The Watchtower, January 1, 1997
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JANUARY 1, 1997
THE WATCHTOWER
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
WHY SHOULD WE ALL PRAISE GOD?
THE WATCHTOWER
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
January 1, 1997
Average Printing Each Issue: 20,980,000
Vol. 118, No. 1
THE PURPOSE OF THE WATCHTOWER is to exalt Jehovah God as Sovereign Lord of the universe. It keeps watch on world events as these 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 God's 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.
IN THIS ISSUE
3 Why Should We All Praise God?
6 Let All Glorify Jehovah!
12 The Greater Glory of Jehovah's House
23 Giving Up Much for Something Greater
26 Let Us Abhor What Is Wicked
30 They Did Jehovah's Will Finding a Wife for Isaac
32 Who Is to Blame for War?
WATCHTOWER STUDIES
FEBRUARY 3-9: Let All Glorify Jehovah! Page 6.
Songs to be used: 1, 165.
FEBRUARY 10-16: The Greater Glory of Jehovah's House. Page 12. Songs to be used: 31, 118.
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Why Should We All Praise God?
HALLELUJAH! This word is well-known to most churchgoers in Christendom. Some of them shout it out loud in their Sunday services. How many, though, know what the word really means? In fact, it is Hebrew for "Praise Jah!" It is a joyful, ringing acclamation of the Creator, whose name is Jehovah.*
The word "Hallelujah" appears frequently in the Bible. Why? Because there are so many reasons to praise God. Jah (Jehovah) is the Creator and Sustainer of the vast universe. (Psalm 147:4, 5; 148:3-6) He originated the ecosystems that make life on earth possible. (Psalm 147:8, 9; 148:7-10) And he takes a special interest in mankind. If we do his will, he blesses and supports us in this life and offers us the certain hope of an even better life to come. (Psalm 148:11-14) It is Jah (Jehovah) who inspired the words: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." —Psalm 37:29.
Hence, the exhortation is directed to all: "Hallelujah!" "Praise Jah, you people!" (Psalm 104:35; footnote) Unhappily, though, not everyone feels like responding. Today, people are suffering. Many are hungry, sick, or oppressed. A number endure much grief because of misuse of drugs or alcohol or the results of their immorality or rebellion. Is there any reason why such ones should praise God?
'Only Jehovah Could Give Me Hope'
Yes, there is. Jehovah invites everyone without exception to get to know him, learn
to do his will, and enjoy the blessings that make people want to praise him. And many respond. Take, for example, Adriana in Guatemala. When Adriana was seven, her mother died. Shortly afterward her father left home. When she was ten, she began working for a living. Since her mother had told her to serve God and the church, Adriana associated with various Catholic groups, but by the time she was 12, she was disenchanted and joined a street gang. She began smoking, taking drugs, and stealing. Why would a young girl like that want to praise God?
Adriana's sister started studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, but Adriana laughed at her. Then their aunt died. At her aunt's funeral, Adriana was vexed by troubling questions. Where did her aunt go? Was she in heaven? Did she go to a fiery hell? It was very confusing, and Adriana went to the cemetery chapel to pray for help, using God's name Jehovah, as her sister had taught her.
Soon she was studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses and attending their Christian meetings. This opened up to her a whole new outlook on life, and she courageously broke her ties with the street gangs. Adriana, now in her mid-20's, says: "Only love for Jehovah made me leave such a bad way of life. Only Jehovah in his great mercy could give me the hope of everlasting life." Adriana, despite her difficult start in life, has excellent reasons to praise God.
An even more unpromising situation is reported from Ukraine. A man is sitting in prison awaiting execution. Is he selfpitying? Depressed? No, quite on the contrary. Having recently been contacted by Jehovah's Witnesses and having gained some knowledge of Jehovah, he asked them to contact his mother.
Now he is writing them because he has heard that they fulfilled his request. He says: "Thank you for visiting my mother. It was the most joyful news that I received in the last year."
Speaking of himself and the cellmates to whom he has witnessed, he writes: "Now we have faith in God and try to act according to our faith." He concludes his letter: "Thank you for helping us to learn what love is and to gain faith. If I stay alive, I will help you too. Thank God that you exist and that you are helping others to love God and believe in him." This man has appealed his death sentence. But whether he is executed or he spends many years in prison, he clearly has reason to praise God.
'Although I Am Blind, I Can See'
Consider, now, a vibrant teenage girl who suddenly loses her sight. That is what happened to Gloria, who lives in Argentina. Gloria suddenly went blind when she was 19 years old, and she never regained her sight. At age 29 she entered into concubinage with a man and soon became pregnant. Now she felt that her life had meaning. But when she lost her child, she began to ask questions. She wondered, 'Why is this happening to me? What have I done? Does God really exist?'
At this point, two Witnesses of Jehovah came to her door. She began to study the Bible and learned of its promise that in the new world, the blind will see again. (Isaiah 35:5) What a wonderful prospect for Gloria! She was very happy, especially when her husband consented to legalizing their marriage. Then her husband had an accident and became an invalid, confined to a wheelchair. Today this blind woman has to work hard to make ends meet. In addition, she
does all the work at home, as well as giving personal attention to her husband. Yet Gloria praises Jehovah! With the help of her Christian brothers and sisters, she studies the Braille Bible, and she is greatly encouraged by Christian meetings at the Kingdom Hall. She says: "It is difficult to explain, but although I am blind, it is as though I can see."
Sometimes people are persecuted when they praise God. A woman in Croatia was happy when she learned about God, but her husband was opposed to her newfound faith and rejected her, taking their one-year-old daughter. On the street, abandoned by husband and family, without a home, a job, or even her child, she was at first devastated. But her love of God sustained her, although she had only limited contact with her daughter until the little one grew up. This woman had found the "pearl of high value" and would not let go of it. (Matthew 13:45, 46) How did she maintain her joy through these difficult times? She says: "Joy is a fruit of God's spirit. It can be cultivated independent of external circumstances, just as plants can grow in a greenhouse whatever the weather is like outside."
In Finland, six-year-old Markus was diagnosed with an incurable muscle disease. Soon he was confined to a wheelchair. A few years later, his mother took him to a Pentecostal who was gaining wide publicity by claiming to cure sick people. But there was no miraculous healing. So Markus lost interest in God and pursued studies in science and other secular fields. Then about five years ago, a woman in a wheelchair accompanied by a young man came to the house where Markus lived. They were Jehovah's Witnesses. Markus was now an atheist, but he had no objection to discussing religion and invited them in.
Later, a married couple visited him, and a Bible study was started. Eventually, the power of Bible truth changed Markus' view of things, and he realized that despite his disability, he really did have reasons to praise God. He said: "I am very happy because I have found the truth and the organization that Jehovah is using. My life now has direction and meaning. Another lost sheep has been found and does not want to leave Jehovah's flock!"—Compare Matthew 10:6.
Let All "Praise Jah"
These are just a few of the countless experiences that can be related to show that humans today, no matter what their circumstances, can have reason to praise God. The apostle Paul explained it this way: "Godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) If we do God's will, he will fulfill the "promise of
the life now." Of course, he will not in this system of things make the poor rich or the sick healthy. But he gives his spirit to those who serve him so that they find joy and contentment whatever their external situation. Yes, even in "the life now," the sick, the oppressed, and the poor can have reason to praise God.
But what of the life "which is to come"? Why, the very thought of it should make us praise God with the greatest enthusiasm! We thrill to think of the time when poverty will be unknown; when "no resident will say: 'I am sick'"; and when Jehovah God "will wipe out every tear from their eyes,
and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 21:3; 4; Psalm 72:16) How do you view these promises from God?
A young man in El Salvador accepted a Bible tract that explained some of these things. He said to the Witness who gave it to him, "Lady, what this tract says is just too good to be true." Many react that way. Yet, these are promises of the One who created the universe, who set in motion the natural cycles of our earth, and who helps even the poor and the sick to find joy. We can believe what he says. The above-mentioned young man studied the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses and found this to be true. If you are not already doing this, we encourage you to do the same. Then, may you be there when this present system of things has passed away, and all creation joins in the cry: "Hallelujah!" "Praise Jah, you people!"—Psalm 112:1; 135:1.
LET ALL GLORIFY JEHOVAH!
"In the region of light they must glorify Jebovah." -ISAIAH 24:15.
JEHOVAH—the illustrious name of God! How the faithful prophets of old rejoiced to speak in that name! With exultation they glorified their Sovereign Lord, Jehovah, whose name identifies him as the Great Purposer. (Isaiah 40:5; Jeremiah 10:6, 10; Ezekiel 36:23) Even the so-called minor prophets were most vocal in giving glory to Jehovah. One of these was Haggai. In the book of Haggai, made up of just 38 verses, God's name is used 35 times. Such prophecy sounds lifeless when the precious name Jehovah is replaced by the title "Lord," as the superfine apostles of Christendom render it in their Bible translations. Compare 2 Corinthians 11:5.
At Isaiah 12:2, a double form of the name is used." The prophet declares: "Look! God is my salvation. I shall trust and be in no dread; for Jah Jehovah is my strength and my might, and he came to be the salvation of me." (See also Isaiah 26:4.) Thus, some 200 years before Israel's release from Babylonish captivity, Jah Jehovah through his prophet Isaiah was giving assurance
that he was their mighty Savior. That captivity was to last from 607 to 537 B.C.E. Isaiah also wrote: "I, Jehovah, am doing everything, . . . the One saying of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and all that I delight in he will completely carry out'; even in my saying of Jerusalem, 'She will be rebuilt,' and of the temple, 'You will have your foundation laid.'" Who was this Cyrus? Remarkably, he proved to be King Cyrus of Persia, who conquered Babylon in 539 B.C.E. —Isaiah 44:24, 28.
3True to Jehovah's words recorded by Isaiah, Cyrus issued to captive Israel the decree: "Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God prove to be with him. So let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of Jehovah the God of Israel—he is the true God—which was in Jerusalem." A supremely happy Jewish remnant along with the non-Israelite Nethinim and the sons of the servants of Solomon returned to Jerusalem. They arrived in time to celebrate the Festival of Booths in 537 B.C.E. and make sacrifices to Jehovah at his altar. The next year, in the second month, they laid the foundation of the second temple, amid loud shouts of joy and praise to Jehovah.—Ezra 1:1-4; 2:1, 2, 43, 55; 3:1-6, 8, 10-13.
4 Jehovah's restoration prophecy was to
be gloriously fulfilled in Israel: "The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron. . . . There will be those who will see the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of our God." "With rejoicing you people will go forth, and with peace you will be brought in. The mountains and the hills themselves will become cheerful before you with a joyful outcry. . . And it must become for Jehovah something famous, a sign to time indefinite that will not be cut off."
-Isaiah 35:1, 2; 55:12, 13.
5 However, that joy was short-lived. Neighboring peoples sought an interfaith alliance for building the temple. The Jews at first stood their ground, declaring: "You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God, for we ourselves shall together build to Jehovah the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us." Those neighbors now became bitter opposers. They "were continually weakening the hands of the people of Judah and disheartening them from building." They also misrepresented the situation to Cyrus' successor, Artaxerxes, who issued a ban on the temple building. (Ezra 4:1-24) For 17 years the work lapsed. Unhappily, the Jews fell into a materialistic way of life during that time.
"Jehovah of Armies" Speaks
Even so, Jehovah displayed 'his strength and his might' in Israel's behalf by sending prophets, notably Haggai and Zechariah, to awaken the Jews to their responsibilities. Haggai's name has a festal connection, for it appears to mean "Born on a Festival." Appropriately, he began to prophesy on the first day of the month of the Festival of Booths, at which time the Jews were required to "become nothing but joyful." (Deuteronomy 16:15) Through Haggai, Jehovah delivered four messages over a period of 112 days.—Haggai 1:1; 2:1, 10, 20.
7 Introducing his prophecy, Haggai said: "This is what Jehovah of armies has said."
(Haggai 1:2a) Who might those "armies" be? They are Jehovah's angelic hosts, sometimes referred to in the Bible as military forces. (Job 1:6; 2:1; Psalm 103:20, 21; Matthew 26:53) Does it not encourage us today that the Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself is using these invincible celestial forces to direct our work of restoring true worship in the earth?—Compare 2 Kings 6:15-17.
What was the content of Haggai's first message? The people had said: "The time has not come, the time of the house of Jehovah, for it to be built." No longer was temple construction, representing the restoration of divine worship, their first concern. They had turned to building palatial homes for themselves. A materialistic outlook had diminished their enthusiasm for Jehovah's worship. As a result, his blessing had been removed. Their fields were no longer fruitful, and they lacked clothing for the harsh wintertime. Their income had become meager, and it was as though they were putting money in a bag full of holes.—Haggai 1:2b-6.
9 Twice, Jehovah gave the strong admonition: "Set your heart upon your ways." Evidently, Zerubbabel, the governor of Jerusalem, and high priest Joshua* responded and valiantly encouraged all the people "to listen to the voice of Jehovah their God, and to the words of Haggai the prophet, as Jehovah their God had sent him; and the people began to fear because of Jehovah." Moreover, "Haggai the messenger of Jehovah went on to say to the people according to the messenger's commission from Jehovah, saying: 'I am with you people,' is the utterance of Jehovah.'"—Haggai 1:5, 7-14.
10 Some old-timers in Jerusalem might have reckoned that the glory of the rebuilt temple would be "nothing" in comparison with that of the former temple. However, about 51 days later, Jehovah moved Haggai to declare a second message. He proclaimed: "Be strong, O Zerubbabel,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and be strong, O Joshua the son of Jehozadak the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and work. For I am with you people,' is the utterance of Jehovah of armies. . . . 'Do not be afraid.' Jehovah, who in due course would use his almighty power to 'rock heaven and earth,' saw to it that all opposition, even an imperial ban, was overcome. Within five years the temple building was brought to grand success.—Haggai 2:3-6.
11 A remarkable promise was then fulfilled: "The desirable things of all the nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,' Jehovah of armies has said." (Haggai 2:7) Those "desirable things" proved to be non-Israelites who came to worship at that temple, as it reflected the glory of his majestic presence. How did this rebuilt temple compare with that constructed in Solomon's day? God's prophet declared: "Greater will the glory of this later house become than that of the former,' Jehovah of armies has said." (Haggai 2:9) In the initial fulfillment of the prophecy, the rebuilt temple remained longer than the first house. It was still standing when Messiah appeared in 29 C.E. Further, before his apostate enemies had him murdered in 33 C.E., Messiah himself brought it glory when he preached truth there.
12 The first and second temples in Jerusalem served a vital purpose in foreshadowing important features of Messiah's priestly service and in keeping Jehovah's pure worship alive in the earth until Messiah's actual appearance.—Hebrews 10:1.
The Glorious Spiritual Temple
13 Does Haggai's restoration prophecy have special meaning for later times? It certainly does! The rebuilt temple in Jerusalem became the focus of all true worship on earth. But it prefigured a far more glorious spiritual temple. This began to function in 29 C.E. when, at Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, Jehovah anointed Jesus as High Priest, holy spirit descending upon him like a dove. (Matthew 3:16) After Jesus had completed his earthly ministry in sacrificial death, he was resurrected to heaven, pictured by the Most Holy of the temple, and there he presented to Jehovah the merit of his sacrifice. This served as a ransom, covering the sins of his disciples, and opened the way for anointing them, on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., as
In Our Next Issue
Messengers of Peace
—Who Are They?
What Does God Require of Us?
Enoch—Fearless Against All Odds underpriests in Jehovah's spiritual temple.
Their faithful ministry to the death in the temple courtyard on earth would lead to a future heavenly resurrection, for continued priestly service.
14 Thousands of repentant Jews—and later Gentiles—flocked to that Christian congregation and shared in declaring the good news of God's coming Kingdom rule over earth. After some 30 years, the apostle Paul could state that the good news had been preached "in all creation that is under heaven." (Colossians 1:23) But following the death of the apostles, a great apostasy set in, and the light of truth began to flicker. Genuine Christianity was overshadowed by Christendom's sectarianism, based on pagan teachings and philosophies. —Acts 20:29, 30.
15 Centuries passed. Then in the 1870's, a group of sincere Christians began to engage in a penetrating study of the Bible. From Scripture, they were able to pinpoint the year 1914 as marking the conclusion of "the appointed times of the nations." It was then that seven symbolic "times" (2,520 years of beastlike human rule) ended with the heavenly enthrancement of Christ Jesus—the One having "the legal right" as earth's Messianic King. (Luke 21:24; Daniel 4:25; Ezekiel 21:26, 27) Particularly from 1919 onward, these Bible Students, known today as Jehovah's Witnesses, have been engaged in vigorously spreading throughout the earth the good news of the incoming Kingdom. It was in 1919 that a few thousand of these answered the call to action that was issued at the convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. They increased in
number down to the year 1935 when 56,-153 reported field service. In that year, 52,-465 had partaken of the emblems of bread and wine at the annual Memorial of Jesus' death, thus symbolizing their hope of becoming priests with Christ Jesus in the heavenly part of Jehovah's great spiritual temple. They are to serve with him also as associate kings in his Messianic Kingdom. —Luke 22:29, 30; Romans 8:15-17.
16 However, Revelation 7:4-8 and 14:1-4 show that the total number of these anointed Christians is limited to 144,000, many of whom were gathered in during the first century before the great apostasy set in. From the end of the 19th century and on into the 20th, Jehovah has been completing the gathering of this group who are cleansed by the water of his Word, declared righteous through faith in Jesus' atoning sacrifice, and finally sealed as anointed Christians to make up the full number of 144,000.
17 What follows when the entire number of anointed ones has been chosen? In 1935, at a landmark convention in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., it was made known that the "great crowd" of Revelation 7:9-17 was a group to be recognized "after" the 144,000 and whose destiny is everlasting life in a paradise earth. After clearly identifying the anointed Jesus, John the Baptizer, whose resurrection will be on earth as one of the "other sheep," said of Messiah: "That one must go on increasing, but I must go on decreasing." (John 1:29; 3:30; 10:16; Matthew 11:11) John the Baptizer's work of preparing disciples for Messiah was ending as Jesus then took over the selection of an increasing number who would be among the 144,000. In the 1930's the reverse took place.
A decreasing number were "called and chosen" to be among the 144,000 whereas a tremendous increase began in the number of the "great crowd" of "other sheep." This great crowd continues to multiply as the world's wicked system nears its end at Armageddon.—Revelation 17:14b.
18 In the early 1920's, a featured public talk presented by Jehovah's Witnesses was entitled "Millions Now Living Will Never Die." This may have reflected overoptimism at that time. But today that statement can be made with full confidence. Both the increasing light on Bible prophecy and the anarchy of this dying world cry out that the end of Satan's system is very, very near! The Memorial report for 1996 shows that 12,921,933 attended, of whom only 8,757 (.068 percent) indicated their heavenly hope by partaking of the emblems. The restoration of true worship nears completion. But let us never slack the hand in that work. Yes, Haggai 2:4 states: "Be
(a) Why can we confidently expect that "millions now living will never die" f (b) Why should we zealously heed Haggai 2:4?
Questions for Review
What example of the prophets should we follow with regard to Jehovah's name?
What encouragement do we gather from Jehovah's powerful message to restored Israel?
What glorious spiritual temple operates today?
strong, all you people of the land,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and work. For I am with you people,' is the utterance of Jehovah of armies." May we be determined that no strains of materialism or worldliness will ever dampen our zeal for Jehovah's work!—1 John 2:15-17.
What ingatherings have proceeded in order during the 19th and 20th centuries, with what grand prospect in view?
19 Joyous is our privilege of sharing in the modern-day fulfillment of Haggai 2:6, 7: "This is what Jehovah of armies has said, 'Yet once—it is a little while—and I am rocking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry ground. And I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,' Jehovah of armies has said." Greed, corruption, and hatred are running rampant throughout this 20th-century world. It is indeed in its last days, and Jehovah has already begun to "rock" it by having his Witnesses 'proclaim his day of vengeance.' (Isaiah 61:2) This preliminary rocking will climax with the world's destruction at Armageddon, but before that time, Jehovah is drawing out for his service "the desirable things of all the nations"—the meek, sheeplike people of earth. (John 6:44) This "great crowd" now 'renders sacred service' in the earthly courtyard of his house of worship.—Revelation 7:9, 15.
20 Service in Jehovah's spiritual temple brings gain more precious than any material treasure. (Proverbs 2:1-6; 3:13, 14; Matthew 6:19-21) Moreover, Haggai 2:9 states: "Greater will the glory of this later house become than that of the former," Jehovah of armies has said. 'And in this place I shall give peace,' is the utterance of Jehovah of armies.' What do these words mean for us today? Our next article will tell.
THE GREATER GLORY OF JEHOVAH'S HOUSE
"I will fill this house with glory,'Jebovah of armies has said."—HAGGAI 2:7.
WHILE preaching from house to house, one of Jehovah's Witnesses met a Pentecostal lady who commented, 'We have holy spirit, but you are the ones doing the work.' Tactfully, it was explained to her that one who has holy spirit will, as a matter of course, be motivated to do God's work. James 2:17 states: "Faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself." With the help of Jehovah's spirit, his Witnesses have cultivated strong faith, and he has 'filled his house with glory' by setting them to doing righteous works — principally 'preaching this good news of the Kingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.' When this work is done to Jehovah's satisfaction, "then the end will come." —Matthew 24:14.
2 From these words of Jesus, we gather that our work today must focus on preaching to others "the glorious good news of the happy God," with which we are entrusted. (1 Timothy 1:11) The more we happily immerse ourselves in Jehovah's service, the faster the end will appear to come. At Habakkuk 2:2, 3, we read Jehovah's words: "Write down the vision, and set it out plainly upon tablets, in order that the one reading aloud from it may do so fluently. For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and
it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late." Yes, "the vision" will come true "even if it should delay." In this the 83rd year of Jesus' Kingdom rule, some may feel that we are in a period of delay right now. Should we not be happy, though, that the end has not yet come? During this decade of the 1990's, restrictions on preaching the good news have been lifted, miraculously it would seem, in Eastern Europe, parts of Africa, and other lands. The apparent "delay" is allowing time for many more "sheep" to be gathered from these territories that have recently opened up.—John 10:16.
"It will not be late," says the prophet. Jesus said that the present wicked generation would not pass away until "all these things occur." (Matthew 24:34) Does our updated understanding of his words mean that our preaching activity is not so pressing?* The facts show that just the opposite is the case! Our contemporary generation is plunging into a state of wickedness and corruption unparalleled in all previous history.
(Compare Acts 2:40.) We should be at our work urgently. (2 Timothy 4:2) All the prophecies on the timing of the great tribulation show that it will come suddenly, instantly, stealthily—like a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4; Revelation 3:3; 16:15) "On this account you too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming." (Matthew 24:44) As this godless generation of mankind hovers on the brink of annihilation, surely we should not want to throw away our precious hope of eternal life by returning to "rolling in the mire" of worldly distractions! —2 Peter 2:22; 3:10; Luke 21:32-36.
4 True to Jesus' prophecy, in 1914 there was "a beginning of pangs of distress" as mankind entered "the conclusion of the system of things." Sorrows, catastrophic events, and lawlessness have multiplied down to this day. (Matthew 24:3-8, 12) At the same time, Jehovah has commissioned the anointed faithful and discreet slave class to provide spiritual "food at the proper time" for the household of their Master, Christ. (Matthew 24:45-47) From his throne in the heavens, this Messianic King is now directing a marvelous spiritual feeding program throughout the earth.
Plentiful "Food Supplies"
5 Consider the preparation of "food supplies." (Luke 12:42) The basic item on the Christian menu is God's Word, the Bible. To teach the Bible effectively, a readable, accurate translation is a primary need. Over the years this need has been progressively fulfilled, especially starting in 1950 when the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures was released in English.
By 1961 the New World Translation of the entire Bible had become available, and editions soon appeared in other principal languages. The 3 volumes released during the 1996 service year bring the total up to 27, of which 14 are the complete Bible. In order to handle this work on the Bible, as well as on Bible helps, some 1,174 dedicated Christians are now working full-time on translation in 77 countries.
6 Backing up the work of this army of translators, the Watch Tower Society's 24 printing branches have been producing publications in ever greater volume. To this end, additional high-speed rotary presses continue to be installed in principal branches. Production of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines has grown month by month, reaching a combined total of 943,892,500 copies, a 13.4-percent increase for the year. Total production of Bibles and hardbound books in the United States, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Mexico alone has increased by 40 percent from 1995 to 76,760,098 copies in 1996. Other branches have also made a considerable contribution to the overall increase in literature production.
7 Much of the increase has been made necessary during the 1990's by the removal of restrictions on Jehovah's Witnesses in Eastern Europe and Africa. The hunger for spiritual food is great in these places. Therefore the call sounds forth with ever greater urgency: "Make the place of your tent more spacious. And let them stretch out the tent cloths of your grand tabernacle. Do not hold back. Lengthen out your tent cords, and make those tent pins of yours strong."—Isaiah 54:2.
Thus, it has been necessary to expand facilities in many of the Society's 104 branches. Because of the harsh economic conditions in most newly opened territories, a large part of the expense for this expansion is being covered by contributions to the worldwide work from more affluent lands. Happily, congregations and individuals have been responding wholeheartedly, in the spirit of Exodus 35:21: "Then they came, everyone whose heart impelled him, and they brought, everyone whose spirit incited him, Jehovah's contribution for the work." We take this opportunity to thank all who have been sharing in this generous giving. —2 Corinthians 9:11.
During 1996 the publications of the Watch Tower Society have indeed glorified Jehovah's name and purposes to the ends of the earth. It is just as the apostle Paul foretold. Quoting Joel's prophecy and the 19th Psalm, he wrote: "Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.' Nevertheless I ask, They did not fail to hear, did they? Why, in fact, 'into all the earth their sound went out, and to the extremities of the inhabited earth their utterances.'" (Romans 10:13, 18) By thus extolling the precious name Jehovah, his people have played a significant part in filling his house of worship with glory. How, though, has this proclamation prospered specifically during 1996? Please examine the chart that follows on pages 18 to 21.
Harvesting Worldwide
10 Never have Jesus' words found at Luke 10:2 carried greater force: "The harvest,
indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest." Are you responding to that call? Millions around the earth are. This is borne out by the new peak of 5,413,769 Kingdom publishers who reported field service during 1996. Further, 366,579 new brothers and sisters were baptized. How we treasure these "desirable things of all the nations," who now share in 'filling Jehovah's house of worship with glory'!—Haggai 2:7.
11 Reports of expansion in newly opened fields are nothing short of phenomenal. Are others of us envious of those who now enjoy such growth? On the contrary, we rejoice with them. All countries had small beginnings. Haggai's contemporary prophet, Zechariah, wrote: "Who has despised the day of small things?" (Zechariah 4:10) We are overjoyed that in lands where the witness work is well established, there are now millions of Kingdom publishers, and territory is covered often, even every week in many large cities. Do we have reason to slack the hand while Jehovah now extends the opportunity for salvation to areas formerly disadvantaged? Never! "The field is the world," said Jesus. (Matthew 13:38) A thorough witness must continue to be given, just as the early disciples gave a thorough witness at the conclusion of the Jewish system of things.—Acts 2:40; 10:42; 20:24; 28:23.
Moving Ever Forward
12 Yes, we must keep pace, moving "straight forward" with the angelic celestial chariot of Jehovah. (Ezekiel 1:12) We have in mind the words of Peter: "Jehovah is not Harvesting "From the Extremity of the Earth"
AT Isaiah 43:6, we read Jehovah's command: "Do not keep back. Bring my sons from far off, and my daughters from the extremity of the earth." This scripture is having exceptional fulfillment today in Eastern Europe. Take for example, the formerly Communist country of Moldova. There are villages where up to half the population are now Witnesses. They have to travel long distances to find territory for preaching, but they are making the effort! Many publishers in these congregations are the offspring of parents who were exiled to Siberia in the early 1950's. Now their families are spearheading the harvest work. Of the 12,565 publishers, 1,917 were baptized this past year. Forty-three of the congregations have about 150 publishers each, and circuits have increased from four to eight in the new service year.
Remarkable, too, is the expansion in Albania. There a handful of loyal Witnesses endured the cruelest of dictatorships through some 50 years. A number of them were killed. This brings to mind Jesus' promise: "Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10; see also John 5:28, 29; 11:24, 25.) What do we now see in Albania? Truly a striking fulfillment of Jehovah's promise found at Isaiah 60:22: "The little one himself will become a thousand!" In 1990 only one publisher reported service in Albania. However, more "workers" from Italy and other lands answered Jesus' call: "Go therefore and make disciples of people. . . . , baptizing them." (Matthew 28:19; Luke 10:2) By the time of the Memorial of Jesus' death in 1996, 737 publishers were active in the field, and these gathered
6,523 persons to their Memorial meetings, more than eight times the number of publisher's Amazing attendances were reported from isolated areas. Although there were no local publishers, the cities of Kukés and Divijaké had attendances of 192 and 230 respectively. Krujjé, with just one publisher, had 212 present. The 30 publishers in Korçë rented facilities for upwards of 300. After that number had packed into the auditorium, another 200 had to be turned away since there was no more space. Truly a field ripe for harvesting!
From Romania comes this report: "While we were doing house-to-house work, we met a person who said that he was one of Jehovah's Witnesses and lived in a small town in which, according to our knowledge, there were no Witnesses. He told us that besides him there were 15 other persons who for many years had been holding meetings on Thursdays and Sundays and that they had started preaching from house to house. The following day we went to that town. Waiting for us in two rooms were 15 men, women, and children who accepted 20 books and 20 of the latest magazines. We showed them how to conduct Bible studies. We sang together and answered their most urgent questions. The one taking the lead in the group confessed: 'A few days ago, I prayed with tears to Jehovah to send us a shepherd, and my prayer has been answered.' We were extremely happy, and upon our departure, like an orphan who finally found a father, he said: 'Please do not forget us. Come and see us again!' We did that, and now seven Bible studies are being conducted in that town. In many virgin territories, the work starts in a wonderful way with Bible literature, which is much appreciated, and this shows that the work is of divine source."
"The desirable things of all the nations" are being gathered in the Islands of the Sea (1), South America (2), Africa (3), Asia (4), North America (5), and Europe (6)
slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Let the exemplary zeal of our brothers in economically poor lands spur us on. Any apparent delay in the outbreak of Armageddon is allowing for hundreds of thousands to be gathered in these lands as well as many in well-worked territories. Make no mistake about it: "The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much." (Zephaniah 1:14) There should be hurrying on our part too in giving a thorough final witness!
13 Though the details do not appear in the service chart, there has been noteworthy increase in the distribution of Bibles, books, and magazines during the past year. For example, magazine placements worldwide showed a 19-percent increase, a total of 543,667,923 copies being placed. Our magazines lend themselves to versatile preaching — on streets, in parks, at bus stops, in business areas. Reports indicate that in some territories saturated by Kingdom preach-
14. (a) What can be said of the distribution of publications during 1996? (b) What special plans may congregations make each year, and how are you planning to have a share?
ing, professional people have been impressed by the quality of our magazines and are accepting Bible studies.
14 Each year during the month of April, congregations usually organize special magazine activity, featuring a day-long campaign from house to house and in public places. Will your congregation share in this during April 1997? Outstanding April issues of The Watchtower and Awake! have been prepared, and their simultaneous presentation worldwide should certainly make its mark! In the island of Cyprus, the congregations, taking as their slogan "reach everyone possible with the Kingdom message," even followed through every month with such scheduled magazine work, reaching a new peak of 275,359 placed for the year, a 54-percent increase.
Haggai's Final Messages
15 Jehovah sent Haggai, 63 days after he had conveyed his second message, with a third proclamation that we can well take to heart today. Haggai spoke as though the Jews were then laying the temple foundation, which they had actually laid 17 years
(a) Why did Jehovah send further messages through Haggai? (b) What lesson should Haggai's third message convey to us?
1996 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE
<tr><th>Country or Territory
Population
1996 Peak Pubs.
Ratio One Publisher to:
1996 Av. Pubs.
% In Over 1995
1995 Av. Pubs.
1996 No. Bptzd.
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. of Conga
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
Alaska
635,597
2,224
2,122
-1*
2,146
333,925
4,583
Alabama
3,262,000
3,593
422,804
2,012
6,523
American Samoa
58,070
-1*
47,419
Andorra
63,859
32,942
Angola
11,558,000
28,960
27,189
24,619
3,638
2,957
7,455,330
61,581
108,394
Anguilla
7,000
-4*
4,916
Antigua
65,952
67,511
Argentina
331,180,171
114,459
111,468
107,154
7,479
11,682
1,645
22,867,655
88,333
241,180
Aruba
83,651
80,614
1,697
Australia
181,736,000
61,580
60,216
59,474
2,373
5,153
11,204,410
27,505
100,246
Austria
8,039,865
20,904
20,664
20,598
1,534
3,717,655
9,996
33,121
Azores
242,505
109,355
1,218
Bahamas
255,055
1,415
1,334
1,306
301,789
1,558
3,241
Bangladesh
128,743,154
2,422,222
301,789
1,588
3,241
Burkina Faso
253,000
2,188
2,072
403,053
1,976
5,135
Belau
17,283
23,127
Belgium
1014,047
27,276
26,654
-1*
26,853
1,830
4,578,459
10,628
48,392
Belize
216,500
1,122
1,048
-2*
1,067
231,269
1,227
4,516
Benin
4,915,555
4,831
1,018
4,619
4,067
1,207,088
7,334
19,296
Bermuda
60,144
9,364
Bolivia
7,450,000
12,432
11,887
10,791
1,429
2,211
3,665,569
18,648
49,680
Bonaire
12,533
-8*
6,252
Bonaire & Herzegovina
4,916,000
6,911
20,863
Botswana
1,486,903
1,016
1,472
206,733
1,220
2,762
Brazil
161,551,700
436,140
410,599
387,098
3,756
38,457
6,655
77,304,820
472,597
1,076
Brazilian
775,119,649
132,515
142,923
1251,963
4,758
10,582
1,430
21,284,251
35,452
129,128
Bulgaria
842,808
10,588
152,923
215,273
1,085
1,085
Burkina Faso
10,352,000
13,087
242,777
1,381
2,144
Burundi
6,500,000
1,784
3,643
1,616
1,571
361,914
3,350
Cambodia
10,400,000
472,727
12,886
Cameroon
13,850,796
24,725
23,667
22,291
2,068
1,749
4,446,385
25,972
17,632
Canada
29,836,252
114,272
110,235
109,168
4,025
10,048
1,379
20,654,189
43,737
185,702
Cape Verde
441,374
1,201
1,123
341,696
2,413
4,490
Cayman Islands
32,000
18,643
Central Arr. Fr.
3,584,400
2,012
1,782
1,962
1,875
639,883
3,115
Chad
6,477,000
13,607
19,51
155,603
2,410
Chile
14,148,864
541,151
495,87
155,603
119,380
Chukua
68,830
471,75
3,495
6,224
11,854,900
58,244
Colombia
37,422,921
81,368
741,08
67,57
8,158
8,607
17,214,636
119,062
288,902
Comoros
450,000
562,500
1,895
11,895
19,062
Congo
2,700,000
4,141
3,331
3,018
1,072,644
12,973
13,972
Cook Islands
18,000
3,018
27,333
Costa Rica
3,367,455
18,583
16,943
15,053
1,878
1,811
3,409,246
19,141
43,900
Cote d’Ivoire
440,400
5,268
2,734
4,817
3,666,799
9,378
19,420
Croatia
4,784,265
4,976
4,716
4,400
1,121,071
2,712
8,989
Cuba
11,000,000
70,113
6,606
5,925
7,964
12,830
16,803,088
134,075
145,337
Curaçao
149,376
1,584
1,553
1,502
251,411
1,601
3,922
Cyprus
654,200
1,724
1,693
1,627
375,680
3,233
10,930,000
16,659
16,209
16,192
2,373,286
9,332
33,439
Czech Republic
10,930,000
16,659
16,209
16,192
2,373,286
9,332
33,439
Denmark
5,251,027
15,931
15,351
-2
15,604
2,235,327
4,858
69,908
Dominica
7,1794
82,895
Dominican Rep.
7,707,910
19,742
18,678
17,422
1,808
3,725
5,584,998
36,131
69,908
Ecuador
11,710,974
33,867
30,975
28,263
3,417
4,890
8,165,308
48,952
127,789
El Salvador
5,118,599
24,975
23,446
22,205
2,087
2,248
5,001,774
27,221
68,582
Equatorial Guinea
372,540
1,044
88,110
1,088
2,034
Ethiopia
1,476,130
2,947
773,728
4,169
8,130
Ethiopia
55,004,000
5,206
5,036
4,626
1,604,614
4,402
14,671
French Islands
43,382
-1*
21,204
Falkland Islands
2,221
-17*
Fiji
796,000
1,596
1,522
-1*
1,534
361,098
1,774
5,978
Finland
5,116,826
19,631
19,134
18,906
1,950
3,281,356
8,885
28,864
France
58,365,362
125,169
123,208
123,408
4,866
7,499
1,684
20,219,317
48,006
218,434
French Guiana
147,283
1,430
1,380
1,297
360,947
2,267
5,045
Gabon
1,197,000
1,651
1,546
1,389
362,446
3,891
6,765
Gambia, The
1,137,750
17,777
20,453
Germany
81,817,499
170,040
166,468
165,746
6,193
9,842
2,038
26,774,945
80,229
277,814
Ghana
18,256,301
51,309
47,705
44,755
3,619
4,922
13,015,695
96,685
170,211
Gibbullar
27,170
15,928
Greenland
10,292,600
169,188
26,952
25,564
2,731
4,992,694
10,192
43,030
Grenada
48,679
46,458
Grenada
91,150
128,578
1,617
Guadeloupe
387,000
7,659
7,458
7,370
1,244,119
7,146
17,197
Guam
150,000
156,878
1,870
Guatemala
8,826,851
16,506
15,666
14,769
1,368
1,533
3,247,597
16,697
47,667
Guinea
6,560,000
7,601
254,256
1,435
3,218
Guinea-Bissau
1,100,000
20,000
31,524
Guyana
757,863
1,961
1,925
-2*
1,956
399,319
2,071
7,776
Haiti
6,000,000
10,318
9,851
4,935
1,072
1,308
2,440,649
14,480
49,715
Hawaii
1,186,815
7,590
7,392
7,267
1,183
1,781,828
5,438
17,361
Honduras
5,728,159
9,508
8,705
7,782
1,009
2,114,413
13,090
32,507
Hong Kong
10,160,000
18,217
17,342
7,990
2,054
1,766
3,378,052
4,655
6,560
Iceland
267,806
53,684
India
988,130,640
16,615
59,472
15,970
14,948
1,542
1,691
3,211,890
12,938
41,193
India
5,198,871
4,459
1,166
4,412
4,372
1,105,602
2,225
7,944
Israel
7,730,000
10,996
148,797
1,433
Italy
58,138,000
221,229
216,231
210,012
9,813
28,351
2,943
51,798,540
102,278
391,407
Jamaica
2,502,030
10,699
9,800
9,570
1,001
1,770,921
9,867
27,621
Japan
124,914,373
213,961
210,290
201,266
11,421
87,476
3,691
99,115,637
126,158
377,223
Kenya
27,295,000
11,133
24,562
10,285
9,163
1,412
1,727
3,228,641
15,163
29,000
Kiribati
78,864
20,126
Korea, Republic of
44,551,183
82,969
81,537
78,782
4,715
29,943
1,506
34,679,659
65,826
133,451
Kosrae
15,530
5,074
Lebanon
24,980,000
13,200
11,575
352,928
Lebanon
3695,921
3,599
3,433
3,311
629,870
Lebanon
21,122,500
2,380
2,038
2,000
532,751
2,303
5,998
Liboria
2,600,000
1,564
1,419
1,308
509,846
3,612
7,527
Libya
44,480,000
253,624
Liechtenstein
30,923
-3*
11,961
Lithuania
3,700,000
1,835
1,770
1,371
402,954
2,071
5,566
Luxembourg
418,800
1,858
1,840
1,796
339,142
1,041
Macao
450,000
3,947
37,366
Liberia
2,600,000
1,564
1,419
37,366
Liberia
30,923
-3*
Liechtenstein
30,923
-3*
11,961
Lithuania
3,700,000
1,835
1,770
1,371
402,954
2,071
5,566
Luxembourg
418,800
1,858
1,840
1,796
339,142
1,041
Macao
450,000
3,947
37,366
<tr><th>Country or Territory
Population
1996 Peak Pubs.
Ratio, One Publisher to:
1996 Av. Publisher to:
% In. Over 1995
1995 Av. Pubs.
1996 No. Bptzd
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. of Congs.
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
Macedonia
1,934,877
2,775
164,273
2,544
Malguscar
13,098,900
7,885
1,661
7,339
6,343
1,438
1,102
1,994,401
19,572
37,194
Madeira
258,536
170,040
1,954
Malawi
9,341,723
37,084
35,765
33,510
3,180
4,258
8,070,542
27,511
105,630
Malaysia
20,006,700
1,809
11,060
1,725
1,587
444,973
2,346
4,300
Mali
11,100,000
64,162
85,174
Malta
368,400
96,357
Marquesa Islands
7,358
13,753
Marshall Islands
49,360
59,774
1,078
Martinique
359,570
3,932
3,861
3,730
795,381
3,656
8,653
Mauritius
1,094,426
1,279
1,231
1,165
224,009
1,123
2,784
Mayotte
94,484
1,817
17,057
Mexico
92,566,448
470,098
458,059
422,883
37,454
52,603
10,786
100,029,1006
600,751
1,518,156
Moldova
4,334,250
12,565
11,439
9,320
1,917
1,514,468
7,183
35,103
Montserrat
9,000
5,735
Mozambique
18,027,644
22,613
20,486
17,468
2,936
3,519
5,767,236
28,324
80,576
Myanmar
46,000,000
2,304
19,965
2,253
2,185
526,729
1,735
6,033
Namibia
1,634,483
1,682
162,220
2,254
Nauru
6,495
Nepal
22,674,830
96,080
60,637
Netherlands
15,498,889
32,585
30,887
-1*
31,142
1,759
4,467,578
10,897
53,216
New Caledonia
10,080
14,087
New Caledonia
20,000
1,605
1,053
1,111
277,629
1,308
3,942
New Zealand
3,660,364
13,277
12,545
12,573
1,169
2,319,555
6,712
25,090
Nicaragua
4,300,000
12,651
12,065
11,259
1,198
1,433
3,068,686
22,143
53,855
Niger
7,490,000
31,208
18,340
13,184
25,492
3,741
41,814,896
285,476
Nigeria
103,900,000
200,486
191,558
18,940
13,184
25,402
3,741
41,814,896
285,476
520,413
Nigeria
2,900
4,440
Norfolk Island
1,912
1,742
Norway
4,381,441
10,015
9,600
-1*
9,687
1,247,834
3,155
16,237
Pakistan
133,000,000
350,000
73,929
1,614
Pakistan
1,949,190
1,910
1,900
1,893
7,748
1,194
17,902,875
10,874
25,539
Pakistan New Guinea
4,311,886
3,918
1,900
2,950
-1*
2,994
684,624
3,813
13,917
Pakistan
4,365,237
5,711
5,012
4,600
12,517,607
6,745
12,917
Peru
23,946,800
57,175
51,063
48,088
4,506
9,642
15,369,526
69,943
172,706
Philippines
69,000,000
124,306
119,709
118,560
7,987
19,240
3,475
25,402,024
90,032
371,198
Papuawi
37,767
-6*
19,723
Poland
38,617,000
124,316
122,982
120,822
7,502
7,835
1,668
17,902,875
16,881
243,655
Portugal
9,440,223
45,554
44,752
43,633
2,512
2,972
7,443,117
25,702
89,547
Puerto Rico
3,522,000
26,106
25,397
25,225
1,139
2,165
4,519,967
17,148
60,775
Reunion
664,200
2,670
2,601
2,452
545,802
2,056
5,564
Rodrigues
34,832
11,980
Romania
22,700,000
35,037
34,368
32,472
2,606
1,961
5,050,796
18,394
86,034
Rota
2,450
1,944
Russia
148,700,000
67,082
2,217
61,843
47,097
17,269
5,933
15,222,077
91,721
194,322
Rwanda
7,828,000
4,223
3,539
2,192
16,996,597
13,138
11,496
Saba
1,000
1,000
St. Eustatius
1,500
4,456
5,131
-1*
15,323
St. Helena
31,180
33,323
St. Kitts
151,300
171,801
1,725
St. Lucia
24,000
-2*
47,237
St. Maarten
6,000
1,510
St. Vincent
107,600
87,339
Saipan
59,628
58,301
San Marino
23,000
30,681
San Toa & Principe
124,200
64,241
Senegal
8,500,000
11,170
248,680
1,282
2,099
Seychelles
75,340
26,636
Sierra Leone
4,510,000
5,085
229,604
1,443
3,142
Skovia
5,373,810
12,443
12,231
11,912
1,690,113
5,913
25,046
Skovia
1,981,104
1,783
1,117
1,740
1,693
348,728
2,801
Skovia Islands
3,765,157
1,783
1,741
1,693
340,621
1,469
1,804
South Africa
41,244,000
64,484
59,243
88,208
3,985
6,091
1,609
10,258,734
57,848
143,282
Spain
39,270,000
104,496
99,240
97,674
4,151
11,141
1,257
21,876,702
39,034
166,382
Spain Lanka
18,000,000
2,458
7,323
2,203
1,977
577,481
2,807
7,186
Suriname
40,480
1,795
1,740
1,702
393,673
2,052
5,286
Swaziland
937,747
1,920
1,766
1,646
475,588
2,493
5,051
Sweden
8,842,742
24,487
23,896
23,792
2,193
3,913,919
9,882
38,729
Switzerland
7,062,400
18,448
18,295
18,198
1,104
3,029,830
9,617
31,879
Taiwan
20,042
11,814
18,193
1,131
309,890
11,193
71,63
Taiwan
21,000,000
3,195
6,573
2,996
2,655
1,225,299
4,574
7,711
Tanzania
29,000,000
6,368
4,554
5,806
4,943
1,043
1,746,863
7,140
16,978
Thailand
60,000,000
1,680
35,714
1,603
1,522
399,270
1,603
3,625
Togo
4,052,000
9,553
9,174
8,294
11,47
1,305
2,382,090
23,295
40,691
Tokelau
1,700
Tonga
100,496
1,305
18,426
Trinidad & Tobago
1,261,867
7,273
7,127
6,861
1,072
1,614,765
9,346
20,112
Turkey
65,000,000
1,341
48,471
1,291
1,202
343,661
1,146
Turkey & Caicos Islands.
14,032
343,661
Turkey & Caicos Islands.
9,043
11,245
Uganda
19,600,000
1,814
10,805
1,610
1,447
485,601
3,049
5,292
Ukraine
51,334,100
71,224
65,385
56,600
13,089
5,343
13,425,489
59,542
193,412
Ukraine of America
264,206,000
975,829
921,123
912,002
43,663
99,189
10,671
178,325,740
530,200
2,024,476
Uruguay
3,030,000
10,373
10,061
9,589
1,677,987
9,127
21,826
Venezuela
180,000
-3*
38,603
1,229
Venezuela
23,290,000
77,369
71,298
66,430
6,838
11,910
1,010
19,567,759
106,088
247,683
Virginia (Brit.)
101,800
64,22
19,567,759
105,13
Virginia & Futuna Islands.
101,800
64,72
-6*
144,613
1,542
Walls & Futuna Islands.
15,000
4,424
1,224
Western Samoa
156,195
87,674
12,24
Yap
10,652
-7*
12,296
18,182
Yugoslavia, F.R.
10,566,745
3,561
2,976
3,329
2,928
948,501
3,097
81,82
Zaire
45,000,000
94,245
90,063
85,160
10,526
13,406
1,832
25,312,847
191,408
303,875
Zambia
947,914
87,234
84,772
79,639
5,841
9,443
2,051
17,035,235
108,759
376,171
Zimbabwe
11,366,291
25,541
24,181
23,108
1,909
2,879
5,566,042
341,196
63,151
Ukraine
5,367,155
1,561
181,811
4.2
51,423,811
4.91,539
309,926
61,847
81,258
1,131,453,463
40,987,858
*35 Other Countries
46,614
42,447
15.3
36,805
5,663
3,662
9,168,261
11,140
121,801
*45 Other Countries
4,513,769
41,768
36,805
5,663
3,662
9,168,261
11,140
121,801
During the 1996 service year, the Watch Tower Society spent $60,932,324.26 in caring for special pioneers, missionaries,
MEMORIAL PARTAKERS WORLDWIDE: 8,757
Percentage of decrease
and traveling overseers in their field service assignments.
Work banned and reports are incomplete earlier.
Once again Jehovah saw fit to conduct a cleansing. Priests and people had slackened off and so were unclean in Jehovah's sight. Could it be that some of Jehovah's people have slackened their hands today, even involving themselves in the world's permissive and materialistic ways? It is urgent that all of us set our hearts "from this day and forward" on bringing glory to Jehovah's name, confident of his promise: "From this day I shall bestow blessing."—Haggai 2:10-19; Hebrews 6:11, 12.
18 On that same day, the word of "Jehovah of armies" came to Haggai a fourth and final time. He made known what is involved in His "rocking the heavens and the earth," saying: "I shall certainly overthrow the throne of kingdoms and annihilate the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariot and its riders, and the horses and their riders will certainly come down, each one by the sword of his brother." (Haggai 2:6, 21, 22) The "rocking" will thus reach its climax when Jehovah completely cleanses the earth at Armageddon. By then "the desirable things of all the nations" will have come in, to
What "rocking" is near at hand, and what will result?
Can You Explain?
How, today, is Jehovah's house being 'filled with glory'?
Why has it never been more urgent to preach the good news?
What incentive to preach urgently does the 1996 Service Year Report give?
How is Christ serving as Jehovah's "seal ring"?
form a nucleus of human society for the new world. What reasons for rejoicing and giving praise to Jehovah!—Haggai 2:7; Revelation 19:6, 7; 21:1-4.
17 Concluding his prophecy, Haggai writes: "In that day, is the utterance of Jehovah of armies, 'I shall take you, O Zerubbabel . . . , and I shall certainly set you as a seal ring, because you are the one whom I have chosen,' is the utterance of Jehovah of armies." (Haggai 2:23) Christ Jesus is now Jehovah's antitypical Messianic King and High Priest, combining in the heavens the offices that Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua occupied separately in the earthly Jerusalem. Like an official seal ring on Jehovah's right hand, Jesus is the one who has become "Yes" as Jehovah's instrument in bringing to reality the many "promises of God." (2 Corinthians 1:20; Ephesians 3:10; 11; Revelation 19:10) The entire prophetic message of the Bible focuses on Jehovah's provision of Christ as King and priest Ransomer.—John 18:37; 1 Peter 1:18, 19.
18 Truly in this our day, the greatest glory is to be found in Jehovah's radiant spiritual temple! And soon, after Jehovah has swept away all of Satan's system, Haggai 2:9 will have further delightful fulfillment: "In this place I shall give peace," is the utterance of Jehovah of armies." Peace at last!—an enduring, universal peace, guaranteed by Jehovah's "seal ring," Christ Jesus, the "Prince of Peace," of whom it is written: "To the abundance of the princely rule and to peace there will be no end . . . The very zeal of Jehovah of armies will do this." (Isaiah 9: 6, 7) For all eternity the glory of Jehovah's house of worship will be reflected throughout the peaceful realm of his universal sovereignty. May we ever remain in that house!—Psalm 27:4; 65:4; 84:10.
How has Jesus been set as a "seal ring"?
How will the concluding "utterance of Jehovah of armies" have refreshing fulfillment?
GIVING UP MUCH FOR SOMETHING GREATER
AS TOLD BY JULIUS OWO BELLO
For 32 years I was an Aladura.* I believed that faith healing and prayers would solve all my problems and cure all illnesses. I never bought any drugs, not even pain relievers. During those years, no one in my family was ever admitted to the hospital. Whenever any of my children fell sick, I prayed for them day and night until they recovered. I believed that God was answering my prayers and blessing me.
BELONGED to Egbe Jolly, the most prominent social club in Akure, a town in western Nigeria. My friends were the richest and most powerful people in our community. The Deji, king of Akure, often visited with me in my home.
I was also a polygamist, having six wives and many concubines. My business prospered. Everything was going well for me. Yet, like the traveling merchant in Jesus' illustration of the pearl, I found something so precious that I gave up five of my wives, my concubines, church, social club, and worldly prominence in exchange for it.—Matthew 13:45, 46.
How I Became an Aladura
I first heard of the Aladuras in 1936,
when I was 13 years old. A friend named Gabriel told me: "If you visit the Christ Apostolic Church, you will hear God speak."
"How does God speak?" I asked him.
He said: "Come, and you will see."
I was eager to listen to God. So that night, I went with Gabriel to the church. The small building was filled with worshipers. The congregation began to chant: "Come, you people! This is where Jesus is!"
During this chanting, someone yelled: "Come down, holy spirit!" Someone else rang a bell, and the congregation fell silent. Next, a woman began jabbering excitedly in a strange tongue. Suddenly she cried out: "Listen to God's message, O you people! This is what God has said: 'Pray for the hunters so that they do not kill humans!' The atmosphere was charged with emotion.
I believed that God had spoken through her, so the following year I was baptized as a member of the Christ Apostolic Church.
Early Contact With Jehovah's Witnesses
In 1951, I accepted a copy of the Watchtower magazine from a Witness named Adedeji Boboye. The magazine was interesting, so I subscribed to it and read it regularly. In 1952, I attended a four-day district convention of Jehovah's Witnesses at Ado Ekiti.
What I saw at the convention impressed me. I thought seriously about becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses but dismissed the idea. My problem was that I had three wives and one concubine at the time. I thought there was no way I could live with only one wife.
When I returned to Akure, I told Adedeji to stop visiting me, and I did not renew my Watchtower subscription. I became more active in my church. After all, I reasoned, God had blessed me since I joined the Christ Apostolic Church. I had married three wives and produced many children. I had built my own house. I had never been admitted to a hospital. Since God seemed to be answering my prayers, why change my religion?
Growing Prominence Along With Disillusionment
I began to contribute much money to the church. Soon they made me a church elder, a position that enabled me to see the inner workings of the church. What I saw disturbed me. The pastor and "prophets" loved money; their greed appalled me.
…