The Watchtower — September 1, 2000

Do You Know How to Wait?

CAN you imagine how much time people spend every year just waiting? They wait in line at the store or at the gasoline station. They wait to be served in a restaurant. They wait to see the doctor or the dentist. They wait for buses and trains. Yes, a surprising amount of time in a person’s life is spent waiting for things to happen. According to one estimate, Germans alone lose 4.7 billion hours a year just waiting in traffic jams! Somebody calculated that this equals the total life expectancy of about 7,000 people.

Waiting can be very frustrating. These days, there never seems to be enough time to do everything, and thinking about those other things that we should be doing can make waiting a real trial. Author Alexander Rose once said: “Half the agony of living is waiting.”

American statesman Benjamin Franklin recognized that waiting can also be costly. Over 250 years ago, he noted: “Time is money.” That is why businesses seek ways to avoid unnecessary delays during work processes. More goods produced in less time can mean greater profits. Businesses that directly serve the public try to offer quick service​—fast food, drive-through banking, and the like—​because they know that pleasing the customer includes cutting down on waiting time.

Wasting Our Lives Away

Nineteenth-century American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once complained: “How much of human life is lost in waiting!” More recently, author Lance Morrow complained about the boredom and physical discomfort of waiting. But then he spoke of “the subtler misery of waiting.” What is that? “The knowledge that one’s most precious resource, time, a fraction of one’s life, is being stolen away, irrecoverably lost.” Sad, but true. Time lost because of waiting is lost forever.

Of course, if life were not so short, waiting would be less of a cause for concern. But life is short. Thousands of years ago, the Bible psalmist commented: “In themselves the days of our years are seventy years; and if because of special mightiness they are eighty years, yet their insistence is on trouble and hurtful things; for it must quickly pass by, and away we fly.” (Psalm 90:10) Wherever we live and whoever we are, our lives​—the days, hours, minutes that lie before us when we are born—​are limited. Yet, we cannot avoid situations where we are forced to waste some of that precious time waiting on events or people.

Learning How to Wait

Most of us have experienced being in a car with a driver who is constantly trying to pass the vehicle ahead of him. Often, there is no pressing need​—the driver does not have an urgent appointment. Still, he cannot stand having his progress dictated by another driver. His lack of patience betrays that he has not learned how to wait. Learned? Yes, knowing how to wait is a lesson that must be learned. Nobody is born with it. Babies demand instant attention when they are hungry or in discomfort. It is only as they get older that they understand that sometimes they have to wait for what they want. Indeed, since waiting is an inevitable part of life, knowing how to wait patiently when necessary is a mark of a mature person.

Of course, there are urgent situations where impatience is understandable. A young husband rushing his wife to the hospital because their new baby is on its way would justifiably be impatient about delays. The angels urging Lot to leave Sodom were not prepared to wait while Lot delayed. Destruction was imminent, and the lives of Lot and his family were at stake. (Genesis 19:15, 16) In most cases, however, lives are not at stake when people are forced to wait. In those cases, things could be much more pleasant if everyone learned to be patient​—even if the waiting was caused by someone’s inefficiency or lack of interest. Moreover, it would be easier to be patient if everyone learned how to use the time spent waiting in a profitable way. The box on page 5 has some suggestions for making waiting not only endurable but even profitable.

It cannot be overlooked that an impatient spirit might betray a prideful attitude, a feeling that one is too important to be kept waiting. For any with such an attitude, the following words from the Bible are worthy of consideration: “Better is one who is patient than one who is haughty in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8) Haughtiness, or pride, is a serious personality defect, and the Bible proverb says: “Everyone that is proud in heart is something detestable to Jehovah.” (Proverbs 16:5) Learning patience​—learning how to wait—​may, therefore, require that we take a good look at ourselves and our relationships with people around us.

Patience Will Be Rewarded

We normally find waiting easier if we are convinced that what we are waiting for is worth the delay and that it really will come eventually. In this regard, it is good to reflect on the fact that all sincere worshipers of God are waiting for the fulfillment of his magnificent promises found in the Bible. For example, we are told in a divinely inspired psalm: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” This promise was echoed by the apostle John when he said: “He that does the will of God remains forever.” (Psalm 37:29; 1 John 2:17) Clearly, if we could live forever, waiting would not be a big problem. But we are not living forever right now. Is it even realistic to talk of everlasting life?

Before answering, consider that God created our first parents with the prospect of living forever. It was only because they sinned that they lost that prospect for both themselves and their children​—including us. However, immediately after their sin, God announced his purpose to overturn the results of their disobedience. He promised the coming of a “seed,” who turned out to be Jesus Christ.​—Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:18.

Whether we as individuals will benefit from the fulfillment of his promises is our decision to make. To do so will take patience. In order to help us learn this kind of patience, the Bible encourages us to meditate on the example of a farmer. He sows his seed and has no choice but to wait patiently​—doing what he can to protect his crop—​until it is time for the harvest. Then his patience is rewarded, and he sees the fruits of his labor. (James 5:7) The apostle Paul mentions another example of patience. He reminds us of faithful men and women of old. They were looking forward to the outworking of God’s purposes, but they had to wait for God’s appointed time. Paul encourages us to imitate these, “who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”​—Hebrews 6:11, 12.

Yes, waiting is an unavoidable fact of life. But it does not have to be a constant source of distress. For those who are awaiting the outworking of God’s promises, it can be a source of joy. They can fill the time spent waiting by cultivating a close relationship with God and doing works that demonstrate their faith. And by prayer, study, and meditation, they can cultivate an unwavering confidence that everything God has promised will happen in his due time.

[Box/​Pictures on page 5]

REDUCE THE AGONY OF WAITING!

Plan ahead! If you know that you will have to wait, be prepared to read, write, knit, crochet, or engage in some other useful activity.

Use the time to meditate, something that is increasingly difficult in our fast-moving world.

Keep some reading material near the telephone to use if you are put on hold; in five or ten minutes, you can read several pages.

When waiting in a group, use the opportunity, if appropriate, to start conversations with others and share upbuilding thoughts with them.

Keep a notepad or reading material in your car for periods of unexpected waiting.

Close your eyes, relax, or pray.

SUCCESSFUL WAITING IS MAINLY A MATTER OF ATTITUDE AND FORETHOUGHT.

Reflect the Mental Attitude of Christ

“May the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant you to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had.”​—ROMANS 15:5.

1. How can one’s life be affected by one’s attitude?

ATTITUDE makes a big difference in life. A nonchalant or a diligent attitude, a positive or a negative attitude, a belligerent or a cooperative attitude, a complaining or a grateful attitude can strongly influence how a person deals with situations and how other people react to him. With a good attitude, one can be happy even in quite difficult situations. For a person with a bad attitude, nothing seems right, even when​—from an objective standpoint—​life is good.

2. How does a person learn attitudes?

² Attitudes​—good or bad—​can be learned. In fact, they have to be learned. Speaking of a newborn child, Collier’s Encyclopedia says: “What attitudes he eventually comes to possess he must acquire or learn, somewhat as he must acquire or learn a language or any other skill.” How do we learn attitudes? While many things contribute, environment and association are very influential. The previously mentioned encyclopedia notes: “We learn or absorb, as if by osmosis, the attitudes of those with whom we are closely associated.” Thousands of years ago, the Bible said something similar: “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.”​—Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33.

A Pattern for Proper Attitude

3. Who was exemplary with regard to his attitude, and how can we imitate him?

³ As in all else, so too in the matter of attitude, Jesus Christ set the best pattern. He said: “I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do also.” (John 13:15) To be like Jesus, we must first learn about him.a We study Jesus’ life with the intention of doing what the apostle Peter recommended: “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) Our goal is to be as much like Jesus as possible. That includes cultivating his mental attitude.

4, 5. What aspect of Jesus’ mental attitude is highlighted at Romans 15:1-3, and how can Christians imitate him?

⁴ What is involved in having Christ Jesus’ mental attitude? Chapter 15 of Paul’s letter to the Romans 15 helps us to answer that question. In the first few verses of this chapter, Paul refers to an outstanding quality of Jesus when he says: “We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor in what is good for his upbuilding. For even the Christ did not please himself; but just as it is written: ‘The reproaches of those who were reproaching you have fallen upon me.’”​—Romans 15:1-3.

⁵ Imitating Jesus’ attitude, Christians are encouraged to be prepared to serve the needs of others with humility rather than wanting to please only themselves. Indeed, such humble willingness to serve others is a characteristic of those “who are strong.” Jesus, who was spiritually stronger than any human who ever lived, said of himself: “The Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.” (Matthew 20:28) As Christians, we likewise want to reach out to serve others, including “those not strong.”

6. In what way can we imitate Jesus’ reaction to opposition and reproach?

⁶ Another fine characteristic that Jesus manifested was a pattern of thought and action that was always positive. He never allowed the negative attitude of others to influence his own fine attitude toward serving God; neither should we. When reproached and persecuted because of worshiping God faithfully, Jesus patiently endured without complaining. He knew that opposition from an unbelieving and uncomprehending world can be expected by those who try to please their neighbor “in what is good for his upbuilding.”

7. How did Jesus manifest patience, and why should we do the same?

⁷ Jesus demonstrated a proper attitude in other ways. He never expressed impatience with Jehovah but patiently waited for the outworking of His purposes. (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 24:36; Acts 2:32-36; Hebrews 10:12, 13) Moreover, Jesus did not become impatient with his followers. He told them: “Learn from me”; since he was “mild-tempered,” his instruction was upbuilding and refreshing. And because he was “lowly in heart,” he was never bombastic or presumptuous. (Matthew 11:29) Paul encourages us to imitate these aspects of Jesus’ attitude when he says: “Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men.”​—Philippians 2:5-7.

8, 9. (a) Why do we have to work to cultivate an unselfish attitude? (b) Why should we not be discouraged if we fall short of the pattern Jesus left, and how was Paul a good example in this regard?

⁸ It is easy to say that we want to serve others and want to put their needs ahead of our own. But an honest examination of our mental attitude may reveal that our hearts are not completely inclined that way. Why not? First, because we have inherited selfish traits from Adam and Eve; second, because we live in a world that promotes selfishness. (Ephesians 4:17, 18) To develop an unselfish attitude often means to cultivate a pattern of thought contrary to our inborn imperfect nature. That takes determination and effort.

⁹ Our obvious imperfection, standing in sharp contrast with the perfect pattern that Jesus left us, may at times cause us to be discouraged. We may doubt that having the same mental attitude that Jesus had is even possible. But note Paul’s encouraging words: “I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, there dwells nothing good; for ability to wish is present with me, but ability to work out what is fine is not present. For the good that I wish I do not do, but the bad that I do not wish is what I practice. I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I behold in my members another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my members.” (Romans 7:18, 19, 22, 23) True, Paul’s imperfection repeatedly hindered him from carrying out God’s will as he desired, but his attitude​—the way he thought and felt about Jehovah and His law—​was exemplary. Ours can be too.

Correcting Faulty Attitudes

10. What mental attitude did Paul encourage the Philippians to cultivate?

¹⁰ Is it possible that some need to correct a faulty attitude? Yes. This was evidently true of some Christians in the first century. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul spoke about having the right attitude. He wrote: “Not that I have already received it [heavenly life by means of the earlier resurrection] or am already made perfect, but I am pursuing to see if I may also lay hold on that for which I have also been laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold on it; but there is one thing about it: Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus. Let us, then, as many of us as are mature, be of this mental attitude.”​—Philippians 3:12-15.

11, 12. In what ways does Jehovah reveal a proper mental attitude to us?

¹¹ Paul’s words show that anyone who, having become a Christian, does not feel the need to make progress has a wrong attitude. He has failed to adopt Christ’s mental attitude. (Hebrews 4:11; 2 Peter 1:10; 3:14) Is the situation of such a person hopeless? Not at all. God can help us to change our attitude if we really want to. Paul goes on to say: “If you are mentally inclined otherwise in any respect, God will reveal the above attitude to you.”​—Philippians 3:15.

¹² However, if we wish Jehovah to reveal to us the proper attitude, we must do our part. Prayerful study of God’s Word with the help of Christian publications provided by “the faithful and discreet slave” will enable those “mentally inclined otherwise” to develop a proper attitude. (Matthew 24:45) Christian elders, appointed by holy spirit “to shepherd the congregation of God,” will be happy to offer support. (Acts 20:28) How grateful we are that Jehovah takes our imperfections into account and lovingly offers us help! Let us accept it.

Learning From Others

13. What do we learn about a proper attitude from the Bible account of Job?

¹³ In Romans chapter 15, Paul shows that meditating on historical examples can help us to adjust our attitude. He writes: “All the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) Some of Jehovah’s faithful servants in times past needed to correct certain aspects of their attitude. In general, for example, Job had a fine attitude. He never attributed evil to Jehovah, and at no time did he allow suffering to shake his confidence in God. (Job 1:8, 21, 22) Yet, he was inclined to justify himself. Jehovah directed Elihu to assist Job in rectifying this inclination. Rather than feeling insulted, Job humbly accepted the need for a change in attitude and readily set about making it.​—Job 42:1-6.

14. How can we be like Job if we are counseled about our attitude?

¹⁴ Would we react as Job did if a fellow Christian kindly told us that we were giving evidence of a faulty attitude? Like Job, may we never “ascribe anything improper to God.” (Job 1:22) If we suffer unjustly, may we never complain or hold Jehovah responsible for our difficulties. May we avoid trying to justify ourselves, remembering that no matter what our privileges may be in Jehovah’s service, we are still only “good-for-nothing slaves.”​—Luke 17:10.

15. (a) What wrong attitude did some of Jesus’ followers betray? (b) How did Peter show a fine attitude?

¹⁵ During the first century, some who listened to Jesus displayed an improper attitude. On one occasion, Jesus said something that was difficult to understand. In response, “many of his disciples, when they heard this, said: ‘This speech is shocking; who can listen to it?’” Those who spoke in this way clearly had a wrong attitude. And their wrong attitude led to their ceasing to listen to Jesus. The record says: “Owing to this many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him.” Did all have a wrong attitude? No. The record continues: “Therefore Jesus said to the twelve: ‘You do not want to go also, do you?’ Simon Peter answered him: ‘Lord, whom shall we go away to?’” In effect, Peter then answered his own question: “You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:60, 66-68) What a fine attitude! When confronted with explanations or refinements in understanding of the Scriptures that we may at first find difficult to accept, would it not be good to display the attitude shown by Peter? How foolish it would be to stop serving Jehovah or to speak in a manner contrary to “the pattern of healthful words” simply because some things are initially difficult to understand!​—2 Timothy 1:13.

16. What shocking attitude was manifested by the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day?

¹⁶ The Jewish religious leaders of the first century failed to manifest the mental attitude that Jesus had. Their resolute determination not to listen to Jesus was demonstrated when he raised Lazarus from the dead. For any with a right attitude, that miracle would have been proof positive that Jesus was sent from God. However, we read: “Consequently the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together and began to say: ‘What are we to do, because this man performs many signs? If we let him alone this way, they will all put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.’” Their solution? “From that day on they took counsel to kill him.” Besides plotting to kill Jesus, they set out to destroy the living evidence of his being a miracle worker. “The chief priests now took counsel to kill Lazarus also.” (John 11:47, 48, 53; 12:9-11) How repugnant it would be if we were to foster a similar attitude and become irritated or upset over things about which we really should rejoice! Yes, and how dangerous!

Copying Christ’s Positive Attitude

17. (a) Under what circumstances did Daniel show a fearless attitude? (b) How did Jesus show himself courageous?

¹⁷ Jehovah’s servants maintain a positive attitude. When Daniel’s enemies conspired to have a law passed forbidding the making of a petition to any god or man except to the king for 30 days, Daniel knew that this impinged on his relationship with Jehovah God. Would he abstain from praying to God for 30 days? No, he fearlessly continued praying to Jehovah three times a day, as was his custom. (Daniel 6:6-17) Jesus likewise refused to be intimidated by his enemies. One Sabbath day, he encountered a man with a withered hand. Jesus knew that many Jews there present would be displeased if he healed someone on the Sabbath. He asked them pointedly to express themselves on the matter. When they refused, Jesus went ahead and healed the man. (Mark 3:1-6) Jesus never shrank back from fulfilling his commission as he felt proper.

18. Why do some oppose us, but how should we react to their negative attitude?

¹⁸ Jehovah’s Witnesses today recognize that they too must never be intimidated by the possible negative reaction of opposers. Otherwise, they will not be displaying Jesus’ mental attitude. Many oppose Jehovah’s Witnesses, some because they are ignorant of the facts and others because they hate the Witnesses or their message. But let us never permit their unfriendly attitude to affect our positive one. We should never let others dictate the way we worship.

19. How can we manifest a mental attitude like that of Jesus Christ?

¹⁹ Jesus always displayed a positive mental attitude toward his followers and toward God’s arrangements, however difficult it was to do so. (Matthew 23:2, 3) We should copy his example. Granted, our brothers are imperfect, but so are we. And where can we find better companions and truly loyal friends than in our worldwide brotherhood? Jehovah has not yet given us a complete understanding of his written Word, but what religious group understands more? Let us always keep the right mental attitude, the mental attitude that Jesus Christ had. Among other things, this includes knowing how to wait upon Jehovah, as we will discuss in the following article.

[Footnote]

Can You Explain?

• How are our lives affected by our attitude?

• Describe the mental attitude of Jesus Christ.

• What can we learn from Job’s attitude?

• What is the right attitude to have in the face of opposition?

[Pictures on page 7]

A Christian with the right attitude reaches out to help others

[Picture on page 9]

Prayerful study of God’s Word helps us to adopt Christ’s mental attitude

Show a Waiting Attitude!

“I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”​—MICAH 7:7.

1, 2. (a) How did a wrong attitude harm the Israelites in the wilderness? (b) What could happen to a Christian who does not cultivate a proper attitude?

MANY things in life can be viewed either positively or negatively, depending on our attitude. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they were miraculously provided with manna. They should have looked around at the barren landscape and have been deeply grateful to Jehovah for providing their sustenance. That would have reflected a positive attitude. Instead, they remembered the wide variety of food in Egypt and complained that manna was unappetizing. What a negative attitude!​—Numbers 11:4-6.

² The attitude of a Christian today can similarly make things appear either bright or gloomy. Without the proper attitude, a Christian could easily lose his joy, and that would be serious because, as Nehemiah said: “The joy of Jehovah is [our] stronghold.” (Nehemiah 8:10) A positive, joyful attitude helps to keep us strong and promotes peace and unity in the congregation.​—Romans 15:13; Philippians 1:25.

3. How did a proper attitude help Jeremiah during difficult times?

³ Despite living in difficult times, Jeremiah displayed a positive attitude. Even when he witnessed the horrors of Jerusalem’s fall in 607 B.C.E., he could see positive things. Jehovah would not forget Israel, and the nation would survive. Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations: “It is the acts of loving-kindness of Jehovah that we have not come to our finish, because his mercies will certainly not come to an end. They are new each morning. Your faithfulness is abundant.” (Lamentations 3:22, 23) Throughout history, servants of God in the most difficult circumstances have sought to maintain a positive, even joyful, attitude.​—2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; James 1:2.

4. What attitude did Jesus maintain, and how did it help him?

⁴ Six hundred years after Jeremiah, Jesus was helped to endure because of his positive attitude. We read: “For the joy that was set before [Jesus] he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) Whatever opposition or persecution Jesus had to face​—even the agony of the torture stake—​he kept his mind on “the joy that was set before him.” That joy was the privilege of vindicating Jehovah’s sovereignty and sanctifying his name as well as the prospect of bringing great blessings to obedient mankind in the future.

Adopt a Waiting Attitude

5. What is a typical situation in which a waiting attitude will help us to keep a proper view of matters?

⁵ If we cultivate a mental attitude like that of Jesus, we will not lose the joy of Jehovah even if things do not always happen as and when we expect them to. The prophet Micah said: “As for me, it is for Jehovah that I shall keep on the lookout. I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation.” (Micah 7:7; Lamentations 3:21) We too can show a waiting attitude. How? In many ways. For one thing, we may feel that a brother in authority has acted in error and that an immediate correction is needed. A waiting attitude will allow us to consider, ‘Was he really in error, or am I mistaken? If he was in error, could it be that Jehovah is allowing events to unfold because he feels that the individual will improve and that drastic corrective measures will be unnecessary?’

6. How will a waiting attitude help someone struggling with a personal problem?

⁶ A waiting attitude may be needed if we are troubled by a personal problem or are struggling with a weakness. Suppose we ask for Jehovah’s help, but the problem persists. What then? We have to keep doing whatever is in our power to solve the problem and then have faith in Jesus’ words: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) Keep praying, and wait upon Jehovah. At an appropriate time and in his own way, Jehovah will answer your prayers.​—1 Thessalonians 5:17.

7. In what way will a waiting attitude help our view of a progressively refined understanding of the Bible?

⁷ As Bible prophecies undergo fulfillment, our understanding of the Scriptures is refined. At times, though, we may think that a certain clarification is overdue. If it is not forthcoming when we would prefer it, are we willing to wait? Remember, Jehovah saw fit to reveal “the sacred secret of the Christ” a little at a time and over a period of some 4,000 years. (Ephesians 3:3-6) Do we, then, have any reason to be impatient? Do we doubt that a “faithful and discreet slave” has been appointed to give Jehovah’s people “their food at the proper time”? (Matthew 24:45) Why deprive ourselves of godly joy because not everything is completely understood? Remember, Jehovah decides when and how to reveal his ‘confidential matters.’​—Amos 3:7.

8. How has Jehovah’s patience proved beneficial to many?

⁸ Some may be discouraged because they feel that after many years of faithful service, they may not live to see “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” (Joel 2:30, 31) Still, they can be encouraged when they look at the positive aspect. Peter counseled: “Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.” (2 Peter 3:15) Jehovah’s patience has allowed millions of additional righthearted ones to learn the truth. Is that not wonderful? Further, the longer Jehovah exercises patience, the more time we have to “keep working out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling.”​—Philippians 2:12; 2 Peter 3:11, 12.

9. If we are limited in what we can do in Jehovah’s service, how will a waiting attitude help us endure the situation?

⁹ A waiting attitude helps us not to be discouraged when opposition, sickness, advancing age, or other problems hinder us in Kingdom service. Jehovah expects us to serve him wholeheartedly. (Romans 12:1) However, God’s Son, who feels “sorry for the lowly one and the poor one,” does not demand more than we can reasonably offer; neither does Jehovah. (Psalm 72:13) Thus, we are encouraged to do what we can, patiently waiting until circumstances change​—either in this system of things or in that which is to come. Remember: “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering.”​—Hebrews 6:10.

10. What ungodly trait can be avoided by one with a waiting attitude? Explain.

¹⁰ A waiting attitude also helps us to avoid presumptuousness. Some who have become apostate were unwilling to wait. They may have felt that there was a need for adjustments, either in Bible understanding or in organizational matters. Yet, they failed to acknowledge that Jehovah’s spirit moves the faithful and discreet slave to make adjustments in His due time, not when we may feel that this is needed. And any adjustments must be in harmony with Jehovah’s will, not our personal ideas. Apostates allow a presumptuous attitude to warp their thinking and stumble them. But if they had adopted the mental attitude of Christ, they could have retained their joy and remained among Jehovah’s people.​—Philippians 2:5-8.

11. How can we profitably use time spent waiting, following whose examples?

¹¹ Of course, maintaining a waiting attitude does not mean being lazy or inactive. We have things to do. For example, we need to be occupied in personal Bible study and thus show the same keen interest in spiritual things that the faithful prophets and even the angels showed. Speaking of such interest, Peter says: “Concerning this very salvation a diligent inquiry and a careful search were made by the prophets . . . Into these very things angels are desiring to peer.” (1 Peter 1:10-12) Not only is personal study a must but so are regular meeting attendance and prayer. (James 4:8) Those who show an awareness of their spiritual need by regularly taking in spiritual food and associating with fellow Christians demonstrate that they have adopted Christ’s mental attitude.​—Matthew 5:3.

Have a Realistic View

12. (a) What independence did Adam and Eve seek? (b) What has been the result of mankind’s following Adam and Eve’s course?

¹² When God created the first human couple, he reserved to himself the right to set standards of right and wrong. (Genesis 2:16, 17) Adam and Eve wanted independence from God’s guidance, and this resulted in the world we see around us today. The apostle Paul said: “Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) Six thousand years of human history since Adam’s time have demonstrated the truth of Jeremiah’s words: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) To acknowledge that Jeremiah’s words are true is not defeatist. It is realistic. It explains all those long centuries when “man has dominated man to his injury” because humans have ruled independently of God.​—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

13. What realistic view do Jehovah’s Witnesses have of what can be accomplished by humans?

¹³ In view of mankind’s situation, Jehovah’s Witnesses realize that there are limits to what can be achieved in the present system of things. A positive attitude can help preserve our joy, but it is not the solution to everything. In the early 1950’s, an American clergyman published a best-selling book called The Power of Positive Thinking. The book suggested that most obstacles can be overcome if they are approached with a positive attitude. Positive thinking is certainly admirable. But experience shows that knowledge, skill, material means, and a host of other factors restrict what we as individuals can accomplish. And on a world scale, the problems are simply too large for humans to solve successfully​—however positive their thinking!

14. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses have a negative attitude? Explain.

¹⁴ Because of their realistic view of such matters, Jehovah’s Witnesses are sometimes accused of having a negative attitude. Rather, they are eager to tell people about the only One who can permanently improve mankind’s lot. In this too they imitate the mental attitude of Christ. (Romans 15:2) And they are busy helping people to gain a good relationship with God. They know that in the long run, this will accomplish the most good.​—Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Timothy 4:16.

15. How does the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses improve individuals?

¹⁵ Jehovah’s Witnesses do not ignore the social problems​—especially the defiling unscriptural practices—​around them. Before an interested person becomes one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he makes changes, often having to conquer addictive vices that are displeasing to God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Thus Jehovah’s Witnesses have helped responsive ones to overcome drunkenness, drug addiction, immorality, and compulsive gambling. Such reformed individuals have learned to provide for their families in a responsible and honest way. (1 Timothy 5:8) When individuals and families are helped in this way, problems in the community are lessened​—there are fewer drug addicts, fewer cases of family violence, and so forth. By being law-abiding citizens themselves and by helping others to change their lives for the better, Jehovah’s Witnesses lessen the load of agencies whose work it is to deal with social problems.

16. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses not get involved in secular reform movements?

¹⁶ So, have Jehovah’s Witnesses changed the moral climate in the world? Well, in the past decade, the number of active Witnesses increased from slightly fewer than 3,800,000 to almost 6,000,000. That is an increase of about 2,200,000, many of whom gave up unrighteous practices when they became Christians. A lot of lives improved! Still, this number is very small when compared with the increase in world population during the same period​—875,000,000! Jehovah’s Witnesses have found it a source of joy to help responsive individuals, though realizing that few from among mankind will take the road to life. (Matthew 7:13, 14) While the Witnesses await the worldwide changes for the better that only God can make, they do not get involved in secular reform movements, which often start with good intentions but end up in disillusionment and even violence.​—2 Peter 3:13.

17. What did Jesus do to help those around him, but what did he not do?

¹⁷ In taking this course, Jehovah’s Witnesses demonstrate the same confidence in Jehovah that Jesus did while on earth. Back in the first century, Jesus performed miracles of healing. (Luke 6:17-19) He even resurrected the dead. (Luke 7:11-15; 8:49-56) But he did not remove the problem of sickness or conquer the enemy death. He knew that it was not yet God’s due time for this. With the elevated abilities of a perfect man, Jesus could likely have done much to solve serious political and social problems. It seems that some of his contemporaries wanted him to take power and act in this way, but Jesus declined. We read: “When the men saw the signs he performed, they began to say: ‘This is for a certainty the prophet that was to come into the world.’ Therefore Jesus, knowing they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain all alone.”​—John 6:14, 15.

18. (a) How has Jesus always shown a waiting attitude? (b) How has Jesus’ activity changed since 1914?

¹⁸ Jesus refused to become involved in politics or purely social work because he knew that the time for him to assume kingly power and to perform works of healing for everyone everywhere had not yet arrived. Even after his ascension to immortal spirit life in the heavens, he was willing to wait for Jehovah’s appointed time before taking action. (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34, 35) However, since his enthronement as King of God’s Kingdom in 1914, he is going forth “conquering and to complete his conquest.” (Revelation 6:2; 12:10) How grateful we are to submit to his kingship, while others who claim to be Christians choose to remain ignorant of the Bible’s teachings concerning the Kingdom!

Waiting​—Source of Frustration or of Joy?

19. When does waiting ‘make the heart sick,’ and when is it a source of joy?

¹⁹ Solomon knew that waiting can be frustrating. He wrote: “Expectation postponed is making the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12) Certainly, if a person is entertaining unfounded expectations, the heart can be sickened by disappointment. However, waiting for happy events​—perhaps a wedding, the birth of a child, or a reunion with people we love—​can fill us with anticipatory joy long before the day of fulfillment. That joy is intensified if we use the waiting time wisely, making preparations for the coming event.

20. (a) What wondrous events do we confidently expect to see? (b) How can we find joy while waiting for Jehovah’s purposes to be fulfilled?

²⁰ When we have complete confidence that our expectations will be fulfilled​—even if we do not know when they will be fulfilled—​the waiting period does not have to ‘make the heart sick.’ God’s faithful worshipers know that Christ’s Millennial Reign is imminent. They are confident that they will see the end of death and disease. With eager anticipation they joyfully await the time when they will welcome back billions from the dead, including their dead loved ones. (Revelation 20:1-3, 6; 21:3, 4) In these times of ecological crisis, they relish the certain prospect of seeing Paradise established on earth. (Isaiah 35:1, 2, 7) How wise, then, to use the waiting time judiciously, “always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord”! (1 Corinthians 15:58) Keep on taking in spiritual food. Build an ever closer relationship with Jehovah. Seek out others whose hearts move them to serve Jehovah. Encourage fellow believers. Take the fullest advantage of whatever time Jehovah will yet allow. Then, waiting on Jehovah will never make you ‘sick at heart.’ Instead, it will fill you with joy!

Can You Explain?

• How did Jesus show a waiting attitude?

• In what situations do Christians need a waiting attitude?

• Why are Jehovah’s Witnesses content to wait on Jehovah?

• How can waiting on Jehovah be made a source of joy?

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Jesus endured for the joy that was set before him

[Picture on page 13]

Even after years of service, we can maintain our joy

[Pictures on page 15]

Millions have improved their lives by becoming Jehovah’s Witnesses

“The Times of Restoration” Are at Hand!

Shortly before Jesus ascended to heaven, some of his faithful disciples asked him: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” Jesus’ answer implied that some time would elapse before the Kingdom would come. During that time, his followers would have a great work to do. They were to be witnesses of Jesus “both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.”​—Acts 1:6-8.

THAT assignment could not be accomplished in a matter of a few days, weeks, or months. Without the slightest hesitation, however, the disciples began to preach. But they did not lose interest in the subject of restoration. To a large crowd gathered in Jerusalem, the apostle Peter spoke about it, saying: “Repent . . . and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah and that he may send forth the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven, indeed, must hold within itself until the times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time.”​—Acts 3:19-21.

These “times of restoration” were to usher in “seasons of refreshing” from Jehovah. The foretold restoration was to come in two stages. First, there would be a refreshing spiritual restoration, which is now under way. Second, this would be followed by the establishing of a physical paradise on earth.

The Time of Restoration Begins

As the apostle Peter pointed out to that crowd in Jerusalem, heaven ‘held Jesus within itself.’ This was the case until 1914, when Jesus took up his royal power and began ruling as God’s appointed King. At that time, Peter foretold, Jehovah would “send forth” his Son in the sense that He would allow Jesus to carry out his role as the central figure in God’s purposes. The Bible describes the event in symbolic language: “And [God’s heavenly organization] gave birth to a son, a male, [God’s Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ] who is to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod.”​—Revelation 12:5.

But the nations had no intention of submitting to Christ’s rulership. Indeed, they lashed out at his loyal earthly subjects, known today as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Like their apostolic forerunners, the Witnesses had unhesitatingly taken up “the work of bearing witness to Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17) Opposition to the work that these sincere Christians were doing flared up in one country after another. In 1918, responsible members of the headquarters staff of the Watch Tower Society in Brooklyn, New York, were haled into court on trumped-up charges and unjustly sentenced to lengthy prison terms. For a time it appeared that the modern-day witness work “to the most distant part of the earth” was going to fail.​—Revelation 11:7-10.

However, in 1919, the imprisoned members of the headquarters staff were released and later exonerated of all the false charges. They wasted no time getting the spiritual restoration work back on course. Since then, Jehovah’s people have been enjoying unprecedented spiritual prosperity.

An extensive campaign was undertaken to teach people of all nations to observe the things Christ had commanded his followers to do. (Matthew 28:20) How refreshing it was to see some who had formerly displayed animallike characteristics change their outlook! They stripped off the old personality, which produces such traits as “anger,” “abusive speech,” and “obscene talk,” and put on the new personality, “which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of [God] who created it.” In a spiritual sense, the words of the prophet Isaiah are being fulfilled even now: “The wolf [a person who formerly displayed wolflike characteristics] will actually reside for a while with the male lamb [a person manifesting a meek disposition], and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together.”​—Colossians 3:8-10; Isaiah 11:6, 9.

Further Restoration at Hand!

In addition to the restoration that has resulted in a spiritual paradise today, the time is fast approaching when our planet will become a physical paradise. A small part of the earth was a paradise when Jehovah placed our ancestors, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 1:29-31) That is why we can speak of Paradise as being restored. Before that happens, though, the earth must be rid of God-dishonoring false religion. The political elements of this world will take care of this. (Revelation 17:15-18) Then, the political and commercial elements, along with their supporters, will be brought low. Finally, the last of God’s opponents​—Satan the Devil and his demons—​will be shut away for a thousand years​—the duration of the restoration project. During that time, “the wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.” (Isaiah 35:1) The whole earth will come to be free of disturbance. (Isaiah 14:7) Even the millions who have died will be restored to life on earth. All will experience the restorative benefits of the ransom sacrifice. (Revelation 20:12-15; 22:1, 2) There will be no blind, deaf, or lame people on the earth. “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24) Shortly after the end of the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, the Devil and his demons will be released for a short period of time and will see how God’s purpose for the earth has been fulfilled to that point. Ultimately, they will be destroyed forever.​—Revelation 20:1-3.

When the earth reaches the end of the thousand years of restoration, “every breathing thing” will praise Jehovah, and they will do so throughout all eternity. (Psalm 150:6) Will you be among them? You can be.

Our Precious Heritage​—What Does It Mean to You?

“Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.”​—MATTHEW 25:34.

1. What sort of things have people received as an inheritance?

ALL humans have things that they inherited. For some the heritage may include a materially comfortable way of life. For others it is a life of poverty. In some cases, former generations, because of what they had experienced or heard, passed on a legacy of intense hatred toward another ethnic group. All of us, however, have one thing in common. We have all received from the first man, Adam, an inheritance of sin. That inheritance eventually leads to death.​—Ecclesiastes 9:2, 10; Romans 5:12.

2, 3. What heritage did Jehovah originally make possible for the offspring of Adam and Eve, and why did they not receive it?

² Jehovah, as a loving heavenly Father, originally offered humankind a far different heritage​—eternal life in perfection in Paradise. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were given a perfect, sinless start. Jehovah God gave planet Earth to humankind as a gift. (Psalm 115:16) He provided the garden of Eden as a sample of what the entire globe could become and set before our first parents a wonderful, challenging assignment. They were to bring forth children, care for the earth and all its varied plant and animal life, and extend the borders of Paradise around the globe. (Genesis 1:28; 2:8, 9, 15) Their offspring would share in this. What a marvelous inheritance to be able to pass on to them!

³ If they were to enjoy all of this, however, Adam and Eve and their offspring would have to have a good relationship with God. They owed Jehovah love and obedience, but Adam and Eve failed to appreciate what God had given them and disobeyed his commandment. They lost their Paradise home and the glorious prospects that God had set before them. Therefore, they could not pass these on to their offspring.​—Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:1-24.

4. How can we obtain the heritage that Adam forfeited?

⁴ Mercifully, Jehovah made provision so that the offspring of Adam and Eve could have the opportunity to receive the heritage that Adam forfeited. How? At God’s appointed time, his own Son, Jesus Christ, laid down his perfect human life in behalf of the offspring of Adam. By this means Christ purchased them all. However, the heritage does not automatically become theirs. They need an approved standing with God, which they can gain by exercising faith in the sin-atoning value of Jesus’ sacrifice and by demonstrating that faith by obedience. (John 3:16, 36; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6; Hebrews 2:9; 5:9) Does your course of life show appreciation for that provision?

An Inheritance Passed On Through Abraham

5. How did Abraham show appreciation for his relationship with Jehovah?

⁵ As he carried out his purpose for the earth, Jehovah dealt in a special way with Abraham. He directed that faithful man to leave his country and move to a land that God himself would show him. Abraham willingly obeyed. After Abraham arrived there, Jehovah said that Abraham’s offspring, not Abraham himself, would receive the land as an inheritance. (Genesis 12:1, 2, 7) How did Abraham react? He was willing to serve Jehovah wherever and however God directed so that his offspring could receive their inheritance. Abraham served Jehovah in a land not his for 100 years, until his death. (Genesis 12:4; 25:8-10) Would you have done that? Jehovah said that Abraham was his “friend.”​—Isaiah 41:8.

6. (a) What did Abraham demonstrate by his willingness to sacrifice his son? (b) What precious inheritance could Abraham pass on to his offspring?

⁶ Abraham had waited many years for a son, Isaac, whom he dearly loved. When the boy had evidently grown to young manhood, Jehovah instructed Abraham to take the boy and offer him up as a sacrifice. Abraham did not know that he was about to demonstrate what God himself would do in giving his Son as a ransom; yet, he obeyed and was at the point of offering up Isaac as a sacrifice when Jehovah’s angel stopped him. (Genesis 22:9-14) Jehovah had already said that his promises to Abraham would be fulfilled through Isaac. Hence, Abraham clearly had faith that, if necessary, God could bring Isaac back from the dead, although such a thing had never been done before. (Genesis 17:15-18; Hebrews 11:17-19) Because Abraham did not withhold even his son, Jehovah declared: “By means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves.” (Genesis 22:15-18) This indicated that the Seed mentioned at Genesis 3:15, the Messianic deliverer, would come through Abraham’s line. What a precious inheritance to pass on!

7. How did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob show appreciation for their inheritance?

⁷ Abraham did not know the significance of what Jehovah was then doing; neither did his son Isaac nor his grandson Jacob, who became “heirs with him of the very same promise.” But they all had confidence in Jehovah. They did not attach themselves to any of the city-kingdoms in the land because they were looking for something better​—“the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which city is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16) Yet, not all of Abraham’s offspring appreciated the preciousness of the inheritance that was available through Abraham.

Some Who Despised the Inheritance

8. How did Esau show that he did not appreciate the preciousness of his inheritance?

⁸ Esau, the eldest son of Isaac, failed to prize his birthright as firstborn. He did not appreciate sacred things. So one day when Esau was hungry, he sold his right as firstborn to his brother, Jacob. For what? In exchange for one meal of bread and lentil stew! (Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:14-17) The nation through which God’s promises to Abraham would be fulfilled descended from Jacob, whose name was changed by God to Israel. What opportunities did that particular inheritance open to them?

9. Because of their spiritual inheritance, what deliverance did the offspring of Jacob, or Israel, experience?

⁹ During a period of famine, Jacob and his family moved to Egypt. There they multiplied and became very numerous, but they also became slaves. However, Jehovah did not forget his covenant with Abraham. At God’s appointed time, he delivered the sons of Israel from bondage and notified them that he was going to bring them into “a land flowing with milk and honey,” the land that he had promised to Abraham.​—Exodus 3:7, 8; Genesis 15:18-21.

10. At Mount Sinai, what further extraordinary developments took place in connection with the inheritance of the sons of Israel?

¹⁰ When the sons of Israel were en route to the Promised Land, Jehovah assembled them at Mount Sinai. There he said to them: “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. And you yourselves will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5, 6) After the people voluntarily and unanimously agreed to this, Jehovah proceeded to give them his Law​—something he had not done to any other people.​—Psalm 147:19, 20.

11. What were some of the precious things included in the spiritual heritage of the sons of Israel?

¹¹ What a spiritual heritage that new nation had! They worshiped the only true God. They had been delivered by him from Egypt and were eyewitnesses of awe-inspiring events when the Law was given at Mount Sinai. Their heritage was further enriched as they received through the prophets additional “sacred pronouncements of God.” (Romans 3:1, 2) They were designated by Jehovah to be his witnesses. (Isaiah 43:10-12) The Messianic Seed was to appear in their nation. The Law pointed forward to him, would identify him, and should help them to appreciate their need for him. (Galatians 3:19, 24) Moreover, they would be given the opportunity to serve in association with that Messianic Seed as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.​—Romans 9:4, 5.

12. Though they entered the Promised Land, what did the Israelites fail to experience? Why?

¹² True to his promise, Jehovah led the Israelites to the Promised Land. But as the apostle Paul later explained, because of their lack of faith, that land did not prove to be truly “a place of rest.” As a people, they did not enter into “God’s rest” because they failed to perceive and work in harmony with the purpose of God’s own day of rest, which began after the creation of Adam and Eve.​—Hebrews 4:3-10.

13. For failure to appreciate their spiritual heritage, what did Israel as a nation forfeit?

¹³ Natural Israel could have supplied the full number of those who would share with the Messiah in his heavenly Kingdom as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. But they did not appreciate their precious heritage. Only a remnant of natural Israelites accepted the Messiah when he came. As a result, only a small number were included in the foretold kingdom of priests. The Kingdom was taken away from natural Israel and “given to a nation producing its fruits.” (Matthew 21:43) What nation is that?

An Inheritance in the Heavens

14, 15. (a) Following Jesus’ death, how did the nations begin to bless themselves by means of the “seed” of Abraham? (b) What do members of “the Israel of God” receive as an inheritance?

¹⁴ The nation to which the Kingdom was given is “the Israel of God,” spiritual Israel, made up of 144,000 spirit-begotten followers of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 6:16; Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1-3) Some of those 144,000 were natural Jews, but most were from the Gentile nations. In that way Jehovah’s promise to Abraham, that through his “seed” all the nations would be blessed, began to be fulfilled. (Acts 3:25, 26; Galatians 3:8, 9) In that initial fulfillment, people of the nations were anointed with holy spirit and adopted by Jehovah God as spiritual sons, brothers of Jesus Christ. Thus, they too became a secondary part of that “seed.”​—Galatians 3:28, 29.

¹⁵ Before his death, Jesus introduced to prospective Jewish members of that new nation the new covenant, which would be validated by his own blood. On the basis of their faith in that validating sacrifice, those taken into that covenant would be made “perfect perpetually.” (Hebrews 10:14-18) They could be “declared righteous” and their sins forgiven. (1 Corinthians 6:11) Thus, in that sense they are as Adam was before he sinned. However, these are not to live in an earthly paradise. Jesus said that he was going to prepare a place for them in heaven. (John 14:2, 3) They give up their earthly prospects in order to have an ‘inheritance reserved for them in the heavens.’ (1 Peter 1:4) What do they do there? Jesus explained: “I make a covenant with you . . . for a kingdom.”​—Luke 22:29.

16. What wonderful assignment of service lies ahead for anointed Christians?

¹⁶ From the heavens, those who will rule with Christ will, among other things, help to remove from the earth all traces of rebellion against Jehovah’s sovereignty. (Revelation 2:26, 27) As a secondary part of the spiritual seed of Abraham, they will share in bringing the blessing of life in perfection to people of all nations. (Romans 8:17-21) What a precious inheritance they have!​—Ephesians 1:16-18.

17. What aspects of their heritage do anointed Christians enjoy while still on earth?

¹⁷ But the heritage of Jesus’ anointed followers is not all future. In a manner that no one else could, Jesus helped them to know Jehovah, the only true God. (Matthew 11:27; John 17:3, 26) By word and example, he taught them what is meant by ‘trusting in Jehovah’ and what obedience to Jehovah involves. (Hebrews 2:13; 5:7-9) Jesus entrusted them with knowledge of the truth concerning God’s purpose and assured them that the holy spirit would lead them to a fuller understanding of it. (John 14:24-26) He impressed upon their minds and hearts the importance of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:10, 33) Jesus also entrusted them with the assignment to witness and to make disciples of people in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the most distant parts of the earth.​—Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8.

A Precious Heritage for a Great Crowd

18. In what way is Jehovah’s promise that all nations will bless themselves through Abraham’s “seed” being fulfilled today?

¹⁸ Likely, the full number of spiritual Israel, that “little flock” of Kingdom heirs, has been selected. (Luke 12:32) For decades now, Jehovah has directed attention to the gathering of a great crowd of others out of all nations. Thus, Jehovah’s promise to Abraham that through his “seed” all the nations would bless themselves is being fulfilled in a large way. Joyfully, these blessed ones likewise render sacred service to Jehovah and recognize that their salvation is dependent on faith in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. (Revelation 7:9, 10) Have you accepted Jehovah’s gracious invitation to be a part of that happy group?

19. To what heritage do those of the nations now being blessed look?

¹⁹ What precious heritage does Jehovah offer to those who are not of the little flock? No, it is not an inheritance in the heavens. It is the heritage that Adam could have passed on to his offspring​—the prospect of eternal life in perfection in a paradise that will gradually encompass the globe. It will be a world in which “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Revelation 21:4) It is to you, then, that God’s inspired Word says: “Trust in Jehovah and do good; reside in the earth, and deal with faithfulness. Also take exquisite delight in Jehovah, and he will give you the requests of your heart. And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”​—Psalm 37:3, 4, 10, 11, 29.

20. How do the “other sheep” enjoy much of the spiritual heritage of anointed Christians?

²⁰ Jesus’ “other sheep” have an inheritance in the earthly realm of the heavenly Kingdom. (John 10:16a) Although they will not be in the heavens, much of the spiritual heritage enjoyed by the anointed ones is passed on to them. It is through the collective body of anointed, “the faithful and discreet slave,” that the other sheep have had opened to them an understanding of the precious promises contained in God’s Word. (Matthew 24:45-47; 25:34) Together, anointed and other sheep know and worship the only true God, Jehovah. (John 17:20, 21) Together, they thank God for the sin-atoning value of Jesus’ sacrifice. They serve together as one flock under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ. (John 10:16b) They are all part of one loving, global brotherhood. They share together the privilege of being Witnesses of Jehovah and of his Kingdom. Yes, if you are a dedicated and baptized servant of Jehovah, all of this is included in your spiritual heritage.

21, 22. How can all of us show that we cherish our spiritual heritage?

²¹ How precious is this spiritual heritage to you? Do you prize it sufficiently to make the doing of God’s will the most important thing in your life? As evidence of that, are you heeding the counsel of his Word and his organization to be regular in attendance at all meetings of the Christian congregation? (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Is that heritage of such value to you that you continue to serve God in spite of hardship? Is your appreciation of it strong enough to fortify you to resist any temptation to pursue a course that might lead to forfeiting it?

²² May all of us cherish the spiritual heritage that God has given us. While we keep our eyes firmly fixed on the Paradise ahead, let us share fully in the spiritual privileges that Jehovah is granting us now. By truly building our lives around our relationship with Jehovah, we give convincing evidence of just how precious to us our God-given heritage really is. May we be among those who declare: “I will exalt you, O my God the King, and I will bless your name to time indefinite, even forever.”​—Psalm 145:1.

How Would You Explain?

• If Adam had been loyal to God, what heritage would he have passed on to us?

• How did Abraham’s offspring treat the inheritance that was available to them?

• What is included in the heritage of Christ’s anointed followers?

• What is the heritage of the great crowd, and how can they show that they truly appreciate it?

[Pictures on page 20]

Abraham’s offspring received the promise of a precious inheritance

[Pictures on page 23]

Do you appreciate your spiritual heritage?

‘They Talk About Goodness and Love’

IN RECENT years, Jehovah’s Witnesses in France have been the target of an intense campaign of vilification. Half-truths and misinformation have been used by their opponents to misrepresent them before the public. At the beginning of 1999, Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout France distributed 12 million copies of a tract entitled People of France, You Are Being Deceived! In this tract, they denounced the defamatory statements made against them.

A few days after the campaign, Mr. Jean Bonhomme, a medical doctor and former member of Parliament, sent an open letter to a local newspaper. He wrote: “From time to time, Jehovah’s Witnesses come to my home. They come to talk to me about goodness and universal love. . . . They do not force their presence. They express themselves mildly and listen kindly to my skepticism.”

Speaking of the spiritual viewpoint of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mr. Bonhomme said: “Otherworldliness, in their case, can hardly do any harm. On the other hand, the otherworldliness of certain politicians is much more of a threat to the peace of citizens and the harmony of society.”

Kingdom Proclaimers Report

Watering Seeds of Truth in Chile

IN THE desert of northern Chile, years may pass before the rain comes. But when it does arrive, parched, rock-strewn ground is transformed into a veritable carpet of multicolored flowers. This spectacular display attracts tourists from all over the country.

However, a much more interesting phenomenon is occurring among the people of Chile. Waters of Bible truth are flowing to every corner of the land, and many sincere people are “blossoming” into disciples of Jesus Christ. One means used to spread these waters of truth is the telephone. The following experiences illustrate the fine results that are being achieved by this method of witnessing.

• A full-time evangelizer named Karina was asked to demonstrate on a circuit assembly program how to witness by telephone. Karina, however, had never shared in that feature of the witnessing work. In order to encourage her to participate in the assembly program, an elder along with his wife reviewed with Karina some points on how to witness by telephone. They also urged her to pray for Jehovah’s direction in the matter. She did so and finally decided to try making a call.

Karina chose a telephone number from a nearby village. A telephone operator answered, and Karina explained the purpose of the call. The operator’s response was favorable, and arrangements were made to speak again in three days. The return visit by telephone resulted in a Bible study, using the brochure What Does God Require of Us? Since then, they have enjoyed interesting and animated studies, and Karina has sent literature to answer the woman’s questions.

• Bernarda took the initiative to witness to a man who mistakenly dialed her telephone number. Rather than show annoyance, Bernarda introduced herself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and offered assistance. A conversation ensued, and the man listened as she explained how God’s Kingdom will soon eliminate injustice. The man gave Bernarda his phone number, and she made return visits by telephone. During one of their conversations, she read to him a portion of the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. He asked how he could obtain a copy, and Bernarda sent him one along with a Bible. Arrangements were made for him to be visited by a local brother, who now continues to “water” this flourishing “plant.”

Yes, in the arid spiritual soil of this world, hidden seeds are waiting to sprout when reached by the life-giving waters of truth. Thousands of thirsty ones continue to “spring up” and “blossom” into faithful servants of Jehovah God.​—Isaiah 44:3, 4.

Life Story

Jehovah Always Rewards His Loyal Ones

AS TOLD BY VERNON DUNCOMBE

I finished my late evening snack and as usual lit a cigarette. Then I asked my wife, Aileen: “How did the meeting go tonight?”

SHE paused and said: “A letter was read announcing new appointments, and your name was mentioned. You are to be the sound servant. The last sentence in the letter read: ‘If any of these newly appointed brothers are tobacco users, they are duty-bound to write the Society to say that they cannot accept the assignment.’”a I responded with a drawn-out and decisive, “Well-l-l! So that is what it said.”

I clenched my teeth and ground that cigarette into the ashtray beside me. “I do not know why I was chosen for this appointment. But I have never refused one yet, and I do not intend to start.” I resolved never to smoke again. That decision profoundly influenced my life as a Christian and as a musician. Let me fill you in on some events that led up to my resolve.

Early Family Life

Born in Toronto, Canada, on September 21, 1914, I was the eldest son of loving and hardworking parents, Vernon and Lila, who provided for a family of four boys and two girls. Next in age to me was Yorke, then Orlando, Douglas, Aileen, and Coral. When I was just nine, my mother put a violin in my hands and arranged for me to have music lessons at the Harris School of Music. Things were not easy, but Mother and Father found ways to pay streetcar fares and school tuition. Later I studied music theory and harmony at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and at the age of 12, I entered a citywide recital contest at Massey Hall, the prestigious music auditorium downtown. I was picked as winner and presented with a fine violin in an alligator-skin case.

In time, I also learned to play the piano and the bass violin. Often a group of us played for small parties on Friday and Saturday evenings and at fraternity dances. It was at one of these dances that I first met Aileen. During my last year in high school, I played with a number of orchestras across the city. After my graduation I was invited to join the Ferde Mowry Orchestra, and it proved to be a good, steady job until 1943.

Getting to Know Jehovah

My parents were first introduced to Bible truth just before the outbreak of World War I, when Father was working as a window dresser for a department store in downtown Toronto. In the lunchroom, he would listen to conversations between two other workers who were Bible Students (as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known), and then he would share what he heard with Mother when he came home in the evening. Some years later, in 1927, the Bible Students held a major convention in Toronto at the Coliseum in the Canadian National Exhibition Grounds. Our house, two blocks from the western entrance to the grounds, was used to accommodate 25 people from Ohio, U.S.A.

Thereafter, one of the Bible Students, Ada Bletsoe, began making frequent calls on Mother, leaving the latest literature with her. One day she said: “Mrs. Duncombe, I have been leaving literature with you for some time. Have you ever read any of it?” Although raising six children, Mother resolved to start reading the magazines from that point on, and she never stopped. However, I paid little attention to the literature. I was trying to graduate from school, and I was deeply involved in music.

In June 1935, Aileen and I were married in an Anglican church. Since I had left the United Church at the age of 13, I had no other religious affiliation; so I signed the marriage register as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, though I was not yet a Witness.

We looked forward to raising a family sometime in the future and desired to be good parents. Thus, we began to read the New Testament together. Despite our good intentions, however, other things interfered. We tried again a little later with the same results. Then for Christmas in 1935, we received a gift-wrapped book entitled The Harp of God. My wife said: “My, this is a strange Christmas gift that your mother sent us.” Nevertheless, after I went to work, she started reading it, and she liked what she read. For quite a while, I knew nothing about it. As for our family expectations, they were not realized. Our baby daughter, born February 1, 1937, did not live. How deeply grieved we were!

During this time, my family was actively participating in the preaching work, and I learned that Dad was the only Kingdom publisher in the family who had not yet placed a subscription for the magazine Consolation (now Awake!). This was the field ministry goal for the month. Even though I had not yet read any of the Society’s publications, I felt bad for him and said: “OK, Dad, you sign me up; and you will be the same as the others.” Summer came, and the orchestra moved out of the city to play at a resort. Consolation followed by mail. Autumn came, and the orchestra moved back to Toronto. The magazines kept coming to our new mailing address, and I had not even taken one of them out of its wrapper.

During one Christmas break, I looked at the stack of magazines and concluded that if I paid for these, I should read at least some of them to see what they had to say. The first one I opened startled me. It was an exposé of political intrigue and corruption of the time. I started talking to my fellow musicians about what I was reading. However, they challenged the truthfulness of what I was saying, and I had to keep on reading in order to defend myself. Unwittingly, I had begun to witness about Jehovah. And since that time, I have never ceased reading the wonderful Bible publications of “the faithful and discreet slave.”​—Matthew 24:45.

Although work kept me busy during the week, I was soon attending Sunday meetings with Aileen. As we arrived for the meeting one Sunday in 1938, two elderly sisters greeted us, and one said: “Young Brother, have you taken your stand for Jehovah yet? You know, Armageddon is just around the corner!” I knew that Jehovah is the only true God, and I was convinced that this is his organization. I wanted to be part of it, so on October 15, 1938, I was baptized. Aileen was baptized about six months later. I am happy to say that all in my family became dedicated servants of Jehovah.

What delight I experienced by associating with God’s people! Soon, I felt at home among them. When I could not attend, I was always eager to know what happened at the meetings. The particular evening mentioned at the outset proved to be a turning point in my service to Jehovah.

A Time of Great Change for Us

Another significant adjustment took place for us on May 1, 1943. We had attended our first major convention, the September 1942 New World Theocratic Assembly in Cleveland, Ohio. There, right in the midst of a terrible world war, a war with no end in sight, we heard Brother Knorr, then president of the Watch Tower Society, courageously give the gripping public talk, “Peace​—Can It Last?” We well remember how he showed, from Revelation chapter 17, that there would be a postwar peace period in which a great preaching work would be accomplished.

What affected us most was an earlier talk by Brother Knorr, “Jephthah and His Vow.” The call then went out for more pioneers! Aileen and I looked at each other and said in unison (along with a lot of others at the time): “That is us!” Immediately we started making plans to move on to a more important work.

A ban on the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses had existed in Canada since July 4, 1940. When we commenced pioneering on May 1, 1943, it was still illegal to witness about Jehovah and to offer the Society’s literature in the field service. Serving as Christians, we carried only our personal copies of the King James version of the Bible. Just days after we reached our first pioneer assignment in Parry Sound, Ontario, Stewart Mann, a seasoned pioneer, was sent by the branch office to work in the field with us. What a loving provision! Brother Mann had a pleasant manner and a ready smile. We learned from him and had a fine time. We were conducting a number of Bible studies when the Society reassigned us to the city of Hamilton. Not long afterward, in spite of my being overage for the military, I was drafted. My refusal to join the army resulted in my arrest on December 31, 1943. After court formalities were cared for, I was sentenced to an alternative service camp, where I remained until August 1945.

Upon my release Aileen and I immediately received a pioneer assignment that took us to Cornwall, Ontario. Shortly thereafter, we were off to Quebec with a special police court assignment from the Society’s Legal Department. This was during the Duplessis era in Quebec when persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses was especially intense. Many days each week, I found myself in four different courts helping our brothers. Those were exciting and faith-strengthening times.

Following the Cleveland convention in 1946, there came assignments to circuit and district work that took my wife and me from coast to coast. Things were happening fast. In 1948 we were invited to the 11th class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. Brothers Albert Schroeder and Maxwell Friend were two of our instructors, and our class of 108 students included 40 anointed ones. With so many longtime servants of Jehovah present, it was a rich and rewarding experience indeed!

One day Brother Knorr visited us from Brooklyn. In his talk, he called for 25 volunteers to learn the Japanese language. All 108 volunteered! It remained the president’s job to choose who would be taught. I think Jehovah guided the selection because it worked out so well. Many of the 25 who were chosen and subsequently privileged to open the work in Japan are still in their assignment​—elderly, yes, but still there. Some, such as Lloyd and Melba Barry, were moved to other assignments. Lloyd was a member of the Governing Body until his death last year. We rejoice with all of them in the reward that Jehovah has given.

Graduation day came, and we were assigned to Jamaica. However, because of outstanding court dates in Quebec, we were instructed to return to Canada.

Much More Music!

Though I left music behind for the pioneer service, it seemed that music did not leave me. The following year the Society’s president, Nathan Knorr, and his secretary, Milton Henschel, came to Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Brother Knorr’s public talk entitled “It Is Later Than You Think!” electrified everyone. For the first time, I was invited to care for the convention orchestra. We prepared waltz arrangements for some popular songs in the Kingdom Service Song Book (1944). The brothers seemed to like it. When the program closed on Saturday afternoon, we rehearsed our planned program for Sunday. I caught a glimpse of Brother Henschel coming across the arena floor in our direction, and I stopped the orchestra so that I could go and meet him. He asked, “How many musicians do you have in your orchestra here?” “When all are present, about 35,” I answered. “Well, you will have twice that many in New York next summer,” he replied.

Before that summer arrived, though, I was invited to Brooklyn. Because of circumstances, Aileen was initially unable to come with me. The new 124 Columbia Heights building was not yet complete, so I was assigned a bed in the original building, in a small room with two anointed brothers​—an elderly Brother Payne and Karl Klein, whom I was now meeting for the first time. Was it crowded? Yes. Nonetheless, we got along very well together. The older brothers were long-suffering and patient. I just tried to keep out of the way! It was a good lesson in what God’s spirit can accomplish. My meeting and working with Brother Klein brought me such blessings! He was always kind and helpful. We worked well together and have remained close friends for over 50 years.

It was my privilege to assist with the music at the Yankee Stadium conventions in 1950, 1953, 1955, and 1958, as well as to share orchestral responsibilities with Al Kavelin at the 1963 convention held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. During the 1953 convention at Yankee Stadium, a musical program was presented on Sunday before the public talk. Erich Frost introduced Edith Shemionik (later Weigand), soprano, who sang his composition “Forward, You Witnesses!” to our orchestral accompaniment. Then we thrilled as we heard, for the first time, the rich and beautiful voices of our African brothers and sisters. Missionary Harry Arnott had brought a fine tape recording from Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) for our listening pleasure. The sound filled the entire stadium.

Recording the 1966 Songbook

Do you recall the pink vinyl songbook, “Singing and Accompanying Yourselves With Music in Your Hearts”? When this was approaching its final preparation, Brother Knorr said: “We are going to make some recordings. I want you to put together a small orchestra, just a few violins and a couple of flutes. I do not want anyone ‘blowing his horn’!” The Kingdom Hall at Bethel would be our studio, but there was some worry about using it. What would happen with sound bouncing off undraped walls, tile floors, and metal folding chairs? Who could help us solve disagreeable sound problems? Someone suggested: “Tommy Mitchell! He works at the ABC Network Studios.” We got in touch with Brother Mitchell, who was glad to help out.

The first Saturday morning for recording came along, and as the musicians were being introduced, one of the brothers had a trombone case. I remembered Brother Knorr’s warning: “I do not want anyone ‘blowing his horn’!” Now, what could I do? I watched as the brother took his trombone from the case, fixed its slide in place, and started to warm up. The brother was Tom Mitchell, and his first few notes were beautiful. He made the trombone sound like a violin! I thought, ‘this brother has to stay!’ Brother Knorr never objected.

In that orchestra, we had a group of fine musicians who were also loving brothers and sisters. There were no prima donnas! Recording was a strenuous job, but there were no complaints. When the work was finished, there were tears; and a strong camaraderie remains among those who took part. Every one of us enjoyed the privilege, and thanks to Jehovah, we got the job done.

Additional Rewarding Privileges

After so many years, I continue to enjoy the full-time ministry. There have been 28 years of assignments in circuit and district work​—every one of them enjoyable. This was followed by five years of managing the Norval Assembly Hall in Ontario. With a circuit assembly every weekend as well as foreign-language district conventions, Aileen and I were busy. In 1979/80, architects and engineers used facilities at the Assembly Hall as they planned the Society’s future branch in Halton Hills. Following our work at the Assembly Hall, another assignment led to a further share in the field of music in Brooklyn, from 1982 to 1984.

My dear wife died on June 17, 1994, just seven days after our 59th wedding anniversary. We had completed 51 years of devoted pioneer service together.

As I reflect on my many experiences in life, I remember how the Bible has been a very precious guide. Sometimes, I use Aileen’s personal Bible and derive great pleasure from noting what touched her heart​—whole verses, specific phrases, and individual words that she marked. As was the case with Aileen, I too have scriptures that carry special meaning for me. One passage is the 137th Psalm, which expresses this beautiful prayer to Jehovah: “May I never be able to play the harp again if I forget you, Jerusalem! May I never be able to sing again if I do not remember you, if I do not think of you as my greatest joy!” (Psalm 137:5, 6, Today’s English Version) Although I love music, my greatest joy comes from loyally serving Jehovah, who has rewarded me with a full and satisfying life.

[Footnote]

[Picture on page 28]

With Aileen in 1947

[Picture on page 30]

At an early recording session

A Long Search Rewarded

“JEHOVAH? Who is Jehovah?” Eight-year-old Silvia had seen the name in an Armenian Bible, a family treasure shown to her by another little girl. She asked around, but no one in Yerevan, Armenia, where she lived could tell her who Jehovah is​—not her parents, not her teachers, not even the ministers at the local church.

Silvia grew up, finished school, and got a job, but she still did not know who Jehovah is. As a young adult, she had to flee Armenia, and after some time she found herself in Poland, living in a small room with other refugees. One of her roommates received regular visitors. “Who are your guests?” Silvia asked. “They are Jehovah’s Witnesses, here to teach me the Bible,” was the reply.

Silvia’s heart leaped when she heard the name Jehovah. Finally, she began to learn who Jehovah is and what a loving God he is. Soon, though, she had to leave Poland. She sought asylum in Denmark, across the Baltic Sea. She carried only a few possessions, but among them was Bible literature published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. On the back page of one publication, Silvia found a list of addresses of Watch Tower Society branch offices. That was one of her most important possessions​—her lifeline to Jehovah!

In Denmark, Silvia was taken to a refugee camp, and she immediately started looking for Jehovah’s Witnesses. From her list of addresses, she knew that the Watch Tower Society’s branch office in Denmark was in the town of Holbæk. But where was that? Silvia was transferred by train to another camp, and on the way there, the train passed through Holbæk! Again, her heart leaped with joy.

On a sunny day soon thereafter, Silvia took the train back to Holbæk and walked from the station to the branch office. She remembers: “When I entered the garden, I sat down on a bench and said to myself, ‘This is paradise!’” She was warmly welcomed at the branch and was finally able to have her own Bible study.

But several transfers followed. From successive refugee centers, Silvia had to locate Jehovah’s Witnesses and start her Bible study over and over again. Still, after two years, she had learned enough to dedicate her life to Jehovah. She was baptized and soon thereafter entered the full-time ministry. In 1998 the Danish authorities granted her asylum.

Silvia is now 26 years old and serves in the place that reminded her of paradise, the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Denmark. “What can I say?” she now remarks. “I have been searching for Jehovah since I was a little girl. Now I have found him. I dreamed of spending my life in his service, and here I am at Bethel. I pray that this will be my home for years to come!”

When Silence Gives Consent

THE book Betrayal​—German Churches and the Holocaust candidly discusses the role of religion in Nazism. “Support of the regime was common among Christians,” the book asserts, “and the vast majority failed to raise any objection to Jewish persecution. Silence, in this case, speaks loudly.”

What attracted professed Christians to Nazism? Many, the book explains, were seduced by Hitler’s “law-and-order approach to German society.” It says: “He opposed pornography, prostitution, abortion, homosexuality, and the ‘obscenity’ of modern art, and he awarded bronze, silver, and gold medals to women who produced four, six, and eight children, thus encouraging them to remain in their traditional role in the home. This appeal to traditional values, coupled with the militaristic nationalism that Hitler offered in response to the national humiliation of the Versailles Treaty, made National Socialism an attractive option to many, even most, Christians in Germany.”

One group stood out in stark contrast. “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” Betrayal notes, “refused to participate in violence or the use of military force.” Inevitably, this led to a vicious attack on this small group, and many of its members were thrown into concentration camps. Yet, others who claimed to be followers of Christ remained unmoved. The book further states: “Catholics and Protestants in general showed more hostility than sympathy for Jehovah’s Witnesses, and they shared Hitler’s harsh values more than the Witnesses’ pacifist ones.” Their silence undoubtedly added to the ill-treatment of the Witnesses under the Nazi regime.

While the churches’ involvement in Nazi politics continues to be a source of heated controversy, Betrayal calls Jehovah’s Witnesses “a religious group that refused to endorse or collaborate with the regime.”

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.