity. But once God reversed that condition, their tongues began to cry out in gladness over what they knew of God’s established Kingdom and his promises for the future. They may have helped you to untie your tongue too. How much did you speak Bible truth to others in the past? Maybe at some point you thought, ‘I enjoy studying, but I’ll never go and talk to strangers.’ However, is it not true that “the tongue of the speechless one” is now ‘crying out in gladness’?—Isaiah 35:6.

14, 15. How have many walked on “the Way of Holiness” in our time?

¹⁴ The ancient Jews liberated from Babylon had a long trip back to their homeland. What does that correspond to in our time? Well, look at Isaiah 35:8: “There will certainly come to be a highway there, even a way; and the Way of Holiness it will be called. The unclean one will not pass over it.”

¹⁵ Since their release from spiritual captivity, the anointed remnant, now accompanied by millions of the other sheep, have moved out of Babylon the Great on a figurative highway, a clean way of holiness that leads one into a spiritual paradise. We are making every effort to qualify for and remain on this Highway of Holiness. Think of yourself. Are not your moral standards and the principles you hold to much higher now than when you were in the world? Do you not put forth greater effort to conform your thinking and conduct to God’s?—Romans 8:12, 13; Ephesians 4:22-24.

16. What conditions can we enjoy as we walk on the Way of Holiness?

¹⁶ As you continue on this Way of Holiness, you basically are free of worry about beastly humans. Granted, in the world you have to watch that greedy or hateful people do not eat you alive figuratively. Ever so many are rapacious in how they deal with others. What a contrast among God’s people! There you are in a protected environment. Of course, your fellow Christians are not perfect; sometimes one makes a mistake or causes offense. But you know that your brothers are not out to hurt you or devour you. (Psalm 57:4; Ezekiel 22:25; Luke 20:45-47; Acts 20:29; 2 Corinthians 11:19, 20; Galatians 5:15) Instead, they show an interest in you; they have helped you; they want to serve with you.

17, 18. In what sense does a paradise now exist, and what is the effect of this on us?

¹⁷ So we can look at Isaiah chapter 35, having in mind the current fulfillment of Isa 35 verses 1 to 8. Is it not clear that we have found what is rightly called a spiritual paradise? No, it is not perfect—not yet. But it truly is a paradise, for here we can already, as stated in Isa 35 verse 2, “see the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of our God.” And what is the effect? Isa 35 Verse 10 says: “The very ones redeemed by Jehovah will return and certainly come to Zion with a joyful cry; and rejoicing to time indefinite will be upon their head. To exultation and rejoicing they will attain, and grief and sighing must flee away.” Truly, our having come out of false religion and our pursuit of true worship under God’s favor is joy inspiring.

¹⁸ The joy connected with true worship keeps on increasing, does it not? You see newly interested ones make changes and become grounded in Bible truth. You observe youths grow up and make spiritual advancement in the congregation. There are baptisms, where you watch ones you know get baptized. Are those not reasons for joy, for abundant joy, today? Yes, what joy to have others join us in our spiritual freedom and paradise conditions!

A Fulfillment Yet Ahead!

19. With what hopeful expectation does Isaiah chapter 35 fill us?

¹⁹ We have so far considered Isaiah chapter 35 as to its first fulfillment with the Jews’ return and as to the spiritual fulfillment going on today. But that is not the end. There is much more. It is connected with the Biblical assurance of a coming restoration of literal paradise conditions on earth.—Psalm 37:10, 11; Revelation 21:4, 5.

20, 21. Why is it logical and Scriptural to believe that there will be still another fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 35?

²⁰ It would not be consistent for Jehovah to provide vivid descriptions of a paradise and then restrict the fulfillments to spiritual things. This, of course, is not to say that the spiritual fulfillments are insignificant. Even if a literal paradise were established, it would not satisfy us if amid the beautiful scenery and peaceful animals we were surrounded by spiritually corrupt men, humans acting like savage beasts. (Compare Titus 1:12.) Yes, the spiritual must come first, for it is most important.

²¹ Nevertheless, the coming Paradise does not end with spiritual aspects we enjoy now and will enjoy even more in the future. We have good reason to expect a literal fulfillment of prophecies such as Isaiah chapter 35. Why? Well, in Isa chapter 65, Isaiah foretold “new heavens and a new earth.” The apostle Peter drew on that when describing what follows the day of Jehovah. (Isaiah 65:17, 18; 2 Peter 3:10-13) Peter was indicating that the features Isaiah described would actually exist when the “new earth” becomes a reality. That includes descriptions you may be familiar with—building houses and occupying them; planting vineyards and eating the fruitage; long enjoying the work of one’s hands; a wolf and a lamb residing together; and no harm occurring earth wide. In other words, long life, secure homes, abundant food, satisfying work, and peace among animals and between animals and humans.

22, 23. What basis for joy will there be in the future fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 35?

²² Does not that prospect fill you with joy? It should, for that is how God created us to live. (Genesis 2:7-9) So, what does it mean as to the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 35 that we are considering? It means that we have added reason to cry out for joy. The literal deserts and waterless regions will blossom, causing us to rejoice. Then people with blue eyes, or brown eyes, or some other delightful shade, but who are now blind, will be able to see. Our fellow Christians who are deaf, or even those of us who are hard of hearing, will be able to hear clearly. What a joy to use that ability to hear God’s Word read and explained, as well as to listen to the sounds of the breeze in the trees, a child’s laughter, a bird’s song!

²³ It will also mean that lame ones, including those afflicted with arthritis now, will move about painlessly. What a relief! Then literal torrents of water will gush through the desert. We will both see the surging water and hear the bubbling sound. We will be able to walk there and touch the green grass and papyrus plants. It truly will be Paradise restored. What of the joy to be around a lion or other such animal without fear? We do not have to begin describing that, for all of us have relished the scene already.

24. Why can you agree with the expression at Isaiah 35:10?

²⁴ Isaiah assures us: “The very ones redeemed by Jehovah will return and certainly come to Zion with a joyful cry; and rejoicing to time indefinite will be upon their head.” So we can agree that we have reason to cry out for joy. Joy over what Jehovah is already doing for his people in our spiritual paradise, and joy over what we can expect in the literal Paradise near at hand. About joyful ones—about us—Isaiah writes: “To exultation and rejoicing they will attain, and grief and sighing must flee away.”—Isaiah 35:10.

Did You Note?

◻ What second fulfillment has Isaiah chapter 35 had?

◻ What corresponds spiritually to the miraculous changes Isaiah foretold?

◻ How have you shared in a fulfillment of this prophecy?

◻ Why can we say that Isaiah chapter 35 fills us with hope for the future?

[Picture on page 15]

The Raymond Street jail in Brooklyn, New York, where seven prominent brothers were detained in June 1918

[Picture on page 16]

Though legally blind in his later years, Brother Franz’ spiritual vision remained keen

[Pictures on page 17]

Spiritual growth and advancement are reasons for joy

How to Find Joy in Disciple Making

ONE of the profound joys that a person can experience is that of being a coworker with God. Today, God’s work includes gathering righteously inclined people into the Christian congregation and training them for life as Christians now and also for survival into a new world.—Micah 4:1-4; Matthew 28:19, 20; 2 Peter 3:13.

It has been a source of great joy for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Latin America to see a million people become disciples of Jesus Christ since 1980. In this fruitful field, where many respect and believe the Bible, some full-time ministers have been able to help dozens to dedicate their lives to Jehovah. With so much experience, perhaps they can tell us something about the joy of disciple making. Some of their suggestions may help you to find joy in making disciples where you live.

Recognizing Potential “Sheep”

“Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving,” said Jesus when he sent his apostles out to preach. (Matthew 10:11) When you go calling on the people, how can you recognize those who can be helped spiritually? Edward, a full-time minister for over 50 years, says: “They manifest it by their earnest questions and their satisfaction when given the answers from the Scriptures.” Carol adds: “If a person confides in me a personal problem or worry, it is really a cry for help. I try to find helpful information in the Watch Tower Society’s publications. Such personal interest often leads to a Bible study.” Yet, sincere ones are not always easily recognized. Luis relates: “Some who seemed very interested turned out to be not interested at all, but others who seemed opposed at first changed when they heard what the Bible really says.” Since many Latin Americans respect the Bible, he adds, “I recognize those who can be helped spiritually when they readily accept what the Bible teaches after I show it to them.” Helping such “deserving” ones to progress spiritually brings true joy and satisfaction. How can you do this?

Getting Bible Studies Started

Using Bible study aids produced by “the faithful and discreet slave” is usually the best way to help people understand Bible truth. (Matthew 24:45) How can you build appreciation for the value of such Bible study aids? Edward says: “Since people’s circumstances, personalities, and viewpoints vary so much, I try to be flexible in starting studies.” You cannot use the same method with everyone.

With some, several informal discussions of the Scriptures may be needed before introducing a Bible study textbook. Nevertheless, a missionary couple report: “We usually offer a study on the first call.” Likewise, a Witness who has helped 55 people to the point of dedication says: “My main method of starting Bible studies has been to enter directly into the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth.” Although some dislike the idea of studying anything, others are eager to study whatever they believe will help them in life. The offer of free Bible classes at home often sounds attractive to these. Some missionaries explain this offer and then say: “I’d like to show you how we do it. If you like it, you can continue. If you don’t, that’s up to you.” When it is put that way, people do not feel afraid to accept.

Another Witness, who has helped many of little means and education, says: “I have found the tracts to be especially useful in starting Bible studies.” Whichever publication they use, the full-time teachers try to give the Bible the main emphasis. Carola says: “At the first study, I use just the pictures and about five scriptures, so that the main points stand out and the Bible does not appear difficult.”

Keeping the Interest Alive

People enjoy the feeling of progress, so Jennifer recommends: “Make the study lively. Move along.” Conducting the study regularly without missing weeks also helps them to feel that they are getting somewhere. A special pioneer who was raised in the rurals explains the importance of simplifying explanations and concentrating on the main points, so that even those with little schooling can progress. He says: “In my village, we had to sprinkle the ground with water after sowing seeds. If we flooded the fields, the soil formed a hard crust that the germinating seeds could not penetrate, and they died. Likewise, if you flood newly interested ones with many points, it may seem too difficult and they give up.” Even people with inquiring minds must learn to concentrate on one subject at a time if they are to progress in understanding. Jesus said to his apostles: “I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present.”—John 16:12.

Another way to keep the interest alive is to encourage those you visit to continue thinking about God’s Word after you are gone. Yolanda recommends: “Leave a question pending. Give them some homework to do, such as reading a portion of the Bible or investigating a subject that concerns them.”

Developing Love for Jehovah

Your joy will increase when you help your students to become “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) How can you do that? True Christians are motivated by love for Jehovah. Pedro, who is from Mexico, explains: “People cannot love a person they don’t know, so from the very beginning of the study, I teach them God’s name from the Bible, and I look for opportunities to emphasize Jehovah’s qualities.” In conversation, you can build appreciation for Jehovah by expressing your feelings for him. Says Elizabeth: “I always try to mention Jehovah’s goodness. On my studies, if I see a beautiful flower, a pretty bird, or a playful kitten, I always mention that it is Jehovah’s work.” “Speak about God’s promised new world as the reality you know it to be,” suggests Jennifer. “Ask what they would like to do in the new world.”

When a person meditates appreciatively on what he learns about Jehovah, it sinks into his heart and moves him to action. But he cannot meditate unless he remembers. A brief review of three or four main points after each study is a memory aid. Many Bible teachers get new ones to write down key scriptures together with a note at the back of their Bible. A missionary from England explains another benefit of reviews: “I ask how the information has benefited them. This gets them meditating appreciatively on Jehovah’s ways and laws.”

A faithful Witness who graduated from Gilead’s third class says: “We must be enthusiastic. Our students must realize that we believe what we teach.” The faith that has made you a happy “doer of the work” can be contagious if you express it.—James 1:25.

“I find that people feel closer to God if I help them to recognize answers to their prayers,” says a Witness who has helped many to worship Jehovah. “I give them examples from my own experience, such as this one: When my partner and I arrived in a new assignment as pioneers, we had only a few vegetables, a packet of margarine, and no money. We finished up the food for supper and said, ‘Now we have nothing for tomorrow.’ We prayed about it, and went to bed. Early next morning a local Witness called and introduced herself, saying, ‘I prayed that Jehovah would send pioneers. Now I can accompany you most of the day, but since I live out in the country, I will have to eat lunch with you, so I have brought this food along for all of us.’ It was a large quantity of beef and vegetables. I always tell my students that Jehovah never leaves us if we seek his Kingdom first.”—Matthew 6:33.

Offer Practical Help

There is more to making disciples of Christ than conducting a Bible study. A missionary who served for many years as a traveling overseer says: “Give them time. Don’t go rushing away from the study after it is over. If appropriate, stay and talk for a while.” Elizabeth says: “I take an interest in them because life is involved. Many times I worry about them as if they were my children.” Other Witnesses made these suggestions: “Visit them when they are sick.” “When you are near their home, for example in the field ministry, visit them briefly to introduce other Witnesses to them.” Eva says: “Listen carefully to understand the person’s background and situation in life. These affect the way people react to the truth and can hinder their progress. Be their friend, so that they will have the confidence to speak about their problems.” Carol adds: “Genuine interest in the person is important as the changes the truth will bring to his life will sometimes mean the loss of family and friends. Generally, it is good if the student knows where we live and has the confidence to come to us at any time.” Help him to view the congregation as his new family.—Matthew 10:35; Mark 10:29, 30.

“Be alert to offer practical help. Sit with them at the meetings, and help them with their children,” says Yolanda. Showing new ones how to train their children, improve their standards of cleanliness, prepare comments for the meetings, and give talks in the Theocratic Ministry School is all part of the disciple-making work. Another sister adds: “It is important to train new ones for the ministry. When this aspect of training is overlooked, some remain fearful of the preaching work, lose their joy in serving Jehovah, and fail to endure.” So provide careful training in the house-to-house work, in making return visits, and in starting Bible studies. Your joy will be great when you see your student progress with your help and guidance.

Strengthen Them to Endure

“There is a tendency to neglect studying once the student is baptized,” warns an experienced disciple maker. Both the teacher and the student must remember that a newly baptized Christian is far from being spiritually mature. He has much growing to do in his faith, in his appreciation for God’s law, and in his love for Jehovah. It is vital to encourage him to develop good personal study habits so that he will continue to make advancement.—1 Timothy 4:15.

The new one may need help to progress and become a hospitable member of the association of brothers. He may need guidance in dealing with the imperfections of the brothers as he draws closer to them. (Matthew 18:15-35) He may need help to become a skilled teacher, able to do his own research. A missionary relates: “One student after baptism wanted to improve her ability as a teacher, so she said to me, ‘I have to conduct a new study next week, but I need to refresh my memory on the earlier chapters that I studied. Could you please do these chapters with me again, one at a time, so that I can take note of the explanations of the scriptures and illustrations, and then I can use them when I go to my study?’ She has become an excellent teacher, having had four of her students baptized at one assembly.”

Why Disciple Making Is Worth the Effort

“Making disciples means more praisers of Jehovah. It means life for those who accept the truth,” says Pamela. “I just love teaching the truth to others—it’s so beautiful! One sees the students growing little by little, making changes in their lives and overcoming obstacles that would seem insurmountable were it not for Jehovah’s spirit. Many of those who have come to love Jehovah have become my very dear friends.”

“When I contemplate those I have helped to become disciples,” relates a missionary from Germany, “I see some very timid people who have made so much progress as ministers of God that I can hardly believe it. I see people who overcome formidable obstacles, obviously with Jehovah’s help. I see families that were once broken but are now united—happy children with responsible parents. I see people enjoying meaningful lives, praising Jehovah. This is the joy of making disciples.”

Yes, being a coworker with Jehovah God in the disciple-making work is a source of incomparable joy. The experiences of the missionaries and pioneers have proved it. You can find the same joy and satisfaction if you apply the suggestions and work at it whole-souled. With Jehovah’s blessing, your joy will be complete.—Proverbs 10:22; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Spreading Bible Truth in Portugal

FROM Caminha in the north to Vila Real de Santo Antônio in the south, thousands of colorful fishing boats dot the 500 miles [800 km] of Portugal’s Atlantic Coast. Fishermen have ‘gone down to the sea in their ships’ for centuries, making fish the mainstay of many a Portuguese table.—Psalm 107:23.

For the past 70 years, another type of fishing has been taking place in Portugal. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been busy bringing the good news to tens of thousands of symbolic fish. (Matthew 4:19) In May 1995 there was a peak of 44,650 Kingdom publishers—a ratio of 1 to about 210 inhabitants. In some cities the ratio is half that.

With so many workers, the witnessing territories in many areas are covered every week or so. Thus the Portuguese Witnesses are very keen on using different approaches in order to share their Bible hope with others. Yes, they appreciate the importance of making known Bible truth in every way possible.—1 Corinthians 9:20-23.

Helping Those Religiously Inclined

According to a 1991 census, 70 percent of those 18 years of age or older in Portugal profess to be Roman Catholics. In spite of this, knowledge of the Bible is at a low ebb among the people. The newspaper Jornal de Notícias noted: “This is one of the greatest tragedies of the Catholic world: Ignorance of the Bible!” Why is this the case? The Portuguese newspaper Expresso points to the answer. Reporting on a meeting of 500 priests in Fátima, the paper says: “According to the prelate, it is necessary that the priest frees himself from an endless number of activities so that he can reestablish exclusively his position as ‘herald.’ . . . If the priest puts his soul into preaching the Gospel, he will not have time for any other activities.”

In contrast, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Portugal are busy making known Bible truth in every way possible. As a result, many sincere Catholics are gaining knowledge of the Bible.

Carlota was a devout Catholic and a member of the youth group in a religious order. She was also a teacher in the kindergarten where Antônio, a Witness, worked. As a regular pioneer, or full-time minister, Antônio always endeavored to talk to his fellow workers about the Bible during lunch hour. One day Carlota asked him about belief in hellfire and the cult of Mary. Antônio showed her what the Bible teaches on these subjects, and that was the beginning of many Bible discussions. When Carlota attended her first meeting at the local Kingdom Hall, she was very impressed. However, the meeting times conflicted with those of the religious order to which she belonged. She realized that she had to make a decision. What would she do?

Carlota assembled the entire youth group and explained from the Bible why she was resigning. All criticized her decision, except one young girl named Stela, who listened very carefully. When Carlota spoke with her later, Stela asked many questions about the origin and purpose of life. Carlota gave her the book Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation?a and started a Bible study with her.

In the meantime Carlota made fine spiritual progress, was baptized in June 1991, and began serving as a regular pioneer six months later. In May 1992 she and Antônio were married, continuing in the pioneer service together in a neighboring congregation where there is a greater need. And Stela? She was baptized in May 1993 and now serves as a regular pioneer.

Young Francisco was very religious. Every Sunday he attended Mass in the morning and Rosary recitations in the afternoon. He served as sacristan, helping the priest during Mass. He even prayed to God that he be made a “saint” some day!

Francisco really wanted to have a Bible, and one day a friend lent him one. He was surprised to find that God has a name, Jehovah. (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18) When he read at Exodus 20:4, 5 that God forbids the use of images in worship, he was even more surprised! Seeing that the church was full of images, he prayed fervently to God to help him understand all this confusion. Several days later he met a former schoolmate and asked him why he had left the night school.

“I am attending a better night school now,” his friend replied.

“What school is that, and what are you studying?” asked Francisco. He was totally unprepared for the friend’s answer.

“I am studying the Bible at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” the friend told him. “Would you like to come along?”

Francisco could hardly believe what he saw at his first meeting—happy, smiling faces; people talking to one another in a warm, friendly manner; children sitting with their parents and paying attention to what was being said.

“Here I was, a total stranger, and I felt like part of the family!” exclaimed Francisco. He has been attending meetings regularly ever since. Now Francisco serves as an elder in the congregation, and together with his wife and two children, he rejoices in the grand Kingdom promises in God’s Word.

Sharing the Truth With Relatives

Manuela, a regular pioneer in the Lisbon area, has had an abundant catch of spiritual fish due to her perseverance in kindly witnessing to all, including relatives. Among them was her fleshly brother, José Eduardo, who was trained in the martial arts and in the use of weapons. He had broken the law so many times that he was finally brought to trial on 22 counts and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was so violent that even fellow inmates were afraid of him, and he was kept in a high-security cell.

For seven years Manuela patiently visited José Eduardo, but he always rejected her Bible message. Finally, when the book Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? was published, he accepted it, and a Bible study was started. Right away he made tremendous changes in his conduct. One week later he gave a personal witness to 200 prisoners, and the following week to 600 more. He even received permission to visit the inmates in other prison blocks. Due to the remarkable change in his behavior, the sentence was reduced to 15 years. After serving 10 years, he was released on probation. Since then five years have gone by, and José Eduardo is now a baptized Witness of Jehovah, serving as a ministerial servant in the local congregation. Truly a case of ‘the wolf residing with the lamb’!—Isaiah 11:6.

Because of her continued effort in witnessing to her family, Manuela has had the joy of helping her husband and four other members of her family to become active in Jehovah’s service. Her husband is now a ministerial servant.

“I’ll Run Them Out With a Kick and a Whip”

Maria do Carmo lived in a Lisbon suburb when the Witnesses called on her. She liked what she heard and asked her husband, Antônio, if she could have a Bible study at home. “Don’t even think of it!” he replied. “If I ever find Jehovah’s Witnesses in our house, I’ll run them out with a kick and a whip.” Antônio, incidentally, was a karate instructor and a third-degree black belt. So Maria do Carmo decided to have her Bible study elsewhere.

Later, Antônio had to go to England for an eight-day course in karate, and Maria do Carmo carefully packed in his suitcase the publication My Book of Bible Stories.b Since Antônio had plenty of time on his trip, he read the book. On the return flight, a storm shook the plane violently, and it had difficulty landing. For the first time in his life, Antônio prayed to Jehovah.

When Antônio got home, the Witness who conducted the study with his wife invited him to a meeting. He accepted and found everyone to be very friendly. Arrangements were made for a Bible study, and in a short time, Antônio knew he had to make some decisions. The outcome was that he quit teaching karate and began teaching his students how to live peaceful lives now and forever. One of them, also a black belt, is now a baptized Christian.

As for Antônio, he was baptized in April 1991. The day after his baptism, he began serving as an auxiliary pioneer. Six months later he began serving as a regular pioneer, and soon he was conducting 12 home Bible studies. In July 1993 he was appointed as a ministerial servant in the congregation.

In Frequently Worked Territory

In many areas of the country, the territory is worked every week or so. How do the Witnesses carry on their “fishing” activities productively?

João tries to contact every person in every home. When visiting one lady, he asked if there were others living in the home. The lady answered that her husband and two sons lived there, but it would not be easy to contact them as they worked and would be home only in the evening. So João moved on and visited others in the area. About an hour and a half later, a man approached him.

“You said you wanted to speak with me,” the man said to João. “Please tell me what you want.”

“Excuse me, but I don’t know you,” João answered, caught by surprise. “Who are you?”

“I’m Antônio, and I live just up the street. You told my mother that you wanted to talk to the rest of the family, so I have come to find out what you wanted.”

João gave Antônio a thorough witness and started a Bible study with him. After the second study, Antônio asked if the study could be held twice a week. In just four months, he joined João and began preaching the good news on his own street. Three months later, he was baptized. Recently his mother too began to study the Bible. How important it is to try to speak with all members of the household in the ministry!

Such exciting experiences show that there is still plenty of spiritual fishing to be done in the waters of Portugal. Jehovah has blessed the hardworking Witnesses there with thousands of progressive Bible studies. As they continue to seek out more and more ways to make known the Bible truth to all, the apostle Paul’s words to the Christians in Philippi are truly being fulfilled in Portugal today: “In every way . . . Christ is being publicized.”—Philippians 1:18.

[Footnotes]

[Map on page 23]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

[Pictures on page 24, 25]

Witnesses in Portugal use every opportunity to make known Bible truth

Look Beyond the Things You See!

GOOD physical eyesight is a blessing. In fact, most people would say that few things they possess are more precious. For Christians, however, there is a kind of eyesight spoken of by the apostle Paul that is of greater value than even good physical eyesight. “We keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen,” wrote Paul. (2 Corinthians 4:18) It must be a very special kind of vision indeed that enables one to see things that are unseen! We might call it 20/20 vision of a spiritual kind.

Why the Need?

Christians of the first century were in real need of having this kind of spiritual eyesight. They were carrying out their Christian ministry under much hardship. Paul put it this way: “We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; we are persecuted, but not left in the lurch; we are thrown down, but not destroyed.”—2 Corinthians 4:8, 9.

In spite of such circumstances, the faithful disciples stood firm. With strong faith in God, they could say as Paul did: “We do not give up, but even if the man we are outside is wasting away, certainly the man we are inside is being renewed from day to day.” What, though, brought about this daily renewal? Paul went on to say: “For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing weight and is everlasting; while we keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen. For the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting.”—2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Paul was encouraging his spiritual brothers not to allow problems, difficulties, persecutions—tribulations of whatever nature—to cloud their view of the glorious reward that had been set before them. They should look beyond their present circumstances, keeping their eyes fixed on the happy outcome of the Christian course. That was what helped them to renew on a daily basis their resolve to press on in the battle. Christians today are equally in need of having such good spiritual eyesight.

View Present Tribulations as Momentary!

Like it or not, we daily see things we would prefer not to see. A glance into the mirror and we cannot help but notice the undesirable spots and blemishes of the physical body, indications of physical imperfection. When we peer into the mirror of God’s Word, we see spiritual flaws and blemishes, both in ourselves and in others. (James 1:22-25) And when we look at the daily newspaper or the television screen, accounts of injustice, cruelty, and tragedy leap out to tug at our heartstrings.

Satan would like to cause us to despair because of the things we see or to become sidetracked and begin to waver in faith. How can we prevent this from happening? We must follow the example set by Jesus Christ, as recommended by the apostle Peter when he said: “In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Peter 2:21) In every aspect of Christian living, Jesus was the perfect example.

In pointing to Jesus as our model, Peter particularly mentioned that Jesus suffered. Indeed, Jesus suffered a great deal when on earth. As Jehovah’s “master worker” present at mankind’s creation, he knew exactly what God intended humans to be. (Proverbs 8:30, 31) But now he saw firsthand what sin and imperfection had caused them to become. Daily he saw and had to deal with people’s imperfections and weaknesses. That must have been trialsome for him.—Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34.

Besides the tribulations of others, Jesus also saw his own. (Hebrews 5:7, 8) But with perfect spiritual eyesight, he looked beyond them to see the reward of being elevated to immortal life for his course of integrity. Then as Messianic King, he would have the privilege of lifting afflicted humankind out of its debased condition back to the perfection Jehovah had originally purposed. Keeping his eye focused on these invisible future prospects helped him maintain joy in godly service despite the tribulations he saw from day to day. Paul later wrote: “For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”—Hebrews 12:2.

Jesus never allowed the hardships and trialsome circumstances to cause him to despair, to become sidetracked, or to waver in his faith. As his disciples, we must follow his sterling example closely.—Matthew 16:24.

Focus on Invisible Everlasting Things!

In speaking about what enabled Jesus to endure, Paul also pointed out the course for us when he wrote: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:1, 2) Yes, to run the Christian course successfully and joyfully, we must look beyond the things immediately before us. But how do we “look intently” at Jesus, and what will it do for us?

For one thing, in 1914, Jesus was installed as King of God’s Kingdom, and he rules from heaven. All of this, of course, is invisible to our physical eyes. Yet, if we “look intently” at Jesus, our spiritual eyesight will help us to see that he is now poised to take action to bring about the end of the present wicked system of things and the banishment of Satan and his demonic hordes into bonds of inactivity. Looking still further, our spiritual vision will reveal the wonderful new world in which “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”—Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-3; 21:4.

So, then, instead of being burdened down by the temporary tribulations we may have to face each day, why not focus our gaze upon the things that are eternal? With eyes of faith, why not look beyond the sickness and the greed on this polluted earth to see a paradise filled with healthy, happy, and caring people? Why not look beyond our blemishes, both physical and spiritual, and see ourselves freed of them forever by the merit of Christ’s ransom sacrifice? Why not look beyond the carnage left behind by war, crime, and violence and see newly resurrected ones being instructed in the peace and righteousness of Jehovah?

In addition, to “look intently” at Jesus would also include focusing our spiritual eyesight on what the Kingdom, though invisible, has already accomplished among God’s people on earth: unity, peace, love, brotherly affection, and spiritual prosperity. One Christian woman in Germany, after seeing the video United by Divine Teaching, wrote: “The video will help me increasingly to keep in mind that so many Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world are at this very moment loyally serving Jehovah—and this despite public reaction. How precious is our brotherly unity in a world of violence and hatred!”

Do you too “see” Jehovah, Jesus, the faithful angels, and millions of fellow Christians standing at your side? If so, you will not become overly concerned with “the anxiety of this system of things” that could bog you down in discouragement and cause you to become “unfruitful” in Christian service. (Matthew 13:22) So “look intently” at Jesus by focusing your spiritual eyes on God’s established Kingdom and its blessings, both present and future.

Live to See What Is Invisible!

Seeing the sharp contrast between God’s eternal new world and today’s crumbling old world, we should be moved to conduct ourselves in such a way that we will be counted worthy to live to see literally the things we can see only through eyes of faith today. Multitudes of resurrected ones will scarcely believe their eyes when they awaken to see a righteous paradise earth so different from the world they saw before they died. Imagine our joy at being alive to greet them and to explain to them what God has done!—Compare Joel 2:21-27.

Yes, how precious good spiritual eyesight is, and how vital to keep it sharp! This we can do by regularly engaging in personal Bible study, attending Christian meetings, speaking to others about our Bible-based hope, and above all, praying for divine guidance. This will keep our spiritual vision sharp and clear, enabling us to look beyond the things we see!

1996 “Messengers of Godly Peace” District Convention Locations

MAY 31–JUNE 2

LONG BEACH, CA, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

JUNE 7-9

NEW HAVEN, CT, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 275 S. Orange St.

PONTIAC, MI, Silverdome, 1200 Featherstone Rd.

ROANOKE, VA, Civic Center, 710 Williamson Rd. N.E.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Cow Palace, Geneva Ave.

TOPEKA, KS, Kansas Expocentre, Landon Arena, One Expocentre Drive.

TUCSON, AZ, Convention Center, 260 S. Church St.

JUNE 14-16

ALBANY, NY, Knickerbocker Arena, 51 S. Pearl St.

AMARILLO, TX, Civic Center Coliseum, 3rd & Buchanan Sts.

BILLINGS, MT, MetraPark Arena, Hwy. #10.

CICERO, IL, Hawthorne Race Track, 35th & Cicero Ave.

COLUMBIA, SC, Carolina Coliseum, Assembly & Blossom Sts.

COLUMBUS, OH, Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.

FORT WORTH, TX, Tarrant County Convention Center, 1111 Houston St.

HOUSTON, TX, Astrodome, Loop 610 at Kirby Dr.

JACKSON, MS, Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi St.

LONG BEACH, CA, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Freedom Hall Coliseum, Kentucky Fair & Expo Center, 937 Phillips Lane.

MACON, GA, Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Dr.

MADISON, WI, Dane County Exposition Center, 1881 Expo Mall East.

MEMPHIS, TN, Mid-South Coliseum, Mid-South Fairgrounds.

NEW HAVEN, CT, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 275 S. Orange St.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Veterans Stadium, S. Broad & Pattison Ave.

PORTLAND, ME, Cumberland County Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Square.

ROANOKE, VA, Civic Center, 710 Williamson Rd. N.E.

SAN ANTONIO, TX, Freeman Coliseum Arena, East Houston and Coliseum Rd.

SAN DIEGO, CA, Jack Murphy Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Cow Palace, Geneva Ave.

TOPEKA, KS, Kansas Expocentre, Landon Arena, One Expocentre Drive.

TUCSON, AZ, Convention Center, 260 S. Church St.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL, Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

JUNE 21-23

ALBANY, GA, Civic Center, 100 West Oglethorpe Ave.

ALBANY, NY, Knickerbocker Arena, 51 S. Pearl St.

AMARILLO, TX, Civic Center Coliseum, 3rd & Buchanan Sts.

CICERO, IL, Hawthorne Race Track, 35th & Cicero Ave.

COLUMBIA, SC, Carolina Coliseum, Assembly & Blossom Sts.

COLUMBUS, OH, Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.

CORVALLIS, OR, Gill Coliseum, 600 S.W. 26th St.

JACKSON, MS, Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi St.

LONG BEACH, CA, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Freedom Hall Coliseum, Kentucky Fair & Expo Center, 937 Phillips Lane.

MACON, GA, Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Dr.

MADISON, WI, Dane County Exposition Center, 1881 Expo Mall East.

MEMPHIS, TN, Mid-South Coliseum, Mid-South Fairgrounds.

NEW HAVEN, CT (Spanish only), Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 275 S. Orange St.

PORTLAND, ME, Cumberland County Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Square.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Cow Palace, Geneva Ave.

SOUTH BEND, IN, Notre Dame University Joyce Athletic Center, Juniper Rd.

TOPEKA, KS, Kansas Expocentre, Landon Arena, One Expocentre Drive.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL, Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

JUNE 28-30

ALBANY, GA, Civic Center, 100 West Oglethorpe Ave.

AMARILLO, TX (Spanish only), Civic Center Coliseum, 3rd & Buchanan Sts.

BEAUMONT, TX (Spanish only), Civic Center Arena, 701 Main St.

BIRMINGHAM, AL, Civic Center Coliseum, One Civic Center Plaza.

CICERO, IL, Hawthorne Race Track, 35th & Cicero Ave.

COLUMBIA, SC, Carolina Coliseum, Assembly & Blossom Sts.

COLUMBUS, OH, Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.

CORVALLIS, OR, Gill Coliseum, 600 S.W. 26th St.

DAYTON, OH, Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University, Colonel Glen Hwy.

FORT WORTH, TX, Tarrant County Convention Center, 1111 Houston St.

MACON, GA, Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Dr.

MADISON, WI, Dane County Exposition Center, 1881 Expo Mall East.

MEMPHIS, TN, Mid-South Coliseum, Mid-South Fairgrounds.

PROVIDENCE, RI, Civic Center, One LaSalle Sq.

ROANOKE, VA, Civic Center, 710 Williamson Rd. N.E.

ROCHESTER, MN, Mayo Civic Center Arena, 30 2nd Ave. S.E.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S.

SAN DIEGO, CA (Spanish only), Jack Murphy Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Cow Palace, Geneva Ave.

SOUTH BEND, IN, Notre Dame University Joyce Athletic Center, Juniper Rd.

SYRACUSE, NY, Onondaga County War Memorial Arena, 515 Montgomery St.

TACOMA, WA, Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. “D” St.

UNIONDALE, NY, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL, Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

JULY 5-7

BEAUMONT, TX (Spanish only), Civic Center Arena, 701 Main St.

BIRMINGHAM, AL, Civic Center Coliseum, One Civic Center Plaza.

BISMARCK, ND, Civic Center Arena, 601 E. Sweet Ave.

CICERO, IL, Hawthorne Race Track, 35th & Cicero Ave.

CLEVELAND, OH, Cleveland State University Convocation Centre, Prospect & E. 21st Sts.

COLUMBIA, SC, Carolina Coliseum, Assembly & Blossom Sts.

CORVALLIS, OR, Gill Coliseum, 600 S.W. 26th St.

DENVER, CO, McNichols Sports Arena, 1635 Clay St.

FORT WORTH, TX, Tarrant County Convention Center, 1111 Houston St.

JERSEY CITY, NJ (American Sign Language only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2932 Kennedy Blvd.

LAFAYETTE, LA, Cajundome, West Congress.

LINCOLN, NE, Devaney Sports Center, 16th St. & Military Rd.

LONG BEACH, CA, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

MACON, GA, Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Dr.

MOBILE, AL, Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Dr.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, Myriad, One Myriad Gardens.

PEORIA, IL, Peoria Civic Center Arena, 201 S.W. Jefferson St.

PROVIDENCE, RI, Civic Center, One LaSalle Sq.

RICHMOND, CA (Korean only), Richmond Memorial Convention Center Arena, 2544 Barrett Ave.

RICHMOND, VA, Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St.

ROCHESTER, MN, Mayo Civic Center Arena, 30 2nd Ave. S.E.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Portuguese sessions also), Cow Palace, Geneva Ave.

SOUTH BEND, IN, Notre Dame University Joyce Athletic Center, Juniper Rd.

SPRINGFIELD, IL, Prairie Capital Convention Center, One Convention Center Plaza.

SPRINGFIELD, MA, Civic Center, 1277 Main St.

SYRACUSE, NY, Onondaga County War Memorial Arena, 515 Montgomery St.

TACOMA, WA, Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. “D” St.

UNIONDALE, NY, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL, Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

WILLOUGHBY, OH (Greek only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 38025 Vine St.

JULY 12-14

BAKERSFIELD, CA, Bakersfield Convention Center Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

BEAUMONT, TX (Spanish only), Civic Center Arena, 701 Main St.

CICERO, IL (Spanish only), Hawthorne Race Track, 35th & Cicero Ave.

CLEVELAND, OH, Cleveland State University Convocation Centre, Prospect & E. 21st Sts.

DAYTON, OH, Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University, Colonel Glen Hwy.

DENVER, CO, McNichols Sports Arena, 1635 Clay St.

FORT WORTH, TX (Spanish only), Tarrant County Convention Center, 1111 Houston St.

JACKSONVILLE, FL, Memorial Coliseum, Gator Bowl Sports Complex.

JERSEY CITY, NJ (French only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2932 Kennedy Blvd.

KENNEWICK, WA (Spanish only), Tri-Cities Coliseum, 7100 W. Quinault.

LAFAYETTE, LA, Cajundome, West Congress.

LONG BEACH, CA, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

MOBILE, AL, Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Dr.

MONROE, NY (Portuguese only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mountain & Forest Roads.

OGDEN, UT, Dee Events Center, 4600 South 1400 E.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, Myriad, One Myriad Gardens.

RENO, NV, Lawlor Events Center, 15th & Virginia Streets.

RICHMOND, CA (Tagalog only), Richmond Memorial Convention Center Arena, 2544 Barrett Ave.

RICHMOND, VA, Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St.

ROCHESTER, MN, Mayo Civic Center Arena, 30 2nd Ave. S.E.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S.

SAN ANTONIO, TX, Freeman Coliseum Arena, East Houston and Coliseum Rd.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Spanish only), Cow Palace, Geneva Ave.

SPRINGFIELD, IL, Prairie Capital Convention Center, One Convention Center Plaza.

SPRINGFIELD, MA, Civic Center, 1277 Main St.

TUCSON, AZ, Convention Center, 260 S. Church St.

UNIONDALE, NY, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL, Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

JULY 19-21

CICERO, IL (Spanish only), Hawthorne Race Track, 35th & Cicero Ave.

ESCONDIDO, CA (Japanese only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1873 Iris Ln.

FREMONT, CA (Chinese only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 43400 Osgood Rd.

HAMPTON, VA, Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Dr.

JACKSONVILLE, FL, Memorial Coliseum, Gator Bowl Sports Complex.

JERSEY CITY, NJ (French only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2932 Kennedy Blvd.

LAFAYETTE, LA, Cajundome, West Congress.

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (Japanese only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 44-17 Greenpoint Ave.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Veterans Stadium, S. Broad & Pattison Ave.

RENO, NV, Lawlor Events Center, 15th & Virginia Streets.

RICHMOND, VA, Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St.

ROCHESTER, MN, Mayo Civic Center Arena, 30 2nd Ave. S.E.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S.

SAN ANTONIO, TX (Spanish only), Freeman Coliseum Arena, East Houston and Coliseum Rd.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Spanish only), Cow Palace, Geneva Ave.

SPOKANE, WA, Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena, 720 West Mallon.

SYRACUSE, NY, Onondaga County War Memorial Arena, 515 Montgomery St.

TOLEDO, OH, University of Toledo - Savage Hall, 2801 W. Bancroft.

TUCSON, AZ (Spanish only), Convention Center, 260 S. Church St.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Spanish only), Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

JULY 26-28

BAKERSFIELD, CA, Bakersfield Convention Center Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

CLEVELAND, OH, Cleveland State University Convocation Centre, Prospect & E. 21st Sts.

DAYTON, OH, Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University, Colonel Glen Hwy.

ESCONDIDO, CA (American Sign Language only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1873 Iris Ln.

HAMPTON, VA, Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Dr.

JERSEY CITY, NJ (Korean only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2932 Kennedy Blvd.

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (Italian only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 44-17 Greenpoint Ave.

OGDEN, UT, Dee Events Center, 4600 South 1400 E.

RICHMOND, VA, Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St.

ROCKFORD, IL, Metrocentre Arena, 300 Elm St.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Spanish only), Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S.

SPOKANE, WA, Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena, 720 West Mallon.

SPRINGFIELD, IL, Prairie Capital Convention Center, One Convention Center Plaza.

SYRACUSE, NY, Onondaga County War Memorial Arena, 515 Montgomery St.

TUCSON, AZ (Spanish only), Convention Center, 260 S. Church St.

UNIONDALE, NY, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Spanish only), Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

AUGUST 2-4

BAKERSFIELD, CA, Bakersfield Convention Center Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

CLEVELAND, OH, Cleveland State University Convocation Centre, Prospect & E. 21st Sts.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, Memorial Coliseum, 402 S. Shoreline Blvd.

DENVER, CO, McNichols Sports Arena, 1635 Clay St.

LONG BEACH, CA, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Spanish only), Bayfront Center, 400 1st St. S.

UNIONDALE, NY, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Spanish only), Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

AUGUST 9-11

BAKERSFIELD, CA, Bakersfield Convention Center Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Spanish only), Memorial Coliseum, 402 S. Shoreline Blvd.

UNIONDALE, NY (Spanish only), Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Spanish only), Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

AUGUST 16-18

BAKERSFIELD, CA (Spanish only), Bakersfield Convention Center Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Spanish only), Memorial Coliseum, 402 S. Shoreline Blvd.

LONG BEACH, CA (Spanish only), Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

LONG BEACH, CA (Vietnamese only), Long Beach Convention Center California Room, Lower Level, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

UNIONDALE, NY (Spanish only), Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Spanish only), Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

AUGUST 23-25

BAKERSFIELD, CA (Spanish only), Bakersfield Convention Center Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Spanish only), Memorial Coliseum, 402 S. Shoreline Blvd.

LONG BEACH, CA (Spanish only), Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Spanish only), Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

AUGUST 30–SEPTEMBER 1

LONG BEACH, CA (Spanish only), Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

UNIONDALE, NY (Spanish only), Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (French only), Palm Beach Jai Alai, 1415 W. 45th St.

SEPTEMBER 6-8

LONG BEACH, CA (Spanish only), Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

SEPTEMBER 13-15

LONG BEACH, CA (Spanish only), Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

Britain

JUNE 13-15

JERSEY, C.I., Fort Regent Leisure Centre, St. Helier.

JUNE 21-23

BOURNEMOUTH, Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club, Dean Court.

COVENTRY, Highfield Road Stadium, King Richard Street.

JUNE 28-30

LONDON (Italian only), Surrey Assembly Hall, Brickhouse Lane, South Godstone.

PLYMOUTH, Plymouth Argyle Football Club, Home Park.

SUNDERLAND, Sunderland Football Club, Roker Park, Grantham Road.

WOLVERHAMPTON, Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, Molineux Grounds, Waterloo Road.

JULY 5-7

CARDIFF, Welsh National Rugby Ground, Cardiff Arms Park.

LEEDS, Leeds United Football Club, Elland Road.

JULY 12-14

BRIGHTON, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road.

LONDON (Greek only), North London Assembly Hall, 174 Bowes Road.

MANCHESTER, Manchester Arena, Hunts Bank

NOTTINGHAM, Nottingham Forest Football Club, City Ground.

PERTH, St. Johnstone Football Club, McDiarmid Park, Crieff Road.

JULY 19-21

NORWICH, Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road.

JULY 26-28

LONDON, London Arena, Limeharbour.

LONDON (TWICKENHAM), Rugby Union Ground, Whitton Road, Twickenham, Middlesex.

LONDON (Spanish only), Edgware Assembly Hall, Avion Crescent.

AUGUST 2-4

LONDON (CRYSTAL PALACE), National Sports Centre, Norwood.

SEPTEMBER 13-15

MALTA, New Dolman Hotel Conference Centre, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay.

Ireland

JULY 5-7

NORTHERN IRELAND, Windsor Park Football Ground, Belfast.

JULY 19-21

IRISH REPUBLIC, Green Glens Arena, Millstreet.

Canada

JUNE 21-23

KITCHENER, ONT. (Vietnamese also), Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, 400 East Ave.

SHERBROOKE, QUE., Palais des sports, 360, rue Parc.

VICTORIA, B.C., Victoria Memorial Arena, 1925 Blanshard St.

WINDSOR, ONT., St. Denis Athletic & Community Centre, University of Windsor, College Ave. & Huron Church Rd.

JUNE 28-30

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALTA., Canada Games Arena, 10017 99 Ave.

HAMILTON, ONT. (Greek sessions also), Copps Coliseum, 101 York Blvd.

KITCHENER, ONT. (Spanish only), Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, 400 East Ave.

LETHBRIDGE, ALTA., Canada Games Sportsplex, 2510 Scenic Dr.

SASKATOON, SASK. (Sign language also), Saskatchewan Place, 3515 Thatcher Ave.

SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT., Sault Memorial Gardens, 269 Queen St. E.

SHERBROOKE, QUE. (French only), Palais des sports, 360, rue Parc.

VANCOUVER, B.C. (Sign language also), Pacific Coliseum, P.N.E. Grounds, Hastings St. E. & Renfrew St.

JULY 5-7

HAMILTON, ONT. (Sign language also; Korean and Portuguese sessions also), Copps Coliseum, 101 York Blvd.

HULL, QUE. (French only), Palais des congrès, 200, promenade du Portage.

KAMLOOPS, B.C., Riverside Coliseum, 300 Lorne St.

NANAIMO, B.C., Frank Crane Arena, Beban Park Recreation Centre, 2300 Bowen Rd.

OTTAWA, ONT. (Arabic also; Greek sessions also), Civic Centre Arena, Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank St.

RED DEER, ALTA., Centrium, Westerner Park, 4900 Delburne Rd.

SHERBROOKE, QUE. (French only), Palais des sports, 360, rue Parc.

WINNIPEG, MAN., Winnipeg Convention Centre, 375 York Ave.

JULY 12-14

BRAMPTON, ONT. (Italian only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hwy. 7, 1 mile W. of Mississauga Rd., Norval.

PENTICTON, B.C., Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, 273 Power St.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C., Prince George Multi-plex Arena, 2188 Ospika Blvd.

RED DEER, ALTA. (Spanish sessions also), Centrium, Westerner Park, 4900 Delburne Rd.

ST. JOHN, N.B., Harbour Station, 99 Station St.

SHERBROOKE, QUE. (French only; sign language also), Palais des sports, 360, rue Parc.

JULY 19-21

MONTREAL, QUE. (Italian only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 12700, boul. Métropolitain Est, Point-aux-Trembles.

MOUNT PEARL, NFLD., Mount Pearl Glacier, Olympic Dr.

QUEBEC CITY, QUE. (French only), Colisée de Québec, 2205, avenue du Colisée.

SURREY, B.C. (Spanish only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 15577 82nd Ave.

JULY 26-28

BRAMPTON, ONT. (Polish only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hwy. 7, 1 mile W. of Mississauga Rd., Norval.

DARTMOUTH, N.S., Dartmouth Sportsplex, 110 Wyse Rd.

MONTREAL, QUE. (Spanish only), Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 12700, boul. Métropolitain Est, Point-aux-Trembles.

The Gospel Truth

THREE tiny fragments of a manuscript of the Gospel of Matthew, known as P⁶⁴, have been in the possession of Magdalen College in Oxford, England, since 1901. For some time, scholars believed that they dated back to the later second century C.E.

Recently, Carsten P. Thiede, an expert in papyrology in Paderborn, Germany, conducted a thorough examination of P⁶⁴, which consists of parts of 10 verses from Matthew chapter 26. The result? Writing in Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik (Journal of Papyrology and Epigraphics), Thiede describes the Oxford fragments as “a Christian codex fragment of the first century, perhaps (though not necessarily) predating AD 70.”

Thiede’s observations caused quite a stir in the press and in scholarly circles. Why? Because what is currently accepted as being the oldest remaining portion of text from the Gospels is P⁵², a fragment of the Gospel of John from about 125 C.E., or no earlier than the second century.

Whether the new date given to the papyrus fragments P⁶⁴ will meet with wide acceptance remains to be seen. In any event, the earlier date would not only make P⁶⁴ the oldest Gospel fragments in existence; it would also supply additional evidence indicating that the Gospel of Matthew was indeed written in the first century, possibly even before 70 C.E., when numerous eyewitnesses of the events of Jesus’ life were still alive to corroborate the Gospel’s truth.

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By permission of the President and Fellows of Magdalen College, Oxford.

Would You Welcome a Visit?

Even in this troubled world, you can gain happiness from accurate Bible knowledge of God, his Kingdom, and his wonderful purpose for mankind. If you would welcome further information or would like to have someone call at your home to conduct a free Bible study with you, please write to Watchtower, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483, or to the appropriate address listed on page 2.