The Watchtower, April 1, 1953
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WATCHTOWER
APRIL 1,1953 Semimonthly
DOING THE WORK APPROVED BY GOD
"DO NOT LOITER AT YOUR BUSINESS"
Announcing JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
DOES NIGERIA FEAR THE TRUTH?
BIBLE TRUTH MAKES FREE
THE CORRESPONDING RANSOM
©WTB&TS
"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12 THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER"
Literal towers in Bible times were elevated vantage points from which watchmen could observe happenings, warn of danger, or announce good news. Our magazine figuratively occupies such a vantage point, for it is founded on the very pinnacle of wisdom, God's Word. That elevates it above racial, national and political propagandas and prejudices, frees it from selfish bias. It is not bound by any traditional creed, but its message advances as the light on God's purposes and works increases.—Habakkuk 2:1-3.
It sees things Scripturally. When it observes this generation afflicted with greed, delinquency, hypocrisy, atheism, war, famine, pestilence, perplexity and fear, and persecution of unpopular minorities, it does not parrot the old fable about history repeating itself. Informed by Bible prophecy, it sees in these things the sign of the world's time of the end. But with bright hope it also sees opening up for us just beyond these woes the portals of a new world.
Thus viewed, "The Watchtower" stands as a watchman atop a tower, alert to what is going on, awake to note signs of danger, faithful to point out the way of escape. It announces Jehovah's kingdom established by Christ's enthronement in heaven, feeds his kingdom joint-heirs with spiritual food, cheers men of good will with glorious prospects of eternal life in a paradise earth, comforts us with the resurrection promise for the dead.
It is not dogmatic, but has a confident ring in its voice, because it is based on God's Word. It does not privately interpret prophecy, but calls attention to physical facts, sets them alongside prophecy, and you see for yourself how well the two match, how accurately Jehovah interprets his own prophecy. In the interests of our salvation, it keeps sharp and faithful focus on Bible truth, and views religious news generally.
'Be watchful in these perilous times,' God admonishes. So keep on the watch by regularly reading "The Watchtower".
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PUBLISHED BY THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
117 Adams Street
Brooklyn 1, N. Y., U. S. A.
N. H. KNORR, President
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6:45, NW; Isaiah 54:13
CONTENTS
“They Say but Do Not Perform”
Does Nigeria Fear the Truth?
Bible Truth Makes Free
Maturity by the Spirit
The Corresponding Ransom
Doing the Work Approved by God
“Do Not Loiter at Your Business”
Questions from Readers
Announcements
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Unless otherwise indicated, the Bible used is the King James Version
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"THEY SAY BUT DO NOT PERFORM"
CONCERNING the religious leaders of his day, Jesus once said: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. Therefore all the things they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform." (Matt. 23:2, 3, NW) Are the religious leaders of our day any different? Let us see.
Certain Protestant clergymen of the United States give much lip service to the principle of the separation of church and state. They loudly denounce any breaching of that wall by others, such as former President Truman's proposal to send an ambassador to the Vatican. But do they respect that wall of separation between church and state when it conflicts with their own interests to do so? They do not. The "Released Time" program by which school children are released from public schools so that they can take religious instructions elsewhere is a case in point. This program breaches the wall of separation in that it uses the state's compulsory school machinery to supply classes for religious organizations.
Clearly the issue is not merely one of whether or not provision should be made for religious instruction, as the clergymen sponsoring the "Released Time" program are not satisfied with having the schools dismissed one hour earlier so that those who want to can proceed to religious houses for instruction, for they well know that
they cannot depend upon the children to voluntarily find their way to the places where such classes are being conducted. Only to escape school will the children submit to religious instruction. Thus we have a union of church and state whereby the state furnishes classes for the church. The clergy preach separation of church and state to others, but do they practice it themselves? They do not.
Nor is that all. By advocating the "Released Time" program clergymen not only show inconsistency with their professions regarding the separation of church and state but do violence to the principle expounded by the One they claim to follow, Christ Jesus, who once said: "All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them." (Matt. 7:12, NW) How so?
Because the "Released Time" program penalizes all not attending religious classes in that all vital instruction is suspended so that those attending the religious classes will not miss out on anything. So it is a case of taking religious instruction or wasting an hour. If the majority of the pupils were taking the religious instruction there would still be real injustice done and the harm be far from negligible. But what shall we say when 90 per cent of the pupils have to waste an hour so that 10 per cent can have the convenience of religious instruction during school hours as is the case in Chicago, Illinois; or when 98 per cent must waste an hour so that two per cent can benefit by this arrangement as is the case in one elementary school in Westchester county, New York state, where out of 500 pupils only 10 attend religious instruction?
By what kind of reasoning can one justify the wasting of an hour by 490 pupils just so 10 others can have the advantages of the "Released Time" program?
Objections of parents in many instances have proved unavailing. The pressure on the part of the clergy is such that school boards, superintendents and principals are afraid to remedy the situation and school teachers dare not even express themselves on the matter. Is that justice? Is that brotherly love? Is that true Christianity? Is that doing to others as you would have them do to you?
That the "Released Time" program improves morals is open to question. Reliable statistics show that as many as forty per cent of the pupils dismissed for religious instruction fail to show up for it. And when we take into consideration time spent in going from school to the place where religious instruction is given, only a half or three-quarters of an hour remains. How much training in religious principles and teachings can be given in 30 to 45 minutes once a week?
It was in view of such facts that the last session of the White House Conference on Children and Youth, held in December, 1950, composed of 4,620 delegates who represented three-fourths of the total population of the United States, by a two-to-one vote adopted the following resolution: "Recognizing knowledge and understanding of religious and ethical concepts as essential to the development of spiritual values and that nothing is of greater importance to the moral and spiritual health of our nation than the works of religious education in our homes and families and
in our institutions of organized religion, we nevertheless strongly affirm the principle of separation of church and state which has been the keystone of our American democracy and declare ourselves unalterably opposed to the use of public schools directly or indirectly for religious educational purposes."
Commenting on the foregoing a prominent United States woman educator, Mrs. Agnes E. Meyer, had the following to say in the Atlantic Monthly, March, 1952: "The child is robbed of its full development if it receives no guidance in early years toward recognition of the religious aspects of life. But this teaching, to be effective, must originate in the home and family life with the cooperation of the Churches...Having failed in their primary mission to strengthen the family and reach the children during their most impressionable and formative years, the Churches now seek a short cut, through the released time program, which will cure overnight the moral defects of children who have been neglected throughout infancy." Underscoring the truth of the above is the news item that appeared in the New York Journal-American, November 8, 1952, which told of an eight-year-old boy in Newport, England, beating to death his 17-day-old baby brother with a feeding bottle.
The remedy for juvenile delinquency lies not in having the clergy say one thing and do another; it lies not in the unchristian and undemocratic "Released Time" program. The remedy lies in parents' heeding God's command:
"Jehovah our God is one Jehovah: and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children."—Deut. 6:4-7, AS.
Does Nigeria Fear the Truth?
JUST before leaving his disciples Christ Jesus commissioned them to "make disciples of people of all the nations". (Matt. 28:19, NW) In obedience to this command the Watch Tower Society has sent missionaries to all parts of the earth.
In the interests of freedom of worship, in the spirit of fair play and in view of the good work done by such missionaries, they have, in the main, been welcomed by the officials of the various countries to which they were sent. Not so Nigeria, however, for during the past year it has not only refused entry to Watchtower missionaries seeking to enter but has expelled two of the six that were in the country, and even going to the extreme of refusing entry to two traveling representatives of the Watch Tower Society, N.H. Knorr and M.G. Henschel, for just a few days.
Why should Nigeria so discriminate against ministers of the Watch Tower Society? It allows ministers of other religious groups to enter. Is it because of the record made by Jehovah's witnesses in Nigeria? Is the message they bring to the people too controversial? Do they engender strife and ill will? Lest any should think that such is the reason, we will briefly present the record made by Jehovah's witnesses during the past thirty years in Nigeria.
It was back in 1923 that the first missionary of Jehovah's witnesses came to Nigeria. He came with his family from the West Indies and settled down to give twenty-seven years of his life preaching the gospel. By the power of Jehovah's spirit and with the aid of the Bible and Bible helps the Kingdom message began to penetrate into almost every town and
village. Printed Bible sermons translated into many vernacular languages opened the field of gospel-preaching to many who could not read English. Thousands of truthhungry people now began to see in the light of God's Word the clear outline of his purposes.
Many of these saw their privilege now to preach to their neighbors and slowly congregations of Jehovah's witnesses began to spring up, until in 1941, at which time a war ban was imposed, there were 1,800 active preachers in 83 congregations. When the ban was lifted in 1945 their ranks had swelled to 3,542 ministers working with 165 congregations.
The year 1947 saw the arrival of the first European missionaries that were graduates of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. Then, in December of that same year, came the first visit to Nigeria of the president of the Watch Tower Society, N.H. Knorr, and his secretary, M.G. Henschel. This was an occasion of great rejoicing for all the brothers.
There is no doubt that this visit did much good in many ways. In a country sharply aware of color, race, social distinction and other divisive factors, it was a revelation to see these Christian people overcome these things and demonstrate, in practice, Christ's way of life based on brotherly love.
Many were the expressions of gratitude that Knorr and Henschel should spend much time and money to come to Nigeria to help and advise their African brothers. They had preached to 4,800 people in Lagos and 6,000 in Ibadan. Although their stay had been for only a few days, they had established a firm bond of love, in addition to giving sound Scriptural admonition on many problems and planning a great expansion campaign that would bring the peaceable Kingdom message to thousands more.
The months that followed showed unmistakably what a blessing that visit had been, not only to Jehovah's witnesses but to the people of Nigeria as a whole. Thousands who had formerly heard and watched now came out and boldly took their stand with Jehovah's witnesses as preachers of peace and righteousness through God's kingdom. During the next year, the number of active ministers rose sharply, to 5,500. The increase has been continuous each year since, rising recently, in October, 1952, to a peak of 12,835.
ASSEMBLY PREPARATIONS
At each assembly held during those years one could expect the same questions to be asked by the brothers: "When is Brother Knorr coming to Nigeria again?" "When shall we see Brother Henschel again?" We had to point out that Brother Knorr had to visit many countries all over the world because the good news is being preached in all the inhabited earth, but we knew that he would come to Nigeria again in its turn.
Just imagine the joy and gladness it brought to the hearts of the Nigerian publishers when the announcement was made in September, 1952, that Brothers Knorr and Henschel had planned an African tour and would be in Nigeria from November 26 to December 4. At once arrangements were made to hold two assemblies, at Ilesha and Port Harcourt. It would not be possible to hold more than two assemblies in this short visit, so arrangements must be made to bring together many different language groups at each assembly and to provide a good system of interpretation for them.
To properly grasp the work involved, let us recount a little of the labor put into the Ilesha assembly. Everything had to be built from scratch, or, more appropriately, from "bush". Permission was obtained to use an old football field now overgrown ten feet deep in "bush". Scores of brothers went to work with machetes, and inside a week a 31/2-acre location had been cleared and half a dozen poisonous snakes killed in the process. Then came the work of assembling the building material. The brothers went out for miles around cutting long bamboo poles, and the work of the sisters, many with babies on their backs, was to carry these 40-foot poles on their heads to the assembly grounds. There the booths were being marked out, one for each language group, Yoruba, Urhobo, Bini, Ijaw and Isoko. Similarly, at Port Harcourt, the brothers were working hard with the same object in view.
ENTRY REFUSED
At the same time as this, work of a different nature was in progress in Lagos, where the Society's representatives were busy trying to expedite the granting of temporary visas to Knorr and Henschel to cover their eight-day visit. Time was running short. Knorr and Henschel were due to leave New York on November 17 and must have their visas before they left. However, the principal immigration officer was unable to grant these temporary visas himself. The matter had to be referred to a higher government office. It was suggested that a decision would be reached by the 12th. But the 12th came and went and so did the 13th and no decision had been given. It was not until the 14th, a bare three days before Knorr and Henschel were due to leave New York, that a decision was handed down, refusing visas. Why? No reason was given.
Further efforts were put forth. Phone calls were made to try to arrange personal interviews with the governor and the chief secretary, but in each case it was impossible to get nearer than a polite private secretary. An appeal was immediately written out and taken to the office of the chief secretary with the request that it be placed before him at once. An official reply was received on November 19, stating that the government was "not prepared to vary its previous decision". But still no reason was given!
Why should the administration of this British colony refuse to permit two American Christians to visit and talk with their Christian brothers in Nigeria? Did their first visit bring trouble to the government or the people of Nigeria? No, but rather to the contrary, their peaceable preaching of the good news brought joy and hope to many hearts. Is it that Jehovah's witnesses have fomented trouble by joining in the bitter political struggles centering around the burning issue of self-government for the Nigerians? Again the answer is No. Jehovah's witnesses are known throughout the length and breadth of the country as a people separate from all brands of politics. Then maybe Jehovah's witnesses have come into disfavor for being obstructionists and promoters of civil disobedience? Once more, the answer is a definite No! They are not mixed up with the scores of cases of theft, embezzlement, bribery, etc., which daily crowd the courts. They give help to the government in one of their big problems, the collection of taxes, for Jehovah's witnesses adhere strictly to the Scriptural rule to 'pay back Caesar's things to Caesar'.
WHY THE DISCRIMINATION?
Can it be that their great assemblies have brought an official frown for being conducted in a disorderly manner? Read
the answer in the West African Vanguard in its editorial comment of November 28, 1952, entitled "Witnesses' Convention": "Ilesha town had been host to thousands of religious guests belonging to the sect known as Jehovah's Witnesses since the beginning of the week and, we are sure, the public will be sorry to see them go at the end of their convention today. The town had been buzzing with activities since the influx of these 'brothers' and 'sisters' in Christ, and there can be no doubt that their way of life these few days had influenced, and will surely change, the life of many a doubting Thomas.
"Christians of other denominations should learn the lesson of brotherhood in the Fatherhood of God and of togetherness as taught by these brothers and sisters of the one Holy Father. They should be less critical, less suspicious and less destructive, but rather, examine, with clear consciences, sans prejudice, the teachings of these Witnesses, their preachments and, what is more, the way they live one with the other. It may well be the road to a happier world lies with the Watch Tower section of the Christian world."
This candid comment sums up the friendly attitude of the townspeople of Ilesha. Many of them came to see the assembly in session and stayed to marvel at the clean, neat orderliness of the people and grounds, and especially the way in which thousands of people from different tribes lived and worshiped together in perfect peace and concord. One man was so impressed by what he saw and heard that he exclaimed, "This is God's way and these are God's people. I must be one of them." True to his word, he returned the next day and was numbered among the 541 persons who were baptized.
A report in the Lagos Daily Times of August 25,1952, announced that Dr. J.D. Grey, president of the Southern Baptist Convention of America, had arrived in Nigeria to tour Baptist centers.
Quite rightly he found no difficulty in getting a temporary visa for his good-will mission to Nigeria. The same newspaper in its issue of October 22,1952,published a photograph of a special plane-load of Roman Catholic missionaries,32 Holy Ghost fathers and 4 Holy Rosary sisters, setting out for Nigeria to do missionary work. For years Jehovah's witnesses have been trying unsuccessfully to get more European missionaries into Nigeria. During the last two years they have pushed ahead their expansion program with only six European missionaries. And then, in September, 1952,the government ordered two of these to quit the country, leaving only four. Hard on the heels of this came the refusal to grant even temporary visas to Knorr and Henschel. Contrast this treatment with the liberal help given to other religious bodies, and the facts point unmistakably to religious discrimination.
But what of the future? What will Jehovah's witnesses do even though Knorr and Henschel could not visit them? Judging by the success of the assemblies at Ilesha and Port Harcourt, they are due to enjoy in the future greater increase than ever before. In spite of the absence of their American brothers, these assemblies were easily the largest and most joyful ever held in Nigeria. Some 10,300 assembled at Ilesha and 5,500 at Port Harcourt, and a grand total of 1,062 were baptized. Recovering swiftly from their initial disappointment, their spirits soared high as
they settled down to enjoy the program of wise Scriptural counsel and guidance. When it was pointed out that, although the government could keep out Brothers Knorr and Henschel, no power in heaven or earth could keep out Jehovah's spirit, they roared their approval and it was clear that the government's action was really becoming a stimulant to them. Time and again they affirmed their determination to hold on to their Kingdom hope and demonstrate even greater zeal and loyalty.
This action of the government might disappoint them but it would not disturb them at all or cause anger or bitterness to well up in their hearts. Their dedication of their lives is to Jehovah God, and they are not Jehovah's witnesses because of any man. They are slaves of the Most High and are interested only in glorifying their Father's name by joyful obedience to his Word. Their work of bearing fruit to the honor of his name is a peaceable work. They have no part with the lawless elements of the world, but they will continue to work quietly, pleasantly and peacefully in preaching the good news, for they know that "the fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace". Whatever the future may hold for them, they will continue to do good to all men by educating them in the peaceful ways of God's Word and encouraging them to lay firm hold upon the glorious hope of everlasting life in his new world of righteousness and peace.
Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a fight . . . against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.—Eph. 6:11, 12, NW. BIBLE TRUTH MAKES FREE
HOW can the claim be made that Bible truth makes free when some of the Bible's most devout students, proclaimers and supporters languished in prisons or were exiled as slaves to pagan lands?
The nation of Israel is a typical example of this. As a nation it was the first to champion the Bible, and yet it was reduced to serfdom by the Assyrian and Babylonian hordes who had absolutely no regard for the Bible. Was Bible truth in this case a freeing agent? If so, in what way? The apostle John closed the canon of the Holy Scriptures when he completed the writing of his Gospel and letters and the book Revelation, which, incidentally, tells of the emancipation of the people of God from sin and death during the reign of Christ. Yet, John wrote this inspired book while he was a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos in his old age. David, often referred to as a man after God's own heart, wrote many of the Psalms that praise Jehovah God as the Great Shepherd and Deliverer. Still, David spent many of his years in "hideouts" dodging his enemies. Jeremiah, a faithful prophet and a Bible
writer, tells of his experience in a slimy dungeon. Daniel, a prophet and a conscientious student and observer of Biblical law, was tossed as a tidbit to hungry lions.
The apostles Peter and Paul wrote much of the Greek Scriptures. They spoke of freedom while they themselves were in iron chains and behind cell blocks. Jesus proclaimed liberty to the captives and the opening of prisons to them that are bound. He himself became a prisoner and was finally staked. In view of the foregoing facts, how can it be claimed that the Bible and its truths make one free?
It is quite obvious from what was just stated that the Bible does not free one from literal prisons or torture chambers, nor does it free one from poverty or temptation. Jesus declared very frankly that "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". (Rev. 2:10, NW) "In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." (2 Tim. 3:12, NW) So, it is quite evident that the Bible does not free one in a physical sense. Then, how does it? It frees one mentally—from worldly cares, fears, anxieties, traditions, superstitions and hopelessness. However, it does not do this miraculously.
The Bible itself is not a "charm" book or a "good luck" piece that by merely having it in one's own possession will ward off disaster or usher in happiness. The Bible in simple language is God's Word. And as such it is a sure guide to follow. There is nothing mythical or mysterious about it. Although it is a perfect guide for men, it cannot guide us unless we let it. That is, unless we let its principles influence our lives. Unless we believe and
abide by its principles the Book itself is like any other book—inanimate.
If we do make it a part of our living it becomes a freeing agent and a tremendous force for good. Its truths brighten our pathway, showing us danger zones and the proper decisions to make on the way to life. It is this truth that sets one free. Jesus emphasized this when he said: "If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32, NW) Freedom then rests on two factors: knowing God's Word and remaining in it. Israel's conduct is a forceful illustration of this fact.
The nation of Israel had God's Word of truth. They were familiar with its principles. Its kings and priests were obligated to keep it. As long as they remained in harmony with Bible principles they were free as a nation, but when they abandoned these principles for their own ways of doing things they lost this freedom and were reduced to slaves by their enemies. However, there were individuals within the nation of Israel, such as Jeremiah, Daniel, the three Hebrew children, and others, who remained free as individuals even though Israel was reduced to serfdom. They maintained their freedom by not compromising Bible principles. Theirs was a mental freedom. They had peace of mind and joy of heart, a token of God's approval for integrity. The apostle Paul testifies to this fact, saying: "And the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7, NW) It was because of this soothing, assuring, precious gift of peace, one that "excels all thought", that Bible writers, supporters and proclaimers could say they were free even though they were languishing away in some filthy prison or exiled on some island for proclaiming its truth. It is this
same peace that made them stand fearless before rulers and kings and in the face of death without wavering. This peace comes from knowing the truth of God's Word, the Bible.
FREEDOM TODAY
This same peace exists in the hearts of those who know the truth of God's Word today, when men's hearts are failing them for fear and the end of all things seems to be at hand. This truth with peace that "excels all thought" is still gathered from the same source, the Bible. It continues to make free.
There is great need for Bible truth at this time, because truth is no longer accepted as such. Scientific theory, political philosophy and false religious traditions are the recognized authorities in the field of knowledge. Bible truth has been shelved as fiction. But men's ways have not brought enlightenment; instead, darkness has settled over the whole earth. True to the prophet Job's words, men "meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night". (Job 5:14) And as Isaiah stated: "Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people." (Isa. 60:2) Mankind's groping in this mental darkness has caused great unrest and fear. Their only way out is God's prescribed way, the Bible. They must recognize it to be the Word of God, study it in order to ascertain his direction, and remain in his direction until freedom is ultimately won. There are no short cuts. There is no other way out from this human impasse.
But just how does the Bible free one who has been both mentally and physically enslaved to this world? By extending hope to such a one with its truthful message. "For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope."
(Rom. 15:4, NW) This hope is about the incoming new world of righteousness, wherein righteousness is to dwell. It is concerning God's kingdom rule that is to do away with sickness, wars and death. A student of God's Word is greatly relieved when he reads such promises as: "And he [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away"; (Rev. 21:4, NW) and, "He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." And when he reads promises about mankind's not laboring in vain, nor bringing forth for trouble; about this earth's being made a glorious footstool under God's feet; about people's living on earth forever, never dying, but instead living in perfect health under a perfect government, such Bible truths energize the hearts of the righteous, creating hope and vision, freeing them from the darkness of this present old world and its dismal outlook to a new look that is a vision of the incoming new world with its attending blessings. (Isa. 2:4; 33:24; 2 Pet. 3:13) This truth has a wholesome effect. Bible truth also frees in another way.
RELEASE FROM FALSEHOODS
There are, no doubt, millions of sincere people that belong to religious organizations that believe that their dead relatives or friends are in purgatory or a hell of torment conscious and suffering, and that they could be aided by the prayers of men on earth. Such teaching has caused people much sorrow. How can the Bible set such sincere people free? By revealing the state
of the dead. God, who knows the condition of the dead and where they are, sets down in simple phrases in the Bible their exact state. When the truth of the state of the dead is learned, this truth sets free.
For example, the Bible says: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing." Reason for a moment. In order for the dead to suffer they would have to know it. They would have to be conscious, cognizant of their status. But the Bible tells us "the dead know not any thing". It is impossible for them to be suffering, because they do not know of their condition. They are not conscious of it. They are dead. In fact, the Bible goes on to say that "there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest". (Eccl. 9:5,10) If there is no work, knowledge or wisdom, how can there be suffering? Impossible. The dead are where Jesus said they were, in their graves awaiting a resurrection. (John 5:28; Ps. 146:4; 115:17) The dead are not suffering in any purgatory, because no such place exists. Nor are they alive in a fiery hell, conscious, enduring painful torment. The Bible very plainly states that the dead are dead, unconscious, in their graves awaiting a day of resurrection. When such truths are learned from God's Word it opens the prison house of darkness and frees one from superstition, pagan mythological teachings, traditions and falsehood. The Bible does make free.
It is urgent at this time for all to turn to the Bible for a study of its truth and say: "This is what the Bible teaches regarding the distress in the world, the cause of death, hereafter, human destiny, and our only hope"; and not: "This is what my church teaches, or what my teacher believes, or what I think is right." Human reasonings have led this world into its present fearful, perilous condition.
MATURITY BY THE SPIRIT
THE Jews in Jesus' day thought that their form of worship was pleasing to God. Jesus, however, showed them that for them to be pleasing to God required far more than concern with mere outward forms and ceremonies, and more than concern about time, manner and places. He said: "God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth." (John 4:24, NW) That requires being mature in one's worship.*
To be mature means first of all to have an accurate knowledge of Jehovah God and his purposes and his will for us. Without such maturity of knowledge we are in danger of being "carried hither and thither" "with various and strange teachings". (Eph. 1:17, 18; 4:14; Heb. 13:9, NW) Additionally, maturity means having one's powers of perception trained so as to be able to distinguish between the good and the bad, between what is right and what is wrong. Further, the one who is truly mature not only can distinguish between right and wrong but has in his heart the right attitude toward these, a deep warm love for righteousness and a burning hatred for lawlessness. Maturity thus gives us the strong balance needed to resist temptations and pressures.—Matt. 5:21-28; Heb. 1:9; 5:14; 6:1, NW.
Maturity makes for increase, for the mature minister appreciates that the purpose of his dedication is to be a witness for Jehovah, is to bear Kingdom fruit. While properly concerned with the quantity of his work he is far more concerned with the quality of his ministry. Effective preaching requires accurate knowledge, unselfish motives, control of spirit and
wisdom. All such are the fruits of maturity.2 Pet.1:5-10,NW.
The minister who is mature is able to rise above petty personal matters and so work in unity with his brothers. He appreciates that all the members of a body need each other, and so he not only attends meetings but takes part in them. Instead of looking for someone to help him the mature minister is seeking whom he may help.—Eph. 4:16; Col. 2:19, NW.
God's spirit is indispensable to maturity. Only by means of it was Peter able to identify Jesus as the Messiah, and all the apostles were able to understand the sacred secret of Jehovah's purpose regarding the body of Christ. (Matt. 16:17; Eph. 3:5-9, 18-20, NW) An orchestra conductor, to properly interpret the composer's musical message, needs not only a musical score but also to imbibe the spirit of the composer. So likewise, for us to properly present God's message to the people we must have his spirit by which only we can search out the deep things of God. To get that spirit we must not only study and meditate on God's Word but also pray to God for it.—Luke 11:13; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12; Jas. 1:5, NW.
By means of God's spirit we gain depth of sincerity and heart devotion, we improve the quality of our understanding, we make progress toward maturity. So, having begun in the pure worship, let us continue in the same routine, reading and studying privately and with others, pondering over these things and being absorbed in them, telling others about them and at all times looking to God's spirit to guide and motivate us. Thus we shall progress to maturity.—Rom. 10:10; Phil. 3:13-16; 1 Tim. 4:15, 16, NW. The Corresponding Ransom
TO RANSOM means to provide release and deliverance on the basis of a price or consideration of value. The price or valuable consideration involved is
also termed a ransom. In modern usage the term ransom generally designates the sum demanded for the release of one who has been abducted or kidnapped. In the Bible, however, the term is primarily used to describe the provision God has made to release imperfect man from the bondage of sin and death and give him the opportunity to gain eternal life. The idea of a ransom as a loosening from sin and death is peculiar to the Christian religion as well as one of its most basic teachings.
We cannot expect to understand and appreciate the teaching of the ransom unless first we are prepared to accept two basic truths, namely, that God exists and that the Bible is his Word. Why should not God give us a revelation concerning himself and inform us as to where we came from, why we are here, what our destiny is, and why evil has been permitted? Since God made ample provision to supply all our material needs, is it not reasonable to expect that he would also make provision to satisfy all our spiritual needs, our hunger for truth and for righteousness? Certainly it is. And so, as we examine the Bible, and note its harmony and candor; its history so abundantly verified by both archaeology and geology; its lofty principles and wise proverbs; and, above all, its prophetic element, we are forced to the conclusion that this book simply could not have been the work of
imperfect men but must indeed be what it claims to be, the Word of the Almighty God Jehovah. John 17:17;1 Pet. 1:25;2 Pet. 1:20,21,NW.
From the Bible we learn that God has four cardinal attributes or qualities. He is perfect in wisdom, justice and love and almighty in power. (Job 12:13; Ps. 62:11; 97:2; 1 John 4:8) By virtue of his supremacy he is our King, Lawgiver and Judge to whom we are at all times accountable; and by reason of his being our Creator we are wholly indebted to him for all we have.—Isa. 33:22; Jas. 1:17.
Jehovah God created the first human pair in his image and likeness, therefore with a measure of wisdom, justice, love and power. (Gen. 1:26) He gave them a moral sense, a conscience, so that they could distinguish between right and wrong. He did not owe our first parents anything, but they owed God a debt of appreciation. As a test of their appreciation God commanded them: "From every tree in the garden you are free to eat; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you must not eat; for the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die."—Gen. 2:16, 17, AT.
All of God's work being perfect, Adam and Eve could have perfectly obeyed that command had they chosen to do so. Adam deliberately chose to disobey and thereby sinned ("to sin" literally meaning "to miss the mark") ,and so was sentenced to death. (1 Tim. 2:14) "Because you followed your wife's suggestions, and ate from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat, cursed shall be the ground through you, in suffering shall you gain your living from it as long as you live.
By the sweat of your brow shall you earn your living, until you return to the ground, since it was from it that you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you must return." (Gen. 3:17, 19, AT) A just sentence.
MERCY FOR OTHERS
That sentence upon Adam, though just in itself, did work a hardship upon others, his offspring. Not that God wronged them; no more than in modern times the state wrongs the children of a murderer by executing their father for murder. The sinning father is the one that wrongs his children. And so Adam, by his disobedience, cheated all of his offspring out of the right to life, they all being born after he had sinned and lost that right. "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." Job 14:4; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12, NW.
While God's justice was satisfied with the execution of the death sentence upon Adam and did not require that he do something for Adam's offspring, it being Adam and not God that caused them to lose their right to life, yet in his great love and wisdom God saw an opportunity to do something for such of Adam's offspring as would not share their father's selfish disposition but would have a love of righteousness. By means of a ransom he would uphold the majesty of his law and at the same time provide release for such of Adam's offspring as were deserving.
Who could provide such a ransom? Certainly none of Adam's offspring, for none of these had the right to life. (Ps. 49:7) The Bible shows that God extended the privilege to be man's ransomer to his firstborn Son, the Word or Logos. He being a spirit creature, this meant that he had
to become a human, for God's law required justice, a "corresponding ransom"; a spirit creature could no more provide release than could an imperfect human.—Deut. 19:21; John 1:1; Col. 1:15, NW.
So when God's due time came, "the Word became flesh"; "God sent forth his Son, who was produced out of a woman." By emptying himself of his spiritual glory and taking on the form of a slave, he "came to be in the likeness of men". (John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:7, NW) He was to be called Jesus, "for he will save his people from their sins," and so John the Baptist introduced him as "the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world". Jesus himself bore testimony that "the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul [or, life] a ransom in exchange for many". As Paul succinctly states the teaching of the ransom: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all."—Matt. 1:21; 20:28; John 1:29; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6, NW.
Jesus as a perfect man corresponded exactly to Adam before that one sinned. When he voluntarily laid down his unforfeited life on the torture stake, and God raised him from the dead as a spirit creature, Jesus had in his possession the right to human life with all its prospects; exactly what Adam had lost for the human race. This ransom price Jesus presented in the presence of God and in exchange therefor received the human race for the purpose of giving deserving members of it the opportunity to gain everlasting life. 1 Pet. 1:18,19.
This offering for sins was foreshadowed by the annual atonement-day sacrifices required under the law of Moses, in which a young bull and a he-goat were sacrificed for the sins of the people, and then their blood, representing the life, was presented to God in the most holy compartment of the tabernacle or temple, where God's presence was indicated by a supernatural light.—Heb. 9:24-28.
BENEFITING FROM THE RANSOM
The question now presents itself, Since Jesus purchased the human race more than nineteen centuries ago for the purpose of giving it life, why is mankind still dying? Because just as God had an appointed time for Christ Jesus to come to earth and provide a ransom, so he has an appointed time for mankind to receive the benefits of that ransom. (Rom. 5:6, NW) However, since Pentecost A.D. 33 a small body of called-out Christians, referred to by Jesus as a "little flock", have been receiving the benefit of Christ's ransom. By reason of their faith in it and their dedication to God they have been declared righteous in God's sight and have been given the holy spirit or active force of God in a way as to constitute them spiritual sons of God. Continuing faithful until death, they have the hope of sharing in the "first resurrection" with Christ Jesus and reigning with him a thousand years as part of the spiritual seed of Abraham that is to bless all the families of the earth.—Luke 12:32; Rom. 5:1; Gal. 3:29; Rev. 20:5, 6, NW.
However, the vast majority of those who will benefit from Jesus' ransom sacrifice receive what Adam lost for them, namely, life on earth. This will be in a new world, concerning which Peter wrote: "But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." (2 Pet. 3:13, NW) And, since most of Adam's offspring lie sleeping in the grave, the ransom assures that all such as are in the memory of God will have a resurrection: "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the
memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." John 5:28, 29, NW.
Bible prophecy shows that the new world is at the door and God's Word holds out the hope that many now living will pass through the period of transition from this old system of things to the new system of things, just as did Noah and his family. And, since in that new world all sin, sickness and death will be done away with, it can be confidently stated that some now living will never see death, because of surviving into the new world. Toward them apply the words of Jesus recorded at John 8:51 and John 11:26 (NW): "Most truly I say to you, If anyone observes my word, he will never see death at all." "He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life, and everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all."
Thus by means of the ransom the effects of Adam's transgression will be wiped out as regards all those who love truth and righteousness and who avail themselves of the opportunity for life that God presents to them. By it God will be shown to be, not only a God of perfect justice, but also a God of perfect wisdom, almighty power and, above all, a God of love.
Additionally, by the ransom God vindicates his supremacy. He demonstrates that regardless of what his creatures, spirit or human, may or may not do, his purposes will be accomplished; his word will not return to him void. (Isa. 55:11) And finally thereby he is able to reward all those of Adam's offspring who prove the Devil a liar by maintaining their integrity in spite of all that the Devil can bring against them in the way of temptation and pressures. (Job chapter 1 and 2) Truly the ransom is as logical as it is just.
Doing the Work Approved by God
JEHOVAH hates laziness. Slackers
"Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit." Rom. 12:11, NW.
and sluggards are certainly an abomination to him. Indifferent and slothful ones who are negligent in their work cannot hope to have the blessing or approval of Him who from the very beginning of creation has labored with matchless zeal and diligence. "My Father has kept working until now," said Jesus, "and I keep working." (John 5:17, NW) Never does Jehovah tire of his work. Never does he grow weary or become bored in doing what he sets out to accomplish. Never does he slow down and quit before obtaining complete success. "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteeth not, neither is weary." Even his name, Jehovah, defines the Most High and Lofty One as a God of purpose and activity, for it is drawn from a word of action, the causative form of the Hebrew verb havah. "I have purposed, I will also do it," he says. So after immeasurable eons of time we find Jehovah still faithfully sticking to his stupendous work, discharging his heavy responsibilities both as Creator of the universe and as its Sovereign Lord and Eternal Governor.—Isa. 40:28; 46:11, AS.
takes a beam of light, traveling at
2 Reflect for a moment what a vast expanse the Creator's material universe covers, that is, the limited portion so far explored by man. Our galaxy, or Milky
Way, made up of no less than three thousand million stars is so incomprehensibly large it
the sensational speed of 186,000 miles per second, over 33,000 years to cross its diameter. And yet this system of stars by no means fills outer space. Within the outer perimeter to which present telescopes reach a great host of other island universes or galaxy systems have been found and photographed. Stellar wonders staggering the imagination! There are stars so heavy that a cubic inch of their substance weighs as much as 2,000,000 pounds. There are stars so large that their diameters are more than sixteen times the distance from the earth to the sun. There are stars so speedy that they race around their orbits at velocities of more than 1,600,000 miles per hour. Moreover, these myriads of heavenly objects have not been thrown together in scrambled disorder, nor do they wander about in chaotic confusion. No, each star, each planet, each constellation, and each galaxy is governed by Jehovah's fixed laws of motion. Each travels its properly assigned course. Each operates on a precise and absolutely accurate time schedule, and they have been doing it for hundreds of millions of years. Truly these are superlative examples of Jehovah's workmanship! "O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all."—Ps. 19:1; 104:24; AS; Isa. 40:26; Rom. 1:20.
8 Now think what a very,very small speck this earth of ours is in the boundless expanse of cosmic space, and yet Jehovah God did not lose track of it or overlook any detail in making it fit for man's habitation.
All about us are marvelous specimens of the Creator's delicate and artistic handiwork, both micro- and macroforms, each an awe-inspiring wonder to behold. No effort or labor did he withhold in providing for the needs of every living creature, for man and beast alike. (Gen. 1:29, 30; 3:21) "Jehovah is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah;... thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."
(Ps. 145:9, 10, 15, 16, AS) Yes, all animate and inanimate creation testifies to the great Master Worker's untiring zeal and energy and precision. No one can justly find fault with his work. It is perfect. Neither is he dilatory, slack or behind time in any way. Jehovah accomplishes all his declared purposes exactly on time. Deut.32:4;2 Pet.3:9.
wholesome work, that requires the co-ordinated use of mind and muscles is also among God's loving provisions for man. (Gen. 1:28; 2:15; 9:1,7) Even the Sabbath commandment was primarily one of work rather than
of rest; for had it been God's purpose that man should lounge around most of the time and do as little as possible, then he would have said in substance, 'Six days you shall loaf, but the seventh you may work.' No, not that! By far the greater amount of man's time and energy was to be spent in profitable labor, and this for man's good and to the praise of his Creator. Those, therefore, hoping to have God's approval
must take up the work he assigns them with enthusiastic (God-inspired) zeal. They must attack their assignments with determination and industry, sticking to such despite all efforts of Satan the Devil, the adversary of both God and man, to slow them down, turn them aside, or make them quit altogether. And how happy are those who thus continue working, for not only do they eventually prosper and succeed, but they also reap along the way satisfying fruit for their labor in the form of extreme joy and contentment without measure. This divine principle is beautifully portrayed in the following example.
5 Christ Jesus, the beloved and only-begotten Son of Jehovah God, in his prehuman existence as the Logos (meaning the Spokesman or Word
of God) enjoyed the rare and singular privilege of working alongside his Father in the monumental task of building this universe in the first place. "All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence." (John 1:1-3,10,NW;1 Cor.8:6;Col. 1:16) Having faithfully completed that assignment this close associate of the Creator was sent to earth on a special threefold mission. As a human creature he bore witness to the truth that sets men free, gave his perfect human life as a ransom for fallen man's redemption, and under the greatest satanic pressure proved worthy to be Jehovah's vindicator, worthy to sit upon the great throne of Jehovah as king of the new world of righteousness.—John 8:32,45,46;18:37;Matt.20:28;1 Tim. 2:6;Titus 2:14;Phil.2:5-11;Heb.4:15; 5:8,9.
Without grumbling, without rebelling, without complaining or finding fault with this earth-bound assignment, the man Jesus pushed ahead with a fiery and consuming zeal. (Ps. 69:9; John 2:17) Night and day he labored, disregarding his own personal interests, comforts, advantages and desires. "Not as I will, but as you will," was his prayer to his heavenly Father. "We must work the works of him that sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no man can work." "My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work." (Matt. 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 9:4, NW) Hardships, persecutions, shame, ridicule or personal likes or dislikes, none of these things did Jesus allow to turn him aside or impede his accomplishing Jehovah's righteous purpose regarding him.—Heb. 12:2, 3.
Now, plowing and harvesting is real work, hard work, requiring great strength, endurance and perseverance. It is not a lazy man's job. "The sluggard will not plow in autumn; so [the following year] in harvest he looks for a crop in vain." (Prov. 20:4, AT) "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." (Prov. 10:5, AS) Jesus was a very wise son and brought no reproach upon his Father. He was fully aware of the fact that a great harvesting work must be done, and yet the laborers were few. (Matt. 9:37) So up and down the land he trudged, afoot, mind you, visiting all the cities and villages, curing the sick ones, healing the afflicted, comforting the poor and oppressed, gathering together wheatlike ones out from that nation's weed patch of apostasy. (Matt. 4:23, 24; 9:35, 36; 14:14; Mark 1:38, 39) Indeed Jesus was a very
busy man! Hardly could he find a lonely place in which to rest; often not so much as an opportunity to eat a quiet meal by himself. (Matt. 14:13; Mark 3:20; 6:31- 34; Luke 4:42, 43) As a consequence, on Passover night, A.D. 33, exactly on time as foretold in ancient prophecies, Jesus was able to report to his Father: "I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do." So by eagerly taking up the divine assignment and persevering in it Jesus was able to complete it, gain the great victory, and receive Jehovah's cherished approval.—John 17:4; 19:30; Matt. 17:5, NW.
SERVICE ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED
8 Jesus knew that in the years ahead the pure worship of Jehovah would be expanded to the ends of the earth. This would require an efficient theocratic organization, and so at the outset of his ministry Jesus gathered about him a body of disciples to whom he gave special training and instruction for the work ahead. Note the type of individuals whom he picked as his close associates. Not the lazy and sluggish aristocrats or the indolent and parasitic Pharisees of that day. Rather, the disciples of Jesus were for the most part chosen from among the working class of people—rugged fishermen, hardworking tax collectors, men and women of action who could be depended upon to get things done. And it was good that they were ambitious and energetic individuals, for much work was required of them. Like Jesus they too had to be witnesses and teachers among the nations, preachers and proclaimers of the good news of the kingdom of heaven. They too had to work hard in the wheat harvest together with the "Master of the harvest".—Luke 10:2, NW. During his three-and-a-half-year ministry Jesus gave these followers of his much oral counsel on proper worship, devotion and service to God, as well as instruction in the basic laws governing the theocratic organization, namely, the fundamental principles of love, truth and righteousness.
This was necessary, for all their former lives when alienated from God the minds of these men and women had been shaped according to the pattern of this old world. Now they were called out of darkness into glorious light to be footstep followers of Jesus, devoted as he was to pure, undefiled worship of Jehovah God. They must therefore make their minds over, get rid of their false ideas, practices and preconceived notions based on human reasonings and man-made theories and traditions. From now on they were to be part of a holy nation of kings and priests, completely devoted to God and his righteous kingdom under Christ. This is why they held nothing back, but dedicated their lives to God's service, devoting everything they had, their heart, soul, strength, substance and mind, to his service. Henceforth they were to be governed by an entirely new rule of conduct, one of love. "I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." This making of their minds over for a new way of life was certainly no easy task, but required much effort and exertion on the part of each one.—Mark 12:29-31; John 13:34, 35, NW.
10 Then, too, in addition to giving oral instruction, Jesus took his disciples along with him in the witness work from house
to house and from city to city, in order that they might learn by practical observation how to handle their assignment to preach, how to be efficient in their work and thorough in covering their territory. And from time to time these newly trained witnesses were sent out on their own so that they could gain valuable experience through practicing in the field what they had been taught in class. (Matt. 10:1-11:1; Luke 10:1-17) Of course, training these other members of the theocratic organization placed an extra burden on Jesus, since it was often necessary to give them additional instruction privately after long hours of tiring preaching to the multitudes. But Jesus did not complain. He was no clock watcher, nor did he labor under the critical eyes of a union boss who would have penalized him for working overtime without drawing a bonus. (Matt. 13:1- 16, 36-43; 24:3) And because Jesus was so diligent in looking after every detail he was successful in laying the foundation for a good service organization, a society of Christian ministers, one composed of individuals who not only were hard workers but were governed by theocratic principles, persons who recognized that Christ Jesus by divine appointment was directing the organization's activity even down to the consummation of this system of things.-Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20, NW.
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