The Watchtower, May 15, 1952
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
MAY 15, 1952
Semimonthly
DEDICATION TO GOD
AND CONSECRATION
DEDICATION FOR LIFE
IN THE NEW WORLD
DO YOU HAVE HEARING EARS?
THE QURAN—OF GOD OR OF MAN?
FOLLOWING APOSTOLIC FOOTSTEPS
TO CYPRUS
©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
Missionary Work Spreads Liberty and Love 291
Do You Have Hearing Ears? 293
Religious Fog and Concealment 296
The Quran—of God or of Man? 297
Following Apostolic Footsteps to Cyprus 301
Dedication to God and Consecration 304
Dedication for Life in the New World 315
Questions from Readers 318
Announcements
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MISSIONARY WORK SPREADS LIBERTY AND LOVE
Gilead's eighteenth class graduates
TWENTY-SIX centuries ago the prophet Isaiah wrote his belief in missionary work in these words: "Say to the prisoners, Go forth." The same Bible writer willingly volunteered himself for such liberating activity wherever needed, saying, "Here am I; send me." (Isa. 49:9; 6:8) Today, in New York state's scenic Finger Lakes region near Ithaca, the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead stands as a modern testimony to this same conviction. Heathen lands in complete darkness to the purposes of the true God are served by its missionary graduates, but activity is not at all limited to these lands. Christendom's self-righteousness merely masks her own pagan beliefs and reveals her spiritual need.
Hence, Jehovah's witnesses train their full-time ministers at Gilead to carry out Christ's command to 'disciple all the nations'. (Matt. 28:19) Who will deny that spreading knowledge of God and love for God and man is most practical in today's strife-torn world? This purpose was made clear at the graduation of Gilead's eighteenth class on February 10, 1952.
By 9 a.m. that Sunday morning the largest crowd ever to attend a wintertime Gilead graduation was seated in four different halls. Activities began when the farm servant and the school's four instructors successively offered their parting counsel and farewells. Then telegrams were read expressing congratulations from Christians
the world over whose thoughts were turned toward Gilead that day. Then N. H. Knorr president of the school and of the Watchtower Society, began his talk on the theme, "Working Together with Him."
Brother Knorr had just returned from an extended service tour in which he had talked with the Society's missionaries in lands as far distant as India. It was evident to observers that he wished to impart something close to his heart, something gained from his intimate contact with the great expansion of true worship being carried on in the world field. In perhaps the most pointed and direct graduation talk in the school's history he proceeded to enlarge on the true minister's unique position as a "substitute" for Christ serving the spiritual needs of persons of good will. Basis for the discussion came from the apostle Paul's letter, Second Corinthians, chapters five and six.
"You have had a most wonderful opportunity to study and equip yourselves," he said, "but are you going to work together with Him? Will you really be a substitute for Christ, to help his sheep reach maturity? What part are you going to play? You may have much knowledge, but if you do not express love from your heart you will not be of any use to the Lord. You will not do any good for the honest people in these other lands."
He continued, showing how greater knowledge might wrongfully bring pride.
"Much responsibility is on you. Much, much more will be expected of you by your brothers in the field. Are you going to take the lead in expressing love?" Sad to relate, some missionary graduates have not, and a contrast was made between them and the many who have, showing that it is possible for pride, haughtiness, or cold, unfeeling indifference to come in and cause one to harm rather than aid the Lord's sheep.
With a strong appeal to all present to carefully study the apostle's letter, especially chapter six, the speaker outlined twenty-eight points listed by Paul as essential to prove one a real, mature minister of Christ. Finally he summarized the essence of his talk by reading the following brief personal note which was found in an envelope handed to each graduate:
"DEAR GRADUATES OF THE EIGHTEENTH CLASS OF GILEAD:
"Today you are considered qualified to engage in educational work and devote your efforts in behalf of permanent peace among all peoples loving righteousness. A great deal is expected of you on the part of your brothers everywhere. They believe that now that you have finished the course at Gilead School you are mature. Your brothers expect you to set a proper example in word and deed. You have the knowledge. You have had the opportunity to make your mind over considerably during the five months of study.
"Will this training reflect itself in your daily actions? Are you going to show love and patience toward your brothers? Are you going to be long-suffering in helping the babies in the truth to grow up? Briefly stated, Are you going to show your maturity in the Lord's organization? 'Of him that has much the more will be required.'
"Never for a moment treat any future assignment in the Lord's organization lightly. There is so much expected of you by your brothers in all parts of the world.
Don't fail them. Show real devotion and sincere love toward all your brothers; and say to those who are still prisoners, 'Go forth.'
"Here is a little gift to help you get started now that you are leaving school. Use it wisely to keep in the work. Plan your affairs to keep really busy in preaching the gospel. Our prayers are for you in this behalf. We love our brothers worldwide, and we want you to share in that love of helping them. Our best wishes go with you.
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY N. H. Knorr, president."
February 10, 1952
Until that morning the students did not know where they would be sent. Imagine, then, the excitement as Brother Knorr called them forward according to missionary assignment groups and announced where each was going! Ninety-five of the ninety-nine graduates received diplomas of scholastic merit and all received assignments which will carry them to twenty-five countries. This class will assist in setting free spiritual captives in the United States, Quebec, Bahamas, Central and South America, parts of Europe and the Near East, India and Africa.
Just before dismissal, a member of the class presented a resolution in which the students acknowledged their new responsibilities and vowed to live up to them to the best of their abilities. This produced response from the large audience. A closing prayer concluded the formal exercises and unleashed the eager throng's pent-up enthusiasm. Future prospects occupied the conversation the remainder of the day. It is a long way from Gilead's peaceful campus to the site of their coming new activities. However, the eighteenth class starts forward well equipped for its task of bidding willing listeners of many lands, "Go forth."
Do You Have Hearing Ears?
TODAY, in 121 lands and isles of the sea, the good news of God's kingdom is being preached. This good news tells that the one true God is Jehovah, that he is from everlasting to everlasting, the fountain of life, and that he is a God of wisdom, justice, love and power. (Ps. 36:9; 62:11; 83:18; 89:14; 90:2; Prov. 2:6,7; 1 John 4:8) It further tells that God's kingdom is now established, and that it soon will end all unrighteousness and usher in a new system of things; a world wherein man will learn war no more, a world wherein every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree with none to molest him or make him afraid; a world without sorrow, pain or crying; a world where, instead of people dying, the dead will be coming back to life. (Mic. 4:3,4; John 5:28,29; Rev. 11:17,18; 21:4) One would think that such good news would set atingling the ears of everyone who hears it. But does it? Far from it! Only a few give ear. Why?
Why do men turn a deaf ear to the good news God is having brought to them? First of all, because of lack of faith. Men refuse to accept the evidence presented by the Bible, and God's other book, the book of nature, showing that God does indeed exist. They are unwilling to accept the vast amount of proof, both circumstantial and direct, that the Bible is inspired, that it is indeed the Word of God. So they fail to benefit from the good news because of their lack of faith.John 17:17; Rom. 1:20; Heb. 4:2.
Others turn a deaf ear to the truth because of not being open-minded, not being willing to take the time to hear the proof that this good news is indeed true. They are unwilling to investigate, to prove all things by God's inspired Word, and so show themselves to be fools by answering a matter before they hear it. They ignore God's invitation to come and reason together. (Prov. 18:13; Isa. 1:18; Acts 17:11) Prejudice, religious or of another form, keeps their ears closed.
The truth also falls upon deaf ears if their owners do not have a love for righteousness. Above all else, the truth of God's Word magnifies the righteousness of God. It tells of a God who is the Preserver of all that is good and right and the Destroyer of all that is wicked. This very ring of justice and righteousness, which so attracts the lovers of righteousness, repels many because, whether they realize it or not, they prefer that which is selfish, unjust and sinful to that which is just and righteous.
Not only does it require faith, a willingness to reason and a love of righteousness to have a hearing ear for the good news of the Kingdom, but it also requires humility. Many reject the good news because of pride. They do not want to be set straight, to be corrected. Even the most ignorant men can be proud, and persons that are proud depend upon themselves for salvation, or else cling to the religious ideas they were previously taught. Putting their trust in human leaders, they do not feel lowly enough to confess that these are wrong, and themselves as well. They are too proud to accept the truth, because it is unpopular because it is not in harmony with popular science and popular religions.
Like Nathaniel, they say, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" but unlike him, they are not willing to "come and see" whether or not these lowly witnesses of Jehovah do have something "good", the truth. Such ignore Jehovah's counsel: "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud; for Jehovah hath spoken."—Jer. 13:15, AS; John 1:46-50.
TICKLING THE ITCHING EARS
Instead of hearing ears, today the vast majority of mankind, inside of Christendom as well as outside of it, have itching ears. Speaking of these the apostle Paul wrote: "For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories."—2 Tim. 4:3, 4, NW.
Among the false stories that the false shepherds tell their flocks, the financiers, the politicians and the common people, are the following: that the political rulers are the "higher powers" of Romans 13:1-4; that the United Nations organization is man's only hope; that it is up to the people to bring in the kingdom of God by means of moral-uplift schemes; that man has an immortal soul; that all good church members will go to heaven at death; that their deity is a mysterious trinity. All of which tickles the ears of the listeners.
On the other hand big business gives financial support to its religious leaders, the politicians give them adulation and prominent seats in their assemblies, and the common people grovel before their shepherds with "Ah, Father!" "Reverend!" and "Rabbi!" and other flattering titles on
their lips. Thus priest and people tickle each other's ears in one great mutual admiration society.Jer. 5:31.
THE HEARING EARS
Men who love righteousness, are humble and have faith are not satisfied with the "false stories" of such shepherds. Their ears will try what they hear to determine whether or not it has the ring of genuine truth from the reliable Source. (Job 34:3) They listen for the voices of the true Shepherds and will respond only to them. Speaking for these sheeplike ones the psalmist says: "Jehovah is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." When they hear his voice they do not close their ears or harden their hearts.—Ps. 95:3,7,8 AS.
These also recognize Christ Jesus as their Shepherd. "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has got all his own out, he travels before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. A stranger they will by no means follow but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."—John 10:3-5,NW.
After having learned to distinguish between the voices of the false shepherds and the voices of the true Shepherds, if we are wise, we will continue to show humility and submissiveness to the true Shepherds. We will not rebel just because what they tell us shows us where we are wrong and reproves us. Rather we will appreciate that all this is necessary to guide us in the pathway of life. We sincerely want to live forever, and that to the glory of God, do we not? Then why despise our life interests by manifesting stubbornness? Let us rather accept with meekness what they tell us and stay wise. "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction [or, correction] despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."—Prov.
15:31, 32.
These wise and loving Shepherds may at times use a human agency to administer a reproof to us. If we have understanding we will not take offense at such a one and avoid him with ill feeling. Not at all! Instead, we will view such a one as an adornment to us. "As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear."—Prov. 25:12.
To accept instruction and reproof includes more than merely giving mental assent to its wisdom. If we fully understand and appreciate the importance of what is brought to our attention we will act upon it, bringing our lives into harmony with it, for hearing also means obeying. Only then can we be considered wise. "Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded upon the rock-mass."—Matt. 7:24, 25, NW.
Whether or not our ears remain open to the reproof and instruction that leads to life depends upon our hearts. "Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge." (Prov. 23:12; 18:15) Unless the good and honest condition of our hearts keeps our powers of audition open and keenly sensitive to the divine Word, our ears will be as if heavy, dull of hearing. Then there will be no ready, interested reception of the divine message, and so no fruit from our hearts.
HEARING MEANS SALVATION FOR US AND OTHERS
To those to whom he sends his message Jehovah says: "Hear, and your soul shall
live." (Isa. 55:3) Here again, more is meant than merely hearing the sound of God's message with our physical ears. It means entertaining the message, accepting it, believing it and obediently acting upon it. If we want God to hear, help and deliver us in times of need and reward us with eventual salvation, we must listen to him now. Those who turn a deaf ear to what God now has to say to them will find him turning a deaf ear to them when they call upon him in adversity. (Prov.1:20-33) "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination."—Prov. 28:9, AS.
The good and honest heart that receives the message must bring forth fruit, and that fruiture can be attained only by preaching. The message of salvation that encounters a hearer must go from the ear to the heart and then to the lips, even as the proverb shows: "Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips." (Prov. 22:17,18) Yes, the truth must make a circuit in us, from ears to heart to lips.
Preach, preach, preach, says God's Word to us hearers. Yes, to gain life not only must we ourselves obediently hear but we must let others hear the truth that leads to life. In all cases obedient hearing precedes salvation. "For 'anyone that calls upon the name of Jehovah will be saved'. However, how will they call upon him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach?" —Rom. 10:13, 14, NW.
So it becomes plain to us how important the work of preaching is. Preaching leads to hearing, and hearing to salvation. For this reason no other activity on earth is more important to humankind than preaching, regardless of how the worldlywise view the matter.
"God saw good through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing."-1 Cor. 1:21,NW.
The situation in the world today invites us to preach, and happy are we if we accept and act upon the invitation. When Paul heard the Macedonian cry for help he promptly responded to the invitation as being from the Lord, and the book of Acts tells of the many privileges and blessings he enjoyed because of his thus responding. Likewise shall we enjoy many privileges if we respond to the invitations coming from countries, lands, states, counties, provinces and territories where there is a need for Kingdom publishers. But we not only have an invitation from these, but God himself commands us: "Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. . . . let them hear, and say, It is truth." Isa. 43:8,9,AS.
And as we respond to the invitation and obey the command to preach let us make sure that we give the message in the language that the people understand, not only in their tongue, but also on their level of intelligence. "For truly, if the bugle sounds an indistinct call, who will get ready for battle? In the same way also, unless you through the tongue utter speech easily understood, how will it be known what is being spoken? You will, in fact, be speaking into the air." (1 Cor. 14:8,9,NW) If we do not want to be speaking into the blank space, we must give the witness to the people in their understood language and in terms they can grasp.
True, in spite of our earnestness, in spite of our efforts to make the truth simple and easily understood, many will turn deaf ears to our message. But what of that? Many also refused to listen to Christ Jesus, the greatest Preacher of all time; and the slave is not better than his Master, is he? (John 6:60; 15:20) Shall the general indifference and unresponsiveness of the people, or shall the divine command, determine what we will do? Jehovah's word to Ezekiel answers: "Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear."—Ezek. 2:7.
While many will refuse to hear and thus show themselves to be worthy of destruction, the Lord's Word assures us that some will hear: "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book." "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. . . . and the tongue of the dumb sing." (Isa. 29:18; 35:5,6) The physical facts show that an ever-increasing number are hearing with understanding, are letting the truth go from their ears into their hearts and come upon their lips. Like the sound of many waters and as the sound of heavy thunders, the voices of this great crowd are saying: "Praise Jah, you people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king." (Rev. 19:5,6,NW) Do you have ears that hear? Then let that which has entered your heart also be upon your lips that others also may hear.
RELIGIOUS FOG AND CONCEALMENT
"When people just broadly approve of 'God,' 'faith,' 'prayer,' etc., it is about as vague as fog, gives no direction to their lives and no fuel for going anywhere." "Rev." George F. Tittman, rector, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Arlington, Va. "As it now functions, the church represents a false God and a false Christ but more tragically it conceals the true God and the true Christ."—"Rev." Dr. Paul T. McClurkin, on resigning from the First Congregational Church, Hadley, Mass.
ACCORDING to orthodox Islam the Quran "is uncreated and eternal [and] was written from the beginning in golden rays on a magnificent tablet in heaven and was communicated to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel . . ." (1942 ed. of Ency. Amer., Vol. 16, under "Koran") In the effort to place the Quran above all else and as equal with God himself, Muslim tradition has a paradox on its hands; for how could the Quran be eternal and uncreated and yet written on a magnificent tablet? Written by whom-if coeternal with God?
In the previous articles of this series we have seen that the giving of the Quran was not accompanied with miracles, as was the case with the giving of the Law and the gospel, and have found the position taken by Muslim scribes that the Quran is a literary miracle to be untenable. We also found that its claim to be confirmatory of previous Scripture was without foundation and that the blame for its failure to do this could not be placed on the Bible but must rest on the Quran. Further, we have seen that the message itself could not be used to prove its divine origin, as above all else divine truth must be consistent with itself, whereas we found much discrepancy in the Quran. All of which argues against the Quran's being of God.
THE BIBLE FORETELLS MUHAMMAD'S WORK?
Among other arguments that Muslim scribes use to prove the inspiration of the Quran is that Muhammad and his work
were foretold in the Bible. According to a footnote on Sura 46:10, Ali, (n.4783) "in the Quran and its Prophet [is found] a true confirmation of the previous scriptures...Islam [being] a fulfillment of the
revelation of Moses himself! (See Deut. xviii, 18-19)"
But how could that be? At Mount Sinai Jehovah told Moses: "I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." Deut. 18:15-19, AS.
Certainly it cannot be justly argued that Muhammad, who was a descendant of Ishmael, was of Moses' brothers. Nor did Muhammad speak in the name of Jehovah God, as did Moses. The fact is that centuries before Muhammad was born the apostle Peter, in addressing the bona fide brothers of Moses, the Jews, applied this text to Christ Jesus, and the facts show that this prophecy does apply to him. Acts 3:20-23.
Another prophecy which Muslim scribes apply to Muhammad is that of Jesus regarding the coming of a "helper" or "comforter". Says Ali, in his footnote comment on Sura 3:81: "In the New Testament as it now exists Muhammad is foretold in the Gospel of St. John 14:16; 15:26; and 16:7. The future Comforter cannot be the Holy Spirit as understood by Christians, because the Holy Spirit already was present, helping and guiding Jesus."
However, note that Jesus said that his going away would make his apostles orphans, but not for long, as the "spirit of truth", the paraclete, the "helper" or "comforter", was to come.
He further told them that they would be baptized with this spirit of truth "not many days after this" and that they were to remain in Jerusalem until this spirit came. Surely all these promises and commands would not make sense if the apostles were to wait six centuries until Muhammad came!
True, the holy spirit was upon Jesus, but it is very apparent that, until it was given to them at Pentecost, without Jesus his apostles were very much like lost children. They went back to their fishing business; they presumed to elect an apostle to take the place of Judas; they had no message for the Jews. With the spirit's outpouring at Pentecost all this changed! From then on the apostles confidently went forward with the work of preaching, making converts by the thousands. (John 21:3; Acts 1:4, 5, 15-26; 2:32-36, 41; 4:4) Clearly such misapplication of Scripture cannot prove the divine origin of the Quran!
THE QURAN PROPHETIC?
In further efforts to prove the Quran inspired Muslim scribes point to its prophetical element. No question about it, such would be strong claim to its divine origin, as the strongest circumstantial evidence that the Bible is indeed God's Word is the fulfillment of its many prophecies. Moses foretold ever so many things regarding Egypt and his people which were fulfilled. (See Exodus chapters 7-14; Leviticus chapter 26; Deuteronomy 17:14, 15; 31:6-8.) Two hundred years in advance Isaiah foretold the deliverance of the Jews from captivity and even gave the name of the one who was to release them, namely Cyrus. (Isa. 44:28; 45:1-7) Jeremiah accurately foretold that the land would lie desolate seventy years. (Jer. 25:11; Dan. 9:2) Daniel correctly foretold the succession of world empires, as well as giving the exact
year that Messiah the prince would come. (Daniel chapters 8 and 9) Upward of thirty outstanding events in the life of Jesus were accurately foretold; and unquestionably Jesus' own prophecy, recorded at Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, is finding its fulfillment today. And all these specific as to details.
But what are the prophecies of the Quran, the fulfillments of which would stamp it as inspired? The foremost one to which Muslim theologians refer is that found at Sura 30:1-3: "The [Roman Empire has been] defeated by a land hard by. But after their defeat they shall defeat their foes in a few years." (Ali; Rodwell) This is taken to foretell the defeat the Romans administered to the Persians some ten years after having been defeated by them. However, any shrewd observer could have hazarded the guess that the Roman Empire would eventually win out. Besides, when the Quran was originally written, no vowel points were used and so the passage could just as well have been translated "they shall be defeated" as "they shall defeat". And this is generally quoted as the foremost example of prophecy in the Quran.
On the other hand, a Quranic prophecy that has signally failed is that Islam will be "victorious over every other religion". (Sura 9:33, Rodwell) Muslims can account for but some 11 per cent of the world's population, whereas Hindus claim 12 per cent, so-called Christians 30 per cent, etc. Islam has engaged in one holy war, Jihad, after another, in obedience to the command: "Fight therefore against them until . . . the only worship be that of God." (Sura 2:189, Rodwell) Yet, even then, Islam has not triumphed, has not been victorious over all other religions. Her armies were stopped in France A.D. 732 by Charles Martel, and at the gates of Vienna for the last time in 1683. So we see that on the basis of the prophetical element the Quran cannot claim divine origin.
INTERESTING PARALLELS
In view of all the foregoing, what alternative is left us as regards the question: "The Quran—of God or of Man?" However, rather than specifically answering this question, let us consider some very interesting parallels that history has recorded between the message of Islam and the customs and beliefs of the people with whom Muhammad came in contact at the end of the sixth and the beginning of the seventh century A.D.
The Quran proclaims that Allah is the one true God, that the faithful will be rewarded after death by being taken to paradise and that the wicked will be punished by torment. It also repeatedly condemns the Arabic practice of burying alive their infant daughters. All this was likewise preached by a group of reformers in Muhammad's native city, Mecca, the Hanifs, with whom he was well acquainted.
The Quran commands the worship of the Kaaba stone, the pilgrimage to Mecca, the fast during the month of Ramadhan, and it also teaches a fatalism regarding the present life. All of this was part of the pagan religion of the Arabs in Muhammad's day.
The Quran's graphic portrayals of heaven and hell; its instructions regarding a kebla or direction in which one should turn when praying; its rules regarding prayer and purification; the idea of the use of balances on the judgment day and of Al Araf or purgatory; the opening prayer of all suras except the ninth, "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful"; its angelism and demonology, all find their close counterparts in the Talmud of Judaism and the Avesta of Zoroastrianism.
The Quran tells of Jesus' speaking as an infant. This account is likewise found in
the apocryphal Gospel of the Infant. It also tells that as a small child Jesus made birds out of clay and caused them to become alive. The same story is found in the Gospel of Thomas, the Israelite, as well as in the Gospel of the Infant. The Quran claims that Jesus was not nailed to a stake, "crucified," and was not put to death at the instance of the Jews (and at the hand of the Romans). This belief was also held by the sect of the "Manichaeans" and others, and is found in certain apocryphal writings, such as the Travels of the Apostles.
The Quran was produced in Arabia. Its appeal is to the preferences and prejudices of the Arabs. Repeatedly it emphasizes the fact that it was sent in pure Arabic and to Arabs. "A book whose verses (signs) are MADE PLAIN—an Arabic Koran, for men of knowledge." (Sura 41:2, Rodwell. See also Sura 12:2; 13:37; 16:105; 42:5, Rodwell.) If the Quran were of God and for the peoples of all languages, what difference would it make what its original language was?
The same may also be said regarding the Quran's prohibition of wine on the one hand and the permission to "marry women of your choice, two, or three or four"; both of which are contradictory to what has been man's experience in the rest of the world regarding what is best for society, although seemingly practical for the inhabitants of the Arabian peninsula.
Finally, note the many interesting parallels between immediate local circumstances and the contents of certain suras. Muhammad's uncle and aunt were most skeptical of Muhammad's claim to be the prophet of Allah. Sura 111 is devoted to pronouncing a curse on them. As Islam grew in strength and engaged in wars for booty or conquest we find suras such as Nos.2,3,8,etc., containing admonition to engage in war, rebuke for those failing to do so, and explanations for the outcome of certain battles.
An unpleasant rumor involved Muhammad's favorite wife, Ayesha, in an affair with a young Muslim warrior. Sura 24 deals with this incident and condemns the scandalmongers. Muhammad was perplexed about marrying the divorced wife of his adopted son Zaid. Sura 33 grants him an exception so that he can marry her even though among the Arabs an adopted son was considered the same as one's natural son and the Quran had forbidden the wife of one ever to become the wife of another. In another instance one of Muhammad's wives had discovered him in her apartment with his Coptic concubine. This caused such a furor among his wives that Muhammad voluntarily denied himself having any relations with this concubine. Sura 66 assures him that he need not consider the objections of his wives in regard to his relations with the dusky Coptic concubine.
Yet all this, we are gravely assured, existed coeternal with God himself, in his presence, awaiting the time when need would cause the angel Gabriel to bring it down and transmit it to Muhammad! Could credulity be stretched any farther?
So what is our conclusion? This: Without a doubt the religion which Muhammad brought his countrymen in the Quran and forced them to accept was far superior to that which most of them were practicing; and without a doubt Muhammad started out fully convinced that he had a message from God (Allah) for the people of his day. Nevertheless his message did not come from God. It may not altogether have had human sources; his fear that the voices he heard were those of evil spirits, wicked Jinns, may have been closer to the truth than his wife's assurances that these were those of good spirits.
Nor should this surprise us, for the Bible tells us that "Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light" and that as the "god of this system of things [he] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through". 2 Cor.11:14; 4:4,NW.
Does such an observation seem too severe? Then ask: Is it reasonable to conclude that after Jehovah God used Christ Jesus to bring in a system of things far superior to the law arrangement under Moses, seven centuries later he would use Muhammad to go back to Moses and ever farther with ceremonial cleansings, fasts, prohibition of certain foods, not to say anything about the worship of the Kaaba? Jer. 31:31-34; Matt. 5:21-48; Heb. chaps. 9,10.
In one respect, however, Muhammad set a good example for all to follow. Under the conviction that his message was true he proclaimed it, although, for some years at least, it made him very unpopular, subjected him to ridicule, severe punishment and even caused his life to be threatened. And regarding the cardinal doctrine of the Quran, that there is but one true God, he did not change.
The Bible tells us: "Come . . . let us reason together." (Isa. 1:18) And we are also admonished: "Buy the truth, and sell it not." (Prov. 23:23) To arrive at the truth we must be willing to reason on the facts presented and be willing to pay the price for it, for the truth is no more popular today than it was in times past. Check the foregoing arguments by the Quran, the Bible and the facts of history, and then be convinced in your own mind as to which book is the divine revelation. Be willing to receive instruction as to what constitutes divine truth and what God requires of those who would gain salvation, eternal life in happiness. And then act accordingly.
Following Apostolic footsteps to CYPRUS
Continuing the report by the Society's president of his recent extended service tour. The last installment left N.H.Knorr and his secretary as they prepared to leave Turkey for Cyprus.
CHRISTIANS have long thrilled to the Scriptural accounts of the exploits of Paul, Barnabas and others of the early Christian church. It is a pleasure to relate from personal experience that their labors were not at all in vain. Even today in the very lands where these men lived and worked, true Christianity goes forward successfully. True, it is hemmed in by opposition from some of the fraudulent unchristian imitations that plague the work of Christians elsewhere, but this does not deter the true ministers of God.
Upon our arrival in Cyprus after an air journey southward across Turkey, Brother Henschel and I recollected how Paul and Barnabas had sailed to Salamis, an ancient city on the east coast, and how Paul had crossed the island to the city of Paphos where he talked to the governor of the island and converted him to Christianity. (Acts 13:4-12) This, our first visit to Cyprus, was to be highlighted by a large Christian assembly which the brothers there had arranged in the island's walled capital city, Nicosia. The Royal Cinema, a modern theater in the residential section, was booked for three days and the city's most prominent theater, the Pallas Cinema, for the public talk Sunday morning. According to Cyprus law, a permit was secured from the town's commissioner, a measure necessary there for religious meetings held outside churches.
An extensive effort was made to properly advertise the assembly to Nicosia's 50,-
000 inhabitants. Four large banners were prepared in both English and Greek and mounted on the side of the Royal Cinema. There were 25,000 handbills and 200 posters printed in Greek and English. Advertisements concerning the public meeting were flashed on the screens in the largest cinemas. One English, three Greek and two Turkish newspapers carried announcements of the talk, "Will Religion Meet the World Crisis?" The island's leading Communist newspaper and the leading nationalist newspaper, both published in Greek, refused to insert the advertisements. The Communists said it was against their party line, and the nationalists said they must first have the approval of the archbishop. We did not need their publicity anyway, because when Jehovah's witnesses got in town and started talking and going from door to door, an even greater witness would be given.
Almost at once this activity produced a division in the populace when intolerant opposers, overanxious to prevent others from hearing, tore down many of the posters. We learned of other instances of groundless opposition to the truth. Children of Jehovah's witnesses living in the villages are subject to expulsion from school for their refusal to make the "sign of the cross". Priests use their influence against those who show interest in our work, trying to have them fired from their employment. However, such tactics are not stumbling real truth seekers.
APPEALING SCENERY, HISTORIC LANDMARKS
On a journey to visit the Society's branch office and missionary home at Famagusta, we had opportunity to view part of the scenic countryside. To the one side the horizon was fringed with snow-capped mountains, and to the other lay a rocky, almost treeless plain. The shepherds and their fat-tailed sheep moved across the scene. Oxen were pulling wooden plows. Heavily laden camels were on their way to the capital. A commoner sight was the humble peasant arrayed in baggy trousers, a turbanlike head covering and sitting astride the famous Cyprus donkey. We passed through several Greek and Turkish villages with their houses made from bricks of mud and straw dried in the sun. A few were plastered over on the outside, but most of them were the color of the earth around them. Near Famagusta the landscape becomes greener.
After finishing our work at the branch home, our ride back to the capital took us by the ancient town of Chittim, famous for its ships in Bible times. In the distance we saw the "Mountain of the Cross" where a Greek Orthodox monastery is perched on the summit. Tradition holds that a relative of Emperor Constantine visited the island, bringing with her a piece of the "cross" which she left on the mountain, thus giving it its name. Monasteries are plentiful in Cyprus, and it should be added that they are great landowners, renting land to the poor farmers and adding to their poverty by their collections. Another interesting landmark is the conical-shaped hill where it is said the ancient worship of Aphrodite (Latin: Venus), goddess of love and beauty, was carried on. According to the legend of the island, Aphrodite was born off the foam of the sea near Paphos. It is said that her worship had its origin in Cyprus, and excavations show that she was worshiped extensively throughout the island.
The assembly opened the following day. Everyone thrilled to the talks presented and rejoiced too in the telegrams received from London and Australia. No sign of trouble appeared during the opening sessions, but the opposers of truth and free worship became evident on the next day, Saturday.
FALSE RELIGION INSPIRES MOB ACTION
The false religionists became very much disturbed when nearly 200 brothers and sisters began advertising the public lecture by means of placards. During the day no serious disturbance occurred. On Saturday evening, however, we learned how the Greek Hierarchy really felt. Young men attached to the Greek Orthodox Church were out on the streets with leaflets "exposing" Jehovah's witnesses. Their printed material was headed: "ATTENTION, KEEP AWAY FROM THE MILLENNIALISTS." Part of the leaflet's contents follows:
"Again the men of error have arisen and try to draw you away. They can never be reformed and are unrepentant. But they also never get tired of advertising their false ideas. They are the famous Millennialists. They are the ones who call themselves 'Jehovah's witnesses'.
"Be careful lest they draw you away. Close your ears to their nonsense.
"Do you see? They have invited a stranger also to uphold them. . . .
"They are wolves in sheep's clothing who come to devour the sensible sheep of Christ. For this reason drive them away and tear in front of them the books and leaflets which they offer you.
"The Millennialists are the greatest heretics.
"Do not approach them, don't give them any attention. Ignore them, maybe they will come to their senses and be corrected.
From THE HOLY ARCHBISHOPRIC"
12.1951 That very night the hoodlums inspired by this spiteful source cut down the four banners advertising the public talk and took them away.
The brothers prepared at once for further trouble.
The police too, on hand throughout the assembly, were out in good numbers when the public lecture began at 10:30 Sunday morning. As anticipated, a mob of ruffians mingled with the crowds and tried to gain admission. However, the brothers recognized them from previous occasions and prevented all but a handful from getting in. These few that did get into the hall were not bold enough to cause any trouble. Outside, the frustrated mobsters banged on the doors. The police quickly halted this. But they could not prevent the troublemakers from milling about. Some tried to sneak in singly with others of the public, but they were always ferreted out. Shortly after the talk began there were 420 persons present inside, including a large number of strangers. They listened attentively and were happy to receive a free booklet at the close of the meeting.
On learning that the meeting had concluded, the mob of Greek Orthodox fanatics, whose activities had evidently been instigated by "The Holy Archbishopric", crowded into the arcade or entranceway. Apparently their scheme was to force the exiting crowds to mill through their midst. The brothers, seeing the situation, opened other exits at the side and in a few minutes all the audience was out on the streets. Whatever the mob had planned was thus put to nought; in fact, everyone was out of the theater before the mob in front of the place knew what had happened. The brothers rejoiced in this victory for theocratic worship.
APOSTLE'S PLANTING REAPS INCREASE
the termination of our joyful visit to Cyprus. It would be fitting to mention that on our way from Famagusta back to the capital before the assembly, we had made a point to stop at the ruins of ancient Salamis visited by the apostle Paul. While there, our minds went back to the time when that energetic traveling missionary preached the message there that Jehovah's spirit had directed. His work, like that of God's modern-day witnesses, centered on declaring Jehovah's supremacy and purposes. Some heard and accepted then, while others opposed. Still, the good news of the Kingdom fell on much fertile ground and other ministers took up the work.
The assembly's closing sessions that afternoon passed quickly and brought near
How would Paul feel if he could visit the Kingdom publishers in Cyprus today? Five years ago, when the Society sent its first missionary, there were but 33 publishers in the entire island. In 1951 the report showed an average of 272 active in the work, with a peak of 337! They had realized a 33 per cent increase in 1950. Typical of their energy and zeal is the elderly pioneer minister who has been in the full-time service for fifteen years and says he has visited all but three cities and villages on the island. There is reason for confidence that the 450,000 "Cypriotes", as the islanders are called, will receive a thorough witness concerning the Kingdom. Paul's planting work was not wasted.
A large turnout of the brothers, anxious to send their love and best wishes to their companion Kingdom publishers in other parts of the world, was on hand to watch us board our plane. The growth of technical science since Paul's day made possible a much quicker and easier departure from the island for us than was possible for him. But as respects the work of preaching Jehovah's kingdom, only in this, as well as in the growth and maturity of the true Christian worship, have conditions changed in Cyprus since that time.
Dedication to God and Consecration
YOU are being marked today in your forehead or in your right hand. No matter whether you are man or
"Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."—Ps. 40:7,8.
woman, boy or girl, white or colored, you are no exception. It is your mark of destiny, and your opportunity for life in a clean, righteous new world depends upon it. We are living in the days of the fulfillment of strange prophecies, and it is this fact that makes it appropriate to speak of a symbolic mark on the forehead or hand.
2 The aged exile on the prison isle of Patmos saw a gathering of 144,000 on top of Mount Zion around their King and they all had their Father's name written in their foreheads. Due to this fact it is said: "They will rule as kings for ever and ever." (Rev. 14:1,3; 22:4,5,NW) This same exile saw in his series of visions the formation of an "image of the wild beast" in these postwar years and the people everywhere being put under compulsion to worship it and thus to receive a "mark in their right hand or upon their forehead, and that nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name". Woe for such marked ones! They are destined to "drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath".—Rev. 13:15-17; 14:9,10,NW.
3 Seven centuries earlier another exile, a Hebrew prophet at Babylon, saw the prototypes of the detestable things today being done in Christendom, dooming her
and her worshipers to destruction. However, a man, a scribe clothed in linen, saved the day for some few men, women
and children. He went on ahead and set a mark on their foreheads that they might be spared by the six executioners with slaughter weapons who closely followed him with divine orders to cut down every unmarked person, old man, young man, maid, little child and woman, in front of their temple or anywhere else in the city. (Ezek. 9:1-7) Today you, yes, you, come without fail within the purview of one or other of these prophecies. So, how are you being marked, for life or for death? See that it is for life.
4 To this present time sectarian marks are put upon the foreheads, arms, or other parts of the body among the Hindus and other devotees in India. By this mark it is plainly shown who is a follower of the god Vishnu, who of Siva, who of Brahma, and who of some other of the multitude of gods. It is an old custom for the worshipers of particular idols to have their idol's mark upon a part of the body plainly seen. In Bible times it was also customary to set marks on servants and slaves, to distinguish them from others. Now, you may not mark yourself or submit yourself to being marked with such a literal mark on your person, but, just the same, you cannot escape being marked in the Bible sense to a certain destiny. To God, the Judge of your destiny, this mark is just as plainly visible and decipherable as was the mark he set or prescribed for Cain lest anybody should take the law in his own hands and kill him as a murderer of Abel.
(Gen. 4:15) Because it is popular and finds favor with the mighty ones in power in this world, you may be proud of the mark you now wear. It may win you approval, privileges and advancement in this world, but it may doom you to destruction in the eyes of the Supreme One who determines the fate of the nations and governments of this world. To be marked in the way that he approves means life for you. It opens up the way for you to survive through the coming world catastrophe of Armageddon into the new world which he creates.
5 How can you and the rest of us be marked to a destiny of a prosperous life in the righteous new world? It is by being the slaves, the devoted servants, of the God of the new world. It is by having the identification mark which unmistakably shows everybody we meet that we belong to the Most High God, whose name alone is Jehovah. (Ps. 83:18) His great adversary is the "god of this system of things", whose name is Satan the Devil, so that if you are serving the cause of this selfish, corrupt old world you are serving its god. (2 Cor. 4:4, NW; John 12:31) Our choice
must be between these two opposing gods, the mighty god of this old world and the Almighty God of the everlasting new world. Whose service is bound to pay the best wages, to afford the worth-while reward? Why, of course, that of the living and true God, Jehovah, who will destroy the adversary god and his old world and permanently establish the new. Deciding to be marked for life in that new world, it is now urgent upon us to devote ourselves to Jehovah God and belong to him. How? By dedicating ourselves to him through his Son and High Priest, Jesus Christ. There is now no other way to approach God and be introduced into his service.
God's Son and High Priest is the One whom the spirit of prophecy had in view when it caused the psalmist David to pen the words quoted at the head of this article. David, of the tribe of Judah and king of Jerusalem, was speaking there, not of his own coming to do God's will, but of his descendant who would become High Priest as well as King and so be David's Lord, namely, Jesus Christ. King David and all Israel needed to have such a High Priest come. They lived under the old covenant which Jehovah God had made with the nation of Israel through the prophet Moses. That covenant appointed the male members of the family of Aaron, Moses' brother, to be the priests for the nation. The rest of the men in the tribe of Levi were officially called Levites and were appointed to serve the Aaronic priesthood. They regularly offered animal sacrifices
and the blood of bulls and of goats for the sins of the nation of Israel so as to keep them in the law covenant with God.
7 None of those Jewish high priests could offer to God a perfect human sacrifice able to cancel mankind's debt to God, because all the Jewish priests were sinful and imper-
How may we be marked to a destiny of life in the new world?
Whom did Psalm 40:7,8 have in view, and whom did the law covenant make priests for the nation of Israel?
Why were the Jewish priests unsatisfactory, and how was the suitable high priest raised up?
fect, being descendants from the original human sinners Adam and Eve. Only the one who offered such a perfect sacrifice could become God's true High Priest. Only a miracle could bring about the humanly impossible. So God sent his Son in human form into this world. He did not come in the tribe of Levi and in the family of Aaron, but in David's royal tribe of Judah. Since the old law covenant did not provide a satisfactory high priest in the family of Aaron the Levite, God raised up his acceptable High Priest in the royal line of David to present his own perfect human body as a sacrifice to God. By means of this suitable sacrifice his High Priest could act as mediator between God and men to establish a new covenant, using his own blood as the means by which to put the new covenant into force and give it the power to bring about true, permanent forgiveness of human sins. Explaining how the new High Priest Jesus Christ entered upon this life-saving work, the apostle Paul quotes from David's psalm and goes on to say:
"It is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take sins away. Hence when he comes into the world he says: 'You did not desire sacrifice and offering, but you prepared a body for me. You did not approve of whole burnt-offerings and sin offering." Then I said, "Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do your will, O God." After first saying, 'You did not desire nor did you approve of sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt-offerings and sin offering'- sacrifices which are offered according to the Law—then he actually says, 'Look! I am come to do your will.' He does away with what is first that he may establish what is second. By the said 'will' we have been sanctified through the offering of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all time." Heb. 10:4-10, NW; Ps. 40:6-8, LXX.
THE COURSE FOR US TO IMITATE
Now, what shall we call the step which Jesus there took in coming to do God's will in the body which God had prepared for him to use on earth? Well, by birth as a Jew Jesus already belonged to a nation holy to God, being God's chosen people, the descendants of his ancient friend Abraham. Also as a forty-day-old babe Jesus was presented to Jehovah God at his temple because he was Mary's firstborn son. The record on this reads: "Also when the days for purifying them according to the law of Moses came to the full, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to Jehovah, just as it is written in Jehovah's law, 'Every male opening a womb must be called holy to Jehovah,' and to offer sacrifice according to what is said in the law of Jehovah, 'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.'" (Luke 2:22-24, NW) Regarding his very birth the angel who announced it to Mary said: "Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God's Son." (Luke 1:35, NW) Jesus was holy and devoted to God by virtue of all these things. So what could we call his stepping out to do God's will as written down in the roll of the book, the inspired Hebrew Scriptures? It was his presenting himself for divine service, and it required determination on his part. It was thus a dedication of himself to do whatever proved to be God's will from then on.
10 For many years it has been customary to speak of this as Jesus' consecration of himself to God. According to the broad
What does Hebrews 10:4-10 have to say about his coming?
How was Jesus already holy at the time of such coming, and so what should we call his stepping out thus to do God's will?
10, 11. How did we use to speak of this step on Jesus' part, and what place does that word or term occupy in the Christian Scriptures?
general sense in which the words "consecration" and "consecrate" are used in English today, this expression might pass. But it confuses matters in the Bible, as the Bible does not speak of it this way. It hides and takes away from what the Bible more specifically speaks of as consecrating or consecration. In the Christian Greek Scriptures of the Bible, according to the English King James Version, the
crate" and "consecration" where the former American Standard Version said "sanctify" and "sanctification". However, both these modern versions still use the word "saints" instead of "consecrated ones". From all this we can see that in all Bible versions the word "consecrate" is kept for something else than our initial step toward doing God's will.
word "consecrate" is a rare word, occurring only twice, as follows: "For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." (Heb. 7:28) "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh."—Heb. 10:20.
11 The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures does not contain the word "consecrate" at all in its main text, and hence the word is not used
NOT SELF-CONSECRATED
12 In proof of this we now ask, Did Jesus make himself God's High Priest to offer sacrifice as Aaron did and to rule as the ancient priest Melchizedek the king of Salem did? The Scriptures themselves answer No. That was not Jesus' privilege, even though he was God's holy Son. Hebrews 5:1-6 (NW) declares: "Every high priest taken from among men is appointed in behalf of men over the things pertaining to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. . . Also a man takes
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