The Watchtower, June 1, 1974
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WATCHTOWER
WHAT IS BEHIND
THIS FASCINATION
WITH THE
OCCULT?
Also In This Issue:
GOOD NEWS FOR ALL MANKIND
JUNE 1, 1974
©WTB&TS
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
June 1, 1974
Vol. 95, Number 11
A watchtower enables a person to see far into the distance and announce to others what is coming. Can a magazine serve similarly in our day? Yes, from its first issue (July 1879) onward, The Watchtower, published by Jehovah's witnesses, has done
IN THIS ISSUE
What Is Behind This Fascination
with the Occult? 323
The Real Power Behind Occultism 325
Gaining Freedom from Wicked
Spirit Forces 328
Good News for All Mankind 329
Do You Have the Evangelizing Spirit? 335
Insight on the News 341
Getting Baptized? 342
A Question Settled Never to Rise Again 345
just that.
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THIS FASCINATION
WITH THE
OCCULT?
MOST "educated" people have generally scoffed at reports about "supernatural" things. They have always believed that these could be explained by what they called "rational, scientific" means. Now some are having second thoughts. Recent years have witnessed a startling resurgence of occultism, most notably in the so-called "civilized" parts of the world.
Many universities and hundreds of high schools not only have professed witches on campus, but also now offer special courses on the Devil and witchcraft. And, according to one news report, there are "more than 600 witches' 'covens' now operating in the United States and including about 100,000 avowed witches."
In recent years a vast array of books on occultism has appeared. The manager of one California bookstore chain, for example, said that its main store stocks around 2,000 different occult-related books "and there are several hundred more available that we just don't have any room for." These books, the manager said, move well, "not only in Hollywood, where you'd expect it, but in all of our stores."
Business Week magazine reports that even business and government are seriously investigating extrasensory perception (ESP) and other "psychic" powers for possible use in their operations. "And the National Aeronautics & Space Administration [NASA] has financed a Stanford Research Institute program to teach ESP skills to NASA personnel."
A wave of "exorcism" frenzy recently hit America with the release of a gruesome film on the subject. And the occult is becoming so popular in England that the Anglican Church recently appointed exorcists throughout the country to cope with resulting problems.
Young people all over Australia are reported to be deeply involved in witchcraft and spiritistic séances, sometimes held right at school! "Schoolchildren drinking blood before an upturned cross," teenage girls "subjected to sexual indignities on so-called 'sacrificial altars'" and swelling Ouija-board sales cause growing alarm there, reports the Sydney, Australia, Sun. Adult "witches" recruit children who, in turn, persuade schoolmates to join in.
If you are a parent, would you want your children to get into something like this? Do you know whether similar things occur at their schools? Or, do you brush aside this fascination with the occult as harmless entertainment? Do stories about this strange "other dimension" perhaps even fascinate you? Many people are strongly attracted by the occult, especially now.
Why?
WHY THE OCCULT?
Understandably, many people are searching for something more to life. The glaring failures of religious, political, economic and scientific institutions leave many hungrily reaching for anything to give life meaning.
Traditional religion has not filled the void. "To many, there is no purpose in life today," admits a Roman Catholic official, for "they can't relate what is happening to anything in their faith experience." The fact that uncontrollable forces seem to be shaping a catastrophic future for mankind causes many to feel that there must be greater powers than allowed by purely materialistic thinking.
So people turn to the occult. And it thrives because so many people actually seem to experience something personally. But do you know what is behind it all?
ARE OCCULT PHENOMENA REAL?
Both science and religion are divided as to whether "supernatural" incidents actually occur. Some believe that claimed occult experiences are merely indications of mental problems or errors in reporting. Others say that, rather than being evidence of the supernatural, such experiences show that mankind itself may have latent "psychic" powers still not understood by science. However, occultists insist that there is a "spirit world" operating through these unusual manifestations.
IN COMING ISSUES
The Horsemen of the Apocalypse—Their Effect on Our Lives.
'Living No Longer for Ourselves.'
How God's Spirit Can Help You.
Many "supernatural" experiences may be illusions or trickery, but does this account for all of them? Recent publicity has spotlighted cases of alleged "demonic possession." Not all psychologists are convinced that every case has a purely psychological explanation. Dr. Alan Reed, Jr., of Wisconsin's Milwaukee Psychiatric Hospital, though skeptical, would not rule out the possibility of possession. He says he has "seen people change abruptly . . . so that you have the feeling they are someone else." These sudden changes involve general appearance, voice quality and personality. "Part of this could hysteria or some other manifestation, but there are aspects of this sort of thing that I don't have an understanding of or explanation for," he said.-Milwaukee Journal, January 27, 1974.
Similarly, the Encyclopedia Britannica says that, though there is still much debate about the source of spiritualistic phenomena, "there is a general agreement among those who have devoted time and attention to the subject that some of the phenomena are genuine." The evidence for the existence of unknown forces is such that about two hundred U.S. scientists are now engaged in similar research, a number through government grants.
But does growing credibility make the occult a proper field of investigation for you or your family? There are substantial reasons to hesitate. Why? Because of what the Bible says. It alone provides a satisfying explanation for occult phenomena, and this is discussed in the following article.
The Real Power behind OCCULTISM
THE Bible identifies the real power behind occultism and its purpose. In
testable to Jehovah."—Deut. 18:10-12;
compare Leviticus 19:26, 31; 20:6, 27;
its pages you will not find any uncertain theorizing on the subject. It sets out the facts clearly and takes a firm stand in opposition to all occult practices. All other ancient religious writings either lay the basis for occultism, allow for it or encourage it.
In fact, history testifies that almost all early peoples were deeply involved in occultism. Yet just one nation is known to have had a religion that avoided the occult—the ancient Hebrews of the Bible. Why?
The Hebrew religion was not influenced
Isaiah 8:19.
POWER BEHIND THE OCCULT
An experience involving a Roman official, Sergius Paulus, who was proconsul of Cyprus around 47 C.E., sheds light on the matter. The Bible describes him as "an intelligent man." He was searching for truth. So he asked Saul of Tarsus, a Roman citizen who was also known as the apostle Paul, to tell him about God and Christianity. However, a, "magician," or sorcerer, named Elymas was present and began resisting Paul, no doubt aware that
The Hosew religion was not influenced by superstitions about the unknown, as others were. Their religion was given to them by One who knows the facts, and He made it clear that it was not His power that was behind occult practices. As God said to them through the prophet Moses: "These nations . . . listen to those practicing magic and to those who divine; but as for you, Jehovah your God has not given you anything like this."—Deut. 18: 14.
In clear terms he specified the practices that they were to avoid: "There should not be found in you who
Paul's message could weaken his own influence with the proconsul and the reputation he had owing to his occult powers.
Paul turned to Elymas and plainly identified the one behind his occult powers, saying: "You son of the devil, you enemy of all true religion, why don't you stop twisting the straightforward ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:6-10, Catholic Jerusalem Bible) So the apostle Paul named "the devil," a wicked spirit person, as the power behind this sorcerer. Some may find the existence of such a creature hard to believe.
not be found in you anyone who . . . employs divination, a practitioner of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer, or one who binds others with a spell or anyone who consults a spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or anyone who inquires of the dead. For everybody doing these things is something de-
But there is eyewitness testimony to his existence. The Lord Jesus Christ came from the spirit realm, and with a conviction born of personal knowledge he spoke of "the Devil," also known as "Satan." As to Satan's origin, Jesus explained: "He did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him . . . he is a liar and the father of the lie."
(John 8:44; Luke 10:18) So at one time this spirit creature was "in the truth." But chafing under God's authority to determine what is "the truth" and to require submission to it, Satan-to-be chose to allow desire for power and independence to overcome his wisdom.—Jas. 1:13, 14; compare Ezekiel 28:13-17.
Then this "Devil" set about to entice others to a similar course. His first overt act was to lie against God, thus setting the pattern for his methods even now. That lie resulted in death to the first human pair and made the Devil "a manslayer when he began," as well as the "father of the lie."—Gen. 3:1-5, 13; Rev. 12:9.
Similarly, Bible history records that other "sons of God," angels, chose independence from God. They have power and influence over the minds and lives of vulnerable persons, even the ability to "possess" or "obsess" humans or animals and to use inanimate objects for their deceptive purposes.—Matt. 12:43-45; Luke 8:27-33.
Those who are involved in occult practices themselves recognize that there is danger involved. The book Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain reports on the extensive Russian scientific research into ESP and other psychic powers. Illustrating the danger even from this type of investigation, the authors say: "There is one warning that any person who is involved in this work scientifically always gives—ESP is not to be treated lightly. It can be dangerous even when working with something as simple as an Ouija board. We have seen some of the effects."
Why the danger? One reason is given by Ed Warren, considered to be a leading expert on the occult: "Using a Ouija board, holding seances, or practicing ESP . . . are invitations to malign spirits, and to eventual possession by those spirits."
But why all the strange and seemingly contradictory variations of occultism? Why do some appear blatantly evil, others good and still others the result of mere caprice? There is actually one unified purpose, which only the Bible reveals.
PURPOSE OF OCCULTISM
As noted before, occultists like Elymas act as agents or dupes of the Devil. As such, they are the "enemy of all true religion... twisting the straightforward ways of the Lord." (Acts 13:10, Je) So however contradictory and diverse the occult practices, there is a unified purpose: to entice men away from "true religion" and cause them to act independently of God's "straightforward ways."
The diabolic wisdom behind this scheme is clear. People are fascinated by unexplainable, seemingly "supernatural" phenomena. The variety of occult practices appeals to different types of people. Some subject themselves directly to the Devil through outright Satan worship, voodoo, witchcraft and the like. Others are deceived into thinking that God has something to do with astrology or spiritualism. Those with a scientific bent often become fascinated with "psychic" powers such as ESP and clairvoyance. There is something for almost everyone.
But what about the works of "healing," "speaking in tongues," "exorcising" demons, and others, directly tied in with so-called "Christian" organizations? Does this not show that God is working with them to defeat the works of Satan, just as he helped Jesus and his apostles? (John 10:37, 38; Acts 19:11) Jesus anticipated this very question in his famous Sermon on the Mount.
He said that many people would profess Christianity, but dishonestly so. On what basis would they claim to be Christians? Jesus said: 'Many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?'
" But would this prove that they had the spirit of God and were true disciples of his Son? Jesus went on to say: "Then I shall tell them to their faces: 'I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!'"—Matt. 7:15-23, Je.
Clearly, those occultists who use the name of Christ are as detestable to him as occultism among the Hebrews was to Jehovah. Why? Because the power behind them is the same. The purpose is the same; namely, to draw people away from "true religion," to entice them to do things condemned by God.
The Bible shows that miraculous spiritual gifts passed out of existence after they had identified the newly established Christian congregation as God's instrument for spreading true worship. (1 Cor. 13:8-11) But the Scriptures warn that religious impostors would later seize upon such "miracles" to give an air of legitimacy to their own activities. "There is nothing unexpected about that," says the Bible; "if Satan himself goes disguised as an angel of light, there is no need to be surprised when his servants, too, disguise themselves as the servants of righteousness."—2 Cor. 11:14, 15, Je.
This shows that the ability to exorcise, or expel, demons, for example, is not necessarily a sign that God backs up clergymen who profess to have such power. Professed Christians and non-Christians alike claim success at exorcism: Catholics, Protestants, Jewish cabalists and even voodoo worshipers. Is God behind any of them? The Bible says "God is not a God of disorder but of peace." (1 Cor. 14:33, Je) He certainly does not work against himself by supporting opposing factions.
Also, the very methods employed by most so-called "exorcists" show they are not from God. Jesus could "cast out the spirits with a word," simply commanding
them, and they obeyed, recognizing his authority. (Matt. 8:16, 29-34, Je; Mark 5: 7-13; Luke 8:28-33) Yet these religious "exorcists" recite ritualistic, magical formulas, using certain words and pronouncements, which, in themselves, are supposed to have the power to exorcise. The Roman Catholic formula for exorcism found in the Rituale Romanum can take several hours to recite and uses religious relics and other superstitious religious paraphernalia—in marked contrast to Jesus' simple commands! Nevertheless, their "exorcisms" often seem to work! Why?
The Bible shows that Satan would use supernatural powers to back up these religious impostors, establishing their credibility and thus furthering his own ends. The Christian apostle Paul foretold that a rebellion against God's ways would take place on the part of those claiming to be followers of Christ, and that the rebels would seek worshipful honor for themselves, as Christendom's clergy do. Then he said: "Satan will set to work: there will be all kinds of miracles and a deceptive show of signs and portents, and everything evil that can deceive . . . because they would not grasp the love of the truth which could have saved them."—2 Thess. 2:9, 10, Je.
Notice that Paul contrasts the appeal of 'deceptive signs' with "the love of the truth." Jesus identified the real source of truth when he prayed to God and said: "Your word is truth." God's "word" is found in the Bible. Genuine "love of the truth" develops from using our minds to learn about that word, to benefit from God's "straightforward ways" in our lives. John 17:17; Acts 13:10, Je.
PROPER VIEW OF THE OCCULT
What does this mean for those dabbling in occultism or those fascinated by the recent publicity given to it? It means that such things are not a safe subject of curiosity or entertainment.
They are a means used by Satan the Devil to turn people to practices that are in direct conflict with the clearly stated will of God.
True Christians do not toy with occultism. If they were involved in it in the past, they have now destroyed anything in their possession that pertained to it. (Acts 19:18, 19) They know the value of the Biblical advice: "Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you."—Jas. 4:7.
Jehovah's Christian witnesses have long followed the Bible's wise advice on this matter. They have thereby avoided the
trap of occultism, especially in the areas of Latin America and Africa where voodoo and juju remain a way of life, even among the supposedly "Christian" populations. Not by practicing any mystical rites of exorcism, but by teaching others the truth from God's Word the Bible, they have aided honest-hearted ones to break free from the control of wicked spirits. (Eph. 6:10-18) Being guided by God's Word, which neither discounts the occult nor allows for its practice, they can say as did the apostle Paul: "We will not be outwitted by Satan—we know well enough what his intentions are."—2 Cor. 2:11, Je.
Gaining Freedom from Wicked Spirit Forces
EAR of spirits has enslaved many people. Others, through involvement with occultism, have come under demon harassment, hearing strange voices. Some have even lost their sanity. Nevertheless, relief is possible. By studying the Bible and applying what they learn, many have been able to gain freedom from enslavement to wicked spirit forces.
In Liberia, a woman spent nearly three months as a prisoner in her own home, fearing to leave. Why? She said a spell had been cast on her and she had been told not to enter or leave her house by the front door for seven months. One of Jehovah's witnesses called on her and began a Bible study. Soon the Witnesses encouraged the "imprisoned" woman to put her trust in Jehovah, disregard the spell and begin attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall. This she did, and for the first time in months she left through the door of her home. Acting in harmony with the Bible set her free.
In Chile, one of Jehovah's witnesses visited a young man who had been released from an insane asylum as being hopelessly incurable. The Witness found the young man in one of his more rational moments and succeeded in starting a home Bible study with him. The young man's mother was glad that someone was taking an interest in her son, but she told the Witness that everything had been tried with no success.
When information about wicked spirit forces was considered during one of the studies, the young man remarked that he had been studying
books on black magic and found them useful. The Witness explained to him that black magic was the product of an evil force—Satan the Devil—and presented the Bible's evidence concerning the dangers involved. The man immediately accepted what was said and burned the books. From that day on he made excellent progress. He no longer complained about violent headaches, and could sleep at night without hearing any voices. Soon he began attending meetings of Jehovah's witnesses and started sharing with others the things he had learned from the Bible.
The neighbors were simply amazed at the change in this young man. In the past he at times became extremely violent, throwing stones at passersby and beating up children. But such violent outbursts came to their end, and he is now striving to maintain peace with fellow humans.
Others have experienced like beneficial changes and personal relief after destroying items associated with the occult and then conforming their lives to God's will. A woman from the United States relates: "Upon finding that it is against Bible principles to engage in any form of spiritism, I destroyed every book, picture and relic having to do with the occult or divination, and afterward felt as if a great weight had been lifted from my head."
No question about it, Bible truth, if applied, can result in one's release from slavery to wicked spirit forces.
GOOD NEWS! In this world what is good news to one is often bad news to another. And, sad to say, the expression sometimes used in jest, 'That's the good news; now for the bad news,' is all too real in life.
2 There is a good news, though, for all mankind, that has no bad news along with it for lovers of righteousness. It is good news for such persons irrespective of their race, color or background.
3Jehovah God, the Creator of mankind, is the Source of the good news. The Bible is his Word of communication with us. Look where you may, you can find this good news nowhere else. (Gal. 1:6, 7, 11, 12) The apostle Paul, an ordained minister and an apostle, was specifically chosen by
FOR
GOOD NEWS
Christ himself as a preacher of good news to the non-Jewish nations. As early as Paul's time, there were some selfish Christians distorting the good news. (2 Cor. 11:4) Paul wrote emphatically: "However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond what we declared to you as good news, let him be accursed."—Gal. 1: 8, 15, 16.
ITS CONTENT
news, as declared by the apostles of Jesus Christ?
Briefly, it is this: God has arranged and prepared for a special government to take care of this earth's problems. It will rule exclusively and undisturbed for a thousand years. During that time it will erase everything that has ever given rise to bad news. All of earth's inhabitants that want to live in harmony with God and their fellowman will be alive, and the bad news of the past will not be something that will in any way burden their hearts, detracting from their happiness. Prophetically God's servant Isaiah said: "The former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart."—Isa. 65:17.
What God says cannot fail to come true, and he has a timetable for all his works. (Heb. 6:18; Isa. 46:11; compare Galatians 4:4.) If we take time to look into his Word, we find that we now live in a specially happy time as relates to the good news. Why so? Because Bible prophecies and events in fulfillment indicate that God has established his Messianic king upon the throne in heaven and that his thousand-year rule is practically upon us.
However, someone may say, 'Why merely keep talking about "good news"? Why hasn't God already brought all these good things to the earth?' Because he respects the intelligence and moral freedom he has given us—the right to decide which way we want to go—whether to submit to God's sovereignty or to choose man-rule. God has let men try every conceivable form of government, and by now sensible men should have found out that "it does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jer. 10:23) Moreover, as heretofore mentioned, God has a timetable in which he works things out thoroughly for the benefit of all. During this time he
also allows mankind sufficient time to lay a strong foundation for faith in his Messianic government.
'How has this been done? Let us see further what the apostle Paul said about the good news with which he was entrusted: "Now the Scripture, seeing in advance that God would declare people of the nations righteous due to faith, declared the good news beforehand to Abraham, namely: 'By means of you all the nations will be blessed.' Consequently those who adhere to faith are being blessed together with faithful Abraham."—Gal. 3:8, 9; Gen. 12:3; 22:18.
8 "All the nations" will be blessed through Abraham. God told this to Abraham the Hebrew before the Jewish nation had come into existence. So, while God later dealt with the Jews exclusively for a time, the real, ultimate blessing is for people of all nations.
9 How does the apostle Paul say that this blessing will come? He explains: "Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It says, not: 'And to seeds,' as in the case of many such, but as in the case of one: 'And to your seed,' who is Christ." (Gal. 3:16) The blessing, then, was to come through one "seed" or offspring of Abraham, namely, "Christ." Paul goes on to say that the Law covenant, made centuries after this promise to Abraham, certainly did not invalidate the Abrahamic promise. "Why, then, the Law?" he asks. He explains that it showed up men to be sinners, needing help from God. It pointed to the great Seed of promise through whom blessings would come to mankind: "Consequently the Law has become our tutor leading to Christ."—Gal. 3:19-29, 7-9.
10 The arrival of Messiah, then, was certainly good news.
When Jesus approached John the Baptist and was baptized, and holy spirit manifested itself upon him in the visible form of a dove, John had proof that the long-awaited Messiah had indeed arrived.—Matt. 3:16, 17; John 1:32-34.
EXPANDED PROCLAMATION
11 Now with the coming to pass of these events the good news was greatly expanded and given a tremendous impetus. Paul says that Christ Jesus by being made manifest "shed light upon life and incorruption through the good news." (2 Tim. 1: 10) From that time on, features of the good news became much clearer. Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah, the one whose sacrifice atoned for the sins of mankind. This One would be the King. His kingdom would rule, not from an earthly throne, but from a heavenly one. Also, it was made clear that there would be a considerable lapse of time before the complete blessings of this kingdom would come to all mankind. Jesus himself said that the nations would have sway over the earth "until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled." (Luke 21:24) This was a reference to Daniel's prophecy of the "seven times," which ran from the desolating of Jerusalem by Babylon in 607 B.C.E., down past the time when Jesus spoke, on to the autumn of 1914 C.E.*—Dan. 4:16, 23, 25, 32.
12 What was to take place during all that time? We are told, at Hebrews 10:12, 13, that Christ "offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his
enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet." After his resurrection and ascension to heaven "Christ entered, not into a holy place made with hands [as in the temple at Jerusalem], which is a copy of the reality, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the person of God for us." (Heb. 9:24) The foundation had now been laid for the forgiveness of sins, and this good news had to be given wide proclamation, not to the Jews only, but to the entire world. (Acts 17:30) That has been done under Christ's heavenly supervision right down to our day.—1 Tim. 2:5, 6.
THE KING ENTHRONED
15 Now, since 1914 C.E., when "the appointed times of the nations" ended, the good news is better than ever. The King is now enthroned, the Kingdom has begun operating! The vision given to the apostle John and recorded in the book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of the "birth" of the Kingdom that is put in the hands of Christ: "And she [God's heavenly 'woman'] gave birth to a son, a male, who is to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod. And her child was caught away to God and to his throne." So Christ was up there among God's heavenly family, ready to receive kingly power. He was there brought in, presented to the heavenly hosts and enthroned as the Messianic King.—Rev. 12:5; Heb. 1:6.
14 At this point the psalm to which the apostle made reference at Hebrews 10:12, 13 had further features fulfilled: "The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: 'Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.' The rod of your strength Jehovah will send out of [heavenly] Zion, saying: 'Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.'" (Ps. 110:1, 2) The Revelation vision expresses the action that followed in this way: "And war broke out in heaven: Michael [Jesus Christ, also called 'the archangel.'
(Compare Jude 9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Daniel 12:1.)] and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him."—Rev. 12:7-9.
15 What good news this was! A loud voice in heaven announced, rejoicing: "Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! . . . On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them!" This would bring increased trials to mankind, for the heavenly voice continued: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."—Rev. 12:10-12.
16 This good news that the Kingdom is operating and that Satan the Devil, the great adversary of God, has but a short period of time now at the earth, is something worthy of proclaiming to every man and woman on earth. And it takes time to reach the nations. Every individual may not be personally reached and spoken to before the Kingdom begins its undisputed rule over earth. But Jesus said: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come."—Matt. 24:14.
17 Now, since Christ has conquered in heaven and has confined Satan and his demon angels to earth's vicinity, the good news is being given its widest proclamation ever, in 208 lands in the earth, even in countries under Communist domination. This service rendered by many volunteer workers was foretold by the psalmist, as he continued: "Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. . . . You have your company of young men just like dewdrops." (Ps. 110:3) Like young, vigorous warriors, numerous as dewdrops, Jehovah's witnesses, young and old, men and women, are willingly, zealously telling the people this good news of Christ's kingly activity. Have you been stirred to action alongside them?
18 The Revelation scene depicts what Christ is doing and will soon do, John recording the picture for us in these words: "And I saw, and, look! a white horse; and the one seated upon it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went forth conquering and to complete his conquest."—Rev. 6:2.
—Rev. 6:2.
19 Christ, having 'conquered' in heaven, is now maneuvering his enemies into position where he will "complete his conquest," cleansing the earth of all the unrighteous, false religions, all political and commercial elements, and all who are determined to oppress their fellowman. Finally, he will put Satan and his demons completely out of action so that their death-dealing influence is gone.—Rev. 20: 1-3.
TO BECOME MAJOR ISSUE
20 Meanwhile, the good news of the Kingdom is having ever wider distribution and proclamation, and each year scores of thousands more are hearing it with faith.
It is true that there is still great indifference on the part of the majority of people. But since the good news involves the truth about Jehovah God's sovereignty, it is yet to become a far bigger issue.
21 Take, as an example, what occurred in ancient Egypt, when Moses and Aaron, at God's command, requested that Pharaoh release God's enslaved people, the offspring of Abraham. This led to the fulfillment of a promise made centuries beforehand. —Gen. 15:13-16.
22 We can see a similarity today. Just as in Egypt, honest-hearted people today are oppressed religiously, politically and commercially, all through the influence of the Devil, who is seeing that troubles increase. What occurred back there in Egypt when the time came for God to liberate his people?
28 Moses came to the Israelites with the exceedingly good news that God's time for deliverance had come. Note that at this time God's sovereignty was challenged by Pharaoh, who said to Moses: "Who is Jehovah, so that I should obey his voice to send Israel away?" (Ex. 5:2) So what Moses said in the name of Jehovah seemed insignificant to Pharaoh and to his people at first. But it came to be of the greatest importance to them. In fact, the Egyptians were finally forced to take, not an indifferent position, but a very decisive, definite one. How?
24 Well, during the ten plagues God informed Moses ahead of time as to what he was going to do. Moses, in turn, told Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Then it came to pass just as Moses had said. Each plague
was foretold by Moses, and then each plague occurred just as foretold, and on time. Finally, with the death of the first-born ones of Egypt, Pharaoh let Israel go. But he was like Satan, not giving up in his efforts, and he was destroyed with his army as Jehovah delivered Israel through the Red Sea.—Ex. 14:26-28; Ps. 136:15.
25 The news proclaimed by Moses was good news to the enslaved people of God, and good news also to those Egyptians who heard with faith. These, a "vast mixed company," went up out of Egypt with Israel. (Ex. 12:38) It also played a large part in letting the Egyptians know that "there is no one else like Jehovah our God." (Ex. 8:10) It proved before all that Jehovah was 'executing judgments on all the gods of Egypt.' (Ex. 12:12) Moses' proclamation was very essential. If God had acted in bringing the plagues without prior announcement, the Egyptians might well have concluded that they had offended their own gods, among whom were gods over the fruitage of the field, over cattle, gods of the sun, the rain and the firstborn, and so forth. But when the plagues came, they knew better, because the plagues occurred in the time and in the way that Moses had previously announced. Their gods were powerless to protect them.
58 Likewise, the good news about the established kingdom of God and its deliverance of mankind in this generation is most essential and is being heard, particularly in the lands called Christendom. In the eyes of the people, it is not the BIG issue yet. But God is going to force the nations to take a definite position. For all the nations desire their own national sovereignty. But the proclaimers of the good news stand for God's sovereignty.
The nations "will also have to know that a prophet himself had proved to be in the midst of them." —Ezek. 33:33.
27 As an example of the seriousness with which the nations will take the proclamation of the good news, note the action that the prophecy says will be precipitated on the part of the dictatorial, totalitarian bloc of nations, spoken of in the Scriptures as the "king of the north." Daniel's prophecy states about this "king": "There will be reports that will disturb him, out of the sunrising and out of the north, and he will certainly go forth in a great rage in order to annihilate and to devote many to destruction. . . . and he will have to come all the way to his end, and there will be no helper for him." (Dan. 11:44, 45) Commenting on this passage, the Watch Tower Society's book "Your Will Be Done on Earth" states:
"Up to now . . . [Jehovah's witnesses] have been reporting on Jehovah's universal sovereignty, on the establishment of his kingdom by Christ at the close of the 'appointed times of the nations' in 1914, and on the coming 'war of the great day of God the Almighty' . . .
"Since the reports really issue forth from Jehovah and through his reigning King Jesus Christ, it is Scripturally well said that the reports are out of the north and the east. . . . (Ps. 75:6, 7; 48:2; . . . Isa. 46:10, 11) So, not merely the reports, but also the forces of destruction will come from those directions upon the king of the north. As the reports must reach this king by means of Jehovah's visible earthly channel of news-reporting, so as to infiltrate the king to his ruinous course, this prophecy makes one thing clear: Jehovah's sanctuary class and their great crowd of fellow worshipers will persist in obeying Matthew 24:14 by preaching 'this good news of the Kingdom' in all the inhabited earth."
28 These reports not only have been proclamations of the good news, but have been accompanied by records of the great number of persons running into the strong protective tower of Jehovah's name, and worshiping at his great spiritual temple. (Prov. 18:10; Isa. 2:2-4) These reports instill fear, not only in the "king of the north," but also in the opposing bloc of nations, the "king of the south." The reports become a big issue, moving them to action. It was a similar attitude that the Jews took toward Jesus, saying: "If we let him alone this way, they will all put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." (John 11:48) Again, they said, in fear: "See! The world has gone after him." (John 12:19) Also of Paul and his companion preachers of the good news, they said, in Thessalonica: "These men that have overturned the inhabited earth are present here also." (Acts 17:6) So in order to stop the proclaimers of the good news the nations will act, to their final destruction.
28 Therefore, it is nothing unexpected that the nations of earth will attack those who declare the good news, because these nations hate God's sovereignty. But the preachers of the good news know that they are standing for the right side of the issue, the successful, God-backed side, and they continue to give the fullest possible publicity to the all-important good news.
30 Where do you stand in this matter? Are you one who believes the good news? Do you have the spirit of declaring it to others? How and where? This will be the subject of the following discussion.
THE work of proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom is one of the most important works that has ever been done on earth.
Why? Because it is the "touchstone" by which mankind is judged. Acceptance of and obedience to the good news result in salvation; rejection and obedience mean destruction.
2 For example, a person may be very religious. He may appear to have a fine personality, to be generous, humanitarian. But his reaction to the good news reveals whether he is really a friend of God. For God knows the hearts of men. "Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes," says the writer of Proverbs, "but Jehovah is making an estimate of hearts." (Prov. 21: 2) A Christian must have a fine personality, but regardless of that or any other characteristic, if he does not have love for God and for his fellowman, he is nothing. —1 Cor. 13:1-3.
3Do you accept the good news? Are you obedient to it? Do you desire to tell it to others? Is it necessary for you to proclaim the good news in order to be obedient to it?
IMPORTANCE OF THE EVANGELIZING SPIRIT
Anything we receive as good news we naturally want to tell to others, and we often do so out of the sheer joy of speaking it. However, the good news of the Kingdom prompts us to tell it to others, not only through joy, but also through love for our fellowman. The evangelizing spirit is one of love for God and neighbor. The good news means life to the receiver, and so it is essential that it be proclaimed far and wide. The apostle Paul wrote, in one of his earliest inspired letters, that at Christ's revelation from heaven "those
DO YOU HAVE
THE EVANGELIZING SPIRIT?
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who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus" would "undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction." —2 Thess. 1:8, 9.
The apostle Peter stressed the importance of knowing and obeying the good news when he spoke of Christians being judged, saying: "Now if it [judgment] starts first with us, what will the end be of those [professed Christians] who are not obedient to the good news of God?" He added: "And if the righteous man is being saved with difficulty, where will the ungodly man and the sinner make a showing?" (1 Pet. 4:17, 18) Accordingly, the spirit that the proclaimer of the good news must have is, not merely to proclaim it, but to get it firmly fixed in the hearts of the hearers. Why? Because even the righteous man among professed Christians will be saved only "with difficulty."
The Greek word used in the Bible for "good news" is euag-ge'lion, or "evangel." The Bible uses the term "evangelel" with respect to certain designated ones, for it tells us that Jesus, when he ascended to heaven, gave gifts in men, "some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ."
(Eph. 4:11, 12) These "evangelizers" appear to have been given God's spirit in a specially strong way in preaching, training and building up others. Philip was one of these.—Acts 21:8, 9.
Nevertheless, all proclaimers of the good news are, in a general sense, evangelizers. They should certainly have the evangelizing spirit. They should declare the good news, but not stop there. They should do all they can to train and build up others so that these, in turn, can have the same strong spirit. To accomplish this they will need to use every occasion and opportunity to talk about the good news. The first-century Christians provide many examples for us.
PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS IN THE FIRST CENTURY
8 Jesus himself "went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him." (Luke 8:1) Nearly all Jesus' travels were on foot. He on occasion sent his disciples ahead of him so that the village or city would be expectant and ready to listen to him. (Luke 10:1) He taught where he could reach people. It might be in a village, at the temple in Jerusalem, in a private home, in his own place of residence, in the synagogues, on the seashore, on a mountain. And he spoke to those he met on the road, or while resting—in short, at any time and place where people were—Matt. 5:1; 13:1, 2; 26:6-13; Mark 2:1, 2; 3:1-5; John 4:6-10.
century did quite a lot of traveling. They went to places where God revealed there was a need for their services. We read that Philip went down to Samaria. After he had done good work there he was directed by Jehovah's angel to go to the south to the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he explained the good news to an Ethiopian eunuch. God's spirit
directed him from there to Ashdod and "he went through the territory and kept on declaring the good news to all the cities until he got to Caesarea." (Acts 8:4-40) There we find him later in a home, a man with a family.—Acts 21:8, 9.
19 Philip might be compared, in a way, to the "pioneers," "special pioneers" and missionaries among Jehovah's witnesses, who have a special commission to preach. But a fine evangelizing spirit is shown by those who move their homes to places where there is a greater need for some to preach. Some of these have families, as did Philip.
11 Paul was one of the greatest evangelizers. He traveled widely in Asia and Europe, declaring the good news everywhere he went. He tried to preach mainly where the good news had not been declared. In some places he stayed for quite a time, to establish and strengthen congregations. It is interesting to note that in this evangelizing activity Paul supported himself financially by working at a trade.—2 Cor. 10:13-16; Acts 18:1-4; 19:8-10; 1 Cor. 9: 15-18.
EVANGELIZING DOES NOT NECESSARILY INVOLVE TRAVELING
12 While it is true that these evangelizers, for the most part, did considerable traveling, it is not necessary to travel to another location to preach if we have the evangelizing spirit. For the spirit of evangelizing is not the spirit of travel and adventure. Where a person is free from obligations that would prevent his moving, and offers himself to do so, he may be assigned, through those having charge of the preaching work in a country, to a specific place where his services are most needed. There his traveling may end, for he may settle down there, as Philip did in Caesarea, and continue to declare the good news, building up the congregation in that locality. He may remain there for many years, even for a lifetime, as have many of the missionaries of Jehovah's witnesses.
18 But some persons may not be able to move, because of family obligations, health or for other reasons. Nevertheless, if they have the evangelizing spirit they can accomplish much good right in the area where they are living. As an example of this, there is a small congregation in the state of Arkansas, United States. A Witness there has lived in the area for many years. His conduct has been such that everyone for miles around knows of his Christian personality, and he has a fine reputation for honesty and uprightness. The congregation is small, but if all those who heard and accepted the good news by reason of his preaching and example had remained in the area, there would be a congregation of great size for that small community. But this man and his wife
worked so hard, and set such a fine example of love and Christian living, and did such good training of new ones who accepted the good news, that they instilled the evangelizing spirit in their hearers to the extent that they, in turn, moved out to places where the need is greater. A surprising number have gone from this congregation to the Gilead missionary school and have been sent to foreign lands to serve. Should this man and his wife be discouraged because they could not travel to places where the good news did not have such intensive publicity? By no means. Jehovah has richly blessed them, and their work at home has had a worldwide effect.
14 So, wherever you are, you have unlimited opportunities to preach. There is
the door-to-door preaching of the good news. Then there are those whom you may rarely, if ever, meet at their homes. These you may see in your daily work, at your shop or in your travels. You find them sitting in cars in parking lots, gasoline filling station lines, in parks. If you have the spirit of wanting to share the good news with others, you do not always have to have a formal arrangement, or a set time. You are a witness of Jehovah all the time! You tell others the good news because it is in your heart, and you find yourself talking about it or making opportunities to talk about it under all circumstances.
—Jer. 20:9.
EVANGELIZING MEANS MORE THAN MERE PROCLAMATION
15 Now, there is more to the evangelizing spirit than merely telling others the good news. There is much depth of meaning in the good news, and some things are "hard to understand." (2 Pet. 3:16) It requires thinking on your part to determine how to put these points across to your student of the good news. Not only this, but it is one thing to help to get mental knowledge and another to get things into the heart. You will notice that, in Jesus' illustration of the sower, the seed fell where? On hearts. You as a preacher of the good news want to cultivate that seed in the heart of your student.—Matt. 13:19.
16 An evangelizer must have affection for people, even as the apostle Paul demonstrated, and which he describes, saying: "Having a tender affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us." (1 Thess. 2:8) Paul and his associates exerted every fiber of their being toward those in Thessalonica who accepted the good news. Paul's time and energies were theirs, and he wished and tried with all his heart to make them have the same all-consuming love of the good news by living it in every aspect of their lives.
17 Do you feel and work that way toward those to whom you take the good news? If so, you will not be selfish toward them. You will not count them as your "sheep," but will care for them as belonging to the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd. (1 Pet. 5:1-4) You will try to instill in them the spirit of God. You will try to acquaint them as much as possible with others of the congregation, for you realize that "there are varieties of gifts, but there is the same spirit; and there are varieties of ministries, and yet there is the same Lord; and there are varieties of operations, and yet it is the same God who performs all the operations in all persons. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for a beneficial purpose." (1 Cor. 12: 4-7) You will appreciate that you do not have all the abilities nor all the manifestations of Jehovah's spirit. But you know that by association with the congregation, newly interested persons will be where Jehovah's spirit is most concentrated and will be brought along to maturity by that association.
BUILDING AND TRAINING
15 The evangelizing spirit is not measured in the amount of time devoted to preaching to others. It includes the effectiveness of one's building up and training others. A person with whom you study may be grasping some of the fundamental doctrines, such as the truth of an earthly paradise, the fallacies of such doctrines as immortality of the human soul, hellfire of torment and the Trinity. He may get a good head knowledge about these things. He may be able to answer the questions in the study quite well. But you are not aiming principally at the head but at the heart. What, then, are the things you want to instill in his heart to make him a sound, mature Christian?—Heb. 6:1-3.
19 You will want to check constantly and keep ever in mind the following vital points, and it is up to you to work hard to help the one you are studying with to see them: Is your student coming to know Jehovah, that is, does he understand why Jehovah is having the good news brought to him and to others?
Does he understand why God has let wickedness continue for a time and why he does not act according to human desire, to wipe it out immediately? Does he see clearly the issue of Jehovah's sovereignty, and the loving-kindness of God in allowing time to be taken in settling the issue? Does he see that the things that are happening in the earth hurt God much more than they hurt us? that God, able to bring an end to bad things, restrains himself for mankind's own benefit? (Compare Genesis 6:3, 5-7.) Does he discern that all the good qualities that we possess to some degree, God has to a far greater degree—love, appreciation, feeling, considerateness, mercy, patience? Does he view God as a close friend, as one willing to do whatever is good for him? He must come to know God as an Appreciator of those who serve him even in the smallest service that they render from the heart. He that pleases God must believe that he is the Rewarder of those who seek him. (Heb. 11:6) He is that kind of God. All those with the true evangelizing spirit know this to be true, and so they endeavor to instill this same desire in others to love and serve Him for his matchless qualities.—Ex. 34:6, 7; Ps. 145:8-21.
20 So, when teaching and training those accepting the good news, you should ever keep these things uppermost in mind, and constantly be inculcating them in the hearts of your hearers. You want them to gain maturity, which includes the ability to discern both right and wrong. (Heb.
5:14) Whatever you teach them, whatever point they learn, relate it to Jehovah's love, mercy, compassion and other qualities. Bring them to see that Jehovah is the one interested in them, that he is the one helping them, and that all they learn comes from that great Source, and out of his consideration for them.
21 Lead your students to know that they can have a personal relationship with God. It is not impersonal doctrine they are learning, nor is it because of their own intelligence or goodness that they are able to understand. It is God's interest in mankind that has brought them to see the good news. Show them what a divine favor it is that God has seen fit to permit them to see and understand; without the operation of his spirit the good news would never have been made understandable to them. The wise men of this world are highly intelligent, but they cannot understand the good news. (Matt. 11:25; 1 Cor. 1:19-21) Let them know that you are only an instrument to bring things to their attention. It is Jehovah who is the Grand Instructor of his people.—Isa. 30:20; 54:13.
22 You realize, when you are teaching and training a newly interested person, that he is going to encounter opposition, even persecution. Prepare him for this, and show him why persecution comes, and why God allows it. Help him to understand Bible texts showing that those receiving persecution are highly favored. It is a proof of God's spirit upon one. It is not something to be ashamed of or downcast about, but, rather, something over which he should leap for joy. (Matt. 5:11, 12; Phil. 1:27, 28; 2 Tim. 1:8; Jas. 1:2, 12; 1 Pet. 4:12-14) Strengthen him against possible opposition from family or friends with Jesus' words at Mark 10:29, 30. You can encourage him to endure in faithfulness in the hope that he may eventually be able to bring salvation to those near and dear to him.
28 Since the evangelizing spirit includes training, we, in making disciples to be like their Master Jesus Christ, must see that they qualify to become preachers of the good news. People should not be invited to engage with the members of the congregation in preaching before they fully clean up their lives so as to qualify. They must understand that all must be clean who bear the vessels of Jehovah. (Isa. 52:11; 2 Cor. 7:1) They must see that having the "mark" of the Christian personality is what pleases God and prevents his anger from coming upon them.—Ezek. 9:4-6; Eph. 4:23, 24.
24 God wants people to serve him who are Christians through and through. He is not interested in quantity, in merely having a great number of preachers of the good news. But he is drawing out from this corrupt system of things those who will clean up. His spirit, which he puts upon those who obey him, is a force for cleanness. If a person follows any course that is unclean, he is going contrary to the purpose for which God sends forth his spirit, and that spirit will not back him up.—1 Thess. 4:7, 8.
25 So it is wise to implant these principles of right living in the hearts of interested persons from the beginning. Of course, they cannot be expected to clean up their lives at once, but the steady drive toward that goal is yours if you have the true evangelizing spirit. This can be done with kindness and tact and without unduly prying into their lives. Your purpose
is to know your student and to help him where he needs help. Then you can take him with you, training him to share in proclaiming the good news.
28 Similarly, baptism should not be encouraged until you know that the individual has really cleaned up his life and has lived in this clean condition long enough to indicate that he will not turn back to former bad habits and practices.
27 The evangelizing spirit is one that brings the greatest happiness. There is no greater joy now than being able to uphold Jehovah's name in an ungodly world, and to bring light and hope to others. And then, when you see those whom you are helping coming to know and to appreciate Jehovah and Jesus Christ and what they have done, your joy is increased. The evangelizing spirit does away with the spirit of jealousy or envy. It rejoices in the spiritual advance of others, particularly of those whom you are helping. You feel in this respect as the apostle Paul desired Timothy to feel: "The things you heard from me with the support of many witnesses, these things commit to faithful men, who, in turn, will be adequately qualified to teach others."—2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Cor. 10:24.
28 Consequently, all true servants of Jehovah desire to cultivate the evangelizing spirit in themselves and in others. If you desire to intensify this spirit within yourself, associate closely with those who have this fine attitude, and enlist the aid of the elders in the congregation. They will be happy to help you, for they know that it glorifies God and works toward the salvation of themselves and those whom they help.—1 Tim. 4:16.
Insight on the News
In 1972 the United States enjoyed its first reported drop in the crime rate in 17 years.
Victory over Crime?
The 2-percent decrease stirred talk of a start in 'winning the war against crime.' But victory talk faded away when the figures for last year were tallied. Serious crime—such as murder, rape, aggravated
assault, burglary and auto theft—had jumped 5 percent during 1973. That means that over 6,100,000 crimes took place, about 19,400 for each day of the year.
…