The Watchtower, January 15, 1977
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WATCHTOWER
JANUARY 15, 1977
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
WATCHTOWER
January 15,1977
Vol.98, Number 2
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 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 on a paradise earth.
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.
We know that many sincere persons would appreciate a discussion of these things in their own home with a qualified person. One of Jehovah's Witnesses will be glad to call on you free of charge. To arrange for this, simply write the publishers of this magazine or contact Jehovah's Witnesses locally.
PUBLISHED BY
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201, U.S.A.
N. H. KNORB, President
GRANT SUTTER, Secretary
IN THIS ISSUE
Do You Want Crime Stopped?
Jehovah—A Lover of Justice
Insight on the News
Facing the "Great Tribulation" with Confidence
Build Up Your Confidence Now for the Future
Are You Willing to Listen?
We Did Not Procrastinate
"Being Where You Are Supposed to Be"
What Did the Wise Man Mean?
Elijah "Prayed for It Not to Rain"
"Do Not Rejoice, O Philistia"
'An End of Perfection'
Calaphas—Bitter Opposer of True Worship
Questions from Readers
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ALL decent people will answer YES to that question. They certainly do want to see an end to crime.
So did an elderly couple in a large American city. They were in their late seventies, retired, had enough materially. But then—they committed suicide!
Why? The note left behind explained: "We don't want to live in fear anymore." They had been assaulted and robbed a few weeks earlier. Even before that, they had been the victims of crime. Feeling too old to move and not wanting to live in fear, they took their own lives.
That is an extreme reaction to the fear of crime, true. But it does show what has happened in recent years. Crime and violence have increased enormously nearly everywhere in the world. As an example, in the United States over eleven million major crimes are committed each year. Millions more go unreported.
What is the answer? Some people feel that better laws could help. Yet, there are thousands of good laws already on the books, in all countries, and newer laws are enacted every year. But crime and violence keep spreading.
Other people feel that more police, judges and jails are the answer. But while these agencies have increased in size, so has crime. Indeed, crime has infiltrated even these agencies. Corrupt officials in them often make it difficult for honest law-enforcement agents to do their work.
Could some new methods of detecting crimes be an answer? The sad fact is that for every new method introduced, the
DO YOU WANT CRIME STOPPED
criminal mind goes to work
goes to work to devise ways of circumventing it.
to devise ways of crime? Will ending poverty stop crime? If poverty were the main cause, why would the highest crime rates be found in the wealthiest nations? Crime often increases faster in wealthier suburbs than in poorer cities. People at all levels of society commit crimes, not just the poor.
Consider this: If human agencies could have stopped crime, would they not have done so by this time? Is it realistic to look to humans for the answers?
God's inspired Word, the Bible, wisely counsels: "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." (Ps. 146:3) In whom, then? That same Word of God answers: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding."—Prov. 3:5.
But how can trusting God have anything to do with stopping crime? For one thing, God's Word helps us to understand
clearly why there is this upsurge of crime and violence in our time.
The Bible tells us: "But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here." Yes, all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecies shows that we live at the end of an era. We live at the time foretold when more and more people would be lawbreakers, lacking self-control, fierce, headstrong, lovers of money, ungodly, when children would be disobedient to parents, when, as prophecy says, "wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse."—2 Tim. 3:1-13.
What we see taking place in our time is the clear evidence that this world is in the foretold stage of moral breakdown that would immediately precede its end. World conditions shout out that this present system of things is nearing its finish.
However, the Bible also tells us that there is more to the increase of crime in our day than just human involvement. If only humans were involved, they might reasonably have more success in stopping crime. But God's Word tells us that there are also superhuman forces at work. Who?
Satan the Devil and his demons.
The Devil? Demons?
True, many people do not believe that they exist, because these forces cannot be seen. But such persons do believe in unseen forces such as wind, electricity, gravity, heat, cold, love, hate. We know that these exist because we can see their effects.
Besides, who is in the best position to tell us about the existence of such unseen powers? Who has more knowledge of Satan's activity—humans, or the Almighty Creator of the universe?
So, too, we know that wicked spirit forces exist because we see the effects of their activity. The vast increase of crime and violence everywhere is a direct result of their bad influence on the human family. So vast is that influence that the Bible calls Satan "the god of this system of things."—2 Cor. 4:4.
But why has demonic influence increased so much in our day? Because the time limit that God has allowed for wickedness draws near to its end. Satan and the demons know that they are in their "last days." That is why the Bible says of our generation: "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. 12:12.
However, the Bible does much more than inform us about why crime spreads. It also tells us how it will be stopped. Soon God's time limit for permitting wickedness will end, and he will demonstrate his power and love for what is right, by cleansing the entire earth of crime. "As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it." Also, the main instigator of crime,
"My people must dwell in a peaceful abiding place and in residences of full confidence and in undisturbed resting-places." —lsa.32:18.
Satan the Devil, will be removed: "The God who gives peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly."—Prov. 2:22; Rom. 16:20.
With all criminal elements taken out of the
way, a new order of total peace and security will be ushered in. And when this comes to pass, what will life be like? "They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble," says God's promise.—Mic. 4:4.
So, do you want crime stopped? It will be, in God's way—and soon. Do you want to benefit? Then you need to find out what to do to meet God's requirements for life in his incoming crime-free new order.
JEHOVAH
-A Lover
of Justice
HE Most High loves justice and righteousness. (Ps. 33:5) His servant
kim made plans to build a new, luxurious palace. Doubtless to keep down the cost, he oppressively withheld the workers' wages. Jeholakim's high-handed action did not escape the notice of Jehovah God.
He sent Jeremiah the prophet to the house of the king. The record of this is found in
Elihu declared: "As for the Almighty, we have not found him out; he is exalted in power, and justice and abundance of righteousness he will not belittle."—Job 37:23.
Because of having the highest regard for justice, Jehovah God does not overlook oppression. Oppressors cannot escape the outworking of God's unchangeable law: "Whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap." (Gal. 6:7) At times Jehovah has maneuvered matters in such a way that practicers of injustice experienced calamity. So that they would know for a certainty that the judgment
of the king. The record of this is found in Jeremiah chapter 22.
Though Jehoiakim deserved to be punished, mercifully Jehovah God provided the king with an opportunity to correct matters. Jeremiah was instructed to say: "This is what Jehovah has said: 'Render justice and righteousness, and deliver the one that is being robbed out of the hand of the defrauder; and do not maltreat any alien resident, fatherless boy or widow. Do them no violence. And do not shed any innocent blood in this place. For if you will by all means perform this word, there will also certainly come in through the
know for a certainty that the judgment was from him, the Almighty announced it beforehand through his prophets.
That was the case with Eliakim of the seventh century B.C.E. His father, King Josiah, died in battle while trying to stop the Egyptian armies under Pharaoh Necoh from passing through Samaria on the way to fight the Babylonian conqueror of Assyria. The people of Judah then made Eliakim's younger brother, Jehoahaz, king. About three months later Pharaoh Necoh took Jehoahaz as a captive to Egypt and made twenty-five-year-old Eliakim king, charging his army to Jebaikim.
will also certainly come in through the gates of this house the kings sitting for David upon his throne, riding in carriots and on horses, he with his servants and his people.' (Jer. 22:3, 4) So, by changing his course of action, Jehoiakim could contribute toward the continuance of rulership by men in the royal house of David.
"But," the prophetic word to Jehoiakim continued, "if you will not obey these words, by myself I do swear,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'that this house will become a mere devastated place.' For this is what Jehovah has said concerning the house of the king of Judah. Now or
king, changing his name to Jeholakim.
Besides this, Nechoh imposed a heavy fine on the kingdom of Judah. Jeholaiak exacted this from his subjects by taxation.—2 Ki. 23:34-36; 2 Chron. 36:1-5.
Instead of at least giving some consideration to the heavy burden under which his subjects were laboring, Jehola-
house of the king of Judah, you are as Gilead to me, the head of Lebanon. Assuredly I shall make you a wilderness; as for the cities, not one will be inhabited.'" —Jer. 22:5, 6.
By pursuing a disobedient course, Jehoiakim was, therefore, sure to bring ruin to himself as well as to his kingdom. To Jehovah God, the "house of the king of Judah," evidently the palace complex, was "like Gilead," "the head of Lebanon."
Situated on a height, the palace had a lofty and magnificent location. It was like mountainous Lebanon, with its proud cedars. Besides, cedarwood was used extensively in the construction of royal edifices. (1 Ki. 7:2-12) Jehoiakim himself had used cedar paneling for his palace. So the palace area was like a magnificent forest of cedar buildings—like heavily wooded Gilead and Lebanon. Yet that magnificent palace complex was to come to nothingness. In fact, all the cities of Judah were to become a desolate waste. Did it happen? Did Jehoiakim's injustices catch up with him?
Yes, the Chaldeans came against Jerusalem. As for Jehoiakim, the prophetic word was: "With the burial of a he-ass he will be buried, with a dragging about and a throwing away, out beyond the gates of Jerusalem." (Jer. 22:19) Ancient tradition (recorded by the first-century Jewish historian Josephus) has it that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, killed Jehoiakim and commanded that his dead body be thrown outside Jerusalem's walls. Whether this tradition is correct or not, Jehoiakim did not survive the Babylonian siege. He did not receive a decent burial. His corpse lay unattended outside the gates of Jerusalem, exposed to the heat by day and the cold at night. His son
IN COMING ISSUES
Do You Appreciate God's Patience Toward You?
"Have Tender Affection for One Another."
Jeholachin ruled for about three months after his death; he finally capitulated to the siege and was himself taken into Babylonian exile.—2 Ki. 24:11, 12.
So the shameful record of injustice caught up with Jehoiakim and his subjects. Fulfilled were the words: "O you who are dwelling in Lebanon [designating Jerusalem, with its lofty location and cedarwood buildings] being nested in the cedars, how you will certainly sigh when there come to you birth pangs, the labor pains like those of a woman giving birth!" (Jer. 22:23) From a very lofty position the inhabitants of Jerusalem were indeed brought low. Their beautiful capital city was destroyed and many of the survivors were taken into Babylonian exile.
Justice for All How? When?
Thereafter Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, ruled from Jerusalem as a vassal of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Eventually, Zedekiah revolted, and the Babylonian armies came back to Jerusalem. (2 Ki. 24:20; 25:1) As had been foretold, Jerusalem and the entire land of Judah were desolated. Archaeological findings confirm the fulfillment of the prophetic word through Jeremiah. Says W. F. Albright in The Bible After Twenty Years of Archaeology: "Excavation and surface exploration in Judah have proved that the towns of Judah were not only completely destroyed by the Chaldeans in their two invasions, but were not reoccupied for generations—often never again in history."—P. 546.
Truly Jehovah God had not overlooked the injustices that had been committed in the kingdom of Judah. He being a God of unchanging moral standards, we can rest assured that he will not indefinitely tolerate the lawlessness of today. In fact, Bible prophecy points to our time as the "last days" for the ungodly world. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) So we need to exercise care not to follow the practices of this world and become disapproved from the standpoint of Jehovah, the God who loves justice.
THE WATCHTOWER JANUARY 15,1977
Insight on the News
A New York educator recently wrote to "Science News" magazine of his frustration because graduate zoology students would not think about the "why" of evolution. "Though I spent nearly an hour trying, in various ways, to get them to consider the content of the ques- Evolution 'Curbs Thinking'
tion," he writes, "they refused unanimously to answer it, saying that the word 'why' brought in teleology [the study of evidences of design (implying God) in nature]."
Though this instructor himself believes in evolution, he complains: "The word 'why' had simply evoked the concept of teleology in a manner which prevented further thinking about the matter. I question the value of scientific schooling that produces such rigid associations between terms and concepts. Is it really necessary? May it not do more harm than good by curbing creative thought on scientific problems?"
Hence, students of science are often taught to close their minds tightly on this fundamental issue. Their thinking becomes as futile as that of ancient pagans described in the Bible: "Ever since the creation of the world [God's] invisible nature . . . has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; . . . they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened."—Rom. 1:20, 21, "Revised Standard Version."
A columnist for the Caribbean's Barbados "Advocate-News" questioned the nationalistic actions of certain African rulers against Jehovah's Witnesses: "My loyalty to the country is demonstrated not in singing and shouting and saluting," he declared, "but by being diligent and
What Is True Loyalty?
upright in the performance of my civic duties and work, thus contributing to the strength of the nation. In fact, it may well be that wider diffusion of the values by which the Jehovah's Witnesses live throughout Africa could well be an inspiration to the countries therein."
Similarly, not long after Argentina's 35,000 Jehovah's Witnesses were banned from prac- THE WATCHTOWER — JANUARY 15, 1977
ticing their religion, a Buenos Aires "Herald" columnist observed that such ban is "certain to darken the government's image both at home and abroad." He noted that by its action the government had overturned a "wise [favorable] ruling by a local judge and ear[ed] itself a name for religious bigotry." Witness "beliefs are only offensive to those who think patriotism is chiefly a matter of flag-waving and anthem-singing, not a matter of the heart," he wrote.
The "Herald" also said of the Witnesses: "Hitler and Stalin found them indigestible, and treated them abominably. Lots of other dictators yearning for conformity have tried to suppress them. And failed. They will be with us when the members of this government are stone monuments."
"Dearly beloved," begins a new Methodist ritual for divorced couples, "we are gathered
Splitting "What God Has Yoked"
begins a new memorial
here to solemnize the
end of one time in [the
couple's] lives and the
beginning of another."
With the recent publication
of a book of church
rituals, "the United Methodist Church [became] the first Christian denomination to advocate such ceremonies to ease the pain of a marriage breakup," reports the Los Angeles "Times."
The ritual book suggests that after noting the general reason for this couple's divorce, the clergyman could go on to say: "They have resolved, therefore, to sever the ties of their marriage, though not of their mutual love and honor." Wedding rings are transferred to the right hand to symbolize "freedom."
Whether the divorce was obtained merely to gain such "freedom" or to dissolve the marriage on Biblically authorized grounds (adultery), does not such a ritual actually constitute a religious blessing on adultery, past or future? The new ritual book claims that Methodists are merely recognizing the reality of divorce. But have they faced the true "reality"—their failure to help church members to apply Bible principles that can keep marriages together? Instead, they openly flout Jesus' command: "What God has yoked together let no man put apart."—Matt. 19:6.
FACING THE "GREAT TRIBULATION" WITH
CONFIDENCE
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"Jehovah himself will prove to be, in effect, your confidence."—Prov. 3:26.
ALL mankind are very much interested in the future. To be concerned about what has not yet occurred is a natural, human trait. People may be working hard in their day-to-day activity, but so often it is with the future in view. They are constantly laying plans for the future. Their longings and desires, their expectations and hopes are in large measure based on what they believe the future will bring with it. To be happy, they need to have confidence about the future.
2 This human desire to know about coming events before they occur causes many people to consult those claiming to know the future—the spirit mediums, sooth-
Should you consult a fortune-teller to learn the future . . .
sayers and astrologers. More and more persons are consulting their horoscopes and Ouija boards in an effort to learn what the demon-inspired oracles say will happen.
a There is one very great difference, however, between those who serve Jehovah
and those who do not, when it comes to this inborn desire to know the future. Never do God's people go to the fortune-tellers, stargazers or spiritistic prognosticators to learn of coming events. Neither do they consult other demonic sources in an effort to know the future. There is a very good reason why they do not.
"It was in the ninth century before this Common Era that the following truth was recorded in the Bible by the prophet Amos, in chapter 3, verse 7: "The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets." These prophets, in turn, relate to Jehovah's people in general what to expect in the future, and this is the basis for the confidence of Jehovah's people.
5 Consider the situation in the city of Jerusalem in the first cen-
... or should you study the Bible, the Word of God?
tury of our Common Era. The people in general and their leaders acknowledged that conditions were far from satisfactory. Yet, what were the wise men and leaders of the people predicting about the future? Some were quite satisfied with the status quo and would be happy for it to continue, with little change. Others advocated revolt and revolution against the rule of Rome and its taxations, claiming that such a road would lead to greater freedom, peace and prosperity. None, however, of that city's wise men, advisers and counselors were foretelling that Jerusalem would be completely destroyed in a great tribulation—and within that generation. Any such eventuality was farthest from their thoughts!—Acts 5:36, 37.
"Did first-century Christians put their trust and confidence in those worldly-wise men and their predictions? No, not at all. Jehovah had revealed ahead of time to his Great Prophet, the Lord Jesus Christ, something altogether different, something that He had determined would shortly occur within that generation. That true prophet of God sounded the warning, saying: "The days will come upon you [Jerusalem] when your enemies will build around you a fortification with pointed stakes and will encircle you and distress you from every side, . . . and they will not leave a stone upon a stone in you." Indeed, "there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." —Luke 19:41-44; Matt. 23:36-38; 24:2, 21.
7 In the face of such a coming tribulation, did Christians living in and around Jerusalem have any reason to face that foretold disaster with confidence? They certainly did. For God's true Prophet also told them how they would know when it was about to occur and what action they should take to ensure their safety. He
said: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then . . . let those in Judea begin fleeing."—Luke 21:20, 21.
PARALLEL SITUATION TODAY
Today there is a parallel situation in Christendom's religions—forming a hypocritical organization that corresponds to the unfaithful city of Jerusalem. People of the modern world consult their political soothsayers, economic advisers, religious prophets, as well as their wise men of science, and they get back in answer all kinds of predictions as to what the future will bring with it. While these advisers are generally quick to acknowledge that the present state of affairs is deplorable, at the same time they predict that some day, somehow, in some way "better times are coming."
However, do you put your faith and confidence in the speculations of these human advisers? Not if you are a firm believer in the Bible and its prophecies. And why not? Because these opinions of men are not what Jehovah has revealed by the mouth of his prophets concerning the near future.
10 For years Jehovah's Christian witnesses have been most active in telling others what the Bible says about inescapable coming events. From the "house-tops," so to speak, God's people have proclaimed to all the world what Jehovah has revealed concerning the coming "great tribulation," which climaxes in the "war of the great day of God the Almighty," at the place "called in Hebrew Har-Magedon."—Matt. 10:26, 27; Rev. 7:14; 16:14, 16.
11 Make no mistake about this war at the place called Har-Magedon. This will not be an all-out nuclear war among the nations in which they attempt to deploy their present stockpile of nuclear bombs said to be large enough to kill off the world's population of around 4,000,000,000 many times over!
Such a nuclear war is not the "great tribulation" of the future that Jehovah warns us about.
12 Well, does this fact reduce the danger threatening mankind in general? As in any war, this depends entirely on which side we stand, the winning side or the losing side. To be sure, the world of mankind, alienated as they are from Jehovah, have every reason to fear the war at Har-Magedon. This is because they have willingly or unwillingly aligned themselves with "the kings of the entire inhabited earth" and are therefore being gathered along with such kings to the "war of the great day of God the Almighty."
13 But not so Jehovah's faithful people! As individuals they have taken their stand solidly, uncompromisingly on the winning side, God's side. They are therefore able to face the foretold "great tribulation" with full confidence and trust in Jehovah.
THE GREATEST OF ALL TRIBULATIONS
14 How great will this coming unparalleled tribulation of the future be? Using the tribulation upon Jerusalem in the year 70 C.E. as a prophetic illustration, Jesus said it would be one "such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now," and then, lest we minimize it, he added for emphasis, "nor will occur again." Well, that means a tribulation greater than World Wars I and II in which tens of millions of people lost their lives. Yes, greater than the globe-enveloping deluge of
THE BIBLE'S SCHEDULE OF COMING EVENTS
Destruction of "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion.—Rev. 18:4-8.
'Crushing of all human kingdoms.'—Dan. 2:44.
Binding and abyssing of Satan and his demons.—Rev. 20:1, 2.
Incoming of God's new order, with true happiness for mankind.—Rev. 21:4, 5.
Noah's day that wiped out an entire world system!
15 What magnitude, then, will this coming "great tribulation" have that will make it surpass all other tribulations of human history? First of all, it will have the capability of destroying the whole world empire of false religion, both Christendom's and heathendom's religious organizations, called in the Bible mystic "Babylon the Great"! (Rev. 17:5) This certainly will be shocking beyond comprehension to earth's inhabitants who have supported this "mother of the harlots," Babylon the Great.
16 But that humiliation and destruction of the world empire of false religion is only Part I of the "great tribulation." As Part II, the "kings of the earth who committed fornication with [Babylon the Great] and lived [with her] in shameless luxury" will be dealt with next, and they shall not escape destruction. (Rev. 18:9; 16:14) Further, the prophecy of Revelation chapter 19, verses 19-21, says: "The wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage the war with the one seated on the horse [the glorified Lord Jesus Christ] and with his army.
. . . While still alive, they . . . were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulphur." Chapter 20, verse 14, explains that "this means the second death, the lake of fire."
17 Yes, it will be on a scale even vaster than that described by another prophet of Jehovah, Jeremiah, who wrote of a tribulation then approaching: "Those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be bewailed, neither will they be gathered up or be buried. As manure on the surface of the ground they will become."—Jer. 25:33.
18 But there is still something else to follow that "great tribulation," something that did not even occur after the first world, 'the world of Noah's day,' was destroyed. This will be the seizing and binding of Satan and his demons with a "great chain," and the hurling of them into an abyss.—Rev. 20:1-3.
19 Well, now, do you believe Jehovah and what he has said by the mouth of these prophets concerning this "great tribulation" that all mankind is facing? If so, do you face this inescapable tribulation with strong assurance and a complete confidence? It is one thing to say that you do; it is quite another matter to prove it by your actions.
20 Consider briefly some of the examples of those who had complete trust in Jehovah in the past, and notice particularly how these individuals demonstrated their confidence.
PAST DISPLAYS OF CONFIDENCE
21 Noah proved that he had complete reliance on Jehovah's warning by the way he lived day by day. He did not physically isolate himself, although he remained politically and socially separate from the system. At the same time he worked hard at his God-given assignment of constructing the ark, and in preaching to others and warning them of impending destruction. And all the time he demonstrated that he had absolute trust and confidence in the ability of his God, Jehovah, to protect and deliver him during this greatest time of trouble ever experienced until then.—Gen. 6:9; Heb. 11:7; 2 Pet. 2:5.
22 There was also Lot. Warned ahead of time to leave Sodom, and at the urging of angelic forces, four of that household left the city, but only three of them lived to tell about it. Why only three instead of four? Jesus answered: "Remember the wife of Lot." Contrary to instructions, when in flight out of Sodom she looked back, evidently for some selfish reason. —Gen. 19:1-26; Luke 17:32; 2 Pet. 2:7, 8.
23 In those instances only a few persons survived. But Jehovah can just as easily deliver a great multitude of persons to a place of safety. This was demonstrated in the case of the nation of Israel, and their companions, at the Red Sea. "By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land," the apostle Paul says. Their faith and confidence were demonstrated by their obedience, as we read: "So all the sons of Israel did just as Jehovah had commanded Moses and Aaron. They did just so."—Heb. 11:29; Ex. 12:37, 38, 50.
SOME ESCAPED "TRIBULATION" ON JERUSALEM
24 Faithful Christians in the sixties of the first century had to have similar confidence in Jehovah and his prophet, the Greater Moses, the Lord Jesus Christ. They had to act also on faith and show that they really believed what they had been told ahead of time about the coming destruction of Jerusalem. The warning was that, when they saw a "disgusting thing that causes desolation standing where it ought not," then they were to
waste no time in getting out of Jerusalem and the surrounding province of Judea.—Mark 13:14.
25 In time, this "sign" became so plain to the discerning ones! There it was, the "disgusting" Roman army under General Cestius Gallus surrounding the holy city of Jerusalem, "standing where it ought not," and it even began to undermine the very walls of the temple area itself!—Matt. 24:15.
20 So as soon as those Roman forces temporarily withdrew from their siege—suddenly, unexpectedly and with no apparent military reason—believing Christians made haste to get out before the Romans returned. Those without faith and confidence in Jesus' prophetic warning hung on until the invading armies under General Titus again laid siege to the city, bringing death to the great majority, and slavery to the few that survived.
27 Faith no less than that of first-century Christians is shown today by those having implicit confidence in the written Word of God. They saw how the churches of Christendom hailed the League of Nations as "the political expression of the kingdom of God on earth," and now they see the United Nations being idolized as man's 'last hope of peace.' They
Christians made haste to get out of Jerusalem, confident in Jesus' warning
see radical elements of the U.N. teaming up in readiness to invade Christendom's realm of operation and supposed rights, her "holy place." There it is, the United Nations, acting in defiance of the Prince of Peace, earth's rightful Ruler, the Lord Jesus Christ, and poised also to stand in the place that Christendom considers "holy"! (Rev. 11:15; 12:10) Yes, indeed, the United Nations is the modern-day "disgusting thing that causes desolation" to Christendom in the coming "great tribulation." —Matt. 24:15, 21.
28 Seeing this persistent obvious "sign," those with confidence in Jehovah's Word have gotten out of Babylon the Great, the principal part of which is Christendom.—Rev. 18: 4, 5.
29 If you are one of the more than 2,000,000 who have already fled Babylon the Great before her destruction and have become one of Jehovah's clean worshipers, then you are in a position similar to that of Noah's family who entered the ark, like that of Lot and his two daughters who fled Sodom, like that of the Israelites who left Egypt under the command of Moses. Yes, you are like the first-century Christians who escaped from Jerusalem before its destruction.
With deliverance from impending destruction in mind, what steps have more than 2,000,000 persons taken?
But finding yourself in such a favorable position at present, how will you face the future? Will you remain in the ark-like spiritual paradise into which you have entered? Having left the world empire of false religion, do you look forward to the destruction of Babylon the Great in the coming "great tribulation" with eager anticipation and with total confidence? As you ponder these questions, please consider the following article.
What questions is it appropriate to ask yourself?
BUILD UP YOUR CONFIDENCE
FOR THE FUTURE
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WE ARE now deep in the twentieth century, with every indication that the present system of things will pass away with this fading generation. Men alienated from God have suffered an increase in fear with the passing of each succeeding decade of this century. This is just as the great prophet Jesus Christ said it would be. In reply to the question: "When will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are destined to occur?" he answered, saying among other things, "There will be . . . on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out . . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." —Luke 21:7, 25, 26.
2 It is therefore not surprising that the
majority of the world of mankind, who have no faith or confidence in Jehovah or his Word, the Bible, are languishing in a mental state of fear of what the future will bring. In contrast, and as pointed out in the previous article, there are more than 2,000,000 persons around the world today who are facing the future with great optimism. They are very confident that this present wicked system of things will shortly be replaced by a new and righteous order—God's kingdom for which Jesus taught Christians to pray.—Matt. 6: 9, 10.
3 At the moment you may be one of these persons, and you may feel quite confident of your position and of what you are facing in this time of the end. But the apostle's warning is: "Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall."
(1 Cor. 10:12) If we heed this counsel, there are a number of things that we can do now to strengthen our state of confidence.
4 First of all, we should remember what the Proverbs say, that one's confidence in Jehovah must be based on knowledge of him and his past dealings with mankind, as well as knowledge of his present and future purposes.—Prov. 14:26; 22:19.
5 This emphasizes the importance of personal study and group study in the congregation. Learn all you can about this Grand Creator, not only from his Word, the Bible, but also by observation of the material creation around you. The apostle Paul said to the people of Lystra: "Indeed, [Jehovah] 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 14:17) And to the Roman Christians, Paul wrote: "For [God's] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship."—Rom. 1:20.
In addition to observing the created things here on the earth, we should turn our attention toward the physical heavens. In answer to the question: "Who has created these things?" Isaiah 40:26 says: "It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing." What a vast and impressive witness the cosmic bodies of the heavens present—countless billions of stars all testifying to the eternal greatness of Jehovah! David expressed it beautifully when he said: "The heavens are declaring the
glory of God; and of the work of his hands the expanse is telling."—Ps. 19:1.
"Then there are the invisible angelic creatures, numbering into the miriads. (Heb. 12:22; Jude 14, 15) Recall how the ancient worshiper of Jehovah, King Hezekiah, was taunted by the Assyrians: "What is this confidence in which you have trusted? . . . in whom have you put your trust, that you have rebelled against me [Sennacherib]?" But soon those pagan ridiculers were to learn why faithful King Hezekiah had put his trust and confidence in Jehovah and His angelic forces, for, as the record says, "It came about on that night that the angel of Jehovah proceeded to go out and strike down a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians."—2 Ki. 18:19, 20; 19:35; compare Isaiah 36:1 to 37:38.
8 Well, such a historical account as this should certainly give the one fearing Jehovah today great confidence. It is written: "The angel of Jehovah is camping all around those fearing him, and he rescues them."—Ps. 34:7; compare Psalm 91:11, 12.
If a single angel of Jehovah is so powerful that he can wipe out 185,000 men, we should certainly put our complete confidence in this same Jehovah and his angelic forces under the direct command of the Lord Jesus Christ today. And let us remember—this Lord Jesus Christ is no longer the 'babe in the Bethlehem manger.' This is the one who is now the mighty "King of kings and Lord of lords," the one who is able to say, "All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth," the one who is riding at the head of the armies of heaven, a force composed of no less than 100,000,000 angels!—Matt. 28:18; Rev. 5:11; 19:14-16.
MODERN EVIDENCE BUILDS UP CONFIDENCE
10 It is with such divine encouragement and angelic backing that a small "remnant" of Christ Jesus' anointed followers in the year 1919 set out and undertook to preach "this good news of the kingdom . . . in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations." (Matt. 24:14) Over the intervening years since that work began, a "great crowd" of persons "out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues" have responded. They are described as "the ones that come out of the great tribulation."—Rev. 7:9, 10, 14.
11 Now today as this faithful "remnant" look back over the years they can say, as Psalm 71:5 expresses it: "For you are my hope, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, my confidence from my youth." One only has to read the history of Jehovah's Witnesses for the past sixty years to see why this "remnant" and the "great crowd" have such confidence in Jehovah. It seems that Satan the Devil and his demons put every device and obstacle in the way to hinder and impede their work. They were made the special target of various political and religious organizations in many nations around the world. Dictatorships proscribed their work and banned their preaching activity. Even in the so-called "free nations" religious and patriotic zealots 'framed trouble by decree' and resorted to mob action and boycotts, all in an effort to silence God's people.* (Ps. 94:20) Evolutionists, critics of the Bible and that "man of lawlessness," the clergy of apostate Christendom, attempted to interfere with the disciple-making work of God's faithful witnesses.
12 Such past experiences have impressed
upon Jehovah's Christian witnesses the truthfulness of Isaiah 54:17, which says: "Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn. This is the hereditary possession of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from me,' is the utterance of Jehovah."
14 Look, too, at the worldwide growth and spiritual prosperity enjoyed by God's people in spite of all the demon-inspired opposition! Certainly the tremendous expansion of this preaching work could not have been accomplished except by Jehovah's protection, blessing and spirit upon his people. This too strengthens the confidence in God's people for the future.
WHY FREEDOM FROM FEAR IS POSSIBLE
14 But, really, if the "great tribulation" will be as devastating and destructive as the Scriptures indicate, is it possible for those serving God to look forward to its coming without fear and trepidation? We must keep in mind that there is a vast difference between the "great tribulation" that Jehovah God himself will bring upon Satan's beastly organization and all those clinging to it, and the tribulation that Satan now brings upon Jehovah's faithful witnesses in the form of persecution, bans, mob action and similar overt acts of violence.
15 This latter type of trouble originates with Satan and cannot be escaped if one serves Jehovah, for it is written: "All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." "In fact, the hour is coming when everyone that kills you will imagine he has rendered a sacred service to God."—2 Tim. 3:12; John 16:2.
15 Now, such personal suffering at the hands of misinformed and deluded persons certainly is not a pleasant experience that is longed for, hoped for and enjoyed when it comes. Jehovah's people have no desire to be victims of persecution. Even Jesus prayed three times to his Father that, if it were possible, he might be spared having to drink the "cup" of being made to appear as a blasphemer of God and a violator of his Law by being impaled on a torture stake. Yet, 'not my will be done but God's will,' he said. (Matt. 26:39-44) However, when the storm of affliction has passed over and one has endured under persecution, one can rejoice because one has proved faithful like Job and other godly men and women of old when under trial. In the end, you recall, Job was richly rewarded for his suffering. (Job 42:10-17) This was also the experience of the apostles when they were severely beaten at the order of the religious court. Afterward they "went their way from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of his name."—Acts 5:40, 41.
17 So, even when facing trials and tribulations at the hand of the Devil, we should have confidence in Jehovah's willingness and ability to bring us through completely victorious. (Rom. 8:37) Remember the encouraging words at 1 Corinthians 10:13: "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it." Otherwise stated, "we are persecuted, but not left in the lurch; we are thrown down, but not destroyed. Always we endure everywhere in our body the death-dealing treatment given to Jesus."—2 Cor. 4:8-10.
18 The "great tribulation," foretold in Matthew 24:21, 22, is, on the other hand, something altogether different from the trouble and persecution engineered and inflicted, both in the past and in the present, by the Devil upon God's servants. The "great tribulation" is a tribulation from God that will befall the Devil's entire crowd in vindication of Jehovah and all those on God's side. Just as it is written at 2 Thessalonians 1:6: "It is righteous on God's part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you."
19 For these reasons God's people have a deeper love and appreciation for Jehovah, and this, in turn, gives them a confidence free from any weakening or morbid fear. Awesome as the "great tribulation" may prove to be, these lovers of Jehovah are looking forward with eager anticipation to being eyewitnesses at that grand execution of divine judgment. (Ps. 89:7; Hab. 3:16, 18) And so they continually pray for God's kingdom to come and for his will and purpose to be accomplished—a prayer they offer 'in full confidence through faith.' "This is the confidence that we have toward him," the apostle John says, "that, no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us."—1 John 5:14; Eph. 3:12; Matt. 6:9, 10.
NEVER MISPLACE YOUR CONFIDENCE
20 With the "great tribulation" coming on apace, now is no time to be overconfident or self-reliant. We must never lean on our own understanding or that of other men, be they political statesmen, economic advisers, social counselors or religious prophets. (Prov. 3:5, 6; Ps. 146:3) The person misplacing his confidence 'in earllying man and actually making flesh his arm' is "cursed," according to the book of Jeremiah.
In contrast, it is written there in Jeremiah 17:5:8: "Blessed is the able-bodied man who puts his trust in Jehovah, and whose confidence Jehovah has become."
21 The person whose confidence is placed in Jehovah puts God's kingdom first in his life, and thus avoids many of the anxieties caused by the economic squeeze. (Matt. 6:25-34) He does not forget what Jesus also said, that "even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses." (Luke 12:15) How foolish, then, to hoard up material provisions and trust them to see one through the fury of the "great tribulation"! Says Proverbs 11:4, 28: "Valuable things will be of no benefit on the day of fury. . . . The one trusting in his riches—he himself will fall." Faithful Job was careful not to misplace his confidence in material possessions, saying: "If I have put gold as my confidence, or to gold I have said, 'You are my trust!' . . . I should have denied the true God above."—Job 31:24, 28.
22 Stock markets and prices may fall and heads of governments may topple, but these are not barometers that determine or measure the closeness of the storm of the "great tribulation." Keep in mind that when world powers of the past were destroyed by Jehovah, they did not collapse because of internal weakness or from corruption within their own framework. They were going concerns at the apparent height of their power when God deposed them by external forces.
28 While individuals among the Lord's people may be killed between now and then (and the Scriptures indicate that some will be [Matt. 10:21; 24:9]), yet
Jehovah's people as a class will survive the "great tribulation." Even if you personally should prove to be one who suffers great hardships and calamities—such as the collapse of your health, a death in your family, loss of children or material possessions, or economic disasters—yet, in spite of what occurs, you should never suffer the loss of your faith and confidence in Jehovah. Never doubt the promises of your God. Never grow fearful and run in a cowardly way for cover; never deny your God or compromise your integrity. And never allow your vision to become dim as regards angelic backing of those holding to their dedication to Jehovah.—2 Ki. 6:14-17; Hab. 3:17, 18.
24 There is no question about it: "Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Jehovah his God." (Ps. 146:5) So rejoice in Jehovah and in the help, guidance, protection and spiritual prosperity that he has granted and is bestowing upon his faithful witnesses in this time of the end!—Luke 21:28; 2 Tim. 1:7.
25 As Jehovah's publicity agents, let us be fearless and bold, and keep on warning people of the day of God's vengeance. (Ezek. 3:17) Let us keep on praying for God's kingdom to come in all its fury against Satan's wicked system, that it may be smashed to pieces and ground to powder. (Matt. 6:9, 10; Dan. 2:44; Mal. 4:3) As Jehovah's Witnesses face the destruction of the Devil's entire organization, oh, how encouraging do they find God's promise at Proverbs 3:25, 26: "You will not need to be afraid of any sudden dreadful thing, nor of the storm upon the wicked ones, because it is coming. For Jehovah himself will prove to be, in effect, YOUR CONFIDENCE"!
Are You WILLING TO LISTEN?
"BE SWIFT about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath" is good counsel, which, if followed, would save many persons from grief. Jas. 1:19.
This admonition to hear or listen came from one who knew what it meant both to listen and not to listen. He was a half brother of Jesus Christ. During his early life he undoubtedly grew up with Jesus and knew of his fine qualities, his love, his humility and understanding. One might think that James and his brother Jude (who wrote the Bible book of Jude) would have been among the first to become followers and apostles of Jesus. But this was not the case.
The apostle John has recorded for us what happened about six months before Jesus' death. He wrote:
"[Jesus'] brothers said to him: 'Pass on over from here and go into Judea, in order that your disciples also may behold the works you do. For nobody does anything in secret while himself seeking to be known publicly. If you do these things, manifest yourself to the world.' His brothers were, in fact, not exercising faith in him."—John 7:3.5.
It appears that it was not until after Jesus' death and resurrection that these half brothers of his reviewed the things that they had heard but to which they had not listened, and now came to the conclusion that he was indeed the Messiah. But their not listening during his lifetime cost them the opportunity and joy of serving with and being taught directly by Jesus during the three and a half years of his preaching the good news. It was only because of the undeserved kindness of Jehovah and of Jesus himself that they finally had their eyes opened and were accepted as followers of Christ and made his spiritual brothers.
How do you listen, particularly when God speaks to you through his Word? Or when one of his representatives, an overseer or another faithful brother, speaks? Do you take the information to heart, getting the sense of it and applying it to yourself? The proverb says: "Listen to counsel and accept discipline, in order that you may become wise in your future." (Prov. 19:20) And King David, who underwent strong discipline, wrote: "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head."—Ps. 141:5, Authorized Version.
OVERSEERS SHOULD LISTEN
Perhaps you are one in a position of oversight. How do you listen to others? It may be that you are an overseer in the Christian congregation or perhaps a supervisor or foreman of a work project. When someone under your oversight comes to you with a suggestion, a problem or a request, are you 'too busy' to listen?
Or, do you brush the person off as though what he is saying is unworthy of your consideration? Maybe you even 'laugh off' his request, belittling it. Or perhaps it is your policy to meet his request first with a brusquely expressed "No" rather than being open to discussion.
If you do these things you are not really qualified as an overseer. You are not approachable. You are acting in a self-willed way, contrary to the requirement set forth for overseers at Titus 1:7: "An overseer must be free from accusation as God's steward, not self-willed."
It is also required of an overseer that he hold "firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching." (Titus 1:9) But, if the person approaching you is wrong in his suggestion, problem or request, your turning him away without listening and reasoning pro and con on the matter has certainly not taught him. In fact, you may have made him more convinced that he is right. He is likely to be very downcast in spirit and reluctant to appeal to you later on other matters. He may even tell fellow workers about the inconsiderate treatment he received from you, thus turning them away also from approaching you in the future.
One who has supervisory responsibilities should realize that "there is salvation in the multitude of counselors." (Prov. 11: 14) This can often prevent one from making a serious mistake. Jehovah God the Creator is the only person who does not need someone to counsel him. (Isa. 40: 13, 14; Rom. 11:33-36) As an overseer you may be very much helped by a discussion with someone else. You may get fresh ideas. Also, you may be kept 'in touch' with what is going on and with the feelings of those working with you. By listening to a problem or request, looking into it thoroughly from all sides, you
may be able to avoid much bigger problems later on.
Moses was the God-appointed leader of some three million people. Yet he did not consider it below his dignity to listen to his father-in-law Jethro. At Jethro's suggestion, Moses appointed men as chieftains in order that he himself might not have to bear the entire burden of making all decisions and judging all disputes.—Ex. 18:13-26.
Even Jehovah God listened to Abraham's earnest request. Here it was not a matter of Abraham's giving counsel, or adding to Jehovah's knowledge. Jehovah was listening to Abraham's plea in behalf of any righteous persons that might be in Sodom. Of course, it was entirely in harmony with Jehovah's merciful disposition that no righteous persons be killed along with the wicked. But it may be noted that here, as in many other cases, Jehovah accorded his servant dignity as a friend and coworker by listening patiently and granting Abraham's request, though the evidence later showed that there were not even ten righteous men in Sodom—Gen. 18:20-33; 15:5; compare Joshua 10:12-14.
Husbands, though you are heads of your households, you should listen to your wives as 'junior partners.' What they say should be given respectful consideration. For a happy marriage, conversations should be freely engaged in. Similarly with children, their questions and problems should be heard with the same attention that is given to those of grown-ups. This will build confidence and close-knit family groups. 1 Pet. 3:7; Eph. 6:4.
WEIGH THE WORDS OF OTHERS WITH DISCERNMENT
It is important, also, to be discerning when listening and acting on the advice or appeal of another. Adam was the head of his household, but he failed to exercise proper headship. He should have demonstrated unbreakable loyalty first to God, to whom he owed everything.
But, as Jehovah later said to Adam: "Because you listened to your wife's voice and took to eating from the tree concerning which I gave you this command, 'You must not eat from it,' . . . in the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken." —Gen. 3:17-19.
Being careful about whom you listen to for guidance is essential. In the Christian congregation it is good to seek out those who are experienced and who have a strong background of service to Jehovah God. The Bible injunction is: "Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out imitate their faith."—Heb. 13:7.
Listening to the wrong persons can cause one's death, or can even bring about the defeat of a nation. King Jehoash of Judah did well as long as he listened to wise and faithful high priest Jehoiola, but after Jehoiada's death, Jehoash, instead of following this good counsel, turned to the princes of Judah, who were idolaters. His listening to their bad counsel, contrary to God's word, brought Jehoash under responsibility for murder, caused ignominious defeat for the nation of Judah and, finally, diseases and assassination for Jehoash himself.—2 Chron. 24:17-25.
Earlier, Solomon's son Rehoboam, king over the twelve tribes of Israel, lost ten of the tribes from his dominion because, instead of listening to the older men who had been wise counselors of his father Solomon, he listened to young men with whom he had grown up. They advised the king to refuse to entertain the plea of the people, but, rather, to become more harsh, oppressive and unapproachable. By following this advice, Rehoboam caused a division of this nation that was never healed, and that was a factor in the ten
tribes' plunge into idolatry.—1 Kl. 12:
1-20.
You can put yourself into real danger of following a wrong course when you listen only to those closely related to you by family or friendship ties, or to those who refrain from correcting you because of some advantage they might gain from you. Whoever these may be, there is no excuse, if you are a Christian, for departing from the Source of wisdom, Jehovah.—Prov. 2:6-9.
If anyone, either slyly or openly, tries to induce you to deviate from Jehovah's Word or from the Christian congregation, which is "a pillar and support of the truth," you should immediately repel that one. (1 Tim. 3:15) The rule is stated by the apostle Paul: "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) Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses told the assembled people: "In case your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or your cherished wife or your companion who is like your own soul, should try to allure you in secrecy, saying, 'Let us go and serve other gods,' . . . you must not accede to his wish or listen to him, nor should your eye feel sorry for him, nor must you feel compassion, nor cover him protectively . . . because he has sought to turn you away from Jehovah your God."—Deut. 13:6-10.
But toward those who come to you in sincerity, whether to ask something from you or to correct you, you should never fail to exercise Jehovah's fine qualities of mercy and consideration. You should also be humble, with a wholehearted desire to please Jehovah above all things. (John 8: 29) In doing so, you will truly be following the apostle Paul's counsel: "In showing honor to one another take the lead." —Rom. 12:10.
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