The Watchtower, May 1, 1953
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
MAY 1, 1953
Semimonthly
TAUGHT BY JEHOVAH
TEMPLE TEACHING
"KEEPING A TIGHT GRIP
ON THE WORD OF LIFE"
HOW OUR MONEY CAN PRAISE GOD
JOHANNESBURG TRIUMPHANT
CLEAN WORSHIP ASSEMBLY
©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
Why Maturity Is Lacking 259
"Keeping a Tight Grip on the Word of Life" 261
How Our Money Can Praise God 265
God's Loving Way 268
Johannesburg Triumphant Clean Worship Assembly 269
Taught by Jehovah 273
Temple Teaching 279
Questions from Readers 285
Announcements 288
Abbreviations used in "The Watchtower" for the following Bible versions
AS - American Standard Version LXX- The Septuagint Version
AT - An American Translation Mo - James Moffatt's version
Da - J. N. Darby's version NW - New World 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
Unless otherwise indicated, the Bible used is the King James Version
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WHY MATURITY IS LACKING
SHORTLY after General D. D. Eisenhower had become the president-elect of the United States he took a vacation in a southern United States city. News of the fact that Eisenhower was in town caused overflow crowds at a number of the Protestant churches the following Sunday, obviously due, as some of the local pastors wryly observed, to the hope of seeing "Ike". The general had given no clue as to which place of worship he would attend.
Yes, the pastors, although themselves always very glad to welcome large crowds and willing to go to great lengths to attract such, felt no little annoyance because the reasons for these crowds were not they or religion but curiosity and the general. Said one pastor to his "flock": "If any of you have come here to see the Eisenhowers you should be ashamed." And to a woman who phoned to find out whether or not the Eisenhowers would be at a certain church, the pastor replied: "No, but Jesus Christ will."—New York Times, November 17, 1952.
But why should such pastors expostulate with their congregations? What else can they expect? Is it not true that millions of people go to church each Sunday, only to see their pastors perform certain religious ceremonies, often in a dead language, to answer his appeal for a generous collection and to listen for ten or fifteen minutes to a discussion of some best seller
or some current political problem? If their pastor does start out with a Scripture text it is not long until he gets off onto some easy-listening philosophy. And in view of such spiritual fare, can it be said that Jesus Christ is present?
If in his sermons the pastor calls attention to the works and achievements of man, likes to quote the "great" men of the world, whether in business, politics, art or science; if he thus builds up creature worship, can he blame his "flock" for wanting to see such heroes in person? If he lauds the United Nations as mankind's only hope and ignores the kingdom of God, for which he ostensibly is praying every time he repeats the Lord's Prayer, can he then complain when his congregation would rather see the man whose military genius largely made the United Nations possible than to hear something about the Prince of Peace? And when the pastor preaches the philosophy of success, "honesty is the best policy," and "how to win friends and influence people", is it not natural for his listeners to want to see the outstanding American example of success?
And is it not true that the very manner of preaching is such as to call attention to the creature rather than to the Creator? Honeyed words, well-chosen phrases, studied gestures, immaculate ministerial garb, and so forth, are made prominent, as though the ideal Christian minister were the one who could give a flawless exhibition of elocution and acting.
How true of such that at the end of their sermons 'they give evidence to all, that whoe'er was edified, they were not'! To help fill in the spiritual vacuum imposing cathedrals are built, lavishly furnished with pipe organs, stained-glass windows and other works of art, and choirs are trained. Is it any wonder, then, that churchgoers are not mature when the goal of the worship they attend is entertainment and appeal to the senses instead of edification and appeal to the reason and conscience of man?
That those high in religious circles appreciate that there is something lacking in these respects is apparent from the willingness of the Episcopal Churchnews to publish an article, in its February 3, 1952, issue, by May Sarton, an American author, that is in effect an indictment of modern religious worship. In this two-page article, entitled "Those Who Stay Away", among other things she said: "People do not go to church to be invited either to a social coffee hour or to be told bedtime stories. There is surely a danger to true religion if those who are regular churchgoers become so dulled that they accept these stones for bread. There is surely a danger if church is just a comfortable habit, something people do before a good Sunday dinner, that God will be absent. May I now speak out boldly and say that I do not believe ministers ask enough of their congregations? That they are afraid of the truth they have in their hearts, afraid it will be unpalatable or too difficult? By so doing, they may achieve large congregations, but they drive away the truly religious element."
Clearly the fear of man and the love of a good name have brought the clergy into a snare. (Prov. 29:25; John 5:44) In their efforts to gain and keep large congregations they have feared to tell the
truth, and thus they are without any real purpose in life. And so they encroach on the fields of the philosopher, psychologist, politician, scientist, entertainer, becoming as it were, 'jacks of all trades and masters of none.' No wonder the Bible likens Christendom to a vine that, being fruitless, is fit for nothing except the fire, its wood serving no other purpose.Ezek.15:1-8.
These same clergymen complain that Jehovah's witnesses take away their best members, but from the above it is apparent that by their fear to tell the truth "they drive away the truly religious element". This element, not content with the famine rations that keep them in a state of spiritual immaturity, have wandered far and wide, like sheep without a shepherd, seeking God and his true worship. (Mark 6:34; Acts 17:27, NW) Conscious of their spiritual need and hungering and thirsting for righteousness, they have found all their needs supplied by the comforting message of God's kingdom. Receiving reasonable and soul-satisfying answers to their questions, they have exercised faith, called on the name of Jehovah, and are now making that confession with their lips, which assures their salvation. Thus they grow to maturity.—Matt. 5:3, 6; 24:14; Rom. 10:8-15, NW.
While the greater responsibility for immaturity among professed Christians thus falls upon the religious leaders, the immature ones cannot excuse themselves on that ground. They are accountable to Jehovah God for their own course of action and if they choose to remain blind and follow blind leaders they will end up in the ditch of destruction as surely as will their blind leaders. (Matt. 15:14) Jehovah warns the faithless and self-serving clergy of impending destruction. And those of their flocks who "love to have it so" will share their fate.—Jer. 5:30, 31; 23:16-32.
"Keeping a Tight Grip on the Word of Life"
"HE HUNG on like a bulldog," is a common expression. To describe an uncommon grip demands an uncommon expression. So it could be said, too: "He hung on like an ant." An
inspired proverb states: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." (Prov. 6:6) In truth it could also be said: "Go to the ant, you of feeble grip, and be wise."
One observer saw an ant dragging along a grasshopper sixty times its own weight. That is the equivalent of a man's dragging four and a half tons. Another ant, suspended by gripping a string with its hind feet, held in midair a pair of gloves eleven hundred times its own weight. To match this a man would have to hang by his toes and support by his teeth more than eighty tons. Fighting ants never let go. Even when their heads are snipped off their jaws remain clamped to the bodies of their adversaries. It is reported that in India and Algeria ant heads are sometimes used as stitches. The edges of a wound are pressed together, the widely opened jaws of the ant are brought close, and finally it seizes both edges and holds them together. Then the native "surgeon" snips off the bodies of the ants, leaving the heads holding fast, where they remain until the
wound is healed.—Nature's Ways, pages 148, 149.
Herod "sent and had John beheaded in the prison". Many of the witnesses of God and Christ were "executed with the ax for the witness they
bore to Jesus and for speaking about God". To those who would be finally approved Jesus said: "Prove yourself faithful even with the danger of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Matt.
14:10; Rev. 2:10; 20:4, NW) Regardless of what happens, God's servants must heed Paul's words: "Keep doing all things free from murmurings and arguments, that you may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world, keeping a tight grip on the word of life." (Phil. 2:14-16, NW) The Christian's grip on God's Word must be uncommonly tight. Tighter than the bulldog's grip or the ant's.
WAYS OF WEAKENING OUR GRIP ON GOD'S WORD
Literal beheading has frequently been used against Christians to break their integrity, and this as recent as the rule of Hitler's nazis, when some of Jehovah's witnesses were beheaded. However, in the majority of cases today Satan and his invisible and visible representatives do not use such violent methods. They use more subtle means to loosen the Christian's "grip on the word of life", means that are more tricky because their true intent is disguised.
In these days science is used as a pry to separate the people from their faith in the Bible. And science is making headway. It is making headway not only
among the orthodox church members, but also among the clergy of these systems.
In the Catholic pamphlet The Holy Bible, the Heritage of Catholic Family Life, published in 1952 under imprimatur of Archbishop O'Boyle of Washington, D.C., it is stated: "Can the six days of which Moses speaks be these long periods described by geologists? Certainly they are not. Moses knew nothing of modern science; his picture of the universe is quite naive, no further advanced, in fact, than that of the people among whom he lived three thousand years ago." That means one of two things. Either the Catholics are saying the Bible is not God's inspired Word, or they are contending God the Creator has ideas about the earth's formation that are naive, no farther advanced than the superstitions of primitive peoples, and nowhere nearly as sound as the speculations of today's puny men of science. And the ironical part is that these Catholic blasphemies against the Bible were published in celebration of Catholic Bible Week! Similar assaults against the Bible come regularly from Protestant clergy also. Millions are losing their grip on God's Word and in its stead grabbing hold of scientific philosophies.—Col. 2:8.
Popular magazines loosen the grip of many on the Word of life. Look, February 26, 1952, tried to appear sensational by apparently suddenly discovering the Bible was filled with errors. It called attention to about half a dozen spurious passages, such as Mark 16:9-20, John 8:1-11 and 1 John 5:7. After citing these few big errors Look glibly states that Bible scholars agree that there are from 20,000 to 50,000 errors in the Bible. Does not this leave the impression that these thousands of errors are serious ones, like those mentioned, and hence that the Bible is wholly unreliable? Actually, serious errors are remarkably few, and years ago they were
ferreted out and eliminated in modern translations. Scholars recognize how remarkably accurate has been the preservation of the Scriptures. In a mercenary endeavor to be sensational Look misrepresented the Bible, subtly discrediting it. The secular press in general leaps to the opportunity to shake confidence in the Bible.
Pagan teachings have filtered their way into Christendom's doctrines and separate the people from God's Word. Such doctrines as trinity, eternal torment, prayers for the dead, purgatory, and many others, can be traced to pagan religions and cannot at all be proved by the Bible. Both Catholics and Protestants who are informed will admit that many of their teachings and customs are of pagan origin, but rather than lament about it they glory in it. For instance, New York city minister Donald Harrington, after showing the pagan origin of many of the Christmas customs, declared: "It is this integration of pagan rites and ceremonies which stands as an example of the universality of God and makes one realize that Christmas is not merely a Christian festival but a holiday of mankind." (New York Times, December 24, 1951) How different from Paul's inspired words!—"Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God's temple have with idols?"—2 Cor. 6:14-16, NW.
Today we are told we must be practical, and that the Bible is highly impractical in this modern age. A New York minister named Call, of a Unitarian church, gave the usual lip service but destroyed the effect on the grounds of impracticality. In denouncing high ideals he singled out Christ's sermon on the mount for attack.
He praised it as the "Christian ideal embodying many fundamental moral principles", but opposed taking it too seriously. "When you tear that great sermon out of its context," he asserted, "and apply it in our place, time and circumstance, it is woefully impractical. Those who preach it do not practice it and they have no expectation of trying to practice it, for if they did they would be summarily entombed in wards for the mentally ill." New York Times, June 30, 1952.
Jesus preached it and practiced it and because of this was put to death. His true footstep followers today preach it and practice it to the best of their imperfect abilities and because of this are considered impractical and insane by many and are often imprisoned and frequently killed. But rather than follow in Jesus' steps, Christendom's clergy run with the pack in the wake of worldly politicians and philosophers and scientists. Only a glance at this world with its filth and corruption, its plots and lies, its violence and blood-shed, should suffice to show its ways are not practical. Obedience to Bible principles is the only really practical remedy, but even the clergy seek to break the "grip on the word of life".
Much more could be produced showing how the clergy weaken instead of strengthen faith in the Bible. The fundamentalists teach pagan doctrines under a Bible label, and the modernists babble higher criticism to undermine the Scriptures. Atheists are more honest, and do the Bible far less harm. The clergy are wolves in sheep's clothing; the atheists are wolves in wolves' clothing, and everyone knows where they stand. (Matt. 7:15) Knowingly or not, the clergy in general have become Satan's fifth column. "Such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. It is therefore nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness. But their end shall be according to their works."—2 Cor. 11:13- 15,NW.
TIGHT MENTAL GRIP ON GOD'S WORD
But it is not only science, propaganda, paganism, false philosophies about being "practical", and many other follies that loosen the grip of blind leaders and blind followers, that true Christians must shun. Our own flesh tries to break our "grip on the word of life". Love for self, or for other creatures, or for material gain—any or all of such loves that cater to the desires of the fallen flesh are perhaps the most powerful forces at work to slowly pry loose our grip on Bible truth. The fact that these forces do exert themselves slowly and loosen the grip gradually only makes them the more dangerous. The way to resist the entering wedges of these forces is to keep the mind centered on the principles of God's Word. In that way we keep a mental grip on the Word of life.
It is not a literal grip on a literal book that counts. Hypocrites and others may clutch the Bible in their hands, but keep no hold upon it in their minds. Priests and preachers and members of religious orders may go about with it in their hands, be seen reading it in public places, and otherwise display it for show. The courts make a pretense of gripping the Bible, using it to swear upon in their proceedings. Public officials take oaths of office with their hands resting upon the Bible. But it is not such showy laying hold upon the Bible that meets Paul's admonition about "keeping a tight grip on the word of life".
To get the mental grip that will preserve us from assaults from within and without requires study, then obedience to the things learned. Thus you will "quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and complete will of God". (Rom. 12:2, NW) A sincere and meek mental grip on God's Word will enable one to heed Paul's counsel: "Deaden, therefore, your body members which are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Do not be lying to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality which through accurate knowledge is being renewed according to the image of the one who created it."—Col. 3:5, 9, 10, NW.
Christ Jesus had a real mental grip on God's principles, and he cited these to turn aside the assaults of Satan. (Matt. 4:1-11) He, and not the scientists and politicians and philosophers and "practical" religionists, is the "model for you to follow". (1 Pet. 2:21, NW) Jehovah rejects those who reject his Word; and actually confusion, and not true wisdom, is the lot of the worldly wise who do this: "The wise men are put to shame, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of Jehovah; and what manner of wisdom is in them?" (1 Sam. 15:26; Jer. 8:9, AS) On one occasion Jesus said: "I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes."—Matt. 11:25, NW.
Some are honest enough to acknowledge the confused state brought about by relaxing the grip on God's Word to take hold of intellectual philosophies. Bishop Austin Pardue, of the Protestant Episcopal
Diocese of Pittsburgh, said on August 7, 1950: "We Christians of today are tragically unworthy. But just a word to the self-righteous outsiders who point to our hypocrisy; we can always make room for more hypocrites and we cordially invite them to come over and join us. Our hypocrisy is not deliberate, but convenient. The vicious malady of our orthodox American denominations comes from the corroding acids of disbelief which have watered down our convictions to the point of where much of our religion has become a matter of mere custom and tradition. On the other hand, destructive higher criticism of the Bible has become so universal that many of us modern ministers hardly know what we believe. On the other hand, we have become such worshipers of intellectual cults and clichés that we dare not believe any longer in the supernatural powers of prayer and sacrament."
We should not be impressed or swayed by the worldly intellectuals that wallow in confusion. Jehovah and Christ are not: "For you behold his calling of you, brothers, that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame, and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God." "He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah."—1 Cor. 1:26-29, 31, NW.
So when there floods in upon you the barrage of propaganda from scientists, philosophers, politicians, higher critics, pagan fundamentalists and others that tends to weaken your grip on the Bible, resist! Keep your grip on the Word of life!
How Our Money Can Praise God
"Good Hopes" Provide Financial Sinews for Expansion
TODAY Jehovah is having a great work done in the earth. A work of preaching the good news of his established kingdom so that men of good will who sigh and cry for the abominations they see committed in the land may be able to flee modern Babylon and find protection in Jehovah's system of things, the modern ark. (Ezek. 9:4; Matt. 24:14-16, 37-39; Rev. 18:4, NW) A work of sounding the warning of impending destruction at the battle of Armageddon. (Ezek. 3:17; Rev. 16:14-16, NW) And, above all, a work of praising God by clearing his name of reproach, by making known the truth of who he is and what his purposes are. Ex. 9:16; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 43:10-12.
During the past year upward of 456,000 shared in this work, of whom more than 18,000 devoted from 100 to more than 200 hours monthly. This work was carried on in more than a hundred different languages and dialects and in 127 different lands and isles of the sea.
Jehovah's servants spent close to 70 million hours in this work during 1952. Not by human might, nor by power, but only by Jehovah's spirit were they able to accomplish all this. (Zech. 4:6, AS) That spirit, coming upon them as a result of their study of God's Word and their association with his organization, motivated them to give the witness at every opportunity: to callers at the home, to business acquaintances, to traveling companions, etc. And to make opportunities for
themselves they stood on the streets offering Bible magazines and invitations to Bible lectures to the passers-by. They went from home to home offering to teach all whom they met the wonderful truths concerning Jehovah and his kingdom. They made some 22 million return visits on the people, and monthly conducted about 280, 000 Bible studies in the homes of the interested ones, held upward of 240,000 public meetings, not to say anything of the many, many millions of pieces of literature they distributed.
EXPANSION INVOLVES EXPENSE
It hardly needs to be mentioned that to accomplish such a tremendous work, to have it done harmoniously and systematically, requires organization, which in turn involves much expense. Branch offices are maintained in many lands, instructions are furnished the ministers both by printed page and by visits from the traveling representatives of the Society. Circuit, district national and international assemblies are arranged for to instruct and encourage the ministers as well as to give a witness to the truth regarding Jehovah. Full-time ministers, missionaries and those known as "pioneers" are provided with literature at a rate far below the cost of printing it; in fact, often the shipping costs alone exceed the amount these contribute for the Bible literature they obtain for placing with the people. Upward of 2,000 ministers have been brought from all parts of the earth for intensive training at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, the majority of whom are now serving at home and abroad in various special capacities, especially at missionary homes which are provided for and kept up by the Society.
Court cases are fought in all parts of the world for the purpose of legally establishing and defending the good news.
Further, in many distant lands the servants of Jehovah are in very poor circumstances as regards material goods, unable to defray the financial burden that the expansion of the Kingdom message entails in their land. In other parts of the earth there are only a handful of witnesses, with much opposition to overcome. The radio is used in various lands, and at the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, there is a radio station devoted entirely to preaching the truth of God's Word.
Yes, we cannot escape it; to carry on such a tremendous witness work involves much expense. But it has always been thus. Building the ark and stocking it with the food and other supplies that eight persons and all the many animals needed for more than a year involved no small expense on the part of the four married couples that bore the burden of carrying out God's commandments at that time. However, we cannot imagine their begrudging it, as though they would rather have amassed riches in that system of things, for they fully knew that it was coming to an end, and that soon.
When the time came for the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness and furnishing the necessary equipment for it and the ones serving in connection with it, Moses announced Jehovah's command: "Procure from your company a contribution for the LORD; everyone whose heart is willing is to bring it, the Lord's contribution." (Ex. 35:5, AT) When the time came for the construction of Solomon's temple, King David first of all set the example by contributing some $81,000,000 in gold
alone, and then asked: "Now who will make a voluntary offering today like one consecrating himself to the priesthood?" 1 Chron.29:5, AT.
When Jesus was on earth this matter of defraying the expenses of the expansion of true worship also had to be dealt with, and so we read that certain women "were ministering to them from their belongings". (Luke 8:2, 3; see also John 12:6, NW) And the apostle Paul repeatedly referred to the part that contributions played in his ministry.—2 Cor. 11:8; 12:13, 14; Phil. 4:10, 15, 17, NW.
THE SCRIPTURAL WAY
How shall the necessary means be acquired to support the work in our day? By charging for various religious services? By passing the collection plate? By sponsoring bingo games, raffles, bazaars and carnivals? By soliciting pledges and then sending statements each month as to amount due?
Are such the examples the Bible gives us? No, not at all! When Moses made it known that contributions were needed, the people responded so willingly that they had to be commanded to stop bringing gifts. (Ex. 36:5-7) A like liberality was manifested in David's time, causing him to exclaim: "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?" (1 Chron. 29:14, AS) Yes, it was not necessary to bribe, dun, embarrass or shame Jehovah's servants into making contributions to God's cause. All that was necessary was to bring to their attention the opportunity to contribute, and they freely responded to the extent of their individual abilities.—2 Cor. 8:12, NW.
And so today. Even as the Society calls to our attention our privileges of having a part in the expansion of true worship by devoting our time and energies to it,so once each year, in the columns of The Watchtower, we are reminded of our privilege of honoring Jehovah with our substance, even as we do with our vocal powers, and that we advise the Society what we hope to be able to do in this regard.—Prov.
3:9.
This in no sense of the word constitutes a pledge, for the Society does not make comparisons at the end of the year between the amount each one listed and what was received. Then why does it request this information? Merely because of the psychological effect on the ones giving? No, such worldly wisdom does not motivate the Society. It requests this information simply so that it can plan the work for the coming year, knowing what to expect, since to a large extent the expansion depends upon the amount of contributions received.
And just as the missionary or pioneer minister must intelligently budget his time if he is to meet his quota of hours each month, so it is well that those not so favorably situated as to time for field service, but having the privilege of contributing of their goods to Jehovah's service, budget themselves as regards their finances. Such is in keeping with Paul's admonition, as found at 1 Corinthians 16:2 (NW): "Every first day of the week let each of you at his own house set something aside in store as he may be prospering."
This privilege is not just for those blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, but also for those with but the widow's few coins of very small value, even as the field ministry is not just for those who can devote all their time, but also for those able to devote but an hour or two
a month. (Mark 12:41-44, NW) And just as we do not let our activity in regard to our field ministry be determined by what others may think, so in our giving of material things, "let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:7, NW) By the proper use of our material goods, "unrighteous riches," we can make friends of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus and be assured of permanent dwellings when this old system of things fails. Nor is it amiss to note that in this matter also "there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving".—Acts 20:35, NW.
Those living in the United States, and who wish to co-operate in this matter, may address their card or letter to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, Treasurer's Office, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn 1, New York. In writing about these "Good Hopes", something such as the following may be stated: "It is my hope that during the next twelve months I will be able to donate to the work of praising Jehovah the amount of $ ... , which contributions I will make in such amounts and at such times as prove convenient to me and as I am prospered, by the undeserved kindness of Jehovah God through Christ Jesus. [signed]” It may be well to keep a copy of your card or letter as a reminder to yourself. On page 258 is a list of other branch office addresses, and a complete list is found on the last page of the Yearbook.
Appreciating that all depends upon Jehovah's direction and blessing, his servants will unite in mutual prayer to that end. Ps.127:1, AS.
GOD'S LOVING WAY
THE Bible assures us that God's way is one of love. (1 John 4:8) Some wonder, in view of all the suffering in the world, how this could be so. But such wonder only because they have not come to know God and his purposes.*
Everything God has done, is doing and yet will do for his creatures is prompted by unselfishness, by love. Our very existence is an expression of God's love. He did not need to create anything or anyone. He was perfectly self-contained. But because he is love he had great joy and happiness in bringing forth creations of all kinds, seen and unseen.
And how fully God has provided for our every need in the beautiful earth all about us! He endowed us with a mind capable of reasoning, of remembering, of exercising will and feeling emotions. He gave us a body capable of moving about, and to keep in touch with our environment he gave us the five senses.—Ps. 139:14.
God further showed his love by endowing man with his own four attributes of love and wisdom, justice and power, thus making man truly in his image. And lovingly he gave man a mandate, to be fruitful, fill the earth, subdue it, and exercise dominion over the lower animals, and also the powers needed to carry out this mandate.
Even the placing of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in Eden and then commanding man not to eat of it was an expression of God's love. How so? In that man's safety and happiness depended upon his continued appreciation and dependence upon his Creator; and by this command man was continually reminded of the fact that all he had and was enjoying came from God and that he could lose it by going contrary to God's requirement. In
disobeying, our first parents not only showed lack of love and appreciation of what God had given them but also no love for their future offspring. God, however, did have love for their offspring yet to be born, and so gave at once a promise of the eventual triumph of righteousness. (Gen. 3:15) As time went on he gave man more revelations of his purposes and his requirements, all of which gradually came to be his Book, the Bible.
Jehovah God also showed his love by sending his Son, the Word or Logos, to earth to become a man; there to make known the truth, to show men how to keep integrity and thus prove the Devil a liar, and to provide a ransom for mankind. Prov. 27:11; Matt. 20:28; John 18:37.
Because God is love he will, in his due time, destroy all the forces of wickedness at the battle of Armageddon. And because he is love he has provided that all those who now seek him and righteousness and meekness may hope to be spared through that battle and enter into the new world of righteousness. To this end he is causing the good news of his kingdom to be preached in all the earth for a witness to all nations.—Matt. 24:14.
In that post-Armageddon new world there will be no doubt in the minds of any that live that God's way is one of love, for it will be a world in which there will be no more pain, sorrow, crying or death, a world where even the lower animals will dwell together in peace with one another. And as a final expression of his love God will even bring back from the memorial tombs the countless multitudes recorded in his memory.—John 5:28, 29, NW.
Let all who would enjoy the blessings of that new world now study God's Word, the Bible, and prove to themselves that God's way is love.
Johannesburg Triumphant Clean Worship Assembly
Report on African trip by N. H. Knorr, Watch Tower Society's president
AS NOTED in our previous report, Brother Henschel and I spent several days at the
new branch office in Johannesburg giving counsel and instruction so that the work may be better cared for. Then on Monday, December 8, Brother Phillips, the branch servant or overseer, and I flew to Windhoek, the capital of South-West Africa. Less than 50,000 Europeans live in its 317,725 square miles that are stretched along the coast for a thousand miles. In the south the chief occupation is karakul (sheep) farming and in the north cattle ranching. The country is very rich in minerals, a fact only recently appreciated; and so mining is fast replacing cattle and sheep raising in importance.
The people are complacent and indifferent; having plenty of this world's goods, they are not inclined to look for a new world. Much literature is distributed in the three principal languages, English, Afrikaans and German. Due to South-West Africa's having been a German colony before 1914, the German influence is very prominent.
Three missionaries have been at work there for almost three years, and at this,
Windhoek itself is a city of about 10,000 Europeans and as many Africans. Its hot springs, which first attracted people to this place, provide for most of the city's drinking water, and the warm water directly from the pipes invites many a bath. The climate on the whole is healthful, Windhoek enjoying ideal year-round weather.
their first assembly, the fruits of their work were seen. Only ten attended the regular sessions of the assembly. It was just like being with a
few close friends and talking heart to heart with them. Even though not great in number they had come great distances to be at the assembly. All of them were men. One thing lacking is sufficient Bible studies conducted by the missionaries and part-time ministers. It may be that because there is no sister in the group as yet women are keeping shy of the work. In the evening 25 turned out for the public meeting, most of whom were recognized by the missionaries as being interested in the message. Since people often do not like to meet in someone else's house, arrangements were made to get a Kingdom Hall and have weekly meetings in it.
The people in this territory are very honest. The missionaries told us that they never close their doors nor lock their windows. They have been leaving their bicycles outside for the past two years. In fact, people go away on their vacations for several weeks at a time and leave their doors open. This certainly is unusual.
On Wednesday, December 10, we drove to Pretoria, the capital, and visited the Native Affairs Department. For some reason still unknown to us the government has not seen fit to recognize the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society or Jehovah's witnesses as a religious body. While this does not prevent the work from being carried on, it does affect to a considerable extent the African side of the work Jehovah's witnesses are doing.
Often the special traveling representatives of the Society are prevented from arranging for assemblies or giving lectures in the compounds, because the Society is not recognized or listed as a religious body. Several years ago an application had been made to the government to have the Society recognized, but no action was taken, and so we asked them to reconsider the matter. We were able to give them a good witness concerning the truth and our beliefs and our work.
MEETING IN UNITY
The next big event in our visit to South Africa was the Triumphant Clean Worship Assembly held in the Wembley Stadium at Johannesburg. The most outstanding thing about it was that Europeans, non-Europeans and Africans could meet together in peace and harmony. There were no riots and no misunderstandings. Those who were in charge of the Wembley Stadium were truly amazed at how well the three classes of people got along and how well people of different African tribes got along.
Of course, we had to recognize apartheid. The Europeans were in one stand directly in front of the platform. The non-Europeans had their section on the side. The Africans took up the greater section on the far side. The joyful part was that we were all together in the same stadium worshiping Jehovah in holy array. We had to give way to a previously-arranged-for program on Friday night, and so the program for that night was moved up a day, the convention actually beginning on Thursday evening and concluding on Sunday night, December 14.
Probably the biggest problem in getting this convention under way was that of obtaining passes for the African brothers living in Natal and Zululand. They needed outward passes to leave their own country
and permits, if over eighteen years old, to enter the city of Johannesburg and stay for more than three days. It was possible to provide all the African brothers that could afford to come with such passes and permits.
The public meeting was advertised in Zulu and in English and all of the brothers at the assembly were spoken to in languages that they understood. The address of welcome was unusual. Brother Bartlett spoke in English to the Europeans. Ten minutes later Brother McLuckie spoke in Afrikaans. Then came Brother Ngobese who spoke in Zulu from the same speaker's platform but facing the great crowd of African brothers on the other side of the stadium. All three talks were received with enthusiasm, the Europeans joining in the applause as the speaker addressed the African brothers. There certainly was oneness of spirit in this gathering.
As far as the Europeans were concerned, you often heard them speaking Afrikaans and English interchangeably. So this was done on the platform. Sometimes the chairman would introduce the next speaker in English who would then speak in Afrikaans. The whole program had these two languages interwoven and at times Zulu and Sesuto were used.
On Thursday night Brother Henschel addressed the assembly and his talk was interpreted into Zulu so that all the convention was able to understand, and his remarks were received with real joy and enthusiasm. Of the 3,492 in attendance at that time 2,126 were Africans, 140 non-Europeans and 1,226 Europeans.
The Friday morning session was devoted mainly to the African brothers, the Europeans going out in the field service. At eleven o'clock I talked to the convention for the first time and spoke through Zulu and Sesuto interpreters. The matter of maturity was stressed. They were shown the urgent need of learning to read and write and the advantages of gaining knowledge by themselves rather than being dependent on others.
They listened intently.
The feeding of the African brothers had to be done at the convention grounds, rain or shine. Their diet was simple, cooked mealie meal (ground maize) and meat and gravy. Each carried his own pan or dish. They stood patiently in line, many being women with babies on their backs. When it rained some stood in line for an hour without a murmur until they could be served. For everyone present this was a lesson in patience and appreciation for what was done for them.
The four days of the convention passed quickly. The various speakers, members of the branch office, Gilead missionaries and traveling representatives gave one fine talk after another. If you did not understand a language you patiently sat and listened, knowing that many others were being fed spiritual food and were being strengthened for further service and true worship. By Saturday evening 5,441 were in attendance and at six o'clock that night the baptism took place. A total of 339 were immersed. Though much rain fell during the four days, the brothers were all very joyful and there were sufficient covered sections of the stands for all to have a dry place.
Sunday morning the public lecture on the subject "It's Time to Consider God's Way" was given for the benefit of those speaking Zulu. It had been widely advertised and was interpreted for the 5,094 who attended that morning in spite of heavy rain. In the afternoon at four o'clock the same public lecture was given in English only and there were 2,173 more people there; all those having heard it in the morning remaining in the afternoon to hear it again were a total of 7,267 Europeans, non-Europeans and Africans.
After having seen the unity and good spirit among all Jehovah's people, one would wish that the government officials who are so afraid that preaching the good news of the Kingdom will do harm in their protectorates had been there to observe the unity and peace and oneness of spirit. Then they would no longer have any cause for concern. Our commission from Jehovah is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom and to teach the people high moral standards of living and how to carry on the true worship of the Creator, Jehovah God.
REPORT FROM EAST TRANSVAAL
Among the many interesting experiences reported by the traveling representatives of the Society (district servants) showing the progress of the work among the Africans was the following:
"I arrived by train at the nearest little station and rode 12 miles out to the mine on an ore lorry (truck). My arrival was not only keenly awaited by the score of African brothers, but news had also reached the European authorities. Surprisingly, instead of being asked for long explanations about our motives or our religious work, I was told I might freely enter the compound and hold talks any evening in the lighted open-air theater. The management provided me with a nice bungalow and food at the mess. Why this friendly attitude? The 'Watchtower boys' had gained the confidence of the Europeans by their good work, cleanliness and obedience.
"So, instead of giving the talk on how to carry on the ministry in the hut of the presiding minister or outside of the compound at their 'Kingdom Hall' (a few rows of whitewashed stones in a clearing in the bush) we spoke at the open-air theater. Our joy was great as 202 came uninvited to hear how clean worshipers remove all lingering traces of heathen living and live and serve as a part of the New World society.
Many stayed after the meeting to ask questions and promised to come with their friends for tomorrow's public talk.
"Wednesday evening brought relief from a scorching sun, and under a lovely moon beaming down upon this isolated mine, 354 came for the public talk. This talk attracted so many because it was translated into Shangaan, the language spoken by the majority of the compound.
"The opening of the circuit assembly on Friday evening saw the people of good will greatly outnumbering the few witnesses of Jehovah that came from the several small congregations in the circuit. The friendly compound boys gave good attention to the discourses and demonstrations, and the 400 on Friday evening grew to over 550 on Saturday evening.
"Sunday's public talk had been thoroughly advertised. But instead of finding an expectant audience at 3 p.m. we found a howling mob of African dancers, including local talent and visitors from a neighboring mine. What a deafening bedlam of stamping feet, throbbing drums and shrill whistles! The compound 'boss-boy' agreed that we should have the theater, but he could not get the dancers and spectators moved away. We retreated to the Kingdom Hall in the bush, hoping that by the time our short concluding discourses were finished we could get the use of the theater for the public talk.
"By 5 p.m. the 'boss-boy' had moved the dancers away into another section of the compound and 707 were listening to our
public talk in competition with all the noise and distant drums. All went nicely until halfway through the talk we heard the increasing volume announce the return of the now completely obsessed dancers. Soon the swarms of perspiring lightly clad Africans, intoxicated by the pulsating rhythm, came into view. Straight toward us they came in wild loping strides, their bulging eyes staring, advancing first their spear in the right hand and leather shield in the left. It was quite a sensation when part of the crazed crowd lunged through the small space between me and the audience.
"We had to interrupt the talk as they milled around the theater area and their dance reached its climax. Five minutes later, as the visiting team left and the noise slowly subsided, we resumed the talk. Long after the close of our assembly we were busy talking to the many newly interested ones who were thrilled and happy with their introduction to the good news of God's glorious new world. All of the brothers were most thankful that Jehovah had so blessed us and prospered all the arrangements for our circuit assembly."
Indeed, such experiences as this one show how expansion is taking place in South Africa. The erection of the new Bethel home in Elandsfontein is another indication of Jehovah's blessing upon the work. The joys of the Wembley Stadium Assembly of Triumphant Clean Worship show it. On they go, by the thousands, our South African brothers working for increase.
Taught by Jehovah
"And they will all be taught by Jehovah.' Everyone that has heard the Father's teaching and has learned comes to me." John 6:45, NW; Isa. 54:13, AS.
IN THE preceding issue of The Watchtower we undertook a consideration of the fifty-fourth chapter of the prophecy of Isaiah, and now continue with the examination of the questions as to the teaching of Zion's children by Jehovah God. When? How? Who? May we share therein? We have seen that Jehovah's rulership and worship are directly involved. Jesus recognized that time must pass pending the arrival of God's due time for his Kingdom rule. In the twenty-first chapter of Luke we read his words: "Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur." (Luke 21:24, 32, NW) It is apparent then that until such time would arrive when God's kingdom through Christ Jesus would be set up, which is to say, when the Kingdom would be born, the great universal organization of Jehovah God is properly represented as a barren woman, as a wife without the desired child, an organization not as yet productive of its purpose toward earth.
2 In ancient Israel, Jerusalem was its capital city, Zion was the citadel of Jerusalem, and that name also was applied to the entire city. Zion was the capital
therefor, and as such was capital of Jehovah's kingdom over that comparatively small part of the earth. Israel's kings sat on Jehovah's throne. (1 Chron. 29:23, AS) To and through them there was promised an everlasting rulership, and yet this kingdom which was typical ended in violence in 607 B.C. (2 Sam. 7:12-16, AS) Against that unfaithful yet typical kingdom of Israel and its ungodly ruler came the word of Jehovah through his prophet Ezekiel: "Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand. And thou, O deadly wounded wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose day is come, in the time of the iniquity of the end, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Remove the mitre, and take off the crown; this shall be no more the same; exalt that which is low, and abase that which is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: this also shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him." (Ezek. 21:24-27, AS) Thus began the "appointed times of the nations" that were to run for a set length and would terminate with the establishment of the antitypical theocratic kingdom of God over earth, the birth by Jehovah's great universal organization, his righteous woman Zion, his wife, of the Kingdom manchild.
In the interval until then Zion would be as a barren woman.
3 Previously in the columns of The Watchtower and the other publications of the Watch Tower Society the evidence has been set forth from God's Word and the events of history of more than twenty-five hundred years ago and of our day, pointing to the year A.D. 1914 as the time when the "appointed times of the nations" terminated and the kingdom of Jehovah God was born. While Zion was barren respecting the Kingdom man-child, God's appointed King sat down, as it were, waiting. "Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." Ps. 110:1, 2, AS.
4 The setting of Christ Jesus as God's heavenly King upon his holy hill of heavenly Zion to rule is a bringing forth or birth by Zion: "Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." (Ps. 2:6-8, AS) So the Kingdom is born in heaven by virtue of the heavenly King's taking his power in Jehovah's due time. It is a successful birth, a timely one. It is the cause for the greatest rejoicing by the Father, the mother, the King of the newly born rule, and by all recognizing it and being for it. Christ Jesus looked forward to that time, and of this Paul the apostle states: "Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." —Heb. 12:2, NW.
The twelfth and nineteenth chapters of Revelation recount the realization of that joy. In reading Revelation's prophecy, have in mind God's woman-organization and her Kingdom man-child. "And a great sign was seen in heaven, a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon was beneath her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars, and she was pregnant. And she cries out in her pains and in her agony to give birth. And she gave birth to a son, a male, who is destined to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod. And her child was caught away to God and to his throne. And I heard what was as a voice of a great crowd and as a sound of many waters and as a sound of heavy thunders. They said: 'Praise Jah, you people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king. Let us rejoice and be overjoyed, and let us give him the glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself.'" (Rev. 12:1, 2, 5; 19:6, 7, NW) Thus the birth of the man-child ends the barrenness of God's woman as to his Kingdom rule over earth. There is work to be done under the heavenly Kingdom organization respecting Christians and all persons of good will and honest heart who may become Christians, that is, who may join in what should now be the order of the day, namely, the worship of Jehovah. This work must be done during the existence of the wicked old-world organization.
No one prophecy foretells all the events involved, nor all the acts of God, but many prophecies are used, all in agreement with one another, all to the praise of Jehovah's name. The prophet used by God to write the fifty-fourth chapter of Isaiah also wrote concerning the birth of Zion's offspring in the sixty-sixth chapter, where we read: "A voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah .
. . Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith Jehovah: shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? saith thy God. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn over her; that ye may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. For thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river." (Isa. 66:6-12, AS) Incidentally, and among other things, in harmony with the rest of God's Word, this prophecy of Isaiah shows the utter impossibility of Jehovah God's woman's being the woman Mary who gave birth to the babe Jesus.
What is there unusual about the birth of Zion's man-child? This: it is brought forth before her pain comes. In 1914, in God's own due time, his organization Zion brought forth the Kingdom by Jehovah's setting his King Christ Jesus upon his throne to rule in the midst of his enemies. "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?" No one! It is unheard of among the nations of the world. Furthermore, as Isaiah foretold, the Kingdom was born without travail, and thereafter travail followed with which Zion brought forth her children, not the man-child, but children, plural in number.
We have read in the twelfth chapter of Revelation that God's woman was ready
to give birth to the Kingdom son, and that at that time she cries out in her pains and in her agony to give birth. The scripture in Revelation shows that the time had come for God's universal organization to bring to the birth the Kingdom and that the birth was unavoidable. The birth must follow, because she is represented as being in pain and agony to give birth. So Jehovah states through Isaiah, "Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?" Jehovah does cause to bring forth.
Something else, however, is shown in the sixty-sixth chapter of Isaiah, namely, the order in which certain events occur. Without travail, or before the great travail or trouble that followed, the Kingdom was born in 1914 when Christ took his power to reign. Thereafter, both in heaven and upon earth, travail, distress, trouble, pangs, came upon God's organization. What accounts for this? Three things: (1) a war in heaven, (2) persecution of Christians upon the earth, (3) their spiritual purging.
10 Turning again to the twelfth chapter of Revelation we read that after the birth of the Kingdom "war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ.'" (Rev. 12:7-10, NW) The events on earth mark the heavenly. Note, therefore: "Now when the dragon saw it was hurled down to the earth, it persecuted the woman that gave birth to the male child.
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