The Watchtower, January 1, 1952
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
JANUARY 1, 1952
Semimonthly
THE UNITY OF GOD'S
VISIBLE ORGANIZATION
ORGANIZING FOR THE MINISTRY
RULERS OF MALAYA
OPPOSE FREE WORSHIP
"CLEAN WORSHIP" ASSEMBLY
IN FRANKFURT
HAPPINESS IN AN UNSTABLE WORLD
©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".
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
Happiness in an Unstable World 3
The Unity of God's Visible Organization 5
Organizing for the Ministry 12
Rulers of Malaya Oppose Free Worship 20
"Clean Worship" Assembly in Frankfurt 25
Tell the People "Until Cities Be Waste Without Inhabitant" 30
Questions from Readers 31
Announcements 32
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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HAPPINESS IN AN UNSTABLE WORLD
THINGS have changed since I was young," laments the sage who regrets the passing of the "good old days". Many experts would agree and some of them point out that the world's last year of normalcy was in 1913. Since then, multiplied wars and upheavals have driven would-be world builders from one frantic scheme to another in search of a workable "new order of things". Their continued failures bring to mind the wisdom of Solomon, who, even in his ancient and peaceful times, was able to discern this folly.
"Men may say of something, 'Ah, this is new!'—but it existed long ago before our time. I have seen all that goes on in this world; it is a vain, futile business. You cannot straighten what is twisted, nor can you count up the defects in life. I went in for great works, I built mansions, planted vineyards, laid out gardens and parks . . . Richer and richer I grew, . . . But when I turned to look at all I had achieved and at my toil and trouble, then it was all vain and futile. Nothing in this world is worth while. For what can he do who succeeds the king? Nothing but what the king has done already."—Eccl. 1:10, 14, 15; 2:4, 5, 9, 11, 12, Mo.
Since A.D. 1914 Solomon's logic relative to world conversion takes on more meaning than ever. For now we witness fulfillment of the global wars, catastrophes, upheavals and fears Jesus said to look out for as a sure sign of his appearance in Kingdom
power. (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21) It would be paralleled by war in heaven and Satan's ouster there, the Devil and associate demons being hurtled earthward to roar about in anger and await his now early finish at Armageddon. (Rev.12:7-12) How futile indeed to now seek lasting happiness through this old system of things and its devil-inspired woes!
It does no good for pseudo optimists to prophesy fairer tomorrows for these governments. Even while they boast, wars and civil strife rip the Orient. Russia's bear, in constant fear of insurrection, growls and throws out disloyal satellite leaders. And the West fares no better. France shuffles her cabinets like playing cards and picks premiers from a political grab bag. England's labor government labored in vain to even keep alive. And the United States, most influential power on earth, has been convicted of corruption in the highest offices and was labeled "intellectually dishonest" by her former president.
But surely in the West's prized "Christian religion" a moral force for world stability will be found. So her well-paid clergy and hangers-on would like to believe. But where is such force?
Have such faiths stood in rocky firmness for true Christianity? If so, why the trend by Protestant and Catholic alike to embrace God-defying evolution while still professing to believe the Bible? And why do the pincers of communism stab through Catholic central and western Europe, imperiling even the Vatican itself and promoting speculation of a possible papal abdication and retreat by the college of cardinals to a refuge in the Western Hemisphere?
Why, in the face of all this, does Christendom keep praying and praying and praying without result? James answers:
"You desire, and yet you do not have. You go on murdering and coveting, and yet you are not able to obtain. You go on fighting and waging war. You do not have because of your not asking. You do ask, and yet you do not receive, because you are asking for a wrong purpose, that you may expend it upon your cravings for sensual pleasure."—Jas. 4:2, 3, NW.
Yes, God knows rebellious Christendom, knows how she would only use his favor toward her for selfish, sensual pleasure. So he withholds it and warns that her hypocrisy will plunge her to destruction at Armageddon at the hands of the very political princes she has tricked. But her heavy and dulled eyes and ears cannot note this. Christendom is dazed and reeling. Rev. 17; Isa. 29:9-11, Mo.
Then who in the world is happy in these times? In his sermon on the mount Jesus described the class of persons that would be joyful. Unlike pompous, boastful Christendom, he said these people would be "hungering and thirsting for righteousness" and "conscious of their spiritual need". He said they would be the ones mourning over conditions of the old system so that they could be made glad by news of the new, of Christ's kingdom. They would be the mild-tempered ones, willing to learn. They would be merciful to others and pure in heart concerning their intentions, willing to use God's Word rightly. He links these happy ones up with the world-wide preachers of his kingdom mentioned in Matthew 24:14 by the description common to both classes, they would be
hated for his name and for righteousness' sake. Here he tells them to leap for joy on that account and, "Let your light shine before mankind, that they may see your right works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens."—Matt. 5:3-16, NW.
What proof do we have that such happiness is alive in the world in 1952? Shaky, unsteady Europe received a unique testimony of it last summer. Amid the very instability of those many governments and confused peoples just related, a chain of international conventions was held across that continent's western portion. Rather than political or sectarian, these assemblies met to equip Jehovah's Christian ministers, his modern-day witnesses, for their work of preaching the good news of God's kingdom by Christ.
These assemblies radiated confidence. The bearers of the Kingdom announcement have the confidence of God's Word that the universal war of Armageddon will throw open the portals on a glorious new world for mankind. This is a confidence possible only by those now representing the kingdom of the heavens. Their king, Christ Jesus, has already won the initial victory over Satan the Devil, the founder of the "iron curtain" idea. Through censorship, prejudice, wrong religious teachings and persisting world instability, that great dictator tries to keep all mankind preoccupied behind an iron curtain and away from the liberating Kingdom message.
Be glad to know that the Devil will fail! Even now the Kingdom announcement penetrates through all nations and all kinds of government. Its joyful bearers are determined to keep on, increasing their witness to the kingdom of God and its stability and blessings. Their happiness and right works remain like great lights in a dark world. What a joy to say to more and more listeners, "Be glad, you nations, with his people."—Rom. 15:10, NW. OF GOD'S VISIBLE ORGANIZATION
"From him all the body, by being harmoniously joined together and being made to cooperate through every joint which gives what is needed, according to the functioning of each respective member in due measure, makes for the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."—Eph. 4:16, NW.
building up of itself in love."—Eph. 4:16, NW.
EHOVAH, the great Sovereign Ruler of the universe, has shown undeserved kindness to the least of humanity, men and women just like us. Paul was a recipient of this undeserved kindness. He appreciated it so much, he just had to express it in words as well as in works. The gratitude to Jehovah that was Paul's he wanted all other persons to feel too. That is why he wrote so fervently to Timothy, saying: "I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who delegated power to me, because he considered me trustworthy by assigning me to a ministry, although formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man. Nevertheless, I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith. But the undeserved kindness of our Lord abounded exceedingly along with faith and love that is in connection with Christ Jesus. Trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance is the saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am foremost. Nevertheless, the reason why I was shown
mercy was that by means of me as the foremost case Christ Jesus might demonstrate all his longsuffering for a sample of those who are going to rest their faith on him for everlasting life." 1 Tim. 1:12-16, NW.
2 It was so fine of Paul to speak frankly to this young man Timothy, who also wanted to gain life and who could gain it, too, because of the undeserved kindness of Jehovah. Acknowledging his insolent disposition in times past, Paul tells Timothy of the undeserved kindness God showed toward him even though he was a blasphemer. He appreciated this
love. The abounding joy in Paul's expression to Timothy was over the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ had considered him trustworthy and had delegated him to be a minister. What an assignment! What a privilege! Paul certainly appreciated his ministry, and in the book of Acts the account of his life of service shows that.
3 When, on another occasion, Paul wrote to the Ephesians he also had this same thought—the ministry—in mind. He told the congregation at Ephesus that God had extended to him a kindness that was undeserved. Certainly neither Paul nor the Ephesians nor any other of the human family deserved kindness from God. But still Paul was shown such love and was given the opportunity to declare good news to the nations concerning God's love and to make known the majesty, the power and the wonderfulness of the Creator and his Son. Paul stated it this way, when he wrote to the Ephesians: "To me, a man less than the least of all holy ones, this undeserved kindness was given, that I should declare to the nations the good news about the unfathomable riches of the Christ and should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from past eternity been concealed in God, who created all things."—Eph. 3:8,9,NW.
4 Jehovah did something for Paul, he was now a free man in line for everlasting life. He came away from the bondage of that old system of things in which he had lived, and now for the first time he had freeness of speech that comes to God's people through knowledge of Jehovah. What Paul learned about God's revealed purposes through Christ Jesus gave him confidence to do his work, through his faith. This faith was never shaken. He proved this by doing good works now in the role of a persecuted man, not the persecutor he had once been. His trials, tribulations and buffetings were many; still he was faithful unto death. He was a man of integrity. He knew God's will and he was 'resting his faith in Christ for everlasting life'. Paul must have been an inspiration and a good example for others to follow, because he himself was following in the footsteps of Christ Jesus.
But what about other Christians? Were they faithfully following Christ? Did God's undeserved kindness have the same effect on them as it did on Paul? Yes, it did. Consider the early Christians: The Jews had failed as a nation to keep their covenant with Jehovah God. They were once chosen to be God's name-people, but now when Jehovah had revealed the sacred secret, his Son Christ Jesus as the Messiah, they would not accept him. So the call went forth to the Gentile nations in order to take out from them a people for God's
name. The sacred secret that had been concealed for generations, that is, how Jehovah God would bless all the families of the earth, was now revealed in Christ Jesus. According to it Jehovah had now shown mercy and undeserved kindness toward the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Both kinds of "nations", or all kinds of men, could now accept the Messiah and get in line for everlasting life. Truly, Jehovah God knew from the foundation of the world how he was going to work out his purposes for the blessing of all the families of the earth and the vindication of his name, even though he had not revealed this to the fullest extent in times past.
For centuries Jehovah God had no dealings with the Gentiles, but now the way was open for them to become Christians, God's chosen servants, Jehovah's witnesses. In writing to the Romans about their being shown so much mercy and so much kindness not deserved (for they had done nothing to honor Jehovah), Paul exclaimed: "Oh the depth of God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and past tracing out his ways are! For 'who has come to know Jehovah's mind, or who has become his counselor?' " (Rom. 11:33, 34, NW) It is incomprehensible, but still Jehovah's undeserved kindness was extended to the Gentiles; and those who dedicated themselves to the Most High and came into the congregation or visible organization became spectacles before men and angels.
7 It was about nineteen hundred years ago that this visible organization, the congregation of God's people, was brought into existence. The recipients of this undeserved kindness were taken into a new covenant with God, not the old law covenant. The old one mediated by Moses had been abolished with the impaling of Christ
What freeness did Paul now enjoy, and how did he manifest his faith?
5, 6. How had Jehovah's undeserved kindness been displayed to the Gentiles as a result of the revealing of his sacred secret?
Into what were those who received this undeserved kindness taken, and what were they to be?
Jesus. This new covenant was the law of God written in the hearts of the covenanters, not on tablets of stone. These New Covenant persons were to be "a people for his name". These were the ones like Christ Jesus, namely, Paul and all the early faithful followers of Christ, the proclaimers of the kingdom of God.
8 A new system of things, a new organization, was starting, and it was of vital importance. The selection of the bride of Christ had begun and it was to be made up of 144,000 faithful followers of the Lord Jesus. At that time this selection of the bride and the forming of this visible organization wherein each individual must be faithful unto death was a very serious matter; and so the members appreciated to the full that they must work together in unity, because in God's undeserved kindness he had brought them together for a special purpose. Eventually the eyes of the world would be upon them and certainly the angels in heaven were watching the outworkings of God's marvelous arrangements. Here were the announcers of Jehovah's kingdom, which is the only hope of the world. Could anything be more vital or important than the Kingdom?
"FREENESS OF SPEECH"
9 Jehovah had purposed that men should "see how the sacred secret is administered", and hence that which had been concealed in God was now being revealed, and "this was to the end that now to the governments and the authorities in the heavenly places there might be made known through the congregation the greatly diversified wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he formed in connection with the Christ, Jesus our Lord, by means of whom we have this freeness of speech
and an approach with confidence through our faith in him. Wherefore I ask you not to give up on account of these tribulations of mine in your behalf, for these mean glory for you". (Eph. 3:10-13,NW) Yes, "the eternal purpose which he [Jehovah] formed in connection with the Christ" was now being accomplished. Things were moving ahead to the vindication of Jehovah's name and word. The congregation of God was now his visible organization making known the good news about Christ and heralding the glad tidings of the kingdom of the heavens. A true foundation was laid with Christ Jesus, the faithful and true witness, and, come what may, whether tribulations to any individual member of the congregation or the dispersing of the companies of Jehovah's witnesses, all would still "rest their faith on him for everlasting life" and speak with the wonderful freeness of speech Christ Jesus had given them.
10 You see, during his ministry Jesus introduced a freeness of thought and speech that had vanished from the earth by his time. It was he who said: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3,NW) The world's religions had a powerful hold on the people. Millions of persons of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues were in a definite rut. The truths Jehovah had set forth centuries before Jesus' time were till then hidden. The Israelites were just as bad off as all the other nations, for they had forsaken Jehovah's teachings for the traditions of men. When Christ Jesus came he demonstrated by his words and actions a freeness of speech that cheered the hearts of men.
11 His sayings were not based on any old false religious tradition. What he taught
What made the new organization that was started of such vital importance?
What had God purposed for men to see, and toward what end were things now moving forward?
During his ministry what did Jesus introduce and demonstrate, and why?
What contributed to his freeness of speech?
he did not learn in the schools of his day. He learned it by studying the Hebrew Scriptures, by communicating with God in prayer and by dedicating himself to doing his Father's will. It was this anointed One, the Master, who said: "The truth will set you free." (John 8:32, NW) Certainly Jesus was free from this old world. He was no part of it even though he was in it. He was a man free to say the things that were true and righteous and an honor to Jehovah's name. He was free to do the things that would bring praise to his heavenly Father. He restored pure worship of the Most High God. He condemned hypocrites and false religions with their idol worship.
12 Paul recognized these priceless and fearless qualities in Christ Jesus, and it was through Christ Jesus that he himself received his freeness of speech. To speak the truth concerning Jehovah and his Son and God's kingdom was certainly speaking freely, for all nations and their rulers were and still are against Jehovah God's kingdom and its rule by Christ Jesus.
13 All the persons in the congregation of God must have this same freeness of thought and expression and must no longer be tied down to the oppressive thinking of the world. They must not be caged up or hemmed in; they must come forth free from this world's prison houses. Jehovah made provision for this freedom through his Son Christ Jesus. It was Christ who said in the synagogue in Nazareth one sabbath day: "Jehovah's spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor, he sent me forth to preach a release to the captives and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the crushed ones away with a release, to preach Jehovah's acceptable year." (Luke 4:18, 19, NW) He was quoting from Isaiah,
chapter 61, and after his anointing he went forward doing that great work of releasing the captives, or sending the crushed ones away with a release. He pointed to Jehovah's acceptable year of freedom now from this old world. The time had now come for people to be free from the bondage of this dying old world, and Christ Jesus was showing them the way to that freedom. The congregation of God knew this!
14 Jesus had not preached this freedom message too many years before the scribes, the Pharisees and the rulers of that day had had enough of his free speech which he was talking throughout Palestine. It became the determination of these worldly mighty ones to do away with him. The record is clear as to how, time and time again, these scribes and Pharisees tried to trap Jesus and bring about some sort of false trial and a cause to silence him. Eventually they succeeded in having him impaled upon the torture stake until dead. Now he could talk no more. What relief for them! They were confident that freedom of speech had been stifled. No longer would people be trying to free themselves from the influence of the scribes and Pharisees and be listening to this man. They thought they could hold their people in their prison houses. But how wrong they were! Consider Jesus' prayer and note his request to his heavenly Father for those he was leaving behind as free people:
15 "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word. They have now come to know that all the things you gave me are from you; because the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them and have certainly come to know that I came
Why does Kingdom preaching mean freeness of speech?
How did the Jewish religious leaders try to stifle such freeness of speech?
How did Jesus secure for all the congregation this freeness of speech?
To the disciples he left behind what did Jesus give for their freeness of speech?
out as your representative, and they have believed that you sent me forth. Also I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them out of respect for your own name which you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are. I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world." (John 17:6-8,11,14 NW) Jesus' disciples had the truth and they must speak it. They did.
16 It was shortly after the resurrection of Christ Jesus that he organized his followers so as to accomplish the great work to be done. When talking with his disciples he had told them that they would remember the things he had spoken to them and that he would send them a helper, God's spirit, to remember these important things. "I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present. However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things coming. That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to you."—John 16:12-14, NW.
17 The spirit was poured out upon them at Pentecost, as Jesus had said. "And while he was meeting with them he gave them the orders: 'Do not withdraw from Jerusalem, but keep waiting for what the Father has promised, about which you heard from me; because John, indeed, baptized with water, but you will be baptized in holy spirit not many days after this.'" (Acts 1:4,5,NW) Their minds were then filled with the truths that Jesus had taught them and they moved forward fearlessly
preaching the kingdom of the heavens to all men. (John 14:25, 26) All the persecutions, trials and difficulties they endured; their being jeered by mobs of incensed people and even imprisoned never halted them. Freedom of speech they had gained through Christ Jesus, by Jehovah's undeserved kindness, and it was theirs to keep. No, they were not going to be prisoners again, for Christ Jesus had released them. The prophet Isaiah had declared: "Say to the prisoners, Go forth." (Isa. 49:9) Jesus did just that to the prisoners. His disciples were free men now and they went forth making proper use of their freedom by preaching the truth.
18 They traveled to the lands near Palestine, Peter to the east as far as Babylon and Paul west probably as far as Spain. They practiced God-given freeness of speech. They said to those in prison, 'Go forth! Listen to this good news! Have confidence and faith through Christ Jesus in Jehovah God the Creator of the universe. Trust in his precious promises and seek the way to eternal life.' The gathering together of those who loved truth and righteousness began and God's visible organization was made manifest.
19 Paul, of course, was one of the outstanding missionaries and evangelists of his day. He said to those whom he met and taught the truth that they should walk worthily of the things whereunto they were called. They should no longer live in a proud, austere manner, as the peoples of the world lived. Rather, they should be humble and show lowliness of mind. They should be mild and long-suffering, "putting up with one another in love."
20 Accomplishing this loving attitude means the making of a strong organization
What did Jesus promise to send them, and, what would it help them to remember?
When did he send this, and what did they then exercise despite hard experiences?
Over what area did they exercise this, and so what took place?
19, 20. How were the Christians to walk worthily of the things to which they were called, and what would doing so do to the organization?
of brothers, and then great work can be done in the interest of God's kingdom.
TAKEN CAPTIVE BY CHRIST
21 Paul was explaining the proper attitude of mind Christians must have. No longer were they under the oppressive rule of Satan's world as subjects of that old system of things, but Christ had purchased them with his blood. They were his possession. Paul says: "What! Do you not know that the body of you people is the temple of the holy spirit within you which you have from God? Also, you do not belong to yourselves, for you were bought with a price. By all means, glorify God in the body of you people." (1 Cor. 6:19, 20, NW) Paul was certainly happy to be such a bought one, a prisoner in the Lord, one led captive by Christ. He told the Ephesians he was a "prisoner in the Lord" and said: "Now to each one of us undeserved kindness was given according to how the Christ measured out the free gift. Wherefore he says: 'When he ascended on high he led captive a multitude; he gave gifts in men.'" (Eph. 4:7, 8, NW) In order to free those followers of his who had been held in bondage Jesus had to capture them and take them to himself into his organization. So the thousands who heard the truths that Jesus had expressed were led to him and were made to think as he thought. They thus had the mind of Christ. They were freed from this old dying world. To all these free people "he gave gifts in men".
22 These "gifts in men" were apostles, prophets and evangelists,men who went about from congregation to congregation serving them. They were able to speak in tongues,to interpret and to heal. They were given the gifts of the spirit,which were in effect in Paul's day. (1 Corinthians
12, NW) These men helped the young congregation, the visible organization of the Lord, to get strong and bind themselves in unity so as to be used in his praise and worship. Paul, who was one of those "gifts in men", appreciated that he had been freed from the old system of things, and he was grateful for this undeserved kindness on the part of God. Whether as a prisoner in chains at Rome or as one taken captive by the Lord Jesus Christ, he was glad to be made a prisoner of the Lord, as he stated in Ephesians 4:1-3 (NW): "I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, entreat you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with complete lowliness of mind and mildness, with longsuffering, putting up with one another in love, earnestly endeavoring to observe the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace." Paul the prisoner wanted the visible organization of the Lord to be at unity, at oneness with one another. The "gifts in men" had been given to the new visible organization for that very purpose.
23 The congregation of God was to be made up, not of individuals who were striving for prominent positions, but of servants. (Jas. 2:1-4, NW) Jesus was the example for the congregation and he said that he who was greatest among his brothers was to be their slave. Jesus showed his lowliness of mind by washing the feet of the disciples on the night of the last passover and at the introduction of the memorial of his death. (John 13, NW) Here he was showing how they must humble themselves and be slaves to their brothers. These apostles were the principal ones who were called to be "gifts in men", evangelists, shepherds and teachers, and they were not to lord it over the flock, but they were to be shepherds and care for the visible organization. (1 Pet. 5:2-4, NW) These spe-
Whose purchased property are Christians, and what was Paul happy to be?
What were those "gifts in men"? And what purpose were they meant to serve as exemplified by Paul?
How were those "gifts in men" to conduct themselves?
cial representatives were to help all the individuals in the congregation to see their responsibility to be ministers.
24 Having been called to the Lord's organization and given the freeness of speech, then every individual in the visible organization should walk worthily of the calling with which he was called. All, shepherds and flock alike, had the same responsibility. Faithfulness in service as ministers was required.
ONENESS AS A BODY
25 So then, the congregation must see alike and have the same positive views in mind. All must realize that the purpose for gathering together these servants of the Most High was to preach this good news of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness, to magnify Jehovah's name, to announce the Son Christ Jesus and to make public expression concerning the sacred secrets that God has revealed through his Word. All those within the Lord's visible organization must work together to this one end. They could not work against one another, for the members that compose the body certainly do not work against other members. That is why Paul went on to say at Ephesians 4:4-6, NW: "One body there is, and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope to which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all persons, who is over all and through all and in all." Jehovah was dealing with all the body members through His Word and His visible organization, and, what is more, he is doing the same in this our day for our oneness as a body.
26 Look at the situation as it existed back there in Paul's day: Jews were coming into the truth, some of whom had been
taught under the Pharisees, others under the Sadducees. Paul himself was formerly a Pharisee. There were Egyptians, people from Asia Minor, Greece, Babylon and other far-flung parts of the world—all of them mixed together in the one congregation of the Lord. At one time all had different ways of life, different religions and teachings, but now they were to live together under one God with one Bible, the Word of God, as their guide. They were to make up his visible organization, having freeness of speech and a determination to do the Lord's will. If this organization was to be successful, then they must work together just as the members of the human body work together: the head, the arms, the organs—all must function to the best interests of the whole body.
27 Paul was impressing upon the minds of the Ephesians that there is just one body and that governing this one body is one spirit, God's spirit. They were all called in the one hope, the hope of being joint heirs with Christ Jesus in the heavenly kingdom and of living eternally. All had the same faith based on God's infallible Word, the same baptism and the same Father in heaven. Therefore there should be no difference in viewpoint as far as the members of the body were concerned, but they should all be striving to accomplish the great work of carrying on the clean worship of the Most High God, sharing in the vindication of His name and Word and aiding all people of good will to get the knowledge of Jehovah's purposes. It was done in Paul's day; it can be done in our day, too.
28 Then do Paul's wise words that Jehovah would have an active, working visible organization find fulfillment today? Where is there an organization today like the congregation about which Paul was talking?
What like responsibility did the sheep and the shepherds have?
How must they all work, and to what end?
Why should there be no difference in viewpoint or in work?
What was the composition of the congregation back there, and so to be successful as an organization what must they do?
Where do we find such a visible, working organization today, and who may be in it and how?
Could there possibly be a group of people today who have one Father, the Father of all the persons in the congregation, a Father who is over all, through all and in all, a Father who is caring for his children and keeping them together in the pure way of worship? What a privilege and pleasure it is to answer Yes, yes, there is such an organization. In the apostles' day you could find such a visible organization in the early congregation of Christ. In this year of 1952 you will find it in a group of Christian people known as Jehovah's witnesses. They make up Jehovah's visible organization. What is more, you can be in that organization if you think like Paul and have faith like his.
29 Note how Jehovah's witnesses today are like the early congregations of Jehovah's faithful witnesses: Jehovah's witnesses are firm believers in God's Word. They study it, they preach it, and they live it. They are "putting up with one another in love", even though their customs and habits of life and the tongues they speak in their daily conversation are different in all parts of the world. They ARE fulfilling the command to preach the Kingdom in all the world for a witness. (Matt. 24:14, NW) Thus in all parts of the earth they demonstrate the unity of God's visible organization.
How are Jehovah's witnesses today like the early congregation?
ORGANIZING for the MINISTRY
EHOVAH is the greatest organizer and he taught his Son Christ Jesus how to organize. When on earth Christ selected disciples and taught them how to gather more workers who loved truth and righteousness. At that time it meant a "little flock"; now it means the gathering of a "great crowd" of "other sheep". So as to assemble the "little flock" Jesus arranged for organizing the congregation and developed that into a strong working unit, with competent servants. Hence the apostle Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 and says: "He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the training of the holy ones for ministerial work, for
the building up of the body of the Christ, until we all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of growth that belongs to the fullness of the Christ; in order that we should no longer be babes, tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of craftiness in contriving error."—Eph. 4:11-14, NW.
2 Jehovah God was very much interested in the proper organization and care of the early congregation. The Son Christ Jesus meted out the gifts of the spirit to his followers so that some could act as apostles, others as prophets and missionaries and
What did Jehovah teach his Son to do, and so what did the Son arrange for?
What was the purpose of all this organizing, and accordingly, whom is the congregation aiding today?
still others as able teachers. But what was the purpose of all this in the body of Christ? This: "The training of the holy ones for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ, until we all attain to the oneness in the faith." Today this visible organization is also being used to aid the "great crowd" of "other sheep". These are not of the "little flock", but they must be brought to maturity in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God. These are not the ones to be joint heirs with him in the heavenly kingdom, but they will gain life under it in the new world of righteousness.
Everyone who ever comes to the Lord's organization, having studied the Lord's Word, must see it only one way. God never purposed that there would be hundreds of different denominations throughout the world, each having a different faith, a different doctrine, etc. There could be only "one faith, one baptism; one God and Father". Jehovah is desirous that everyone who seeks salvation come to an accurate knowledge of these truths. (Rom. 10:11-13, NW) He wants them to become full-grown, mature men. The only way a person can become full-grown is to gain knowledge, and this comes through education. The false religions are not disseminating this accurate knowledge from God's Word. On the other hand, Jehovah's witnesses want all kinds of men to be well acquainted with their Bibles and have this one faith. If they have this faith they will manifest themselves as Christ's "other sheep".
one or two clergymen over each congregation. All this training and instruction then being given the "little flock" was to make every member of that flock a fully competent ordained minister. There were not to be any spiritual babes in the organization for long. New ones would be coming in all the time, that is true, but they would not remain babes in the Word, "tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men." There was not to be a division of ideas, with part of a congregation believing one thing and the other part another. By study all were to become mature, full-grown men. There must be unity in God's visible organization. As it was then with the "little flock", so it must be now with the "other sheep".
4 The education that was being brought to the "little flock" members in the days of the apostles was for the training of the holy ones for ministerial work. The whole apostolic organization was an organization of ministers. It was not a laity class, with
There was to be no stunting of growth, no relaxing. All were to watch for the trickery of men. There was no arrangement to branch off into a little Methodist group, or Baptist group, or some other religious organization and be content with one man's teaching. Jehovah's Word points out that one person may plant, another person may water, but it is Jehovah God who gives the increase. They all belong to God, not someone else.—1 Cor. 3:6-9.
6 Being recipients of Jehovah's undeserved kindness now and belonging to Je-
For what splitting up was there no arrangement, and why not?
How must each one become full-grown and stay in place?
How must all view the organization, and how do they become mature?
The purpose of all the training and instruction was to make all members what, and why?
hovah, the "other sheep" should work hard to become full-grown and to stay in God's visible organization. To do this everyone must have the same mind. Study the truth!
7 Paul went on to say, in his argument to the congregation of God: "But speaking the truth, let us by love grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ." (Eph. 4:15, NW) Yes, the vital thing was the speaking of the truth. The only place the apostles, evangelists and the missionaries of that day got the truth was from God's Word. It is the same now. Jehovah's witnesses today regularly receive visits from mature brothers, special representatives of the Watch Tower Society, and all of these are required to speak and live the truth as set forth in God's Word. Not only these mature brothers, but the whole congregation of God, his visible organization, must look at things from God's Word, seeing harmoniously and having God's mind on matters along with his spirit. By closely associating one with another and by showing love for Jehovah and our brothers, "let us by love grow up." If we did not have love in God's visible organization there certainly would be a standing still and a retarding of growth. When there is discord and strife, there is no advancement. When there is peace, love and joy, things grow.
The growing human body is a wonderful example of harmonious movement, function and co-ordination. A body can do things, can get work done; and while it is made up of many members, still there is no opposition on the part of any member of the body in accomplishing the desired purpose. This is why Paul went on to argue concerning the "body of the Christ", that "from him all the body, by being harmoniously joined together and being made to
cooperate through every joint which gives what is needed, according to the functioning of each respective member in due measure, makes for the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love".—Eph. 4:16,NW.
9 When every tissue, every organ, every joint, every muscle of the human body responds to the instruction of the mind, what unity of action there is! This is a picture of how to achieve the oneness of God's visible organization under the Head Christ Jesus. Things can be done by a person who is not awkward or clumsy and who has a well-formed and balanced body, one under full control. That is exactly the way it is with Jehovah's witnesses today throughout the world. They are under control and receive instruction from the greatest instructor, Jehovah, through Jesus Christ. They study God's Word and have his spirit. THEY GET THINGS DONE. Co-operation is received from every part of the organization, every department, every company, every branch, every missionary home. They all function unitedly as respective members of the whole organization, the body; and this makes for the growth of the organization in love.
10 When we review the work of Jehovah's witnesses during the year 1951, it is again seen how they are working at unity. No doubt about it, Jehovah's spirit is upon them in the work. They have not done the work in their own strength. They have "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father", and all the Lord's people are associated in one visible organization built up in love; first, love for Jehovah, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and, secondly, love for one's neighbor. This is the answer to the unusual growth of the organization of Jehovah's witnesses.
By speaking what and by exercising what must they grow up? Why?
Like what organism must they be, as described by Paul?
How is this the way Jehovah's witnesses function today world-wide?
What is the reason for their unusual growth?
LIBERATION FOR THE MINISTRY
11 Jehovah's witnesses today are interested in one thing no one else is interested in, and that is the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness. Not only are they interested in doing this themselves, but they have interest in training others for ministerial work. They know this means the salvation of others; as it is written: "Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you." (1 Tim. 4:16, NW) The witnesses of Jehovah are going to the ends of the earth, saying to the prisoners of modern Babylon, "Go forth!" Hundreds of thousands of all kinds of persons are 'going forth' from this Babylonish world. They are desirous of preaching the good news of the Kingdom. All they need is the necessary help and instruction.
12 One thing is certain: men of good will certainly have not received proper instruction from this old world's Babylonish religions. Millions of people go to churches every Sunday and listen to their pastors, but after a ten- or fifteen-minute sermon and the religious ceremonies for the day the people leave with no good news to preach to the world. They have heard a little about some popular book which was reviewed, or they have listened to something on politics. Maybe the pastor did discuss some abstract thought from the Bible or use a Scripture text and then wander off into some easy-listening philosophy. But where is "the one hope"? Where "the one faith"? Where the accurate knowledge of the Son of God? Where the growth to the full-grown man? Where is there interest in God's kingdom? Where is the one visible organization built on love?
13 If the so-called "Christian" churches were being taught the Word of God and the truths presented in the Bible, then all the members of the congregations would be trained to be ministers. Did we not find in our study (page 13, 4) that the reason teachers were given was "with a view to the training of the holy ones for ministerial work"? Yes. Hence, to engage in pure, undefiled worship means you must be a preacher, a minister, a servant of the Most High, Jehovah. Christendom has failed in this respect.
14 In contrast with the indifferent way taken by false religion, Jehovah's witnesses diligently work to make everyone who shows interest in the truth a competent minister of God's kingdom. They try to bring all immature ones to a mature knowledge of God's Word. Jehovah's witnesses go into the homes of the people when invited and study with them. These ministers of Jehovah will spend all the time the people of good will desire so as to help them to know what God's Word has in store for them. After these interested persons study the Bible and the publications that are used as study aids, it is not long before they start talking to their neighbors. It is not much longer until they come to the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's witnesses, to which all lovers of righteousness are invited, there to study deeper things pertaining to God's Word. A little more time and they are ready to go from door to door preaching the good news of the Kingdom. Next, they dedicate themselves to God in imitation of Jesus, who said: 'I come, as in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do your will.' (Ps. 40:7,8; Heb. 10:5-9) They believe that God's Word contains instruction for them to follow, sets forth his purposes, and clearly indicates to
In what are they interested, and how are they working for the liberation of others?
With right instruction what would church members all be? Why?
How have people failed to get instruction from Babylonish religious systems?
How do the witnesses work to make the interested ones ministers?
<tr><th rowspan="2">Country
1950 Av. Pubs.
1951 Av. Pubs.
% Inc. over 1950
Peak Pubs. 1951
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. Public Meet'gs
No. of Comp's
Total Literature
Total Hours
New Subs.
Individual Magazines
Av. Bible Studies
U. S. of America
98,468
118,462
135,356
6,966
76,340
3,015
8,976,598
19,428,636
389,793
10,983,157
7,080,826
92,056
Alaska
8,169
14,022
11,624
5,530
Azores
3,118
1,260
Bermuda
2,523
1,320
Ethiopia
New
3,191
1,064
Fr. Equ. Africa
7,126
5,343
Fr. West Africa
New
Gambia, B.W.A.
1,430
Guadeloupe
1,304
10,750
2,522
3,510
Hashemite Ki. of Jordan
1,018
4,694
1,398
Iceland
11,720
7,310
3,119
2,874
Israel
New
2,053
3,024
Korea
3,247
6,480
3,148
Liberia
3,439
14,981
4,083
7,974
Martinique
2,365
1,058
Portugal
3,567
8,229
4,014
Sierra Leone
2,696
11,575
4,146
5,182
Spain
1,460
9,263
4,467
Argentina
1,292
1,672
2,117
56,752
290,941
3,480
143,767
143,563
1,511
Australia
4,502
5,098
5,713
4,823
339,252
854,768
8,223
411,205
322,234
3,518
Fiji
3,860
6,360
2,522
3,429
Austria
2,162
2,528
2,702
1,998
160,234
417,417
2,642
342,401
203,386
1,632
Bahamas
5,863
21,972
8,392
9,928
Belgium
2,150
2,762
3,179
1,159
122,713
409,369
2,996
78,499
140,464
1,768
Luxembourg
3,103
17,414
8,416
7,153
Bolivia
11,339
33,839
9,901
14,276
Brazil
2,858
4,142
4,867
2,412
418,856
721,967
5,885
106,918
212,321
2,491
British Gulana
20,559
70,220
33,624
27,019
British Honduras
3,223
11,829
5,734
4,917
British Isles
20,842
23,080
25,533
1,238
22,827
2,323,775
3,443,103
55,544
470,633
1,522,070
12,570
Elre
14,435
62,291
4,362
19,580
Malta
British West Indies
1,520
1,931
2,403
2,163
55,587
389,416
1,797
112,268
145,586
2,295
Bulgaria
Burma
24,289
21,942
5,187
8,747
Canada
16,013
18,669
20,580
11,225
610,975
2,597,450
39,189
1,649,150
729,520
8,922
Chile
41,760
130,315
1,671
40,900
58,271
China
3,328
7,786
3,947
Hong Kong
New
1,333
8,677
4,619
Colombia
32,037
64,182
24,127
26,991
Costa Rica
1,139
1,394
1,825
18,311
193,216
31,657
59,578
1,192
Cuba
6,619
8,112
8,847
3,831
120,654
1,060,461
4,262
190,689
321,911
5,101
Cyprus
4,591
39,999
3,334
12,923
Czechoslovakia
2,403
3,310
3,705
9,663
272,617
108,366
1,965
Denmark
4,552
5,433
6,064
2,624
132,249
659,665
6,654
394,004
248,553
2,354
Dominican Republic
24,119
25,175
Ecuador
17,045
63,041
19,410
26,403
Egypt
5,045
43,693
11,486
17,093
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
2,181
Libya
El Salvador
9,530
45,707
12,434
20,507
Finland
3,985
4,539
5,078
6,465
174,498
682,893
20,194
265,149
217,757
2,677
France
4,526
6,073
7,136
3,636
223,458
749,225
6,732
219,581
294,708
2,750
Saar
24,041
84,473
27,209
47,281
Germany, East
21,048
12,815
17,256
36,485
1,317,863
91,673
624,770
9,288
Germany, West
26,805
33,890
36,997
1,558
10,187
1,073
953,885
6,252,619
24,068
1,529,226
2,447,446
23,517
Gold Coast
2,120
3,083
3,971
2,214
43,783
647,870
45,099
122,581
1,983
Ivory Coast
2,793
1,130
Greece
2,676
3,368
4,163
1,907
49,062
283,368
2,145
51,725
116,061
Guatemala
18,776
52,163
1,212
14,159
26,020
Haiti
9,814
36,743
5,691
14,694
Hawaii
32,619
86,199
2,533
31,495
37,868
Honduras
15,643
48,764
12,138
23,586
Hungary
1,910
2,097
2,583
9,064
280,960
94,403
1,721
India
31,223
94,585
1,059
19,640
26,600
Ceylon
8,008
10,415
4,528
4,008
Iran
Italy
1,005
1,532
1,742
91,392
231,572
1,254
18,261
94,218
Jamaica
2,120
2,374
2,603
1,179
34,440
385,538
61,696
126,050
2,446
Japan
39,428
75,236
10.580
35,576
Taiwan
New
8,941
5,619
Lebanon
15,971
50,352
4,519
12,468
Syria
1,476
8,787
1,867
Mexico
6,669
8,366
10,335
2,906
222,787
1,208,803
7,868
256,706
286,894
5,409
Netherlands
5,365
6,431
6,919
2,676
92,202
988,005
3,571
140,908
259,282
2,868
Netherlands W. Indies
18,771
30,660
1,217
23,461
13,273
Newfoundland
19,638
48,104
21,806
14,895
New Zealand
1,038
1,265
1,638
79,665
201,740
4,339
143,012
70,227
Nicaragua
3,858
33,433
8,710
12,490
Nigeria
7,549
9,447
10,521
9,970
114,852
2,040,049
2,185
86,707
328,649
4,942
Cameroun
2,813
90,096
1,152
13,746
Dahomey
4,304
111,947
1,031
14,453
Fernando Po
French Togoland
2,700
10,928
3,195
Northern Rhodesia
13,560
17,319
19,173
1,121
73,079
3,243,317
1,490
15,522
538,091
8,467
Belgian Congo
4,541
1,191
Kenya
Tanganyika Terr.
1,485
35,794
6,972
Uganda
Norway
1,465
1,888
2,066
1,117
132,712
243,982
4,867
210,456
102,728
Nyasaland
8,310
10,813
12,162
19,032
63,226
2,493,305
11,979
516,361
7,980
Portuguese E. Afr.
1,465
50,563
12,882
Pakistan
5,298
11,061
5,051
4,407
Panama
20,774
122,568
42,503
56,351
Paraguay
5,847
23,842
8,119
8,084
Peru
32,288
79,614
26,607
35,754
Philippine Republic
8,648
12,743
14,609
3,005
348,185
1,760,336
7,334
78,669
304,671
4,534
Poland
14,900
11,797
15,009
14,168
650,410
12,291
145,183
4,499
Puerto Rico
50,991
124,835
3,942
65,480
56,058
Virgin Islands
3,813
14,919
6,767
7,082
Romania
2,832
2,941
4,344
Singapore
9,885
17,753
4,928
9,470
North Borneo
Republic of Indonesia
27,551
14,736
5,299
South Africa
7,074
8,580
9,586
5,994
330,981
2,304,442
11,276
345,009
540,179
7,297
Angola
3,837
1,252
Basutoland
20,448
4,442
Bechuanaland
18,021
5,683
Mauritius
New
1,666
St. Helena
1,182
South-West Africa
9,671
7,119
4,560
3,208
Swaziland
33,713
8,215
Southern Rhodesia
5,773
7,932
9,088
8,587
139,045
2,591,926
2,547
58,425
562,118
10,871
Surlam
3,844
18,661
4,388
7,917
Sweden
4,244
4,796
5,140
4,273
228,309
662,769
8,141
538,825
266,174
2,307
Switzerland
2,247
2,554
2,728
1,726
155,164
320,288
3,862
320,041
145,732
1,786
Thailand
30,325
24,181
3,775
9,283
Turkey
5,073
10,391
1,756
3,772
Uruguay
21,441
114,122
16,192
46,708
Venezuela
45,221
127,953
29,611
45,513
Yugoslavia
5,371
20,987
4,531
Miscellaneous
them their responsibility to God now to be ministers to "declare to the nations the good news".—Eph. 3:8, NW.
15 The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society does send out missionaries, teachers and special representatives who are trained in aiding others to gain a better knowledge of the Lord's Word. Everyone needs building up in the most holy faith. Still, ALL of Jehovah's witnesses are ministers, because that is why God has been and is gathering together his "other sheep", to train them for ministerial work. In this organization of ministers we see a new world society working at unity. Jehovah's witnesses make up Jehovah's visible organization today. Seek them out. Study with them. Hundreds of thousands are already doing so.
16 During the past year many have heard the call, 'Come forth from the prison houses of Babylon!' They have left Catholic churches, Protestant churches, Jewish synagogues and heathen temples. Since their coming forth they have studied and prepared themselves for the intensive preaching of Jehovah's witnesses worldwide. During the year the organization of Jehovah's witnesses has had a monthly average of 384,694 ministers who were engaging in the preaching work every month, comforting people from door to door, making back-calls and conducting home Bible studies with the interested. These zealous publishers have accomplished a tremendous amount of work during the service year of 1951.
GENERAL SURVEY OF WORK DONE
17 These 384,694 publishers were not alone in their work. They were taking along and training some "babes". Some who had been prisoners in devilish organizations heard the good news of God's kingdom and began to pull away from the old world and its way of thinking, and they associated themselves with these publishers for the new world. They too went out and preached, 57,686 of them, for the first time. Combined, that means 442,380 ministers—a new all-time peak for Jehovah's witnesses! The Society is interested in the welfare of every one of these 442,380 persons and it wants to see them continue as ordained ministers. This is the way Paul felt. He wanted to help the members of the early church to become qualified, fully grown, mature ordained ministers. Paul knew why he was called; he said: "I should declare to the nations the good news." He said we should imitate him as he imitated Christ. If it was his responsibility to declare the good news, then it is the responsibility of everyone who comes to this knowledge to declare the good news. That is why Jesus said he gives "gifts in men", namely, "with a view to the training of the holy ones for ministerial work."
18 Many of these 442,380 persons who are preaching need to be brought to maturity. They are babes not a year old and they cannot remain babes the rest of their lives, in danger of being tossed about by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching. They have to be well trained. They need constant attention and help. Bible studies must continue in their homes. They must come to service meetings, participate in the theocratic ministry school and attend the Watchtower studies that Jehovah's witnesses conduct in their Kingdom Halls. They will go out in the field with seasoned publishers. Circuit servants will visit their companies and take them out in the preaching work and give them advanced training. Questions on
Despite some being special representatives of the Society, what are all of Jehovah's witnesses, and why?
How many such have been active monthly on the average, and how?
What peak of publishers was reached, and what does the Society want them to continue to be?
How must the spiritual babes be helped, and to what end?
the Bible which may be bothering them will be answered. They must study diligently the publications of the Society along with their Bibles. They cannot afford to remain babes; they must become fullgrown and appreciate the visible organization God has set up and be an active part of this body that functions all to the honor and glory of Jehovah's name. Their keeping busy in the preaching activity and keeping up with their studies "makes for the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love".
19 This training work will not let up either, because Jehovah's witnesses will continue to "say to the prisoners, Go forth". (Isa. 49:9) Why should lovers of righteousness stay in the old world and go down with it at Armageddon and die for an eternity, when they have the opportunity of pulling away from this system of things and of enjoying life in a new world of righteousness?
20 A most wonderful work is going on. People are hearing this good news and heeding it. They see the unity of God's visible organization and they flee to it for safety. Of course, it means a big change in their lives, but it is all for their benefit. It is interesting to observe that during the 1951 service year 17,732,323 books, booklets and Bibles were distributed by Jehovah's witnesses world-wide. It took a lot of time to distribute these publications along with the 20,046,485 copies of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines that were placed with the people. This was certainly planting seed. These witnesses of Jehovah devoted 62,854,483 hours to talking the Kingdom and doing this planting and watering. But just why did they do this? For the simple reason that Christ Jesus, the Pattern they are following, preached the good news continually, saying that the
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