God’s servants need his blessing in order to meet his righteous requirements. What sort of effort is needed? How can Jehovah’s holy spirit help us to deal with any challenges that may confront us?

STUDY ARTICLES 2, 3 PAGES 12-20

These articles will help us to appreciate how good and how pleasant it is to dwell together in unity with our brothers. We will see why only Jehovah can unite people from all nations. Then we will consider how each of us can promote the unity of the congregation, thus glorifying God.

STUDY ARTICLES 4, 5 PAGES 21-29

These two articles will help us to be more aware of Christ, our heavenly King, in his role as our active Leader. He is attentive to what is going on in each congregation of his disciples on earth today.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Serving in a Time of Marvelous Expansion 3

Special Campaign in Bulgaria Has Success 30

Serving in a Time of Marvelous Expansion

pp. 3–7

Serving in a Time of Marvelous Expansion

As told by Harley Harris

It was September 2, 1950, in Kennett, Missouri, U.S.A. We were at a circuit assembly, surrounded by a mob. The mayor brought in the National Guard to protect us from the unruly crowd. Soldiers with drawn rifles and bayonets lined the street. Amid insults, we walked to our cars and drove to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for the remaining sessions of the assembly. It was there that I was baptized at the age of 14. But let me tell you how I came to serve Jehovah during this time of turmoil.

IN THE early 1930’s, my grandparents and their eight children heard some recordings of Brother Rutherford’s talks and were convinced that they had found the truth. My parents, Bay and Mildred Harris, were baptized in 1935 at the convention in Washington, D.C. How elated they were to be part of the “great multitude,” or “great crowd,” just identified at that convention!—Rev. 7:9, 14; King James Version.

The next year, I was born. And a year later, my parents moved to an isolated territory in Mississippi. While we lived in that territory, we did not even have a traveling overseer visit us. My family corresponded with Bethel and attended assemblies, and for a time, that was all the association we had with the brotherhood.

Enduring Under Persecution

During World War II, Jehovah’s Witnesses experienced much persecution because of their neutral stand. We had moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas. One day, my father and I were doing street witnessing. A man suddenly grabbed the magazines from my father, lit them on fire, and burned them on the spot. He called us cowards for not going to war. Being only five, I started to cry. My father calmly looked at the man without saying a word until the man walked away.

There were also good people who were favorable to us. On one occasion when a mob surrounded us in our car, the local prosecuting attorney came by. “What’s going on here?” he asked. A man responded, “These Jehovah’s Witnesses won’t fight for their country!” At that the attorney jumped on the running board of our car and shouted: “I fought in World War I, and I’ll fight in this one too! You let these people go. They are not harming anyone!” The crowd quietly dispersed. How much we appreciated those good people who extended human kindness to us!—Acts 27:3.

Conventions Strengthen Us

The 1941 convention in St. Louis, Missouri, had been just what we needed. According to one estimate, over 115,000 attended. An amazing number of 3,903 were baptized! I well remember Brother Rutherford’s talk entitled “Children of the King.” He spoke directly to us young ones, and we all received a copy of the beautiful blue book Children. This convention strengthened me to face what happened the following year, the year when I was to start attending primary school. My cousins and I were expelled from school for not saluting the flag. We returned to school each day to see if the school directors might have had a change of heart. Many mornings we walked through the woods to the school—just to be sent home. However, I felt that it was our way of showing loyalty to God’s Kingdom.

Before long, though, the United States Supreme Court ruled that flag salute was not mandatory. Finally, we were able to attend school. The teacher was very kind and let us catch up with the other students. Our schoolmates too treated us with respect.

I also recall the 1942 Cleveland, Ohio, convention where Brother Nathan H. Knorr delivered the discourse “Peace—Can It Last?” This analysis of Revelation chapter 17 indicated that a period of relative peace would set in after World War II. Thus, further expansion was anticipated. To prepare for such a development, Gilead School was opened in 1943. Little did I realize how that would impact my life in the future. Postwar peace did indeed come and persecution subsided. However, when the Korean War began in 1950, opposition to our preaching flared up again, as described at the outset.

Having a Fuller Share in the Expansion

In 1954, I graduated from high school, and a month later I began pioneering. After serving in Kennett, Missouri, where a mob had surrounded us in 1950, I was invited to Bethel in March 1955. The congregation I was assigned to had Times Square, in the middle of New York City, as part of its territory. What a change from life in the country! I was able to get the attention of busy New Yorkers by having the magazine open to a thought-provoking article and saying, “Have you ever asked yourself this question?” Many accepted the magazines.

One of my favorite times at Bethel was morning worship, conducted by Brother Knorr. How he could make Bible verses live and apply them for us in a practical way! He talked to us young single brothers as a father would to his son, often giving fine counsel on how to treat those of the opposite sex. By 1960, I had decided to get married.

I turned in my 30-day notice to leave Bethel but did not receive a reply. At the end of 30 days, as shy as I was, I mustered up courage to ask about my leave date. Brother Robert Wallen answered the call and came to where I was working. He asked me what I thought about special pioneering or circuit work. “But Bob,” I replied, “I’m only 24 years old, and I don’t have the experience.”

On to the Circuit Work

That night, there was a large envelope waiting for me in my room. It had one application for special pioneering and another for circuit work. Wow! You could have knocked me over with a feather! So I had the undeserved privilege of serving my brothers in the circuit work in southwestern Missouri and eastern Kansas. Before leaving Bethel, however, I attended a meeting for traveling overseers. In his closing remarks, Brother Knorr said: “Your being circuit and district overseers does not mean that you know more than the local brothers. Some have much more experience than you do. But circumstances do not permit them to have your privileges. You can learn a lot from them.”

How true that proved to be! Brother Fred Molohan and his wife along with his brother Charley of Parsons, Kansas, were outstanding examples. They had learned the truth back in the early 1900’s. What a pleasure to hear the experiences they had had before I was even born! Another brother was John Wristen, a kind elderly brother of Joplin, Missouri, who had pioneered for many decades. These dear brothers had deep respect for theocratic order. They made me feel appreciated as their circuit overseer—despite my youth.

In 1962, I married Cloris Knoche, a lively redheaded pioneer. I continued in the circuit work together with Cloris. When staying with the brothers, we came to know them. We were able to encourage young people to start in the full-time service. Two teenagers in the circuit—Jay Kosinski and JoAnn Kresyman—were just waiting for such encouragement. Working in service with them and sharing the joys of a self-sacrificing life motivated them to set goals. JoAnn became a special pioneer, and Jay served at Bethel. Later, the two married, and they have now been in the circuit work for some 30 years.

Missionary Service

In 1966, Brother Knorr asked us if we were interested in foreign service. “We are happy where we are,” we replied, “but if there is a need elsewhere, we are available.” A week later, we were invited to Gilead School. How exciting it was to be back at Bethel while attending school and be with many of those I had come to love and respect! We also formed friendships with fellow students, who are serving faithfully to this day.

Cloris and I were sent to Ecuador in South America, along with Dennis and Edwina Crist, Ana Rodríguez, and Delia Sánchez. The Crists went to the capital city, Quito. Like us, Ana and Delia were assigned to Cuenca, Ecuador’s third-largest city. The territory included two provinces. Cuenca’s first congregation started from our living room. There were the four of us and a couple of others. We wondered how we would ever get the preaching work done.

Cuenca was full of churches, and on so-called holy days, religious processions filled the city. The people of Cuenca had many questions, though. For example, the first time I met Mario Polo, a champion cyclist of Cuenca, he surprised me with the question, “Who is the harlot mentioned in the book of Revelation?”

Another time, Mario came to our home at night quite worried. An evangelical pastor had given him some literature that made serious accusations against Jehovah’s Witnesses. I reasoned that the accused should be allowed to defend himself. So the next day, Mario invited the pastor and me to his home to answer the accusations. At that meeting, I suggested we focus on the Trinity. When the pastor read John 1:1, Mario himself explained the difference between “the God” and “a god” in Greek. And so it went with every Bible verse cited. Understandably, the pastor left without proving the Trinity. This convinced Mario and his wife that we had the truth, and they became excellent defenders of Bible teachings. What a joy to see the congregations in the city of Cuenca increase to 33 and in the vast territory that was our first assignment, to a total of 63—a marvelous expansion indeed!

Seeing the Expansion From the Branch

In 1970, I was asked to go to the branch in Guayaquil along with Al Schullo. The two of us cared for the branch work. Joe Sekerak packed literature part-time for the 46 congregations in the whole country. For some time, Cloris served as a field missionary while I worked at Bethel. She has been able to help 55 persons to baptism, often having from three to five students baptized at an assembly.

For example, Cloris studied with a woman named Lucresia, whose husband was opposed. Still, Lucresia eventually was baptized and began serving as a regular pioneer. She taught her children Jehovah’s ways. Her two sons are now elders, and one is a special pioneer; her daughter serves as a pioneer. Her granddaughter married a fine brother, and they too are serving as special pioneers. This family has helped many to learn the truth.

By 1980 there were some 5,000 publishers in Ecuador. We were outgrowing our small office. A brother offered us 80 acres [32 ha] of property outside of Guayaquil. In 1984 we started to build on this property a new branch office and an Assembly Hall, which were dedicated in 1987.

Willing Hands Contribute to the Expansion

Over the years, it has been heartwarming to see many publishers and pioneers from other countries come to Ecuador to help where the need for Kingdom preachers was great. One example that stands out in my mind is that of Andy Kidd, a retired schoolteacher from Canada. He moved to Ecuador in 1985 at the age of 70 and faithfully served until his death in 2008 at 93. When I first saw him in his assignment, he was the only overseer in a tiny congregation. Struggling with Spanish, he gave the public talk and then conducted the Watchtower Study. He also conducted the Theocratic Ministry School and handled most of the Service Meeting parts! In that area, there are now two thriving congregations, with almost 200 publishers and many local elders.

Another brother, Ernesto Diaz, who moved from the United States with his family, said after eight months in Ecuador: “Our three children have picked up the language and have become excellent teachers. As a father, I have reached a goal that seemed impossible in this system—that of being a regular pioneer, sharing in the full-time ministry along with my family. Altogether, we are conducting 25 Bible studies. All of this has resulted in a more united family and, above all, a closeness to Jehovah that I had never before experienced.” How much we appreciate these dear brothers and sisters!

More branch expansion took place in 1994, doubling the size of the facilities. In 2005 we passed the 50,000 publisher mark, and further branch expansion was necessary. This included an enlarged Assembly Hall and a new residence building, as well as translation offices. These new facilities were dedicated on October 31, 2009.

When I was expelled from school in 1942, there were about 60,000 Witnesses in the United States. Now there are well over a million. When we came to Ecuador in 1966, there were some 1,400 Kingdom proclaimers here. Now there are more than 68,000. And yet more are sure to come from the 120,000 Bible studies and over 232,000 who were present at the Memorial of Christ’s death in 2009. Truly, Jehovah has blessed his people in a way we would have never imagined. How thrilling it is to be living in a time and place of marvelous expansion!a

[Footnote]

a While this article was being prepared for publication, Harley Harris died faithful to Jehovah.

[Pictures on page 5]

Open-air assembly (1981) and Guayaquil Assembly Hall (2009) on the same property

Earnestly Seek Jehovah’s Blessing

pp. 7–11

Earnestly Seek Jehovah’s Blessing

“[God] becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.”—HEB. 11:6.

1, 2. (a) How do many people seek divine blessings? (b) Why should we be particularly interested in obtaining Jehovah’s blessing?

“GOD bless you!” In some lands, it is not uncommon to hear complete strangers say this when a person sneezes. The clergy of various religions can be found blessing people, animals, and inanimate objects. Travelers may be lured to some religious sites by the prospect of receiving a blessing. Politicians regularly invoke God’s blessing on their nation. Do you think that such requests for a blessing are appropriate? Are they effective? Who really does receive God’s blessing, and why?

² Jehovah foretold that in the last days, he would have a clean and peaceable people from all nations, who would preach the good news of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth despite hatred and opposition. (Isa. 2:2-4; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 7:9, 14) Those of us who have accepted the responsibility to live up to that inspired description want—and need—God’s blessing, for without it we could never hope to succeed. (Ps. 127:1) But how can we obtain God’s blessing?

Blessings Overtake Obedient Ones

3. If the Israelites had been obedient, what would have been the result?

³ Read Proverbs 10:6, 7. Just before the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, Jehovah indicated that remarkable prosperity and protection would be theirs if they obeyed his voice. (Deut. 28:1, 2) Jehovah’s blessings would not just come upon God’s people but would “overtake” them. For those obedient ones, the blessings would be absolutely certain.

4. What does true obedience involve?

⁴ With what attitude were the Israelites to be obedient? God’s Law stated that he would be displeased if his people failed to serve him “with rejoicing and joy of heart.” (Read Deuteronomy 28:45-47.) Jehovah deserves more than mechanical obedience to specific orders, such as can be performed even by animals or demons. (Mark 1:27; Jas. 3:3) Genuine obedience to God is an expression of love. It is marked by joy that stems from faith that Jehovah’s commandments are not burdensome and that “he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.”—Heb. 11:6; 1 John 5:3.

5. How would trusting in Jehovah’s promise have aided a person in obeying the law at Deuteronomy 15:7, 8?

⁵ Consider how such trusting obedience might have been manifested by keeping the law stated at Deuteronomy 15:7, 8. (Read.) Begrudging compliance with that law might have resulted in some initial relief to the poor, but would it have engendered good relationships and an atmosphere of warmth among God’s people? More important, would it have reflected faith in Jehovah’s ability to provide for his servants and appreciation for the opportunity to mirror his generosity? Hardly! God took note of the heart condition of the truly generous person and promised to bless him in his every deed and every undertaking. (Deut. 15:10) Faith in that promise would give rise to action and would result in many rich blessings.—Prov. 28:20.

6. Hebrews 11:6 should reassure us of what?

⁶ In addition to having faith in Jehovah as the Rewarder, Hebrews 11:6 highlights another quality that is needed to receive God’s blessing. Note that Jehovah rewards those “earnestly seeking him.” The original-language word used here implies intensity and concentrated effort. How that should assure us of the outworking of the blessing! Its source is the only true God, “who cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2) He has shown over the millenniums that what he promises is absolutely trustworthy. His words never fail; they always come true. (Isa. 55:11) So we can be thoroughly confident that if we manifest true faith, he will in our case prove to be a Rewarder.

7. How can we secure ourselves a blessing by means of Abraham’s “seed”?

⁷ Jesus Christ proved to be the primary part of Abraham’s “seed.” Anointed Christians form the secondary part of that foretold “seed.” They have been commissioned to “declare abroad the excellencies of the one that called [them] out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (Gal. 3:7-9, 14, 16, 26-29; 1 Pet. 2:9) We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it. (Matt. 24:45-47) By putting into practice the things we are learning from the Scriptures, we can secure ourselves God’s blessing.

Keeping God’s Will in Focus

8, 9. How did the patriarch Jacob exert himself in harmony with his petitions?

⁸ The idea of exerting strenuous effort to obtain God’s blessing may well bring to mind the patriarch Jacob. He did not know how God’s promise to Abraham would work out, but he believed that Jehovah would greatly multiply the offspring of his grandfather, whose descendants would become a great nation. Thus, in 1781 B.C.E., Jacob traveled to Haran to find a wife. He was not merely interested in finding someone who would be a pleasant companion; rather, he sought a spiritually-minded woman who was a worshipper of Jehovah and who would be a good mother to his children.

⁹ We know that Jacob met his relative Rachel. He came to love Rachel and agreed to work for her father, Laban, for seven years in order to obtain her as his wife. This was no mere story of a memorable romance. Jacob certainly knew of the promise that Almighty God had made to his grandfather Abraham and had restated to his father, Isaac. (Gen. 18:18; 22:17, 18; 26:3-5, 24, 25) In turn, Isaac told his son Jacob: “God Almighty will bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and you will certainly become a congregation of peoples. And he will give to you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your seed with you, that you may take possession of the land of your alien residences, which God has given to Abraham.” (Gen. 28:3, 4) So the effort Jacob put forth to find the right wife and produce a family reflected his confidence in what Jehovah had said.

10. Why was Jehovah pleased to bless Jacob?

¹⁰ Jacob was not seeking wealth to accommodate his family. His mind was on his heritage. His focus was on the outworking of Jehovah’s will. Jacob was determined to do everything in his power to obtain God’s blessing despite obstacles. He carried that attitude into his old age, and Jehovah blessed him for it.—Read Genesis 32:24-29.

11. What effort should we make in harmony with God’s revealed will?

¹¹ Like Jacob, we do not know all the details of the outworking of Jehovah’s purpose. Yet, by studying God’s Word, we perceive a general outline of what to expect concerning “Jehovah’s day.” (2 Pet. 3:10, 17) For example, we do not know exactly when that day will come, but we know it is near. We believe God’s Word when it says that by giving a thorough witness in the short time that remains, we will save both ourselves and those who listen to us.—1 Tim. 4:16.

12. Of what may we be certain?

¹² We recognize that the end could come at any time; Jehovah’s timing is not contingent on our giving a personal witness to every individual on the planet. (Matt. 10:23) Moreover, we receive good direction on how to carry out our preaching work effectively. In faith, we participate in this work to the best of our ability, using whatever resources are at our disposal. Will we always preach in the most productive territory? Really, how could we know in advance? (Read Ecclesiastes 11:5, 6.) Our job is to preach, trusting that Jehovah will give us his blessing. (1 Cor. 3:6, 7) We can be certain that he sees our strenuous efforts, and by means of his holy spirit, he will provide whatever specific direction we need.—Ps. 32:8.

Seeking Holy Spirit

13, 14. How has the capacity of God’s holy spirit to qualify his servants been demonstrated?

¹³ What if we feel inadequate to fulfill an assignment or to engage in the preaching work? We should ask Jehovah to give us his holy spirit to heighten whatever abilities we have in his service. (Read Luke 11:13.) God’s spirit can qualify people for a work or a service privilege regardless of their previous circumstances or experience. For instance, right after the Exodus from Egypt, God’s spirit enabled shepherds and slaves to vanquish their enemies in battle despite being inexperienced in warfare. (Ex. 17:8-13) Soon thereafter, that same spirit equipped Bezalel and Oholiab to carry out the exquisite, divinely inspired architectural plans for the tabernacle.—Ex. 31:2-6; 35:30-35.

¹⁴ That powerful spirit equipped modern-day servants of God to care for the needs of the organization when it became necessary to begin their own printing operation. In a letter, Brother R. J. Martin, the factory overseer at the time, explained what had been accomplished by 1927. “At the right time, the Lord opened the door; and the big rotary [press] came into our hands, came into the hands that knew nothing about its construction and operation. But the Lord knows how to quicken the minds of those who have committed their all to him. . . . In a very few weeks, we were able to make that press hum; and it is still humming, doing work that even its makers never knew it could do.” Jehovah has continued to bless such earnest efforts to this day.

15. How can Romans 8:11 be of encouragement to those facing temptation?

¹⁵ Jehovah’s spirit operates in a variety of ways. That spirit is available to all of God’s servants, and it helps them to surmount formidable obstacles. What if we feel overwhelmed by temptation? We can draw strength from Paul’s words found at Romans 7:21, 25 and 8:11. Yes, “the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead” can go to work in our behalf, empowering us to win the fight against fleshly desires. That passage was written to spirit-anointed Christians, yet the principle applies to all of God’s servants. All of us gain life by exercising faith in Christ, by exerting ourselves to deaden improper desires, and by living in accord with the spirit’s direction.

16. What must we do to receive God’s holy spirit?

¹⁶ Can we expect God to impart to us his active force without any effort on our part? No. Besides praying for it, we must diligently feed on God’s inspired Word. (Prov. 2:1-6) In addition, God’s spirit rests upon the Christian congregation. Our regular meeting attendance manifests our desire to “hear what the spirit says to the congregations.” (Rev. 3:6) Moreover, we must humbly respond to what we learn. Proverbs 1:23 counsels us: “Turn back at my reproof. Then to you I will cause my spirit to bubble forth.” Indeed, God gives his holy spirit “to those obeying him as ruler.”—Acts 5:32.

17. To what might we liken the effect of God’s blessing on our efforts?

¹⁷ While earnest effort is needed to obtain God’s blessing, remember that hard work alone cannot possibly account for the abundance of good things that Jehovah has showered upon his people. The effect of his blessing on our efforts can be compared to the way our bodies benefit from wholesome food. God fashioned our bodies in such a way that we enjoy food and derive vital nourishment from it. He also provides the food. We do not fully know how our food acquires its nutrients, nor can most of us explain how our bodies produce energy from the food that we eat. We just know that the process works and that we cooperate with it by eating. If we choose to eat nourishing food, the results are even better. In like manner, Jehovah sets the requirements for everlasting life, and he gives us the help we need to meet those requirements. Clearly, he does much of the work and deserves the praise. Still, we must cooperate with him, acting in harmony with God’s will, to receive the blessing.—Hag. 2:18, 19.

18. What is your determination, and why?

¹⁸ So pour your heart into every assignment. Always look to Jehovah for success. (Mark 11:23, 24) As you do, be assured that “everyone seeking finds.” (Matt. 7:8) Spirit-anointed ones will be blessed with “the crown of life” in the heavens. (Jas. 1:12) Christ’s “other sheep,” who are striving to receive a blessing for themselves by means of Abraham’s seed, will delight to hear Him say: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (John 10:16; Matt. 25:34) Yes, “those being blessed by [God] will themselves possess the earth, . . . and they will reside forever upon it.”—Ps. 37:22, 29.

Can You Explain?

• What is involved in true obedience?

• What is required to obtain God’s blessing?

• How may we receive God’s holy spirit, and how can it work in our behalf?

[Pictures on page 9]

Jacob grappled with an angel to get Jehovah’s blessing.

Do you similarly put forth earnest effort?

[Picture on page 10]

God’s holy spirit equipped Bezalel and Oholiab to excel

Unity Identifies True Worship

pp. 12–16

Unity Identifies True Worship

“In unity I shall set them, like a flock in the pen.”—MIC. 2:12.

1. How does creation provide evidence of God’s wisdom?

A PSALMIST exclaimed: “How many your works are, O Jehovah! All of them in wisdom you have made. The earth is full of your productions.” (Ps. 104:24) God’s wisdom is evident in the interdependence of the millions of varieties of plants, insects, animals, and bacteria in earth’s amazingly complex web of life. Also, in your body, thousands of different mechanisms, from large organs to tiny molecular machines in your cells, all work together to make you a whole and healthy person.

2. As depicted on page 13, why must the unity among Christians have seemed miraculous?

² Jehovah created mankind to be interdependent. The human race exhibits a wide variety of looks, personalities, and skills. Additionally, he endowed the first humans with godly qualities that would enable them to cooperate with each other and to depend on each other. (Gen. 1:27; 2:18) Nevertheless, the world of mankind in general is now alienated from God and has never, as a whole, been able to act in unity. (1 John 5:19) Therefore, considering that the first-century Christian congregation was composed of people as diverse as Ephesian slaves, prominent Greek women, educated Jewish men, and former idol worshippers, their unity must have seemed miraculous.—Acts 13:1; 17:4; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 Tim. 6:1.

3. How does the Bible describe the unity of Christians, and what will we consider in this study?

³ True worship enables people to cooperate as harmoniously as the members of our own body. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13.) Some aspects we will examine in this article are: How does true worship unite people? Why is Jehovah the only one who can unify millions of people from all nations? What obstacles to unity does Jehovah help us to surmount? And as respects unity, how does true Christianity differ from Christendom?

How Does True Worship Unite People?

4. How does true worship unite people?

⁴ People who practice true worship recognize that because Jehovah created all things, he is the rightful Sovereign of the universe. (Rev. 4:11) So although genuine Christians live in many societies and under different circumstances, they all obey the same laws of God and live by the same Bible principles. All true worshippers properly address Jehovah as “Father.” (Isa. 64:8; Matt. 6:9) Thus, they are all spiritual brothers and can enjoy the beautiful unity described by the psalmist: “Look! How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”—Ps. 133:1.

5. What quality contributes to the unity of true worshippers?

⁵ Though true Christians are imperfect, they worship together in unity because they have learned to love one another. Jehovah teaches them to love as no one else can. (Read 1 John 4:7, 8.) His Word says: “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also. But, besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.” (Col. 3:12-14) This perfect bond of union—love—is the quality that principally identifies true Christians. From personal experience, have you not seen that this unity is a distinguishing feature of true worship?—John 13:35.

6. How does the Kingdom hope help us to enjoy unity?

⁶ True worshippers are also united because they look to God’s Kingdom as the only hope for mankind. They know that God’s Kingdom will shortly replace human governments and bless obedient mankind with genuine, lasting peace. (Isa. 11:4-9; Dan. 2:44) Thus, Christians heed what Jesus said about his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:16) True Christians remain neutral in conflicts of the world; hence, they are able to enjoy unity even when those around them are at war.

The One Source of Spiritual Instruction

7, 8. In what way does Biblical instruction contribute to our unity?

⁷ First-century Christians enjoyed unity because they all received encouragement from the same source. They recognized that Jesus was teaching and directing the congregation through a governing body, composed of the apostles and older men in Jerusalem. These devoted men based their decisions on God’s Word and had traveling overseers communicate their instructions to the congregations in many lands. Concerning some such overseers, the Bible says: “As they traveled on through the cities they would deliver to those there for observance the decrees that had been decided upon by the apostles and older men who were in Jerusalem.”—Acts 15:6, 19-22; 16:4.

⁸ Similarly today, a Governing Body composed of spirit-anointed Christians contributes to the unity of the worldwide congregation. The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God’s Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah.—Isa. 54:13.

9. How does our God-given work help us to be united?

⁹ Christian overseers also promote unity by taking the lead in preaching. The spirit of companionship that unites those who work together in God’s service is far stronger than the spirit that unites others in the world who merely socialize together. The Christian congregation was founded, not to function as a social club, but to honor Jehovah and to get a job done—the work of preaching the good news, making disciples, and building up the congregation. (Rom. 1:11, 12; 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:24, 25) Thus, the apostle Paul could say of Christians: “You are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul striving side by side for the faith of the good news.”—Phil. 1:27.

10. What are some ways in which we are united as God’s people?

¹⁰ Accordingly, as Jehovah’s people, we are united because we accept Jehovah’s sovereignty, love our brothers, hope in God’s Kingdom, and respect the ones God uses to take the lead among us. Jehovah helps us to overcome certain attitudes that because of our imperfection could otherwise threaten our unity.—Rom. 12:2.

Overcoming Pride and Jealousy

11. Why is pride divisive, and how does Jehovah help us overcome it?

¹¹ Pride separates people. A proud person likes to consider himself superior and usually gets selfish pleasure from boasting. But this often stands in the way of unity; those who hear the boasting may become jealous. The disciple James tells us frankly: “All such taking of pride is wicked.” (Jas. 4:16) It is unloving to treat others as inferior. Remarkably, Jehovah is an example of humility in that he deals with imperfect people like us. David wrote: “It is your [God’s] humility that makes me great.” (2 Sam. 22:36) God’s Word helps us to conquer pride by teaching us to reason properly. Paul was inspired to ask: “Who makes you to differ from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive? If, now, you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?”—1 Cor. 4:7.

12, 13. (a) Why is it easy to become jealous? (b) What results from adopting Jehovah’s view of others?

¹² Jealousy is another common obstacle to unity. Because of inherited imperfection, we all have “a tendency to envy,” and even longtime Christians may occasionally feel jealous of the circumstances, possessions, privileges, or abilities of others. (Jas. 4:5) For example, a brother with a family might feel jealous of the privileges that a full-time minister enjoys, without realizing that the full-time minister may feel a bit jealous of the family man who has children. How can we prevent such jealousy from disrupting our unity?

¹³ To help us avoid jealousy, recall that the Bible compares anointed members of the Christian congregation to parts of the human body. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-18.) Although your eye, for example, may be more prominent than your heart, are not both valuable to you? Similarly, Jehovah values all members of the congregation even though some for a time may be more prominent than others. So let us adopt Jehovah’s view of our brothers. Rather than being jealous of others, we can show concern and personal interest in them. By doing so, we contribute to the difference between true Christians and those in the churches of Christendom.

Christendom—Marked by Division

14, 15. How did apostate Christianity become disunited?

¹⁴ The unity of true Christians stands in contrast to the strife that exists among the churches of Christendom. By the fourth century, apostate Christianity was so widespread that a pagan emperor of Rome took control of it, contributing to the development of Christendom. Then, in successive schisms, many kingdoms split from Rome and formed their own State churches.

¹⁵ Many of those kingdoms warred against one another for centuries. During the 17th and 18th centuries, people in Britain, France, and the United States promoted devotion to their State, so that nationalism, in effect, became like a religion. During the 19th and 20th centuries, nationalism began to dominate the thinking of most of mankind. Eventually, Christendom’s churches splintered into numerous sects, most of which tolerate nationalism. Churchgoers have even gone to war against fellow believers of another nation. Today, Christendom is divided by both sectarian beliefs and nationalism.

16. What sort of issues divide those in Christendom?

¹⁶ In the 20th century, some of Christendom’s hundreds of sects initiated the ecumenical movement in a push for unity. But after many decades of effort, few churches have amalgamated into one, and churchgoers are still divided on such questions as evolution, abortion, homosexuality, and the ordination of women. In some parts of Christendom, church leaders try to bring people from different sects together by downplaying previously divisive doctrines. However, downplaying doctrines leaves people with a shallow faith and certainly does not unite the divided house of Christendom.

Rising Above Nationalism

17. How was true worship foretold to unite people “in the final part of the days”?

¹⁷ Although mankind is now more horribly divided than ever, unity continues to distinguish true worshippers. God’s prophet Micah foretold: “In unity I shall set them, like a flock in the pen.” (Mic. 2:12) Micah foretold the elevation of true worship above all other forms of worship, whether of false gods or of the State as a god. He wrote: “It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it peoples must stream. For all the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god; but we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah our God.”—Mic. 4:1, 5.

18. True worship has helped us to make what changes?

¹⁸ Micah also described how true worship would unite former enemies. “[People from] many nations will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ . . . And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” (Mic. 4:2, 3) Those leaving the worship of man-made gods or of nations to embrace the worship of Jehovah enjoy global unity. God instructs them in the ways of love.

19. The unifying of millions of people in true worship is clear evidence of what?

¹⁹ The global unity of true Christians today is unique and is clear evidence that Jehovah continues to guide his people by means of his spirit. Individuals from all nations are being united on a scale never before seen in human history. This is in remarkable fulfillment of what is implied by Revelation 7:9, 14, and it indicates that God’s angels will soon release the “winds” that will destroy the present wicked system of things. (Read Revelation 7:1-4, 9, 10, 14.) Is it not a privilege to be united in the worldwide brotherhood? How can each of us contribute to that unity? This will be considered in the next article.

How Would You Answer?

• How does true worship unite people?

• How can we prevent jealousy from spoiling our unity?

• Why does nationalism not divide true worshippers?

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First-century Christians came from many backgrounds

[Pictures on page 15]

How does your helping on Kingdom Hall projects contribute to unity?

Christian Unity Glorifies God

pp. 16–20

Christian Unity Glorifies God

‘Earnestly endeavor to observe the oneness of the spirit.’—EPH. 4:3.

1. How did the first-century Christians in Ephesus bring glory to God?

THE unity of the Christian congregation in ancient Ephesus glorified the true God, Jehovah. In that prosperous trading center, some Christian brothers evidently were wealthy slave owners, while others were slaves and probably very poor. (Eph. 6:5, 9) Some were Jews who learned the truth during the three months that the apostle Paul spoke in their synagogue. Others previously worshipped Artemis and had practiced magical arts. (Acts 19:8, 19, 26) Clearly, true Christianity drew together people from many backgrounds. Paul recognized that Jehovah was glorified by means of the congregation’s unity. The apostle wrote: “To him be the glory by means of the congregation.”—Eph. 3:21.

2. What threatened the unity of Christians in Ephesus?

² However, the blessed unity of the Ephesian congregation was threatened. Paul warned the elders: “From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:30) Also, some brothers had not completely left behind the divisive spirit that, Paul warned, “operates in the sons of disobedience.”—Eph. 2:2; 4:22.

A Letter That Highlights Unity

3, 4. How does Paul’s letter to the Ephesians emphasize unity?

³ Paul realized that if Christians are to continue cooperating in harmony, each of them must make an earnest effort to promote unity. God inspired Paul to write a letter to the Ephesians in which unity was a theme. For example, Paul wrote about God’s purpose “to gather all things together again in the Christ.” (Eph. 1:10) He also likened Christians to the different stones that make up a building. “The whole building, being harmoniously joined together, is growing into a holy temple for Jehovah.” (Eph. 2:20, 21) Furthermore, Paul highlighted the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians and also reminded the brothers of their common origin. He referred to Jehovah as “the Father, to whom every family in heaven and on earth owes its name.”—Eph. 3:5, 6, 14, 15.

⁴ As we examine chapter 4 of Ephesians, we will see why unity requires effort, how Jehovah helps us to unite, and what attitudes will help us to remain united. Why not read the entire chapter so that you will benefit from the study even more?

Why Oneness Requires Earnest Effort

5. Why can God’s angels serve in unity, but why may unity be more challenging for us?

⁵ Paul entreated his Ephesian brothers ‘to endeavor to observe the oneness of the spirit.’ (Eph. 4:3) To understand the need for effort in this regard, consider the case of God’s angels. No two living things on earth are completely alike, so we can reasonably conclude that Jehovah has blessed each one of his millions of angels with uniqueness. (Dan. 7:10) Yet, they can serve Jehovah in unity because they all listen to him and do his will. (Read Psalm 103:20, 21.) While faithful angels have diverse attributes, Christians in addition have various defects. This can make unity more challenging.

6. What attitudes will help us to enjoy cooperating with brothers who have defects different from ours?

⁶ When imperfect people try to cooperate, they can easily have difficulties. For example, what if a mild-tempered brother who often arrives late serves Jehovah along with a brother who is punctual but easily loses his temper? Each might feel that the other’s conduct is lacking something but might forget that aspects of his own conduct are equally inappropriate. How could two such brothers serve together in harmony? Note how the attitudes recommended in Paul’s next words would help them. Then reflect on how we can promote unity by cultivating those attitudes. Paul wrote: “[I] entreat you to walk worthily . . . with complete lowliness of mind and mildness, with long-suffering, putting up with one another in love, earnestly endeavoring to observe the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace.”—Eph. 4:1-3.

7. Why is it vital to work toward being united with other imperfect Christians?

⁷ Learning to serve God in unity with other imperfect people is vital because there is only one body of true worshippers. “One body there is, and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope to which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all persons.” (Eph. 4:4-6) Jehovah’s spirit and blessings are linked to the one association of brothers that God is using. Even if someone in the congregation upsets us, where else can we turn? Nowhere else can we hear the sayings of everlasting life.—John 6:68.

“Gifts in Men” Promote Unity

8. What does Christ use to help strengthen us against divisive influences?

⁸ Paul used a common practice among soldiers of ancient times to illustrate how Jesus has provided “gifts in men” to help unify the congregation. A victorious soldier might bring a foreign captive home as a slave to provide his wife help with chores. (Ps. 68:1, 12, 18) Similarly, Jesus’ victory over the world provided him with many willing slaves. (Read Ephesians 4:7, 8.) How did he use those captives, so to speak? “He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ, until we all attain to the oneness in the faith.”—Eph. 4:11-13.

9. (a) How do “gifts in men” help to maintain our unity? (b) Why should every member of the congregation contribute to its unity?

⁹ As loving shepherds, these “gifts in men” help to maintain our unity. For example, if a congregation elder notices two brothers “stirring up competition with one another,” he can contribute powerfully to the unity of the congregation by offering private counsel “to readjust [them] in a spirit of mildness.” (Gal. 5:26–6:1) As teachers, these “gifts in men” help us to build firm faith based on Bible teachings. Thus they promote unity and help us advance to Christian maturity. Paul wrote that this is “in order that we should no longer be babes, tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in contriving error.” (Eph. 4:13, 14) Every Christian should contribute to the unity of the brotherhood, just as every member of our physical body builds up the others by helping to supply what is needed.—Read Ephesians 4:15, 16.

Cultivate New Attitudes

10. How can immoral conduct threaten our unity?

¹⁰ Did you notice that the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians shows that practicing love is the key to attaining unity as mature Christians? Next, it shows what love involves. For one thing, following the way of love rules out fornication and loose conduct. Paul urged his brothers not to “go on walking just as the nations also walk.” Those people were “past all moral sense,” and “they gave themselves over to loose conduct.” (Eph. 4:17-19) The immoral world in which we live threatens our unity. People joke about fornication, sing about it, watch it for entertainment, and practice it either in secret or openly. Yet, even flirting, which may involve acting as though you are sexually attracted to someone you have no intention of marrying, can move you away from Jehovah and the congregation. Why? Because it so easily leads to fornication. Also, flirting that leads a married person into adultery can cruelly separate children from parents and innocent partners from marriage mates. Divisive indeed! No wonder Paul wrote: “You did not learn the Christ to be so”!—Eph. 4:20, 21.

11. The Bible encourages Christians to make what change?

¹¹ Paul stressed that we should drop disruptive ways of thinking and instead cultivate attitudes that enable us to live in harmony with others. He said: “You should put away the old personality which conforms to your former course of conduct and which is being corrupted according to his [the old personality’s] deceptive desires; . . . you should be made new in the force actuating your mind, and should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.” (Eph. 4:22-24) How can we ‘be made new in the force actuating our mind’? If we appreciatively contemplate what we learn both from God’s Word and from the fine example of mature Christians, with effort we can acquire the new personality “created according to God’s will.”

Cultivate New Ways of Speaking

12. How does speaking the truth promote unity, and why is it difficult for some to be truthful?

¹² Speaking the truth is vital for those who belong to one another in a family or in a congregation. Frank, open, kind speech can draw people together. (John 15:15) But what if a person lies to his brother? When his brother realizes it, the bond of trust between them will be weakened. You can understand why Paul wrote: “Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are members belonging to one another.” (Eph. 4:25) A person who is accustomed to lying, perhaps having started when he was a child, may find it hard to start speaking truth. But Jehovah will appreciate his effort to change and will help him.

13. What is involved in putting away abusive speech?

¹³ Jehovah teaches us to promote respect and unity in both the congregation and the family by setting firm limits on the way we speak. “Let a rotten saying not proceed out of your mouth . . . Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all badness.” (Eph. 4:29, 31) One way to avoid offensive speech is to cultivate a more respectful attitude toward others. For example, a man who speaks abusively to his wife should strive to change his attitude toward her, especially as he learns how Jehovah honors women. God even anoints some women with holy spirit, giving them the prospect of ruling as kings with Christ. (Gal. 3:28; 1 Pet. 3:7) Similarly, a woman who habitually screams at her husband should be moved to change as she learns how Jesus restrained himself when provoked.—1 Pet. 2:21-23.

14. Why is expressing anger dangerous?

¹⁴ Closely related to abusive speech is failure to control anger. This too can separate people who belong to one another. Anger is like a fire. It can easily get out of control and cause disaster. (Prov. 29:22) One who is justified in expressing his displeasure must carefully control his anger to avoid damaging valuable relationships. Christians should work at being forgiving, not holding a grudge and not talking about the matter again. (Ps. 37:8; 103:8, 9; Prov. 17:9) Paul advised the Ephesians: “Be wrathful, and yet do not sin; let the sun not set with you in a provoked state, neither allow place for the Devil.” (Eph. 4:26, 27) Failure to control one’s anger would give the Devil an opportunity to sow disunity and even conflict in the congregation.

15. Taking what does not belong to us can have what effect?

¹⁵ Showing respect for the property of others contributes to the unity of the congregation. We read: “Let the stealer steal no more.” (Eph. 4:28) A general sense of trust has developed among Jehovah’s people. If a Christian were to abuse that trust by taking what is not his, he would damage that happy unity.

Love for God Unites Us

16. How can we use upbuilding speech to strengthen our unity?

¹⁶ The unity of the Christian congregation is the result of all being moved by love for God to treat others with love. Appreciation for Jehovah’s kindness motivates us to make an earnest effort to apply the counsel: “[Speak] whatever saying is good for building up as the need may be, that it may impart what is favorable to the hearers. . . . Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you.” (Eph. 4:29, 32) Jehovah kindly forgives imperfect people like us. Should we not likewise forgive others when we see their imperfections?

17. Why should we earnestly endeavor to promote unity?

¹⁷ The unity of God’s people glorifies Jehovah. His spirit moves us in different ways to promote unity. We surely would not want to resist the spirit’s leading. Paul wrote: “Do not be grieving God’s holy spirit.” (Eph. 4:30) Unity is a treasure worth protecting. It brings joy to all those who share in it and glory to Jehovah. “Therefore, become imitators of God, as beloved children, and go on walking in love.”—Eph. 5:1, 2.

How Would You Answer?

• What attitudes promote unity among Christians?

• How can our conduct promote unity in the congregation?

• How can our speech help us in cooperating with others?

[Picture on page 17]

Those from many backgrounds are united

[Picture on page 18]

Do you understand the dangers of flirting?

“Your Leader Is One, the Christ”

pp. 21–25

“Your Leader Is One, the Christ”

“Do not . . . be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ.”—MATT. 23:9, 10.

1. Whom do Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize as Leader, and why?

CHRISTENDOM’S churches have human leaders, such as the pope of Rome, the patriarchs and metropolitans of the Eastern Orthodox churches, and the heads of other religions. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize no human as their leader. They are not disciples or followers of any man. This is in line with Jehovah’s prophetic utterance concerning his Son: “Look! As a witness to the national groups I have given him, as a leader and commander to the national groups.” (Isa. 55:4) The international congregation of anointed Christians and their “other sheep” companions want no leader other than the one Jehovah has given them. (John 10:16) They subscribe to Jesus’ statement: “Your Leader is one, the Christ.”—Matt. 23:10.

Spiritual Prince of Israel

2, 3. What active role did God’s Son play in Israel?

² Centuries before the founding of the Christian congregation, Jehovah had an angelic leader over his people Israel. After bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, Jehovah told them: “Here I am sending an angel ahead of you to keep you on the road and to bring you into the place that I have prepared. Watch yourself because of him and obey his voice. Do not behave rebelliously against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; because my name is within him.” (Ex. 23:20, 21) It is reasonable to believe that this angel, who had ‘Jehovah’s name within him,’ was God’s firstborn Son.

³ Prior to his birth as a human, God’s Son apparently had the name Michael. In the book of Daniel, Michael is called “the prince of [Daniel’s] people,” Israel. (Dan. 10:21) The disciple Jude indicates that Michael was involved in the affairs of Israel long before Daniel’s day. After Moses’ death, Satan apparently intended to use the corpse to further his own interests in some way, possibly by inciting Israel to commit idolatry. Michael stepped in to prevent this. Jude relates: “When Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: ‘May Jehovah rebuke you.’” (Jude 9) A little later, before the siege of Jericho, it was doubtless Michael, the “prince of the army of Jehovah,” who appeared to Joshua to reassure him of divine backing. (Read Joshua 5:13-15.) When a demon prince tried to prevent an angel from delivering an important message to the prophet Daniel, the archangel Michael came to that angel’s assistance.—Dan. 10:5-7, 12-14.

The Foretold Leader Comes

4. What prophecy was given concerning the coming of the Messiah?

⁴ Previous to this incident, Jehovah had sent his angel Gabriel to the prophet Daniel to convey to him a prophecy concerning the coming of “Messiah the Leader.” (Dan. 9:21-25)a Exactly on time, in the fall of 29 C.E., Jesus was baptized by John. Holy spirit was poured out upon Jesus, making him the Anointed One—Christ, the Messiah. (Matt. 3:13-17; John 1:29-34; Gal. 4:4) As such, he was to become an incomparable Leader.

5. How did Christ act as Leader during his earthly ministry?

⁵ From the beginning of his ministry on earth, Jesus proved himself to be “Messiah the Leader.” Within a few days, he began gathering disciples, and he performed his first miracle. (John 1:35–2:11) His disciples followed him as he traveled the length and breadth of the land, preaching the good news of the Kingdom. (Luke 8:1) He trained them in the preaching work and took the lead in preaching and teaching, setting a fine example. (Luke 9:1-6) Christian elders today do well to imitate him in this respect.

6. In what way did Christ prove to be a Shepherd and Leader?

⁶ Jesus pointed to another aspect of his leadership by comparing himself to a loving shepherd. Oriental shepherds literally lead their flocks. In The Land and the Book, W. M. Thomson wrote: “The shepherd goes before, not merely to point out the way, but to see that it is practicable and safe. . . . With [his] staff he rules and guides the flock to their green pastures, and defends them from their enemies.” Showing that he is a true Shepherd and Leader, Jesus declared: “I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep. My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:11, 27) True to his word, Jesus died a sacrificial death in behalf of his sheep, but Jehovah “raised him up to be leader and Saviour.”—Acts 5:31, New Jerusalem Bible; Heb. 13:20.

Overseer of the Christian Congregation

7. By means of what does Jesus oversee the Christian congregation?

⁷ Shortly before ascending to heaven, the resurrected Jesus told his disciples: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Matt. 28:18) Jehovah had Jesus pass on holy spirit to strengthen his disciples in Christian truth. (John 15:26) Jesus poured out this spirit upon the early Christians at Pentecost 33 C.E. (Acts 2:33) That outpouring of the holy spirit marked the founding of the Christian congregation. Jehovah invested his Son with the heavenly leadership of the congregation on earth. (Read Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:13, 18.) Jesus guides the Christian congregation by means of Jehovah’s holy spirit, and he has at his service angels who were “made subject to him.”—1 Pet. 3:22.

8. What earthly instrument did Christ use in the first century to lead his disciples, and whom is he using today?

⁸ Also by means of holy spirit, Christ gave “gifts in men,” some “as shepherds and teachers” in the congregation. (Eph. 4:8, 11) The apostle Paul urged Christian overseers: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God.” (Acts 20:28) When the Christian congregation began, all these overseers were spirit-anointed men. The apostles and the elders of the Jerusalem congregation acted as a governing body. Christ used this instrument to lead the entire group of his anointed “brothers” on earth. (Heb. 2:11; Acts 16:4, 5) In this time of the end, Christ has committed “all his belongings”—all the earthly interests of the Kingdom—to his “faithful and discreet slave” and its representative Governing Body, a group of anointed Christian men. (Matt. 24:45-47) The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ.

Christ Initiates the Preaching Work

9, 10. How did Christ direct matters with regard to spreading the good news of the Kingdom?

⁹ Right from the start, Jesus personally directed the worldwide preaching and teaching activity. He established the order in which the good news of the Kingdom was to be transmitted to the inhabitants of the earth. During his ministry, he instructed his apostles: “Do not go off into the road of the nations, and do not enter into a Samaritan city; but, instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’” (Matt. 10:5-7) They did this zealously among Jews and proselytes, especially after Pentecost 33 C.E.—Acts 2:4, 5, 10, 11; 5:42; 6:7.

¹⁰ Later, by means of holy spirit, Jesus extended the Kingdom-preaching work to the Samaritans and then to other non-Jews. (Acts 8:5, 6, 14-17; 10:19-22, 44, 45) With a view to promoting the spread of the good news among the nations, Jesus acted personally to move Saul of Tarsus to become a Christian. Jesus instructed his disciple Ananias: “Rise, go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man named Saul, from Tarsus. . . . Be on your way, because this man is a chosen vessel to me to bear my name to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel.” (Acts 9:3-6, 10, 11, 15) “This man” became the apostle Paul.—1 Tim. 2:7.

11. How did Christ by means of holy spirit expand the preaching work?

¹¹ When the time came to expand the work of Kingdom preaching among the non-Jewish nations, heaven directed Paul on missionary journeys in Asia Minor and on into Europe. Luke’s account in Acts states: “As they [Christian prophets and teachers in the congregation in Syrian Antioch] were publicly ministering to Jehovah and fasting, the holy spirit said: ‘Of all persons set Barnabas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them.’ Then they fasted and prayed and laid their hands upon them and let them go.” (Acts 13:2, 3) Jesus had personally called Saul of Tarsus to be His “chosen vessel” to bear His name to the nations; hence, this new impetus to the witnessing work came from Christ, the Leader of the congregation. Jesus’ use of the holy spirit to direct the work became unmistakably clear during Paul’s second missionary trip. The account states that “the spirit of Jesus,” that is, Jesus by means of holy spirit, guided Paul and his traveling companions in the choice of their itinerary, and a vision led them to move on into Europe.—Read Acts 16:6-10.

Jesus’ Leadership Over His Congregation

12, 13. How does the book of Revelation show that Christ follows closely what goes on in each congregation?

¹² Jesus followed closely what was going on within the congregations of his anointed followers in the first century C.E. He had intimate knowledge of the spiritual condition of each congregation. This becomes apparent when we read Revelation chapters 2 and 3. He names seven congregations, all located in Asia Minor. (Rev. 1:11) We have every reason to believe that he was just as familiar with the spiritual condition of the other congregations of his followers on earth at that time.—Read Revelation 2:23.

¹³ Jesus commended some of the congregations for their endurance, faithfulness under trial, loyalty to his word, and rejection of apostates. (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:8) On the other hand, he gave firm counsel to several congregations because their love for him had cooled off, they countenanced idolatry and fornication, and they tolerated sectarianism. (Rev. 2:4, 14, 15, 20; 3:15, 16) As a loving spiritual overseer—even to those to whom he gave strong admonition—Jesus stated: “All those for whom I have affection I reprove and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent.” (Rev. 3:19) Although in heaven, Jesus was leading the congregations of his disciples on earth by means of holy spirit. At the end of the messages to those congregations, he declared: “Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.”—Rev. 3:22.

14-16. (a) How has Jesus proved to be a courageous Leader of Jehovah’s people on earth? (b) What has resulted from Jesus’ being “with” his disciples “all the days until the conclusion of the system of things”? (c) What will we consider in the following article?

¹⁴ We have seen that Michael (Jesus) proved to be a valiant angelic Leader of Israel. Later, Jesus was a courageous Leader and a loving Shepherd of his early disciples. During his earthly ministry, he took the lead in the preaching work. And after his resurrection, he exercised close oversight of the spreading of the Kingdom good news.

¹⁵ By means of holy spirit, Jesus would eventually extend the witnessing work to the ends of the earth. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told his disciples: “You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8; read 1 Peter 1:12.) Under Christ’s direction, a tremendous witness was given in the first century.—Col. 1:23.

¹⁶ But Jesus himself indicated that this work would continue into the time of the end. After commissioning his followers to preach and to make disciples among all the nations, Jesus promised them: “I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) Since being invested with kingly power in 1914, Christ is more than ever “with” his disciples and active as their Leader. His intense activity since 1914 will be examined in the following article.

[Footnote]

a For a discussion of this prophecy, see chapter 11 of Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!

By Way of Review

• How did God’s Son prove to be an active Leader in Israel?

• By what means does Christ lead his congregation on earth?

• How has Christ directed the spread of the good news?

• What shows that Christ follows closely the spiritual condition of each congregation?

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“I am sending an angel ahead of you”

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As in the past, Christ uses “gifts in men” to shepherd his flock

Our Active Leader Today

pp. 25–29

Our Active Leader Today

“He went forth conquering and to complete his conquest.”—REV. 6:2.

1, 2. (a) How is Christ’s kingly activity since 1914 depicted in the Bible? (b) What actions has Christ undertaken since his enthronement?

CHRIST was enthroned as King of Jehovah’s Messianic Kingdom in 1914. How do we imagine him now in our mind’s eye? As a contemplative king sitting on his throne, glancing down to earth from time to time to see how his congregation is faring? If so, we should revise our opinion. The Psalms and the book of Revelation depict him as an energetic king on horseback, riding forth “conquering and to complete his conquest,” continuing to ultimate “success.”—Rev. 6:2; Ps. 2:6-9; 45:1-4.

² Christ’s first kingly action after his enthronement was his victory over “the dragon and its angels.” As the archangel Michael in command of his angels, Christ hurled Satan and his demons out of the holy heavens and confined them to the vicinity of the earth. (Rev. 12:7-9) Then, in his role as Jehovah’s “messenger of the covenant,” Jesus came with his Father to carry out an inspection of the spiritual temple. (Mal. 3:1) He judged Christendom, the most reprehensible part of “Babylon the Great,” finding her guilty of bloodshed and of spiritual adultery with the political system of this world.—Rev. 18:2, 3, 24.

Cleansing His Earthly Slave

3, 4. (a) What work did Christ accomplish as Jehovah’s “messenger”? (b) The temple inspection revealed what, and as Head of the congregation, what appointment did Jesus make?

³ The inspection by Jehovah and his “messenger” also revealed in the earthly courtyard of that spiritual temple the presence of a group of true Christians, who were not part of Christendom’s churches. However, even these anointed Christians, or “sons of Levi,” needed to undergo cleansing. It was as the prophet Malachi had foretold: “He [Jehovah] must sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and must cleanse the sons of Levi; and he must clarify them like gold and like silver, and they will certainly become to Jehovah people presenting a gift offering in righteousness.” (Mal. 3:3) Jehovah used his “messenger of the covenant,” Christ Jesus, to cleanse these spiritual Israelites.

⁴ Still, Christ found these same faithful anointed Christians doing their utmost to provide timely spiritual food for the household of faith. From 1879 onward, through thick and thin, they had been publishing Biblical truths about God’s Kingdom in the pages of this magazine. Jesus had prophesied that “on arriving” to inspect his domestics during “the conclusion of the system of things,” he would find a slave providing them “food at the proper time.” He would pronounce that slave happy and would “appoint him over all his belongings” on earth. (Matt. 24:3, 45-47) As Head of the Christian congregation, Christ has used this “faithful and discreet slave” to administer His Kingdom interests on earth. He has provided direction for the anointed “domestics” and their “other sheep” companions by means of a Governing Body.—John 10:16.

Harvesting the Earth

5. What kingly activity did the apostle John see in vision?

⁵ The apostle John had a vision of something else that the Messianic King would do in “the Lord’s day,” after He was enthroned in 1914. John wrote: “I saw, and, look! a white cloud, and upon the cloud someone seated like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” (Rev. 1:10; 14:14) John heard an angel from Jehovah tell this Harvester to thrust in his sickle because “the harvest of the earth is thoroughly ripe.”—Rev. 14:15, 16.

6. What did Jesus say would develop over time?

⁶ This “harvest of the earth” reminds us of Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds. Jesus likened himself to a man who sowed his field with wheat seed with a view to harvesting a full crop of fine wheat, representing “the sons of the kingdom,” true Christians anointed to be associated with him in his Kingdom. But under the cover of night, an enemy, “the Devil,” oversowed the field with weeds, “the sons of the wicked one.” The sower instructed his workers to let the wheat and the weeds grow together until harvesttime, at “the conclusion of the system of things.” At that time, he would send in his angels to separate the wheat from the weeds.—Matt. 13:24-30, 36-41.

7. How is Christ carrying out “the harvest of the earth”?

⁷ In fulfillment of the vision given to John, Jesus has been conducting a worldwide harvest work. “The harvest of the earth” began with the gathering of the remaining ones of the 144,000 “sons of the kingdom,” “the wheat” of Jesus’ parable. The distinction between true and false Christians became ever more apparent after World War I, so much so that it has contributed to the second part of “the harvest of the earth”—the ingathering of the other sheep. These are not “the sons of the kingdom” but, rather, “a great crowd” of willing subjects of that Kingdom. They are harvested from among all “peoples, national groups and languages.” They submit to the Messianic Kingdom, made up of Christ Jesus and the 144,000 “holy ones” who will be associated with him in that heavenly government.—Rev. 7:9, 10; Dan. 7:13, 14, 18.

Leadership of the Congregations

8, 9. (a) What shows that Christ observes not only the conduct of the entire congregation but also the lifestyle of its individual members? (b) As depicted on page 26, what “deep things of Satan” should we avoid?

⁸ We saw in the preceding article how closely Christ observed the spiritual condition of individual congregations in the first century C.E. In our day, as reigning King invested with “all authority . . . in heaven and on the earth,” Christ our Leader exercises active headship over the congregations worldwide and their overseers. (Matt. 28:18; Col. 1:18) Jehovah has “made him head over all things to the congregation” of anointed ones. (Eph. 1:22) As such, nothing that occurs within the more than 100,000 individual congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses escapes his notice.

⁹ To the ancient congregation of Thyatira, Jesus sent this message: “These are the things that the Son of God says, he who has his eyes like a fiery flame, . . . ‘I know your deeds.’” (Rev. 2:18, 19) He rebuked members of that congregation for their immoral, self-indulgent lifestyle, telling them: “I am he who searches the kidneys and hearts, and I will give to you individually according to your deeds.” (Rev. 2:23) That statement indicates that Christ observes not only the collective conduct of each congregation but also the lifestyle of its individual members. Jesus commended Christians in Thyatira “who did not get to know the ‘deep things of Satan.’” (Rev. 2:24) Today, he likewise approves of those, young or old, who refrain from delving into the “deep things of Satan” by means of the Internet or violent video games or by indulging in permissive human reasonings. How happy he is to observe the efforts and the sacrifices of the many Christians today who do their utmost to follow his lead in all aspects of their lives!

10. How is Christ’s direction of congregation elders symbolized, but what arrangement needs to be recognized?

¹⁰ Christ provides loving oversight of his congregations on earth by means of appointed elders. (Eph. 4:8, 11, 12) In the first century, all the overseers were spirit-begotten. They were depicted in Revelation as stars in Christ’s right hand. (Rev. 1:16, 20) Today, most congregation elders are of the other sheep. They are appointed after prayer and under the guidance of the holy spirit, so they too can be regarded as under Christ’s direction, or guiding hand. (Acts 20:28) They recognize, however, that Christ is using a small group of anointed Christian men as a Governing Body to lead and direct his disciples on earth.—Read Acts 15:6, 28-30.

“Come, Lord Jesus”

11. Why are we eager to see our Leader come quickly?

¹¹ In the revelation given to the apostle John, several times Jesus said that he was coming quickly. (Rev. 2:16; 3:11; 22:7, 20) Doubtless, he was referring to his coming to execute judgment upon Babylon the Great and the rest of Satan’s wicked system of things. (2 Thess. 1:7, 8) Eager to see the fulfillment of all the wonderful events that were foretold, the aged apostle John exclaimed: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.” We who are living at the time of the end of this wicked system of things also long to see our Leader and King come in Kingdom power to sanctify his Father’s name and vindicate His sovereignty.

12. What work will Christ complete before the winds of destruction are unleashed?

¹² Before Jesus comes against Satan’s visible organization, the last of the 144,000 members of spiritual Israel will receive the final sealing. The Bible states clearly that the winds of destruction upon Satan’s system will not be released before this sealing of the 144,000 is completed.—Rev. 7:1-4.

13. How will Christ make his presence manifest during the first phase of the “great tribulation”?

¹³ Christ’s “presence” since 1914 has gone unnoticed by most of earth’s inhabitants. (2 Pet. 3:3, 4) Soon, however, he will make his presence manifest by executing Jehovah’s judgments on the various elements of Satan’s system of things. The destruction of “the man of lawlessness,” the clergy of Christendom, will be an unmistakable “manifestation of his presence.” (Read 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8.) It will furnish concrete proof that Christ has moved into action as Jehovah’s appointed Judge. (Read 2 Timothy 4:1.) The annihilation of the most reprehensible part of Babylon the Great will serve as a prelude to the total destruction of that wicked world empire of false religion. Jehovah will put it into the hearts of political leaders to devastate this spiritual harlot. (Rev. 17:15-18) That will be the first part of the “great tribulation.”—Matt. 24:21.

14. (a) Why will the first part of the great tribulation be cut short? (b) What will “the sign of the Son of man” mean for Jehovah’s people?

¹⁴ Jesus stated that the days of that tribulation would be cut short “on account of the chosen ones,” the remnant of anointed Christians still on earth. (Matt. 24:22) Jehovah will not allow this destructive attack on false religion to wipe out anointed Christians and their other sheep companions. Jesus added that “after the tribulation of those days,” there will be signs in sun, moon, and stars, “and then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven.” This will cause the nations of the earth to “beat themselves in lamentation.” Not so the anointed, who have a heavenly hope, and their companions, who have an earthly hope. They will ‘raise themselves erect and lift up their heads because their deliverance is getting near.’—Matt. 24:29, 30; Luke 21:25-28.

15. What work will Christ do when he comes?

¹⁵ Before completing his conquest, the Son of man comes in yet another way. He prophesied: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.” (Matt. 25:31-33) This refers to Christ’s coming as Judge to separate people of “all the nations” into two categories: “the sheep,” those who will have actively supported his spiritual brothers (anointed Christians on earth) and “the goats,” those “who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thess. 1:7, 8) The sheep, described as “righteous ones,” will receive “everlasting life” on earth, but the goats “will depart into everlasting cutting-off,” or destruction.—Matt. 25:34, 40, 41, 45, 46.

Jesus Completes His Conquest

16. How will Christ our Leader complete his conquest?

¹⁶ With the total number of his king-priest associates sealed and the sheep identified and placed on his right hand for salvation, Christ can go on to “complete his conquest.” (Rev. 5:9, 10; 6:2) At the head of an army of powerful angels and, no doubt, his resurrected brothers, he will destroy Satan’s entire political, military, and commercial system on earth. (Rev. 2:26, 27; 19:11-21) Christ’s conquest will be complete when he destroys Satan’s wicked system. Then he will abyss Satan and the demons for a thousand years.—Rev. 20:1-3.

17. To what will Christ lead his other sheep during the Thousand Year Reign, and what should be our determination?

¹⁷ Speaking of the “great crowd” of other sheep, who will survive the great tribulation, the apostle John prophesied that “the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life.” (Rev. 7:9, 17) Yes, throughout his Thousand Year Reign, Christ will continue to lead the other sheep, who truly listen to his voice, and guide them to everlasting life. (Read John 10:16, 26-28.) May we faithfully follow our royal Leader—now and on into Jehovah’s promised new world!

By Way of Review

• What action did Christ take after being enthroned?

• What visible instruments is Christ using to lead the congregations?

• In what ways is Christ our Leader yet to come?

• How will Christ continue to lead us in the new world?

[Picture on page 29]

The destruction of Satan’s wicked system will make Christ’s presence manifest

Special Campaign in Bulgaria Has Success

pp. 30–32

Special Campaign in Bulgaria Has Success

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”—MATT. 9:37, 38.

HOW those words of Jesus fit the situation in Bulgaria, a beautiful Balkan country in southeastern Europe! A real need exists for more workers to bring the good news to the more than seven million inhabitants. There are some 1,700 publishers in Bulgaria, but they are not able to cover the entire territory. Accordingly, the Governing Body gave approval to invite Bulgarian-speaking Witnesses from several European countries to come and share in a special campaign in 2009. The campaign was scheduled for seven weeks during the summer, culminating in the “Keep on the Watch!” District Convention in Sofia, August 14-16, 2009.

An Overwhelming Response

The brothers at the branch office in Sofia wondered how many from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Spain would respond. It would mean traveling to Bulgaria at one’s own expense and spending vacation time preaching. How exciting it was as week by week the number of applicants grew, until it reached 292! With such a large response, it would be possible to assign these volunteers to three different Bulgarian cities: Kazanlak, Sandanski, and Silistra. Circuit overseers in Bulgaria invited local pioneers and publishers to support the campaign too. Eventually, 382 volunteers were zealously preaching in territories that had seldom been reached with the good news.

Brothers from nearby congregations were sent out in advance to arrange for accommodations. They rented apartments and booked inexpensive hotels. These local brothers worked tirelessly to help the arriving volunteers to get settled and then to care for their needs. In all three cities, places to meet were rented. Arrangements were made for the congregation meetings to be conducted by the visiting brothers. It was exciting to see that in places where not even one Witness lived, 50 publishers were meeting to praise Jehovah.

The zeal of those who came from other countries for the campaign was overwhelming. During the summer season, the temperature in Bulgaria can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit [40°C]. However, nothing could stop these zealous brothers and sisters. Silistra, a city on the Danube River with more than 50,000 inhabitants, was given a thorough witness within the first three weeks. Consequently, the brothers extended their efforts to nearby villages, even reaching Tutrakan, 35 miles [55 km] west of Silistra. They usually began their ministry by 9:30 a.m. After a lunch break, they often continued until 7:00 p.m. or later. Similarly, because of the overwhelming zeal of these volunteers, the campaign in Kazanlak and Sandanski extended into neighboring villages and cities.

What Was Achieved?

An outstanding witness was given during these seven weeks. As was said in the days of the apostles, the inhabitants of these cities could say, ‘You have filled our city with your teaching.’ (Acts 5:28) The participating Witnesses placed some 50,000 magazines and started 482 Bible studies. Happily, as of September 1, 2009, a congregation was formed in Silistra, and there are groups in Kazanlak and in Sandanski. It is heartwarming to see individuals who heard the good news for the first time during this campaign making fine spiritual progress.

In the first week of the campaign, a Bulgarian-speaking special pioneer sister from Spain preached to Karina, a lady in Silistra who was selling newspapers on the street. Karina showed interest and came to a meeting. She readily agreed to a Bible study. Her husband is an atheist, so she asked to have the Bible study held in a park. The Bible study included her two daughters. The older, Daniela, showed exceptional appreciation for Bible truth. She read the Bible Teach book in a week and immediately applied what the Bible says about not using images in worship. Then she started sharing the truth with her friends. Only three weeks after she had attended her first congregation meeting, she said to the sister conducting the study: “I feel like one of you. What do I have to do so that I too can start preaching?” Daniela continues to make good progress, along with her mother and her younger sister.

In Kazanlak, a Bulgarian brother named Orlin, who had come from Italy for the campaign, was walking back to his accommodations after field service. On his way, Orlin witnessed to two young men sitting on a park bench. He placed a copy of the Bible Teach book with them and arranged for a return visit the next day. On that visit, Orlin started a Bible study with Svetomir that was continued the very next day. In nine days, Orlin studied with Svetomir eight times. Svetomir commented: “Two days before I met you, I prayed to God for help to get to know him. And I promised that if he would help me, I would dedicate my life to him.” After Orlin returned to Italy, the local brothers continued to study with Svetomir, and he is making the truth his own.

Rich Blessings for Those Making Sacrifices

How do those who generously used their vacation and traveled at their own expense to another country to preach the good news feel? An elder serving in Spain wrote: “The campaign brought the brothers in the Bulgarian field in Spain closer together. It had a big effect on the brothers who shared in it.” One couple from Italy wrote: “This was the most wonderful month in our life!” They added: “The campaign changed our life! Now we are different people.” This couple started thinking seriously about the possibility of moving to Bulgaria permanently to serve where the need is greater. Carina is a single regular pioneer sister from Spain who supported the campaign in Silistra. Thereafter she quit her job in Spain and moved to Bulgaria to support the new congregation in that city. She had saved enough money to live in Bulgaria for a year. Carina says about her decision: “I am so happy that Jehovah allows me to serve here in Bulgaria, and I hope that I will be able to remain here for a long time. I already have five Bible studies, and three of them are attending the meetings.”

An Italian sister wanted to join the campaign, but having just started a new job, she did not have any vacation days. Undeterred, she asked for one month of unpaid leave and was ready to resign from her job if her request was not granted. To her surprise, her employer said: “OK, but under one condition: You have to send me a postcard from Bulgaria.” The sister certainly felt that Jehovah had answered her prayers.

Stanislava, a young sister from the Bulgarian city of Varna who was working full-time at a well-paid job, took a leave to share in the campaign in Silistra. When she saw the happiness of the many pioneers who had come so far to preach the good news in her country, she was moved to tears. She started to think about what she was doing with her life, pursuing a secular career. When she returned home after two weeks, she quit her job and became a regular pioneer. Now she feels really happy, remembering her Creator in her youth.—Eccl. 12:1.

What a blessing it is to be active in Jehovah’s service. You can do nothing better than give of your time and strength in the important work of teaching and preaching the good news. Are there ways that you personally can expand your share in this lifesaving ministry? There may be areas in your own country where the need is greater. Can you relocate to such an area? Or you may consider learning another language to help people in your country who are thirsting for Bible truth. Whatever adjustments you can make to expand your share in the ministry, you can be assured that Jehovah will richly bless you.—Prov. 10:22.

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A Memorable Day

Many of those who came from other European countries to support the special campaign in Bulgaria planned to attend the “Keep on the Watch!” District Convention in Sofia. It was most encouraging for the local brothers and sisters to meet so many visitors from different countries. How excited the 2,039 in attendance were when Brother Geoffrey Jackson of the Governing Body released the complete New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in the Bulgarian language! All in attendance that Friday expressed their heartfelt appreciation with enthusiastic and prolonged applause. Many even shed tears of joy. This accurate translation in easy-to-understand language will help sincere Bulgarians to get to know Jehovah.

[Map on page 30, 31]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

BULGARIA

SOFIA

Sandanski

Silistra

Kazanlak

[Pictures on page 31]

An outstanding witness was given during those seven weeks