The Watchtower, January 1, 2000
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JANUARY 1, 2000
THE WATCHTOWER
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
Faith Can Change Your Life THE WATCHTOWER
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM
January 1,2000
Average Printing Each Issue: 22,398,000
The purpose of The Watchtower is to exalt Jehovah God as Sovereign Lord of the universe. It keeps watch on world events as these fulfill Bible prophecy. It comforts all peoples with the good news that God's Kingdom will soon destroy those who oppress their fellowmen and that it will turn the earth into a paradise. It encourages faith in God's now-reigning King, Jesus Christ, whose shed blood opens the way for mankind to gain eternal life. The Watchtower, published by Jehovah's Witnesses continuously since 1879, is nonpolitical. It adheres to the Bible as its authority.
WHO IS THE WATCHMAN TODAY? 6-11
Title card of Biblia midwiveska by Szymon Budny, 1572
WHAT UNIQUE FEATURES MADE BUDNY'S TRANSLATION SUPERIOR? 21-3
In This Issue
Faith Can Change Your Life 3
Serving With the Watchman 6
"The Little One"
Has Become "a Thousand" 11
The "Polish Brethren"—Why Were
They Persecuted? 21
Remembering Our Creator
From Youth On 24
New Members of the Governing Body 29
We Need Jehovah's Organization 30
When 'the Winds Are Against Us' 32
WATCHTOWER STUDIES
FEBRUARY 7-13:
Serving With the Watchman.
Page 6. Songs to be used: 193, 127.
FEBRUARY 14-20:
"The Little One" Has Become "a Thousand."
Page 11. Songs to be used: 53, 63.
Publication of The Watchtower is part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations. The Bible translation used is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References, unless otherwise indicated.
The Walthower (155N 0043-1087) is published semimonthly by Walthower Bittner and Trust Society of New York, Inc., Milton, MI; Clemente, New York; and the University of Pennsylvania, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483. Periodicals Mail Paid at Brooklyn, NY and at additional mailing addresses to Wallace, Wallich, Wallich, Wallich. Wallich, NY 12599.
Changes of address should reach us 30 days before your moving date. Give us your old and new address (if possible, your old address label). © 2000 Watch: Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. ENGLISH Semimonthly
Faith Can Change Your Life
"I IT MOST certainly is possible to have good values without a God." This was the assertion of an agnostic. She said that she had raised her children with high moral values, and they, in turn, had brought up their children with similar high standards all without faith in God.
Does this mean that faith in God is unnecessary? Evidently, this person thought so. And it is true that everyone who does not believe in God is not necessarily a bad person. The apostle Paul spoke of "people of the nations" who do not know God but "do by nature the things of the law." (Romans 2:14) All—including agnostics—were born with a conscience. Many try to follow the dictates of their conscience even if they do not believe in the God who gave them that innate sense of right and wrong.
However, a solid faith in God—one that is based on the Bible—is a much more powerful force for good than the unaided guidance of the conscience. A faith based on the Word of God, the Bible, informs the conscience, makes it keener in discerning right from wrong. (Hebrews 5:14) Moreover, faith strengthens people to maintain high standards in the face of enormous pressure. For example, during the 20th century, many countries came under the power of corrupt political regimes, which forced apparently decent people to commit terrible atrocities. However, those with true faith in God refused to compromise their principles, even at the risk of their lives. In addition, a Bible-based faith can change people. It can redeem lives that seem lost and help people avoid serious mistakes.
Consider a few examples.
Faith Can Change Family Life
"Through your faith you have achieved the impossible." So said an English judge when he handed down his decision on the custody of John and Tania's children. When John and Tania came to the attention of the authorities, they were not married and their homelife was terrible. John, with a drug problem and a gambling habit, had turned to crime to finance his vices. He neglected his children and their mother. So, what "miracle" had occurred?
One day, John heard his young nephew talking about Paradise. Intrigued, he questioned the boy's parents. The parents are Jehovah's Witnesses, and they helped John to learn about it from the Bible. Little by little, John and Tania developed a Bible-based faith that changed their lives. They legalized their union in marriage and overcame their vices. The authorities who inspected their household found something that would have seemed impossible a short time before—a happy family in a clean home, an acceptable place in which to bring up children. The judge was correct in crediting this "miracle" to the newfound faith of John and Tania.
Thousands of miles from England, a young wife in the Near East was about to become part of a very sad statistic. She was planning to join the millions each year whose marriages end in divorce. She had a child, but her husband was much older than she was. For this reason, her relatives were urging her to get a divorce, and she had actually started to make arrangements to do so. However, she was studying the Bible with one of Jehovah's Witnesses. When the Witness learned of the situation, she explained what the Bible says about marriage —for example, that marriage is a gift from God and not something to be thrown away lightly. (Matthew 19:4-6, 9) The woman thought to herself, 'It is odd that this woman, a stranger, is trying to save our family while those who
are close to me want to break it up.' Her newly acquired faith helped her to preserve her marriage.
A sad statistic affecting family life has to do with abortion. A United Nations report estimated that every year at least 45 million unborn babies are deliberately aborted. Each such event is a tragedy. Bible knowledge helped a woman in the Philippines to avoid contributing to that statistic.
The woman was contacted by Jehovah's Witnesses, accepted a Bible study brochure entitled What Does God Require of Us? and began to study the Bible. Months later, she explained why. The woman was pregnant when the Witnesses first visited her, but she and her husband had decided to abort the baby. However, the picture of the unborn baby on page 24 of the brochure touched the woman's heart. The accompanying Bible-based explanation that life is sacred because 'with God is the source of life' persuaded her to keep her baby. (Psalm 36:9) Now she is the mother of a beautiful, healthy infant.
Faith Helps Those Looked Down Upon
In Ethiopia, two poorly dressed men came to a meeting for worship conducted by Jehovah's Witnesses. At the end of the meeting, a Witness introduced himself to them in a friendly manner. The men asked for a handout. The Witness gave them, not money, but something better. He encouraged them to develop faith in God, which is "of much greater value than gold." (1 Peter 1:7) One of them responded and began to study the Bible. This changed his life. As he grew in faith, he gave up smoking, heavy drinking, immorality, and the use of khat (an addictive stimulant). He learned how to support himself instead of begging and now lives a clean, productive life.
In Italy a 47-year-old man had been sentenced to ten years in prison and was detained in a judicial psychiatric hospital.
One of Jehovah's Witnesses who is authorized to enter prison institutions to give spiritual assistance studied the Bible with him. The man made rapid progress. Faith changed his life so much that other prisoners now turn to him for counsel on how to deal with their problems. His Bible-based faith has won him respect, esteem, and the trust of the prison authorities.
In recent years newspapers have reported on civil wars in Africa. Particularly horrifying are accounts of young boys who are trained as soldiers. These children are drugged, brutalized, and forced to engage in dehumanizing behavior against their relatives in order to ensure that their sole loyalty is to the faction for which they are fighting. Is a Bible-based faith strong enough to change the lives of such youngsters? In at least two cases, it was.
In Liberia, Alex served as an altar boy in the Catholic Church. But at the age of 13, he joined a warring faction and became a notorious child soldier. To make himself brave in battle, he turned to witchcraft. Alex saw many of his companions killed, but he survived. In 1997 he met Jehovah's Witnesses and found that they did not look down on him. Rather, they helped him to learn what the Bible says about violence. Alex left the army. As his faith began to grow, he followed the Bible command: "Let him turn away from what is bad and do what is good; let him seek peace and pursue it."—1 Peter 3:11.
Meanwhile, a former child soldier named Samson came through the town where Alex now lived. He had been a choirboy but in 1993 became a soldier and got involved in drug abuse, spiritism, and immorality. In 1997 he was demobilized. Samson was heading for Monrovia to join a special security force when a friend persuaded him to study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, and as a result, he developed a Bible-based faith. This gave him the courage to abandon his warlike ways. Both Alex and Samson now live peaceful and moral lives. Could anything but Bible-based faith
The Right Kind of Faith
make changes in lives that had been so brutalized?
These are just a few of the many, many examples that could be cited to illustrate the power of genuine faith based on the Bible. Of course, not everyone who merely claims to believe in God lives up to the Bible's high standards. Indeed, some atheists may live better lives than some professed Christians. That is because Bible-based faith involves more than merely claiming to believe in God.
The apostle Paul called faith "the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities not beheld." (Hebrews 11:1) Hence, faith includes a strong belief—based on irrefutable evidence—in unseen things. It especially involves having no doubt whatsoever that God exists, that he is interested in us, and that he will bless those who do his will. The apostle also said: "He that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him."—Hebrews 11:6.
It was this kind of faith that changed the lives of John, Tania, and the others mentioned in this article. It led them to look in full confidence to God's Word, the Bible, for guidance in making decisions. It helped them to make temporary sacrifices so as not to take a convenient, but wrong, course. Different as each experience was, all began in the same way. One of Jehovah's Witnesses studied the Bible with these individuals, and they came to experience the truth of what the Bible says: "The word of God is alive and exerts power." (Hebrews 4:12) The power of God's Word helped each individual to build the strong faith that changed his life for the better.
Jehovah's Witnesses are active in more than 230 lands and islands of the sea. They invite you to have a Bible study. Why? Because they are convinced that a Bible-based faith can bring about great improvements in your life too.
SERVING WITH THE WATCHMAN
"Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly by day, and at my guardpost I am stationed all the nights." -ISAIAH 21:8.
JEHOVAH is the Great Purposer. The rebel angel who became Satan the Devil can do nothing to thwart His grand purpose to sanctify His own name and establish a glorious Kingdom rule over a paradisaic earth. (Matthew 6:9, 10) Under that rule, mankind will be truly blessed. God "will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces." Happy, united humans will enjoy peace and prosperity for all eternity. (Isaiah 25:8; 65:17-25) Jehovah is his own witness to these grand promises!
2 However, the Grand Creator also has human witnesses. In pre-Christian times "a cloud of witnesses," beginning with Abel, ran the race of endurance, often in the face of overwhelming odds. Their sterling examples encourage loyal Christians today. Christ Jesus is the superlative example of a courageous witness. (Hebrews 11:1-12:2) Recall, for example, his final testimony before Pontius Pilate. Jesus declared: "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." (John 18:37) From 33 C.E. down to this year 2000 C.E., zealous Christians have followed Jesus' example and have continued to witness, courageously declaring "the magnificent things of God."—Acts 2:11.
To what grand promises is Jehovah himself a witness?
Babylonian Sectarianism
What human witnesses has Jehovah raised up?
3 Over the millenniums the great Adversary, Satan the Devil, has wickedly sought to discredit the testimony of God's witnesses. As "the father of the lie," this "great dragon . . . , the original serpent," has been "misleading the entire inhabited earth." He has been relentless in his warfare against those who "observe the commandments of God," especially in these last days.—John 8:44; Revelation 12:9, 17.
4 Some 4,000 years ago, after the Flood of Noah's day, Satan raised up Nimrod, "a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah." (Genesis 10:9, 10) Nimrod's greatest city, Babylon (Babel), became a center of demonistic religion. When Jehovah confused the language of Babel's tower builders, the people were scattered around the earth, and they carried their false religion with them. Thus Babylon became the source of a worldwide empire of false religion, named Babylon the Great in the book of Revelation. That book foretells the doom of this ancient religious system.—Revelation 17:5; 18:21.
A Nation of Witnesses
About 500 years after Nimrod's time, Jehovah organized the descendants of faithful
"Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly"
Abraham into the nation of Israel to serve as His witness on earth. (Isaiah 43:10, 12) Many individuals of that nation served Jehovah loyalty. Over the centuries, however, the false beliefs of neighboring nations corrupted Israel, and Jehovah's covenant people turned away from him to the worship of false gods. Hence, in 607 B.C.E., the armies of Babylon, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and its temple and carried most of the Jews off into exile in Babylon.
6 What a triumph that was for false religion! However, Babylon's ascendancy was short-lived. Some 200 years before the event, Jehovah commanded: "Go, post a lookout that he may tell just what he sees." What news did this watchman have to announce? "She has fallen! Babylon has fallen, and all the graven images of her gods he has broken to the earth!" (Isalah 21:6, 9) Sure enough, in 539 B.C.E., the prophetic declaration came true. Mighty Babylon fell, and God's covenant people were soon able to return to their homeland.
What good news did Jehovah's prophetic watchman declare, and when was it fulfilled?
7 The returning Jews had learned enough to abandon idolatry and spiritistic religion. However, over the years, they fell into other traps. Some were ensnared by Greek philosophy. Others came to stress human tradition over God's Word. Still others were seduced by nationalism. (Mark 7:13; Acts 5:37) By the time Jesus was born, the nation had again turned away from pure worship. While individual Jews responded to the good news declared by Jesus, the nation as a whole rejected him and was thus rejected by God. (John 1:9-12; Acts 2:36) Israel was no longer God's witness, and in the year 70 C.E., Jerusalem and its temple were again devastated, this time by the Roman army.-Matthew 21:43.
Meanwhile, a Christian "Israel of God" had been born, and this now served as God's witness to the nations. (Galatians 6:16) Very quickly, Satan schemed to corrupt this new, spiritual nation. By the end of the first century, sectarian influences were seen in the congregations. (Revelation 2:6, 14, 20) Paul's warning was timely: "Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ."—Colossians 2:8.
Eventually, Greek philosophy, Babylonian religious ideas, and later such human "wisdom" as the theory of evolution and higher criticism contaminated the religion of many who claimed to be Christian. It was as Paul had foretold: "I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves."
(Acts 20:29, 30) As a result of this apostasy, Christendom came into existence.
10 Those truly devoted to pure worship had to "put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones." (Jude 3) Would the witness to pure worship and to Jehovah vanish from the earth? No. As the time approached for the destruction of the rebel Satan and all his works, it became evident that not everyone had surrendered to the apostate worship practiced in Christendom. In the latter part of the 19th century, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., a group of sincere Bible students was organized and became the nucleus of God's modern-day witness class. These Christians drew attention to the Scriptural evidence that the conclusion of the present world system was at hand. True to Bible prophecy, this world's "conclusion" began in 1914 and was marked by the outbreak of the first world war. (Matthew 24:3, 7) There is strong evidence that Satan and his demonic hordes were cast out of heaven following that year. The trouble-filled 20th century has provided clear proof of Satan's activity and of a remarkable fulfillment of the sign of Jesus' royal presence in heavenly Kingdom power—Matthew, chapters 24 and 25; Mark, chapter 13; Luke, chapter 21; Revelation 12:10, 12.
11 In June 1918, Satan frantically tried to wipe out those Bible students, who by then were preaching in several countries. He also sought to destroy their legal corporation, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Responsible officers of the Society were imprisoned, falsely charged with sedition, as Jesus had been in the first century. (Luke 23:2) But in 1919, these officers were released, enabling them to continue their ministry. Later, they were fully exonerated.
A "Lookout" on the Watch
12 When "the time of the end" began, therefore, Jehovah again had a watchman on the scene, alerting people to events having to do with the fulfillment of His purposes. (Daniel 12:4; 2 Timothy 3:1) Until this day, that watchman class—anointed Christians, the Israel of God—has been acting in harmony with Isaiah's description of the prophetic watchman: "He paid strict attention, with much attentiveness. And he proceeded to call out like a lion: 'Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly by day, and at my guardpost I am stationed all the nights.'" (Isaiah 21:7; 8) This is a watchman who takes his task seriously!
13 What did this watchman see? Again, Jehovah's watchman, his witness class, announced: "She has fallen! Babylon has fallen, and all the graven images of her gods he [Jehovah] has broken to the earth!" (Isaiah 21:9) This time, following World War I, it is Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, that is toppled from its perch of authority. (Jeremiah 50:1-3; Revelation 14:8) No wonder! The Great War, as it was then called, started in Christendom, where the clergy on both sides fueled the conflagration by preaching the cream of their youth into the trenches. What a disgrace! In 1919, Babylon the Great could not prevent the Bible Students, as Jehovah's Witnesses were then known, from escaping from their inactive state and embarking on a worldwide witnessing campaign that still continues. (Matthew 24:14) That signaled a fall for Babylon the Great, just as the release of Israel in the sixth century B.C.E. signaled a fall for ancient Babylon.
14 The watchman class has always performed its task with zeal and a strong desire to do what is right.
In July 1879, the Bible Students started publication of this magazine, then known as Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. Each issue from 1879 until December 15, 1938, carried on its front cover the words "Watchman, What of the Night?"—Isaiah 21:11."* Faithfully, for 120 years The Watchtower has kept watch on world events and their prophetic import. (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13) God's watchman class and its "other sheep" companions have used this magazine in vigorously proclaiming to mankind that the vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty by Christ's Kingdom is at hand. (John 10:16) Has this witness been blessed by Jehovah? Well, from the first issue of 6,000 copies in 1879, The Watchtower has grown to a worldwide circulation of more than 22,000,000 copies in 132 languages—121 of these being published simultaneously. How appropriate that the most widely distributed religious magazine on earth should be the one that magnifies the name of the true God, Jehovah!
A Progressive Cleansing
15 During some 40 years up until Christ's heavenly rule began in 1914, the Bible Students had been freed from many of the non-Biblical doctrines of Christendom, such as infant baptism, immortality of the human soul, purgatory, hellfire torment, and a Trinitarian God. But it took additional time to purge all wrong ideas. For example, in the 1920's many Bible Students wore a pin featuring a cross-and-crown emblem, and they celebrated Christmas and other pagan holidays. However, for worship to be pure, all vestiges of idolatry must be discarded. God's Word, the Holy Bible, must be the sole basis of the Christian's faith and way of life. (Isaiah 8:19, 20; Romans
15:4) It is wrong to add to God's Word or to take anything away from it.—Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18, 19.
16 One example will underline how important this principle is. In 1886 when C. T. Russell published a book that came to be called The Divine Plan of the Ages, this volume contained a chart linking the ages of mankind with the Great Pyramid of Egypt. It was thought that this memorial of Pharaoh Khufu was the pillar referred to at Isaiah 19:19, 20: "In that day there will prove to be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Jehovah beside its boundary. And it must prove to be for a sign and for a witness to Jehovah of armies in the land of Egypt." What relationship could the pyramid have with the Bible? Well, as an example, the length of certain passages in the Great Pyramid was said to indicate the time for the beginning of the "great tribulation" of Matthew 24:21, as it was then understood. Some Bible Students became engrossed with measuring different features of the pyramid to determine such matters as the day they would be going to heaven!
17 This so-called Bible in Stone was held in esteem for some decades, until the Watchtower issues of November 15 and December 1,
17. (a) What false idea did the watchman class hold for some decades? (b) What is the correct explanation of the "altar" and the "pillar" in "Egypt"?
Do You Recall?
What witnesses has Jehovah raised up through the years?
What is the origin of Babylon the Great?
Why did Jehovah allow Jerusalem, the capital city of his nation of witnesses, to be destroyed in 607 B.C.E.E? in 70 C.E.E?
What spirit have Jehovah's watchman class and their companions shown?
1928, made clear that Jehovah needed no stone monument built by pagan pharaohs and containing demonic signs of astrology to confirm the witness given in the Bible. Rather, Isaiah's prophecy was seen to have a spiritual application. As at Revelation 11:8, "Egypt" is symbol of Satan's world. The "altar to Jehovah" reminds us of the acceptable sacrifices
made by anointed Christians while they are temporary residents in this world. (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15, 16) The pillar "beside [Egypt's] boundary" points to the congregation of anointed Christians, which is "a pillar and support of the truth" and which stands as a witness in "Egypt," the world that they are about to leave. -1 Timothy 3:15.
18 As the years pass, Jehovah continues to give us further clarification of truth, including a clearer understanding of
his prophetic word. (Proverbs 4:18) In recent years, we have been encouraged to look again with deeper understanding at—among other things—the generation that will not pass away before the end comes, the parable of the sheep and the goats, the disgusting thing and when it will stand in a holy place, the new covenant, the transfiguration, and the temple vision of the book of Ezekiel. It may be difficult at times to understand such updated explanations, but the reasons for them become clear in due course. If a Christian does not fully understand a new explanation of a scripture, he does well humbly to echo the words of the prophet Micah: "I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation."—Micah 7:7.
(a) How has Jehovah continued to clarify matters for sincere Bible students? (b) If a Christian finds a Scriptural clarification difficult to understand, what is a wise attitude to have?
Jehovah's watchman class take their task seriously
19 Recall that the watchman "proceeded to call out like a lion: 'Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly by day, and at my guardpost I am stationed all the nights.'" (Isaiah 21:8) The anointed remnant have shown lionlike courage in exposing false religion and showing people the way to freedom.
(Revelation 18:2-5) As "the faithful and discreet slave," they have provided Bibles, magazines, and other publications in a multitude of languages—"food at the proper time." (Matthew 24:45) They have taken the lead in gathering the "great crowd . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues." These too are cleansed by the ransoming blood of Jesus and show themselves lionhearted in rendering God "sacred service day and night." (Revelation 7:9, 14, 15) What has been the fruitage this past year of the small surviving group of anointed Witnesses of Jehovah and their companions, the great crowd? Our next article will tell.
How have the anointed remnant and their other sheep companions shown lionlike courage in these last days?
"THE LITTLE ONE" HAS BECOME "A THOUSAND"
"The little one himself will become a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation."-ISAIAH 60:22.
"DARKNESS itself will cover the earth, and thick gloom the national groups; but upon you Jehovah will shine forth, and upon you his own glory will be seen." (Isaiah 60:2) These words well describe the situation on earth since 1919. Christendom has rejected the sign of the royal presence of Jesus Christ, "the light of the world." (John 8:12; Matthew 24:3) Because of the "great anger" of Satan, chief of "the world rulers of this darkness," the 20th century was the cruelest, most destructive time of man's history. (Revelation 12:12; Ephesians 6:12) Most people live in spiritual darkness.
2 Still, light does shine today. Jehovah 'shines forth' upon his servants, the anointed remnant, who are the earthly representatives
of his heavenly "woman." (Isaiah 60:1) Especially since their release from Babylonish captivity in 1919, these have reflected God's glory and have 'let their light shine before men.' (Matthew 5:16) From 1919 through 1931, Kingdom light shone brighter and brighter as these ones cast off the remaining shackles of Babylonish thinking. They increased in number to tens of thousands as Jehovah fulfilled his promise: "I shall without fail collect the remaining ones of Israel together. In unity I shall set them, like a flock in the pen, like a drove in the midst of its pasture; they will be noisy with men." (Micah 2:12) In 1931, Jehovah's glory upon his people became even more evident when they accepted the name Jehovah's Witnesses.—Isaiah 43:10, 12.
3 Would Jehovah shine forth on only the
How did it become evident that Jehovah's light would shine on others besides the anointed?
remaining ones of the "little flock"? (Luke 12: 32) No. The September 1, 1931, issue of The Watch Tower pointed to another group. In a fine explanation of Ezekiel 9:1-11, it showed that the man with the writer's inkhorn mentioned in those verses represents the anointed remnant. Who are marked on the forehead by that "man"? "Other sheep," ones who have the hope of living eternally on a paradise earth. (John 10:16; Psalm 37:29) In 1935 this group of "other sheep" were discerned to be the "great crowd . . . out of all nations" seen in vision by the apostle John. (Revelation 7:9-14) From 1935 until now, much attention has been focused on the gathering in of the great crowd.
4 This gathering work is alluded to in Isaiah's prophecy when it says: "Nations will certainly go to your light, and kings to the brightness of your shining forth." (Isaiah 60:3) Who are the "kings" referred to here? The remaining ones of the 144,000 who, along with Jesus Christ, are joint heirs of the heavenly Kingdom and have taken the lead in the witness work. (Romans 8:17; Revelation 12:17; 14:1) Today, the few thousand remaining ones of the anointed remnant are greatly outnumbered by the "nations," those with an earthly hope who come to Jehovah for instruction and invite others to do the same. —Isaiah 2:3.
Jehovah's Zealous Servants
5 What zeal Jehovah's modern-day Witnesses showed throughout the 20th century! And despite increasing pressures, their zeal did not diminish as the year 2000 approached. They still took very seriously Jesus' command: "Make disciples of people of all the nations." (Matthew 28:19, 20) The number of active
publishers of the good news in the last service year of the 20th century reached a new peak of 5,912,492. They spent the remarkable total of 1,144,566,849 hours talking to others about God and his purposes. They made 420,047,796 return visits on interested ones and conducted 4,433,884 free home Bible studies. What a wonderful record of zealous service!
6 Last January, the Governing Body announced an adjustment in the hour requirement for pioneers. Many took advantage of this to enter the ranks of regular or auxiliary pioneers. For example, during the first four calendar months of 1999, the Netherlands branch office received four times as many regular pioneer applications as during the same period a year before. Ghana reports: "Since the new pioneer hour goal went into effect, the ranks of our regular pioneers have steadily gone up." In the 1999 service year, the number of pioneers worldwide reached 738,343 a wonderful demonstration of 'zeal for fine works.'—Titus 2:14.
7 Has Jehovah blessed this zealous activity? Yes. Through Isaiah he says: "Raise your eyes all around and see! They have all of them been collected together; they have come to you. From far away your own sons keep coming, and your daughters who will be taken care of on the flank." (Isaiah 60:4) Anointed "sons" and "daughters" who have been gathered in are still zealously serving God. And now, Jesus' other sheep are being gathered to the side of Jehovah's anointed "sons" and "daughters" in 234 lands and islands of the sea.
"Every Good Work"
8 Christians have the responsibility to
What new arrangement was made for ploneers, and what response was there?
preach the good news of the Kingdom and to help interested ones to become disciples. But they are "equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:17) Thus, they lovingly care for their families, show hospitality, and visit the sick. (1 Timothy 5:8; Hebrews 13:16)
projects as building Kingdom Halls—a work that also gives a witness. In Togo, after the construction of one hall, the responsible ones of a local charismatic church wanted to know why Jehovah's Witnesses were able to construct their own buildings while the church had to hire people for this purpose! Togo reports that the construction of good-quality Kingdom Halls has such a positive effect on the neighborhood that some people try to rent or build houses in localities where halls are going to be built.
9 Sometimes, another kind of good work is called for. Many lands during the last service year were struck by disasters, and frequently the first on the scene to render aid were Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, much of Honduras was devastated by Hurricane Mitch. Quickly, the branch formed emergency committees to organize relief efforts. Witnesses in Honduras and many other lands donated clothes, food, medicine, and other basic items. Regional Building Committees used their skills to rebuild houses. Soon, our brothers who were victims of the disaster were being helped to return to their regular activities. In Ecuador, Jehovah's Witnesses came to the aid of their brothers when serious flooding destroyed some homes. After watching the efficient way they had dealt with the situation, a government official said: "If I had this group, I would do marvels! People like you should be in all parts of the world." Such good work brings praise to Jehovah God and
is evidence of our "godly devotion [that] is beneficial for all things."—1 Timothy 4:8.
They "Come Flying Just Like a Cloud"
10 Jehovah now asks: "Who are these that come flying just like a cloud, and like doves to their
birdhouse holes? For in me the islands themselves will keep hoping, the ships of Tarshish also as at the first, in order to bring your sons from far away . . . Foreigners will actually build your walls, and their own kings will minister to you." (Isaiah 60:8-10) First to respond to Jehovah's 'shining forth' were his "sons," anointed Christians. Then came the "foreigners," the great crowd, who loyally minister to their anointed brothers, following their lead in preaching the good news. Thus, although the number of the anointed is dwindling, Jehovah's name is being declared around the earth as never before.
11 As a result, millions are flocking "like doves to their birdhouse holes," finding refuge within the Christian congregation. Hundreds of thousands are added each year, and the way is open for yet more. Isaiah says: "Your gates will actually be kept open constantly; they will not be closed even by day or by night, in order to bring to you the resources of the nations." (Isaiah 60:11) Last year 323,439 were baptized in symbol of their dedication to Jehovah, and he has not yet closed the gates. "The desirable things of all the nations," members of the great crowd, are still crowding through them. (Haggai 2:7) None who want to leave the darkness are turned away. (John 12:46) May all such ones never lose their appreciation for the light!
(a) What is still continuing and with what result in 1999? (b) Which countries had outstanding baptism figures for 1999? (See chart on pages 17-20.) Fearless in the Face of Opposition
12 Those who love the darkness hate Jehovah's light. (John 3:19) Some even try to extinguish that light. This is not unexpected. Even Jesus, "the true light that gives light to every sort of man," was ridiculed, opposed, and finally killed by his countrymen. (John 1:9) Throughout the 20th century, Jehovah's Witnesses too have been mocked, imprisoned, banned, even killed, as they faithfully reflected Jehovah's light. In recent years, opponents have resorted to spreading lies in the media about those who reflect God's light. Some want to make people believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are dangerous and should be restricted or banned. Have such opposers succeeded?
13 No. Where appropriate, Jehovah's Witnesses have gone to the media to explain the facts. As a result, Jehovah's name has been widely published in newspapers and magazines and on radio and television. This has had good results in the preaching work. In Denmark, for example, a program on national TV dealt with the subject "Why the faith of the Danes is declining." Along with others, Jehovah's Witnesses were interviewed. Afterward, a lady who had seen the program commented: "It was so clear who had the spirit of God." A study was started with her.
14 Jehovah's Witnesses know that many in this world will oppose them. (John 17:14) Still, they are strengthened by Isaiah's prophecy: "To you the sons of those afflicting you must go, bowing down; and all those treating
you disrespectfully must bend down at the very soles of your feet, and they will have to call you the city of Jehovah, Zion of the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 60:14) To their chagrin, opposers will soon have to recognize that they have, in effect, been fighting against God himself. Who can win such a battle?
15 Jehovah further promises: "I will even set you as a thing of pride to time indefinite . . . You will actually suck the milk of nations, and the breast of kings you will suck; and you will be certain to know that I, Jehovah, am your Savior." (Isaiah 60:15, 16) Yes, Jehovah is the Savior of his people. If they rely on him, they will last "to time indefinite." And they will "suck the milk of nations," using certain available resources for the advancement of true worship. For example, wise use of computer and communications technology facilitates the simultaneous publication of The Watchtower in 121 languages and Awake! in 62. A specific computer software program has been designed to help in rendering the New World Translation into new languages, and such translation brings much joy. When the Croatian version of the Christian Greek Scriptures was released in 1999, thousands gave way to tears of joy. One elderly brother said: "I have waited for this Bible for so long. Now I can die in peace!" The circulation of the New World Translation, in whole or in part, has passed 100 million in 34 languages.
High Moral Standards
16 Jesus said: "He that practices vile things People are still flocking to Jehovah's organization
hates the light." (John 3:20) On the other hand, those who remain in the light love Jehovah's high standards. Jehovah, through Isaiah, says: "As for your people, all of them will be righteous." (Isaiah 60:21a) It can be a challenge to maintain righteous standards in a world where sexual immorality, lying, greed, and pride are so prevalent. For example, in some lands, economies are booming and it is easy to get sidetracked into a single-minded pursuit of wealth. However, Paul warned: "Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin." (1 Timothy 6:9) How tragic it is when someone gets so deeply involved in business enterprises that he sacrifices the truly important things, such as Christian association, sacred service, moral principles, and family responsibilities!
17 Maintain righteous standards can be especially
We are happy that jehovah has left the door wide open for ones who love the light
difficult for the young, when so many of their peers are involved in drug abuse and immorality. In Suriname, a 14-year-old girl was approached by a good-looking boy at school and invited to have sexual relations. She refused, explaining that the Bible forbids such things outside marriage. Other girls at school mocked her and tried to pressure her to change her mind, saying that everyone wanted to sleep with that particular boy. Still, the young girl stood firm. A few weeks later, the boy was diagnosed HIV positive and became very ill. The girl was happy that she had obeyed Jehovah's command to 'abstain from fornication.' (Acts 15:28, 29) Jehovah's Witnesses are very proud of the young ones among them who stand firm for what is right. Their faith, and that of their parents, 'beautifies'—brings honor to—Jehovah God's name. —Isaiah 60:21b.
Jehovah Has Given the Increase 18 Yes, Jehovah sheds light on his people,
(a) What great thing has Jehovah done for his people? (b) What evidence is there that growth will continue, and what glorious prospects await those who stay with the light?
Can You Explain?
Who have reflected Jehovah's glory in these last days?
What indicates that the zeal of Jehovah's people has not diminished?
What are some good works in which Jehovah's Witnesses are busy?
Despite fierce opposition, of what are we confident?
blessing them, guiding them, and strengthening them. During the 20th century, they saw the fulfillment of Isaiah's words: "The little one himself will become a thousand, and the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah, shall speed it up in its own time." (Isaiah 60: 22) From the handful back in 1919, "the little one" has become more than "a thousand." And the end of such growth is not yet! Last year 14,088,751 attended the celebration of the Memorial of Jesus' death. Many of these were not active Witnesses. We are happy that they attended that important observance, and we invite them to keep on moving toward the light. Jehovah still shines brightly upon his people. The door to his organization is still open. Let all, then, be determined to stay with Jehovah's light. What blessings that results in for us now! And what joy that will bring in the future when all creation will praise Jehovah and rejoice in the splendor of his glory!—Revelation 5:13, 14.
1999 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE
<tr><th>Country or Territory
Population
1999 Peak Pubs.
Ratio, One Publisher to:
1999 Av. Pubs.
% Inc. Over 1998
1998 Av. Pubs.
1999 No. Bptzd.
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. of Congs.
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
Alaska
653,000
2,248
2,037
-1*
2,068
311,068
4,586
Albania
3,262,000
1,805
1,807
1,641
1,294
718,745
3,124
8,971
American Samoa
62,900
40,813
Andorra
65,877
27,323
Angola
13,009,000
40,272
38,395
35,536
4,293
5,262
9,922,307
72,536
155,031
Anguilla
10,000
5,889
Antigua
65,952
72,845
1,037
Argentina
36,124,931
120,849
117,090
116,944
5,895
14,160
1,690
229,204
America
37,744,000
5,254
4,874
4,061
1,472,081
6,317
16,027
Anuda
95,650
87,111
1,914
Australia
19,000,000
61,273
59,768
-1*
60,226
1,822
5,126
9,768,738
18,920
109,040
Austria
8,102,000
20,577
20,335
-1*
20,498
1,584
3,362,061
7,696
33,099
Azores
244,968
-1*
103,222
1,187
Bahamas
255,055
1,456
1,363
1,350
278,500
1,211
3,254
Bangladesh
127,690,000
1,315,557
17,786
Barbados
260,490
2,920
2,260
2,231
361,840
1,485
5,172
Belarus
10,298,000
2,550
4,038
2,412
2,187
568,102
2,042
6,413
Belau
18,467
19,292
12,920
13,47
Belgium
10,213,752
26,048
25,395
-2*
26,007
1,837
3,921,708
7,236
469,93
Belize
230,000
1,153
-2*
237,954
1,077
4,552
Bermuda
5,532,450
5,825
7,150
-1*
5,453
1,394,395
8,107
Bolivia
8,137,113
15,388
-3*
85,334
Bonaire
14,763
13,996
1,398
2,864
4,111,302
17,279
53,312
Bosnia & Herzegovina
4,204,300
4,277
9,060
Botswana
1,611,021
1,127
1,429
1,045
1,027
208,181
1,202
3,002
Brazil
163,670,000
528,034
483,113
462,395
43,098
48,339
7,730
84,576,860
462,170
1,260,961
Britain
59,093,450
126,535
127,123
-1*
123,941
2,844
10,686
1,454
4,575,483
25,697
215,838
Bulgaria
8,132,000
1,012
1,390
216,847
Burkina Faso
10,352,000
103,73
227,728
1,293
2,657
Burundi
6,192,240
2,778
2,230
2,541
2,078
698,284
4,947
8,857
Cambodia
11,400,000
265,116
15,725
Cameroon
14,859,000
27,021
26,295
25,396
1,535
2,134
4,575,483
25,697
81,696
Canada
130,452,144
111,032
108,437
-1*
109,664
2,467
10,666
1,384
18,694,308
31,821
182,327
Cape Verde
405,748
1,415
1,384
1,347
352,589
2,516
5,020
Cayman Islands
32,000
22,477
Central African Rep.
3,915,000
2,305
1,698
2,270
2,235
628,119
3,634
12,789
Chad
7,000,000
11,589
173,862
3,420
Chile
15,017,760
59,519
55,415
53,643
3,318
8,133
12,291,671
46,426
142,591
Chuuk
70,381
1,257
16,291
12,591
Colombia
40,866,161
102,873
96,452
87,457
9,782
1,187
1,480
20,732,452
139,477
385,645
Comoros
630,000
87,800
78,750
16,72
12,855
2,618
131,196,198
17,719
Congo, Dem. Rep. of
50,000,000
113,248
7,315
-1*
3,198
1,029,675
11,628
15,085
Congo, Rep. of
2,900,000
4,001
3,155
-1*
3,198
1,029,675
11,628
15,075
Cook Islands
19,103
301,193
Costa Rica
3,558,697
19,257
18,587
18,343
1,506
1,540
2,932,848
12,956
46,494
Cote d’Ivoire
15,903,078
6,078
2,616
5,818
5,636
1,008
1,632,808
10,562
21,638
Croatia
4,784,265
5,357
5,257
5,188
1,169,245
2,157
9,753
Cuba
11,157,000
85,714
83,940
79,775
13,089
1,252
12,211,604
134,286
174,142
<tr><th>Country or Territory
Population
1999 Peak Pubs.
Ratio, One Publisher to:
1999 Av. Pubs.
% Inc. Over 1998
1998 Av. Pubs.
1999 No. Bptzd.
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. of Congs.
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
Curacao
139,650
1,514
1,474
-3*
1,517
234,007
1,328
3,825
Cyprus
663,300
1,796
1,778
1,759
365,851
3,229
Czech Republic
10,283,245
16,301
16,058
-1*
16,188
1,054
2,300,575
6,150
31,435
Denmark
5,319,114
15,071
14,700
-2*
14,977
1,168
2,187,042
3,649
22,294
Dominica
11,714
-1*
80,174
1,102
1,022
Dominican Rep.
8,359,566
22,906
31,284
16,840
1,177
1,177
4,137
5,604,737
34,380
72,679
Ecuador
12,411,232
40,037
37,960
35,866
4,011
6,401
9,362,570
52,519
155,714
El Salvador
6,154,311
27,990
26,183
25,222
1,608
2,538
5,021,749
24,760
76,124
Equatorial Guinea
462,107
144,166
1,402
3,497
Estonia
1,445,580
3,745
3,600
3,569
728,824
2,594
8,103
Ethiopia
60,000,000
6,118
9,807
5,790
5,623
1,512,871
3,363
15,988
Faeroe Islands
44,958
-1*
20,315
Falkland Islands
Fiji
775,077
2,009
1,928
1,900
396,316
1,616
6,676
Finland
5,159,646
1,957
19,269
19,254
1,803
2,815,093
6,967
27,935
France
58,416,500
118,079
114,918
-3*
118,572
2,245
7,494
1,626
17,007,808
28,660
204,312
French Guiana
157,274
1,511
1,477
1,465
333,008
2,128
5,077
Gabon
1,014,976
2,226
1,977
1,740
485,098
4,745
7,978
Gambia, The
1,200,000
9,091
35,132
Georgia
541,000
14,086
16,209
12,127
1,304
1,904
26,999
Germany
82,037,011
167,497
16,263
1*
166,136
3,751
10,534
2,114
24,455,539
58,455
270,956
Ghana
19,755,942
61,176
18,760
55,257
4,816
5,953
12,091,331
129,117
202,167
Gibraltar
27,025
-4*
17,651
Greece
10,259,900
27,327
27,214
27,007
2,986
4,971,495
9,430
42,879
Greenland
56,087
-5*
36,096
Greenada
110,000
3*
120,378
Guadeloupe
427,000
79,000
124,378
Guatemala
163,517
-1*
176,104
Guinea
9,526,000
20,323
18,613
17,981
1,380
2,040
3,655,210
15,861
553,300
Guinea
9,696,000
10,058
-13*
215,691
1,141
2,182
Guinea-Bissau
1,300,000
11,712
-4*
34,100
Guinea-Bay
777,648
2,073
1,980
1,925
397,456
4,824
Haiti
7,300,000
12,070
11,053
10,745
2,243,706
4,721
Haiti
11,100,000
17,073
7,649
1*
7,494
2,243,706
4,624
Honduras
6,260,000
12,002
11,074
10,546
2,436,633
12,372
389,933
Hong Kong
6,600,000
4,450
1,483
4,335
4,235
1,200,830
3,872
7,307
Hungary
10,135,000
20,762
19,818
19,268
1,222
1,835
3,452,784
10,364
41,064
Iceland
275,264
51,633
India
989,227,236
21,212
46,635
19,614
18,510
1,608
1,876
3,388,536
12,758
47,081
Ireland
5,379,900
4,582
1,174
4,483
4,493
95,5118
1,579
7,996
Ireland
9,529,900
17,032
1,174
4,483
19,493
95,5118
1,579
7,996
Italy
57,563,000
228,566
225,104
224,504
5,847
30,674
3,031
48,542,936
77,958
395,497
Jamaica
2,502,030
11,030
10,509
10,292
1,114
17,861,471
9,811
314.43
Japan
125,860,000
222,857
222,078
222,347
5,343
81,125
3,732
81,773,468
152,198
357.053
Kazakhstan
16,471,000
12,585
11,794
11,229
1,415
1,380
2,539,090
10,303
319.441
Kenya
29,500,000
14,238
13,403
12,381
1,927
2,550
3,978,662
17,951
34,539
Kiribati
78,300
30,674
Korea, Republic of
46,858,453
87,179
86,256
84,946
4,997
32,084
1,502
33,036,553
33,150
136.671
Kosrae
8,898
4,204
Kyrgyzstan
4,576,000
19,500
19,27
6,154,555
Lakistan
2,432,200
19,655
1,698
477,722
17,10
419.53
Lebanon
3,505,794
3,529
3,529
3,474
1*-
3,516
596,379
1,608
419.53
Lesotho
2,109,080
2,573
2,369
2,203
597,153
2,884
6,806
Liberia
2,109,080
2,573
2,369
2,203
597,153
2,884
6,806
Liberia
2,880,000
2,899
2,754
2,308
989,276
7,878
14,079
5,648,000
1,882,667
-67*
Libya
5,648,000
1,882,667
-67*
Liechtenstein
31,120
6,386
Lithuania
3,704,000
2,347
1,578
2,175
1,988
500,396
1,456
Luxembourg
498,200
1,917
1,869
1,865
300,275
Macao
500,000
3,597
39,739
Macedonia
1,965,018
2,047
202,839
Madagascar
14,750,244
10,411
1,417
10,177
9,362
1,183
1,881
2,674,919
21,755
Madagascar
20,042
1,080
1,048
1,936
16,258
Malawi
1,691,200
43,767
42,020
42,020
41,205
54,59
8,761,723
31,272
115,475
Malaysia
22,711,900
2,046
11,101
2,010
1,920
517,710
2,727
Mali
11,500,000
55,288
88,004
Malta
376,340
-2*
90,048
Marshall Islands
63,319
67,419
Martinique
380,460
4,031
3,912
-2*
3,988
685,417
2,589
Mauritius
1,131,943
1,317
1,284
1,269
231,112
1,026
Mayotte
137,294
1,392
1,62
1,25
147,604
Maya
97,637,919
526,478
515,785
503,406
30,622
62,359
11,329
103,478,091
522,020
Moldova
4,293,700
16,739
16,013
14,865
1,608
1,377
1,373
2,311,237
8,720
Mongolia
2,579,000
143,278
5,924
Montserrat
3,000
Mozambique
17,299,184
30,696
28,923
27,444
2,063
5,121
6,996,273
38,927
Myanmar
47,500,000
2,571
18,475
2,516
2,451
540,254
1,633
Namibia
1,749,953
1,817
161,505
Nauru
10,600
1,178
-22*
Nepal
23,698,000
61,553
86,155
Netherlands
15,760,225
31,420
29,596
-2*
30,200
1,848
4,000,863
7,727
Nepal
10,050
10,554
19,56
299,604
New Caledonia
200,000
1,578
1,489
-3*
1,541
1,969
New Zealand
3,781,300
13,022
12,548
12,582
2,171,517
5,407
Nicaragua
4,900,000
14,410
13,632
13,536
1,745
3,023,130
18,170
Niger
7,490,000
32,284
-2*
69,280
Nigeria
107,129,469
226,353
216,173
207,546
17,449
30,936
4,229
45,176,604
336,511
Nigerue
2,088
-13*
4,950
Norfolk Island
1,887
2,055
Norway
4,459,565
9,800
9,458
-1*
9,523
1,211,134
2,675
Pakistan
133,191,600
265,851
116,787
Panama
2,890,289
9,695
9,085
8,957
1,346
1,971,381
8,837
Papua New Guinea
4,616,200
3,454
1,906
209,96
606,788
2,919
Paraguay
4,280,768
6,965
6,145
5,872
114,732
13,849
Peru
24,800,768
69,965
62,690
58,122
590,185
14,515
16,837,851
86,911
Philippines
73,000,000
132,496
128,106
125,720
8,836
22,706
3,486
25,629,903
85,280
Pohaini
40,078
-5*
17,897
Poland
38,665,000
124,074
123,052
-1*
123,952
4,070
6,659
1,756
143,355,600
40,324
Portugal
9,473,299
47,206
46,591
46,428
1,589
3,516
733,229
18,220
Puerto Rico
3,800,000
25,578
25,142
-3*
25,964
1,152
2,529
4,198,529
12,616
Réunion
70,057,027
2,701
2,604
-4*
2,703
445,202
1,250
Rodrigues
35,133
2,703
445,202
1,250
Romania
22,488,595
379,115
373,32
36,680
1,691
3,016
5,929,802
15,922
Rota
2,625
Russia
147,739,000
107,111
102,513
92,722
12,341
12,843
23,187,402
86,625
Rwanda
7,883,000
6,828
5,969
5,163
1,156
213,423
11,903
Saba
1,000
1,000
1,000
Ste. Eustatius
1,500
-17*
St. Helena
4,971
-4*
1,908
St. Kitts
31,800
-10*
2,124,527
<tr><th>Country or Territory
Population
1999 Peak Pubs.
Baltic One Publisher to:
1999 Av. Pubs.
% Incl. Over 1998
1998 Av. Pubs.
1999 No. Bptrd.
Av. Pio. Pubs.
No. of Congs
Total Hours
Av. Bible Studies
Memorial Attendance
St. Lucia
138,150
157,396
1,758
St. Marten
24,000
61,137
St. Pierre & Miquelon
6,300
61,137
St. Vincent
107,600
4*
68,724
Saipan
69,421
-6*
41,257
Samoa
169,371
102,240
San Marino
25,600
37,633
San Tomé & Principe
150,123
78,490
1,014
Senofo
9,100,000
10,545
254,269
2,132
Seychelles
76,181
149,971
1,122
Sierra Leone
4,510,000
5,596
-6*
198,255
12,359
1,359
Slovakia
5,395,100
12,416
12,263
-1*
12,411
1,525,450
3,606
24,016
Slovenia
1,979,680
1,866
1,061
1,836
1,833
410,562
3,089
Solomon Islands
442,040
1,562
1,487
1,400
334,158
1,658
5,895
Solomonica
104,739
1,628
64,388
62,408
4,541
7,734
1,331
13,620,331
64,531
15,173
Spain
39,852,651
102,853
96,259
-1*
93,848
1,847
10,474
1,313
18,650,331
16,563
15,173
Sri Lanka
18,600,000
3,171
5,866
2,931
2,735
634,697
2,400
8,196
Suriname
438,026
1,978
1,932
1,875
404,380
1,948
5,923
Swaziland
980,722
2,029
1,924
1,871
491,421
2,310
5,604
Sweden
8,857,361
23,559
-2*
23,366
2,097
3,340,781
7,034
36,599
Wilberland
71,144,000
18,077
17,638
-2*
18,023
1,074
2,586,357
6,578
29,882
Taiwan
219,521
17,674
1,837
-2*
2,993,035
4,990
5,106
Taiwan
21,500,000
3,964
13,79
3,195
-2*
3,576
1,392,832
4,304,695
9,192
9,192
Taikistan
5,927,000
19,181
2,694
52,309
Tanzania
30,000,000
8,408
3,568
7,457
1,308
2,093,185
9,026
22,667
Thailand
61,464,178
1,827
33,643
1,775
1,744
428,291
1,610
4,032
Taiwan
61,046
120,071
10,502
New
6,733
Taiwan
1,500
1,500
10,502
2,343,346
22,613
24,322
44,322
Tokelau
97,784
Tonga
1,274,799
8,010
7,860
7,576
1,316
1,650,029
8,325
20,112
Trinidad & Tobago
68,000,000
1,559
43,618
1,536
1,498
357,065
261,192
Turkey
16,863
24,931
Turkey & Calcos Isls.
9,403
-13
2,507
Uganda
21,345,000
2,370
9,006
2,210
4,081
517,440
4,323
Ukraine
50,105,600
107,045
99,998
90,076
12,320
11,259
19,983,139
62,324
247,193
U.S. of America
271,724,159
980,419
940,650
944,218
32,585
112,182
11,257
1254,549
403,557
2,073,368
Uruguay
3,030,000
10,550
10,385
10,310
1,489,895
6,774
23,096
Vanuatu
185,000
185,000
48,199
1,401
Venezuela
24,500,000
84,958
79,390
77,323
4,973
12,745
1,185
18,902,017
87,878
261,878
Virginia Isls. (U.S.)
170,000
31,790
Virginia Isls. (U.S.)
104,000
-3
122,628
Wallis & Futuna Isls.
15,000
12,001
Yap
11,174
-7
12,188
Yugoslavia, F. R.
10,548,983
4,026
2,620
3,888
3,883
902,803
1,656
6,296
Zambia
10,347,116
107,233
964,54
92,298
7,654
11,046
2,089
18,452,974
122,821
399,302
Zimbabwe
12,684,679
26,976
26,126
25,848
1,741
3,160
5,262,896
34,053
65,521
29 Other Lands
25,221
23,112
6.7
21,653
1,544
2,261
2,691
4,823,174
24,219
65,527
GRAND TOTAL (234 lands)
5,912,492
5,653,987
2,0,544,059
323,439
323,439
323,439
89,985
1,144,566,849
4,433,884
10,088,751
During the 1999 service year, the Watch Tower Society spent $64,475,225.00 in caring for special ploneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments.
MEMORIAL PARTAKERS WORLDWIDE: 8,755
Percentage of decrease The "Polish Brethren" Why Were They Persecuted?
In 1638 the Polish parliament dealt a severe blow to a small religious group known as the Polish Brethren. A church and a printing press belonging to the group were destroyed. The University of Rakow was closed down, and the professors who had taught there were sent into exile.
Twenty years later, the parliament went a step further. It ordered every member of the group, which may have numbered 10,000 or more, to leave the country. How did the situation become so critical in a country that, at the time, was considered one of the most tolerant in all of Europe? What had the Polish Brethren done to deserve such severe treatment?
Title card of Biblia nieswieska by Szymon Budny, 1572
IT ALL started when a serious breach developed within Poland's Calvinist Church. A major point of contention was the doctrine of the Trinity. Leaders of a progressive movement within the church rejected the doctrine as unscriptural. This angered church leadership and caused the progressive movement to break away.
Calvinists called the dissidents Arians,$* but the adherents of the new group preferred to call themselves Christians or the Polish Brethren. They are also known as Socinians, after Laelius Socinus, an Italian who was influenced by Servetus and whose nephew Faustus Socinus traveled to Poland and became prominent in the movement.
At that time a Polish nobleman, Jan Siennienski, sought to give the new church what he called "a quiet, secluded place" in which to grow. Exercising a special privilege that had
been granted by the king of Poland, Stienienski founded the town of Rakow, which later became the center of Socienianism in Poland. Stienienski granted the citizens of Rakow a number of rights, including the right to worship freely.
Craftsmen, doctors, pharmacists, townsfolk, and gentry of different denominations were attracted to the new town. In addition, ministers flocked there from Poland, Lithuania, Transylvania, France, and even England. However, not all these new arrivals shared the Socians' beliefs; so for the next three years, from 1569 to 1572, Rakow became a site of endless theological discussions. With what result?
A House Divided
The Socinian movement itself became divided, with those who embraced more radical views taking one side and those whose ideas were more moderate taking the other. Despite their differences, however, the beliefs they held in common were distinctive. They rejected the Trinity; they refused to practice infant baptism; they generally did not bear arms and often would not hold public office.
They also denied the existence of hell as a place of torment. In all of this, they ignored popular religious traditions.
Both Calvinist and Catholic clergy mounted fierce opposition against the group, but Socinian ministers took advantage of the atmosphere of religious tolerance, promoted by such Polish kings as Sigismund II Augustus and Stephen Bathory, to teach their ideas.
The Landmark Work of Budny
A Calvinist translation of the Bible, which was widely used at the time, was not meeting the needs of many readers. The translation was rendered, not from the original languages, but from the Latin Vulgate and a contemporary French translation. "Faithfulness and accuracy of thought were lost in the quest for beautiful style," says one authority. Many errors were introduced. Therefore, a well-known scholar named Szymon Budny was invited to correct the translation. He decided that it would be easier to produce a completely new translation than to correct the old one. Budny set to work on the project about 1567.
When translating, Budny thoroughly analyzed every word and its variants in a way no one in Poland had done before. Where the Hebrew text posed difficulties, he indicated the literal translation in marginal notes. When necessary, he coined new words and tried to use the simple, everyday Polish of his time. His goal was to present the reader with a faithful and accurate translation of the Bible.
Budny's translation of the entire Bible was published in 1572. However, the publishers of the work corrupted his translation of the Greek Scriptures. Undeterred, Budny set to work on a revised version, which was completed two years later. Budny's brilliant translation of the Greek Scriptures was superior to the previous Polish translations. Additionally, in many places he restored the divine name, Jehovah.
During the final part of the 16th century and the first three decades of the 17th century, Rakow, the capital of the movement, became a religious and an intellectual center. There the leaders and writers of the Polish Brethren published their tracts and works.
They Promoted Education
The Polish Brethren's publishing work began to gain momentum about 1600 when a printing press was set up in Raków. The press was capable of producing both small treatises and large books in several languages. As a printing center, Raków soon rivaled the best in Europe. It is believed that as many as 200 publications were printed on that press during the next 40 years. A nearby paper mill, owned by the Polish Brethren, supplied high-quality paper for this literature.
The Polish Brethren soon saw the need to educate their fellow believers and others. To that end, the University of Rakow was founded in 1602. Sons of the Polish Brethren, as well as Catholic and Protestant boys, attended classes there. Although the university was a theological seminary, religion was not the only subject taught. Foreign languages, ethics, economics, history, law, logic, natural sciences, mathematics, medicine, and gymnastics were also part of the curriculum. The university had a large library, which continued to grow, thanks to the local printing press.
As the 17th century got under way, it seemed that the Polish Brethren would continue to flourish. Yet, that was not to be.
Church and State Fight Back
Zbigniew Ogonowski of the Polish Academy of Sciences explains: "At the end of the third decade of the 17th century, the situation of the Arians in Poland began to deteriorate quickly." This was due to the increasingly bold activity of the Catholic clergy. The clergy used every possible means, including slander and libel, to discredit the Polish Brethren. The attack was
A house that had belonged to a Socinian minister
made easier by a changed political situation in Poland. The new Polish king, Sigismund III Vasa, was an enemy of the Polish Brethren. His successors, especially John II Casimir Vasa, likewise supported the efforts of the Catholic Church to thwart the Polish Brethren.
Matters came to a head with the alleged deliberate profanation of a
Above: Raków today; to the right is the monastery founded in 1650 to eradicate any trace of "Arianism"; below: At this site the Catholic clergy set up a cross to provoke conflict with the Polish Brethren
cross by a few students from Rakow. This incident became a pretext for the destruction of the capital of the Polish Brethren. The owner of Rakow was accused before a parliamentary court of 'spreading wickedness' by supporting the University of Rakow and its printing press. The Polish Brethren were accused of subversive activity, of engaging in orgies, and of living immoral lives. Parliament decided that Rakow University should be closed and that the printing press and the church belonging to the Polish Brethren should be destroyed. The believers were ordered to leave town. The university professors were banished from the country under penalty of death. Some Polish Brethren moved to safer havens, like Silesia and Slovakia.
In 1658 parliament decreed that the Polish Brethren were to sell their property and move abroad within three years. Later, that deadline was shortened to two years. Anyone professing their beliefs after that would be executed.
Some Socinians settled in the Netherlands, where they continued their printing activity. In Transylvania a congregation functioned till the beginning of the 18th century. At their meetings, which were conducted up to three times a week, they sang psalms, listened to sermons, and read from a catechism that had been prepared to explain their teachings. In order to preserve the purity of the congregation, fellow believers were corrected, exhorted and, if necessary, expelled.
…