The Watchtower, June 1, 1966
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THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER"
Every watchtower has its purpose. It serves as an elevated place for a wide-awake person with sharp vision. It enables him to see far ahead into the distance and tell those below for whom he is a watchman what is drawing near, whether it is a danger against which to prepare or it is something good over which to be glad with strong faith and hope.
Because of having the name "The Watchtower" this magazine justly has to render a similar useful service to the people of all nations. This is an international magazine and makes no racial distinctions, for we are all facing a common world danger; we are all hoping for a common good.
Ever since "The Watchtower" began to be published in July of 1879 it has looked ahead into the future, always striving to aid its readers to advance in knowledge and to gain a clearer picture of the glorious new order of things that is in store for righteous mankind. No, "The Watchtower" is no inspired prophet, but it follows and explains a Book of prophecy the predictions in which have proved to be unerring and unfailing till now. "The Watchtower" is therefore under safe guidance. It may be read with confidence, for its statements may be checked against that prophetic Book.
Among the many nations of today there are hundreds of differing religions. Which one does this magazine present? Not the confused religions of Christendom, but the religion of the oldest sacred Book on earth. Which Book? The Sacred Bible of the Holy Scriptures, written by inspiration in the name of the Creator of heaven and earth, the only living and true God.
The sacred, nonpolitical purpose of "The Watchtower" is accordingly to encourage and promote study of the Holy Bible and to give our many readers the needed unsectarian help to understand that Book of true religion and infallible prophecy. Thus this magazine will be helping them to prove worthy of perfect life and happiness in God's promised new order under His everlasting kingdom of righteousness.
PUBLISHED BY THE
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA
117 Adams Street
N. H. Knox, President
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6: 45; Isaiah 54: 13
CONTENTS
Intellectual Freedom or Captivity to the Christ? 323
Time Is Running Out! 325
God's Service—A Cause for Joy 329
Finding Joy in God's Service Today 335
Anger Is Dangerous 341
Can You Avoid the Mark of the Beast? 342
Inviting Hungry Ones to God's Banquet for All Peoples 347
Dwelling in the House of Jehovah All the Days of My Life 348
Are You Planning to Come? 352
The Bible translation used in "The Watershower" is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 1961 edition. When other translations appear, they are appended to the appropriate version.
AT - American Standard Version
Dy - Catholic Bible version (11)
IP - Jewish Publication Society
Yg - Robert Young's version
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INTELLECTUAL OR Captivity TO THE Christ? FREEDOM
AROUND the world today the cry is for more and still more freedom: freedom of thought, of speech and of action. In schools and universities the human philosophies expounded during the past fifty years are reaping a harvest of atheistic thinkers. And the effects of all this emphasis on individual self-determination are to be noted in the loud demands for independence by all kinds of splinter groups, social and political. Discipline and respect for authority are dwindling. Discontent is rife. Peace has been taken from the earth.
Having permitted youth to be indoctrinated with the idea that human thinking should not be restricted by a belief in a Supreme God, governing authorities are now faced with a rebel generation that is challenging social and moral principles and that insists on deciding for itself as between right and wrong. Young men and women, teen-agers, who frequently have no more than a superficial knowledge of the issues involved, join in strikes and protest marches as though they had fully examined all the facts and reached a mature decision. Open rebellion against adult rule is, in fact, very evident in our times.
How very different all this from the teaching of the Bible and the words of Jesus Christ! True,
Jesus did declare: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) But free from what and for what? Surely it must be clear that he was not encouraging people to become a law unto themselves! He would free them from the dogmas and superstitions of false religious leaders, but at the same time he invited: "Take my yoke upon you and become my disciples." (Matt. 11:29) Those who came to him must come under his discipline, must listen and obey. Failure to yield such submission to the One sent by God would be prime evidence that the minds of such ones were still in captivity to the evil influence referred to by the apostle Paul: "The god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ . . . might not shine through."—2 Cor. 4:4.
Make no mistake. Those who insist on exercising unfettered mental freedom sooner or later find themselves in opposition to God and his Word, the Bible. They idolatrously put the human intellect ahead of the great Creator, and so, because 'they render sacred service to the creation rather than the One who created,' God 'gives them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting.'
(Rom. 1:25, 28) Pride blinds them to the fact that imperfect humans today have to choose between two masters. They must be slaves either to righteousness or to sin.—Romans, chap. 6.
The apostle Paul even foretold today's multiplying evidences of enslavement to sin, for he wrote: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, . . . blasphemers, disobedient to parents, . . . not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God." (2 Tim. 3:1-5) Thus multitudes have taken leave of "their proper senses" and have been caught in "the snare of the Devil," who employs them in his evil purposes. —2 Tim. 2:26.
True Christians, on the other hand, have been liberated by accurate knowledge of the Bible, and, not content with enjoying such freedom from erroneous thinking only for themselves, they engage in a spiritual warfare to liberate other captive minds, to combat ideas that have been raised up against the knowledge of God. The apostle Paul describes this warfare, declaring: "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God; and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ."—2 Cor. 10:3-5.
It seems that some in association with the early Corinthian congregation were disregarding Paul's authority, looking at
him according to what he appeared to be in the flesh, and neglecting to take into account his special commission from Christ. Today, too, there are those who, by their independent thinking, question Christ's ability to have and use on the earth a specially appointed governing body of imperfect humans, to whom he has entrusted all the Kingdom interests or "belongings" on earth. (Matt. 24:45-47) When such independent thinkers receive counsel and direction based on the Bible, they incline to the thought, 'This is only from fleshy men, so it is up to me to decide whether to accept it or not.'
On this very subject, E. A. Dunlap, Registrar of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, speaking to a class of missionary students, recently inquired: "Do you look at it that way?" Then he continued: "If you do, then you are being infected by that spirit of independence with which Satan is infecting the whole world. So, to overcome this attitude, the thing to do, as the apostle Paul intimates, is to think, 'Now, am I "bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ"'?"
If this proper course is followed, the Christian will refuse to entertain any thoughts that fail to harmonize with the truth he has learned from the teaching of Christ. He will keenly appreciate as applying to himself the reminder by the apostle Paul: "You do not belong to yourselves, for you were bought with a price. By all means, glorify God in the body of you people." (1 Cor. 6:19, 20) Again, he will have in mind the earnest exhortation by the apostle Peter: "Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for moral badness, but as slaves of God." (1 Pet. 2:16) Selfish insistence upon intellectual freedom leads one into slavery to sin. Being in captivity to the Christ means peace with God, safety and wise direction for our lives.
Time Is Running Out!
These are urgent times!
What should you do about them?
TIME is running out! Running out for what? Running out for the present generation, for the present wicked system of things, for the way things are being done today. In other words, time is running out for the rule of this planet by selfishness, wickedness, injustice and violence. Why can we be certain of this?
We can be certain of it because the Creator, Jehovah God, is a just, wise and loving God. Although he has seen fit to tolerate these unrighteous conditions for more than 4,000 years, he will not always tolerate them, for "there is an appointed time, even a time for every affair under the heavens." There is a time for him to tolerate such conditions and a time for him to put an end to them, and that time will be soon, even as we read: "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more."—Eccl. 3:1; Ps. 37:10.
What will that mean? It will mean a cataclysm as destructive as the global
flood of Noah's day, concerning which the apostle Peter wrote: "By the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." That will mean the end of the world empire of false religion, known as "Babylon the great" in the Scriptures, and the end of all its supporters. It will mean the end of national entities with their militarism and corrupt politics and the end of ruthless and greedy commercialism. Will there be any human survivors? Yes, but comparatively few, even as was the case in Noah's day.
—2 Pet. 3:6, 7; Rev. 18:2.
But perhaps someone will object, saying, Those words about a little while and then the wicked being no more were written about three thousand years ago, so how do we know that the end of this wicked system of things is at hand? We can be certain of this because of the fulfillment of certain Bible prophecies; for example,
the prophecy by Jesus Christ concerning the end of this very system of things.
LAST GENERATION FOR THIS SYSTEM OF THINGS
Yes, Jesus Christ, in replying to questions as to when he would return and when this present system of things would end, told that this very generation would be the last under this present system of things. In this prophecy he foretold the outbreak of world wars. He also told of famines, of earthquakes, of the increase of lawlessness and the preaching of the good news of God's established kingdom, all of which have taken place on an unprecedented scale only since 1914, clearly marking that year as the beginning of the fulfillment of his words. He further said that "this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen." —Mark 13:30; Matt. 24:7-14.
To what generation was Jesus referring? Not to the one living in his day but, rather, to the one that would experience the things he foretold, which, we have seen, began in 1914. They will come to a climax, Jesus tells us, in the "great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."—Matt. 24:21.
True, fifty-two years have flown by since these things began to occur and because of this some have allowed themselves to be complacently lulled to sleep, feeling that the time is yet many years away. But the passing of the years has not made the foretold destruction of this wicked system of things more remote; it has brought it closer, much closer. According to Jesus' words, at least a representative number, and perhaps many, of the generation living when his great prophecy began to be fulfilled in 1914 will see "all these things happen," including the destruction of false religion and the political systems of this world, with all their friends and supporters.—Jas. 4:4; Dan. 2:44.
URGENCY AN ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY
The fact is that Christianity from its very start was an urgent religion; there was nothing complacent about it. Jesus felt an urgency about his commission. He knew that his time to get his work done was limited: "We must work the works of him that sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no man can work."—John 9:4.
In his great prophecy concerning our own day he forcefully illustrated this, saying: "It is like a man traveling abroad that left his house and gave the authority to his slaves, to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to keep on the watch. Therefore keep on the watch, for you do not know when the master of the
house is coming, whether late in the day or at midnight or at cock-crowing or early in the morning; in order that when he arrives suddenly, he does not find you sleeping. But what I say to you I say to all, Keep on the watch."—Mark 13:33-37.
That Christians were to be ever on the watch, alert, with a sense of urgency, with expectancy, can be seen from the writings of Jesus' apostles. Note the words of Paul: "You people know the season, that it is already the hour for you to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore put off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light."—Rom. 13:11, 12.
The apostle Paul made a similar reference in his counsel on singleness and marriage: "The time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, . . . for the scene of this world is changing." And so also in counseling Christians not to forsake the gathering of themselves together as some have the custom, but to encourage one another, he adds, "and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near."—1 Cor. 7:29, 31; Heb. 10:24, 25.
No question about it: If Christians were ever to be in a state of urgency, expectancy, if they were ever to be watchful, awake and alert, which the above scriptures show that they were, then they should today feel an even greater urgency in view of where we are on the stream of time, as seen from the fulfillment of Bible prophecies.
LIKE THE DAYS OF NOAH AND OF LOT
Helping us to appreciate this added urgency and that time is running out for this generation are the words of Jesus likening our times to the days of Noah: "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."
Not that there was or is anything wrong with marrying
and building houses, but the point Jesus was making was that people were and would be so absorbed in these things that they take no note of the times in which
Manifesting the Spirit of God.
Do not be like the two prospective sons-
COMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE
to pick up his outer garment. . . Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day." (Matt. 24:16-20) How forcefully these illustrations likewise emphasize the urgency of our times! We are living in times as urgent as those of Noah and of Lot.
Keep On Growing Under Jehovah's Spirit.
Harvest, a Time of Happiness.
they are living until it is too late!—Matt. 24:38, 39.
Identifying the Son of God.
Jesus also likened our urgent days in which time is running out to those of Lot, the nephew of the patriarch Abraham. When the time came for Jehovah God to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, he sent his angels to hurry Lot and his family out of them: "When the dawn ascended, then the angels became urgent with Lot, saying: 'Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are found here, for fear you may be swept away in the error of the city!'" When Lot lingered, they took him and his family by the hand and hurried them out, saying further: "Escape for your soul! Do not look behind you and do not stand still in all the District! Escape to the mountainous region for fear you may be swept away!" And remember, Jesus said that the present time would be as the days of Lot, just that urgent!—Gen. 19:15-17; Luke 17:28-30.
Further underscoring the need for urgency in these times are Jesus' commands to Christians living today: 'Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; and let the man in the field not return to the house
in-law of Lot. When Lot was told about the coming destruction of the cities of the plain he went to his sons-in-law and urged them: "Get up! Get out of this
place, because Jehovah is bringing the city to ruin!” However, “in the eyes of his sons-in-law [Lot] seemed like a man who was joking,” and so they perished with the rest of the wicked inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah—Gen. 19:12-14.
Yes, let those who will, ridicule the urgency of our times, even as did the sons-in-law of Lot. Their ridicule does not prove that they are right but, rather, proves that they are mistaken, for even such ridicule was foretold to occur in our day: "In the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: 'Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation's beginning.'" But all things have not always gone "exactly" the same since the beginning of creation, even as we have just seen.—2 Pet. 3:3-7.
GUARD AGAINST COMPLACENCY
Clearly, today is no time for complacency, but a time to be watchful, alert, and to that end practicing self-discipline, even as Jesus further said in warning about our day: "But pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare.
For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth. Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man."—Luke 21:34-36.
How timely are these words of Jesus in view of the material prosperity of the Western world! With it does indeed come the temptation to indulge in overeating and heavy drinking and worries about money. Some may be inclined to devote much time to acquiring material possessions, as if the present system of things were going to be here for many years to come. But Jesus warned against being overly concerned with material things: "Guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses." "For the soul [life] is worth more than food and the body than clothing." These words have more force today than ever before because of our living so close to the end of this system of things. More than ever it is sheer folly to go against Jesus' words!—Luke 12: 15, 23; Matt. 6:19-21.
Truly more than ever before it is the course of wisdom to 'keep on seeking first the kingdom and God's righteousness,' and to 'keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as a wise person, buying out the opportune time for yourself because the days are wicked, at the same time always seeking to perceive what the will of God is.' Buy out the time by taking it from things that are dispensable and use it for such all-important things as studying God's Word and associating with other Christians, and then in all
things act in harmony with what you learn to be God's will.—Matt. 6:33; Eph. 5:15-17.
The fact that time is running out for this generation and its system of things should make Christians beware of letting their roots grow too deeply in it. Even as the wise man eats to live and does not live to eat, so Christians should view everything of a material nature as being a means to an end and not the end itself. That will include their choice of secular work, the kind of house they live in, the kind of clothes they wear, the kind of food they eat, the kind of literature they read, the kind of television programs they watch as well as how much time they spend watching television. As the apostle Paul put it: "Those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." Yes, the present system of things is soon coming to its end!—1 Cor. 7:31.
God's Word tells us of a time when there will be 'a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell.' It will be a time when God will 'wipe out every tear from the eyes of men, when death will be no more, neither sorrow nor crying, neither sickness nor death.' It will be an order of things without violence, injustice, wickedness and oppression. Poverty will be no more, but 'men will build houses and have the occupancy of them, they will plant vineyards and eat the fruits of them.' And what is more, they will be preparing for and welcoming back from the graves thousands of millions that have died since the days of Abel, the first martyred faithful servant of God Jehovah. All earth will become a paradise.—2 Pet. 3: 13; Rev. 21:4; Isa. 65:21; Rev. 20:13.
That is a new order worth hoping for, waiting for, working for and now being urgent about—especially since time is indeed running out!
GOD'S SERVICE
OUT on the Palestinian hills, far from any dwellings, a shepherd can feel close to Jehovah, the great Creator. He has time to meditate and to examine visually the creations of that almighty One. At night when he lies under a star-studded sky, he can marvel at the Creator's wisdom and power in making the beautiful heavens. In comparison to them he is so small and insignificant that he has reason to rejoice that their Maker is aware of him and is interested in him. King David of Judah
had this experience when, as a shepherd boy, he spent many nights out in the open fields caring for his father's sheep.
2 David was a man of keen perception, with a genuine love for his God, Jehovah. As might be expected, he was deeply impressed by Jehovah's creations, especially the starry heavens, the beauty of which he had enjoyed so much as a shepherd boy. Expressing his feelings, he said: "When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have prepared, what is mortal man that you keep him in mind, and the son of earthling man that you take care of him?" Then speaking of man's position as being lower than the angels, he said: "You
also proceeded to make him a little less than godlike ones, and with glory and splendor you then crowned him. You make him dominate over the works of your hands; everything you have put under his feet: small cattle and oxen, all of them, and also the beasts of the open field, the birds of heaven and the fish of the sea, anything passing through the paths of the seas. O Jehovah our Lord, how majestic your name is in all the earth!"—Ps. 8:3-9.
3 At the time Jehovah God created man he gave him dominion over all the other creatures of the earth, saying to him: "Have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth." (Gen. 1:26) This was a God-given duty to man, which he has not properly exercised in his imperfect state. David's inspired expression regarding man's position has special significance because it prophetically pointed to the One who became the perfect man, Jesus Christ. This One was made lower than godlike ones, or angels, by giving up spirit life to become a man. Being a perfect man, he could properly dominate the earthly works of God's hands.
Due to his faithful service to God, he was crowned with honor and glory. (Heb. 2:9) David did not foresee this prophetic significance of what he wrote, but he did see how man had been blessed by God. So for the prominent position that God gave man on the earth and for the marvelous things of creation that man can gaze at in wonderment, David gave glory to Jehovah, saying: "How majestic your name is in all the earth!"
4 David showed his appreciation for the true God by never serving any of the man-made gods of the nations in his day. He found the greatest possible joy in serving Jehovah, the One who created the things at which he marveled. This was like a stronghold that helped to preserve him. Expressing his joy at being able to serve his Creator, David said: "To do your will, O my God, I have delighted, and your law is within my inward parts." (Ps. 40: 8) Throughout his life, David showed that God's law was indeed within his inward parts, being close to his heart, his seat of motivation. By always striving to obey that law, by letting it guide his actions; and by constantly putting God's will first in his life, David manifested the joy he had in serving the great Ruler of the universe.
WHAT GOD'S SERVICE INVOLVES
Being thoroughly familiar with what Moses was inspired to write, David was aware that the service of Jehovah involved a number of things, one of which is exclusive worship. This was made clear in what Moses told the twelve tribes of Israel just before they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land: "Jehovah your God you should fear, and him you should serve, and by his name you should swear. You
must not walk after other gods, any gods of the peoples who are all around you, (for Jehovah your God in your midst is a God exacting exclusive devotion,) for fear the anger of Jehovah your God may blaze against you and he must annihilate you from off the surface of the ground." (Deut. 6:13-15) If they were to walk after other gods by worshiping them, they would be serving those gods. Repeatedly they were warned not to do this: "You must not serve their gods, because that will be a snare to you."—Deut. 7:16.
"While the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, Moses requested Pharaoh to permit them to leave Egypt that they might serve Jehovah. This Moses did at God's direction, for God told him: "Go in to Pharaoh and you must state to him, 'This is what Jehovah the God of the Hebrews has said: 'Send my people away that they may serve me.''" (Ex. 9:1) They would serve him by worshiping him, and this they did when they finally were freed from Egypt. Worshiping Jehovah God is the chief way a person can serve him.
7 Another way that God can be served is by obeying his commands. The importance of this was brought home to the Israelites whenever they were disobedient, and God caused them to suffer for it. In the Promised Land disobedience often resulted in his giving them into the hands of their enemies. By being obedient they could show that their worship of Jehovah was from the heart and was not empty formalism. For this reason the prophet Samuel said to their first king, Saul: "Does Jehovah have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams." (1 Sam. 15:22) By obeying Jehovah's righteous commands a person can serve him, even as a humble servant does his master.
Such service of God means that he is walking in the way that pleases the Most High, and it becomes a source of joy as long as he continues in that way. For this reason it is wisely written: "Happy are the ones faultless in their way, the ones walking in the law of Jehovah."—Ps. 119:1.
The giving of God service takes in, not only worship and obedience, but also activities that he has directed to be done. In the case of the Levites, their Godgiven work assignment was in connection with the services at the tabernacle. Jehovah's presence was represented there in miraculous ways, impressing upon all the importance and the privilege of serving there. So valuable was this privilege of service that it became the Levite inheritance instead of a landholding as in the case of the other tribes. To them Jehovah said: "I am your share and your inheritance in the midst of the sons of Israel." (Num. 18:20) This was a distinctive service privilege over which the Levites could rejoice.
One's being close to God's house where the miraculous shekinah light shone in the Most Holy, symbolizing his presence, was a delight. Serving the great God of the universe here was something to be desired. Expressing his love for this place that was so closely associated with Jehovah's worship, David said: "Jehovah, I have loved the dwelling of your house and the place of the residing of your glory." (Ps. 26:8) Levites that maintained the same attitude found great joy in serving Jehovah God at this place.
SERVICE FOR ALL
10 Opportunities to serve God in an active way were given to all the tribes. One such opportunity was when the tabernacle was about to be constructed. The people were privileged to make contributions for its construction, and by making such contributions they had the joy of sharing in something that was very important in their worship of the true God. That they found joy in this service privilege is indicated by their overwhelming generosity. The men in charge of receiving the contributions came to Moses and said: "The people are bringing much more than what the service needs for the work that Jehovah has commanded to be done." (Ex. 36:5) The joy of serving God with valuable things was manifested again by this nation hundreds of years later when contributions were made for the constructing of Jehovah's temple in Jerusalem.
11 When David made known to the people the plans for building a temple during the reign of his son Solomon, he asked: "Who is there volunteering to fill his hand today with a gift for Jehovah?" (1 Chron. 29:5) Their answer was a flood of contributions—gold, silver, precious stones and copper. They rejoiced at this opportunity to serve Jehovah in an active manner. "The people gave way to rejoicing over their making voluntary offerings, for it was with a complete heart that they made voluntary offerings to Jehovah; and even David the king himself rejoiced with great joy." (1 Chron. 29:9) But there were other ways that the twelve tribes could serve God with actions.
12 It was Jehovah's purpose that the nation of Israel take possession of the Promised Land as an inheritance from him, but to receive that inheritance they had to engage in activity that was directly related to that purpose.
They had to remove from the land the pagan squatters on it and destroy the false gods that those people worshiped. The victories they experienced with Jehovah's help as they carried out this divine purpose were a cause for joy. They were happy in serving Jehovah God even though they were risking their lives in doing it. And then after they had conquered the land, they were able to serve him actively by coming to Jerusalem three times a year for the festivals God commanded them to observe. This required a great effort on their part, especially for those living a great distance from Jerusalem. Their participating in these festivals was an active service of God that was inseparably linked with their worship of him. Although these were joyous occasions, they were not times for drunken revelry and gluttony, as was the case with the festivals observed by pagans. In a holy manner the Israelites were to observe the festivals of God.
13 With the introduction of Christianity, the ways of actively serving God underwent some changes. No longer could God be served by the festivals, by the sacrificial offerings the people had been bringing to the temple and by the temple duties of the Levites. With the terminating of the law covenant by Christ's sacrifice, God brought these forms of service to an end. The Christian ministry became a new way of actively serving the Most High. Publicly proclaiming and teaching God's truths, purposes and the provision he made for man's salvation through Christ was a new and an exceedingly joyous way of serving him. In fact, it was a way a person could offer a sacrifice of praise to him. "Let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name."—Heb. 13:15.
THE JOY THAT COMES FROM GOD'S SERVICE
14 The joy that a person experiences from serving God is not always expressed in an audible manner. It can be a pleasurable feeling of satisfaction in knowing that a person is doing what is pleasing and right in the eyes of the Most High God. His knowing that he is doing good work that is benefiting other people, that is advancing Jehovah's interests in the earth and that is magnifying Him brings a sense of contentment and inner tranquility that reflects the joy of God. This is a lasting joy that does not require audible expression. But there are times when something noteworthy happens that stimulates a momentary expression of the joy that a person feels inside.
15 When the Israelites moved the ark of the covenant from the house of Obededom to Jerusalem, their joy bubbled out in joyful expressions. This was a great occasion in their religious life that filled them with happiness, and so they expressed it. "All the Israelites were bringing up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with joyful shouting and with the sounding of the horn and with trumpets and with cymbals, playing aloud on stringed instruments and harps." (1 Chron. 15:28) Another occasion that caused expressions of joy was when Saul and David returned with the Israelite army after a victory over the Philistines. "It came about that at their coming in, when David returned from striking the Philistines down, the women began coming out from all the cities of Israel with song and dances to meet Saul the king, with tambourines,
Israelites move ark to Jerusalem with joyful shouting
with rejoicing and with lutes." (1 Sam. 18:6) These were notable occasions that stimulated the Israelites to express their joy in an audible way.
the furthering of his interests or from pleasant experiences that bring honor to him.
16 Audible expressions of joy that come naturally from a happy heart because of something fine that has taken place in connection with Jehovah's worship or purposes are not the same as the emotional outbursts by persons in a religious fervor. Their nonsensical shouting and wild singing are not the fruiture of God's spirit, which, among other things, produces mildness and self-control. It is not the "apparel of the quiet and mild spirit" that a servant of God is expected to wear, but, rather, the expression of wild, uncontrolled emotions that demons find easy to manipulate. (1 Pet. 3:4) On the contrary, the audible expression of joy coming from the happy heart of God's servants is with their power of reason and is under their control. It is not a regular thing but something that results from notable happenings in the fulfillment of God's purposes and
17 The long-lasting feeling of joy that goes unexpressed is something that a person cultivates as he grows in knowledge and understanding of God's Word and purposes. As he grows in understanding and faith, his joy also grows. It is nourished by his meditation on Jehovah's doings and instructions and by his continuing to feed himself spiritually. The person that neglects this can lose the joy of serving God as well as a close relationship with him.
18 A close joy-inspiring relationship with the Almighty is possible for
those who dedicate themselves to serving him and who remain faithful to their dedication. By their actions they reveal that dedication. Such are the ones that he loves, strengths and preserves, just as it is written: "Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him, to all those who call upon him in trueness." (Ps. 145:18) "His salvation is near to those fearing him." (Ps. 85:9) Knowing this and being aware that complete trust can be placed in him, the dedicated person can experience the joy that comes from a feeling of well-being and security, a feeling that was expressed in Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear nothing bad, for you are with me."
JESUS CHRIST AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW 10 Of all who have served the true God, Jesus Christ is the finest example of one that found joy in Jehovah's service.
He showed it in a mild and quiet manner, such as in the happiness he manifested in doing his Father's will as well as in helping people learn about the grand purposes of his Father. In fact, he found joy in God's service long before he came to the earth. While he was still in the heavens as a mighty spirit creature, the first that God created, he found delight in serving Him. Speaking under the symbolism of wisdom, he says in the book of Proverbs: "Then I came to be beside him as a master worker, and I came to be the one he was specially fond of day by day, I being glad before him all the time, being glad at the productive land of his earth, and the things I was fond of were with the sons of men." (Prov. 8:30, 31; Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14) The joy he found in serving God in the heavens he continued to have while a man on earth.
20 When Jehovah opened a new field of service for this beloved, spirit Son of his that required him to be born as a perfect human, that faithful Son rejoiced. Regarding this it is written: "Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. No, but he emptied himself and took a slave's form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake." (Phil. 2:5-8) Whatever his Father wanted him to do he was willing to do out of love for Him. With this fine attitude Jesus Christ gave a splendid example for all who want to serve the true God.
vine laws but also by publicly proclaiming and teaching the truth about Him. He helped people to transform their thinking and their lives so they might become approved servants of God. He taught them love for God, for one another and for enemies and gave them a hope of a world government of God's making as well as the hope of a resurrection from the dead. This brought the people close to Jehovah God, intensifying their desire to serve him in an undefiled manner. In this godly service, Jesus found joy. But an especially great source of joy for him was having a part in vindicating his Father's good name of the reproach that had been cast upon it by His enemies and by worshipers that had proved unfaithful to Him.
21 While on earth he served God not only by worshiping Him and obeying di-
22 The great enemy of righteousness, Satan the Devil, had brought the integrity of God's creatures into question. This was done in the days of the faithful man Job, at which time Satan told God: "Skin in behalf of skin, and everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul. For a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch as far as his bone and his flesh and see whether he will not curse you to your very face." (Job 2:4, 5) This challenge was bringing not only man's integrity to God in question but also the integrity of God's only-begotten Son, who was in a very favored position in the heavens. Would his integrity collapse under trial as Satan charged that man's would? The test came when that Son was born as a man. He kept his integrity even to a violent death and proved Satan a liar. His faithfulness was a vindication for Jehovah God. The prospect of vindicating Jehovah's name was a joy to Jesus Christ.
23 Speaking of Jesus' course of integrity, the Bible tells us: "For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Heb. 12:2) The joy of having a part in vindicating Jehovah's great name enabled him to endure the torture stake to the point of death. As a reward for his faithful service, Jehovah raised him from the dead, restoring him to the realm of the angelic hosts with greater power and honor than he had before. Thus his example of joyful service of God has been an inspiration to all worshipers of the true God down to this day.
24 When we consider how God's service has been a cause for joy to faithful men throughout the ages past, we can see that such joy is a life-preserving stronghold. For those who cultivate it and maintain it, Jehovah becomes a source of strength and a protection. His truth shields them from the mind-warping falsehoods of this devilish world. He helps them to hold up
Explain how joy is a life-preserving stronghold.
under trials of their faith; and when this old system of things is swept away by his heavenly forces, he will preserve them to see the new earth he will usher in. Joy helps to keep a strong, protective shield of faith. It can, therefore, be said to them: "The joy of Jehovah is your stronghold." (Neh. 8:10) It keeps them spiritually alive in a spiritually dead world.
25 Like the shepherd David, who was so impressed by the starry heavens that he gave expression to his joy in serving the Creator of them, we today have ample reasons for feeling the same joy. We too can marvel at his wonderful creations, and we can turn to the inspired Scriptures to learn about his activities and to be instructed by him. By cultivating an appreciation for his life-giving truths and magnificent purposes for mankind, we can find in God's service today a cause for great joy.
Why can we feel the same joy in God's service that David felt?
FINDING JOY IN GOD'S SERVICE Today My own servants will cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart." - Isa. 65:14.
"My own servants will cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart." - Isa. 65:14.
DO YOU want to serve your Creator? Do you want to give him exclusive devotion as did David? Do you want to obey his righteous laws as did Daniel? Do you want to be productively active in work he has commanded to be done as was Jesus Christ? If you do, you are a rare person in this twentieth century. Of
the more than three thousand million persons living today, few have any desire to serve the true God. Like past generations, they prefer to serve the false gods of religious imaginations, of political ideologies or of materialism. Regarding such gods a prophet of Jehovah the true God wrote: "For all the gods of the peoples are valueless gods. As for Jehovah, he made the heavens." (1 Chron. 16:26) Few have been the people to experience the joy of serving this great Creator.
Following the flood of Noah's day the percentage of those humans serving Jehovah God, the Preserver of the Flood survivors, diminished rapidly as mankind multiplied, until they became a nonconforming minority in the ancient world. They were the ones that refused to participate with the majority in building the Tower of Babel. They were the exceptional ones that refused to go along with the nation of Israel when that nation turned from serving the true God to the worship of false gods. They were the stalwart few that held fast to Christianity although the majority of the people in the first century spoke evilly of them and persecuted them. Regarding the world's attitude toward them, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ wrote: "We have become as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things." (1 Cor. 4:13) Nevertheless, they had a good condition of the heart because they were doing what was right in the eyes of God. The situation is little different today. True to Jesus' prophecy about our day, God's servants are still disliked by the majority of the world. "Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name." (Matt. 24:9) Despite this persecution, there are good reasons for finding joy in serving the true God today.
3 One's knowing that the great Creator will, at his appointed time, bring a permanent end to wicked people and free the earth for those who serve him to inhabit in peace is a cause of great joy. Imagine being able to live on this earth with no wicked person to be found as far as you might look! Instead of him, meek persons
who love righteousness are what you find. This is what Jehovah has promised, and his promises do not return to him unfulfilled. "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." (Ps. 37:10, 11) This knowledge certainly is an incentive to serve the righteous Creator joyously, but it is only one of many things he has given as incentives for such joyful service.
4 It is evident from the intricate marvels of creation and the wonders of the starry heavens that there exists an infinitely wise Creator. But little can be known about him personally by studying such creations. To supply man with further information he has provided his written Word, the Holy Bible. Here he has given us a great amount of information about himself, his great works in the past and his purposes for mankind. This fund of information provides sound reasons for joyfully serving him rather than the false gods of the nations. It is truth, and just the possessing of it can be a cause of joy, especially since it contributes to a good condition of the heart. Spiritual freedom it brings to those who hungrily reach out for it, and length of days to those who embrace it. Certainly freedom from thought-twisting falsehoods is unquestionably a reason for joy, and it is promised to those who serve Jehovah God. Regarding it Jesus Christ said: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."—John 8:32.
a Upon the rare persons that serve the true God, Jehovah, he has placed his name, blessing them by identifying them as his people. This too is a cause for joy. He is not ashamed to be identified with them, although they are regarded by the world as "the offscouring of all things."
(1 Cor. 4:13) This close relationship with the Creator indicates that they have his goodwill, and that can mean for them the gift of eternal life, a gift that only Jehovah God, the great Life-giver, can give. Realizing what a grand blessing it is to have the name of the Almighty God associated with him, the prophet Jeremiah said: "Your word becomes to me the exultation and the rejoicing of my heart; for your name has been called upon me, O Jehovah God of armies." (Jer. 15:16) Maintaining an awareness of this favorable relationship with the great Life-giver is important to finding joy in his service.
"Out of his kindness, which man does not deserve, Jehovah God has provided a ransom sacrifice so that those that serve him might be set free from Adamic sin and might regain the perfection that Adam lost. "God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more, therefore, since we have been declared righteous now by his blood, shall we be saved through him from wrath." (Rom. 5:8, 9) This magnificent provision for the salvation of those serving the true God is still another cause for joy to such ones. Expressing their feelings, the apostle Peter wrote: "Though you are not looking upon him [Jesus Christ] at present, yet you exercise faith in him and are greatly rejoicing with an unspeakable and glorified joy, as you receive the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Pet. 1:8, 9) Thus Jehovah has provided many causes for finding joy in his service in these modern times.
RIGHT MENTAL ATTITUDE
With all that God has provided for finding joy in his service, joy can easily be found today, provided that a person has the right mental attitude. That attitude is important, as it builds appreciation for the Creator and for his Word. Without appreciation he will not feel grateful for what God has done or for the good things God has promised to do. He will not have the desire to do what is pleasing to that great Ruler of the universe. But a good mental attitude causes him to appreciate all that Jehovah has done and will do. It stimulates the right desire to serve God. The Christian ministry is a very important way to fulfill that desire.
As demonstrated by Jesus Christ, the Christian ministry involves the preaching of Scriptural truths to others so as to convert their hearts to the undefiled worship of the true God. Such public proclaiming and teaching of the truth is an important feature of the way Christians serve the great Life-giver. The Christian apostle Paul said: "For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation." (Rom. 10:10). With the right mental attitude toward this work a person will appreciate the good it does in transforming peoples' lives by bringing them into harmony with the high moral standards of God's Word. He also will appreciate how it is a life-preserving work that directs people in the way that leads to preservation through the coming war of God that will destroy the present wicked system of things. It is a work that is causing an increasing number of persons to turn from false religion to the service of their Creator. Having a good mental outlook toward this fine work that Jesus began, a person is able to cultivate joy in this way of serving God.
For many persons it is not pleasurable to call upon people by going from house to house talking about the truths of God's Word, especially when the householders, as a whole, do not like it. While it is not a joy to receive rebuffs from uninterested persons who have no desire to serve their Creator, or who are misinformed about God's servants, it is a joy to find a humble person that genuinely appreciates the effort made to instruct him in the truths of God's Word. Watching him grow in knowledge and seeing him shed the shackles of false religion one by one bring a joy that is distinctive to the Christian ministry. It more than compensates for the unpleasant experiences had with unappreciative people.
10 If you are a servant of the Most High God that engages in the house-to-house ministry, you will not cultivate joy in that service of God by dwelling upon the unpleasant experiences encountered in it. Neither will you find joy in it if your service is reluctant, requiring continual prodding by Christian brothers. In both instances the right mental attitude is needed in order to find joy. Instead of seeing only the negative or unpleasant side of it, look at the positive side. Think how appreciative goodhearted people are of your efforts when you succeed in locating them and cultivating their interest. Think how necessary this work is in acquainting people of all kinds with Jehovah's purposes, especially with regard to the world-changing forces of God's coming war. Think how important this work is in separating the people in these last days and in giving a grand witness to the true God
and his purposes. Think of how this divinely commanded service is a means for you to manifest your love for God and your faith in his promises. Only by thus cultivating the right attitude toward the Christian ministry can you experience the joy this feature of God's service can bring.
11 If you think negatively of your ability to tell others about the things you have learned in God's Word, you are allowing a wrong mental attitude to develop that will rob you of the joy of his service. Do not compare your ability to speak with that of a Christian brother who is adept at speaking. Instead, compare it with the people you meet in the ministry who profess to be Christians, in lands of Christendom, but who do not speak God's truths to others. No matter how poor your speaking ability is, it is better than theirs, because they say nothing about the Creator. Use what ability you have and strive to improve it. Remember that God has chosen, not the wise men of the world or the great religious orators to proclaim his purposes, but humble people that do not have special oratorical skill. In Jesus' day they were common people; some were fishermen. With the right mental attitude, the joy of serving God by publicly declaring his truths and purposes to others as Jesus commanded will not be lost. —1 Cor. 1:26-29.
DISCIPLES FOUND JOY IN PREACHING
12 When Jesus introduced the Christian ministry to his disciples, they were delighted with the experience. Some of the first ones to engage in it returned to Jesus with great elation. "Then the seventy returned with joy." (Luke 10:17) They went out to proclaim the truths they had learned without misgivings about their speaking ability.
Their hearts were filled with the good things they had learned from Jesus Christ, and they were anxious to tell these things to others. Unpleasant experiences and lack of interest among many with whom they talked did not dampen their joy. It was kept alive by the good mental attitude they had toward this form of serving God. Not even popular rejection by the Jewish nation and persecution at the hands of Jewish leaders could stamp out their joy in serving Jehovah God.
13 On one occasion when the apostles were brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin after having been forbidden to preach the good things they had learned, they told the prominent men of this ruling body: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men." (Acts 5:29) After being flogged and warned not to preach any more in Jesus' name, they went away rejoicing that they had maintained integrity to the truth. Nothing could dampen their joy in serving the true God. "These, therefore, went their way from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of his name."—Acts 5:41.
14 On his first missionary visit to Antioch in Asia Minor, the apostle Paul and those with him found many persons that were unreceptive to the good news that they preached. They were even mobbed out of town by these people, but this unpleasant experience did not cause them to develop the wrong mental attitude toward their work and thus to lose its joy. On the contrary, they rejoiced because they had found some good people in Antioch who had responded appreciatively to the good news. "After the synagogue assembly was dissolved, many of
the Jews and of the proselytes who worshiped God followed Paul and Barnabas, who in speaking to them began urging them to continue in the undeserved kindness of God." (Acts 13:43) The unpleasantness of having been thrown out of town by a mob was eclipsed by the pleasure of having found some people of good heart who responded favorably to the good things they preached. "The disciples continued to be filled with joy and holy spirit."—Acts 13:52.
15 The fact that the public proclaiming of the good things in God's Word requires one to give freely to others what is upbuilding, life-transforming and life-sustaining, brings him joy because there is happiness in giving good things to others. This is a principle that the apostle Paul pointed out when he was talking about the Christian ministry. "I have exhibited to you in all things that by thus laboring you must assist those who are weak, and must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, 'There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.'" (Acts 20:35) As Paul and his associates found joy in giving to others the good things they had learned, so those that serve Jehovah God today can also find joy in doing the same upbuilding work if they maintain the same good mental attitude.
15 The fine experience of seeing the comfort the truth brings distressed people and the appreciation of those liberated from false religion by it, as well as the happiness of those given a sure hope for which they can live, causes a person to rejoice that God has blessed him with the privilege to talk about His truth. Not until a person has had this personal experience in the Christian ministry can he fully comprehend the happiness that comes from giving his knowledge of the truth to others.
17 The apostle Paul, and those who traveled with him, brought the truth to the Thessalonians in Macedonia. The congregation that resulted from their preaching was a source of joy to them. The unpleasant experience of facing hate-filled opposers to their preaching there in Thessalonica was far overshadowed by the joy of seeing the good people in the city respond to the good news. Regarding the feelings of Paul and his associate travelers, he wrote: "For what is our hope or joy or crown of exultation—why, is it not in fact you?—before our Lord Jesus at his presence? You certainly are our glory and joy."—1 Thess. 2:19, 20.
HELPING ONE ANOTHER
18 Within a congregation of those who serve Jehovah God, there are positions of responsibility. By diligently working at the duties associated with those positions a person is serving God in still another manner, because the congregation is God's and it is dedicated to his worship and to the educating of people in his Word. With the proper mental attitude toward these positions, the persons assigned to them can find joy in bearing the responsibilities that come with them. Instead of looking only at the work, the responsibility and the problems these positions of oversight have, they should look at the good they bring to their Christian brothers and the need of organizing the public proclaiming of God's Word and purposes. Much can be done by the persons in these positions of responsibility to help their Christian brothers in maintaining good relations with the true God and in serving him
acceptably. This in itself is a source of joy.
19 A position of oversight in a congregation of God's people should be regarded as a blessing from Jehovah. It is an opportunity to broaden one's service of him. Such opportunities are offered to persons that have established a good record for themselves in Jehovah's service and have manifested spiritual maturity. Because they have used wisely the knowledge of God's Word that they have gained, and have worked diligently at the service privileges given them in the congregation, they are given greater service privileges with more responsibility. This is in line with the thought Jesus expressed when he said: "To everyone that has, more will be given and he will have abundance." (Matt. 25:29) Of course, this does not mean that he should go to an extreme and take on more than he can do.
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