The Watchtower, January 1, 1977
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WATCHTOWER
Even For Our Day!
JANUARY 1, 1977
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
January 1, 1977
Vol. 98, Number 1
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
A New Year—Time for a Change? 3
What Did the Wise Man Mean? 4
"Good News"—Even for Our Day! 5
Jesus' Royal Act of Humility 9
Insight on the News 11
Serving with the Faithful "Slave" 12
"Girded" for the Work Ahead 17
The Medo-Persian Empire in Prophecy 26
just that.
How can it benefit you? Consider: Do you long for a better world, one of true justice and free from sorrow, hatred and war? Do you want to live at a time when genuine peace and love prevail among people of all races? Then this magazine can aid you. Using God's Word, the Bible, as its authority, it points out the clear evidence that the present wicked system of things will soon end, destroyed by God. But it also announces the coming in of a righteous new order. There, under the rule of God's kingdom, his heavenly government, people will enjoy life forever in true peace, health and happiness
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Faithfulness to the Word of God lifts The Watchtower above the contradicting religious teachings and philosophies of men. It stays strictly neutral as regards political affairs. It wholeheartedly upholds the highest moral standard—that of man's Maker, Jehovah God. From this source, it shows solutions to the problems of daily life.
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A NEW YEAR -TIME FOR A CHANGE?
"A NO nuevo, vida nueva" is an old Spanish proverb that means "a new year, a new life." Lots of people today and not just those who are sick, povertystricken, hungry or threatened by war and violence—would like to see the new year bring a turn for the better in their personal lives.
But most of us know that replacing an old calendar with a new one really does not change anything. When we pick up the January 1, 1977, newspaper the news in it will be very much what it was the day before. That is because the change in the year will not change people—and people are what makes life what it is.
Yet the end of a year and the start of a new one does do something. It often makes people reflect on their lives and the passing of time. It can make one ask: "Just where am I going? What am I doing with the years of my life? Is it time for a change?"
We cannot change what others are and certainly not what the whole world is. But we can give new direction to our own lives that can bring us greater happiness. By New Year's resolutions? No. Most people break these within a few days of making them. Resolving to make a change just because the year is changing does not give us genuine, strong motivation to follow through. There needs to be a greater force, a solid hope of something better that moves us to action.
That is why the Bible urges: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not THE WATCHTOWER — JANUARY 1, 1977
lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight."—Prov. 3: 5, 6.
If our hopes for a better future are based on just ourselves and our own imperfect knowledge and abilities,
we have to admit that this is not much of a foundation. Even if they are based on an entire nation or on the whole world, the situation is really no better. The world shows the same imperfections as we ourselves have, only on a bigger scale. And that will prove true in 1977 just as much as in 1976 or in any other year. Good sense, then, tells us that we need to look to a source higher than ourselves—loftier than the whole world of imperfect mankind.
Do you, perhaps, feel as though you are only marking time, not really accomplishing anything with your life? Or do you find that your married life or your family life is showing signs of stress and even dangerous trouble? Or do you wonder why humankind as a whole just seems to flounder along, going from one crisis to another with little or nothing to encourage us that the future will bring better things?
In that case—not because of a change in the calendar, but because of what it can bring you in the way of sound help and a solid hope—there could be no better time for you to investigate the contents of the Bible. This can bring about a change in your life for which you will be forever grateful. The publishers of this magazine are interested in showing you how you can gain such Bible understanding.
"Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." —Prov. 3:5, 6.
WHAT DID THE WISE MAN MEAN?
KING Solomon was one of the wisest men that ever lived. Speaking truthfully, he could say: "I myself have greatly increased in wisdom more than anyone that happened to be before me in Jerusalem, and my own heart saw a great deal of wisdom and knowledge." (Eccl. 1:16) In saying that his "own heart saw a great deal of wisdom and knowledge," Solomon evidently meant that he had more than just a brain filled with much information. Wisdom and knowledge had affected his heart, becoming a part of him. He appreciated their value and was motivated to use his knowledge and wisdom.
Solomon left no avenue unexplored in getting to know wisdom. He comments: "I set my heart to seek and explore wisdom in relation to everything that has been done under the heavens. . . . I proceeded to give my heart to knowing wisdom and to knowing madness, and I have come to know folly." (Eccl. 1:13, 17) Solomon was stirred to be diligent, whole-hearted, in his efforts to become intimately acquainted with wisdom. He did not limit himself to investigating the commands and dictates of wisdom but also explored madness and folly. He observed carefully how other men followed a course of madness and foolishness. Based on what he saw, Solomon drew sound conclusions as to how to avoid problems.
What did he learn from his thorough investigation of all aspects of mundane knowledge and wisdom? "This too is a
striving after wind. For in the abundance of wisdom there is an abundance of vexation, so that he that increases knowledge increases pain."—Eccl. 1: 17, 18.
As Solomon pointed out, a basic reason for this is: "That which is made crooked cannot be made straight, and that
which is wanting cannot possibly be counted." (Eccl. 1:15) The person who increases in worldly knowledge becomes painfully aware of the fact that many "crooked" things in this imperfect system cannot be straightened out. Neither time nor circumstances allow it to be corrected. In fact, so many things in human affairs are defective that they cannot even be numbered. The greater a person's knowledge and wisdom, therefore, the keener his awareness of how limited his opportunities are to change things for the better. A short life-span and unfavorable conditions in an imperfect human society work against him. This gives rise to vexation and frustration.
Godly wisdom, however, does not produce such negative effects, but builds hope, faith and confidence. Such wisdom is described in the Scriptures as follows: "The wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical." (Jas. 3:17) To which kind of wisdom are you giving the greatest attention—to the kind that brings frustration or to godly wisdom, the kind that can help you to get the best from life even now?
THE WATCHTOWER JANUARY 1, 1977
"GOOD NEWS" -Even For Our Day!
MY WIFE died, I lost my job, my TV went bad and the radio too. I had a bad accident, got injured and have so much pain. There's nothing more in life for me. So I'm going to end all my troubles." Thus spoke a man in Ohio to a complete stranger. Obviously this man desperately needed "good news." But is there any "good news" today that could bring comfort to
such a man and to millions of other distressed humans?
One book that has existed for centuries can rightly lay claim to providing the best of news. Millions, including the troubled man in Ohio, have been encouraged and cheered by its message. It has given many persons renewed hope and put meaning into their lives. The book has universal appeal. Its "good news" is, in fact, directed to "every nation and tribe and tongue and people." (Rev. 14:6) Appropriately this book, the Bible, has been translated, the whole or in part, into more than 1,575 languages and dialects.
REASON FOR THE "GOOD NEWS"
To appreciate just what the "good news" found in the Bible is, we need to know why we find ourselves living in a world filled with sickness, pain, lawlessness, violence and death. Again, it is
It was never God's purpose for people to suffer. The Creator, Jehovah God, set before the first humans, Adam and Eve, the prospect of never-ending life in a delightful earthly paradise. (Gen. 2:8, 9, 15) However, man's Maker arranged matters in such a way that the life of humankind depended upon conformity to law. For example, man must breathe, eat and drink in order to continue living. Likewise, obedience to God's stated commands is essential for the continuance of man's life. Therefore, when Adam disobeyed God's law, he lost perfection and, as a sinful man, could father only imperfect offspring. Says the Bible, "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." —Rom. 5:12.
Happily, Jehovah God purposed to free the human race from sin and death in his own due time. Meanwhile, with few exceptions, he allowed humans to follow their own desires and did not prevent their enjoying the benefits of the natural cycles he put into operation ages ago.
For this reason the Christian apostle Paul could say to the idolatrous people of Lystra: "In the past generations [God] permitted all the nations to go on in their ways, although, indeed, he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts to the full with food and good cheer."—Acts 14:16, 17.
Of course, if people choose to ignore their conscience or foolishly disregard physical laws, they cannot escape bringing trouble upon themselves and likely also upon others. Jehovah God does not step in to prevent the outworking of the unchangeable law: "Whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap." (Gal. 6:7) So the Most High has allowed humankind to experience both good and bad, while working out his own purpose respecting them.
FREEING MANKIND
The Scriptures reveal that Jehovah God has already laid the basis for freeing mankind from sin and death. He did so by providing a ransom price for the human race. How and why did he do this?
When Adam violated God's law, he lost perfect human life for himself and for his unborn offspring. Thus the entire human race came into slavery to sin and death. A ransom price was needed to free the human family from this slavery. That price had to be the exact equivalent of what Adam lost through his disobedience —perfect human life.
No human effort could provide this valuable price. The hopelessness of doing so is well described by the inspired psalmist: "Not one of them can by any means redeem even a brother, nor give to God
a ransom for him; (and the redemption price of their soul is so precious that it has ceased to time indefinite) that he should still live forever and not see the pit."—Ps. 49:7-9.
However, through a miracle Jehovah God provided what was needed. By means of his holy spirit, he transferred the life of his only-begotten Son from the heavens to the womb of the Jewish virgin Mary. Hence, this one, who came to be called Jesus Christ, could be born "holy," free from sin. The angel Gabriel made this clear when saying to Mary: "Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God's Son."—Luke 1:35.
Being perfect as was Adam when created, Jesus could offer up his life in sacrifice, thereby furnishing the needed ransom price. In effect, he stepped in for the human race, taking upon himself the penalty that sinful mankind deserves death. Explaining this, the apostle Peter wrote: "He himself bore our sins in his own body upon the stake, in order that we might be done with sins and live to righteousness. And 'by his stripes you were healed.'" (1 Pet. 2:24) Since that time humans have been given the opportunity to accept, on God's terms, the benefits of this ransom provision.
A RIGHTEOUS RULE WILL TRANSFORM THE EARTH
Back in the first century C.E., those who accepted God's provision for salvation had opened up to them the opportunity of becoming associated with Jesus Christ as king-priests after finishing their earthly life in faithfulness and being raised to immortal heavenly life. The Bible says of those who are chosen as joint heirs of Christ: "Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years."—Rev. 20:6.
For centuries, then, God has been selecting persons to officiate as kings and priests with his Son. As far as is humanly possible, those chosen must prove themselves to be persons who can be described as follows: "No falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish." (Rev. 14:5) Only tried, faithful servants of God could be allowed to share in the weighty responsibility of restoring the human race to perfection. Like the priests of ancient Israel who offered animal sacrifices to atone for sins, these will share in applying the sin-atoning benefits of Jesus' sacrifice toward mankind on earth.
So, by means of Jesus Christ and his fellow king-priests, Jehovah God will bring about the fulfillment of the grand promise: "He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."—Rev. 21:4.
What marvelous "good news" this is! The rule of Jesus Christ and his associates will effect a complete liberation from everything that has made life on earth unpleasant. The removal of all undesirable pain will necessarily mean as well the end of crime, poverty, violence, injustice, oppression and famine. Gone, too, will be the debilitating effects of sickness and old age. All mankind will enjoy youthful strength and vigor. No more will bitter tears be shed on account of suffering or death. In the light of what will be accomplished, we can appreciate why the Bible speaks of the "good news of the kingdom."—Matt. 24:14.
Surprisingly, though, it is not "good news" for all of earth's inhabitants. The
Holy Scriptures indicate that God's kingdom by Christ would have many enemies and that the nations would prefer their own rulerships. Their lining themselves up against God's kingdom, however, is doomed to fail. The prophecy of Daniel informs us: "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite." (Dan. 2:44) Yes, human rulerships and all their staunch defenders will go down in defeat before the "King of kings and Lord of lords," Jesus Christ.—Rev. 19:11-16.
The destruction will be so stupendous as to fit the Biblical description of "a time of distress such as has not been made to occur since there came to be a nation." (Dan. 12:1) Frightful as this "great tribulation" will be, it will bring welcome relief to all who truly want to be subjects of God's kingdom by Christ. (Rev. 7:14) The Scriptures assure us: "Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off." (2 Pet. 2:9) From the Bible book of Revelation we learn that there will be far more than just a few survivors. They are described as "a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues."—Rev. 7:9.
These survivors, including many children, will then come under the direct rule of Jesus Christ. They will experience the concern and compassion that are prophetically attributed to him: "He will deliver the poor one crying for help, also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper. He will feel sorry for the lowly one and the poor one, and the souls of the poor ones he will save. From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul, and their blood will be precious in his eyes."
(Ps. 72:12-14) It will also be their privilege to have his aid in overcoming weaknesses and imperfections, finally to stand before the Most High as sinless humans. Revelation 7:17 points to this when saying that the Lamb, Christ Jesus, "will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life."
What of those who die before the "great tribulation" brings destruction upon all the enemies of God's kingdom by Christ? They will be given the opportunity to gain the benefits of Christ's sacrifice through a resurrection from the dead. Just think of the joy the tribulation survivors will have in welcoming back the dead—men, women and children—in fulfillment of Jesus' words: "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."—John 5:28, 29.
WHEN WILL IT BE?
The thrilling news for our day is that the time for God's kingdom to take over earth's affairs is fast approaching. Note, for example, what the Bible says about the conditions that would mark the "last days" of the ungodly system of things: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, 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, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power." —2 Tim. 3:1-5.
Similarly, Jesus Christ told his disciples that deliverance would come at a time of great fear and anxiety among the nations. After saying that on the earth there would be "anguish of nations, not knowing the way out," Jesus followed this up with these encouraging words: "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near." Illustrating his point, he continued: "Note the fig tree and all the other trees: When they are already in the bud, by observing it you know for yourselves that now the summer is near. In this way you also, when you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur."—Luke 21:25-32.
Have we not witnessed the very things foretold in the Bible? Do we not, therefore, have good reason to expect deliverance soon? Yes, this means that there are persons alive today who may actually see the end of the present ungodly system, with its injustices and oppression. Those who may die before that time will not lose out on the blessings that only God's kingdom by Christ can bring about—total release from sickness, pain and death. Any injury that they may have experienced in this system will be completely undone upon their being resurrected with the prospect of never-ending life.
Surely the Bible does contain "good news" for our day. How encouraging it is to know that soon this earth will be a place of peace, a delightful paradise, free from sickness, pain and death!
Contentment
A person can greatly increase his contentment in life by learning to be happy with what he has instead of fretting constantly over what he does not have.
ONE of the outstanding qualities of Jesus Christ is his humility. He willingly gave up his high position in the heavens to become a man "a little lower than angels." (Heb. 2:7; Phil. 2:5-7) Then, while on earth, he did not seek to be served but humbly served others. (Matt. 20:28) Yet future is his fine royal act of humility as "King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev. 19:16) This is referred to at 1 Corinthians 15:24, where we read: "Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father." To appreciate what this involves, we must consider why Jehovah purposed to have his Son rule as King.
When Jehovah God created the first humans, Adam and Eve, he wanted them to remain in his love and at perfect unity with him. He had created them in such a way that everlasting life would be possible for them only if they maintained a good relationship with him through perfect obedience. By transgressing God's law, Adam and Eve alienated themselves from their Maker and lost the spiritual connection that they needed to continue living. Having ruined his perfection, Adam also lost the capability to father perfect offspring. "That is why," says the Bible, "just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." (Rom. 5:12) As sin means missing the mark of perfect obedience to God, the entire human race thus came to be at disunity with its Creator.
It was not God's will, however, for this situation to continue. This is evident from what the apostle Paul wrote about Christ's rule, at 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26: "He must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing." The bringing of death to nothing calls for the removal of all human weaknesses and imperfections. This is so because, as the Bible states, "the sting producing death is sin." (1 Cor. 15:56) According to Revelation 20:4, "a thousand years" have been set aside for Christ, along with a body of associate rulers purchased from among mankind, to bring death to nothing by restoring mankind to perfection.
Jesus' Royal Act of Humility
The arrangement for liberating humankind from enslavement to sin and death is symbolically portrayed at Revelation 22: 1, 2. The apostle John there describes what an angel revealed to him in vision: "He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb. . . . And on this side of the river and on that side there were trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees were for the curing of the nations."
The Bible makes it clear that the stain of sin can be removed only on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice. The apostle John wrote under inspiration: "The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) So the "river of water of life," with trees alongside its banks, represents God's provision for life, including the sin-atoning benefits of his Son's sacrifice. Since "life's water" and the trees are symbolic of God's provision for life, partaking of that provision definitely involves exercising faith in the atoning benefits of Jesus' blood.
—Rev. 22:17.
Such faith must express itself in action, for, as the Bible points out: "Faith without works is dead." (Jas. 2:26) What action is required? Obedient response to the direction of God's kingdom in the hands of Christ and his associate rulers. As individuals loyally submit to Kingdom rule during Christ's thousand-year reign and have the atoning benefits of his sacrifice applied in their behalf, they will be growing to perfection.
That the lifting up of mankind to perfection will be a gradual process is implied in the symbolic description of God's provision for life. The trees alongside the "river of water of life" yield their fruits each month. Were it a matter of partaking of God's provision for life just once, manifestly there would be no need for such a regular, unfailing supply of life-sustaining fruits.
Further, to assist mankind, Jesus Christ and his associate rulers will be using earthly representatives. These will be men of outstanding devotion to what is right and having genuine love for others. Among them will be faithful men in the earthly line of Jesus' ancestry. By reason of Jesus Christ's raising them to life, they will become his children.—Ps. 45:16.
Clearly, then, the Messianic kingdom became necessary in God's purpose only because the human race had been plunged into sin and death. With the removal of all traces of sin, there will be no further need for the Messianic kingdom to rule in this respect. However, it will not come to a violent end; that kingdom will not be brought to "ruin," for the fruitage of its fine works will remain forever. (Dan. 7: 14) It appears to be in this sense that the Scriptures speak of Christ's rule as having "no end."—Isa. 9:7; Luke 1:33; Rev. 11: 15.
At the conclusion of his thousand-year
reign, Jesus Christ will have accomplished his assigned task of bringing humankind to perfection. In true humility he will then hand over to his Father the authority he exercised toward mankind in the capacity of "King of kings and Lord of lords." The words of 1 Corinthians 15:28 will thus be fulfilled: "When all things will have been subjected to him [the Son], then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone." Following his example, his associate rulers and the Kingdom's earthly representatives will gladly and humbly relinquish their positions. At that time all humans will stand as equals before God, free from weaknesses and imperfections.
How should this knowledge affect us even now? It should impress upon us that in the Christian congregation positions are not what count as all-important. Not the responsibility or authority entrusted to the individual, but what he is as a person and his approved relationship with God are the truly important things. In the Christian congregation there are no "great men"; even elders or overseers are but servants or slaves of their brothers. (Matt. 20:25-27) Furthermore, it would seem that the arrangement of elders or overseers today and during Christ's thousand-year reign may be only temporary, and that it may continue only until such time as mankind attains to perfection before Jehovah God. Truly, this understanding of matters puts the emphasis where it should be—on the Supreme Sovereign, Jehovah God. Let us, therefore, imitate Jesus Christ in maintaining our humility before our Maker, keeping uppermind in mind that an approved relationship with him is an abiding possession. (Prov. 22:4) If we do this, it may be our privilege to be among those who witness Jesus' royal act of hu-
Insight on the News
The "National Catholic Reporter" of October 22, 1976, in a story from East Hanover, New Jersey, U.S.A., stated: "Parish school children will be barred from attending St. Rose of Lima school unless their parents volunteer to help with bingo. Parents who do not assist at an assigned game will be fined $10." This publi-
form of madness from which he suffered when pride overthrew his reason was that called lycanthropy, in which the patient fancies himself one of the inferior animals and acts as such." ("The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible," p. 422) After seven years, God restored Nebuchadnezzar's sanity.
Writing in the Toronto "Star" of October
4, 1976, Stuart Shaw mentions the book
"Jebovah's Witnesses in Can-
cannot also printed a letter to the parishioners in which the pastor, Alphonse Tuozzo, said: "Without these games we would be in dire financial straits." His letter also stated: "If the fine is not paid within a week, the child or children will not be permitted to return to school."
Financial necessity or a desire for more money may, for some, seem to justify such compulsion in the name of religion. But this is certainly not a Christian method. The apostle Paul stated: "Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:7) The greed promoted by gambling is not a Christian trait either, for Paul said that "greedy persons" will not
"A Debt of Gratitude"
ada: Champions of Freedom of Speech and Worship," by James Penton, associate professor of history at the University of Lethbridge. Shaw explains that it discusses the
intense persecution of the Witnesses in that country from 1939 to 1956, "first at the instance of the federal government and then at that of the government of Quebec." When Jehovah's Witnesses were banned in Canada on July 4, 1940, he says: "Prime Minister Mackenzie King's official explanation was a typical piece of gobbledygook, from which emerged only a suggestion that the sect was somehow impeding the war effort."
inherit God's kingdom.—1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
"Family Health" of October 1976 states: "Two recent cases from Appalachia [a region of the United States], reported by doctors from the University of Kentucky, show that lycanthropy—the delusion that one is becoming a wolf—is not a long-vanished myth but a still-present psy-
chiiatric disorder." One of the afflicted persons was a middle-aged man who "often slept in cemeteries and howled, wolf-like, at the moon." The other, a younger man, "felt an unconquerable need to chase live rabbits and eat them."
While some readers may view such reports
shedding some light on the underlying cause, Shaw comments: "Penton argues convincingly, citing official correspondence and documents of the period, that the real reason was entirely different. The King government was under heavy clerical pressure—from the Roman Catholic Church in particular, but also from some Protestant clergymen—to suppress these 'heretics.'"
The nationwide ban on the Witnesses ended in a few years, though persecution of them continued. Nonetheless, their ultimate success in 'defending and legally establishing the good news' benefited many. (Phil. 1:7) Interestingly, Shaw commented: "The law of sedition has been clarified so that it can no longer be used to harm people for their
While some readers may view such reports as mere items of interest, others may see that cases of this kind give added support to the Bible's account of King Nebuchadnezzar's madness. In fulfillment of a prophetic dream explained by the prophet Daniel, that Babylonian monarch was stricken with insanity for seven years, "and vegetation he began to eat just like bulls." Regarding his mental derangement, it has been said: "The
"Freedom of religion and freedom of expression generally are a good deal safer than they were 25 years ago. And for that all Canadians—whatever they think about their theology—owe the Witnesses a debt of gratitude."
tolerant be used to harry people for men religious beliefs alone. The power of provincial and municipal governments to harass religious groups has been largely nullified.
SERVING with
THE FAITHFUL "SLAVE"
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"Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments."—Rev. 16:15.
"HERE I AM! Send me." In the spirit of these words of the prophet Isaiah, in recent years multitudes of honest-hearted persons have offered themselves for service to the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. And with what result? The joyous good news that Jehovah has established his heavenly kingdom in the hands of his Son Jesus Christ has been proclaimed "to the extremities of the inhabited earth." Those who have made great sacrifices in order to share fully in this grand work have been greatly blessed. —Isa. 6:8; Rom. 10:18.
2 Along the way there have been bitter trials and persecutions, and many of us have grown old in Jehovah's service. Like faithful Isaiah, we have had to endure in witnessing, time and again, to people whose hearts are "unreceptive," whose ears are "unresponsive" and whose eyes
have been 'pasted together' so that they are unable to recognize the glorious message of God's kingdom now in operation. Like Isaiah, at times we may have asked the question, 'How long, O Jehovah, will these people continue to show such obstinacy?' Jehovah answers: "Until the cities actually crash in ruins, to be without an inhabitant, and the houses be without earlling man, and the ground itself is ruined into a desolation; and Jehovah actually removes earlling men far away, and the deserted condition does become very extensive in the midst of the land." Isa. 6:10-12.
8Patiently and with zeal we must keep on giving the Kingdom witness to the full extent purposed by Jehovah. And as we hold fast to "the full assurance of the hope" we can know for a certainty that 'God is not unrighteous so as to forget our work and the love we showed for his name.' (Heb. 6:10-12) How grand our privilege of serving out of sheer love for our God Jehovah!—Mark 12:28-31; 1 Tim. 1:5.
Jehovah's marvelous Kingdom purposes will be carried out to their completion and on time. (Isa. 55:11; Heb. 10:37) For our part we must continue to praise his beauteous name with thankfulness, as we eagerly anticipate the early fulfillment of his precious Kingdom promises. —1 Chron. 29:11-13; Isa. 9:6, 7; 2 Pet. 1:4, 11.
The true followers of Christ Jesus have always served in expectation of "the end." At Luke 19:11 we read that Jesus' disciples "were imagining that the kingdom of God was going to display itself instantly." Later, when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection, these disciples asked him: "Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?" (Acts 1:6) And to expectant Christians at a still later time, Paul wrote: "Brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here." Rather, they were to be made "firm in every good deed and word."—2 Thess. 2: 1, 2, 17.
Though they lived in hope of that "day of Jehovah," none of those first-century Christians survived to see its arrival. Did this affect their zeal and faith? Not at all! No matter when the wicked system might end, the "good news of the kingdom" remained just as glorious, the service of the Kingdom just as joyful, and their blessed relationship to Jehovah and his Christ just as precious. Though they did not live to see the "end," yet they got to preach the good news "in all creation that is under heaven."—Col. 1:23.
'But what of our present day? Have God's people lost out on anything in that the great day of Jehovah has not yet burst forth upon the wicked of the earth? No, for along with the anointed remnant of Jehovah's Witnesses, some two million
persons now stand in the place of spiritual security. (Ps. 91:9, 10) Even though some may yet die from persecutions, old age or other causes, their resurrection is assured. (1 Thess. 4:13, 14) Those who keep feasting upon God's Word and who keep zealous in their service to God will not be disappointed.—Rom. 10:11.
8 Continuously from 1879, when it was first published, this magazine has encouraged such wholehearted Kingdom service. For example, there was this passage in The Watch Tower of January 1, 1914, page 3:
"So far as our judgment goes, the Year 1914 is the last one of what the Bible terms 'Gentile Times'—the period in which God has allowed the nations of the earth to do their best to rule the world. . . . We believe that the year 1914 gives evidence of greater possibilities of service for the truth than has any previous year of the harvest. . . . Let us be more than ever on the alert, therefore, to be used and useful in the service of our king. Let us remember that the moments and the hours are important, that no matter how many cares of life we may have, we can always find some time for the service of the truth."
Jehovah's faithful people have always regarded the "service of our king" as being of paramount importance.
Yes, for over thirty years until 1914, a small group of devoted Christians had been serving as the modern-day "faithful and discreet slave" in providing spiritual food for fellow servants of the household of God. (Matt. 24:45; Eph. 2:19-22; Gal. 6:10) And now, from 1914, the prophecies that they had pointed to began to be fulfilled in World War I and other "pangs of distress" and they themselves came to be persecuted by the war-mad nations. Clearly the "sign" was evident that Christ had arrived to "sit down on his glorious [heavenly] throne" and was proceeding to the judgment of the nations.
(Matt. 24:3, 7-9; 25:31, 32) What did the future hold for the "slave" class?
"HAPPY IS THAT SLAVE"
16 It was now that the Master judged the "slave" to be worthy of further privileges, in line with his prophetic promise:
"Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings."—Matt. 24:45-47.
11 How wonderfully have these words been fulfilled! In the year 1919 God's people experienced a complete release from the politico-religious bondage that had been imposed on them during World War I and their joy was great when Jehovah's energizing spirit was poured upon them as they assembled in convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. Vigorously, they now took up the work with a new instrument of service, the Golden Age magazine (known today as Awake!). A further high point of happiness was reached at the Cedar Point assembly of 1922, when the call went forth: "Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom." Truly, the Master had entrusted to this "slave"—to the exclusion of faithless Christendom—all his "belongings," the performing of a Kingdom role on earth. And in what would the intensified activity of this happy "slave" result?
12 Jehovah had richly rewarded his anointed Witnesses as they continued faithfully to proclaim the Kingdom during
those years. (Matt. 25:21, 23) And later their joy overflowed when the "great crowd," with hopes of living forever on this earth, began to join them. (Rev. 7: 4, 9) By the end of World War II, these integrity-keeping Christians had grown to about 140,000 in number. Now they learned that a great work remained to be done and they shouldered this responsibility with the attitude described in The Watchtower of September 15, 1944, page 280:
"The awake ones . . . do not say, 'It is a long time yet to the wind-up, and, according to the present understanding of Bible chronology, six thousand years of human history will end first in the coming seventies and till then it is a long stretch to serve the Lord continuously and undivided.' No; the faithful watchers and servants do not worry about chronology, whether it is to be the second or third watch of the night, or even if the apparent extension of the time is one day more, until tomorrow. They keep their eye and heart on Jehovah's kingdom, and not on the time clock."
To this day, it is the Kingdom that is allimportant. The "slave" class and all coworkers must keep on the watch as they hold fast the joy of Kingdom service, appreciating that any who become sluggish are in danger of losing everything.—Mark 13:35-37; Matt. 25:26, 29.
13 Today, we find more than 2,000,000 persons actively engaged in proclaiming the Kingdom, and further expansion is in prospect, for at the 1976 celebration of the Memorial of Jesus' death, in some 40,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses around the earth, the attendance totaled 4,972,571, of whom only 10,187 professed to be of the anointed "slave" class. How happy is this "slave" that Jehovah's 'patience' has resulted in an ingathering far beyond the early expectations!—2 Pet. 3: 9; Isa. 60:8, 22.
KEEPING ON WATCH FOR THE MASTER
14 In 1971, the Governing Body of the "slave" class began to be enlarged in order to give broader spiritual supervision over the "belongings" of the Master here on earth. This includes caring for the interests of the "great crowd." It includes giving oversight to the preparing of Kingdom publications, to teaching God's people and to helping them in their service in the field.
15 Over the years, the Governing Body of the "faithful and discreet slave" was always associated closely with the corporate body now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, which was first incorporated in 1884, and which administers necessary matters for Jehovah's Witnesses world wide. There is no question that the first president of this corporation, C. T. Russell, was used mightily by Jehovah during the period when basic Bible truths were being restored among God's true worshipers on earth. Then, from 1917 to 1942, J. F. Rutherford served as president, and fought courageously against Christendom's efforts to discredit and destroy God's organized people on earth. From 1942, N. H. Knorr, who is still serving as president of the Watch Tower Society, has energetically pushed a great Bible educational campaign to the very ends of the earth. Administration by these faithful men and their fellow workers in the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses has been marvelously blessed by Jehovah. It is indicative of heaven's direction, and of the permanence and stability of the organization, that in the space of almost a hundred years, only three different men have served as president of the Watch Tower Society, each with abilities particularly suited to the needs of the time.
16 To meet further demands of expansion, it was arranged in 1971 to increase the number of "older men" serving as the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from seven (the directors of the Watch Tower Society) to a total of eleven members. Further expansion, to eighteen members, took place late in 1974; of these, John Groh has since finished his earthly course. And it was during the next year, 1975, that one of the most significant organizational readjustments in the 100-year history of the modern-day witnesses of Jehovah came under consideration. After discussions that continued through most of that year, the reorganization was approved on December 4, 1975, by a unanimous vote of the seventeen members of the Governing Body. It became operative from January 1, 1976.
17 What was involved in this reorganization? As always, Christ Jesus continued to be recognized as Head over the "slave" class, his congregation here on earth. (Eph. 1:22; 5:23) Under this one Head, the anointed members of the Governing Body serve as equals, with a chairman rotating alphabetically each year. Administrative responsibilities are divided among the Chairman's Committee of three members (comprising the chairman for the current year, for the previous year and for the year to follow), and five permanent committees of from five to seven members, which oversee the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses world wide. Each of these five committees has a chairman rotating each year and a permanent coordinator or secretary.—Prov. 11:14.
18 The Writing Committee supervises the preparation of all publications; the Teaching Committee prepares materials for the various schools, meetings and assemblies arranged for God's people; the Service Committee takes care of all matters related to Kingdom-preaching and disciplesaking; the Publishing Committee handles all printing operations and business affairs; and the Personnel Committee watches over the interests of all persons serving in the Bethel homes and factories of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Thus responsibilities are shared, as was done among "older men" in the first-century Christian congregation. Moreover, the organization is now well equipped to handle further expansion, as well as problems that may arise due to the worsening world crisis.—Acts 15:1, 2, 6-29; 1 Cor. 14:40.
10 On February 1, 1976, a similar arrangement was put into effect in all branch offices of the Watch Tower Society throughout the earth. No longer is there a branch overseer, but three or more experienced "older men" serve as a committee under the Governing Body in watching over the interests of Jehovah's
Witnesses in that area. In these committees, too, the chairman rotates each year, while one member serves continuously as coordinator.—
Prov. 15:22.
80 With Jehovah's blessing, the work of his self-sacrificing Witnesses has borne marvelous fruitage, and the organization has expanded accordingly. There are some faithful workers in the field who have served Jehovah loyally for forty, fifty, sixty and more years, and these continue as outstanding examples to the entire congregation. There are those, too, who have expended themselves in "pioneering" difficult territories, in carrying the Kingdom message into new cities and lands, and in serving "underground" for decades in countries where Jehovah's Witnesses are banned. As all of us continue to serve with zeal, we can be confident that fine fruitage will be produced right through to the time when "Jehovah's day" brings sudden and instant destruction on this wicked world. —1 Thess. 5:1-4.
21 Clearly, "expressions inspired by demons" are now going forth "to the kings [rulers]. of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty." It is in this situation that our Master adds the warning: "Look! I am coming as a thief.
(a) What marvelous fruitage has been produced by faithful workers in the field? (Matt. 13:23) (b) What encouragement does First Thessalonians 5: 1-4 give toward our continuing to bear such fruitage?
(a) In what situation do the Master and his "slave" admonish all to serve God with zeal? (b) What rewards result from zealous service? (Prov. 18:10; Isa. 26:20, 21)
Chairman's Committee
Writing Committee
Teaching Committee
Service Committee
Publishing Committee
Personnel Committee
THE WATCHTOWER JANUARY 1, 1977 Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness."
That would be disastrous! Therefore, the "slave" class will continue to encourage all lovers of truth to put on, and keep on, "garments" that identify
them as those who serve God with zeal and "in true righteousness and loyalty." Such zealous, loyal service will keep us in the place of spiritual security now, and result in our being saved from destruction at Har-Magedon.—Rev. 16:14-16; Eph. 4:24.
IT WAS in Judea, probably during the fall of 32 C.E., that Jesus told his disciples: "Happy are those slaves whom the master on arriving finds watching! Truly I say to you, He will gird himself and make recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them. And if he arrives in the second watch, even if in
"Stand firm . . . with your loins girded about with truth."—Eph. 6:14.
the third, and finds them thus, happy are they!" (Luke 12:37, 38) Even if earlier expectations of the Master's coming were not fulfilled, they were to keep on watching right into the third watch—the darkest hour that precedes the dawn. Compare Matthew 25:13.
2 Though this period of awaiting the arrival of Jesus, the Son of man, should stretch beyond early expectations, his thieflike approach is certain! None should be bulled into thinking that it is indefinitely delayed. That hour must strike! As Jesus himself assures us: "Know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have
kept watching and not have let his house be broken into. You also, keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely the Son of man is coming."—Luke 12:39, 40.
3 However, Jesus' watchful slaves are to do more than simply keep awake. Just as the Master 'girds himself' to minister to them, so he expects them to be "girded" for service. He tells them: "Let your loins be girded and your lamps be burning, and you yourselves be like men waiting for their master." (Luke 12:35, 36) Our diligence in doing these things will result in our being counted "happy" at the Master's coming.
GIRDED FOR GOD'S SERVICE
4 What does it mean for the slave to have 'his loins girded'? In ancient times warriors used to bind themselves around the waist or hips with a leather belt. This provided them with a firm support as they went forth to battle. In like manner, Christians today need to be "girded," in preparation for action or activity. The apostle Paul tells us that in order to 'stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil,' we need to put on "the complete suit of armor from God." This requires, in the first place, the 'girding' of our loins with truth. Our continued study of and deep appreciation for the truth of God's Word will help us to "stand firm" against the wicked one.—Eph. 6:11-14; see Kingdom Interlinear.
5 Our spiritual warfare is real. We need, therefore, to keep our "loins girded constantly." We need to keep up our study of God's Word, cultivating ever stronger faith, that we may be truly equipped to turn back every weapon that crafty Satan may use against us. If we are "taught by Jehovah," no weapon will succeed against us. (Isa. 54:13, 17) Our 'girding' results in our spiritedly proclaiming the "good news of the kingdom," and this activity leads on to salvation, both for ourselves and for those who listen to us.—Acts 8:12; 1 Tim. 4:16.
Our 'girding' is like that of the prophet Jeremiah, who served Jehovah without letup for forty years and longer. When Jehovah first commissioned Jeremiah, he told him:
"And as for you, you should grd up your hips, and you must rise up and speak to them everything that I myself command you. Do not be struck with any terror because of them, in order that I may not strike you with terror before them. But as
for me, here I have made you today a fortified city and an iron pillar and copper walls against all the land, toward the kings of Judah, toward her princes, toward her priests and toward the people of the land. And they will be certain to fight against you, but they will not prevail against you, for I am with you,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'to deliver you.'"—jer. 1:17-19.
7 What marvelous words of encouragement! And they contain strong assurance for us today, that no matter what worldly governments or people may scheme against God's faithful servants, he will fight our battles for us, and the victory will be ours. But we must treasure always our close personal relationship with Jehovah, as his witnesses, commissioned to proclaim his message among the doomed nations. As long as there is time for it, may we always be "girded" for this service, and be zealous in making known the truth to others!
"GIRD UP YOUR HIPS"
8 Like the prophet Jeremiah, we have had to 'gird up our hips' for an extended period of Kingdom-preaching and disciples-making. Already this "time of the end" has stretched out over sixty-two years, and many of us have been sharing "the true knowledge" with others for twenty, thirty, forty or more years. (Dan. 12:4) At times we may have felt as did Jeremiah when he said: "I am not going to make mention of him [Jehovah], and I shall speak no more in his name." But the girding of truth around our hips impels us to go forward in God's service. His word proves to be 'like a burning fire shut up in our bones,' so that we cannot desist from making known Jehovah's glorious name and kingdom.—Jer. 20:9; Ps. 96: 2, 10.
to 'gird' for this all-important service is shown by thrilling reports received from Jehovah's Witnesses all around the world, with regard to their activity during the service year of 1976. The progress is excellent, generally. The peak number of Kingdom proclaimers world wide increased to 2,243,390. A fine total of 196,656 newly dedicated persons were baptized, and congregations increased to a total of 40,155. Although their activity dropped off 23,000,000 hours world wide, the Witnesses very commendably spent 359,258,019 hours in the direct service of telling the "good news of the kingdom" to the public, and conducted, on an average, 1,339,466 Bible studies in private homes. (Compare Acts 2:46, 47.) The chart on pages 20 through 23 gives details.
10 Joyful reports come from Jehovah's Witnesses in many lands. In the Americas, for example, Canada sends word: "Our field service activity for 1976 was highlighted by two peaks in Kingdom publishers, the latest being 62,880 proclaimers of the good news in May." Costa Rica writes: "Almost every Kingdom Hall is overflowing with interested persons. As a result ten new congregations were formed during the year." Honduras tells us: "More than half of all our [Kingdom] publishers were baptized during the last three years."
11 In the Argentine, Jehovah's Witnesses now serve under a ban, and some brothers have been in prison. However, "the word of God is not bound." (2 Tim. 2:9) They continue to sound forth the "good news," and their joyful experiences include the following:
"People of all ages and with handicaps are answering Jehovah's call to praise him. (Psalm 148:12, 13) A pioneer sister walked six miles to conduct a study with a little old lady, 105 years old. As the study progressed, she, realizing her responsibility to preach, walked with her cane to her neighbors and told them the marvelous things she was learning. Through her preaching two studies were started, one of which was with a man who had previously ordered the pioneer sister off his property."
There has been much unrest in Chile, but there the peak number of active Witnesses increased 18 percent, to 16,862. Brazil reports a fine attendance of 212,441 persons at twenty-four "Divine Sovereignty" district assemblies.
12 What of the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses in Europe? Finland informs us that the Kingdom witness is now so extensive that each new issue of the Kingdom News tract is distributed to every home in the country. Even more delightful than Austria's mountain scenery are the throngs now flocking there to Christian meetings, so that seventeen new Kingdom Halls were dedicated there this past year. Spain has been dedicating new Kingdom Halls at the rate of six a week, so that now their 614 congregations are served by more than 440 Kingdom Halls, as well as two assembly halls for circuit gatherings. Portugal writes that, in the two years since the April 24, 1974, revolution, Kingdom proclaimers have increased 41 percent, and the number of congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses from 172 to more than 300.
13 There is encouraging news, too, out of Asia. Hardworking missionaries in Pakistan rejoiced to see a new peak of 192 Kingdom witnesses active in their country. From war-torn Lebanon comes this typical report:
1976 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES WORLD WIDE
<tr><th>Country
Population
1976 Peak Pubs.
Ratio, One Publisher to:
1976 Av. Pubs.
% Inc. over 1975
1975 Av. Pubs.
1976 No. Bptzd.
Av. Plo. Pubs.
No. of Congs.
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
Afars & Issas Terr.
125,000
17,857
Algeria
13,350,000
580,435
-11*
1,440
Angola
5,100,000
3,852
1,324
2,941
2,597
451,955
4,745
13,141
Bangladesh
7,270,000
2,752
1,183
17,763
22*
2,285
414,467
1,515
4,500
Botswana
630,379
2,227
65,612
Burundi
4,000,000
36,490
24,361
Cameroon
6,500,000
12,269
11,866
11,319
1,228
733,155
7,615
16,540
Central Afr. Rep.
1,720,000
1,289
1,324
1,152
1,033
580,071
1,170
4,764
Ghana
1,300,000
28,966
66,155
1,237
Congo
1,300,120
1,862
1,578
371,167
1,473
Ethiopia
25,000,000
1,903
13,137
1,809
1,537
473,525
2,719
4,732
Gabon
975,000
2,534
44,674
Gambia
659,000
54,774
4*
44,674
Ghana
1,917,705
22,381
21,776
20,324
2,688
1,129
4,165,917
18,909
63,521
Guinea
5,143,284
20,170
121,845
Guinea-Bissau
517,000
103,400
New
1,845
Guyana Coast
6,670,000
1,156
5,770
1,127
260,277
1,623
2,470
Kenya
13,570,000
1,176
9,494
1,127
1,368
580,071
1,623
4,842
Lesotho
1,381,900
1,769
121,845
2,128
Liberia
1,300,000
1,060
1,226
1,020
1,001
279,648
1,277
3,304
Liberya
2,350,000
1,175,000
549,917
1,352
9,051
Malawi
4,900,000
5,631
4,209
13,569
Mali
1,500,000
158,360
Mauritania
1,500,000
750,000
38,897
Morocco
17,800,000
94,681
-2*
1,302,777
5,543
18,927
Mozambique
8,446,000
15,692
9,532
22,632
1,302,777
5,543
18,927
Niger
2,870,000
114,029
47,049
107,954
131,967
Nigeria
70,768,000
114,029
47,049
107,954
105,686
11,006
6,651
2,056
21,103,043
80,433
232,766
Rhodesia
6,418,900
12,951
12,127
12,079
2,175,513
8,287
29,477
Rwanda
4,200,000
91,304
25,066
Senegal
5,000,000
14,837
112,391
Sierra Leone
3,002,426
1,177
2,467
500,071
2,057
3,674
Sierra Africa
25,711,000
29,098
26,755
27,770
27,351
2,154
1,760
5,410,137
2,906
32,722
Sudan
610,000
1,748
5,823,198
Switzerland
17,000,000
168,317
32,387
Tanzania
465,000
-3*
141,181
Togo
145,000
1,755
9,504
1,124
371,168
1,252
3,383
Tunisia
2,300,000
2,668
2,520
621,128
2,918
3,881
Tunisia
4,470,000
93,125
4,423
Uganda
11,000,000
66,265
5,918,198
Upper Volta
5,288,141
80,894
38,150
Zaire
25,000,000
19,237
1,294
18,908
15,468
2,844
1,573
5,387,757
77,063
Zambia
5,138,000
57,885
53,616
54,288
3,202
1,564
1,125
7,760,786
53,857
205,331
<tr><th>THE WATCHTOWER
Bellize
130,000
-2*
131,362
2,070
Brazil
5,940,036
2,176
2,944
2,138
2,000
117,769
21,929
12,053
110,767,500
106,228
1,043
101,296
95,894
12,447
4,201
1,937
14,488,540
68,118
242,657
THE WATCHTOWER
Canada
22,487,000
62,880
60,573
58,380
3,662
2,825
1,011
9,297,008
24,649
120,533
Chile
10,454,300
16,862
15,947
14,220
2,782
2,867,031
15,812
45,924
Colombia
24,835,400
16,286
1,525
15,569
14,501
2,212
2,105,851
15,938
56,924
Ecuador
1,936,000
5,194
1,525
15,569
14,501
2,212
2,105,851
15,938
56,924
Ecuador
6,833,356
5,995
1,111
5,712
5,254
7,750,400
30,336
12,067
El Salvador
4,144,963
6,010
5,632
5,124
1,288,723
6,120
21,067
French Guiana
45,000
1,143,587
6,224
19,364
Guyana
5,526,273
5,259
1,070
1,490
4,507
804,164
6,636
Guyana
15,155
1,920
1,490
1,920
1,490
804,164
6,636
Jamaica
2,553,857
3,226
3,013
2,806
771,361
…