The Watchtower, March 15, 1951
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
MARCH 15, 1951
Semimonthly
STABILITY AND PERMANENCE
DURING WORLD CHANGE
EARLY HELP FOR SURVIVING
THE WORLD'S END
PRAISE JAH! YOU WHO ATTEND
THE MEMORIAL
EARLY CHRISTIANS NOT COMMUNISTIC
TIME BETTER THAN MONEY
©WTB&TS
"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12 THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER"
Literal towers in Bible times were elevated vantage points from which watchmen could observe happenings, warn of danger, or announce good news. Our magazine figuratively occupies such a vantage point, for it is founded on the very pinnacle of wisdom, God's Word. That elevates it above racial, national and political propagandas and prejudices, frees it from selfish bias. It is not bound by any traditional creed, but its message advances as the light on God's purposes and works increases.—Habakkuk 2:1-3.
It sees things Scripturally. When it observes this generation afflicted with greed, delinquency, hypocrisy, atheism, war, famine, pestilence, perplexity and fear, and persecution of unpopular minorities, it does not parrot the old fable about history repeating itself. Informed by Bible prophecy, it sees in these things the sign of the world's time of the end. But with bright hope it also sees opening up for us just beyond these woes the portals of a new world.
Thus viewed, "The Watchtower" stands as a watchman atop a tower, alert to what is going on, awake to note signs of danger, faithful to point out the way of escape. It announces Jehovah's kingdom established by Christ's enthronement in heaven, feeds his kingdom joint-heirs with spiritual food, cheers men of good will with glorious prospects of eternal life in a paradise earth, comforts us with the resurrection promise for the dead.
It is not dogmatic, but has a confident ring in its voice, because it is based on God's Word. It does not privately interpret prophecy, but calls attention to physical facts, sets them alongside prophecy, and you see for yourself how well the two match, how accurately Jehovah interprets his own prophecy. In the interests of our salvation, it keeps sharp and faithful focus on Bible truth, and views religious news generally.
'Be watchful in these perilous times,' God admonishes. So keep on the watch by regularly reading "The Watchtower".
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PUBLISHED BY THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
117 Adams Street Brooklyn 1, N. Y., U. S. A.
N. H. KNORR, President
GRANT SUITER, Secretary
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6:45, NW; Isaiah 54:13
CONTENTS
Time Better than Money 163
Praise Jah! You Who Attend the Memorial 165
Early Christians Not Communistic 168
Peter, Apostle with the Keys 173
Stability and Permanence During World Change 176
Early Help for Surviving the World's End 181
Prometheus Represented as Tied to a Stake 190
Questions from Readers 191
Announcements 192
Abbreviations used in "The Watchtower" for the following Bible versions
AS - American Standard Version LXX - The Septuagint Version
AT - An American Translation Mo - James Moffatt's version
Da - J. N. Darby's version NW - New World Translation
Dy - Catholic Douay version Ro - J. B. Rotherham's version
ED - The Emphatic Diaglott RS - Revised Standard Version
Le - Isaac Leeser's version Yg - Robert Young's version
Unless otherwise indicated, the Bible used is the King James Version
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TIME BETTER THAN MONEY
"TIME is money," says the popular slogan. But time is better than money. When it is traded for wisdom rather than wages its value becomes priceless. "Choose instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than rare gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, no treasure is equal to her." Time spent in study to gain such wisdom is better than time used to make money, for while wealth may offer limited security now, the right knowledge can safeguard one's very life at Armageddon: "Wisdom like wealth is a defence, but knowledge does more good than money, it safeguards a man's life."—Prov. 8:10, 11; Eccl. 7:12, Mo.
A lifetime spent accumulating wealth is a lifetime wasted. Money hoarded up, unused for good works, is a witness against its greedy possessor: "Come, now, you rich men, weep, howling over your calamities which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted, and your outer garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their rust will be as a witness against you and will eat your fleshy parts. Something like fire is what you have stored up in the last days. Look! the wages due the workers who harvested your fields but which are held up by you, keep crying out, and the calls . . . have entered into the ears of Jehovah of hosts."—Jas. 5:1-4, NW.
Will their money defend them from divine wrath at Armageddon? Never, for "neither their silver nor their gold will be
able to rescue them. On the day of the wrath of the LORD, and in the fire of his zeal, all the earth shall be consumed; for a complete destruction, indeed a frightful one, will he make of all the inhabitants of the earth". Just before the destruction that was typical of Armageddon came upon Jerusalem Jehovah's prophet said: "Their silver shall they fling into the streets, and their gold shall become to them as an unclean thing; for their silver and their gold shall not be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath." (Zeph. 1:18; Ezek. 7:19, AT) For Christians it is true, "The love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains."—1 Tim. 6:10, NW.
How different the results when time is used to gain wisdom instead of money! Concerning the worth of wisdom it is written: "How happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding! For her income is better than income of silver, and her revenue than gold. She is more precious than corals, and none of your heart's desires can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand, in her left are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and happy is every one who holds her fast." (Prov. 3:13-18, AT) When we take in knowledge of God and Christ and give it out by preaching to others, it means everlasting life in Jehovah's new world.—John 17:3; Rom. 10:10, NW.
Time is especially precious now. Not because the laborer's time draws higher wages than heretofore, but because time to take in knowledge of Jehovah and Christ is running out. When Christ was enthroned, in 1914, great tribulation was started against Satan and his wicked world organization. If it had then proceeded to completion, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of human flesh that tribulation was shortened or cut short, to allow a period of time for men to take in and give out knowledge of the established heavenly kingdom, before that tribulation enters its climax of Armageddon. (Matt. 24:21, 22) This time period, known as the last days of Satan's delinquent old world, will not stretch beyond this present generation. The precious time grows short.
Jehovah provides this period of time for man's good, for man to study His Word, for man to see the foretold visible sign of Christ's second presence and conform himself to the requirements of the Kingdom. But Satan opposes this wise use of time. He floods in woes to divert human efforts, and drives frustrated masses into various ways of escape from reality. Because of the mounting failures in world economics and politics, disheartened persons drown their worries in easy delinquencies or an endless run of entertainments.
having to seek diversion in worldly audiences that may in these tense times rise up against the Christians in their midst that maintain integrity.
To illustrate, consider television. It is a marvel of human ingenuity in putting to work invisible forces of the universe, and if used to best advantage could be a real boon to mankind. But many low-quality programs and much immoderate use combine to undermine its value. Nevertheless, even now its moderate use in viewing the better programs may offer a measure of relaxing diversion. Used with wise limitation, it can provide relaxation for Christians right in their homes, without their
But instead of a moderate use of television by people generally, what do we frequently find? The evening meal over, the family rush for their seats before the television screen, there to sit for hours, till bedtime. No time for family conversation. No time for study. No time to serve God. Only time for television. Just time to sit before the screen and soak up propaganda and entertainment. So absorbed are they that they may refuse to leave their seats before the television for an hour a week, to share in a home Bible study.
But will television deliver them at Armageddon? Will their little god of the living room shelter them from Jehovah's wrath? Time consumed on it might have been used to study, to transform their mind, to make it over, to gain godly wisdom, which is not to be compared to rubies, silver, gold, money or television; but instead they will be "destroyed for lack of knowledge". (Hos. 4:6) The marvelous invention has been misused by them till it has become a satanic snare to capture their mind, to keep their eye glued to a television screen, not allowing them time to see the sign of the second presence of Christ or to mentally discern the import of such sign and learn what they should do to successfully meet the crisis.
Certainly the time of this special period allowed by Jehovah in these last days is better than money, and to waste this time is worse than wasting money. It is wasting the opportunity for endless life in a new world wherein men will "long enjoy the work of their hands". And surely in that new world blessed by Jehovah the work of men's hands that will be long enjoyed will far surpass the present inventions of this dying old world under Satan.
PRAISE
JAH!
You Who Attend
the
Memorial
DARKNESS now covers the nations, and thick darkness the people. A time of woeful trouble it is. An age of overwhelming distress. A period of confusion and perplexity. Even the so-called wise and enlightened leaders, the "bright lights" of this world, seem to be in a fog. Their luminosity is no greater than fireflies in a forest. Have you ever tried following fireflies in a pitch-black night when lost? Not the least bit of help. So it is now: those following the blind, groping leaders fumble, stumble and fall. The situation has grown desperate. Fear has seized hold of the mighty men, and the whole benighted world is near nervous prostration.
But do you know this condition was long ago predicted? And do you know it was also foretold that a light-beam of hope would penetrate this darkness? Listen, Jehovah God speaks: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."—Isa. 60:1,2,AS.
To whom do you think Jehovah is here speaking? Why, to his name-people, of course; to those whom he has called "out of darkness into his wonderful light", concerning whom he says: "You are the light of the world." (1 Pet. 2:9; Matt. 5:14-16, NW) Beginning with 1914 and World War I this darkness upon the nations began closing in and each year since then it has grown thicker and thicker. But to those devoted to the Lord upon his coming to the temple in 1918, the command went forth to arise and shine, for Jehovah's glorious light was about to rise upon them. There were in 1918, according to our records, some 3,868 praisers of Jehovah ready to reflect the temple flashes of light by publishing and making known to others that the Gentile times had ended and God's kingdom was at hand.
That small remnant of light bearers were due for an increase in numbers, as stated in the prophecy. "Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee." Spiritual sons and daughters of Zion, the prophecy declared, would come from far and would unite in reflecting this light; but that was not all. Even "the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee". (Isa. 60:4,5) Exactly as foretold, the seas of people alienated from God and supporting the Devil's organization yielded up great crowds of good-will persons out of every nation, tribe, people and tongue, who in turn became excellent reflectors of Jehovah's brightness and glory. (Rev. 7:9,10,NW) From 1918 to 1941 the number of Jehovah's witnesses reporting jumped from 3,868 to 90,759!
No question about it, the prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 60, was in the course of fulfillment. But it is significant to note that The Watchtower, in its issue of October 1, 1942, pointed out that there was every reason to look for an even greater expansion.
On pages 297, 298 of that issue we read: "There may, however, be still larger results to the fulfillment of the prophecy, and well may we so expect. By God's grace the work is not yet finished and his witnesses refuse to quit as long as the Lord provides work, blessed work. This is suggested in the prophet's next exclamation: 'Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?' . . . This is a cloud of witnesses, witnessing to the power and glory and presence of the Lord as a literal cloud in the sky does. . . . In the land of the prophet Isaiah the doves fly in such thick flocks that they are like a cloud that fairly darkens the earth beneath. This figure, therefore, denotes yet a great ingathering of active witnesses for the Kingdom, who shall in the short time remaining before Armageddon fly with the speed of doves to the entrance that Jehovah has provided to the refuge of safety."
SPECTACULAR EXPANSION AND PROSPERITY
Now, nine years later, look! The 1951 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses shows that the cloud of active light-reflectors has increased from an average of 90,759 to 328,572. More than 260 per cent expansion, with a peak of 373,430 on the wing at one time! What a tremendous ingathering of these birds of peace! For the last three years the increase has been 49,000 each year! They consecrated their very lives, their time and energy, their mental and physical powers—these they devoted to Jehovah's service and the praise of his name and the enrichment and prosperity of the theocratic organization, Zion.—Isa. 60:6-9.
And now, in this second half of the twentieth century, what are we to expect? Is the full number now obtained that will come out of mental darkness, forsake the
old world, and take their stand on Jehovah's side? No, not at all! Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, will yet come, as foretold: "Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought." (Isa. 60:11) Day and night the ingathering continues without letup. And let all the world take note of this fact: every man-made organization that will not turn to serving Jehovah and submit to his reigning king Christ Jesus will shortly be destroyed at Armageddon. Let the master builders of the United Nations, that polyglot tower of confusion, also take note of this warning from Jehovah in the next verse: "For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted."—Isa. 60:12.
Many other prophecies likewise tell of this expansion of Jehovah's praise at this end of the world. For example, in chapter 54 of Isaiah it says that God's maternal organization, "our mother," would be expanded with the influx of so many children that the figurative tent cords would have to be stretched out to the very limits. Down through the years the Watch Tower Society has spread out until today its sixty-three branch offices have "tent stakes" located in 115 countries, islands, provinces and different territorial divisions of the nations. So this is another reason why Jehovah's witnesses are singing as commanded.—Isa. 54:1-5; Gal. 4:26, NW.
Just lift up your eyes and look, Zechariah says, for the expansion is like a magnificent city, without walls or limitations, reaching out on every side to take in new fields with their flocks of beasts and crowds of peace-loving people. (Zech.2:1-5) Jesus too tells of the expansion that takes place when the "little flock" destined to reign with him in the heavens has been completed and only a remnant of such remain on earth at this end of the world.
"I have other sheep, which are not of this fold," Jesus says, "those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock."—John 10:16,NW.
The apostle John had a revelation of this happy time when Jehovah's praises would be sung by the voices of this good-will throng. "And I heard what was as a voice of a great crowd and as a sound of many waters and as a sound of heavy thunders. They said: 'Praise Jah, you people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king. Let us rejoice and be overjoyed, and let us give him the glory." (Rev. 19:6,7,NW) The hearing of this anthem has far-reaching consequences.
THUNDEROUS PRAISE AT MEMORIAL SEASON
Jehovah now rules as king! The great crowd supporting his reign is rapidly growing greater. Hence the shout of praise already sounding in thunderous volume is constantly increasing as we draw nearer the battle of Armageddon. In fact, The Watchtower, January 1, 1951, has suggested striving for a 34 per cent increase in the number joining together in the chorus during the 1951 Memorial season. That would mean over 500,000 witnesses shouting forth the fact that Jehovah "has begun to rule as king"!! This is not at all impossible, for last year 511,203 persons assembled together to celebrate the Lord's evening meal.
Let everyone, therefore, who attends the Memorial this year on March 23 make sure that it is not just an annual observance, a religious tradition, or a consciencesoothing formality with him. Let everyone in attendance—the old and the young, the healthy and the infirm, the spiritually mature and the newly interested—make sure they each have a personal share in
the organized field service, echoing Jehovah's heart-cheering praises for both friends and strangers to hear.
Yes, the world crisis is much greater than a year ago. The darkness has thickened; the anxieties, perils and woes on the world are more desperate. But these are only reasons why the torchlight for Jehovah's righteous rule now borne by His faithful witnesses burns more brightly. It is not an exaggeration to say that these witnesses are the only people in this sad and frightened world that are really joyful of heart, for they are the only ones that see and follow the divine beam of light leading toward God's new world of righteousness. Amid a people bound hand and foot in the shackles of ignorance, Jehovah's witnesses are the only ones enjoying the precious freedom obtained by a knowledge of the truth. (John 8:32) But they are not selfish in this. They wish all men would accept the truth, break their shackles, come out of darkness and follow the healing rays of light that come from the life-giving Jehovah. (1 Tim. 2:3,4,NW) This is the enlightening message they bear, and what a privilege and joy it is to do so!
How many more will come out and join in this song of praise to Jehovah before Armageddon we do not know-hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions. We do know that the prophecy says that "ten men, from nations of every language", will grab hold of Jehovah's anointed witnesses because they have heard that God is with them. (Zech. 8:23, AT) But for these good-will persons to hear it means that every one of Jehovah's witnesses must now speak out, publish and proclaim the message far and wide. So shout, you Memorial-attenders, all of you in your hundreds of thousands! If you do, we will unquestionably far surpass the 500,000 mark. Early Christians Not Communistic
THE cold war of words is a heated battle for your mind. Its invasion forces converge upon the target from all possible directions. "Voices" of nations penetrate foreign lands, only to be jammed and countered by retaliatory blasts. By sustained round-the-clock bombing with words the propagandists seek to subjugate the public mind, to mold public opinion to fit their selfish interests. Accusations and denials, hot charges and hotter countercharges, smears and slurs, personal digs and name-calling, telling of half-truths and suppressing of whole truths—all such tactics are marshaled to assail your mind and take it by storm.
The political force that now crusades so zealously for the mind of the masses is communism. This wily user of propaganda knows all the tricks, including the ruse of selling an idea on merits other than its own by having testimonials for it from highly respected sources. When trying to make political converts of persons in Christendom who supposedly respect the Bible some communists frequently quote the Bible. They argue that the early Christians were communists, and quote Acts 2:44, 45 as proof: "All that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." Like so many politicians who quote the Bible for selfish purposes, these communists have no understanding of the scriptures they repeat.
We need to have the setting in mind. It is late spring of A.D. 33. That agonizing Passover day on which Christ Jesus had been impaled on the torture stake was now seven weeks past. In those weeks he had been
raised from the dead, seen by hundreds of his disciples, and ascended into heaven an incorruptible spirit creature, leaving behind the promise that he would soon pour out upon his followers the holy spirit. Now, fifty-one days after Passover, Jerusalem was crowded by multitudes of Jews. They had come from near and far, to celebrate the feast of weeks, the day of Pentecost. It was one of the three feasts of the year that all Jewish males were to observe in Jerusalem.—Deut. 16:1-16.
Jesus' followers were there also, about one hundred and twenty in number. On this day of Pentecost A.D. 33 they were assembled together. Suddenly a noise like that of a rushing wind filled the meeting place, tongues as if of fire became visible over them, the holy spirit filled them, and they started speaking in different tongues! The commotion attracted the religious Jews from many nations, Jews who were present in Jerusalem at this time of Pentecost. These Jews who spoke many different languages were "bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language". In answer to their astonished questionings the apostle Peter explained that it all came about in fulfillment of Joel's prophecy concerning the outpouring of holy spirit, and he preached so convincingly to them that "those who embraced his word heartily were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added".—Acts 2:1-41, NW. During the days that followed "all those who became believers were together in having all things in common, and they went to selling their possessions and properties and to distributing the proceeds to all just as anyone would have the need.
And day after day they were in constant attendance at the temple with one accord, and they took their meals in private homes and partook of nourishment with great
early church. Additionally, other converts were poor, and needed brotherly help.
The Christians who were better off in material goods desired to share with their less fortunate brothers, especially in view of the unusual circumstances. That none might suffer want, goods were sold to supply the needs. If Christian brothers would not come to the assistance of the poor ones,
rejoicing and sincerity of heart, praising God and finding acceptance with all the people. At the same time Jehovah continued to join to them daily those being saved".—Acts 2:44-47, NW.
At the public religious feasts in Jerusalem there had always been a sort of community of goods. Houses or beds were loaned freely by their owners. Other necessary things were willingly shared during the limited period of the feast, especially with visitors from distant places. However, in the case of these Christians this
who would? The orthodox Jews looked down on the Christians and rather than help them conspired to persecute them. Under religious pressure the Romans had killed their Leader; they hated His followers. So logically it was the materially blessed Christians that gave willingly to aid their poorer brothers. They properly showed indifference to worldly goods, not placing trust in them, but sharing them out of affection and Christian love. They knew Jerusalem would eventually fall, and its coming desolation and Judea's ruin
generosity went much farther, even to the selling of possessions to provide funds to care for the poor and needy. The situation was unusual. Many among the three thousand souls added on the day of Pentecost were from distant parts. They had come to Jerusalem for the feast of weeks, but because of the miraculous things that had occurred they remained in Jerusalem
much longer than they had anticipated. They had made no provisions for this unexpected, extended stay. Yet they stayed, for now
made them realize the futility of material wealth as a deliverer. Moreover, they wished to honor the Lord with their substance, make friends by wise use of the mammon of unrighteousness. So it was for all these reasons, and not because of any requirement or commandment or doctrinal precept, that these early Christians set up a relief arrangement among them-
selves, and were thereby enabled to continue for a time in a sort of extended convention. It was for getting the early church off
their chief concern was to gain further understanding concerning this new faith that they had embraced, to be edified, to fellowship with other Christians, to preach to others, to assist in building up and organizing the
to a good start. It was only a temporary arrangement to meet the unusual circumstances of those days; but even it was in no sense of the word a complete pooling of all the possessions of all the Christians.
Concerning this same general period of time it states, at Acts 4:32, 34, 35; 5:1-4, NW: "Moreover, the multitude of those who had believed had one heart and soul, and not even one would say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. In fact, there was not one in need among them; for all those who were possessors of fields or houses would sell them and bring the values of the things sold and they would deposit them at the feet of the apostles. In turn, distribution would be made to each one just as he would have the need. However, a certain man, Ananias by name, together with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession and secretly held back some of the price, his wife also knowing about it, and he brought just a part and deposited it at the feet of the apostles. But Peter said: 'Ananias, to what end has Satan emboldened you to play false to the holy spirit and to hold back secretly some of the price of the field? As long as it remained with you did it not remain yours, and after it was sold did it not continue in your control? Why was it that you purposed such a deed as this in your heart? You have played false, not to men, but to God.'"
Those who did sell their possessions and give the proceeds to the apostles for distribution would certainly gain some notice and recognition because of this act of Christian love, as is evidenced by the special mention of the Levite Joseph Barnabas, at Acts 4:36,37. This very recognition of them as exemplary contributors indicates that their giving was wholly voluntary, and not the result of any seizure of property in accord with some inflexible, communistic edict. Further showing the completely voluntary nature of the giving is the case of Ananias and Sapphira. Unlike the other contributors, the motive of these two was impure. Apparently they coveted the reputation of giving all, but
were too selfish to earn it. So they conspired together, sold a possession, and while pretending to give all deposited only a part of the price of the field at the feet of the apostles. Through a special gift of knowledge by the spirit, Peter discerned their duplicity and exposed them, and Jehovah executed them for their hypocritical, showy, false front.
But the point here to notice is Peter's words to Ananias: "As long as it remained with you did it not remain yours, and after it was sold did it not continue in your control?" The property was theirs. They did not have to sell it. And if they wanted to sell it and keep the price for themselves, they were free to do so. They were under no compulsion in the matter. This action of the early Christians in selling their goods and giving the entire proceeds into a common fund for relief work was entirely voluntary. It was Ananias and Sapphira's false pose of giving all to gain a reputation for generosity that brought down upon them Jehovah's wrath.—Acts 5:4-10.
The 'having of things in common', as spoken of at Acts chapters 2 and 4, was confined to Jerusalem. There is no indication that it was practiced by Christian groups beyond the Jerusalem vicinity. Jerusalem was where mutual assistance was so urgent, for there was the stronghold of the scribes and Pharisees and temple priests, there was the hard core of opposition. The amazing increases of the Jerusalem Christians following Pentecost so roused clerical ire that a violent campaign of persecution was touched off, spearheaded by the stoning of Stephen. It was "on that day great persecution arose against the congregation which was in Jerusalem; all except the apostles were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria". It was well that prior to this the Christians had sold possessions to aid one another; it kept their goods from falling as loot to the persecutors that scattered them.—Acts 8:1, NW.
When this particular burst of persecution spent itself and the Christian congregation openly functioned again in Jerusalem, there is no record that any 'holding of things in common' was resumed. The early church had weathered a rough storm, and was stronger for it. The need for such emergency measures seemed past. In fact, just before the satanic wave of persecution broke over them, it seems that these more drastic relief measures were tapering off and giving way to the principles more generally set forth in the Scriptures, such as relief for the bereaved or fatherless and widows. This is indicated at Acts 6:1-4. Since this text also is sometimes construed as supporting communism, we quote it for analysis:
"Now in these days, when the disciples were increasing, a murmuring arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrew-speaking Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said: 'It is not pleasing for us to abandon the word of God to distribute food to tables. So, brothers, search out for yourselves seven certified men from among you, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary business; but we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'" (NW) The suggested course was followed and the matter promptly cared for.
This cannot be construed to mean that the early Christians set up community eating centers or operated "soup kitchens" where all assembled to take their meals. Acts 2:46 plainly states that "they took their meals in private homes". (NW) Please note, also, that their homes were private, and not viewed as the property
of the entire congregation. The daily distribution referred to in Acts 6:1-4 was a relief work whereby the tables of the poor were properly and impartially supplied. The text deals specifically with widows, who would likely be persons without other means of support. It was to such destitute ones that foodstuffs were distributed, and not a case of the entire body of Christians pooling everything and then all drawing on this common store of goods for their daily needs.
RELIEF WORK A REQUIREMENT
Jehovah's Word expresses concern for widows, and decrees retribution upon any who oppress them. (Ex. 22:22-24; Deut. 14:28,29; 26:12; Ps. 68:5; 146:9; Zech. 7:9,10; Mal. 3:1-5) He commands that they be honored, which would include their support if necessary. Jesus showed that this included support when he clashed with the scribes and Pharisees over their traditions. He pointed out that God's Word commanded honor for one's father and mother, but that their tradition allowed them to slide out from under the responsibility of giving their parents material support. In this way he linked honor with material support, and that to fail to support parents who needed it was the same as failing to obey the command to honor them. (Matt. 15:1-6, NW) Paul showed this same understanding of the expression "honor" when some thirty years later he wrote to Timothy on how to deal with those in the congregation who were actually widows, that is, those without means of support. He said:
"Honor widows that are actually widows. Now the woman who is actually a widow and left destitute has put her hope in God and persists in supplications and prayers night and day. Let a widow be put on the list who has become not less than sixty years old, a wife of one husband, having a witness borne to her for right works, if she reared children, if she entertained strangers, if she washed the feet of holy ones, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she diligently followed every good work."
(1 Tim. 5:3,5,9,10,NW) This indicates that those widows too old to earn their own living and without relatives to support them, yet who were worthy, theocratic women, should be on the list for congregational relief work.
In no sense was this communism. If widows could be privately cared for, they were not to be put on the list for congregational support. Each household was responsible to provide for its own. Godly devotion would require children to honor their parents by material support, duly compensating their parents, who had reared them and provided for them while they were growing to maturity, until they were no longer helpless, until they were able to support themselves. Hence Paul wrote: "But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn first to practice godly devotion in their own household and to keep paying a due compensation to their parents and grandparents, for this is acceptable in God's sight. Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith. If any believing woman has widows, let her relieve them, and let the congregation not be under the burden. Then it can relieve those who are actually widows." (1 Tim. 5:4,8,16, NW) Nor were young widows to burden the congregation with their needs. They could either work, or, better yet, remarry.—1 Tim. 5:11-15.
The early Christians did not try to erase the political evils or social inequalities of their time, not by communistic teaching nor by religious precept. If the permanent
Christian rule had been for all things to be held in common, there would have been no rich or poor. There would have been no need to take contributions from those with money to aid others who were poor and needy, as Paul did. (Acts 24:17; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; 9:1-15) More than twenty-five years after Pentecost no form of communism had equalized Christians in a material sense, for the disciple James cautioned against class distinctions between rich and poor, and warned those intent on heaping up material wealth, as did Paul also. (1 Tim. 6:7-10; Jas. 1:27; 2:1-9; 5:1-6) The rich were alerted to the deceitfulness of riches, and were to lovingly share with needy brothers, not under compulsion or with grumbling, but cheerfully, as evidence of their faith, viewing such giving as more of a blessing than receiving.—Acts 20:35; Rom. 12:13; 2 Cor. 9:7; Jas. 2:14-20; 1 Pet. 4:9.
As for Paul personally, he gave himself over to the service of the Christian congregations, yet he never sought support for himself from any communal fund. (Acts 18:1-4; 20:33-35; 2 Cor. 11:9; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:7-9) Nor did Paul show communistic tendencies by trying to upset the existing social order of slavery, but recommended that Christian slaves be obedient to their masters in a fleshly sense, and even more so when the masters were themselves Christian brothers.—Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22; 1 Tim. 6:1, 2; Titus 2:9, 10.
All the foregoing makes it clear that early Christians were championing neither communism nor capitalism. They were theocratic, for God rule, for preaching the gospel above all else. Social and political evils they left for correction by Jehovah God, in his way, in his time, through his kingdom. Hence any communist who loads his propaganda gun with scriptures is loading it with blanks.
WHAT changes occurred! From unknown fisherman to prominent apostle of Jesus Christ! From fisher of fish to fisher of men! What a transformation in the life of this man Simon whose surname was even changed to Peter! His whole career, including his desires, motives, ambitions and outlook on life, was radically altered. Unspeakable blessings, favors and privileges came his way. The unlettered and ordinary man became a confounder of this world's wise men and the possessor of miraculous powers of life and death. In addition, he was entrusted with special keys of knowledge to unlock sacred secrets of God. So study the life, personality, disposition and propensities of this man Peter and it will aid you in transforming your own self from this old world of sin and death to the new world of righteousness and life.
Hidden as it is in the shadows of obscurity, little is known of Simon's early life. Some think he was between 30 and 40 years old when he became a disciple of Christ. His father's name was Jonah. Simon Bar-Jonah's home town was Bethsaida, on the northern shore of Galilee. There he engaged in the fishing business with his brother Andrew and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. Simon was a married man and in nearby Capernaum his mother-in-law lived in a rather large home.—Matt. 8:14; 16:17, NW; John 1:44.
The occupation of fishing, though perhaps a humble one, was by no means servile, nor was it incompatible with a mind of high intellect and culture. Education
was compulsory for all Jewish lads, so while Simon did not attend special rabbinical schools to obtain letters or degrees in theology, yet he had a good knowledge of the all-important things in life, namely, the holy scriptures that set forth Jehovah's
dealings with his chosen people, and especially His precious promises concerning the coming Messiah.
We are therefore not surprised when first introduced to Simon to find him one of John the Baptist's disciples prepared to receive Christ. In the fall of A.D. 29 when John cried out, "See, the Lamb of God!" Peter was among the first to accept him, and it was then that Christ first told Simon: "You will be called Cephas' (which is translated Peter)." (John 1:35-44, NW) Six months later Christ extended to him and his companions the invitation: "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men," and immediately Peter abandoned everything and took up the ministry. (Matt. 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18; Luke 5:11, NW) Accepting that call to full-time service marked the beginning of an entirely new and most joyful and blessed period in Peter's life.—Matt. 19:27-29.
DISCIPLE EXTRAORDINARY
Just consider a few of Peter's wonderful privileges. As one of the twelve apostles he was given authority "over unclean spirits" to cure "every kind of disease", and was sent forth to teach
and was sent forth to teach and preach in the name of Christ. (Matt. 10:1-11:
1; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:13,14, NW) So, many times he was the first to speak in the name of the
others; as, for example, "Jesus said to the twelve: 'You do not want to go also, do you?'
Simon Peter answered him: 'Master, Whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.'" (Matt. 15:15; 18:21; Mark 11:21; Luke 8:45; 12:41; John 6:67, 68, NW) Peter was one of the three apostles who witnessed the raising of Jairus' daughter, who observed the transfiguration scene in the mountain, who was taken aside to witness Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. (Matt. 17:1-6; 26:36-45; Mark 5: 35-37) Peter and John were the ones dispatched to prepare for the last passover. (Luke 22:7-13) It was Peter that was sent to catch the fish having the 68-cent silver coin for the temple tax.—Matt. 17:24-27, NW.
It was also Peter's happy privilege, by divine revelation, to identify Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God". He was then given two symbolic "keys" which he used later on to unlock knowledge for both Jews and Gentiles concerning the heavenly kingdom, and his use of these keys was confirmed beforehand in heaven. Matt. 16:13-20, NW.
And so for three years Christ taught and trained Peter in the way that leads to life, even disciplining and rebuking him when he erred. When walking upon the water, Peter began to sink and Jesus reproved him, saying: "You with little faith, why did you give way to doubt?" (Matt. 14:28-31, NW) Again, when Jesus told how he must suffer and die, Peter protested: "Be kind to yourself, Master; you will not have this destiny at all." It was therefore necessary that he be rebuked for his old-world thinking: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumblingblock to me," Jesus told him, "because you think, not God's thoughts, but those of men."—Matt. 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-33, NW.
Jesus' ministry had about ended. It was the last night. Only a few hours remained.
So, the passover finished, Jesus proceeded to wash the apostles' feet, notwithstanding Peter's objection at first. (John 13:3- 11) The account then reads: "Jesus said to them: 'All of you will be stumbled in connection with me on this night.'" But Peter protested that even if all the others stumbled, yet he would never fall. He was pretty sure of himself. Nevertheless, Jesus replied: "On this night, before a cock crows, you will disown me three times." Matt.26:31-35,NW.
Not long thereafter when the mobsters came to seize Christ, Peter whipped out his sword and slashed off one of their ears. Peter thought he was out to prove he was willing to die for his Master, but instead he was out of order. (John 18:10,11,NW) If Peter wanted to prove his integrity he would have a threefold opportunity shortly, down in the courtyard of the high priest. Three times, and most vehemently, Peter there denied he ever knew Christ; but the crowing of the cock brought him to his senses, and he went out and wept in bitter repentance.—Matt. 26:69-75.
Shortly after Christ's resurrection Peter visited the empty tomb, puzzled and bewildered, for he did not understand what had occurred. (Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10; 1 Cor. 15:3-8) Not until Jesus materialized and explained matters to the disciples did they fully appreciate the resurrection of Christ. On one such occasion Jesus asked Peter whether he loved Him. "Yes, Master, you know I have affection for you," answered Peter. Three times Jesus asked the question, and each time when Peter assured the Lord that he truly loved him, Jesus commanded that he prove it by feeding the Lord's "young lambs" and "little sheep".—John 21:1-17, NW.
All of this training and disciplining was not given to Peter for no purpose. He had
APOSTOLIC CAREER FULL OF ACTIVITY much work ahead of him.
He was one of those who had been told by Christ, "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, NW) The extra responsibility of apostleship also rested upon the husky shoulders of this "fisher of men", and in this capacity Peter arranged that another should be chosen to take the place of wicked Judas.—Acts 1:15-26.
And then there were those keys of knowledge entrusted to Peter. The first was used at Pentecost. A great noise like the rushing of the wind, tongues of fire upon the heads of those assembled, then a startled and bewildered multitude of many nationalities gathering to hear the gospel in their own languages—what was the meaning of all this? Peter stood up and with the first "key" skillfully unlocked their understanding, calling out: "Repent, and let each one of you be baptized," and "Get saved from this crooked generation". The door of opportunity thus opened, about 3,000 Jews entered and were baptized.—Acts 2:1-41, NW.
Fired with holy spirit Peter used his miraculous gifts of healing and powers of perception to convince others that Jehovah is God and his Chief Agent and Dispenser of life is the resurrected Christ. Boldly he preached and worked wonders in the public places, curing every kind of disease, the lame too, and even raising the dead. (Acts 3:1-16; 5:12-16; 9:32-42) Threats, arrests, floggings and persecution by the envious and wicked clergy class did not stop him. When commanded not to preach, Peter told the religious court: "Whether it is righteous in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your decision. But as for us, we cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard." "We must obey God as ruler rather than men." (Acts 4:19;
5:29, NW) Among the congregation, too, Peter was no less zealous in discharging his responsibilities, as, for instance, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 5:11) Again, when Peter and John were sent as servants to the brothers in Samaria that they might receive holy spirit, and a misguided Simon tried to obtain the apostolic powers with bribery, Peter declared: "May your silver perish with you."—Acts 8:14-20, NW.
It was now high time for Gentile nations to learn of Jehovah's way of salvation; so the apostle entrusted with the "keys" was called upon to use the second one and open the way. He did so, and Cornelius, the Roman soldier, and his household were the first non-Jews to enter the high calling to the heavenly kingdom. (Acts 10:1-11:18) Shortly thereafter Peter was imprisoned by Herod, and he would have been put to death had not Jehovah's angel miraculously set him free. (Acts 12:1-17) Peter's work was not yet finished.
Except when called in off the road due to a question concerning circumcision of non-Jews, it seems Peter spent most of the remainder of his life among Jewish communities outside Jerusalem. (Acts 15:1-21; Gal. 2:7-9) There is not a particle of evidence, however, that he ever reached Rome, but we do know that in Babylon he wrote two letters shortly before he died. (1 Pet. 5:13) In them he makes it plain that Christ, not Peter, is the "foundation cornerstone" of the church. (1 Pet. 2:4-6) Nowhere does he claim primacy or infallibility, nor does he speak of a successor to whom he gave his "keys". Contrariwise, Peter was theocratic, and a good example for all Christians in meekness, humility and repentance, and in zeal and devotion to the interests of the new world.
STABILITY AND PERMANENCE During World Change
"Seeing that we are to receive
a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us continue to have undeserved kindness, through which we may acceptably render God sacred service with godly fear and awe."—Hebrews 12:28, NW.
"GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." At a time of great crisis in the typical kingdom of God the Hebrew poet gave vent to these inspiring words of Psalm 46:1, and they were written and preserved for just such a crisis as exists today in the lives of those who watch, pray and hope for the real kingdom of God. If you are one of such persons, then you must take these words to heart and must live by them, firmly convinced that God is your refuge and strength.
2 You cannot afford to proceed according to the nations of this world. Remember that Satan the Devil is the "god of this system of things"; that "all the gods of the peoples are idols", and that "the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God". The inspired Scriptures so inform us. (2 Cor. 4:4, NW; Ps. 96:5, AS; 1 Cor. 10:20, NW) The demons and the "ruler of the demons", Satan the Devil, are the invisible tormentors, oppressors and troublemakers for the people. They scheme to drive the people away from God and into destruction at his hands. To rid the holy realms of heaven of their harmful influence war in heaven was necessary after God's kingdom by Christ was set up there in 1914. The demons and their
ruler have been hurled down to the earth, and what this was foretold to mean for earthlings has come true: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." (Rev. 12:1-12,NW) The Devil and his demons are responsible for the woe and turmoil on land and sea. There is no protection, stability and permanence under the demons, not even for their friends, servants and worshipers. They are malicious, fiendish and unloving, and they cannot protect their worshipers and devotees from God's righteous wrath. They could not do so at the time he loosed the global deluge against the world of violence in Noah's day. They will not be able to offer protection to the nations, or even escape execution themselves, at the "war of the great day of God the Almighty", at Armageddon, where their world ends.
Unwittingly it is the schemes of these demonic gods of the nations that the rulers and their peoples are carrying out. If you make the living and true God your refuge, you cannot have any part with the demons, the false gods. You must serve the purpose of the true God and you must tell others what his purpose is. In this time of world opposition to him you must prove God is your refuge and strength by believing and acting in harmony with his testimony: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour. I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God. Yea, since the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who can hinder it?"—Isa. 43:10-13, AS.
Again and again Jehovah has proved himself a secure refuge for his witnesses on earth. His all-seeing eyes range through the whole earth to locate those who are devoted to him that he might show his strength in their behalf. (2 Chron. 16:9) What a God he is! Before him all the false gods must shortly bow in defeat at Armageddon. "For Jehovah is a great God, and a great King above all gods." He is to be feared, rather than the totalitarian aggressors bent on world conquest for enthroning their political gods and form of religion everywhere. "For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods." Those who make him their refuge and who trust in his strength credit him with godship and say: "For thou, Jehovah, art most high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods." (Pss. 95:3; 96:4; 97:9, AS) Because he supplies secret strength to his witnesses, they have been able to endure the most determined and fiendish persecution from human agents of the false gods. Greedy dictators craving world empire have punished those who would not join in idolizing them. But when these dictators
went down, Jehovah's witnesses have lived on and have found fresh strength to renew their witnessing to the "God of gods". Today they gratefully exclaim: "Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; for his lovingkindness endureth for ever. Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; for his lovingkindness endureth for ever."—Ps. 136:1,2,AS.
"A VERY PRESENT HELP"
It appears to be human nature for people, when helpless in trouble, to appeal to their gods for aid and deliverance. For instance, in spite of the 1950 Holy Year, the world's difficulties worsened to an alarming degree. So the pope of Vatican City in his encyclical of December 6 called on the Catholic world to engage in a novena of prayer for peace. Addressing the college of cardinals five days later, the pope called for a "general accord of intentions of all human hearts which, with the aid of God, may cause all the dangers which are threatening peace to disappear throughout the world". (N.Y. Times, Dec. 12, 1950) But prayers to God are vain the intentions of which are contrary to his will. As James 4:2,3 (Dy) says: "You contend and war, and you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not; because you ask amiss: that you may consume it on your concupiscences." It is not God's will at this time to establish world peace in order for the nations to return to normal. If he restored peace, the nations would only consume its benefits upon their concupiscences and selfish desires, showing they are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God".
6 The timetables of God's Word set this period down as a time marked for international troubles, when there would be "on the earth anguish of nations, not know-
What kind of God has Jehovah proved himself to be toward us?
5, 6. Because of the worsening trouble, in what prayers do the Catholic Hierarchy indulge? Why will God not answer such prayers?
ing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation, while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth". For Christendom it was to be a time when "we looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health [by means of holy years, etc.], and behold trouble!" (Luke 21:25, 26, NW; Jer. 8:15) This is not the time for God to make peace for the nations of this world. So the efforts of the pope and his hierarchy to try their hand and pose as a mediator between the communist bloc and the democratic bloc will prove unavailing. Neither Catholics nor Protestants need expect help from God through them.
7 Making God our refuge and relying on his strength means for us to accept the trouble his Word has forewarned us of and, while this trouble rages about us and against us, to look to him to be our "very present help". That expression in the original Hebrew Bible is such that translators differ in the way they render it: "A wellproved help in trouble." (AT) "We shall find him very near." (Mo) "A help in distresses, soon found." (Ro) "A help in distresses most willingly found."—Ro. Pss.
Ah yes, to God's true people he has let himself be found exceedingly a help in trouble. Once, in the days of King Jehoshaphat, the combined forces of the nations of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir marched to the assault upon Jerusalem. God's trusting people called upon him at his temple in that city. Then, for his own name's sake, he showed himself most willing to be found their helper. Before ever the overwhelming enemy forces reached the holy city Jehovah God worked their destruction. It was not necessary for his people to fight in that battle. They merely
sang his praises and looked on and saw the "salvation of Jehovah with you". So great was the self-slaughter of the wicked aggressors that the Israelites were three days in collecting the spoil from their carcasses.—2 Chron. 20:1-30, AS.
ready help in trouble when his forces faced an Ethiopian army, one million men strong with three hundred chariots, under Zera their commander. King Asa cried out: "Jehovah, there is none besides thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength: help us, O Jehovah our God; for we rely on thee, and in thy name are we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." God answered this proper prayer with the needed help, and the outnumbered Israelites were enabled to rout the foe, not one of whom was let remain alive. The secret of this deliverance was laid bare by the prophet Azariah: "Jehovah is with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you." (2 Chron. 14:9 to 15:2, AS) Then, in the days of King Hezekiah, the forces of the Assyrian empire builder, King Sennacherib, threatened Jerusalem, railed at its God Jehovah, and demanded an unconditional surrender. From the midst of Jerusalem the prophet Isaiah hurled back an uncompromising message and King Hezekiah and all the city took refuge under Jehovah's invisible protection and strength. That very night the boastful Assyrian's army was knocked out of combat strength as Jehovah's angel with one blow felled 185,000 warriors. Next morning King Sennacherib got on his way back to Assyria and to eventual assassination. At the worst of the situation how soon and how willingly Jehovah God let himself be found and proved himself to be a help in trouble!—Isa. 37:14-38.
REASON FOR FEARLESSNESS
10 The instruction these examples of divine help contain should not now be lost upon us. They were recorded for the benefit of God's people now "upon whom the accomplished ends of the systems of things have arrived". (1 Cor. 10:11, NW) Counting from the end of the "appointed times of the nations" in 1914, we are 37 years into the "time of the end" of this world. (Luke 21:24, NW; Dan. 12:4) During these crucial years Jehovah's witnesses have sought shelter and strength in him, and they can confess for themselves that he is a "well-proved help in trouble". If it were not for this, they would not be here today nor increasing in numbers. But we are entering the most serious and trial-some years of this "time of the end". The final conflict of Armageddon draws near. So let us not forget that Jehovah God does not change any more than his Word changes. (Mal. 3:6, AS) His strength is displayed amid our weakness. No trouble can grow so severe in the future that he cannot help us through it, if we abide trustfully in him as our refuge and do not look to this world for help by a compromise with the world which is God's enemy. Why should Jehovah's witnesses care if the whole world is against them, disbelieves their testimony, hates and persecutes them? The whole world was also against Noah and the seven who entered the ark with him and made Jehovah their refuge and strength. Yet when God let loose the elemental forces of nature, that world of the ungodly went under into destruction, but Noah and his ark companions survived the Flood.
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