The Watchtower, January 1, 1986
Download: PDF — The Watchtower, January 1, 1986
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom
THE HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE The Mystery Solve The Watchtower
Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom
In This Issue
The Mysterious Horsemen
of the Apocalypse 3
Solving the Mystery
of the Horsemen 4
Teaching a Samaritan Woman 8
Days Like "the Days of Noah" 10
Building for
an Eternal Future 15
Kingdom Proclaimers Report 27
Jehovah—Simply Grand! 28
Questions From Readers 31
Cover photo: Paul Thompson
THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER" is to exalt Jehovah God as the Sovereign of the universe. It keeps watch on world events as they fulfill Bible prophecy. It comforts all peoples with the good news that God's Kingdom will soon destroy those who oppress their fellowmen and that it will turn the earth into a paradise It encourages faith in the now-reigning King, Jesus Christ, whose shed blood opens the way for mankind to gain eternal life. "The Watchtower," published by Jehovah's Witnesses continuously since 1879, is nonpolitical. It adheres to the Bible as its authority.
"WATCHTOWER" STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS
February 2: Days Like "the Days of Noah." Page 10.
Songs to Be Used: 83, 215.
Average Printing Each Issue: 11,630,000
February 9: Building for an Eternal Future. Page 15. Songs to Be Used: 20, 220.
Now Published in 104 Languages
SEMIMONTHLY EDITIONS AVAILABLE BY MAIL
Afrikaans, Arabic, Cebuano, Chichewa, Chinese, Cibemba,
Danish, Dutch, Efik, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek
English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Seedi,
Malagasy, Maltese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Seedi,
Seseotho, Shona, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai,
Tsonga, Tswana, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zulu
MONTHLY EDITIONS AVAILABLE BY MAIL
Armenian, Bengali, Bicol, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Efian, Filan,
Filipino, Fijian, Hungarian, Hindi, Hiru, Hímu, Hungarian, Icelandic, Kannada, Kikuyu, Kilua, Malayalam, Marathi, New Guinea Pidgin, Pangasian, Papiamento, Polish,
Rorotangon, Romanian, Sarmate-Leroy, Sarmoan, Sango, Serbian,
Silboz, Sintalese, Slovenian, Solomon Islands-Pidgin, Tahitan,
Tamil, Telugu, Tongan, Tetuhula, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu,
Venula, Vietnamese
Study articles also available in large-print edition.
The Bible translation used is the "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures;" unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © 1985 by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and International Bible Students Association. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
Twenty cents (U.S.) a copy
Watch Tower Society offices
Yearly subscription
Semimonthly
Water Tower Society Subs
Salmonfly
America, U.S. Watchtower, Wellkill, N.Y. 12589
$4.00
Australia, Box 280, Ingleham, N.S.W. 2565
A$7.00
Canada, Box 4100, Hallton Hills (Georgetown), Ontario L7G 474
$5.20
England, The Ridgway, London NW7 19N
£5.00
Ireland, 254 Jamestown Road, Finglas, Dublin 11
£5.00
New Zealand, 6-A Western Springs Rd., Auckland 3
N$21.00
Nigeria, P.O. Box 194, Yala, Lagos State
N$16.00
Philippines, P.O. Box 2044, Manila 2600
P$5.00
South Africa, Private Bag 2, Elandstafon, 1406
R$5.60
Remittances should be sent to the office in your country or to Watchtower, Walkkill, N.Y. 12589, U.S.A.
Changes of address should reach us 30 days before your moving date. Give us your old and new address (if possible, your old address label).
The Watchtower (ISSN 0054-1087) is published semimonthly for $4.00 (US) per year by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn N.Y. N:11201. Second-class payment paid at Brooklyn, NY, and at additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Watchtower, Wallkill, N.Y. 12589.
Published by
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201, U.S.A.
Frederick W. Franz, President The Mysterious Horsemen of the Apocalypse
YOU watch fascinated as, with mane and tail flying and nostrils flaring, the horse pounds down a rocky slope. The rugged rider seems glued to the saddle as though he were part of this moving, pulsating horseflesh.
Whether visiting a high-country Australian cattle station or, half a world away, the plains of an American ranch, the sight of a horseman who really knows his mount is indeed a fascinating one. Equally spectacular is the splendor of a parade of highly trained horses and riders.
Such horsemen and their mounts leave us impressed. However, the horses and riders witnessed by the writer of the book of Revelation (the Apocalypse) are thrilling to behold! They are mysterious as well as awesome. These horsemen have become widely known as the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Imagine that now, thundering toward you, are four skilled riders, one even brandishing a sword! Notice the color of their horses. Each one is different. One horse is white, one red, one black, and one a sickly greenish-yellow color. They are indeed a strange, mysterious sight.
Follow the fast-moving account of what the Bible writer, the apostle John, saw. He states: "Then I saw a white horse, and its rider carried a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth as a victor to conquer. . . And another horse came forth, bright red, and its rider was given power to take peace away from the earth, and make men slaughter one another; he was given a great sword. . . . And there I saw a black horse, and its rider had a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard a voice . . . say, 'Wheat at a [day's wage for] a quart, and barley three quarts for a [day's wage]' . . . And there I saw a horse the color of ashes, and its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. They were given power over one quarter of the earth, to kill the people with sword, famine, death, and the wild animals of the earth."—Revelation 6:2-8, An American Translation.
Since this vision was first written down, its meaning has puzzled countless readers. What is represented by these mysterious horses and their riders? When did their ride begin? Does their ride have any bearing on life today? A wide variety of explanations has been offered as to what could be represented by the horses and their riders, and when their ride, in reality, takes place.
The greatest variance is found in the interpretations of the white horse and its rider. For instance, the New Catholic Encyclopedia explains that the white horse represents 'either the victory of the gospel or imperialism.'
In the book Daniel and the Revelation, Uriah Smith gives this interpretation: "A white horse . . . is a fit emblem of the triumphs of the gospel in the first century . . . The whiteness of the horse denotes the purity of faith in that age."
The Expositor's Bible says: "Under the first rider the cause rather than the person
of Christ is introduced to us, in the earliest stage of its victorious progress, and with the promise of its future triumph. . . . We learn that this cause is in the world, that this kingdom is in the midst of us, and that they who oppose it shall be overwhelmed with defeat." However, Woodrow Kroll, of The Christian Jew Foundation, feels that the rider on the white horse is the Antichrist.
Some have suggested that there are five horses and riders, not just four. So how can we know which of the many interpretations is correct? How can we be sure that there is a correct understanding? Just who are these mysterious horsemen of the Apocalypse, and when did their ride begin?
Solving the Mystery of the Horsemen
WHO can solve the mystery of the horsemen of the Apocalypse? In the Bible, at Daniel 2:47, Jehovah God is called "a Revealer of secrets." Since he is the one who inspired the Bible, including the vision about the horsemen, he can provide the answers we need. Therefore, by searching his revealed Word for information, we are able to unravel the meaning of the colored horses and their riders. —Amos 3:7; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21.
The three opening verses of Revelation, or the Apocalypse, provide a key to help unlock the mystery. They show that this series of visions had to do with future events, that is, future to the year 96 C.E. when the apostle John saw all these things
and wrote them down. This harmonizes with his statement at Revelation 1:10 that the things seen in these visions were to take place only after "the Lord's day" began.—Compare 1 Corinthians 1:8; 5:5.
With this in mind, we shall examine the horses and their riders. At the outset, it is vital to have the correct understanding of the white horse and its rider. Then the meaning of the other horsemen will fit into place.
Interpretations Examined
In the previous article, it was noted that one interpretation of the white horse and its rider was that they represented 'either the victory of the gospel or imperialism.' But the world has not been converted to the gospel (good news) about Christ and God's purposes surrounding him.
And, surely, imperialism has not ridden forth in triumph. Rather, it has been breaking down, fragmenting, in this century.
What of the interpretation that the white horse represents the victory of the gospel and the purity of faith in the first century? This ignores the fact that the vision was of things to come in the future. And since John wrote the vision as a prisoner in exile on the island of Patmos in the year 96 of our Common Era, it could not possibly represent anything having to do with the first century.
Another explanation was that the white horse introduces the cause rather than the person of Christ and that his Kingdom 'is in the midst' of us, that is, in our hearts. But the cause of Jesus Christ and Christianity did not begin at some time future to the writing of Revelation. Rather, this cause was already in great evidence among first-century Christians before John wrote.
Also, when Jesus said that "the kingdom of God is in your midst," he was speaking to the hypocritical religious Pharisees in answer to a question they had raised. Jesus was not speaking to his faithful followers and telling them that the Kingdom was something 'in their midst' in the sense of being in their hearts. Instead, he was telling the disbelieving Pharisees that he, Jesus, as the representative of the future Kingdom of God, was present among them on that occasion.—Luke 17:21; see also The Jerusalem Bible and The New English Bible.
How about the thought that the rider on the white horse is the Antichrist? Nowhere does the Bible say that the Antichrist will make such inroads that it could be said of him that "he went forth conquering and to complete his conquest," as
1914—The "King of kings" rides forth on his white horse
was said of the rider on the white horse. (Revelation 6:2) It is clear that whoever is seated on the white horse will ride forth completely conquering. His conquest will not fail. All his enemies will be destroyed.
Bible Clues Help Identification
Unmistakable identification of the rider on the white horse is given by the "Revealer of secrets" later in the same series of visions. At Revelation 19:11-16, a white horse is again seen, this time with clear identification of the rider.
The fact that a white horse is seen twice in these prophetic visions indicates that it is the same horse and that various duties or activities of the rider are being depicted. In the latter scene, the rider is named. He is called "Faithful and True," "The Word of God," and "King of kings and Lord of lords."
Those designations leave no doubt as to the identity of the rider on the white horse. It is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ himself! (Compare Revelation 17: 14.
) But at what time of his life? It has to be some time after the end of the first century, when the Revelation vision was given. Notice, too, that now a royal crown is given to him. So at some future time Jesus Christ was to begin a special role as King, or Ruler. And in that capacity, he is also depicted as a warrior armed with a bow, to ride forth "conquering and to complete his conquest."
Also showing that this had to be future is this fact: By the time of the apocalyptic vision, more than 60 years had passed since Jesus finished his earthly life, was resurrected from the dead, and had ascended to heaven. When he returned to heaven, Jesus was told to wait at the right hand of God until that future time when his enemies would be made "a stool for his feet."—Hebrews 10:12, 13.
The Ride Begins
So the ride on the white horse was to begin at some future time when Jesus Christ would be enthroned as the heavenly King of God's Kingdom. At that time God would send him forth with the command: "Go subduing in the midst of your enemies." (Psalm 110:2) But when does this take place?
The crowning of Jesus Christ as heavenly King is described at Psalm 45:3-7. Then in Hebrews 1:8, 9 the apostle Paul quotes from this psalm and applies verses 6 and 7 to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Detailed information and Scriptural proofs published by Jehovah's Witnesses show that the coronation of Jesus Christ in heaven took place at the close of the Gentile Times, "the appointed times of the nations," in the year 1914. —Luke 21:24.*
Hence, any interpretation that puts the horsemen's ride earlier than the year 1914 could not be correct. Also, since the rider of the white horse was in the lead, the other horses and riders following would represent events that would take place along with, or some time after, his ride begins. The ride of these four horsemen, therefore, must occur from and after the beginning of "the time of the end" in 1914. It has been since then that "the last days" have been seen to be in evidence. —Daniel 12:4; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13.
The second horse is "bright red," or "fiery-colored." (Revelation 6:3, 4, An American Translation) Its rider "was granted to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another." He was given "a great sword." This proved true when 1914 saw the beginning of the worst war in all human history, the first global war. Back then it was called the Great War. Just 21 years later World War II began, and it was even more devastating than World War I. Since then there have been constant wars. Altogether, since 1914, wars have taken some one hundred million lives.
The third horse is a black one, and its rider has a pair of scales in his hand. (Revelation 6:5, 6) A voice calls out that it would require an entire day's wage just to buy one quart (1.1 L) of wheat or three quarts of the cheaper grain barley. This fittingly describes food shortages on a scale greater than ever before. That has proved to be true since 1914. Right from the outbreak of World War I, food prices soared. Millions died from hunger. Since then, food shortages have continued without letup. It is estimated that now some 450 million people are hungry to the point of starvation, and up to one billion
do not have enough to eat. From time to time the gloomy picture is emphasized by such families and extreme loss of life as reported from Ethiopia in recent years.
Since 1914, Hades has reaped a grim harvest in the wake of the horsemen of War, Famine, and Pestilence
As for the fourth horse, we notice that it is "pale," sickly looking. The rider's name is "Death." (Revelation 6: 7, 8) It well symbolizes the vast number of deaths since 1914 by unnatural causes, such as food shortages and famines, wars and violence, plagues and diseases.
The Spanish influenza that broke out worldwide at the close of World War I caused over 20 million deaths. Now heart disease, cancer, and many other sicknesses take their toll of millions in untimely deaths.
The events symbolized by these horses and riders are also noted in a parallel prophecy Jesus gave about our time. He said that in "the conclusion of the system of things," where we now live, there would be global war as 'nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.' He foretold "the increasing of lawlessness" and "in one place after another pestilences and food shortages." —Matthew 24:3-12; Luke 21:10, 11.
Was There a Fifth Horse?
Revelation 6:8 reads: "And I saw, and, look! a pale horse; and the one seated upon it had the name Death. And Hades was closely following him." On the basis of this, some have suggested that since the first four characters mentioned are riding horses, would not the fifth also be mounted on a horse?
The Bible does not say that. In the Greek text the word for "horse" does not appear at Revelation 6:8 in connection with Hades. Hence, most Bible translations do not include the word "horse" with reference to this fifth character. So it is sufficient to note that Hades, the common grave of mankind, was following the previous three horses and riders, gathering up all their victims.
How Does the Vision Affect You?
To be living at the time when this vision of the ride of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse is having its dramatic fulfillment is certainly a thrilling experience. But it is also a time of great seriousness, calling for self-examination. Why is this so? Because every person on earth is affected by this symbolic ride. Yes, you and your loved ones are all involved. How?
This question raises a serious aspect of the matter that will be answered in the next issue of The Watchtower: "How Their Ride Affects You." Do not miss the absorbing answer.
Teaching a Samaritan Woman
ON THEIR way from Judea to Galilee, Jesus and his disciples travel through the district of Samaria. Tired from the journey, about noon they stop to rest by a well near the city of Sychar. This well was dug centuries before by Jacob, and it remains even down until today, near the modern-day city of Nablus.
While Jesus rests here, his disciples go into the city to buy some food. When a Samaritan woman comes to draw water, he requests: "Give me a drink."
Jews and Samaritans generally have no dealings with one another because of deep-seated prejudices. So, in astonishment, the woman asks: "How is it that you, despite being a Jew, ask me for a drink, when I am a Samaritan woman?"
Jesus answers that if she knew who he was, she would ask him for "living water." This water, he says, will become "a fountain of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life."
"Sir, give me this water," the woman responds.
Jesus now says: "Go, call your husband."
"I do not have a husband," she answers.
Jesus verifies her statement. "You said well, 'A husband I do not have.' For you have had five husbands, and the
man you now have is not your husband."
"Sir, I perceive you are a prophet," the woman says in amazement. Revealing her spiritual interests, she notes that the Samaritans worshiped at Mount Gerizim, but the Jews in Jerusalem.
Yet the place of worship is not the important thing, Jesus points out. "God is a Spirit," he explains, "and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth."
The woman is deeply impressed. "I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ," she says. "Whenever that one arrives, he will declare all things to us openly."
"I who am speaking to you am he," Jesus declares. Think of it! This woman who comes at midday to draw water, perhaps in order to avoid contact with townswomen who despise her for her way of life, is favored in a wonderful way by Jesus. Point-blank he tells her what he has not confessed openly to anyone else. With what consequences? The article in our next issue will explain. John 4:3-26.
Why was the Samaritan woman surprised that Jesus spoke to her?
What does Jesus teach her about living water and where to worship?
How does Jesus reveal to her who he is, and why is this disclosure so amazing?
Days Like "the Days of Noah"
"The earth became filled with violence . . . it was ruined, because all flesh had ruined its way on the earth."—GENESIS 6:11, 12.
VIOLENCE! As in Noah's day, so today, violence has become a household word. Even those who walk with the true God, as did Noah, are not immune to violence. This was forcefully drawn to the world's attention when, on July 21 of last year, a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Sydney, Australia, was demolished by a bomb during a public Bible talk about loyalty to God and family. One Witness was killed. More than 40 were hospitalized. All of these have recovered, though some carry heavy scars as a result of this criminal outrage. A police detective commented: "There were 110 people inside and it is simply a miracle that we don't have 110 dead."
2 In other parts of the earth—such as Northern Ireland, Lebanon, and El Salvador—Jehovah's Witnesses proclaim the "good news" in a continuing environment of violence. A few have been killed, some while engaging in the ministry. In many lands "unforeseen occurrence," such as accidents and earthquakes, has also claimed precious lives, on which occasions Jehovah's people have been comforted by the resurrection hope.—Ecclesiastes 9:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14.
1, 2. (a) With what kinds of violence do Jehovah's Witnesses have to contend today? (b) In what circumstances have God's people been comforted by the resurrection hope?
3 Recently in Mexico, altogether 23 Witnesses and associates were among the more than 5,000 killed by a disastrous earthquake. In Puerto Rico, seven others were numbered among the 300 who lost their lives in floods and landslides. Does this mean that Jehovah failed to provide protection for some of his servants? Not at all. We are not immune to accidents and disasters. And as to persecution, Jesus forewarned his disciples, saying: "They will put some of you to death." Hundreds of our brothers died at the violent hands of Nazi Hitler. Jehovah will remember all of such in the resurrection. However, when the foretold "great tribulation" sweeps the earth, Jehovah will show that he is able to save those who call upon his name, even as he did in the days of Noah.—Luke 21:16-19; Matthew 24:14, 21, 22, 37-39; Isaiah 26:20, 21; Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13.
4 Since 1914 violence has been on a global rampage. A hundred million humans have been killed in the wars and holocausts of this century. Mankind has been scourged by air and sea hijackings, terrorist bombings, mass murders, and interracial hatreds, and has been menaced by the proliferation of nuclear arms.
Truly, these are "critical times" with "anguish of nations, not knowing the way out." (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13; Luke 21:25) However, Jehovah's people today live in the midst of a scourge that presents a far greater danger than violence, though it is often linked with violence. It dates back more than 4,300 years to Noah's day. What is that?
Noah's Faith Amid Depravity
5 From the rebellion in Eden onward, Satan the Devil has been bent on "misleading the entire inhabited earth." (Revelation 12:9) Jehovah had commanded man and woman to use their God-given sexual powers honorably within the marriage arrangement, in order to "fill the earth" with their kind. (Genesis 1:28; Hebrews 13:4) But the Devil turned to contaminating humanity with unnatural sex. How? Spirit sons of God joined Satan in his rebellion. These became "demons," with Satan as their "ruler." (Luke 11:15) And of what did the demons' activity then consist? They came down to earth, materialized human bodies, and cohabited with the good-looking daughters of men. The outcome was appalling!
Hybrid offspring were thus produced, fleshy giants that were half demon, half human. These were the Nephilim, murderous "Fellers" of mankind, as the record shows: "And the earth came to be ruined in the sight of the true God and the earth became filled with violence. So God saw the earth and, look! it was ruined, because all flesh had ruined its way on the earth." Violence and sexual depravity became so widespread that only of Noah could it be said: "He proved himself faultless among his generations. Noah walked with the
LIKE 'NOAH'S DAY'—
"Only 40 percent of college religion teachers . . . believe it is immoral for an unmarried man and woman to have sex." Saturday Oklahoman & Times, December 29, 1984
true God." His wife, his sons, and their wives—alone of all mankind—showed faith and godly fear. Apparently, Noah's family line was not contaminated by the sexual depravity of his day.—Genesis 6:4, 9-12, Ref. Bi., footnote.
7 Jehovah obliterated that violent, sexcrazed, demonistic world. Sending the great Deluge, he flushed out everything that was bad. Hybrid Nephilim and corrupted humans were swept into oblivion, while the demonistic former sons of God made their escape back to the spirit realm—to await God's judgment of them. But there were survivors! Noah and his immediate family were spared. And why? Because of their faith, backed up by works in building the ark and preaching righteousness to that condemned world.—2 Peter 2:4, 5.
Moderns, Beware!
Noah's day prefigured our day. How do we know this? Well, Jesus foretold a similar time of violence, lawlessness, and lovelessness as part of "the sign" that we stand at the brink of a "great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." He also said: "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, .
. . only the Father." Then he added: "Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be." —Matthew 24:3-21, 36-39.
Yes, "they took no note." But you do not have to be like them. You can escape when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
How do we avoid the destiny of those who 'take no note'?
Do Bible Principles Count?
An Episcopalian priest listened to a funeral service conducted by one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Afterward, at the priest's invitation, two ministers from the Watch Tower Society attended a discussion with several clergymen in Brooklyn Heights, New York City.
The question of homosexuality came up. The Witnesses made it plain that the Bible forbids this and that the Witnesses disfellowship persons who practice any kind of immorality. (Romans 1:24-27: 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Jude 7) The Witnesses asked the clergymen about their stand on this matter and received the following replies:
A Congregational minister: "I think we have the excommunication rule somewhere in the bylaws of our church, but for the life of me, I can't remember when we ever invoked that law!"
The Episcopalian priest: "If we invoked that law, we wouldn't have any parishioners [left]."
A Catholic monsignor: "if we invoked that law, we wouldn't have any priests [left]."
Though these clergymen's comments may exaggerate matters, Jehovah's Witnesses are happy about their own firm stand in keeping the congregation clean. They are "no part of the world."—John 15:19.
heaven, executing God's vengeance by everlastingly destroying "those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus." (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8) You do not have to be like worldly people whose main interest in life is pleasing self, pursuing a prestigious career or material wealth, with no thought of God. Truly, "their god is their belly." — Philippians 3:19.
"Hate What Is Bad"
10 In these final days, the lives of so many people revolve around sex, with or without the benefit of marriage. And for many of those who are married, divorce or annulment has become a norm. Disregarding clear-cut warnings by Jesus' disciples, many in Christendom indulge in homosexuality. Already, some of these are "receiving in themselves the full recompense" in the form of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. However, there could be hope of salvation even for such persons. Remember, Jesus spoke favorably of prostitutes who cleaned up their lives and believed in him, in contrast with the proud, unrepentant religious leaders of his day.—Romans 1:26, 27; 2 Peter 2:9, 10; Jude 6, 7; Matthew 21:31, 32.
11 Any of Jehovah's people who may have become tainted with, or who are tempted to indulge in, immoral practices must awaken and put on the full armor that God provides! (Ephesians 6:11-18) These days are truly "just as the days of Noah were." That "roaring lion," the Devil, and his depraved demons are working around the clock to isolate and entrap God's servants. We must take our stand against those enemies, solid in the faith. —1 Peter 5:8, 9.
10, 11. (a) To gain God's approval, what vices must be avoided? (b) What armor must we put on, and why?
12 Shocking as it is, even some who have been prominent in Jehovah's organization have succumbed to immoral practices, including homosexuality, wife swapping, and child molesting. It is to be noted, also, that during the past year, 36,638 individuals had to be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation, the greater number of them for practicing immorality. Jehovah's organization must be kept clean! (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) This is a time for congregation elders, ministerial servants, and indeed all our brothers and sisters to avoid any circumstances that could lead to immorality. Loyalty to Jehovah's standards will be rewarded, as Psalm 97:10 states: "O you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad. He is guarding the souls of his loyal ones; out of the hand of the wicked ones he delivers them."
13 At the latest, the "great tribulation" will clear out all those "who are disgusting in their filth." How concerned we must be to hate, yes, abhor, and avoid worldly depravity! We must "flee from fornication"! (Revelation 21:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, 18) The apostle Peter, after warning against doubt-sowing apostates and about the reality of "Jehovah's day," exhorts us to "holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion." He adds: "But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. Hence, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace." What a joy thus to attain to the "new earth," where God will 'make all things new' and clean!—2 Peter 3:3-7, 10-14; Revelation 21:1, 4, 5.
LIKE 'NOAH'S DAY'—
"A New York City public school for homosexual high school students has opened in Manhattan." Its teacher said: "We wanted an environment where gay and lesbian kids would not be subject to immature teen-agers."—The New York Times, June 6, 1985
Heed Further 'Warning Examples'
14 After the great Deluge had cleansed the earth of all demonic and human filth, Jehovah repeated the mandate originally given to Adam, by saying to Noah and his sons: "Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth." (Genesis 9:1) In a token way they did this, 70 "families"—a figuratively perfect number—being listed in Genesis chapter 10. But mankind was still suffering the effects of sin inherited from Adam. And apparently demonic influence again led humans to sink into sexual depravity.
15 In time, Jehovah's "friend," Abraham, and Abraham's nephew Lot moved to the area of Canaan. Lot chose to transfer to the District of the Jordan, which was "like the garden of Jehovah." But was it that way morally? Far from it! The city of Sodom, where Lot took up residence, and neighboring Gomorrah were steeped in homosexuality. Not even ten righteous men could be found there. For this reason, Jehovah brought upon those cities "the judicial punishment of everlasting fire." Never will those depraved cities be restored! Jesus LIKE 'NOAH'S DAY'—
"Members of the Riverside Church yesterday approved a pro-gay policy that accepts homosexual relationships as part of the concept of Christian family life."—New York Post, June 3, 1985
cited God's judgment on Sodom, along with what occurred "in the days of Noah," in underlining the need for us to be on guard!-Genesis 13:10; 18:32; Jude 7; Luke 17:26-30.
16 Make no mistake! Satan and his demons are still on the rampage! Though thrown into figurative "pits of dense darkness" and restricted from taking on fleshy bodies, those deprived spirits are intent upon corrupting humans, and especially Jehovah's servants. (2 Peter 2:4-6) No doubt the demons influenced Canaan to commit his immoral act toward his grandfather Noah. (Genesis 9:22-25) Certainly they must have spawned the perversions that became 'the way of the land of Canaan,' so that it finally vomited out its inhabitants. (Leviticus 18:3-25) Likewise, the demons foster the unnatural sex practices that afflict so many communities today. In putting up a hard fight for the faith, we must resist any attacks by those fallen angels that impel humans to 'commit fornication excessively and to go out after flesh for unnatural use.'—Jude 3, 6, 7.
Build for Preservation
17 In view of the seriousness of our
times, how can we find the way of deliverance? Well, how did Noah and his family survive? "By faith Noah . . . condemned the world." (Hebrews 11:7) Likewise today, Jehovah's Witnesses are "no part" of the wicked world. Moreover, we have demonstrated our faith by dedicating our lives to Jehovah and undergoing baptism in water in order to become disciples of Jesus Christ.—John 17:14, 16; Matthew 28:19.
Further, we share in Jehovah's work for this day, a spiritual building work directed by the Greater Noah, Jesus Christ. As a place of security and survival, the ark represents the spiritual paradise that Jehovah has been building up among his worshipers since 1919. It is the condition of a restored peaceful relationship with God. It is His arrangement for preservation of the Greater Noah's antitypical family through the "great tribulation." —Matthew 24:21; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 11; 2 Corinthians 12:3, 4; Revelation 7:13, 14.
19 "Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah." How well he pictures Jesus Christ, who walked humbly with God here on earth, doing nothing of his own initiative! (Genesis 6:8; Matthew 17:1, 5; John 8:28) Both were preachers of righteousness—a
What is typified by the building of the ark?
Noah, his family members, and their work
foreshadow what?
HOWWOULD YOU ANSWER?
How should pre-Flood events forewarn us?
What lessons should we draw from Matthew 24:37-39?
Why is it so important to "hate what is bad"?
How may we share in building the antitypical ark?
fine example for all witnesses of Jehovah. And we can be sure that Noah's wife, foreshadowing the remaining anointed ones on earth today, was a model of submissiveness. (2 Peter 2:5; Luke 4:14-19; Ephesians 5:21-24) When we consider how gigantic the task of building the ark of preservation was, we can imagine how happy the aging Noah must have been in having as his assistants three energetic sons and their wives! Aptly these picture the present-day "great crowd" who are shouldering the bulk of the spiritual building work during the final countdown to the antitypical Flood.—Revelation 7:9, 15.
20 When this earth has been washed clean, ready to be transformed into a literal paradise, those pictured by Noah's sons and daughters-in-law may for a time have children born to them in righteousness. Then the miracle of the resurrection will bring to completion the filling of the earth with humans. All who accept the privilege of becoming Jesus' "other sheep" will be restored to perfection, and on surviving the final test after Christ hands over the Kingdom to his Father, these will be declared righteous for life eternal.—John 5:28, 29; 10:16; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Psalm 37:29; Revelation 20:7, 8.
21 What joys lie ahead for Jehovah's faithful worshipers! But great joy is to be found even now by wholeheartedly sharing in the building of the modernday ark for survival. How is that work prospering? Our next study will provide the answer.
Building for an Eternal Future
"Every house has a builder, the Builder of all things being God."—HEBREWS 3:4, Weymouth.
SOME 4,400 years ago Jehovah commanded Noah to build the ark for preservation of life. But God did not leave it to Noah to build just any kind of structure that might float. Rather, he gave specific instructions as to materials, layout, length, width, height, ventilation, and interior and exterior finishing. "And Noah proceeded to do according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so." —Genesis 6:13-16, 22.
2 What a fine example for modern-day witnesses of Jehovah! Like Noah, we are entrusted with a lifesaving work but this time looking to the salvation of 'millions GLOBAL BUILDING BY
Worldwide, 322,821 pioneers were reporting each month (increase of 24.7 percent)
Pioneers depart for the house-to-house ministry, Brooklyn, New York
Publishers worldwide grew to a peak of 3,024,131 (increase of 6.4 percent)
Fourteen-language convention Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Return visits on interested ones totaled 224,725,918 for the year (increase of 14.8 percent) Witnessing, Castle Comb, Wiltshire, England
Home Bible studies conducted each month were 2,379,146 (increase of 16.2 percent)
Study group in Yap Micronesia JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
Some buildings used in support of the global spiritual building activity.
At Brooklyn, the shipping of Bibles and Bible literature is handled from this 1,000,000-square-foot structure at 360 Furman Street
This Kingdom Hall (Downpatrick, Northern Ireland) was built in 31 hours
This Assembly Hall in Rome is one of scores of such halls in use around the earth
This addition to Japan's Bethel Home is now under construction
now living who may never die.'
How important that we be obedient, as was Noah! How urgent that we follow the pattern of the One greater than Noah, Jesus Christ, in serving as 'preachers of righteousness'! —2 Peter 2:5.
A Spiritual Building Work
3 It has now been 1,956 years since Jesus startled the Galilean countryside with his declaration: "Repent, you people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near." He likened everyone who obeyed his sayings and built upon them to "a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass." That man's faith is firm, unshakable, immovable. It will not cave in under pressure. Jesus' preaching was faith building. It reached people's hearts, being so different from the sanctimonious mouths of the Jewish religious leaders. The common people were astounded at Jesus' way of teaching. Even soldiers that were sent to arrest him returned empty-handed, declaring: "Never has another man spoken like this."—Matthew 4:17; 7:24, 25, 28; John 7:46.
4 Jesus was building for the future. He gathered fellow workers, such as Peter, who was also called Cephas, meaning "a stone." To this disciple, Jesus said: "You are Peter, and on this rock-mass I will build my congregation." In time Peter became one of many "living stones" built upon Jesus, the congregation's "foundation cornerstone." That congregation was established at Pentecost of 33 C.E. when the resurrected Jesus, at God's right
hand in heaven, poured out holy spirit upon the waiting disciples.—Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 2:4-6; Acts 2:2-4, 32, 33.
5 Today, the Christian congregation is deeply involved in the outworking of Jehovah's purposes. It is the time of "apocalypse," or "disclosure," when "things that must shortly take place" are being revealed to God's "slaves" on earth. (Revelation 1:1-3, Ref. Bi., footnote) It is the time when these slaves must 'preach the good news of God's Kingdom in all the earth for a witness,' before he executes judgment on Satan's wicked system. It is the time for the King, Jesus Christ, now enthroned in the heavens, to separate meek, sheeplike people from obstinate, goatish people who do not want that Kingdom, and to gather these "sheep" to his congregation of spiritual "brothers" before the "great tribulation" strikes. —Matthew 24:14, 21; 25:31-40.
6 What is the modern-day ark of survival? It is the spiritual situation in which Jehovah's Witnesses have found themselves since 1919, a spiritual paradise. Like Noah's family members, the remnant of anointed Christians and their companions must keep within its confines, working obediently, wholeheartedly, in completing the great spiritual project that Jehovah has purposed. This project is "to gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens [starting from 33 C.E. with heaven-bound anointed ones] and the things on the earth [beginning notably from 1935 with the international "great crowd" destined for everlasting life on earth]."—Ephesians 1:10; Revelation 7: 9, 14.
What modern-day developments deeply involve the Christian congregation?
What today is the "ark," and how may we survive?
'Building and Planting'
7 Jehovah has commissioned the remaining anointed Christians on earth, just as he did the prophet Jeremiah, "to be over the nations and over the kingdoms, in order to uproot and to pull down and to destroy and to tear down, to build and to plant." So a twofold work is now in progress: (1) announcing Jehovah's judgment against Satan's wicked world system and (2) building and establishing a society of God's own people for preservation. (Jeremiah 1:10; 24:6, 7; Isaiah 26:20, 21) How happy the remnant of anointed ones and the growing throng of their companions are as they share in this work today! It is the kind of happiness that industrious Noah and his family must have experienced in their day.
8 Will millions survive the day of Jehovah's anger? There is fine prospect for that, as the 1985 Service Year Report of Jehovah's Witnesses indicates. Details of this report appear herein on pages 20-3. It is most thrilling to note the splendid increase in the peak number of field
In Our Next Issue
The Horsemen
of the Apocalypse
—How Their Ride Affects You
Jehovah Fulfills His Promises!
Do You "Follow the Course of Hospitality"?
workers. This has now grown to a total of 3,024,131 Kingdom preachers. The 1,000,000 mark was first reached in 1963, 2,000,000 in 1974, and now more than 3,000,000 in 1985. In those 22 years, there has been a 200-percent increase. How grateful we are to Jehovah who, by his spirit, makes things grow! — Zechariah 4:6; 1 Corinthians 3:6.
Even more outstanding during those years has been the increase in full-time Kingdom proclaimers. Despite worsening economic conditions worldwide, the number of this valiant group of "pioneers" has shot up from a monthly average of 38,573 in 1963 to 322,821 in 1985—a 737-percent increase! What does this indicate? It shows that a splendid spirit of self-sacrifice exists among God's people, in line with Jesus' words at Luke 9:23. Usually, careful planning and self-denial are needed to make a success of pioneer service. But the rewards are great.—Romans 12:1, 2; Malachi 3:10.
10 The millions of congregation publishers also have to battle against the pressures brought upon them by Satan and his world. But they, too, are offering to God their "sacrifice of praise." (Hebrews 13:15; Romans 10:9, 10) Those hours, whether many or few, that you faithful publishers reported each month became part of the new peak of 590,540,205 hours of field service for 1985. This is a 16.8-percent increase over 1984! New peaks of 224,725,918 return visits and of 2,379,146 home Bible studies with interested persons indicate that Kingdom proclaimers everywhere are striving to be 1985 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE
<tr><th>Country or Territory
Population
1985 Peak Pubs.
Ratio, One Publisher to:
1985 % Inc. Over 1984
1984 Av. Pubs.
1985 No. Bptzd.
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. of Congs.
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
Alaska
532,154
1,917
1,777
1,654
333,519
1,077
4,744
Algeria
21,000,000
512,195
2,036
American Samoa
35,600
21,449
Andorra
42,712
10,689
Anguilla
6,524
3,683
Antigua
70,794
46,700
Argentina
30,000,000
56,585
53,395
48,282
5,136
6,233
11,703,717
62,902
135,379
Aruba
67,328
49,228
Australia
15,636,600
42,453
41,299
39,052
2,152
3,954
8,037,231
20,588
82,238
Austria
7,551,842
15,861
15,738
15,317
1,062
2,693,212
7,551
27,502
Azores
260,000
66,147
Bahamas
209,505
189,419
1,098
2,354
Bangladesh
100,000,000
5,263,158
5,031
Barbados
265,000
1,516
1,411
1,356
267,750
1,412
4,275
Belau
13,000
17,308
Belgium
9,788,023
21,695
20,838
20,043
1,009
1,559
3,700,818
8,854
42,536
Belize
145,000
159,504
3,257
Benin
3,792,000
1,586
2,391
1,386
1,248
209,081
1,220
5,545
Bermuda
53,000
68,298
Bolivia
6,500,000
4,207
1,545
4,017
3,639
1,287,429
6,673
17,169
Bonaire
9,977
8,348
Botswana
936,600
2,214
90,625
1,185
Brazil
135,065,474
177,904
166,925
150,732
14,243
15,382
2,845
29,570,941
165,782
483,880
Britain
54,985,900
103,522
97,370
92,616
5,280
9,610
1,195
18,394,121
49,368
193,898
Brunei
190,300
23,788
Burkina Faso
7,318,695
27,309
96,858
1,123
Burma
35,500,000
1,352
26,257
1,284
1,197
343,698
3,597
Burundi
4,700,000
12,304
100,421
1,092
Canada
25,295,200
84,241
60,614
76,866
4,085
7,522
1,165
14,524,600
40,037
157,236
Cape Verde Rep.
301,500
1,364
51,475
1,090
Cayman Islands
16,821
12,421
Central Afr. Rep.
2,657,128
1,320
2,013
1,244
1,144
340,118
1,527
7,271
Chile
400,000
29,197
59,781
Chile
12,074,477
26,924
24,691
21,983
2,378
2,601
5,938,012
34,627
84,543
Colombia
30,324,906
26,536
1,143
24,699
21,442
2,253
2,584
5,963,474
33,583
114,777
Congo
1,650,000
1,078
1,531
1,029
185,030
1,250
3,409
Cook Islands
17,000
15,293
Costa Rica
2,416,809
9,210
8,578
7,811
1,590,895
9,817
25,850
Curacao
169,438
1,211
1,130
1,021
245,927
1,496
3,465
Cyprus
620,000
1,083
1,068
1,047
179,751
2,165
Donmark
5,111,108
14,903
14,453
13,903
1,991,868
4,823
24,231
Daniel
400,000
33,838
1,581
Dominica
81,000
20.9
-1*
47,949
Dominican Rep.
5,647,977
8,390
8,596
9,704
1,057
2,021,339
14,256
29,990
Ecuador
9,000,000
9,311
8,846
7,814
1,140
2,244,150
14,731
45,764
El Salvador
5,385,969
14,250
13,640
12,583
1,330
1,810
3,492,215
20,292
51,783
Equatorial Guinea
300,000
2,158
60,909
Falkland Islands
1,400
Fernoe Islands
45,392
17,176
Fiji
700,125
1,049
271,534
1,027
3,740
Finland
4,893,878
15,334
15,033
14,600
1,540
2,646,534
7,112
25,149
France
55,061,000
87,278
84,925
79,568
5,523
6,037
1,243
16,110,201
49,392
178,473
French Guiana
73,022
92,708
1,155
Gabon
300,000
1,807
96,564
2,006
Gambia
695,886
38,660
9,280
Germany, F. R.; W. Berlin
61,009,400
115,604
114,188
112,386
4,066
6,532
1,588
18,278,268
46,543
194,719
Ghana
12,522,918
28,635
26,388
24,112
2,153
3,556
6,438,007
39,211
101,926
Gibraltar
28,339
16,247
Greece
9,740,417
22,466
22,240
21,715
1,824
3,873,834
8,020
39,001
Greenland
52,940
23,630
Grenada
112,000
-1*
74,001
1,075
Guadeloupe
328,000
4,064
3,828
3,352
714,442
5,021
11,658
Guam
118,338
69,258
Guatemala
7,500,000
8,135
7,787
7,047
1,508,444
8,482
27,912
Guinea
5,143,284
25,212
-1*
55,824
Guinea-Bissau
530,000
106,000
-25*
Guyana
842,000
1,360
1,281
1,219
345,278
1,598
4,792
Haiti
6,000,000
4,048
1,482
3,922
3,537
920,152
6,147
21,058
Hawaii
1,038,700
5,304
5,117
5,013
1,246,218
4,487
14,918
Honduras
4,236,819
4,065
1,042
3,799
3,450
943,598
5,902
20,003
Hong Kong
5,300,000
1,284
4,128
1,248
1,169
454,033
1,865
2,896
Iceland
240,443
1,440
32,101
India
775,000,000
7,410
104,588
6,805
6,132
1,354,324
4,150
18,930
Ireland
5,097,157
2,447
2,083
2,403
2,278
670,649
1,112
4,821
Israel
5,535,500
17,517
67,713
Italy
56,556,911
127,526
123,253
11,951
10,465
17,716
1,831
31,882,038
82,652
275,902
Ivory Coast
9,273,167
2,143
4,327
2,056
1,828
616,296
3,477
8,349
Jamaica
2,200,000
7,737
7,375
7,110
1,338,285
6,807
21,250
Japan
120,007,812
103,117
1,164
97,823
87,460
10,290
39,384
1,722
1,468,981
142,547
258,728
Jordan
3,500,000
35,714
4,681
134,547
Kenya
19,750,000
3,570
5,532
3,422
3,101
1,217,492
15,172
10,971
Kiribati
68,843
3,990
1,828
618,296
5,172
Korea
41,290,909
39,664
1,039
37,263
33,794
3,770
10,855
13,510,411
39,710
86,907
Kosrae
6,005
-4*
6,517
Lebanon
3,000,000
2,178
1,377
2,087
1,930
377,587
1,462
4,638
Lesotho
1,518,635
1,937
160,116
3,266
Liberia
1,800,000
1,272
1,415
1,151
362,547
2,099
6,149
Libya
3,224,000
179,111
2,504
<tr><th>Country or Territory
Population
1985 Peak Pubs.
Ratio. One Publisher to:
1985 % Inc. Over 1984
1984 Av. Pubs.
1985 No. Bptzd.
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. of Congs.
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
Liechtenstein
26,680
7,356
Luxembourg
430,000
1,230
1,178
1,103
220,324
2,784
Macao
400,000
23,529
9,326
Madagascar
9,866,113
1,994
4,948
1,884
1,672
344,239
3,536
9,028
Madeira
264,200
75,832
1,322
Malaysia
15,445,000
20,242
213,673
1,127
1,964
Mali
7,000,000
137,255
39,595
Malta
355,173
1,180
64,608
Marshall Islands
31,042
53,652
Martinique
328,566
1,885
1,757
1,545
369,898
2,146
4,848
Mauritius
984,200
1,318
152,982
1,637
Mayotte
58,000
3,412
5,848
Mexico
78,558,631
173,037
162,130
141,876
17,450
19,557
5,244
36,811,419
235,927
781,904
Montecarat
14,076
14,149
Morocco
22,100,000
245,556
19,951
Nauru
6,000
Nepal
16,000,000
457,143
8,357
Netherlands
14,453,833
28,689
27,745
27,263
2,057
4,400,908
8,426
48,374
Nivia
15,482
13,643
New Caledonia
155,000
167,738
2,297
New Zealand
3,254,400
9,143
8,621
8,208
1,882,371
1,541
18,587
Niger
6,083,000
74,183
152,074
30,582
Nigeria
95,689,500
121,729
115,074
108,425
4,255
10,013
2,318
22,013,425
109,087
371,854
Niue
2,200
2,410
Norway
4,147,647
7,938
7,684
7,420
973,622
2,586
14,590
Pakistan
96,000,000
398,340
69,830
Panama
2,180,500
4,355
4,207
3,804
885,462
5,966
15,532
Papua New Guinea
3,006,799
1,704
1,765
1,644
1,601
345,630
1,821
7,276
Paraguay
3,277,962
2,173
1,508
2,092
1,923
484,898
2,363
4,695
Peru
19,900,000
21,389
19,638
17,944
2,041
3,449
5,879,502
29,155
84,448
Philippines
54,000,000
83,670
78,867
69,869
7,319
13,145
2,381
18,462,384
49,773
268,526
Papua New Guinea
28,000
27,701
Portugal
9,401,000
28,984
27,751
25,705
2,029
2,029
4,502,686
20,068
73,135
Puerto Rico
3,350,000
20,413
19,891
18,917
1,535
3,602,549
16,001
57,411
Reunion
542,000
1,012
192,108
2,493
Rodrigues
34,800
1,513
6,024
Rota
1,274
5,376
Rwanda
5,950,000
13,077
133,667
1,175
St. Eustatius
1,335
St. Helena
6,000
11,260
St. Kitts
36,538
29,310
St. Lucia
120,000
64,884
St. Maarten
15,926
-3
13,786
St. Pierre & Miquelon
6,000
1,615
110,000
29,555
St. Vincent
15,519
15,499
Salpain
21,240
19,009
San Marino
São Tomé
80,000
7,273
-36*
1,730
Senegal
6,000,000
13,667
158,772
1,161
Seychelles
70,000
1,346
-10*
11,895
Sierra Leone
3,354,000
4,868
200,920
3,096
Solomon Islands
265,680
130,938
2,675
South Africa
32,281,729
36,963
35,326
32,882
2,156
3,541
7,315,761
29,060
93,563
South-West Africa
1,032,000
2,907
69,136
Spain
38,601,795
61,110
63,761
59,514
55,251
4,063
6,491
12,929,498
41,684
134,605
Sri Lanka
15,825,000
17,861
246,934
2,975
Sudan
22,500,000
112,500
71,302
Suriname
350,000
1,128
1,063
250,620
1,211
3,660
Swaziland
638,419
187,739
2,804
Sweden
8,353,124
20,299
19,612
19,029
2,001
3,417,674
9,534
34,407
Switzerland
6,437,300
13,013
12,785
12,119
2,065,103
7,455
24,182
Syria
9,700,000
65,541
-28*
16,108
Tahiti
172,100
129,310
1,883
Taiwan
19,200,000
1,077
17,827
1,050
333,404
1,222
3,206
Tanzania
21,000,000
2,402
8,743
2,420
2,056
618,919
2,080
6,881
Thailand
51,182,184
59,514
229,841
2,068
Togo
2,874,028
2,798
1,027
2,517
2,169
488,468
4,098
8,845
Tokelau Islands
1,627
New
Tonga
100,230
2,445
-13*
11,905
Trinidad
1,128,600
4,198
3,948
3,663
933,069
4,726
12,054
Truk
38,680
18,862
Tunisia
7,156,000
148,868
3,966
Turkey
50,000,000
62,112
-3*
131,564
1,262
Turks & Caicos Isls.
8,000
-3*
10,363
Veuvalu Islands
1,122,600
10,437
Uganda
15,000,000
46,875
109,485
1,220
U.S. of America
238,574,282
723,220
678,510
648,704
34,348
74,715
8,129
130,224,261
447,298
1,657,753
Uruguay
2,980,000
5,329
6,033
4,789
1,151,768
6,610
15,243
Venezuela
139,500
1,881
10,587
Virginia Islands (Brit.)
18,000,000
29,266
27,528
23,699
2,899
3,806
7,250,588
43,629
107,606
Virginia Islands (U.S.)
12,000
19,351
Western Samoa
96,000
90,893
1,691
Yap
159,488
42,023
Yap
9,320
-16*
14,529
Zaire
30,200,000
35,602
34,207
29,435
5,573
6,794
10,970,410
60,985
153,356
Zambia
6,440,000
58,250
55,007
54,605
3,707
4,642
1,535
9,843,120
64,703
111,314
Zimbabwe
8,001,500
14,247
13,236
12,640
1,126
2,461,104
10,604
36,946
175 Countries
2,763,239
2,621,412
7.3
2,444,167
178,097
314,773
45,059
562,178,980
2,231,189
7,331,281
30 Other Countries
260,892
243,771
3.2
236,107
11,703
8,048
4,657
4,657
147,957
147,957
GRAND TOTAL (205 countries)
3,024,131
2,865,183
6.9
2,680,274
189,800
322,821
49,716
590,540,205
2,379,146
7,792,109
During the 1985 service year the Watch Tower Society spent $20,827,314.57 in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments.
MEMORIAL PARTAKERS WORLDWIDE: 9,051
Percentage of decrease
Work banned and reports are incomplete A congregation in an African country where Jehovah's work is banned has 95 publishers, all of whom share in service each month.
They average 130 at their meetings but 160 at their public talks. They have three regular pioneers and recently eight auxiliary pioneers. In just six months, 21 new publishers started in field service.
good teachers as well as zealous preachers.—Matthew 28:19, 20.
Building for True Peace and Security
11 Late in 1985, the United Nations proclaimed 1986 as the International Year of Peace. In recent times, the UN has been saying much about peace and security. But a more important proclamation, that of the Scriptural hope for peace and security, gained great momentum during 1985 as Jehovah's Witnesses placed in the world field 38,805,561 Bibles, books, and booklets, as well as 300,545,609 magazines, and obtained 1,719,930 subscriptions for The Watchtower and Awake! By printed page and by word of mouth, the established Kingdom of the real "Prince of Peace" has received its grandest witness to date. Truly, "of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end."—Isaiah 9:6, 7, King James Version.
12 The tremendous growth in the field has called for growth in support organization. During 1985 the number of congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide grew from 47,869 to 49,716. This has
called for hundreds of new meeting places. How fine it is that, in many lands, the Witnesses have been blessed in their efforts to finance Kingdom Halls! Where there has been a need, individuals and congregations have unselfishly supported one another's building programs, so that an "equalizing" has taken place among the worldwide brotherhood.—2 Corinthians 8:14, 15.
13 In countries where circumstances are favorable, branch offices of the Watch Tower Society have also given backing to Kingdom Hall projects. In the United States and in Canada, many individuals are contributing to a special Kingdom Hall Fund, which has made possible loans for increased Kingdom Hall construction. Others have contributed their energies and skills, so that even quickly built Kingdom Halls are erected during just one weekend. By working at such projects "whole-souled as to Jehovah," his Witnesses can accomplish what worldly men consider impossible.—Colossians 3:23.
14 In a number of countries, a lack of facilities suitable for semiannual circuit assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses has presented a major problem. Again, the Witnesses have joyfully met the challenge through construction programs, in the same spirit as shown by God's servants in ancient times. For example, when it became necessary to find materials for the construction of the tabernacle, the assembly of Israel unitedly heeded God's command: "From among yourselves take up a contribution for Jehovah. Let every willing-hearted one bring it as Jehovah's contribution." That assembly provided far more than was needed, and the work was accomplished quickly.—Exodus 35:5-19;
36:7.
15 As the need for Bibles and Bible-based publications increases, many of the 94 Watch Tower branches throughout the world have had to expand their facilities. The Brooklyn and Watchtower Farms printing operation is still by far the largest, but 36 branches of the Society are now taking care of their own magazine printing, and 6 branches are also equipped to print and bind books. Of these, Germany, Italy, and Japan are manufacturing Bibles. The new factory at Selters, Germany, is working to capacity. At Ebina, Japan, construction is under way on a six-story factory addition and an eight-story Bethel Home annex to accommodate another 280 workers. Just as Jehovah's people supported the construction of Solomon's temple "with a complete heart," so today God's people in various lands make "voluntary offerings to Jehovah," and he adds his blessing so that the work is accomplished.—1 Chronicles 22:14, 15; 29:7, 9; see Ref. Bi., footnotes.
16 Is all this construction and organizing really necessary? It is, if "the faithful and discreet slave" is to continue providing spiritual "food at the proper time." Such food is vitally necessary for the growth of "the household of God" and for global preaching in upwards of 200 languages. (Matthew 24:45; Ephesians 2:19; 4:15, 16) Jehovah's people themselves have contributed their skills in developing a multilanguage electronic phototypesetting system (MEPS), now supplied to 26 Watch Tower branches. This has made possible a unified global offset-printing operation and has
U.S.A.
723,220
Brazil
177,904
Mexico
173,037
Italy
127,526
Nigeria
121,729
Germany
115,604
Britain
103,522
Japan
103,117
helped toward publishing the Kingdom message simultaneously in many parts of the earth. Compare Isaiah 52:7-9.
17 There appears to be no end to the modern-day expansion of Jehovah's organization. Even now, the Bethel family at the Brooklyn, New York, headquarters of the Society has grown to the extent of filling all available accommodations. If it should be Jehovah's will, a high-rise building to accommodate a thousand additional Bethel workers may be erected on the Society's property on Columbia Heights. But if this does not eventuate, we will look for Jehovah's further direction in the matter. The prayers and loyal support of the worldwide brotherhood in connection with all this expansion are indeed appreciated. Compare Acts 21:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:1.
18 'But why,' someone may ask, 'are there so many expansion projects when we stand face-to-face with Armageddon?' The answer is that Jehovah's organization does not 'close up shop' with the approach of Armageddon.
That is 'closing time' only for Satan's organization. Jehovah's organization is building for an eternal future. Whether or not man-made structures weather the storm of Armageddon, we know that God's organization will survive as a going concern and that Jehovah will use it and those who loyally support it, establishing eternal peace and security in the glorious earthly Paradise of God's promise.—Revelation 7:9, 14-17; 21:1, 4, 5.
Building With a Purpose
19 Noah built with a purpose in view, and so must we. One feature of the 1985 Service Year Report provides much food for thought. It is that very wonderful attendance of 7,792,109 at the Memorial of Jesus' death on April 4, 1985—an increase of 375,155 over the 1984 total. Marvelous indeed! But that figure contains a challenge. With a peak of 3,024,131 publishers sharing in Kingdom service, there are well over 4,000,000 others associating with us, at least to some extent, who have yet to build for the future by sharing in the Christian ministry. How can we help them?
20 Most of these interested persons are known to us personally. They may be family members, people with whom we conduct Bible studies, subscribers to our magazines, or others. Some may even have become interested since the last Memorial. Can we now make special efforts to nurture these, building them up through Bible study, so that they may find refuge in Jehovah's arrangement "until the adversities pass over"? (Psalm 57:1) The "great tribulation" will be Jehovah's act of vindication, even more meaningful and conclusive than the Noachian Flood. We want to build up these interested ones with lifegiving truths, so that they will "call upon the name of Jehovah" and not be swept away. (Matthew 24:21, 22, 39; Zephaniah 2:3; 3:8, 9) Let us study God's Word with them, using the textbook You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth or other faith-building Bible literature.
21 Jehovah God is the Master Builder and Grand Provider for mankind. (Psalm 127:1; 145:16; Ecclesiastes 3:10-13) He it was who directed Noah as to the design and building of the ark. By the willing cooperation of the Greater Noah, Jesus Christ, he has arranged to ransom obedient humans from sin and death. Through this Son he has also built up the modern-day "ark," the flourishing spiritual paradise wherein men and women of faith may find preservation, with everlasting life in view. (Matthew 20:26-28; John 3:16; 17:3) May we help many others to build faith and forge a bond of intimacy with Jehovah and his Son. May we help them to love righteousness and hate wickedness. (Hebrews 1:9) Thus, with faith like Noah's, we can keep on building together for an eternal future. —1 Timothy 4:15, 16.
How can we build faith like Noah's in ourselves and in others?
SOME QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW—
How did Jesus build for the future?
What did you find outstanding in the 1985 report?
Why are theocratic building programs needed?
How may all of us build with a purpose?
Kingdom Proclaimers Report
"They Will Not Prevail Against You"
IN A Central American country, 15 armed men took two of Jehovah's Witnesses from their home by force and brought them to a group of 75 men armed with clubs and machetes. They insulted the Witnesses with obscenities and turned them over to another group of about 350 similarly armed men. They expected that the two brothers would become fearful and would compromise their Christian neutrality by joining their patrol. (Isaiah 2:4) But the Witnesses stood fast and refused to join the military operation. So they were thrown into prison, while members of many of the churches compromised and went off to the hills with the patrol.
…