The Watchtower, January 1, 1954
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WATCHTOWER
JANUARY 1,1954 Semimonthly
THEY SHALL TALK OF THE GLORY OF JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
KEEPING A CLEAN ORGANIZATION OF TALKERS
"BECOME DOERS OF THE WORD AND NOT HEARERS ONLY"
COMMUNISTS CONVERT CATHOLIC CLERGY
Announcing JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
CONTENDING ACCORDING TO THE RULES?
"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
GRANT SUITER, Secretary
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6:45, NW; Isaiah 54:13
CONTENTS
<tr><th>Contending According to the Rules?
They Shall Talk of the Glory of Jehovah's Kingdom
Keeping a Clean Organization of Talkers
Jew Teaches Moslem Christianity
“Become Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only”
False Shepherd's Flock Obtains Truth
Individually Choosing the Destiny of Eternal Life
Communists Convert Catholic Clergy
Questions from Readers
Announcements
Check Your Memory
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CONTENDING ACCORDING TO THE RULES?
TO ATTAIN everlasting life in God's new world the Christian must follow rules, the rules set forth in God's holy Word, the Bible. These rules are that a Christian must show works along with his faith by being an active proclaimer of the good news of God's kingdom. If one is not able and willing to teach others this good news he is not abiding by the rules. Thus Christ's apostle emphasizes: "The things you heard from me with the support of many witnesses, these things commit to faithful men who in turn will be adequately qualified to teach others... if anyone contends even in the games, he is not crowned unless he has contended according to the rules."—2 Tim. 2:2, 5, NW.
One cannot be crowned, then, with the prize of everlasting life unless he follows the rules by being a teacher of the good news. Are the great masses of Christendom's churchgoers contending for the Christian faith according to the rules? The clergy and the churchgoers themselves are doubtful that they are! Said a Lutheran clergyman, as reported in the Chicago Daily News of October 26,1953: "As the World Council of Churches meeting in Evanston approaches, American Christians should be praying for grace to see themselves as others see them." "Christians elsewhere," he said, are disturbed by "our shallow churchmanship," and "they ask whether our members are truly grounded in the Christian faith."
Since churchgoers elsewhere are, in substance, asking whether American "Christians" are following the rules, would it not be well to ask it of all of Christendom's so-called "Christians"? So, then, are they living up to this fundamental rule laid down by the Master himself?—"This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations."—Matt. 24:14, NW.
Do we see individual churchgoers vigorously declaring the good news of God's kingdom and teaching others? Why, they seem afraid to bear witness of their faith to others! They are only hearers of the Word, poor hearers at that; for the clergy must entice them into pew-sitting by turning churches into social clubs, where dining, dancing and gambling serve as the drawing power, not God's Word. Indeed, a close look at the so-called "Christians" reveals that they are sluggish in all Christendom. How apparent it is that Christendom's "Christians" are not living up to a basic rule laid down by Christ and, therefore, are not "truly grounded in the Christian faith"!
Who, then, contend for the Christian faith according to the rules, by teaching pure Scriptural doctrine, by preaching earth-wide the good news of God's kingdom? For the answer read the following articles concerning the world-wide activity of Jehovah's witnesses.
They Shall Talk of the Glory of Jehovah's Kingdom
"To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom." Ps. 145:12, AS.
EHOVAH'S witnesses are the most expressive creatures on the earth. Having gained knowledge of their Creator, Jehovah God, and of his Son, Christ Jesus, they cannot refrain from expressing themselves; that makes them talkers. The right kind of talkers, too—not gossipers—because they talk the truth as expressed in God's Word. Really, they have something to talk about, the most wonderful news of good things to come that you have ever heard. It is very evident that they know their God, Jehovah. They know of his majesty, glory, power, wisdom, love, righteousness and the sovereignty of their Creator. They will show you that Jehovah God is the greatest one in all the universe, and that by studying Jehovah's Word one can find out what he has done, is doing and will do as that Sovereign Ruler. When anyone comes to appreciate what Jehovah's name means, what his mighty acts are, what he purposes to do, that one will not refrain from talking about Jehovah and the glory of his kingdom.
2 Do you appreciate that he has done much in the past for you to talk about, that he is accomplishing great things now that must be mentioned to others not informed, and do you understand what he is going to do in the future, and that this you must declare? Has he revealed himself to you through his Word? If so, and if you are acquainted with his Word, then you
must tell others what you know. You have come to know how to gain eternal life. With life you are able to do things yourself and to express yourself. If death is your goal, you have no incentive to make expression. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in She'ol [the common grave], whither thou goest." (Eccl. 9:10, AS) But Jehovah's people are expressive people because they believe and want to live. Christ Jesus said: "He that hears my word and believes him [Jehovah] that sent me has everlasting life, and . . . has passed over from death to life." (John 5:24, NW) Thus you will want to talk about the things you learn from God's Word because you want to live in Jehovah's kingdom.
Psalm 145:11 says: "They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power." Reflect for a minute: think of some of the wonderful things that Jehovah has done concerning his kingdom. Read Revelation chapter 12 and see there described Christ Jesus receiving to himself his authority and reigning in the heavens and casting the Devil down out of the heavens to the earth. "And 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, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even despite the danger of death.' "Rev. 12:7-11, NW.
4 In view of this you can speak of the power and glory of Jehovah God as expressed through his Son to cleanse the heavens of all unrighteousness and to prepare things for the glorious new world of righteousness now near. That battle in heaven was fought and won; the next and final one, the battle of Armageddon, is still to be fought for complete vindication of Jehovah's name and Word. Do you want to survive it? Then start now studying and talking about the glories of Jehovah's kingdom. Those who have come to know Jehovah God and his Son and of the new global nation are happy and want to follow Christ's command to preach. Jesus said: "And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come." (Matt. 24:14, NW) Nineteen hundred years ago this special Kingdom message was given a powerful impetus in the ministry of Jehovah's Son Christ Jesus. His followers preached the Kingdom too and organized the faithful slaves of Christ into one congregation. They were all called to one calling, a heavenly calling, "the
kingdom of heaven," to be the bride of Christ, his body. (Col. 1:18, NW) James said: "God chose the ones who are poor respecting the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love him, did he not?" (Jas. 2:5, NW) Those rich in faith talked to others about the Kingdom and believed that Christ did go away to prepare a place for them so that they could be with him in heavenly glory. That place is now established in the heavenly Zion:
5 "And I saw, and look! the Lamb standing upon the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound out of heaven as the sound of many waters and as the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was as of singers who accompany themselves on the harp playing on their harps. And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the persons of advanced age; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been purchased from the earth."—Rev. 14:1-3, NW.
6 The glorious kingdom of heaven will accomplish Jehovah's purpose with Christ Jesus again taking the lead soon in the battle of Armageddon against the Devil, who still is the god of this world and its disunited nations. We read: "And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." (Dan. 2:44, AS) When that happens, in our generation, the other sheep now being gathered into Jehovah's New World society will have the opportunity to sing Jehovah's praises for eternity.
But they must show faith now in Jehovah their God and in his now permanently-established government.—Isa. 9:6, 7, AS.
7 The kingdom of heaven is now governing the New World society, which includes the other sheep of Christ Jesus whom he is now gathering together so as to have the opportunity of living for eternity in happiness, in peace and in prosperity in the new world of righteousness. Have you become one of these other sheep by dedicating your life to Jehovah's worship or service? If so, remember God's words, "I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, . You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave the one unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way." Ex. 20:5, 7, NW.
SELFISHNESS IMPRACTICAL
While the 145th Psalm is one of praise and adulation and expresses many things about the glory of Jehovah God and his kingdom, it is not just a dreamy expression. It is not the imagination of an individual who is sitting back and just thinking how wonderful such things might be if they were that way. What the psalmist writes are real, down-to-earth expressions of things that are now happening and things that will happen. He is speaking of the glory of Jehovah's established kingdom. It is real, it is living, it is a going concern. It is something to work with and for, not against.
9 Is such a kingdom possible? Do you
believe it is? When you meditate upon Jehovah's Word does that Word live to you? Does it convince you that Jehovah's kingdom is a reality, that the Kingdom is here, that it is in operation, that it is ruling Jehovah's servants today? Can you observe the physical facts alongside the Bible prophecies? Are the Kingdom work and its way of operation practical, or do you think that this old world's system is more practical? When one speaks to men of this old dying world who are supporting it and trying to hold it together, he soon sees that their theory is that there must be selfishness between nations to survive, there must be selfishness among men to make progress, to advance civilization. Just take a look at the selfishness of this world. Is it practical?
10 Selfishness has resulted in the condition foretold in these words: "But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, without gratitude, with no loving-kindness, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with self-esteem, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away." (2 Tim. 3:1-5, NW) Now ask yourself, Has the selfishness of the world made it better? Has it progressed and has its selfishness made it a peaceful, happier world? No, you answer. So selfishness is not practical.
11 What does it need? It is not selfishness, but love as expressed by Jehovah in the new and glorious kingdom of God.
That righteous government, now already functioning, is based on love, for God is love. Jehovah God shows that that is the principle on which he works; and that is the principle every one of us has to work on if we are going to be in that new world of righteousness. Love is the foundation of it all.
12 So we might as well begin learning to love now: love Jehovah God, the Sovereign Ruler; love his Son, love his other creatures and do things for them. One of the best ways to show your love to people now is to talk to them of the glory of Jehovah's kingdom. It is a real government, a growing organization that hundreds of thousands of persons already recognize. It has been and is constantly bringing blessing and happiness to millions of persons since its birth in 1914, and will bring life and happiness and peace to yet more millions in the future. Love will make the new world a marvelous place in which to live! You have seen what selfishness has done to this old world. So you make your choice: God's kingdom or the Devil's world.
13 What a divided world you have! You see languages spoken by different groups of people in all parts of the earth, making it impossible for them to communicate with other groups of people. Nations just do not understand one another. Language has been a dividing factor. Nations have set up their own boundaries and fought over those boundaries, because they are selfish: 'Stop! do not cross this line; this is mine!' But this selfishness has not brought about any unity, peace or happiness in this divided world today. This is true also of religion. Whether pagan or so-called "Christian," it is one of the greatest forces to separate people.
14 Then there is politics with its different parties, its different forms and ideas of government, all of which claim to be "unselfish." But are they? Finally, there is commerce, marked by its competitive, selfish way of handling deals and building up powerful organizations to get all the wealth of one kind, like oil or iron, into the hands of a few, so that its owners can control the world.
15 Now what has all that selfishness brought? To humans everywhere, hatred, wars, death.
16 In Psalm 145, David, a man after God's own heart, was talking about the glory of Jehovah's kingdom. There is no glory in the kingdoms of this old world. Now we know of Jehovah's kingdom as revealed through his Word, and it is a government based on love, righteousness, peace and justice. Which do you want? Which will you serve? We have just looked at the old world. How do we see the new world? We see it represented in the people whom Jehovah God has gathered together today and built into an organization, a New World society. Yes, they are still living on this globe that they know is, since 1914, his eminent domain, but they have come out of that old world. They have all the infirmities and sicknesses of the common man, but not the unhappiness and selfishness of this old world. By Jehovah's undeserved kindness, he has, in these "last days," gathered together those who are seeking him, seeking righteousness, meekness, happiness, contentment, and he has brought them into the New World society. The 145th Psalm shows how Jehovah God will reach out to help those who have fallen and who want to get up, and to help those who have been forced to bow down.
He offers them his hand; he says he will feed them. There is a great contrast in principle governing these two organizations, Jehovah's and the Devil's. The Devil's is a wicked, selfish world, oppressing people. Jehovah's is the glorious kingdom based on love and sinlessness, for he arranged to take away the sin of the world by the blood of his Lamb, Christ Jesus.
17 Psalm 145:14-16 shows how Jehovah helps the poor and lowly of heart, for he 'satisfies the desire of every living thing.' Well, certainly those who have come to know Jehovah and have studied his Word have been satisfied with truth and their present happiness in life. But let us go beyond just his people and look into the earth itself, even to the animal kingdom. He satisfies even all their desires. The birds that fly above the earth fully enjoy their life
span though it is short. He satisfies their needs by the food, by the nests, by the trees and by the open sky in which to fly. Look in any department of creation—the animal life that crawls upon the earth or the fish that are in the sea he satisfies all their needs. Well, if he looks after them so thoroughly certainly he will look after you, if you come within his organization. What a marvelous provision he has made for everything that he has created in the
heavens and on earth! "Observe intently the birds of heaven, because they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses; still your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?" Matt. 6:26, NW.
18 Are we going to be expressionless when we know these things? How can we be when it is a natural thing for us to talk about someone who loves us and whom we love, and whom we want to bless? "To bless" means to bestow favor or honor upon, or to speak well of a person. Psalm 103 (AS) shows how those who have come to know Jehovah God want to do this. Its first five verses express their gratitude: "Bless Jehovah, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless Jehovah, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy desire with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle."
19 Do you bless Jehovah and his holy name? You ought to, because you have seen all of his benefits, or can see them if you look. He has healed you and helped you into the path of the living, or will heal you if you seek him and the truth. He has provided the truth for all to follow and to benefit by it. He will show all the way to gain eternal life if they want to know. He has redeemed you from destruction in this old world because you have come into
his New World society. If you have not come you can do so, or at least can investigate. He has crowned you with lovingkindness and he has shown you his tender mercies by making his Word accessible.
If you study the Bible,he will satisfy every desire. Then you can say:'I have the truth.
I know Jehovah. I appreciate that I can work for him and that I can gain life by continually taking in knowledge of him.' And what does that do to us? It keeps us young; it keeps us alive; it keeps us active in his New World society, as representatives of him. "We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ,
(Isa. 40:31, AS) We have something to keep us so busy. We have no time to get old and retire from serving the prospering Kingdom, which soon will clean out this old
as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: 'Become reconciled to God.' "—2 Cor. 5:20, NW.
20 Anyone who has come into the truth and has dedicated himself to Jehovah God has experienced this loving-kindness and tender mercy, and that gives him real faith and enables him to live an active Christian life and not be a hypocrite. Regardless of age, whether his years be many or few, it seems that a Christian shows only his youth, because no one will become old in the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is now here. So now every morning when we rise to talk of the glory of Jehovah's kingdom we rise as a man in his youth. David says: "Thy youth is renewed like the eagle." No longer are we in captivity to Babylon, but are now free. "They go from strength to strength; every one of them appeareth before God in Zion." (Ps. 84:7, AS) "They that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."
world with Gog of Magog and destroy it all. Then the people of good will are to enjoy continual youth under the new and glorious system of things longed for through all earth's ages by men of righteousness, and each of them will see it continually expanding and flourishing in the new world.
IN ITS FORTIETH YEAR
21 Since 1914 we have been living under the rule of this kingdom. Today we live in the fortieth year of its irresistible reign. What does that year mean to us? We cannot say. It will be much better for us to wait until this fortieth year is completely past and then look back to see whether that fortieth year of the Kingdom had some special significance. Regardless of whether there is or is not anything special in this fortieth year of Jehovah's glorious rule as King (Rev. 11:16, 17; 19:6, NW), in which year we are now living, we certainly feel young, fully satisfied with what has happened thus far. We are content. Wherever Jehovah's name-people are they are still able enthusiastically to praise their God and worship him day and night and they are fully aware of Jehovah's interest in them.
22 Jehovah's witnesses, therefore, continually talk of the goodness of Jehovah God.
They advertise his kingdom. They preach the Word and, like their God, they are happy. To them Jehovah continues to reveal himself, and they know Jehovah and they must express themselves concerning him. He has shown Jehovah's witnesses immeasurable kindness, and has been forgiving and long-suffering with them as well as with all mankind. We who know the happy God and his truth have felt his mercy; we have been endowed with his tenderness. With David (Ps. 34:1-3, AS), therefore, we have reason joyously to say: "I will bless Jehovah at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in Jehovah: the meek shall hear thereof, and be glad. Oh magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt his name together."
23 Do you feel and talk that way? Do you want to bless Jehovah at all times, and continually praise him with your mouth? If you do, what happens? Psalm 34 shows that when you praise Jehovah with your mouth others who are meek will hear your praise. One who has come to Jehovah and keeps on devoting his life in service will talk regularly, and the meek will hear his talk; and then they are going to be invited to magnify Jehovah with him, and to exalt his name together. And then the meek will respond to the invitation: "Let us exalt his name together." Now, are you going to do this praising and exalting of Jehovah God in this fortieth year of his established kingdom? The New World society is globally organized to do just that "in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations." (Matt. 24:14, NW) As a society for such witness-bearing each of such associated preachers will talk "from house to house." There is no question about it. The power of that organization we now see, but not because of
the 510,228 praisers who are now in the New World society. No, its power is not in numbers. While the organization is great in numbers, the power, the backing, the support these numbers get is Jehovah's holy spirit. You individually feel that power, that active force, because you have come into Jehovah's organization. His favor is seen upon his witnesses. They all move forward in service under Jehovah's appointed Shepherd-Prince, Christ Jesus.
24 These hundreds of thousands of praisers doing house-to-house witnessing work are joyously inviting others every day, every night, throughout this whole world, to magnify Jehovah's name with them. We are not asking them to magnify Jehovah's name just to get them to be called "Jehovah's witnesses," as the religious organizations do to get members throughout this earth. No, it is because we want talking ministers who will promote true worship of Almighty God and who will want to magnify Jehovah and exalt his name, not hide it. We want all persons of good will to appreciate the glory of Jehovah's kingdom and to get from it all the blessings in store for them, and to allow the glory of Jehovah's kingdom to be reflected through them in the true worship they give to Jehovah God. We want to see them "bless Jehovah at all times" and bear witness to the world of the glory of Jehovah's kingdom. That glory we could see at Yankee Stadium July 19-26, 1953, during the New World Society Assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses. With people present there from all nations, kindreds, tongues and families of the earth, having one mind and spirit, one love for Jehovah God, you could see it. It was a glorious feast. If you were there you enjoyed it and talked of the Kingdom to others and, by Jehovah's undeserved kindness, you will continue to do so.
25 If you were not there, what did others see in Jehovah's witnesses as the New World society? Was it not the peace, quietness, friendliness, love, sincerity and unity of that group? If it was, why do you not allow yourself to be gathered by Jehovah's Right Shepherd, Christ Jesus, into his New World society? If your heart is right you will respond to the invitation: "Magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt his name together."—Ps. 34:3, AS.
26 Turn to a few of the thousands of press reports, comments and editorials, as follows:
27 "This weekend, thousands of them are swarming into New York City from all over the world . . . They're called Jehovah's witnesses, and each . . a minister in name as well as in deed. Although most of them earn their livelihoods by worldly jobs, they devote the rest of their time to spiritual business—visiting homes, preaching on street corners, passing out literature."Dispatch of The Associated Press widely published July 18 and 19, 1953.
28 "Jehovah's witnesses are ardent believers in the Bible as 'God's word of truth.' . . . Their dynamism strikes admiration, however. Their devotion points an answer to the oft-expressed question of whether religion has failed mankind. Of course it hasn't, but mankind seems often to have failed to find the ideals of true religion." Editorial in Paterson (N.J.) Morning Call, July 20, 1953.
29 "We are going to miss those Jehovah's witnesses when they are gone. . . . Those folks seem to be the cream of the country when it comes to politeness, courtesy, and a few other things that most of us neglect these days. . . . Those folks are just as polite when they are back of a steering
wheel as we are when we are in a hotel lobby, and that is something."—Dunellen (N.J.) Weekly Call, July 23, 1953.
30 "The eight-day world assembly of Jehovah's witnesses brought to New York City area nearly 150,000 members of this durable sect—men, women and their families from all over the world who live their faith vividly."-Editorial in Vancouver (Wash.) The Columbian, July 24, 1953.
31 "We vote that our city's latchstring be permanently left out for these earnest people. . . We hope, too, that their example will start a trend among some of the wayward, middle-aged adolescents who hold their annual cutups here."—Editorial in New York (N.Y.) World-Telegram and Sun, July 22, 1953.
"In the persons of Jehovah's witnesses who passed through this city on their way home from the world conference in New York last week . . . were whites and blacks and apparently American Indians and peoples of oriental background, of both yellow and brown races . . . family groups, quietly happy in the possession of a religion that engrosses them and to which they have dedicated their lives. . . . Wherever they go they proudly and joyfully advertise their cause but in the quiet, orderly fashion to which they have become disciplined. They are a splendid people who are growing in numbers and influence. And wherever they go they are welcome. By their behavior they create such goodly opinion that they are urged to return. And that does not go for all conventions and gatherings."—Editorial in Allentown (Pa.) The Morning Call, July 28, 1953.
33 From that you would say that love, God's way, worked and brought results, real happiness and contentment! Do you want to try it? Do not answer as the world does. "No," says the old world, "our idea of life is 'selfishness means advancement.'
They think Jehovah's witnesses have done a wonderful thing in meeting together peacefully in upward of a hundred and fifty thousand, but it will not work as a world-wide setup. Well, look at the United Nations. It is a world-wide setup and its selfishness does not work. Why do not the clergy and rulers try Jehovah's kingdom and God's way of love?
34 Jehovah's kingdom has been established and is now in its fortieth year. It is a working government with Christ Jesus at the helm. He has returned and he rules as Jehovah's appointed King. Are you with him? There is every reason to believe his rule has begun. Will you serve Jehovah with his King? Do you see the glory of Jehovah's kingdom, and will you talk about it? Will you go forward in the ministry service now and prove to Jehovah God that you believe his kingdom is the only hope for mankind? Psalm 145:18 says that "Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." Why does not the United Nations organization try it and then, of course, listen to Jehovah? Good advice for the clergy too, but they will not heed it. Thousands more individuals will, though.
35 Even though you may be isolated in
some part of the world or in a small congregation of his people, Jehovah will be near to you if you call upon him in truth. At no time is he far away. Even when two or three are gathered together in his name, there he is in their midst, by his power and care. Being Jehovah's witnesses and having dedicated yourselves to Jehovah God, you have a hope. You know the Kingdom is a reality. You have proof from the Scriptures that it was established in 1914. Now you see the gathering of the other sheep in great numbers, by the thousands; and you have seen manifested the spirit of Jehovah God upon the New World society. Why, then, should you ever doubt? Now is the time to flee to the mountains with Jehovah's people. Do not try it alone later on. It will be too hazardous.-Matt. 24:19-21, NW.
36 Do not waste your time now predicting what is going to happen in this fortieth year of Jehovah's kingdom. You should fully appreciate that Jehovah knows what he will do and what his purpose is in this year or any other year in the future, and that he is fully able to accomplish it in his own due time. For the present, we have his command to talk of the glory of his kingdom. For us there is nothing else to do. It is the most important work in all the world.
Keeping a Clean Organization of Talkers
MANY persons have
associated themselves with Jehovah's witnesses and have mixed in with them, and we believed they were sincere because of their association and the course of action
thing, even life. 2 In this connection it is written: "Men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts; and I will declare thy greatness." (Ps. 145:6, AS) As one of Jehovah's terrible acts
they had taken. But some have come that we do not want. The reason is that they are selfish. They have no love for God or for their neighbor. They are still of the old world and they believe that the old-world practices can be worked into this New World society. Jehovah will not allow it. Jude wrote: "I found it necessary to write you to exhort you to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones. My reason is that certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scrip-
take, for example, the destruction of the city of Jericho. What a mighty and terrible act! Jehovah God had promised to lead his people into the land of milk and honey and he did so and assured them that he would win their battles for them. So he told them how Jericho would be destroyed. You can read the account in the Bible, at Joshua 6:1-26 (NW). Jehovah God was watching every move of his people and they did as Jehovah commanded. They did their part; Jehovah did his. The walls fell. You well say it was a miracle.
tures to the judgment described below, ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ." (Jude 3,4,NW) It is this type of person that we must be careful about. He is a hypocrite! His philosophy or his way of thinking has no place in the New World society. Only those devoted to blessing Jehovah will gain life. Jude continues and says: "But you, beloved ones, by building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying with
After the walls fell Jehovah was still interested in his chosen people. He wanted them to remain clean and obedient.
But now the selfish Achan came to view. (Josh. 7:1-26, NW) The whole nation of Israel must have trembled after Achan was exposed, for this searching out of the selfish one showed the mightiness and alertness of Jehovah God. Achan turned thief. To the Israelites he looked clean outside; but he was not, because he was dirty inside. His philosophy for survival was selfishness, not love, not worship
holy spirit, keep yourselves in God's love while you are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view." (Jude 20, 21, NW) Those taking the right course will be blessed. Those who oppose and are unclean will lose everyof Jehovah God, not following His commands. No, he thought he knew better than to carry out Jehovah's organization instructions. Joshua, the one chosen to lead Jehovah's people, was speaking for Jeho-
vah God when Joshua told the people how to march, when and where and what to do.
But Achan was not marching for the love of it. No, he was interested in what he could get out of it. Covetousness impelled his heart.
4 Because Achan was unclean, a filthy thing in Israel, Jehovah's chosen people, what followed? "Joshua, and all Israel with him, now took Achan the son of Zerah and the silver and the garment and the bar of gold and his sons and his daughters and his ox and his ass and his flock and his tent and everything that was his and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. Then Joshua said: 'Why have you brought trouble upon us? Jehovah will bring trouble upon you on this day.' With that all Israel went pelting him to death with stones, after which they burned them with fire. Thus they stoned them with stones." Josh. 7:24, 25, NW.
The people must have marveled at the way Jehovah ferreted Achan out, by tribe, by family, by household, down to the man himself and his own tent, and there they found the garment and the gold, the things that he had stolen out of the city of Jericho. Yes, Jehovah God was watching his organization. He watched them march round Jericho, he watched the walls fall, he watched his people go into the city to take out the things that they should bring to Jehovah. He saw Achan the selfish one with no love for God or his brothers. Remember, you too are now living under the eyes and the powerful hand of the same living God, Jehovah, not sightless, lifeless gods of stone, wood or metal!
There may be some whose ideas of living are based on selfishness and who will not clean up inside, will not change their thinking. Some of these get into Jehovah's
organization. Do not be one of them, for Jehovah sees what is going on. He can reach right in there and throw you out so quickly that you will need time to discover just what has so suddenly and swiftly happened to you. But as long as you seriously and sincerely trust Jehovah and stay alertly in his organization and abide by his Word and obey Jehovah's commandments, then his spirit and his blessing will be your happy portion. But violate his commandments, and you will not have his favor but will receive his punishments. Jesus said: "If you love me, you will observe my commandments." (John 14:15, NW) You see the whole organization of Jehovah God is based on love, not selfishness and uncleanness. Sometime maybe one will think that he can get away with something in Jehovah's organization. If it is not according to the commandment of God, he will not get away with it. He will fail, as Achan did.
Just recall Ananias. In his case there is another example of the greatness of Jehovah God, his mighty acts, and the power of his holy spirit. Ananias was trying to live a lie. Because he lied, because he put on an appearance of doing something wonderful and great but actually was stealing from Jehovah's organization he dropped dead. (Acts 5:1-6, NW) That event warns us, Never lie to Jehovah. Do not try to deal selfishly with his righteous organization. Never bring dishonesty or uncleanness into the congregation of Jehovah God. That is selfishness. The happy course of action that a real Christian takes is this: "Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever." (Ps. 144 [145]:2, CB) That is what all of us who have come into Jehovah's New World society must do. Do not try to mar the glory of Jehovah's kingdom and his organization by doing something like Achan or Ananias.
Jehovah's New World society is part of God's holy organization. Recognize it, get into it now and serve with it right through his battle at Armageddon, on into his righteous new world without end, where all will love. Jehovah and love their surviving neighbors.
8 When one dedicates his life to Jehovah God now it is a matter of a continual, never-ending service. It is not just doing a little bit now and then. It is not just an incidental hobby, or a pastime. But, "Every day will I bless you." Your service to Jehovah God is your worship. You must praise his name, you must speak of his glory, you must tell others what your God has done. Bless his name, speak well of his name, show all the world that you are his servant, that you can live in happiness with love as a motive force.
9 Tell it out to the peoples of the world that Jehovah reigns and his kingdom is now a glorious, permanent government. Jesus said we should "go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded."—Matt. 28:19, 20, NW.
"PUBLICLY AND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE"
10 All of Jehovah's witnesses, whether missionaries, pioneers or congregation publishers, must talk of the glory of Jehovah's kingdom. In Jehovah's organization none are silent, but "in his temple all say, 'Glory!'" (Ps. 28 [29]:9, CB) Paul did so, for he reminds us: "I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house."—Acts 20:20, NW.
11 Jesus' apostles and other faithful followers never held back anything that they knew about their Creator or about his Son, their Leader, who took away the sin of the world. They could not do so. Where did they talk? Publicly and from house to house. Just as that method was so important for them from the first and, later, in Paul's day, so it is our most important work during this fortieth year of Jehovah's kingdom. You should get out there in the field, going from house to house, from home to home, meeting the people in their homes, talking to them about the glory of Jehovah's kingdom. Are you doing that, especially now that the Kingdom, Jehovah's permanent government, is here? It is urgent to do so, because the years left before his final battle at Armageddon cannot be too many.
12 We must show the world that we are different. We cannot hide our light under a measuring basket. (Matt. 5:15, NW) We believe in loving our neighbor, not killing him with darkness. We want to see him live. We can help him with the message of life that Jehovah has given us to talk to the world. That can best be accomplished by going from door to door and studying with the people right in their own homes, so that they can conveniently ask questions and get a Scriptural answer. Just like you, they must "make sure of all things," and we want them to believe in Jehovah's kingdom. "When you are entering into the house, greet the household; and if the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you."—Matt. 10:12, 13, NW.
13 We have a wonderful message to take to the world, for all nations, kindreds and tongues.
It is a peaceful message delivered by peaceful persons. You ministers are of the New World society; you are representing Jehovah God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. And when you go into a house let your peace be manifest to that house. If that house does not want your peaceful message and your peaceful, friendly presence, and it does not want to learn of the glorious kingdom of Jehovah God, do not rebuke it; that is, the occupant who faces you at the door and refuses to hear. Rather take back your peace. Promptly and graciously leave if he has no ear to hear. There is no reason to scold and say, "You're going to die at Armageddon!" and then abruptly walk away. Each has a right to choose whom he will serve. You brought peace, you brought a message of love, of kindness. You tried to show him the new world of righteousness. He did not want it. You take again to yourself your peaceful message and go on to the next house and talk to its occupant. Maybe some day the
man in the first home you visited and who refused you will have a change of heart. Maybe the next minister calling will succeed in leaving in his home the message of peace. You have
world so much that he gave his onlybegotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16. NW) If anyone does not want to accept the Son, Jehovah is not going to force him to live. Each may choose to accept that wonderful gift, exercise faith in Christ, and enjoy the blessings of the glorious Kingdom and its rule over this new world. But if anyone does not want the redemptive price to apply to him, he will not be compelled to accept it. The minister happily goes on to find and feed the ones who are hungry. 14 Jehovah is not going to have any selfish, unpeaceful persons in the new world to disturb its tranquillity. Such will do better to change now, while there is time, and get in line for life. Therefore, never neglect praising the name of the Most High God between now and the time of Armageddon. It is something that we are going to keep on doing and have the opportunity of doing for eternity—forever and ever. Ps. 71:14, 15, AS.
peaceful, good news for those who want it. It is precious, glorious. You are willing, yes, glad, eager, to give it to anyone who wants it. If any do not want it, you are not offended, you are not disturbed; you are going to hold it and offer it to someone else. Do not let the people who prefer and choose this old world upset you or slow you down. Instead, happily recall that "God loved the
15 Do not think that just your going from
ink that just your going from house to house is the end of your work of love. Unselfishly, from house to house, we carry the good
message of the kingdom of Jehovah. Some hear. But look at what the apostles did.
"Now after some days Paul said to Barnabas: 'Above all things, let us return and visit the brothers in every one of the cities in which we published the word of Jehovah to see how they are.' "Acts 15:36, NW. 16 So, after having brought the message of peace into a home and having told in that home the glories of Jehovah's kingdom, we do not want them to forget it.
Remember, you are so much more mature than those people to whom you have given their first taste of Jehovah's truth. You have the truth settled in your mind; by it you have been made strong; your faith is powerful. Paul and Barnabas knew that. So they went back to their brothers whom they had given the truth; yes, to every one of the cities they had visited. They wanted to strengthen them in the Word of God, which, as Jesus said, is the truth. We have to follow that God-given pattern of action, and we do organizationally at the Watch Tower Society's headquarters, because from there circuit servants and district servants are sent from congregation to congregation, so that if we see anything that is wrong in the congregation or anything that is dampening its zeal, anything that is slowing down its members, the mature visiting servants of Jehovah God can remove the hindrance and build them up again in the most holy faith.
17 Servants in the various congregations should always be looking after the flock of God and calling back on those who are weak in faith and teach them how to go from house to house. Look after those who are isolated and live in rural territory and who have shown interest. The congregation servant with his assistants or others should get out there to look after them when at all possible. They are other sheep, they are scattered, they must be brought together and fed. As it is written of the early congregation: "Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus." Acts 5:42, NW.
18 Now that we have come into this fortieth year of Jehovah's kingdom, can we let up? No; rather, recall that over 1900 years ago Jesus was impaled; he was tortured, put to death by conspiring religionists and politicians. That certainly must have been a blow to those early followers of Jesus. It was A.D. 33 when these startling things happened. Things looked dark then for Jesus' disciples whom he had sent to preach; but later, from Pentecost on, they had to continue to go from house to house without letup. Now today, we who have, for many years, been preaching the good news during the very last days of this system of things, are we going to let up? Slow down? Go into retirement? We cannot. Today we see the Kingdom more clearly than we did back there in 1914 or 1918 or 1931 or any previous time. We feel its power; we see its activity. So, just like Jesus' apostles, we have to continue without letup declaring and teaching the good news of this glorious kingdom of Jehovah God. Great work is yet before us, and the New World society will do it.
19 Psalm 145, the basis for this article, is a very "talkative" one; it is expressive; it keeps on declaring things. And if you read that psalm verse by verse you will find that you are told to extol, praise, laud, declare, meditate, speak, utter, sing, talk, and "make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom." Oh, how the psalmist wanted us to talk! He was anxious to talk, he wanted to say things about the glories that he foresaw away back there, thousands of years ago; but now we are right up here in that glory of Jehovah's kingdom. We certainly should be talking about it, 'making known to the sons of men his mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of Jehovah's kingdom.'—Ps. 145:12, AS.
20 The responsibility rests on all who are dedicated to Jehovah God to preach this good news from house to house and to keep telling this peaceful message even to the ends of the earth. Remember, Jehovah's kingdom is here. It is the capital or ruling part of his universal organization. Into that kingdom have been taken 144,000. These are joint-heirs with Christ and will rule and reign with him a thousand years. They all are humble, obedient, loving creatures, who, while on earth, were good ministers of the Kingdom, speaking of its glorious majesty. In addition to these there are many people who will share blessings and peace under that kingdom. Today such are scattered throughout the world. But they are being gathered together into one organization. The New World society and its activity, all under the direction of the heavenly kingdom born in 1914, we now see clearly. It is not something mythical; it is a tangible reality. When Jesus Christ was on earth he proved himself worthy of being exalted to the high position of ruler and the one able to operate the new world on the principle of love. He knows what love is and expressed it in his life on earth. Because he proved his integrity to his Father in heaven even "as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake," therefore "God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."—Phil. 2:8-11, NW.
21 Jesus' faithful followers have testified
and will confess, or talk to others to the effect that Jesus is Lord "to the glory of God the Father." All true worship, even by the Son, goes to Jehovah, and that is how God wants it; and all the 144,000 will bring glory to the Father through the Son, for they will be the bride of Christ Jesus in the heavenly kingdom. (Rev. 22:9, NW) There is still a remnant of this bride class on earth, according to the 1953 Memorial report only 19,183. All these must speak of Jehovah's glorious kingdom in vindication of Jehovah's name; and the One who leads in this vindication is Christ Jesus, for of him we read that "the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this."—Isa. 9:6, 7, AS.
22 Jehovah, the living God, is backing up this whole arrangement. It is his will, his power, his zeal, that makes this whole thing a tangible reality. Jehovah will perform this. When we see this glorious kingdom that he has put into operation, then certainly we must talk of it. We know the need of the righteous rule and we as Christians must tell others about it all the time, "all day long." (Ps. 145:2, AT) We must manifest ourselves as God's people. "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come." Matt. 24:14, NW.
23 So let us talk the right things now.
Talk about this kingdom, Jehovah's permanent government, and you will gain life. You have come to know of it by oral teaching, and you can stay in the way of life. How? "Let anyone who is being orally taught the word share in all good things with the one who gives such oral teaching." (Gal. 6:6, NW) You can do that by accompanying the oral teacher in preaching, by talking, by declaring, by teaching, by extolling the glory of Jehovah's kingdom with him. The responsibility is yours "to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom." By your acting thus you, with the psalmist, can continually say to Jehovah: "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations." (Ps. 145:13) If you want life, then you must also say in the words of the year's text: "Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever."—Ps. 145:2, CB.
24 We are not so selfish as to think this preaching work is to be done by just those who now are Jehovah's witnesses. We are not a secret, restricted or closed society or organization. We call to the whole world whom we are orally teaching, to whom we talk, to come and have part with us in
these good things, partake with us of the peace and learn of Jehovah's purposes so that each "sheep" too may be his true worshiper and preacher. We are not trying to get anyone to join anything; but we certainly want to see people get life. We do not want to die, and we do not want others to die; we want them to live; we want others to recognize the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, Jehovah God. So why, then, should not we in all of our oral teaching want them to come with us and talk, just as we are talking?
25 There must be no letup now in this preaching work that we are doing. And there will be no letup in preaching the good news, for "the spirit and the bride keep on saying, 'Come!'" So "let anyone hearing say, 'Come!' And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free."—Rev. 22:17, NW.
26 We cannot be selfish in this matter. Go to your neighbors, your relatives, from house to house, and say 'Come! and take of this water of life, without any cost, without any price. Take it free.' More and more let each of us "make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom."
25, 26. In fulfillment of what ancient prediction, and how, practically, is genuine welcome to more and more Kingdom proclaimers now being expressed?
Jew Teaches Moslem Christianity
In Istanbul, Turkey, as a result of the activity of Jehovah's witnesses, a young Jew accepted Christ as the Messiah and was baptized in public expression of having dedicated himself to do Jehovah's will and to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. At his place of work he succeeded in interesting a Moslem Turk in the truth about Jehovah and, as a result, this Turk also took his stand, accepted Christianity and was baptized. A young Greek, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, was a spectator and an interested listener to the discussions between the Christian Jew and the Moslem Turk. One day this Greek was contacted by another witness for Jehovah to whom he expressed great interest. Why? Because it appeared to him as a modern miracle that a Jew should be able to convert a Moslem to Christianity! This young Greek is now himself studying with Jehovah's witnesses and is learning more about the wonderful news of God's kingdom, which is so powerful that it can accomplish amazing things.
JEHOVAH'S command to those in the New World society is to "preach the word." That word is
the truth about Jehovah God and his Son, Christ Jesus, the new world of righteousness and all the things the Creator of the universe has revealed to us through his written Word from Genesis to Revelation. That message must be preached! There are many individuals who have heard part of the Word, but even that part has never been implanted in them. It is "the implanting of the word" that will save lives. However, "the implanting of the word which is able to save your souls" must not just stop there. (Jas.1:21,NW) That Word is able to save your souls if you do what that Word says. It is not only hearing, it is preaching to others the things you have heard. Each individual must choose whether he will serve Jehovah God or stay with the Devil's wicked organization. So do not become hearers only, as millions of religionists are, but be doers of the Word. Follow the command of the Sovereign Ruler to preach, which shows you want to worship Jehovah.
2 During the service year of 1953 there were 50,665 individuals that symbolized by water immersion their dedication to Jehovah God's service. It can be said of these that they individually were choosing the destiny of eternal life. (Deut. 30:19, NW) They forsook the old world and its offer of death, for "the way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble."
(Prov. 4:19, AS) Those dedicated to Jehovah learned that "every good gift and every perfect present is from above." Jas. 1:17, NW.
The time has come to gather together the other sheep; and when they hear their Master's voice they will follow. Jesus Christ, the Shepherd-Prince, is seeing to it that those seeking truth and righteousness will have the opportunity of hearing and learning the truth. Jehovah's witnesses, being doers of the Word, have gone from house to house and then called back on the interested people 22,990,305 times during the year, so that they could hear more. Out of all these millions of revisits 50,665 persons decided that this is the truth and that they too would become doers of the Word. It was not just going back to visit the interested people and making a social call. Jehovah's witnesses had to show Jehovah their God that they were skilled in their work of being teachers of the Word. They must be able to wield "the sword of the spirit, that is, God's word." (Eph. 6:17, NW) So every month throughout the year there was an average of 281,219 Bible studies conducted in the homes of the other sheep.
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