The Watchtower, March 1, 1953
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
MARCH 1, 1953
Semimonthly
THE WORLD'S INTEGRITY
ON THE WANE
WHY THE STRUGGLE TO
KEEP INTEGRITY?
INTEGRITY LEADS TO LIFE
MEMORIALIZING CHRIST'S DEATH
DID CHRIST INSTITUTE THE MASS?
©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".
ပြီး
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
The World's Integrity on the Wane
Why the Struggle to Keep Integrity?
Integrity Leads to Life
Indifference and Contempt for Religion
Organizing for Increase in Liberia
Never Heard of Bible or God
Keeping the Flock Clean
Memorializing Christ's Death
Did Christ Institute the Mass?
Questions from Readers
Announcements
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 Trans. (2nd Ed.)
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
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THE WORLD'S INTEGRITY ON THE WANE
IN AMERICA, as well as in other parts of the world, graft and charges of corruption, government scandals of all kinds, have been spoken of almost daily in the public press. Many people appear to be completely indifferent toward it all. Little do they realize that our generation faces the greatest crisis of all time. True, in past times there have been some corrupt rulers and men, but today the position has grown much worse. Upon our generation they are pinning the labels: Lack of Integrity in Public Life, Breakdown of Morals, The Twilight of Honor. At all levels of the government, from the top right on down to the smallest employee, there appears to be a shocking lack of integrity. Harry S. Truman, the expresident of the United States, was surrounded by men friendly with corrupt men. Members of his cabinet came close to the spotlight of corruption. Congressmen were sent to prison for law violation.
2 We can go right down the list. In the judicial department during our generation men have been found who were not men of integrity. We find corruption in federal agencies, in state and civil administrations. Police and firemen brazenly accept bribes and shake down businessmen, allowing all forms of gambling and vice to be carried on. The evils flourish. Tax collectors accept what they call "gifts" from certain people, in this way amassing considerable fortunes. Immigration inspectors victimize immigrants coming to the United States. Yes, men in office, high and low, wherever you find them, take oaths of office to be loyal to their governments, to obey the laws of the land and uphold them, but many do this insincerely, with mental reservations. One of the most profitable items that is for sale in Washington is "influence", knowing someone in public office. In this way people who are not honest and upright clear their records and keep going, escaping punishment. The agencies that have been set up to preserve order and prevent wrongdoing, these too are found of questionable integrity. The highly touted FBI, the Department of Justice, and, yes, the patrolman on his beat, they all come in for scrutiny and questioning in the minds of the people.
In the New York Times of March 3, 1952, this dispatch appeared: "Representative Kenneth B. Keating, Republican of New York, disclosed today that House investigators have uncovered cases where the Justice Department has 'whitewashed' criminal charges brought against 'influential or politically powerful figures.' There are some cases, he said, 'where the motions have been gone through to prosecute but it was actually whitewashed, or where ridiculous settlements have been made with influential or politically powerful figures.' Other cases, he added, have not been properly prosecuted 'where persons connected with the administration of justice have received outside income from sources which would interfere with the performance of their duty.'
"
4 A similar report appeared in the New York Herald Tribune on July 20,1952: "Rep. Kenneth B. Keating . . . said tonight House corruption hunters will soon reveal new 'connections' between Democratic leaders and handling of Justice Department cases. He also predicted in an interview that more top Justice Department officials will quit or be dismissed in the near future. . . Attorney General J. Howard McGrath, three Assistant Attorney Generals and half a dozen other
officials have quit or been ousted since the committee began its inquiry. . Rep. Keating said he believes there was 'a definite connection between the political contributions and the failure to prosecute.'"
5 Commenting on the firing of the government's corruption investigator, Newbold Morris, and the ousting of the
attorney general, J. Howard McGrath, in the April 12, 1952, issue, The Nation said, in part: "Nor should a permanent law-enforcement agency like the FBI be assigned the job of investigating corruption in either branch of the government. The FBI must seek appropriations from Congress; moreover, it is conceivable that some corruption might be found in the Bureau itself, not to mention the department to which it belongs. Presumably it was with these thoughts in mind that Truman approved the appointment of Morris as an independent investigator. But the President had not reckoned with J. Edgar Hoover. It is now clear that
from the first Hoover wanted his FBI to participate in any investigation and at the same time to be itself immune from investigation."
The Nation then goes on to show how it was that three senators aided J. Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI, who saw to it that the investigation into corruption in government offices "has been blocked".
And so the politicians go on selling jobs, accepting gifts and favors from people doing business with the government, and peddling influence at high prices. Their dominant idea seems to be that anything is all right if you can get away
it without getting caught. This shocking lack of integrity is not limited to the United States. It is present in every part of the world. In Latin America or the Middle East, in Europe or the Far East, wherever you go you will
find some men ready to handle bribes, deal in corruption and tell lies for a price, and to sell influence. Many who get away with things are often regarded as great
men. On the other hand, there was Adolf Hitler, a man who did not know the meaning of integrity, who went back on his treaties of friendship and mutual aid, who lied about not attacking his neighboring countries. He might have been hailed as a master strategist and diplomat if he had won his battles; but he was one who got caught. It is too bad so few get caught.
8 Does this shocking lack of integrity exist only among those who go to make up the governments and the ruling bodies? Fraud, dishonesty, stealing, coveting, murder, these things fill the pages of the daily newspapers. Even the students of the schools, the coming generation, have not escaped from the moral decay that has struck the world.
Athletes take pay to throw games.Worse than this is the mental attitude of the students who cheat in their classroom tests.At the United States Military Academy,the training ground for the men who are charged with the defense of the United States,ninety cadets were caught cheating in examinations.
Turn to the high schools, the younger people of the nation. In the New York Times, April 9, 1952, appeared a report of a meeting at Stamford, Connecticut, of about a hundred students of the Stamford and Greenwich high schools. It said: "As long as there is corruption and cheating in the government the average high school student does not see why he should not do the same thing, members of student panels reported here today. The undergraduates agreed that 80 per cent cheat often, 10 per cent 'as often as they can', and 10 per cent rarely or hardly ever. One student said that a nation-wide survey had shown that only 1 per cent never cheated at all."
10 Yes, in every walk of life, from the high politicians down to the children in the schools, the system of life has drifted to expediency, that is, the doing of what promises to be of use rather than what is right. Because America has ascended to its position of world leadership, we find many smaller nations of the world looking to America for leadership. But what do they see? When they want to imitate America, thinking they can gain success, they find that America seems to be abandoning the outward appearance of Christianity, and, like ancient Rome, it heads for the moral decay that brings ruin.
11 One of New York's leading clergymen recently said: "Unless we have a finer type of citizen, we are heading for a crash. Our prime need is integrity—men . . . whose moral sense is sound."
12 The churches of America—and they do exercise considerable influence among the people—claim the responsibility for upholding the morals of the people, teaching them the principles of God, of righteousness. But the program they have followed and are even now pursuing is not producing true Christians. That may seem like a strong statement, but it was admitted recently by the president of the National Lutheran Council to a Council meeting at Atlantic City, New Jersey. He said: "Disclosures of 'fraud and dishonesty' in American life are indications the Church has failed in its task of Christianizing the nation."—New York Herald Tribune, January 30, 1952.
13 Men are failing to keep integrity to each other; they fail to keep integrity to their government; they fail to keep their word; and, yes, they are failing to keep integrity to Almighty God. Then we ask, Under these distressing conditions and in these evil days, should we expect people to keep integrity and tell the truth? The influence for wrongdoing is so powerful. The rulers of the people have set such a bad example. The sensational press and the entertainment world also contribute a share to the moral breakdown. Indeed, nowadays honest men, men who will not accept something for doing wrong, are regarded by many as fools. They seem to think everybody should get everything he can for himself, no matter how he acquires it. They say 'you are a fool for not getting in on the "fun" or for not getting on the "gravy train" of graft'. Some men even undergo great persecution just because they do what is right.
14 Well, is it possible for men to live in integrity to God? What future is there for the youth of our day who seek righteousness? Is there any hope that righteousness can triumph?
WHY THE STRUGGLE to KEEP INTEGRITY?
"Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool." "Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity."—Prov. 19:1; Job 31:6.
THE perilous conditions and the lack of integrity that now prevail throughout all the world are not accidental. They are part of a planned campaign to ruin the human race. Whose campaign? you ask. We must go back in history many years to find the answer. Out of the past we read a prophecy of what will happen to the first one who broke integrity. The Bible tells the story. The record is found in Ezekiel 28:13-18 (AS):
2 "Thou wast in Eden, the garden of God. . . Thou wast the anointed cherub that covereth: and I set thee, so that thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till unrighteousness was found in thee. By the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore have I cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God; and I have destroyed thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I have cast thee to the ground; I have laid thee before kings, that they may behold thee. By the multitude of thine iniquities, in the unrighteousness of thy traffic, thou hast profaned thy sanctuaries; therefore
have I brought forth a fire from the midst of thee; it hath devoured thee, and I have turned thee to ashes."
These words were addressed to the king of Tyrus but are prophetic of the one we now know as Satan the Devil. He was originally the covering cherub in the garden of Eden. God gave him a sacred trust. He placed him with authority over man so that he could look out for the needs of mankind and provide for the things they would want. The covering cherub, however, did not keep integrity to this sacred trust. He thought too much of himself, as the Scriptures show. Iniquity was found in him. He thought he should have the worship that was going to Almighty God, Jehovah, the Creator. So he rebelled and began carrying on wickedness, seeking to turn all creatures away from God and to himself. He succeeded in causing mankind to disobey. Adam and Eve were the first humans. They were also the first ones on the earth to break integrity to God. From that time forward every human creature that has lived has had the challenge of whether or not he can maintain his integrity to God.—Genesis 3.
4 Satan is a force for evil let loose in the earth and heavens and by his evil act he raised an issue, and that issue is: Who is supreme? He is trying to put over his idea that he can get all creatures on earth to worship him, and that God cannot have creatures on the earth who will be faithful to him, who will serve him, even under a test.
The question is, Can Jehovah carry out his original purpose to populate the earth with righteous creatures? So the great issue has come to be one of integrity. Though Satan was disempowered by God, though he was taken away from his position as the covering cherub, cast out legally, still he was not banished from being present in this world. God set a time; he allowed time for the Devil to try to prove the evil challenge. And so Satan has since that time exercised influence over humans and over the development of their civilization.
We have the key to the understanding of this in the book of Job in the Bible. In Job 1:6-12 (Mo) we read: "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Eternal [Jehovah, AS], and among them the Adversary [Satan, AS]. 'Where have you been?' said the Eternal to the Adversary; and the Adversary answered, 'Roaming here and there, roving about the earth.' Then the Eternal said to the Adversary, 'Have you noticed that there is no one like my servant [Job] on earth, a blameless and an upright man, who reverences God and shuns evil?' The Adversary answered, 'But is it for nothing that [Job] reverences God? Have you not hedged him safely in, his house and all he has? You have prospered him in his business, and his flocks are teeming on the land. Only put out your hand, touch whatever he possesses, and see if he will not curse you to your face!' Then said the Eternal to the Adversary, 'There! I leave all he has within your power; but lay no hand upon the man himself.' So away went the Adversary from the presence of the Eternal." This account in the
Scriptures shows clearly that Satan the Devil has earthly interests. At that time he was down dealing with fallen mankind, roaming about the earth. He was the invisible overlord. He had creatures that were serving him. He organized these creatures into different forms of government. Yes, today he has domination over all the governments of the earth. This program he began with Babylon in Nimrod's time, and the Scriptures tell us he is the "god of this system of things". 2 Cor. 4:4, NW.
The conversation recorded in the book of Job between Jehovah God and Satan shows that Jehovah God maintained his position as the all-powerful One, the Creator. Satan was not able to do anything he wanted to Job, because of the hedge of protection Jehovah put there. God was still in charge and God was going to have this issue settled. God was going to magnify his name throughout all the earth. That is why he did not demonstrate his supreme power immediately by killing Satan, but allowed him to remain. (Ex. 9:16, Mo) From the time of Adam and Eve forward the test of integrity has been going on. Each human creature has been in effect choosing life or death. Adam and Eve broke integrity to God. Their choice, then, was death. History shows that they died.—Gen. 5:5.
Job was a man of devotion to God and he is an outstanding case of a person who maintained integrity to God under the test. When Jehovah removed the hedge of protection he placed around Job, Job took great losses. He suffered the loss of his livestock; some by storm, others were stolen. He lost his servants, who were slain by marauders. His children, seven sons and three daughters, were feasting together and a storm was brought on that destroyed their house and they perished.
All Job's wealth and all his possessions were gone. Yet no personal harm had come to him.-Job 1:13-19.
8 The record in Job goes on and says in the second chapter: "Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God
came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah. . . And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright
to break his integrity and to discourage him by telling him to renounce God and die. Certainly such was a very great trial. Then on the scene came three of his so-called friends. They did not comfort him either. They began accusing him of all kinds of wrongdoing. Job endured through all these trials that came upon him personally. He kept his integrity. We find his
man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face. And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die."—Job 2:1-9, AS.
There he was put to a personal test. He was suffering pain and discomfort. Satan used Job's wife to try to cause him
words in Job 27:5, "Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me."
10 Yes, he never wavered in faith and devotion to Jehovah for one minute. Jehovah preserved his life. Jehovah did not let the Devil put him to death. But here he
made a record that stands to this day. The record shows that Jehovah blessed Job for his integrity. In Job 42:10,12 (AS) it says: "And Jehovah turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: and Jehovah gave Job twice as much as he had before. So Jehovah blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning."
11 Some people might contend this was a very cruel thing Jehovah did, to allow this man, a good man, to suffer so much. But is that true? Certainly not. It was not Jehovah God who put him to the test. Jehovah God was not responsible for the suffering that came upon him. God did allow it and Job benefited by it. We see that he ended his experience with more than he had in the beginning. He gained because he was in favor with God, a proved and tested servant of Jehovah, and the Bible speaks well of him, which assures him of a resurrection in God's new world of righteousness.
12 Satan, the cruel one, brought about this suffering. It should be known through this record that he is the one who brings all the trials and suffering upon all the creatures that are on the earth today. We gain by this record, by what Job went through, because we have this record for our own use to help us appreciate the real issue. If we do not understand the great issue between Jehovah God and Satan, the issue of supremacy, we are not able to understand the Bible. It helps us too to see how we should maintain integrity and shows the result to those who keep integrity.
EXAMPLES
13 Can we expect that all the people who live on the earth must go through a test as severe as Job's in order to gain Jehovah's favor and gain life? No, not that; but whatever the test that comes upon us, we must maintain our integrity
if we are to gain life. We must endure in complete faithfulness to the Most High God. Matt. 10:22.
14 In Hebrews 11 we find a list of faithful men who endured. These men kept integrity that they might obtain "resurrection", that they might gain
man of great faith, who worshiped God and kept his integrity, giving a proper sacrifice to God. Because of his faith and because of his worship of God he was murdered by his brother. He kept his integrity right down to his death.—Gen. 4:3-11.
life. Not all of them had the same trials, but all of them did maintain their integrity. Let us see what some of these men did. 15 The first one mentioned is Abel, a
16 It mentions also other men who lived before the flood, Enoch and Noah. These men lived in the midst of evil men and were highly outnumbered. They were surrounded by influences for the doing of wickedness, but they stood firm in faith and blamelessness. Enoch was one of God's prophets and bore witness for Jehovah. God took Enoch away, preserved him, protected him from harm and hurt from those wicked men around him.—Gen. 5:18-24; Jude 14.
17 Noah followed in God's way and believed what God had said to him. He showed his faith in it by constructing an ark, although there had never been rain upon the earth since man's creation. (Gen. 2:5,6) Probably he was continually reproached and scoffed at by the people of his day, maybe even persecuted for this, but yet he maintained his integrity to God, and because he did so he was one who survived through the flood and still had his life when the ark settled back on the earth. Noah was
a preacher of righteousness.—Genesis 6 to 9;2 Pet.2:5.
18 Then we read of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men who endured in faith outside their home country. Abraham was sent by God to a strange country and he did not think to return to his own country where he could enjoy comforts.
Because God had told him to do it, he went out into that strange place. There he raised his family. When God told him to offer his son, he was willing to part with that treasured one because it was God's will. Abraham fought against unrighteousness. He always worshiped the living God. He taught God's worship to his son, Isaac, and Isaac was faithful in co-operating with his father in serving God. God used Abraham and Isaac to make many prophetic pictures, and these are found in the book of Genesis.
19 Isaac in turn taught his son the right way to worship God. Jacob, his faithful son, was the father of the nation of Israel. He too suffered in his lifetime. He had many hardships with his twin brother Esau, who was not really a believer in God at all. Also, Jacob went down into Egypt and there lived until the time of his death, always looking forward to what God had promised.—Gen. 27:41; 48:21.
20 Joseph, the son of Jacob, is also mentioned in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. By his faithfulness and integrity, his resurrection is assured. He suffered much, but always maintained his integrity to God and kept God's righteous principles in mind. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers. When he was down in Egypt serving as a slave, the wife of his master tried to induce him to commit an immoral act; but he would not. This woman saw that he was put into prison. There in prison he endured in faith and eventually God brought him out of the place and God used him. Joseph gave public praise to God in connection with Pharaoh's dream. God saw to it that Joseph was given an exalted position among the people of
Egypt. But whether he was in prison or in the high position of rulership in Egypt, there was no question in his mind about who was supreme or what he was going to do in worship of Jehovah. Right to the time of his death he had in mind that God was first in his life. So he endured in his integrity.—Gen. 39:9; 41:16; 50:19-26.
21 Moses had great faith. He was brought up in the splendor of Egypt by the daughter of Pharaoh. He could have chosen the demon worship, the wealth, the joy of the royal court; but no, he went with the oppressed children of God, the nation of Israel, his nation. He threw aside the wealth and glory of Egypt and finally risked his own life many times because he went before the tyrannical Pharaoh of Egypt. He delivered God's judgment messages against Egypt, without fear, knowing that God was with him. God delivered him, with the nation of Israel, from Egypt. His resurrection is assured because he was faithful in his integrity and gave public praise to Jehovah's side of the great issue.—Ex. 2:10; 10:28; 14:13-26.
22 Hebrews 11 mentions other men,men who lived in the Promised Land, such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel. These men all upheld Jehovah's worship, but not without opposition. Gideon broke down the altars of Baal. With a small band and with the help of Jehovah, the hosts of Midian were destroyed. The people wanted him to rule as king over them, but he declined, saying Jehovah rules, and thus exalted the name of Jehovah in the earth.—Judg. 6:1 to 8:28.
28 Samson put his trust in Jehovah and God gave him strength to fight against demon worshipers and for the liberation of God's people.
It was Samson who tore down the temple of the fish god of the Philistines. (Judges 16) Barak put up a good fight for pure worship, too, fighting against a Canaanite army of great numbers, risking his life. (Judges 4) These men maintained integrity to God. So also did Jephthah and David, always upholding God's side of the issue, championing pure worship.—Judges 11; 1 Samuel 17 and onward.
24 Samuel was a prophet, not a man of war; but he stood faithfully for the pure worship of Jehovah God. He was a young man, a mere child, when he entered God's service. He endured through all the trials that came upon him, living there in the days of evil King Saul, who was an unfaithful king in Israel, the first king. Samuel denounced the king for the wickedness and disobedience he demonstrated. Samuel was not ashamed of God's righteous principles. The prophet stood up and told the king he was wrong; he was not afraid. Down until the time of his death he too endured in integrity to God.—1 Sam. 2:11; 13:14; 25:1.
25 All of these faithful men of old worked for the preservation of pure worship of God and kept integrity. With every one it was a case of endurance. There were others too. The Bible speaks well of them. It shows they endured through many trials, different kinds of trials, not all the same, but they endured whatever trials came and kept their integrity. True, they were few in comparison with the
many people on the earth; they were the minority. Most of the earth's population fell away or else never knew anything about the worship of Jehovah God at all. This was because of selfishness, wrong information or the exercise of force to keep them in line and keep them under Satan's domination.—Heb. 11:33-39.
26 Even among Israel, that covenant people of God, there was an amazing lack of integrity. Here God had personally written with his own finger on tables of stone. That should have inspired awe in the people and convinced them that Jehovah God is the Supreme One. They agreed that they would obey God's law and God made provision that they could do it, for the law was preserved and carried about in the ark of the covenant. God provided for the reading of it at stated times when the people assembled in Jerusalem. God said that the king should have a copy of the law and that he should read it and follow it. There was every reason why those people should keep God's law and maintain their integrity, and they agreed to do it; but as a nation they failed. Time and again the people rebelled. Finally, because they put God's Word aside and would not maintain integrity to his instruction, God caused the nation to be destroyed, in the year 607 B.C. Just a small remnant held to the true worship of God. These were in existence and were instrumental in carrying on pure worship of God right down to the time of Christ Jesus.—Ex. 31:18; 19:8; Deut. 17:18; 30:15-20; 31:11; Jer. 34:12-22; 39:1, 2.
Integrity Leads to Life
HERE we come to the greatest example of all—the man who maintained his integrity to God under the most severe trials. God gave him a sacred trust and expected him to keep integrity in that trust. He had a work to do. He was to come to the earth to restore pure worship and to lay the foundation for the new world of righteousness. Jesus was an exemplary man, living a life of devotion to God, keeping his integrity, though tested by Satan far beyond what a man would normally endure. Always Jesus stuck to God's Word and lived in accord with his laws. In time of temptation he quoted God's Word, which was the most potent force for good in existence on earth. Though Satan, who controls all the nations of this world, offered Jesus the glory of them all, Jesus upheld the right side of the issue, saying: "Go away, Satan! For it is written, 'It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.'"—Matt. 4:10, NW.
2 Jesus denounced false worshipers, those who introduced traditions of men and placed them above God's Word. (Matt. 15:7-9) He taught men how to worship God and personally showed them how to maintain integrity. By him the superior law of love of God and neighbor was clearly set out, a righteous requirement for those who would gain life in the new world. Jesus trained his followers to be genuine ministers of God, men who would preach the truth of God's Word. It would consume hours to relate all the things he did to the honor of Jehovah's name, but
you can read the gospel accounts at another time to learn them all. The trials that came upon him were many. Finally he was falsely accused of sedition and put to death in humility, but even in this he upheld God's supremacy. For this God resurrected him and gave him immortality. He gained life by keeping his integrity. He provided the way for others of integrity to gain life, through his ransom sacrifice. It was in fact a defeat for the challenger, Satan. He had failed to disqualify the King of the new world. John 19:12, 15; Phil. 2:5-11, NW.
He was followed by others. The Christians who came after him, the apostles for example, also maintained their integrity. Jesus had shown them that they must follow in his footsteps and do as he did if they wanted to gain life, and so they held to the pure worship of God. They resisted all forms of immorality and kept their virtue. They stuck to God's Word of truth. They spread the good news, building up the worship of God in purity. For this they suffered imprisonment, reproaches, beatings and martyrdom. It was not the easy way of life. Satan wanted to break down their integrity and destroy all worship of God; but these men endured blamelessly and provided for the carrying on of pure worship by leaving instructions that others could follow. Acts 8:1,4;2 Tim. 4:2;1 Pet. 4:3,4.
4 The early Christians who followed after them were also tested in their integrity. But they endured in blamelessness They went everywhere, telling of God's supremacy, expanding the pure worship as God had commanded.
In those days it was popular among the people of the Roman empire to worship Diana and Venus, sex worship. And there were the drunkards, the worshipers of Bacchus. Those of Rome were worshipers of him. Paul described conditions in Rome at Romans 1:24-31. Those conditions made it impossible for the early Christians to become involved in any kind of interfaith movement. There is only one pure worship, and they held to that pure worship because they had the highest form of worship there was, the worship of Jehovah God. Because they kept clean and gave their allegiance to Jehovah God they were persecuted severely.
In his Book of Martyrs, Dr. John Fox comments on why the persecution of the early Christians was so violent. He says the Romans were noted for not being persecutors of any people because of their religion; yet almost at the beginning of the promulgation of Christianity persecution began and was very merciless. He says, referring to Dr. Mosheim, that this was because of the attitude the Christians displayed. They would have no part of the religions of the empire, the worship of ancestors or the worship of the emperor. But they kept themselves clear of that and spoke out against the absurdities of the pagan worship, showing how the pure worship of Jehovah God was superior to that great conglomeration of worship that existed in the Roman Empire. Some emperors first thought to adopt Christianity as part of their closet religions—they had many—but then when they found out that Christianity stood by itself, was superior and would have no part with the other religions, they soon turned away from it and began persecution. Dr.
Fox says this was why the persecution came about. But a close examination of the Bible shows that the persecution came because the god of this world, Satan, was trying to stamp out the pure worship of the Almighty God and those who were carrying on pure worship were his targets. All other forms of worship were tolerated. Satan used his agencies on earth, the rulers of that time, to try to break down the integrity of God's servants in those days. But God's servants could not compromise. Using their knowledge of the truth of God's Word they upheld the supremacy of Jehovah God even to the death.
Down through the Middle Ages, yes, even to this twentieth century, people of righteousness and integrity who have sought to hold to the pure worship of God have suffered persecution and reproach. As the Romans scoffed at the early Christians because they adhered to Christ's teachings and the Bible writings and did not have temples, images, sacrifices to idols, sacerdotal orders, and like pagan things, so from the time of the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church and down through the centuries the powerful religious leaders have persecuted true Christians for keeping close to the Bible and pure worship.
Now that we have come to the twentieth century, can we expect anything different? And can we expect people will be more civilized, as the expression goes, and that they will refrain from persecution and begin living better lives because of the enlightenment that has come into the world? Remember, we are still under Satan's system of things. In fact, we should expect even worse things now. Why? Because that is what God's Word says. We are approaching the climax called in the Bible 'the battle of Armageddon'.
Here the issue of supremacy will be settled. Revelation 12 tells that war began in heaven; and this prophecy is fulfilled from 1914 onward. There was foretold a time of woe for the earth and for the sea "because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger" (NW), knowing
sis? How can we cope with Satan's system of things and the evil pressures he brings against us? The key to victory lies in God's Word and in recognizing the source of our tests. It is Satan who is responsible. We should never think for a minute that Almighty God is responsible for the suffering that has come upon us or upon any of the human creatures on the earth to-
he has only a short period of time to live. This shows that God has limited the time of Satan's existence, that he is not going to let Satan go on for an unlimited time and test the integrity of all people every day of their lives on earth; but the time for execution of God's righteous judgments is here. All nations and all individuals are now on trial before God's King. Matt. 8:29; 2 Pet. 2:3,4; Rev. 20:1-3; Matt. 25:31-33.
8 Since Satan knows his time is short, he is trying to dominate mankind and have all worship him disqualifying them
day. The Bible shows us examples of those who were faithful and some who were unfaithful. It shows how men and women in the past resisted attacks made against them by Satan and his wicked organization and how Jehovah helped them to stand. By these we can see how we too can maintain integrity to God and we must maintain integrity to God if we are going to gain everlasting life.-Heb. 12:1-3.
10 We must count on Jehovah to grant us help. We must look to him in prayer. David, one who maintained integrity be-
have all worship him, disqualifying them from gaining everlasting life. If he cannot rule, he wants to ruin. Here is the seat of the cause for the world's growing violence and delinquency. This shows why the morals and standards of the people are deteriorating so badly today. That is why there is violation of laws, oppression, why people break their word and agreements, why we find so much murder and war. That is why the majority of the people will not take God's Word seriously; they are led into other things through the snares of Satan.—2 Tim. 3:1-7.
fore God, wrote in Psalm 26:9-11 his prayer to the great Jehovah, the Lifegiver: "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: in whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me." The judgment is in Jehovah's hands; we must keep our integrity to him. It is admittedly good for us to be people of integrity to employers, marriage partners or friends, but these acts alone are not sufficient to bring us
The final test of integrity is on. The questions are: Who is going to live in uprightness and integrity? Who is going to resist these attacks of the Devil in these last days as he tries to wreck humanity? Who will survive this world cri-
life. Living what is generally called "a good life" by the people of the world cannot bring everlasting life. We must go beyond that. We must keep integrity to Jehovah God and believe in his Son. That must be done because we have a love of righteousness, because we want to do what is right.
Keeping integrity or putting on a show of integrity because of pride or because of what the neighbors will think will certainly not gain us God's approval. We must love God and his right principles. By pleasing him we can gain everlasting life.
11 The way that the majority of people follow is not the way that leads to life. Jesus made that clear. The way leading to life is by following God's Word of truth. Jesus said, at Matthew 7:13,14 (NW): "Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."
12 So the task is not easy. But we can do it if we first learn what God's Word says, learn what is in that book and learn which way to take and then seek to do it. We must seek to be genuine Christians in every sense of the word. Does that mean we have to join a church organization in Christendom? Ask yourself now, Did Christ Jesus, who set our example and told us to follow his example to gain life, join any church organization in his day? No, God does not require us to do that; but he requires us to worship him, to preach the good news of the Kingdom, to be Christians, to follow the example Jesus set, living in unalterable devotion to Jehovah God; to praise God and respect his supremacy, to resist all efforts to turn us from decency and to endure in faith. We have the Bible to show us the right way. Certainly it is not necessary for a person to become a member of a church to gain everlasting life.John 3:16-18; 17:3.
CLERGY FAILURE
13 Religious leaders admit that they have failed in "Christianizing" the people of America, as they call it, and they have done no better in all the world. Throughout the world church attendance is low, while the population grows. The people are losing confidence in the clergymen. Why? you ask. The clergy themselves are to blame. Religion claims to represent God. Then the clergy should take a proper lead in the field of integrity. They should teach pure worship of God. Christ is their example, as well as ours. There should be a consistent message at all times, one consistent with the Bible, God's Word. There again Christ is our example, and he is theirs. He preached consistently in accord with God's Word and he upheld the truthfulness of it at all times. But what have the clergy done? What is their record? As a class they have broken integrity to a sacred trust. If they claim to be God's ministers, then they should preach what God's Word says, obey him. (Rom. 6:16) But what are they teaching?
14 They are teaching a mass of doctrines contrary to the Bible truth. They are telling the people of a place of eternal torment in a fiery hell; and, believe it or not, that is not taught in the Bible. Some of them teach purgatory, a pagan idea that is not even mentioned in the Bible. They try to induce people to believe in a trinity of three equal gods in one; but the Bible says Jehovah is supreme and Christ Jesus is, not his equal, but his Son. They use images as heathens do. They have proclaimed the divine right of rulers in the nations, which would mean that even the dictators today would have God's approval and be appointed by God. There is an acknowledged trend in these modern times and the clergy follow through on it, teaching people there is no Devil at all.
They say the Devil does not even exist, that it is old-fashioned to believe in the Devil. On this point Encyclopaedia Britannica (ninth edition), volume 7, page 138, comments that if there is belief in the Devil at all it is "maintained with very doubtful confidence in any section of the Christian church". And Encyclopedia Americana (1942 edition), volume 9, page 38, reports: "The modern tendency is to regard the personal Devil as a part of the mythology of early times." The religious leaders of Christendom are responsible for this loss of credence in what the Bible definitely teaches.
15 Many of the clergy have no faith in the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Many teach that the earth is going to be burned up and all life on it destroyed. Some of them are even teaching evolution, not creation, which is taught in the Bible. Theirs is a message of confusion and disagreement with one another. A classic statement of how they feel about the teachings of God's Word is one made by the bishop of Bradford (Britain) on May 29, 1952. The Press & Journal, Aberdeen, Scotland, May 30, 1952, reported: "We have renounced the idea of hell and we have lost belief in heaven, except as a desirable but probably fictitious residential neighbourhood,' declared the Bishop of Bradford at a diocesan conference yesterday." That is no less than a bishop of the Church of England.
16 As might be expected after reading the statement by the bishop of Bradford, we find the Church of England is in a bad way. Commenting on her plight the London weekly Everybody's magazine (May 17, 1952) had an article called "Is the Church of England Dying?" They refer to the
perilous condition of all churches in Britain and show that only about ten percent of the people in Britain have any connection with any church. They cite apathy and indifference and refer to a survey report published by Rowntree and Lavers, entitled "English Life and Leisure", quoting: "We have found so widespread a dislike of the ministers of religion, of the Anglican and Free Churches, that it can only be described as anticlericalism." Then the article goes on to quote the archbishop of York's ideas about the causes of the decline in church attendance. He refers to destructive criticism by prominent writers who do not believe the Bible, plus psychoanalysis. There are substitute gods, he says, the gods of mammon, or money, and seeking after wealth; democracy, which makes the people god; and totalitarianism, putting up the state as god. He also says war is a reason. The writer, Mr. Joad, criticizes the analysis of the archbishop of York and says:
"I believe that the record of the Church in war has contributed more powerfully to the decline of its reputation in the minds of ordinary men than the Archbishop allows. When war comes, the various national Churches merge themselves in the warring nations. Pulpits are turned into amateur recruiting offices and Bishops bless the guns. These things are done in the name of the Prince of Peace, who abjured violence and bade his followers love one another . . .
"Now all this may be natural enough, . but when the hot fit passes and the nation is again at peace, the Church cannot expect people to receive its preaching of religion, a religion of peace, with all the seriousness that it could wish.
"... what has it to offer men that the State has not?"
17 In America clergymen make public utterances such as the statement made by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph F. Flannelly, administrator of St. Patrick's cathedral, about the conflict in Korea: "Our own sins have undoubtedly brought upon us this new chastisement." (New York Times, July 24, 1950) They thus attempt to show that God brings such wars. If Bishop Flannelly is correct, then the people must look upon the Communists as instruments in God's hands.
18 A few weeks later, from this same pulpit, an about-face is made. No longer is the war lamented as a chastisement from God, but is proclaimed a blessing from him. From the New York Times, September 11, 1950, we quote: "Sorrowing parents whose sons have been drafted or recalled for combat duty were told yesterday in St. Patrick's Cathedral that death in battle was part of God's plan for populating 'the kingdom of heaven.' 'It is a thought not always remembered,' he [Msgr. W.T. Green] continued, 'but it is the first responsibility of Christian parents to do what lies in their power to give their children back to God at whatever time, place and circumstances in which he chooses to call them, so that they may become true citizens of the eternal kingdom of heaven.'" If war is a part of God's plan for populating the kingdom of heaven, why have peace, and thwart God's plan, and keep heaven unpopulated? There is in the Bible no statement that agrees with Green's; the warfare in Korea is not a blessing from God or part of God's plan for populating the kingdom of heaven. This type of preaching blames the Almighty God for evils brought upon the world by the adversary, Satan, and demonstrates a complete lack of integrity to God.
19 In an effort to hold the majority of the people and keep them contented, the clergy are trying to please everybody, please the governments, please the generals, please the businessmen, please labor—please everybody. They preach whatever is convenient to themselves at a certain time, regardless of what the Bible says. But they will never gain favor with God by doing that. Nor will they gain favor with sincere Christian men and women. Indeed we see that the clergy have become an integral part of the world. Organized religions of Christendom today have become so much a part of this world that is under Satan that they have not the determination nor the ability to turn to the clear-cut ways of pure worship that are taught in the Bible. They worry when under pressure from politicians and public opinion. They do not show complete trust in God. They appear to be willing to compromise with anybody if they stand to gain materially. Take a look at the record of the Catholic and Lutheran and Orthodox churches of Eastern Europe. They fail to hold out solidly against godless communism. Under pressure they will agree to go along with the communistic program, even preaching communism in their pulpits. And they will sign agreements to co-operate with the Communists. If they did not do it, they think, their churches would be closed; and well they might be. On August 17, 1952, the State Department at Washington released a study of the tactics by which Communist governments are "capturing youth and chaining churches to the state in their drive to kill all religion". "This aim has been partially attained in Rumania, Albania and Hungary,' it says. 'In Czechoslovakia some progress has been made in this direction.
In Poland the government has not been as successful . . . '
"When church organizations are brought under state control, the study said, 'appointments to ecclesiastical posts from the highest to the lowest come from the state or state-approved organizations.'
"Only those priests who have proven themselves loyal or friendly toward communism have any chance of being selected. The subject matter of sermons, lectures, and other activities relating to parishioners are often supplied by the state.' "Boston Post, August 18, 1952.
THE UNCOMPROMISING ONES
20 How unlike them are true Christian ministers. Jehovah's witnesses are banned in Eastern Europe in all the Communist countries. They will not bow down before the rule of dictators and preach communism as the hope for the people. They hold to the clean worship of God. Politicians may ban Jehovah's witnesses and they may say you cannot serve God and you cannot keep your integrity to him, but Jehovah's witnesses stand firm, not frightened at all, and they will not now or ever stop preaching the kingdom of Almighty God as the hope for the world unless God causes them to stop. The will of dictators cannot be put above the will of Jehovah God. When dictators try to contaminate the true Christian organization, God's ministers will resist completely and will keep on preaching the truth from the Bible even if they must do it in an underground manner. It means a fight for righteousness; and we expect it now, when the great issue of world domination is to be settled. The integrity of each Christian is being thoroughly tested.-Rev. 14:6-12.
21 How, you may ask, can Jehovah's witnesses possibly take such a stand? It is possible only by having an accurate knowledge of the truth, by having strong faith in Jehovah God, and with the help that Almighty God, Jehovah, gives to those who trust in him and serve him. Some people of the world who do not appreciate the great issue will try to argue for expediency in times of stress, saying God will excuse you because things are so hard. But where is the scripture for that argument? Did Christ compromise on God's principles when a test came? Did his apostles or the faithful men who lived before Christ do so? The answer is No. True Christians today take the same course of integrity as Christ did. They love life and they seek to be loyal to the Life-giver.
22 Christ Jesus advocated a far-sighted viewpoint in this battle for integrity, not a short-sighted compromise for selfish gain or relief in time of test. "If, then, your hand or your foot is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is finer for you to enter into life maimed or lame than to be thrown with two hands or two feet into the everlasting fire. Also, if your eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you; it is finer for you to enter one-eyed into life than to be thrown with two eyes into the fiery Gehenna." (Matt. 18:8-10, NW) Jesus here illustrated how it is better to take some material loss, though it be as precious as an eye or hand was to the people he addressed, than to lose integrity. This is the time when we should evaluate things properly. This is the time to keep God first in our lives. We must not yield to efforts of any kind to turn us away from our integrity, whether by subtle offers of wealth through violating ethics or through application of cruel and painful persecution.
23 Jehovah's witnesses today fight confidently under their Leader and Commander, Christ Jesus, holding fast to their integrity. But as they do, they do not become complete introverts or take up the life of the recluse in a monastery. Now or never the people of good will must be told to turn to Almighty God and his kingdom by Christ, to seek righteousness and seek to gain life. This is the time to be an active influence for good in this degenerate world. By holding our integrity we show others it can be done; we encourage them to take up God's service too. By our faithfulness to God, by our preaching of the good news and by upholding God's supremacy, we can help other people to gain everlasting life. Millions of people of Christendom today are looking for righteousness. Many in the church organizations today are looking for a hope, for a way. We can help them. We must help them. We must uphold God's side of the issue in this time of the end. Rom. 10:13-15.
DIVINE HELP AND DELIVERANCE
24 Jehovah's witnesses in all parts of the world are found today to be maintaining integrity under powerful tests. God's Word gives assurance that it is possible for Christians to resist all the trials and temptations that come upon us, for it is written in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NW): "No temptation has taken you except what is common to men. But God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure
it." God knows those who are his own, and he never abandons them. Though we see religion's organizations failing and world conditions going from bad to worse —we should expect this because God's Word foretold it all—there is no reason for believers in God to give up hope. Remember, Jehovah is supreme and almighty. His avowed purpose is to destroy Satan, to remove all of his wicked organization and all who have brought wicked practices upon the earth. The wicked appear to flourish now as never before, and God's infallible Word says: "When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever. But thou, O Jehovah, art on high for evermore."—Ps. 92:7,8, AS.
25 That means the end of all trouble for everybody who lives on the earth, because those who survive that time of destruction are going to live under God's kingdom, enjoying its many blessings. Jesus taught us to pray for that time. He told us to pray for God's kingdom, for then God's will is to be done on the earth. There will be no room then for graft and violence and insecurity, or worry. There will be no more hatred then, no more dishonesty or breakdown in morals. Those things will never again come into mind. (Rev. 21:1-5) That will be a righteous rule, God's rule. That theocratic government will stand as evidence of Jehovah's supremacy, of his kindness, love and purity. Under that rule the faithful ones that are in their graves, who died in their integrity, will be brought back to life. So those who now maintain integrity—even if they should die because of it—have the assurance of living in everlasting happiness. And many are going to live through the battle of Armageddon in this generation and enter into the new world of real joy, righteousness and everlasting life.—John 5:29.
26 Today we see there is great reward for keeping integrity. So take your stand beside Jehovah's witnesses. Study God's Word and, obeying it, shun the apostasy of Christendom. Join in praising God. Be entirely, completely, wholly, unreservedly dedicated to Jehovah and do not for any reason yield to the temptations that are about you. Believe in the infallible Word of God and follow it. It says: "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." "To this course you were
What should we do now?
called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely. He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth. When he was being reviled, he did not go to reviling in return. When he was suffering, he did not go to threatening, but kept on committing himself to the one who judges righteously." "Do not be afraid of the things you are destined to suffer. Look! the Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test, and that you may have tribulation ten days. Prove yourself faithful even with the danger of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Prov. 11:3; 1 Pet. 2:21-23; Rev. 2:10, NW) Integrity leads to life!
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