1-3. How will reading the Bible and applying what we learn help us?

AN ELDERLY sister said, “I thank Jehovah every morning for helping me to understand the Bible.” Even though she has read the Bible more than 40 times, she still reads it. A younger sister wrote that reading the Bible has helped her to know that Jehovah is real and to have a closer relationship with him. She said, “I have never been happier in my life!”

² The apostle Peter taught us that we need to love the truth from God’s Word. (1 Peter 2:2) When we study the Bible and apply what it teaches, we can have a clean conscience and a purpose in life. The Bible’s teachings can help us to have good friendships with others who also love and serve the true God. These are good reasons for us to “delight in the law of God.” (Romans 7:22) How else can Bible study help us?

³ The more you learn about Jehovah and his Son, the more your love for them and for other people will grow. Also, the Bible will teach you how God will save righteous people when he destroys the wicked. In your ministry, you have good news to tell people. And you can be sure that Jehovah will help you as you teach others what you have learned.

READ THE BIBLE AND MEDITATE ON WHAT YOU READ

4. What does it mean to read the Bible “in an undertone”?

⁴ Jehovah wants us to take time to think about and understand what we read in the Bible. He told Joshua: “This book of the law should not depart from your mouth, and you must in an undertone read in it day and night.” (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2) Does this mean that we have to read the whole Bible out loud or whisper as we read it? No. It means that you should read slowly enough to think about what you are reading. This will help you to focus on verses that are useful and encouraging to you. When you find an encouraging statement or story, read it slowly, maybe even saying the words quietly as you read. Then what you are reading can really reach your heart. Why is this important? Because when you truly understand God’s counsel, you will want to live by it.

5-7. Give examples of how reading God’s Word slowly and carefully might help you to (a) obey God’s laws; (b) speak kindly to others; (c) trust in Jehovah even during difficult times.

⁵ When we are reading Bible books that we think are difficult to understand, it can be helpful to read slowly and carefully so that we can think about what we are reading. For example, think of a young brother who is carefully reading the book of Hosea. In chapter 4, he stops to think after reading verses 11 to 13. (Read Hosea 4:11-13.) Why does he focus on these verses? Lately, he has been tempted at school to do immoral things. But as he thinks about these verses, he says to himself: ‘Jehovah sees the bad things people do even when they are alone. I do not want to offend him.’ The brother decides that he will make sure that he obeys Jehovah’s moral laws.

⁶ As a second example, think of a sister who is carefully reading the book of Joel and comes to chapter 2, verse 13. (Read Joel 2:13.) This verse makes her realize that she should imitate Jehovah, who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.” She decides to make some changes because she sometimes speaks in a hurtful and angry way to her husband and to others.

⁷ As a third example, think of a brother who has a wife and children. He has lost his job and worries about how he can take care of his family. He carefully reads the book of Nahum. At Nahum 1:7, he reads that Jehovah knows those who trust in him and will protect them “in the day of distress.” This helps the brother to realize that Jehovah loves him and his family, and now he does not worry so much. Then he carefully reads verse 15. (Read Nahum 1:15.) He realizes that he can prove that he trusts in Jehovah by preaching the good news even during difficult times. So while he keeps on looking for a new job, he will use more time during the week for the field ministry.

8. Briefly explain something that you have learned from your Bible reading.

⁸ The helpful examples we just discussed are from Bible books that some may think are difficult to understand. But when you find encouraging verses in these books, you will want to keep reading them. They can comfort us and make us wise. All the books of the Bible can help us in the same way. God’s Word is like a mine where many diamonds are buried deep in the ground. While you read the whole Bible, keep looking to find the “diamonds,” or the valuable direction and encouragement that it contains!

WORK HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU READ

9. What can we do to understand the Bible better?

⁹ It is important to read the Bible each day. But you should also make sure that you understand what you are reading. So do research in our publications to learn about the people, places, and events that you read about. If you are not sure how you should apply something that you read in the Bible, you could ask an elder or another mature brother or sister for help. A Christian in Bible times needed help to understand the truth more correctly. His name was Apollos.

10, 11. (a) How did Apollos receive help to be a better minister of the good news? (b) What can we learn from the example of Apollos? (See the box “Is What You Are Teaching Up-to-Date?”)

¹⁰ Apollos was a Jewish Christian who knew the Scriptures well and who was a zealous minister. The book of Acts says that he preached about Jesus. But Apollos did not realize that Jesus had taught his disciples something new about baptism. A Christian couple named Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos teaching in Ephesus, and they explained “the way of God more correctly to him.” (Acts 18:24-26) How did this benefit Apollos?

¹¹ When Apollos went to Achaia, he continued preaching. He helped those who believed the good news by using the Scriptures to prove publicly that the Jews were wrong and that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 18:27, 28) Now that Apollos understood the meaning of Christian baptism, he “greatly helped” new ones to make progress in the truth. What can we learn from this? We can follow Apollos’ example by working hard to understand what we read in the Bible. But we should also humbly and gratefully accept any suggestions we receive that could make us better teachers.

USE WHAT YOU LEARN TO HELP OTHERS

12, 13. How could we use the Scriptures in a kind way to help a Bible student to make progress?

¹² Like Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos, we can help others. When you help an interested person to make changes in his life so that he can make progress in the truth, how do you feel? Or as an elder, how do you feel when another Christian thanks you for the Bible counsel that you gave when he or she was having a difficult time? It makes us truly happy to use the Bible to help others make changes in their lives.a (See footnote.) How can you do this?

¹³ In Elijah’s day, many Israelites had not decided whether they would follow true worship or false worship. What Elijah said to those Israelites could help a Bible student who has not yet decided to serve Jehovah. (Read 1 Kings 18:21.) Or maybe an interested person is afraid that his friends or family will criticize him for studying the Bible. You could help him decide to worship Jehovah by using the words at Isaiah 51:12, 13.​—Read.

14. What will help you to remember Bible verses so that you can help others?

¹⁴ There are many thoughts in the Bible that can encourage, correct, or strengthen us. But you may wonder how you can know which scriptures to use when you need them. Read the Bible every day, and meditate on what you read. You will gradually become more familiar with the Bible, and Jehovah can use his holy spirit to help you to remember what it says.​—Mark 13:11; read John 14:26.b (See footnote.)

15. What will help you to understand God’s Word better?

¹⁵ Like King Solomon, pray to Jehovah for wisdom. You need wisdom to do the preaching work and to care for your responsibilities in the congregation. (2 Chronicles 1:7-10) Imitate the prophets by carefully searching God’s Word. This will help you to know the truth about Jehovah and his will. (1 Peter 1:10-12) The apostle Paul told Timothy to study “the words of the faith and of the fine teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:6) If you keep studying the Bible, you will understand it better and will learn how to use it to help others. At the same time, your faith will become stronger.

READING THE BIBLE PROTECTS US

16. (a) How did the Beroeans benefit from reading the Scriptures each day? (b) Why is it important for us to read the Bible each day?

¹⁶ The Jews who lived in Beroea carefully read the Scriptures each day. When Paul preached to them, they compared what he said with what they knew from the Scriptures. Many of them realized that he was teaching the truth and “became believers.” (Acts 17:10-12) From this, we can learn that reading the Bible daily can help us to build strong faith in Jehovah. We must have strong faith if we want to survive into God’s new world.​—Hebrews 11:1.

17, 18. (a) How do strong faith and love protect our figurative heart? (b) How does hope protect us?

¹⁷ Paul explained that we need faith, love, and hope. He said: “As for us who belong to the day, let us keep our senses and have on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8) A breastplate was a type of shield worn over a soldier’s chest to protect his heart. In a similar way, our figurative heart needs to be protected. When a Christian builds strong faith in God’s promises and has strong love for Him and for others, he protects his figurative heart. He will do all he can to stay in God’s favor.

¹⁸ Paul also mentioned a figurative helmet that we need to wear. It is “the hope of salvation.” Soldiers in Bible times used a helmet to protect their head. When we build strong hope in Jehovah’s ability to save us, our hope can protect our thinking. Our strong hope gives us every reason to ignore apostates and their wicked speech, which can quickly spread in the congregation like a disease. (2 Timothy 2:16-19) Our hope will also make us strong and give us a reason to avoid bad conduct.

BIBLE READING WILL HELP US SURVIVE THE LAST DAYS

19, 20. Why are we very grateful for God’s Word? How do we show that we are grateful for it? (See the box “Jehovah Gives Me Just What I Need.”)

¹⁹ As we get closer to the end of this system, we need to rely even more on Jehovah’s Word. It can help us to stop bad habits and to fight against any desire to sin. It will comfort us and encourage us to endure under any test that Satan and his world bring on us. The instructions in Jehovah’s Word will help us to stay on the road to life.

²⁰ It is God’s will that “all sorts of men should be saved.” These include his servants as well as those who are willing to listen when we preach to them and teach them about the good news. But all who want to survive the end of this system must have “an accurate knowledge of truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) We must read the Bible and apply its instructions if we want to survive. Our daily Bible reading shows how much we appreciate Jehovah’s Word.​—John 17:17.

1. Why must we have full confidence in God’s Word?

BEFORE a Bible student can begin to go in the field ministry, he has to show that he believes that the Bible is God’s Word.a (See footnote.) All of us need to show by what we do and what we say that we trust the Bible. When we have full confidence in the Bible and learn to use it well in the ministry, we can help others to get to know Jehovah and to find the way to everlasting life.

2. Why should we continue in the things we have learned?

² The apostle Paul made it clear that God’s Word is very important. He wrote to Timothy: “Continue in the things that you learned.” “The things” that Timothy had learned were Bible truths that gave him faith in the good news. What we learn from the Bible can make our faith stronger too. The Bible can help us to be “wise for salvation.” (2 Timothy 3:14, 15) What Paul says next shows that the Bible is from God. But what else can we learn from the words at 2 Timothy 3:16? (Read.) We will discuss that verse in more detail and build our confidence that all of Jehovah’s teachings are “right.”​—Psalm 119:128.

THE BIBLE IS “BENEFICIAL FOR TEACHING”

3-5. (a) What happened after Peter gave a talk to a large crowd at Pentecost, and why? (b) Why did many in Thessalonica accept the truth? (c) What do people today notice about the way we preach?

³ Jesus told the nation of Israel: “I am sending forth to you prophets and wise men and public instructors.” (Matthew 23:34) Jesus was speaking about his disciples. He had taught them to use the Scriptures in their ministry. At Pentecost in the year 33, the apostle Peter gave a talk to a large crowd in Jerusalem. He quoted from several parts of the Hebrew Scriptures. When the people heard how Peter explained these verses, many felt very sorry for the bad things they had done. They repented over their sins and asked God to forgive them. On that day, about three thousand of them became Christians.​—Acts 2:37-41.

⁴ We can also learn from the apostle Paul, who preached the good news outside of Jerusalem. In the Macedonian city of Thessalonica, he spoke to Jews worshipping in a synagogue. On three Sabbaths in a row, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures” to prove that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to be resurrected. Some of those Jews became believers, and so did many Greeks.​—Acts 17:1-4.

⁵ Many people today notice that we are able to use the Bible to prove what we teach. One of our sisters in Switzerland read a scripture in the ministry, and the householder asked her which church she belonged to. The sister said that she and the sister with her were Jehovah’s Witnesses. The man said that he should have realized this because Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only ones who would come to his house and read the Bible.

6, 7. (a) How can those who teach in the congregation use the Bible in the best way? (b) During a home Bible study, why is it important to use the Bible well?

⁶ How can we use the Bible in the best way when we are teaching others? If you are assigned to give talks or other meeting parts, use specific scriptures. Instead of telling the audience what a scripture says or reading it from a printout or a computer, read from your Bible. Ask the audience to use their Bibles too. Explain what the verses mean and how the scriptures can help them to have a closer relationship with Jehovah. Instead of using illustrations that are hard to understand or experiences that are just supposed to make people laugh, use the time to discuss God’s Word.

⁷ What should we remember when teaching our Bible students? While we are studying with someone, we should not skip the scriptures that are cited in the book. Have the student read the cited scriptures. Then as we explain them, we should not do all the talking but should allow the student to say what he thinks. Instead of telling him what to believe or how he should act, we can ask good questions that will help him to understand what the Bible teaches.b​—See footnote.

THE BIBLE IS “BENEFICIAL . . . FOR REPROVING”

8. What inner struggle did Paul have?

⁸ The elders in the congregation have the responsibility to reprove, or discipline, those who practice sin. (1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 1:13) But we also need to reprove ourselves. Paul was a good Christian who had a clean conscience. (2 Timothy 1:3) However, he had an inner struggle. He said: “I behold in my members another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law.” We will discuss what Paul had to do so that he could fight against his weaknesses.​—Read Romans 7:21-25.

9, 10. (a) What weaknesses might Paul have had? (b) How might Paul have fought against those weaknesses?

⁹ Paul did not say what kind of weaknesses he had, but he did say that he had been “insolent,” that is, rude and disrespectful. (1 Timothy 1:13) Before he became a Christian, Paul had treated Christians very badly. He said that he was “extremely mad against them.” (Acts 26:11) Paul learned to control his anger, but he probably still had to work hard to control his feelings and his words. (Acts 15:36-39) What helped him?

¹⁰ In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul explained what he did to keep reproving himself. (Read 1 Corinthians 9:26, 27.) He took strong action against his weaknesses. No doubt, he looked for counsel in the Scriptures, prayed to Jehovah for help to apply the counsel, and then did his best to obey it.c (See footnote.) We can learn from his example. We have a similar fight against our weaknesses.

11. How can we “keep testing” ourselves to see whether we are walking in the way of the truth?

¹¹ We should never think that we can stop fighting our weaknesses. We need to “keep testing” ourselves to make sure that we are walking in the way of the truth. (2 Corinthians 13:5) When we read Colossians 3:5-10 or similar scriptures, we could ask ourselves: ‘Am I working hard to fight against my weaknesses? Or am I starting to like things that Jehovah says are wrong? For example, if an immoral Web site suddenly appears, do I immediately leave the site? Or do I search for bad Web sites?’ If we think about how we can apply the counsel in God’s Word in our own life, we can “stay awake and keep our senses.”​—1 Thessalonians 5:6-8.

THE BIBLE IS “BENEFICIAL . . . FOR SETTING THINGS STRAIGHT”

12, 13. (a) What does it mean to set things straight? How can we follow Jesus’ example in setting things straight? (b) If we need to set things straight with someone, what kind of speech should we avoid?

¹² When the Bible talks about “setting things straight,” it means to make something good or correct. Sometimes we have to set things straight when someone misunderstands what we have said or done. For example, the Jewish religious leaders complained that Jesus was kind to “tax collectors and sinners.” Jesus corrected them by saying: “Persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do. Go, then, and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy, and not sacrifice.’” (Matthew 9:11-13) Jesus also corrected people’s thinking about who God really is. He taught people patiently and kindly that Jehovah is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) As a result, many humble people put faith in the good news.

¹³ We should imitate Jesus when we try to help others. The words found at 2 Timothy 3:16 do not mean that we should speak harshly to others in order to set things straight. The Scriptures do not give us the right to speak to someone without caring about his feelings. If we criticize someone harshly, our words can be like “the stabs of a sword.” We will cause him pain and will probably not help him at all.​—Proverbs 12:18.

14-16. (a) How can elders set things straight when others need help with their problems? (b) Why is it important for parents to use the Scriptures to set things straight in their families?

¹⁴ How can we be patient and kind when we use the Bible to set things straight? Imagine a married couple who argue frequently. They ask an elder for help. He will not take sides with either one of them, and he will not give his own opinion about their problems. Instead, he uses Bible principles to help them to understand how they can stop arguing. He might use the principles discussed in chapter 3 of the book The Secret of Family Happiness. As they discuss these principles, the husband and wife may realize that they need to make some changes. Later, the elder will ask the couple if the situation is improving, and he will offer more help if it is needed.

¹⁵ How can parents help their children to set things straight? Imagine that your teenage daughter has a new friend. But you think that the new friend makes bad choices. First, you should find out more about the friend. Then, if you are still worried about your daughter, you can talk with her. You could use the Bible principles found in the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work, Volume 2. Then you should make sure to spend extra time with her. You could pay attention to her attitude when she is in field service or is spending time with the family. If you are patient and kind as you talk to your daughter, she will know that you love her and are interested in her. This will help her to follow your counsel about her friends and avoid making bad choices in her own life.

¹⁶ Who else might need our help? In a patient and kind way, we can set things straight when others are worried about their health, are depressed because they lost their jobs, or are confused about something that the Bible teaches. When we use God’s Word to set things straight, we all benefit in many ways.

THE BIBLE IS “BENEFICIAL . . . FOR DISCIPLINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS”

17. Why should we be grateful to accept discipline?

¹⁷ The Bible says that we do not usually enjoy discipline. In fact, it can be very difficult to accept. But when we accept it and apply it, discipline can make us righteous. (Hebrews 12:11) Most Christian adults who were raised in the truth say that the discipline from their parents helped them. And when the elders give us discipline from Jehovah, we can stay on the way to life.​—Proverbs 4:13.

18, 19. (a) Why is the counsel found at Proverbs 18:13 so important for elders who have to discipline others? (b) When elders are mild and give discipline with love, how may a sinner react?

¹⁸ How can elders and parents learn to give good discipline? Jehovah has told us that we need to give discipline “in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) This means that we need to use Bible principles when we discipline others. One important Bible principle is found at Proverbs 18:13: “When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears it, that is foolishness on his part and a humiliation.” So when someone tells the elders that a brother or a sister has committed a serious sin, the elders should make sure that they know all the facts before they give discipline. (Deuteronomy 13:14) Then they can discipline “in righteousness.”

¹⁹ The Bible also tells the elders to discipline others “with mildness.” (Read 2 Timothy 2:24-26.) It is true that a person’s sin might make others think badly about Jehovah or might hurt other people. But if an elder gets angry while he counsels that person, the elder will not be able to help him. If an elder imitates God and speaks kindly when correcting a sinner, the sinner may choose to repent.​—Romans 2:4.

20. What principles should parents apply when disciplining their children?

²⁰ Parents too must apply Bible principles when they discipline their children. (Ephesians 6:4) For example, what should a father do if somebody tells him that his son has done something wrong? The father should make sure that he knows all the facts before he punishes his son. And no one in a Christian family should become so angry that he acts violently. “Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful,” and parents need to imitate him when they discipline their children.​—James 5:11.

THE BIBLE IS A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM JEHOVAH

21, 22. When you read Psalm 119:97-104, which words describe how you feel about Jehovah’s Word?

²¹ A servant of God once said why he loved Jehovah’s law. (Read Psalm 119:97-104.) By studying the Bible, he became wise and learned to have a clear and deep understanding of things. When he followed the principles in the Scriptures, he avoided the kinds of mistakes many people make. He truly enjoyed studying the Scriptures and benefited when he followed their counsel. He was determined to obey God’s law for the rest of his life.

²² Do you view the Bible as precious? It can help you to build strong faith that God will fulfill his purpose. It has counsel from Jehovah that helps us not to practice sin that leads to death. You can use it to help others learn how to get on the road to life and stay on it. We should continue to use the Bible in all these ways as we serve our wise and loving God, Jehovah.

1, 2. What prophecy about the last days must have made the disciples wonder, and why?

JESUS had recently told his disciples that the temple would be destroyed. His words worried Peter, James, John, and Andrew. (Mark 13:1-4) So when they were finally alone with Jesus, they asked him: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24:1-3) In his answer, Jesus told them not only about things that would happen before the destruction of Jerusalem but also about things that would happen in the last days of Satan’s world. Jesus foretold terrible things, such as wars, lack of food, and great wickedness. But Jesus also foretold something good. He said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”​—Matthew 24:7-14.

² The disciples had already been preaching the good news of the Kingdom along with Jesus. (Luke 8:1; 9:1, 2) And they may have remembered that Jesus said: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2) But they must have wondered: ‘How will we preach “in all the inhabited earth” and give “a witness to all the nations”? Where will the workers come from?’ The disciples could never have imagined the amazing way in which these words at Matthew 24:14 would come true!

3. Why are Jesus’ words found at Luke 21:34 especially important for us today? What should we ask ourselves?

³ Jesus’ prophecy is coming true in our time. Millions are preaching the good news of the Kingdom in all the earth. (Isaiah 60:22) But Jesus also showed that it would be difficult for some to keep the preaching work first in their life. They would be too busy doing other things and would become “weighed down.” (Read Luke 21:34.) Jesus’ words are especially important for us today, because some of God’s people are not putting the most important things first. We see this when they make decisions about their job, higher education, or material things. Others are spending too much time on sports or entertainment. Some are not doing as much as they could in God’s service because of the worries of everyday life. Ask yourself: ‘How am I doing? Am I putting God’s will first in my life?’

4. (a) What did Paul pray about in connection with the Christians in Philippi? Why was this prayer needed? (b) What will we consider in this and the next article? How will these articles help us?

⁴ Christians in the first century had to work hard to keep God’s service first in their life. That is why the apostle Paul prayed that those in Philippi would “make sure of the more important things.” (Read Philippians 1:9-11.) Like the apostle Paul, most Christians were “showing all the more courage to speak the word of God fearlessly.” (Philippians 1:12-14) In a similar way, most of us today are courageously preaching God’s Word. Still, it will be encouraging for us to discuss in this article how Jehovah is using his organization today to make it possible for the words of Matthew 24:14 to come true. This will help us to have even more zeal in the preaching work. What is Jehovah’s organization doing, and how does this motivate us and our families? In the next article, we will consider what can help us to endure in God’s service and to follow the lead of Jehovah’s organization.

THE INVISIBLE PART OF JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION

5, 6. (a) Why did Jehovah give his servants visions of what is happening in heaven? (b) What did Ezekiel see in a vision?

⁵ There are many things that Jehovah chose not to include in the Bible. For example, he did not give us details about the human brain or the universe. Instead, Jehovah gave us information that we need so that we can understand his will and obey him. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) It is interesting that Jehovah chose to tell us about the invisible part of his organization. It is exciting for us to read this information in the Bible books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation! (Isaiah 6:1-4; Ezekiel 1:4-14, 22-24; Daniel 7:9-14; Revelation 4:1-11) Why has Jehovah allowed us to know about some of the things that are happening in heaven?

⁶ Jehovah wants us always to remember that we are part of a universal organization. The invisible part of Jehovah’s organization is working hard to do Jehovah’s will. For example, Ezekiel saw a vision of the invisible part of Jehovah’s organization represented by a huge chariot. This chariot was extremely fast and could change direction instantly. (Ezekiel 1:15-21) He also saw the Rider of the chariot. Ezekiel said: “I got to see something like the glow of electrum, like the appearance of fire all around.” He added: “It was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah.” (Ezekiel 1:25-28) Ezekiel must have been amazed by this vision. He saw that Jehovah is in full control of his organization and is using his holy spirit to direct it. The moving chariot in the vision is a wonderful illustration of how the invisible part of Jehovah’s organization works!

7. How does Daniel’s vision give us confidence?

⁷ Daniel too saw a vision that gives us confidence. He saw Jehovah, “the Ancient of Days,” sitting on a throne that had wheels. (Daniel 7:9) Jehovah wanted Daniel to see that His organization is moving, that is, working to do Jehovah’s will. Daniel then saw “someone like a son of man,” Jesus, receiving authority over the visible part of Jehovah’s organization. Jesus’ rule over mankind is not for just a few years. It is “an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin.” (Daniel 7:13, 14) This vision moves us to trust in Jehovah and helps us to understand what he is doing. And because Jesus receives his authority from Jehovah, this vision also moves us to trust in Jesus as our Leader.

8. How did visions of Jehovah’s organization make Ezekiel and Isaiah feel? How should these visions make us feel?

⁸ How should these visions of Jehovah’s organization make us feel? Like Ezekiel, we are deeply impressed by what Jehovah is doing. (Ezekiel 1:28) The prophet Isaiah too saw a vision of what is happening in heaven. When he was invited to tell others about what Jehovah is doing, he immediately accepted the invitation. (Read Isaiah 6:5, 8.) Because he had Jehovah’s help, Isaiah knew that nothing could stop him from doing his work as a prophet. Like Isaiah, we are moved to support Jehovah’s organization by doing more in God’s service. It is so encouraging to know that we are part of an organization that is constantly busy doing Jehovah’s will!

THE VISIBLE PART OF JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION

9, 10. Why is there a need for a visible part of Jehovah’s organization?

⁹ Through his Son, Jehovah formed an earthly part of his organization that works together with the part that is in heaven. This was needed so that the work foretold at Matthew 24:14 could be done. Why? Consider three reasons.

¹⁰ First, Jesus said that his disciples would preach even in “the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Second, those who would do the preaching work would need Bible instruction and encouragement. (John 21:15-17) Third, they would need meetings where they could gather to worship Jehovah and to learn how to preach. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) For all of this to be done, Jesus’ disciples would need to be well-organized.

11. How can we support Jehovah’s organization?

¹¹ How can we support Jehovah’s organization? One important way is by trusting the brothers who are taking the lead in the preaching work. Jehovah and Jesus trust these brothers, and so should we. These brothers could be using their time and energy trying to solve the problems in this world. But they are not doing that. Let us discuss what the focus of the visible part of the organization has always been.

THEY PUT “THE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS” FIRST

12, 13. How do elders care for their responsibility? Why is that encouraging to you?

¹² Experienced elders around the world have been given the responsibility to organize and take the lead in the preaching work in the countries where they serve. When they make decisions, they look for direction from the Bible. In this way, they make the Bible ‘a lamp to their foot and a light to their roadway.’ They also pray for Jehovah’s guidance.​—Psalm 119:105; Matthew 7:7, 8.

¹³ Just as elders in the first century did, elders who organize the preaching work today put “the ministry of the word” first. (Acts 6:4) It makes them very happy to see the progress of the preaching work in their own country and throughout the world. (Acts 21:19, 20) Instead of making many rules for God’s people, they focus on doing what is needed to spread the good news with the guidance of the Bible and of the holy spirit. (Read Acts 15:28.) In this way, these brothers set an excellent example for all in the local congregations.​—Ephesians 4:11, 12.

14, 15. (a) What is being done to help us preach throughout the earth? (b) How do you feel about what you are doing to support the preaching work?

¹⁴ Many of our brothers are working every day to prepare publications, meetings, and conventions. For example, thousands of volunteers work very hard to translate the publications into more than 600 languages. As a result, many people are able to learn “the magnificent things of God” in their own language. (Acts 2:7-11) Young brothers and sisters work hard at making the publications on printing and binding machines. These publications are then sent to congregations even in faraway places.

¹⁵ In our local area too, many are doing work that helps us focus on preaching the good news. For example, thousands volunteer to build new Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls. Others help those affected by natural disasters and medical emergencies. Some organize our assemblies and conventions, and others teach Bible schools. What is the purpose of all this work? It is done to help us preach the good news, progress in the truth, and help even more people to become worshippers of Jehovah. The visible part of Jehovah’s organization has certainly put the more important things first!

FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION

16. What could you research for family worship or personal study?

¹⁶ Do we sometimes take the time to think about what Jehovah’s organization has been doing? You could do research on the organization during your family worship or personal study and meditate on what you learn. For example, it would be exciting to study the visions given to Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and John. The book Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom and other publications or DVDs also teach us many interesting things about God’s organization.

17, 18. (a) How has this article helped you? (b) What questions should you ask yourself?

¹⁷ It is good for us to meditate on how Jehovah is using his organization to support the preaching work. Together with this wonderful organization, let us put the more important things first. We will feel as Paul did, who wrote: “Since we have this ministry according to the mercy that was shown us, we do not give up.” (2 Corinthians 4:1) He also encouraged his brothers: “Let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out.”​—Galatians 6:9.

¹⁸ Do you or your family need to make some changes so that you can put the more important things first in your everyday life? Can you simplify your life so that you can do more in the preaching work? In the next article, we will consider five things that will help us to follow the example of Jehovah’s organization and keep our zeal in God’s service.

1, 2. What do the visions of Jehovah’s universal organization move us to do?

IT IS amazing to think that we are part of a huge universal organization. The visions we read about in Ezekiel chapter 1 and Daniel chapter 7 wonderfully describe how Jehovah is working to make his purpose come true. Jesus is leading the part of Jehovah’s organization that is on earth. He is directing it to do the preaching work, to instruct and encourage those who do this work, and to help others become worshippers of Jehovah. This moves us to trust in Jehovah’s organization.​—Matthew 24:45.

² Are you following the example of the organization by staying busy in God’s service? Maybe you feel that you have begun to lose some of your zeal. This happened to Christians in the first century. The apostle Paul had to remind them of the zealous example of Jesus. Paul said that this would help them not to “get tired and give out.” (Hebrews 12:3) In the last article, we discussed the wonderful work Jehovah’s organization is doing today. Just as the example of Christ encouraged Christians in the first century, the example of Jehovah’s organization can help us today to endure in God’s service and to keep our zeal.

3. What must we do so that we do not tire out? What will we discuss in this article?

³ But if we do not want to “tire out,” or lose zeal in our service to God, we must do more than think about the example of God’s organization. Paul said that we must keep “doing what is fine.” (Galatians 6:9) Let us discuss five things we must do to keep our zeal and to follow the lead of Jehovah’s organization. Then we can decide whether we or our families need to work on some of these things.

MEET FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND WORSHIP

4. Why can we say that meetings have always been an important part of true worship?

⁴ Meetings have always been very important for Jehovah’s servants. In heaven, Jehovah meets with the angels. (1 Kings 22:19; Job 1:6; 2:1; Daniel 7:10) In ancient times, God told the Israelites to meet together “in order that they may listen and in order that they may learn.” (Deuteronomy 31:10-12) In the first century, Jews met regularly in special meeting places to read from the Scriptures. (Luke 4:16; Acts 15:21) Meetings continued to be important when the Christian congregation was formed, and they are still very important in our worship. True Christians “consider one another to incite to love and fine works.” We need to keep on “encouraging one another,” especially because we live in the last days.​—Hebrews 10:24, 25.

5. How can we encourage one another at our meetings?

⁵ One important way we can encourage one another at our meetings is by giving comments. For example, we can answer the question for the paragraph, comment on a scripture, or give a brief experience that shows how Bible principles help us. (Psalm 22:22; 40:9) All the comments we hear at the meetings, from both older and younger ones, encourage us very much. This is true no matter how long we have been in the truth.

6. What are some ways our meetings help us?

⁶ Our meetings, assemblies, and conventions help us in many other ways. For example, they help us to have courage to preach even when people in our territory oppose us or do not want to listen to us. (Acts 4:23, 31) The talks and other parts based on the Bible strengthen our faith. (Acts 15:32; Romans 1:11, 12) Being with our brothers and sisters gives us real happiness and comfort. (Psalm 94:12, 13) The Teaching Committee of the Governing Body organizes the program of instruction at the meetings of Jehovah’s people. We are so thankful for the excellent instruction we receive at our meetings every week of the year!

7, 8. (a) What is the most important reason to be at the meetings? (b) How do the meetings help you?

⁷ But we do not go to our meetings only for the benefits we receive. The most important reason to be at the meetings is to worship Jehovah. (Read Psalm 95:6.) It is a great honor to be able to sing praises to our wonderful God! (Colossians 3:16) We also praise Jehovah by giving comments at the meetings. Jehovah certainly deserves the worship we give him in these ways. (Revelation 4:11) We can understand, then, why it is so important that we are always at our meetings!​—Hebrews 10:25.

⁸ Our meetings are a gift from Jehovah to help us endure until he destroys this wicked world. Is that how we feel? If we do, we will make the effort, even in our busy lives, to be at all the meetings. (Philippians 1:10) We should never miss a meeting unless there is a serious reason.

PREACH ZEALOUSLY

9. How do we know that the preaching work is important?

⁹ To follow the lead of Jehovah’s organization, we must preach zealously. Jesus started the preaching work when he was here on earth. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Since then, preaching and making disciples has been one of the most important activities for Jehovah’s entire organization. Many experiences show that the angels are supporting our work and helping us find those who will accept the truth. (Acts 13:48; Revelation 14:6, 7) And the whole purpose of the visible part of Jehovah’s organization is to organize and support the preaching work. Is this work also one of the most important things in your life?

10. (a) How does one brother keep his love for the truth strong? (b) How has the ministry helped you to keep your love for the truth strong?

¹⁰ When we preach zealously, our love for the truth stays strong. This is how Mitchel, an experienced elder and regular pioneer, feels. He says: “I love telling people about the truth. I think about a new article in The Watchtower or Awake! and just marvel at the wisdom, insight, and perfect balance in each issue. I want to get out in the ministry to see how people will react, how I can spark their interest.” Mitchel also says that his ministry helps him keep the most important things first in his life and that he makes sure nothing takes time away from it. We can also endure in these last days if we stay busy in God’s service.​—Read 1 Corinthians 15:58.

BENEFIT FROM THE PUBLICATIONS

11. Why should we read our publications and meditate on what we read?

¹¹ One way Jehovah gives us strength is through the many publications we receive. You probably remember a time when you read a publication and thought, ‘That is exactly what I needed! It is as if Jehovah had that written just for me!’ There is a reason you felt that way. Jehovah uses the publications to teach us and direct us. He has said: “I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go.” (Psalm 32:8) Do we do our best to read all the publications we receive and meditate on what we read? This will help us to endure and to keep our zeal in God’s service in these difficult last days.​—Read Psalm 1:1-3; 35:28; 119:97.

12. What can help us to value our publications?

¹² We will value our publications more if we think about all the work that is done to make them. It is necessary to research, write, proofread, illustrate, and translate every publication we print or post on our Web site. The Writing Committee of the Governing Body is responsible for this work. Branches that print the publications then send them to the many congregations in their territory. Why is all this work done? So that Jehovah’s people can receive the instruction and direction they need to stay faithful. (Isaiah 65:13) Let us benefit from all the publications we receive through Jehovah’s organization.​—Psalm 119:27.

SHOW SUPPORT FOR JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION

13, 14. Who in heaven are supporting Jehovah’s organization? How can we show similar support?

¹³ In a vision, John saw Jesus ride out on a white horse to win the fight against those who rebel against Jehovah. (Revelation 19:11-15) He also saw the faithful anointed who have been resurrected to heaven and the faithful angels riding horses right behind Jesus. This shows that they support Jesus as their Leader. (Revelation 2:26, 27) Their excellent example teaches us that we should show support for those who take the lead in Jehovah’s organization.

¹⁴ In a similar way, the great crowd shows full support for the work of Christ’s anointed brothers who are still on earth. (Read Zechariah 8:23.) How can you show support for the organization? One way is by being obedient to those who take the lead. (Hebrews 13:7, 17) Does what we say about the elders in our congregation encourage others to respect them and the work they do? Do we teach our children to respect these faithful men and to listen to their advice? There are other ways we can show support for the organization. For example, do we plan as a family to donate toward the preaching work? (Proverbs 3:9; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12) Also, do we help clean and maintain the Kingdom Hall? When Jehovah sees that we support the organization in these ways, he gives us his holy spirit. And his spirit gives us the strength we need to endure in these last days.​—Isaiah 40:29-31.

LIVE IN A WAY THAT PLEASES GOD

15. Why must we continue to fight hard to do what is right?

¹⁵ If we want to endure and follow the lead of Jehovah’s organization, we must live in a way that pleases Jehovah. (Ephesians 5:10, 11) Satan, this wicked world, and our imperfection make it very difficult for us to do what is right. Some of you dear brothers and sisters have to fight hard every day to keep your friendship with Jehovah. Jehovah loves you for the efforts you make. Do not give up! When we live in a way that pleases him, we have a meaningful and happy life and we can be sure of Jehovah’s approval.​—1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

16, 17. (a) What should we do if we commit a serious sin? (b) What can we learn from the example of Anne?

¹⁶ But what should you do if you commit a serious sin? Do not try to hide it. Get help as soon as possible. Remember how David felt when he tried to keep his sins secret. He said: “My bones wore out through my groaning all day long.” (Psalm 32:3) If we try to hide serious sins, we will lose our joy and maybe even our friendship with Jehovah. But if we confess them, we “will be shown mercy.”​—Proverbs 28:13.

¹⁷ Think about the example of Anne.a (See footnote.) While Anne was a teenager and serving as a regular pioneer, she began to do bad things. As a result, she had a guilty conscience. She says, “I was unhappy and depressed all the time.” One day at the meeting, James 5:14, 15 was discussed. Anne realized that she needed help. What did she do? She followed the advice in this scripture and talked to the elders. It was not easy, but she says that it was as if she were sick and Jehovah had given her the medicine she needed. She explains, “The medicine is not easy to swallow, but it does heal.” Now Anne is again zealously serving Jehovah with a good conscience.

18. What should we work hard to do?

¹⁸ We should always remember that it is an honor to be part of Jehovah’s organization in these last days! Together with our family, let us work hard to be at our meetings regularly, to preach zealously in our territory, and to benefit from all the publications. Let us also show support for those taking the lead, and let us live in a way that pleases Jehovah. If we do these things, we will be following the lead of Jehovah’s organization and we will not tire out.

WE LIVED on a farm in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland, and there were ten of us children. We were young during World War II. Even though most of the fighting was far away from our home, we knew that people were suffering very much. One night, the cities of Oulu and Kalajoki were bombed, and the sky turned bright red from the fires. Our parents taught us to hide as soon as we saw warplanes flying in the sky. When our eldest brother, Tauno, told us about a paradise earth where no one would suffer, we wanted to know more.

Tauno was 14 when he learned the truth by reading books published by the Bible Students. When World War II began, he refused to join the military because of what he had learned from the Bible. So he was sent to prison, where he was treated very badly. But this made him want to serve Jehovah even more. After he was freed from prison, he spent more time in the ministry. Our brother’s good example during these tests made us want to go to the meetings of the Witnesses in a nearby village. We worked and saved money so that we could also travel to conventions. We sewed clothes for our neighbors, grew onions, and picked berries. Because we had so much work to do on the farm, we were not always able to attend the conventions together.

What we learned about Jehovah and his purposes made us love him even more, and both of us were baptized in 1947. (Annikki was 15, and Aili was 17.) Our sister Saimi was baptized the same year. We also studied the Bible with our sister Linnea. She and her family became Jehovah’s Witnesses too. After we were baptized, we decided that we would be vacation (or, auxiliary) pioneers from time to time.

WE STARTED IN THE FULL-TIME MINISTRY

In 1955, we moved farther north to a city called Kemi. Although we were both working full-time, we wanted to be pioneers. But we were afraid that we could not make enough money to pay our bills if we worked less. We thought that we should first save some money. That is when the pioneer sister mentioned above helped us to understand that we could pioneer. Instead of trusting in ourselves or in our family, we had to trust that Jehovah would help us to have what we needed.

At that time, we had saved enough money to pioneer for two months. So in May 1957, we applied to pioneer for two months in Pello, Lapland. We were very nervous. But after two months, we still had all the money we had saved, so we applied to pioneer for another two months. After those two months, we still had all the money. Now we were sure that Jehovah would take care of us. We have pioneered for 50 years, and we still have that money! We feel as if Jehovah had held our hands and said to us: “Do not be afraid. I myself will help you.”​—Isaiah 41:13.

In 1958, our circuit overseer asked if we could move farther north to Sodankylä, Lapland, to serve as special pioneers. At that time, only one sister lived there. She learned the truth in an interesting way. Her son had gone with his class to visit Helsinki, the capital of Finland. When the class was walking through the city, an elderly sister gave the boy a Watchtower magazine and asked him to give it to his mother. When his mother read it, she knew right away that it taught the truth about the Bible.

In that area there was a sawmill, that is, a place where logs were cut into boards. We lived in a room above that sawmill and held meetings there. At first, the only ones who attended were the two of us and the sister and her daughter. We would simply read the information that was scheduled for the meeting each week. Later, a man who had studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses came to work at the sawmill. He and his family began to attend the meetings with us, and later he and his wife were baptized. Now there was a brother who could conduct our meetings. Some other men at the sawmill also attended the meetings and came into the truth. Soon our group became a congregation.

PREACHING WAS DIFFICULT

We traveled long distances to preach. In the summer, we walked, rode our bicycles, and even used boats to find the people in our territory. Our bicycles were especially helpful. We rode them to conventions and to our parents’ house hundreds of kilometers away. During winter, we rode a bus early in the morning to one of the villages and then walked from house to house. After we visited all the houses in a village, we walked to the next village. Sometimes the snow on the roads was deep. If someone had already traveled down the road and left tracks in the snow, it was easier for us to walk. But if it snowed again, the tracks would be covered. In the early spring, the snow would become soft and wet, and this made it difficult to walk.

We learned to dress warmly when it was cold and snowy. We wore woolen stockings, two or three pairs of socks, and tall boots. But snow would often get into our boots as we walked. When we arrived at the stairs of a house, we took off our boots and shook the snow out of them. Also, the bottom edges of our long coats would get wet and freeze solid because they would drag in the snow. One housewife said, ‘You must have real faith, because you came out in this bad weather.’ We had walked over 11 kilometers (7 miles) to that house.

We often stayed overnight with the people who lived in the villages. In the evening, we started asking people if we could stay at their home. The homes were simple, but the people were friendly and kind. They offered us a place to sleep and some food. Many times, we slept on an animal skin. But some had a guest room we could use. For example, one lady in a big house took us upstairs to a room with a beautiful bed and nice white sheets. Many times we discussed the Bible with the family until late at night. At one home, the couple slept on one side of the room, and we slept on the other. The man and his wife kept asking questions, and we talked with them about the Bible until the early hours of the morning.

WE HAD SUCCESS IN THE MINISTRY

Lapland is a beautiful place. But the people who learned about Jehovah were even more beautiful to us. Some of the people we witnessed to were men who had moved to Lapland to cut down trees. Sometimes the two of us would enter a cottage and find dozens of men living inside. These men were grateful to hear the Bible’s message and to read our literature.

We had many exciting experiences. One day, the clock in the bus station was five minutes ahead, so we missed our bus. We decided to take another bus to a different village. We had never worked in that area before, but at the first house, we met a young woman who said, ‘Here you are, just as I expected.’ We had been studying the Bible with her sister. The young woman wanted her sister to ask us to visit her that day. But we never got that message. We began studying the Bible with her and her relatives who lived in a nearby house. Soon we combined these studies into one study, and twelve people attended. Since then, many in this family have become Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In 1965, we were asked to move farther south to the congregation in Kuusamo. At that time, there were only a few publishers in the congregation. At first, it was difficult to preach in this territory. People were very religious and did not like our work. But there were many who respected the Bible. So we tried to get to know the people, and after about two years, it was easier to start Bible studies.

WE ARE STILL BUSY IN THE MINISTRY

Today, we still go in field service almost every day, although we are no longer able to work all day long. It is now easier to preach in our large territory because Aili learned to drive. Our nephew encouraged her to take driving lessons, and she got her driver’s license in 1987 when she was 56. Also, we now live in an apartment attached to our new Kingdom Hall.

We are very happy that many have accepted the truth in northern Finland. When we first started pioneering here, there were only a few publishers. But now there is a circuit with several congregations. Often when we attend an assembly or a convention, someone will introduce himself and explain that we studied the Bible with his family when he was a child. God truly blessed our work.​—1 Corinthians 3:6.

In 2008, we completed 50 years as special pioneers. We thank Jehovah that we have been able to encourage each other to continue serving him. We have had a simple life, but we have always had what we needed. (Psalm 23:1) We now know that we should not have been so nervous when we began pioneering! Through all these years, Jehovah has strengthened us as he promised: “I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.”​—Isaiah 41:10.

Was Jerusalem’s temple ever rebuilt after 70 C.E.?

JESUS foretold that Jehovah’s temple would be completely destroyed. This happened when the Roman army led by Titus destroyed Jerusalem in the year 70. (Matthew 24:2) Later, the Roman Emperor Julian planned to rebuild the temple.

Julian is known as the last pagan emperor of Rome. He was a nephew of Constantine the Great, and he had been taught by the so-called Christians of his day. But when he became emperor in the year 361, he rejected what they had taught him. History books call him Julian the Apostate because he rejected the church.

Julian hated those who said that they were Christian. One reason may have been that when he was six years old, people claiming to be Christian had killed his father and other relatives. Church historians say that Julian encouraged the Jews to rebuild their temple. He thought that this would prove that Jesus was a false prophet.a​—See footnote.

There is no doubt that Julian wanted to rebuild the temple. But it is not certain that he actually began to rebuild it. And if he did begin the work, it is not certain what caused the work to stop. Either way, Julian was killed less than two years after he became the emperor, and the temple was never rebuilt.