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    The Watchtower, May 1, 1943

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    The Watchtower—1943

    “THE NEW WORLD” TESTIMONY PERIOD

    All persons who love righteousness want to see a new world. How will it be brought about and established for ever? Only through the Kingdom of Christ, for which kingdom his followers have prayed for 1900 years The proof of this is set forth in the publication The New World, and you will be delighted in reading it. Send your 25c contribution to this Society and learn what the Bible has to say about the new world. There will also be sent to you the booklet Fighting for Liberty on the Home Front. All persons who desire to have a share in the proclamation of the Kingdom will, during the month of June, call on as many people as they can, announcing this new world. The Society has designated the month of June “The New World” Testimony Period; hence throughout all the countries of the world proclamation will be made concerning this new world. If you desire to share in this work of making known the good news, get in touch with one of the local companies of Jehovah’s witnesses or write direct to the Watchtower Society, 117 Adams St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

    “WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

    Week of June 6: “Living for the New World,” 1-19 inclusive, The Watchtower May 1, 1943.

    Week of June 13: “Living for the New World,” 20-39 inclusive, The Watchtower May 1, 1943.

    WIELDING THE “SWORD OF THE SPIRIT”

    One book with which every person should be well acquainted is the Bible. In the words of the apostle, the Bible is the “sword of the spirit”. To get better acquainted with it, we suggest that you obtain what is known as Bible No. 10, from the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. It is an edition of the Bible that is easily handled, has clear type, marginal references, concordance, and many other helpful features that a student of the Bible will greatly appreciate. Learn how to wield the “sword of the spirit” by studying it yourself, regularly, in your own home. This Bible No. 10 can be obtained on a contribution of $1.00. It is bound in red leatherette cloth, and printed on Bible paper.

    USE RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTION BLANK

    The blank sent you one month before expiration of your Watchtower subscription should be filled out and returned to the Brooklyn office or to the Branch office in the country where you reside. Servants in the companies, and individuals, when sending in renewals for The Watchtower, should always use these blanks. By filling in these renewal blanks you are assured of the continuation of your Watchtower from the time of expiration, and without delay. It will also be a great help if you sign your name uniformly, and note any recent change of address, on the renewal slip.

    Vol. LXIV

    May 1, 1943

    No. 9

    LIVING FOR THE NEW WORLD

    "But in God’s will ye may live the still remaining time. For sufficient is the bygone time to have wrought out the will of the nations, . . . But the end of all things hath drawn near" — 1 Pet. 4:2, 3, 7, Rotherham.

    JEHOVAH sets before faithful men and women the certain hope of life in the New World. This present world is a world of evils, disappointments, pain and suffering, religion, and death. This world is limited. It has existed since the great flood of Noah’s day, which brought an end to the previous “old world”, a “world of the ungodly”. Like its predecessor, this world is a world of ungodliness, and its end is now clearly in sight in a mighty cataclysm than which not even the terrible flood was more stupendous and catastrophic. The days of “this present evil world” are numbered. The days of the New World, which Jehovah God brings in with righteousness, will be numberless; it will be a “world without end”. To enjoy it one will have to live for ever. Existence in this world is uncertain and quickly passing. All the selfish things in which one can indulge during this present existence are not to be compared with the clean, satisfying and eternal things of the new world which is at hand. It is high time to begin living for the New World. Unspeakably favored will be all those who gain “in the world to come eternal life”. (Mark 10:29,30) Members of this generation who long to gain this glorious prize must break off with this old world before its disastrous end. They must begin living now in unwavering expectancy of the New World. This is no message of gloom. There is no reason to mourn over the destruction of the old world. It is time to rejoice in hope of the early realization of the New World.

    2 Selfish men, with no faith in the meaning of the signs of the times as explained in God’s Word, scoff at the gladsome message of the new world which God builds. Their prototype was found in the days of the end of that ungodly world before the flood. “But as the days of No'e were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”; so said the greatest prophet ever on earth. Hence one of the disciples of that infallible Prophet wrote foretelling the things we have seen and heard since A. D. 1914: “Be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Pet. 3:2-4) In such words the self-conceited and self-reliant men speak openly and publicly, not even believing in the genuine record of the flood which smote the entire earth sixteen centuries after the creation of the first man. Such leaders in religion, politics and commerce are too much wrapped up and preoccupied in developing schemes of a postwar world. They have absolutely no love for the New World of righteousness for which Jehovah God in his so great love gave his only begotten Son, that men might live forever and rejoice in the “land of uprightness”.—John 3:16

    1 (a) The hope of life where does Jehovah set before his faithful ones, and to what extent will they have to live to enjoy it? (b) For what is it now high time to begin living, and how?

    2. According to prophecy, how were selfish men to be expected act at the New World message, and why?

    3 The worldly-wise planners for the postwar “world of tomorrow” pin their hopes to their own wisdom, ability and scientific training to create a new order that will put to shame the human civilizations of the past. To justify their all-out part in this present total war, and to keep the people's faith in them, they envisage and promise great and alluring things for all mankind after the conflict ends in victory. It is to be a “new order founded upon moral principles” with freedom of religion; it is to be a “world of the common man”. Not one of them can promise that the postwar period will be a world of the true and only living God. Not one of the new- order builders can promise that it will be a world of everlasting life to man. Not one of the signers to a charter of freedoms for regimented mankind can guarantee that it will be a world of freedom from demon rule. Inasmuch as they cannot even dare to promise such all-essential things, their promises fall tremendously short of what God promises and what he has the power to fulfill completely in the New World for which his beloved Son died. Why then put your trust in man? — Ps. 146:3, 4.

    3. On what do the planners of tomorrow's world rely, how do they justify their present war, and in what ways do their promises fall short?

    4 This is no time to be deceived by the boastful prophesyings and foundationless promises of imperfect men doomed to death and facing destruction at this old world’s end. The time is too short to continue living as does the perishing old world; yes, too short to take chances with the bungling experiments of worldly leaders who are at their wits’ end, hoping for a reconstruction of the old world so as to keep on living in selfish gratification. The shock of early and bitter disappointment awaits persons who yield to the great delusion sweeping over the earth and who work and expend themselves for the perpetuation of the old world. And that disappointment is the forerunner of destruction. The day of decision is here. Those who fondly desire life without any disillusionments must now determine and choose. Will they believe and be entrapped by the glowing propaganda of the old-world prophets? or will they believe and act upon the sure promises of God’s Word? “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Rom. 3:4) To believe God and his Word as true, man’s words to the contrary, is being realistic. The prophecies of his Word are realities today, as a comparison of them with world conditions and events proves beyond honest denial. The prophecies of God, who is true, will go on fulfilling until, shortly, the demonized old world will have disappeared at Armageddon. Then Jehovah’s righteous New World will be a grand reality for those who now live, hope, and work for it, and who boldly proclaim it to others.

    5 Those who love truth and righteousness will not be dismayed because a choice of Jehovah God and his new world will require such a radical change of living and of viewpoint from that of the people of the world. To those who profess to be Christian the challenging command is given: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12: 2) The loud professions of all religionists to Christianity are insincere, hypocritical and selfcondemning until they break off conformance with this world and are transformed in mind, purpose and life for the imminent new world. Those who are seriously bent on taking the unerring path that leads to life under God’s kingdom can not afford to be caring about what men of this world will think about them and do to them. Popularity and friendship with the world has never yet brought life and never can bring it; rather, worldly good-standing means disapproval and enmity with God, the Fountain of everlasting life. (Jas. 4:4) Why? Because the old world is not of God nor for Him, and there is enmity between the old world and the new world.

    4. (a) Why is this no time to be deceived and keep on living as heretofore? (b) Why is the choice of believing God and his Word being realistic?

    5. (a) Until what is done will the loud professions of religionists to Christianity continue to be hypocritical? (b) Why can not the persons seeking life afford to care about what this world thinks or does concerning them?

    6 To abandon the course of this world and walk in the glorious light and service of the righteous “world to come” means that the old world will range up in ridicule and hostility against you. For popularity (in times past) with it you, because “ye run not with them”, will get persecution from it. However, such was foretold and is proof positive that you are on the right side and are in the pathway to life in a worthwhile and perfect world. Christ Jesus is the “foundation” which God laid for that New World, and Jesus counted it worthy of suffering for and dying at the hands of sinners. Can those who now follow him and prove worthy expect to gain life and blessings in that world in the easy way ? Did he suffer and die to make it easy for us? No; but to show what it takes, and to leave us an example that we should follow his steps. By so doing, we too shall win, to God’s glory. Arm yourselves accordingly.

    “ARM YOURSELVES"

    7 “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” (1 Pet. 4:1) In the most ancient Bible manuscripts the words “for us” do not appear, but it reads: “Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind.” (American Revised Version) Why or for what did Christ suffer, and with what mind or purpose did he fortify himself to endure the suffering without change of mind till death? It was this: There is an issue of the highest importance to God to be settled, and Christ Jesus fixed his mind on being on the right side of that issue, suffer what he must, and sticking there and upholding it to the death. That issue was and is God's universal domination, which the jealous adversary, Satan the Devil, has challenged before all creation. Jesus' mind or purpose was one of perfect and complete devotion to his Father’s universal domination, from which mind it was impossible by any satanic means to swerve him. Satan had grossly sinned in challenging Jehovah’s universal domination and putting it in doubt in the minds of men and legions of angels. So it would be sin for Jesus and his followers to question and depart from under the rightful domination of Jehovah God and to worship and serve any other than Him. Never once did Jesus let it enter his mind to sin thus.

    6. What will the abandoning of the world's course mean to one who walks according to the “world to come", and why may we not expect the way to life there to be easy?

    7. Why did Christ suffer, and with what mind did be arm himself to endure unchangeably unto the death?

    8 Satan’s rebellious course in Eden and his misleading of man brought great reproach upon the name of Jehovah God and trampled His word and law to the earth. If a trusted officer in a responsible part of God’s government proved unfaithful and questioned Jehovah's power, authority, right, and supremacy, then how could Jehovah God depend upon his creatures in any other part of his universal organization? This was the question that Satan raised. He also purposed to show that all God's creatures were undependable and that Satan could induce them to renounce and curse God to his face and join Satan as their god and leader. If God immediately killed Satan the Devil, that would not settle the issue as to the integrity of God’s other creatures and as to their own willing choice of and unbreakable adherence to Jehovah’s universal domination. To prove that the love and devotion to the Most High God and his righteousness is stronger than Satan and all that Satan can do, Jehovah God must permit him to remain and let him employ all his power and craftiness to prove his false charges, until the limit is reached. Then Satan having failed and shown himself up to be an ambitious self-seeker, liar and false deity, Jehovah God would cap the climax by destroying Satan and his organization and in so doing exhibit the almighty power and supremacy of the Most High God.

    9 Satan the Devil corrupted the world which Jehovah God had first set up over mankind. Thus the rule of God's holy cherub became demon rule. Satan prevailed upon legions of the holy angels to forsake holiness and to line up under him as their prince and to become demons, devils, the “seed" of the Serpent. These constituted the demonic invisible government over humankind. There at Eden, when God sentenced Satan the Serpent and his "seed’’ to destruction at God's due time, Jehovah promised to establish a New World under a righteous heavenly government, the Government in the hands of the “seed” of his “woman”. Until the birth of that Government from God's holy organization or “woman" God would defer the execution of Satan and his demonic “seed”. He would permit Satan and his seed to operate in defiance of God. Christ Jesus is primarily the “seed” of God’s “woman”, because the Lord Jesus is the One anointed to be the Head of the Righteous Government that shall execute Satan and his seed. He is “The King of kings”. His associate “kings” in the Government are the members of his body, the church. They are made part of the “seed” of God’s “woman" by being adopted as the spiritual children of God and brought into the “body of Christ", under its Head, Jesus. — Gen. 3:15; Rev. 12:1-5; 17:14; 1 Cor. 12:12, 18, 27; Col. 1:18.

    8 What question did Satan’s once being a trusted, responsible officer in God's organization and then rebelling raise, and why would the immediate killing of Satan not settle the issue?

    9 How did demon rule over humankind come about, and until the birth of what is the execution of Satan and his demonic “seed” deferred?

    10 There is no love between the old world and the new. Jehovah God declared there should be enmity between the two seeds. The enmity of the “seed” of God’s “woman” would be expressed by overcoming the world and completely destroying it. The enmity of Satan the Serpent and his seed would be expressed by opposing all who lived in hope of God's coming kingdom and all who were put in line for membership in that Royal Government. The purpose would be to destroy all such and to suppress all information and testimony of the Kingdom, so to keep all peoples in ignorance thereof. Satan and his seed would cause a lot of damage and would strike in the dark and from the back, but would succeed only in bruising the heel of the holy “seed”. This, indeed, would be quite painful and cause much suffering to Christ Jesus and his faithful followers and body members. By false doctrines, in denial of God’s Word, Satan had used religion to turn Adam and Eve aside from God’s government. Satan would henceforth use religion to deceive, if possible, all those who should believe God’s promise of the New World and its Government and take their stand for it and bear witness to mankind concerning it. If Satan failed to deceive the faithful by religious enticements, then he would, under the self-righteous cloak of religion, carry on a persecution against them to break their integrity and to force them to renounce the Lord God and His universal domination. He would bring great suffering upon them unjustly in the effort to compel them to commit the sin of breaking their covenant to do God’s will and rebelling against Him.

    11 Now that the Righteous Government has been born in the heavens and the New World is at hand, the adversary knows his time is short to operate further his wicked world in defiance of Almighty God. In his rage Satan and his demons bring great woes upon the people to embitter them against God, and they also line up all the forces of the old world and its nations against those who have chosen the new world and who are proclaiming it. How possibly can Jehovah’s witnesses and their good-will companions endure the world pressure, overcome it and keep covenant with God and preserve their integrity? It is by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds”. (Heb. 12:2, 3) Christ Jesus, the King of the New World, chose to 'suffer in the flesh’, that he might uphold God's side of the universal controversy and prove worthy to be the Head of the kingdom. That Government will vindicate God’s name, not only by its power to destroy Satan, but also by the irreproachable integrity of its members, Christ Jesus the Head and the 144,000 members of his body, the church. To prove that Satan and all his world of demons, religion, politics, and commerce had no power to force him from his eternal course of faithfulness to his heavenly Father, the Son of God came to earth. He "was made flesh”, that he might suffer and die for the vindication of God’s name. He chose suffering rather than sin of unfaithfulness.

    10 How would “enmity” between the two opposing seeds be expressed? and, when failing with religion, what would Satan use against the faithful?

    11 By looking to whom can Jehovah’s witnesses and companions bear up and overcome world pressure, and why by looking to Him?

    12 The lover of God and his New World will not flinch before the prospect of sufferings for living for the New World: "because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” (1 Pet. 2:21, 22) All you who are devoted to the vindication of God’s name will “arm yourselves likewise with the same mind”, “with the same purpose.” (Roth.) That mind is to be submissive to the will of God, although it entails suffering at the hands of the Devil’s crowd; and to seek always the glory and vindication of the Most High God and to abide by his universal domination now and for ever.

    13 The only begotten Son of God, being heavenly and spirit, was in the “form of God”; yet he did not follow Satan's course and try to make himself equal with God and grasp the universal domination out of his Father’s hands. He joyfully submitted to the domination and will of the Supreme One. Wherefore, “have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” Was this the better course for him to take rather than to commit the sin of unfaithfulness to his covenant and rebellion against the Most High God! Yes; “wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Phil. 2: 5-11, Am. Rev. Ver.

    12 Armed with what mind will the lovers of God and his new world not flinch at the prospect of sufferings for right living?

    13 By what opposite course did God's only begotten Son show he did not have Satan's mind? and why was this the better course to take?

    14 Arming ourselves with this mind of Christ will help us to overcome Satan and his world and their power to entice or frighten or coerce us into the sin of disloyalty and insubordination to God. Know this, that integrity and keeping covenant toward God to do his will faithfully to the end cannot be sustained without suffering, as long as this old world stands, and particularly now in the “time of the end”. The mind of Christ is one of unswerving determination to prove true and faithful to God while the Devil's world lasts, let the old world cause what suffering God permits it to bring upon his faithful and devoted servants. It is the mind or purpose never to sin just to escape suffering. “For he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.” (1 Pet. 4:1) To thus suffer in the flesh is to the glory of God and to the vindication of his name and Government. Hence it is better than to side-step suffering for righteousness’ sake and be pushed into the gross sin of covenant-breaking and disloyalty to God. Such sin means everlasting destruction, hence loss of all hope and right to life in the New World. He that in the unchangeable mind of Christ chooses and counts it a privilege to ‘suffer in the flesh’ as He set us the example “hath ceased from sin”. He does not for one moment entertain the thought of compromising with the world and committing the sin of treachery to God.

    NO MORE TIME FOR THE OLD COURSE

    15 As long as this old world lasts and the regeneration in the new world is yet future, creatures on earth must exist in flesh imperfect and filled with weakness. “I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me,” declares the psalmist for all the human race. (Ps. 51:5) Hence even those who enter into covenant relationship with God and take their stand for his Rule of the New World are subject to sins. Such sins are not willing ones, but are due to the weakness and imperfectness of the fleshly body and its motions to sin. Hence to the faithful Christians in the flesh the apostle John writes: “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin. we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” —1 John 1:7-10; 2:1, 2.

    14 How has one who has suffered in the flesh because of arming himself with the mind of Christ “ceased from sin"?

    15 Why must earthly creatures exist in imperfect, weak flesh till the new world, and to what sins are they therefore unavoidably subject?

    16 Christ Jesus, being horn perfect in the flesh by God’s miraculous power, was not subject to such sins. The sins to which Satan tried to tempt him were those of disobedience to God's universal sovereignty, and of unfaithfulness to Jehovah as the worshipful God, and of seeking to please self rather than suffer for righteousness. Such sin Jesus in the flesh “resisted unto blood”. For his followers and servants of God to commit such sins means willful wickedness; for such gross sins there is no forgiveness or propitiation. Gladly suffering rather than to practice such sins means to be like Jesus.

    17 Let no one deceive himself: sin is sin, whether due to inborn tendencies and weakness or due to willful choice. One cannot indulge willingly in any form of sin. One dare not delude himself into thinking he may safely indulge in the “common sins of the flesh”, so called, and do so willingly for the selfpleasure thereof, and yet avoid committing the unforgivable sin of covenant-breaking and disloyalty to God and his kingdom. That delusion is a trick of Satan. It leads to disaster. Conscious and deliberate unfaithfulness in small or petty things of sin develops, if unchecked, into gross sin of covenantunfaithfulness and hypocritical renunciation of God. Therefore, “hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”—1 Thess. 5:21, 22, Am. Rev. Ver.

    18 If you have determined to suffer rather than sin, and have therefore “ceased from sin”, then there is no occasion or room to practice sin of any sort with consent and in self-indulgence. You must “arm yourselves” with the purpose and determination not to leave any loopholes for the invasion of the sin of disloyalty and rebellion, nor to indulge any weakness which the demons can play upon to the undermining of your strength of purpose. Turn your back upon it: how? “That ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” (1 Pet. 4: 2, Am. Rev. Ver.) That means, you must serve the Lord, not merely by being clean in thought, word and action, but by keeping his commandments to declare his name through the earth and to bear testimony to the Kingdom of the New World. (Ps. 119: 2, 3) When we are serving the Lord in diligent performance of his commandments, then we are not sinning. We cease from sin; and the demons of malicious intent do not have the chance to take advantage of us and to overreach us and trap us into sin. They can only cause us suffering; but, armed with the mind of Christ, we have determined to endure that for God's name's sake.

    16 Temptation to what sin did Jesus resist? and what does yielding to such type of sin mean?

    17 Why cannot one willingly indulge in any form of sin and escape?

    18 Against what creatures must we arm ourselves, and how should we live the rest of our time in the flesh?

    19 The Watchtower has repeatedly published the proof, both from Scripture and from physical facts since 1914, to show that Satan’s world or uninterrupted rule ended that year and he and his demons were cast out of heaven and down to this earth, and that these are “the last days”. None can deny these are “perilous times”. This is the old world’s sorrowful “time of the end”. The Theocratic Government under Christ Jesus is bringing it to its terrible end, and the everlasting New World is upon us. Satan “knoweth that he hath but a short time” till the final end. (Rev. 12:12) No less so, “the rest of your time in the flesh” subject to imperfection, to weakness and to assaults of the demons and their dupes is also short. It is a time short enough, indeed, to devote to living “to the will of God” and thereby to prove the Devil a liar and a false god, having no power to turn you from the love and service of the only true God. Any commonsense view, as well as enlightenment from God’s Word, shows that it is urgent now, before the final end at Armageddon, to be “redeeming the time [that is, buying it out at cost of non-essential things], because the days are evil”. “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit.” (Eph. 5: 16-18) Those who do not ‘redeem the time’, but who continue to “live the rest of [their] time in the flesh to the lusts of men”, are not living for the New World and will not have divine protection to survive the battle of Armageddon and see the “world to come”.

    20 It is bad enough that we indulged self and served sin in the past, not to speak of continuing to do so in the future until stopped at Armageddon. “For sufficient is the bygone time to have wrought out the will of the nations, having gone on in wanton ways, covetings, wine-drinkings, revellings, drinking- bouts, and impious idolatries: wherein they are taken by surprise that ye run not with them into the same overflow of riotous excess, uttering defamation: who shall render an account unto him who is holding in readiness to judge living and dead.” —1 Pet. 4:3-5, Rotherham.

    21 In these words the apostle Peter directly addressed those who had already come out from this world of religion, politics and commerce. They had believed on Jesus Christ as God’s provision for salvation and had consecrated themselves wholly and unconditionally to God and his use. They had then been justified from sin and been begotten of God’s spirit and were “elect” ones in line for membership in the kingdom of God’s dear Son. They had thereby become “strangers and pilgrims”, being “in the world, but not of it”. They were no more of the nations, but had been taken out from the nations to be a “people for His name”; and Peter was the one whom God used when He first visited the nations to take out those to compose his name-people. They must therefore be Jehovah’s witnesses, bearing testimony to the name of the Lord God. (Acts 15:14; Isa. 43:10-12) The nations are the visible part of this world and are under “the god of this world”, hence under demon rule. (2 Cor. 4:4; John 14: 30) Having been taken out from such nations through the redemptive sacrifice of God’s Son, it is altogether improper for his people longer to go in the way of the nations, according to the traditions of the nations of the doomed world. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [conduct] received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for vou.”—1 Pet. 1: 18-20.

    19 In behalf of 'living to the will of God’, why should one now be “redeeming the time"? and what about those who do not do so?

    20 Why is the bygone time sufficient as to doing the will of the Gentile nations?

    21 To whom was the apostle Peter addressing the above-quoted words? and why is it inconsistent for them to go any longer in the way of the nations?

    22 The nations are now going in the way of total war and totalitarian rule. Revelation 16:14-16 clearly discloses that the democratic nations are being coerced by the demons into that way because they do not have faith according to the Scriptures in Jehovah God and his kingdom, but follow religious traditions. In all nations now there is rationing of living necessities. In the countries that have been reduced by the aggressions of the totalitarian monstrosity there is not at present much opportunity for wine-drinkings, drinking-bouts, banquetings, except among the Nazi-Fascist-Vatican leaders and those who stand in the favor of the party and the Hierarchy. These make capital of the situation, while the common people endure toil and wretchedness. In some of the countries assertedly at war with the Nazi-Fascist powers the increase of government spending and of employment or the conscription of labor has produced a form of prosperity, especially in financial earnings and savings. The temptation in such lands is to revelings, excess of wine, banquetings, and other things that can be provided by money for self-indulgence.

    23 However, in all the lands, whether war-ruined or yet booming with war activities, the published reports show there is wanton conduct, covetings, and unlawful idolatries. Diseases due to wanton acts among the adults and also the school children are increasing; covetings for the ease, comforts, approval and honors of this world have enlarged; worship of the state and of symbols and human representatives of the state has reached new extremes, and the demons are regimenting the people en masse into “abominable idolatries”, contrary to the law of Jehovah God. — Ex. 20:3-5.

    22. In what way, and why, are the nations now going? and why is there temptation to loose living and self-indulgence?

    23 What kind of moral and religious conditions and conduct do reports show to exist in all lands?

    24 To soothe and further subjugate the distressed people the “three unclean spirits like frogs” croak out grandiose prophecies about the postwar world. In pursuit of this will-o’-the-wisp many political, military, commercial, social and religious committees have been formed and are engaged in postwar planning, to “win the peace”. The aim is “permanent peace of the world”, in order to restore and increase world trade and to hold it, and to bring about a great commercial expansion. Certain economic institutions expect, instead of the predicted economic collapse, a period of great prosperity for a few years immediately following the war. The appeal of such postwar world, as described by its proposed builders, is not to a love of the righteousness of God’s kingdom under Christ, but is to selfishness, covetings, world-satisfaction; that the peoples may as in the past continue to walk on “in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries”. (Am. Rev. Ver.) Then with a world-federation government and an international police and world court they will have greater power to enforce the worship of the idol of man-rule, “the abomination of desolation,” “the image of the beast.” They will stand it up in power as a man-made substitute for God’s kingdom. Religion will be priest thereof.

    25 The test is on, of faith in God’s Word and of devotion and faithfulness to his kingdom and its righteousness. All professing Christians and persons of good-will must now prove whether they are living for this world and working for that short-lived, deceptive postwar epoch, or are living for the righteous New World of endless success. The time past of the lives of Christians suffices for them to have wrought the will of the nations, going in the way of the worldly majority. Why spend any more time in following worldly leaders, to self-hurt? The German people did that, by following the pope’s man, Hitler, just as the Italian people followed the pope’s concordat-partner, Mussolini. They refused to heed the warning and the Kingdom proclamation of Jehovah’s witnesses, but followed religion and dictator politics and permitted the Axis powers to put the few thousands of Jehovah's witnesses into concentration camps. What have the peoples of the Axis countries and partners today? The other nations that looked on and made no protest to this shameful mistreatment of Jehovah’s servants, what have they for their refusal to intervene for freedom of press, assembly and worship?

    24 What worldly activities, accompanied by what expectations, concerning a postwar world are now going on? and to what does the description of such postwar world appeal?

    25 On what points is the test now in progress, and what folly did the people of Germany and of other nations spend time in following, with the present-day results?

    A SURPRISED OLD WORLD

    26 When you exercise faith in and obedience to the Word of God and refrain from going on in the world’s headlong plunge to destruction at Armageddon, what? The rulers and their subjects think you strange and feel self-condemned by their own worldliness. “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess [flood; overflow; sink] of riot [of dissoluteness], speaking evil of you.” (1 Pet. 4: 4, Am. Rev. Ver.) They go to the extent of evilly calling Jehovah’s witnesses “an illegal organization”, "Communists,” “subversive,” “disturbers of unity,” "hating everything,” a “freak religion,” “the smallest of sects,” a “cult”, “a law to themselves.” For the opinion and slanderous talk of worldly men those who love God’s approval and blessing do not care. They do not permit such abusive speaking by clergymen, politicians, judges, police, and their dupes to swerve them from doing God’s will as his servants and witnesses. They bear such reproaches as Christ bore them.

    27 It would be ruinous for Christians, who have sincerely made a covenant with the Lord God, to compromise with this world for any selfish reason and to go in the ways of its wanton living, unlawful relationships, loose conduct, revelings, jazz parties, excessive drinking, tobacco smoking, etc. Writes the apostle: “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb. The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Pet. 2: 20-22) Such ones become the victims of the demons and will with the demons be destroyed, perishing like a dog and a sow in their filthiness. They are covenant-breakers worthy of death. (Rom. 1:31, 32) They bring great reproach upon Jehovah’s name, to the support of the Devil’s side of the issue, and show ingratitude and contempt for the mercies of Jehovah God and his New World.

    26 How do the nations view and speak of those who do not go in the worldly course with them? and how do lovers of God permit this to affect themselves?

    27 Why would it be ruinous for Christians to go in the ways of the world?

    28 Jehovah’s witnesses, therefore, should walk very circumspectly, knowing that they are hated of all the world and are the special targets of the wily demons. They should be pure in their relationships to one another, exhorting one another to be diligent, tireless, constantly and fully occupied in the Lord’s service. They should keep their hearts and attention fixed on the New World and the glorious privileges of life that its Righteous Government will open up to all that keep their integrity toward the Most High God.

    29 Every aid to that end they should avail themselves of now in this “evil day”. The text and comment for each day, as published in the Society's Yearbook, is prepared to help them begin the day with the Word of God. If in company with others, spend some few minutes in discussing the text with them. At meals, bear in mind the Giver of every good and perfect gift; do not take things for granted, but give thanks and keep grateful that He gives you this day your daily bread. Even on a billow-rocked ship being hurled toward the rocks the apostle Paul did not overlook or think it religious to give thanks for his scant meal. (Acts 27:29-35) Take every advantage of attending studies of God’s Word with the provided Bible literature, and also of establishing such studies in the homes of other people that they may feed on the life-sustaining food. Attend meetings for the consideration of the Lord’s service in bearing his message in the field from house to house. Fill your mind with plans and arrangements for taking a part in the witness work, and act thereon. Go forth in the Lord’s name and armed with the mind of Christ, wielding the “sword of the spirit, which is the word of God”. Turn the attention and hopes of as many as you can to the New World and its Theocratic Government. Live and serve now for that “world to come”, if you want to live and serve in it.

    GOOD NEWS PREACHED TO THE DEAD

    30 The nations shall not go unpunished for hating and misrepresenting sincere, conscientious Christians and letting the misrepresentation stand, thereby allowing publishers of God’s name and kingdom to suffer great reproach and persecution without due protection of the law. Such nations hate and forget God (Matt. 24:9; Ps. 9:17); and concerning them it is written: “Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.” (1 Pet. 4: 5) The nations are now on judgment before Jehovah’s King on his throne at the temple. Surely an account these nations must very shortly give to the Judge. Psalm 9: 17 declares it means “hell” for such nations. However, before they descend amid violence into “hell” (the grave, where their name shall rot), the Lord’s “other sheep” must be gathered out and guided into the way of life in the New World. (Matt. 25:31-46) Hence the good news of the Kingdom must be gotten to them.

    28. How should Jehovah's witnesses walk, as to personal conduct and their relationship to one another?

    29 Of what aids to that end should these now avail themselves, and to what must they apply themselves to live and serve in the new world? 30 To whom, and for what, must the nations shortly give an account? and what work must be done before they go down into “hell"?

    31 “For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Pet. 4:6) Or, “For to this purpose were glad tidings announced also to the dead, so that indeed they might be judged, in flesh, according to men, but, in spirit, according to God.” (Emphatic Diaglott) How can this be? Ecclesiastes 9: 5 declares that “the dead know not any thing”; and Isaiah 38:18, 19 (Douay Version) says: “For hell shall not confess to thee, neither shall death praise thee: nor shall they that go down into the pit, look for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall give praise to thee, as I do this day: the father shall make thy truth known to the children.” Who, then, are these “dead” to whom glad tidings of the Kingdom were announced, and are yet announced?

    32 “Them that are dead” could not here be literal, meaning those actually lifeless in the grave or pit. They could not hear if preached to, nor be awakened to life by the preaching. “Dead” here means those existing on earth who are under the condemnation of death due to sin inherited from Adam. (Rom. 5: 12) As long as they continue in their trespasses and sins they are “dead” in God’s sight and his wrath abides upon them; but to follow Christ Jesus means to live unto God and be in the way of life. Said Jesus to a man who wanted to bury his father’s corpse: “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” (Matt. 8:21,22) Concerning one who lives in pleasures of the world it is written: “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.” (1 Tim. 5:6) To those who had left the old world to follow Christ’s leadership it is written: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.” — Eph. 2:1-5; Col. 2:13.

    31 Peter’s statement “For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead" raises what questions, and why?

    32 Who are meant by “them that are dead”, as shown by other scriptures?

    33 Those to whom Peter wrote were themselves once among “them that are dead”. They became alive from the dead condition by having the Kingdom gospel preached to them and by responding thereto with belief and obedience toward God and his King Christ Jesus. The time past of their lives they practiced and served sin, but now they forsook the course of the world. They determined that for the rest of their time in the flesh they would no longer live in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. That was the very reason for which the gospel was preached to them by Jehovah's faithful witnesses. To such it is written: “Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Rom. 8:9,10) They live to God by works of righteousness. Those who are now becoming the Lord’s “other sheep” and being gathered to the right hand of the King and Judge were also once dead in trespasses and sin and under God’s wrath. But Jehovah now commands his witnesses to preach “this gospel of the kingdom” to all nations that the people may be divided on the Kingdom issue as “sheep” and “goats”. By acting on the Kingdom message with faith and obedience and consecration to God the “other sheep” forsake the path of death with the world, and the Good Shepherd puts them on his right side in the pathway to life, life on earth in the New World.

    34 The man of the old world looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart and thus sees not as man sees. (1 Sam. 16:7) Hence, not seeing that Jehovah’s anointed witnesses are in a covenant relationship with him and are begotten of His spirit to newness of life, the natural man judges them according to the outward appearance, the “outward man”. (2 Cor. 4:16) Hence the faithful remnant of the “body of Christ” are “judged according to men in the flesh”. Such men are in power now and have the means of executing earthly judgment. Judging means not merely rendering an opinion or handing down a ruling, but also executing the judgment rendered against the one adversely judged. (Acts 7:7) Satan the Devil uses men as his dupes and tools. He sees to it that they judge Jehovah’s witnesses according to the external appearance. So, then, they frame these servants of God with damaging circumstantial evidences and false charges, just to bring about their condemnation in the eyes of the world. Then, under guise of worldly law and order, Satan can use officers of the law and those who take the law into their own hands to punish Jehovah’s people unjustly and make them suffer for righteousness, in the flesh, as Jesus suffered. This Satan brings about in order to turn them out of the path of life and integrity toward God and to stop their activity of preaching the Kingdom.

    33 (a) What is the purpose of preaching the gospel to “them that are dead”, and how did those addressed by Peter get out from among them? (b) What is the effect of such preaching with respect to the Lord’s "other sheep”?

    34 How, then, are the remnant of Christ's body members judged by or according to men? and what is the purpose of such judging?

    35 When Jesus was thus misjudged, misrepresented and made to suffer in the flesh, “he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously,” that is, to Jehovah God. (1 Pet. 2:23) So Jehovah’s witnesses arm themselves with the like mind and care not that the judgment of the whole world is against them. They know that they “live according to God in the spirit". In their need they “call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work”. (1 Pet. 1:17) The spirit or holy power of God is working within them and accomplishing his will through them.

    36 God’s sons do his work by the power and help of his spirit. Their work is the work commanded by the great Spirit, Jehovah God. They have been begotten of his power through the word of truth and are acknowledged by Him as his spiritual children or sons. He looks at the heart or motive of love and devotion behind their works. When their works are in obedience to the law of God rather than to the law of “Caesar”, God judges them as faithful and approved, regardless of the punishment which “Caesar” heaps upon them. These faithful ones are ambassadors of the Righteous Government of the New World. They view the Kingdom and its service as of paramount importance. They put first things first, and thus the Kingdom interests have the first place in their lives. Their hopes are not set upon this old world and its survival beyond this total war. They “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. ... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”. (1 John 2:15-17) Steadfastly and constantly they live and serve for the New World and its God.

    “THE END OF ALL THINGS”

    37 Long ago the inspired apostle gave a powerful reason why the Christian should waste no more time and life energy in living according to the old world with all its hilarity and wild, selfish pleasures. It was this: “[For] the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Pet. 4:7) Peter knew that the foundation of the new world had been laid in Christ Jesus, who had suffered faithfully unto death and was raised to life evermore, to be the King of the New World government. Peter had heard Jesus say on the night before his death on the tree: “Now is the judgment of this world [by its rejection of Christ Jesus as King]: now shall the prince of this world [Satan] be cast out.” (John 12: 31) The apostle knew that the world, then thousands of years old, was certainly progressing on to its end, the signs of which Jesus had foretold to Peter and three other disciples privately. (Mark 13:3, 4) The final end of all things of the old world was to come suddenly, like the flood of Noah’s day, like a thief in the night. Hence the apostle could say in his day: “But the end of all things hath drawn near.” (Roth.) Nevertheless, his words were specially guided as to form of expression because they were specifically written for our admonition upon whom the end of the world has come. In 1914 the “war in heaven” began at the birth of the New World government, and the “prince of this world” was cast out of heaven, and his demon hosts with him. (Rev. 12: 1-12) His time is now short. The final end of all things of his world is at hand, and the postwar arrangement will not save them.

    35 How did Jesus conduct himself under such judging, and how do Jehovah's witnesses now show they are armed with the same mind?

    36 How do these “live according to God in the spirit”, and how does God judge them therefore?

    37 Why could Peter rightly say in his day, “The end of all things is at hand”? but for whom were those words specially written?

    38 Do you believe this? Have you marked the world events and the activities of Jehovah’s people since A. D. 1914 and compared them -with the sign-proofs of the end of the world as predicted in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3:1-13, and Daniel 11: 27-45? Believing this, and being convinced of its proof, why should a single one of Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions of good-will any longer live the rest of their time in the flesh in conformity with the old world, that is, according to the lusts or desires and aims of worldly men? If anyone is doing so and permitting his faculties to become dull, numb and unresponsive toward God’s truth and service of the New World, then, says Ephesians 5:14-16: “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

    39 The world is staggering from the effects of “Babylon’s” cup of war for world domination. In the postwar period all nations will drink of her religious cup and go on a spree, like that of Belshazzar's feast on the night of Babylon’s fall, when the handwriting on the wall appeared. (Daniel 5) “Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep." (Rom. 13:11-14) It is high time to keep steady, clear-headed, cool-minded, clean-eyed, walking in the advancing light of the Government of the New World. “Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” Do not pray like the clergy, drunk with religion, for the victory and success of the postwar world. Watch and pray, because, while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Watch, lest, the final end coming like a snare on the world, you be overtaken by it being “charged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life". (Luke 21:34-36) Stick on the right side, God’s side, of the issue of universal domination, that you may stand in integrity before the King and be found blameless in this his day. The New World is at hand. Live for it, and make sure of life in it.

    38 How may you see and believe today that the end of all things has drawn near? find what command is given to those who are asleep or as dead toward God’s truth and service?

    39 (a) Why is it high time now to heed Peter’s words. “Be ye sober and watch unto prayer”? and how does one do this? (b) Where should one strive always to stand, and for what world should he live and why?

    KINGDOM WORK

    WATCHTOWER readers now appreciate the fact that The Theocratic Government is functioning in the earth in so far as those who are consecrated to Jehovah are concerned. Both the anointed remnant and the Jonadabs have the privilege, by the Lord’s grace, of participating in bearing the legitimate expenses for carrying forward the Kingdom work. Their contributions made direct to the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, at 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N. Y., will be assurance to them that the money will be used to the best advantage in advancing the Kingdom interests.

    This notice is not a solicitation of money, but a reminder to all who have a desire to support Jehovah’s kingdom that it is well to make advance provision to participate in the work and do so by laying aside a specific sum each week according to the manner in which the Lord prospers them financially. The work of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society is to use the money contributed in the most economical way to make known Jehovah’s name and his kingdom. If informed in advance as to the probable amount that will be contributed during the year by those who are interested, that makes it possible to outline the work and the expense connected therewith accordingly. It is therefore suggested that upon receipt of this issue of The Watchtower you address a post card to the Society and keep a copy thereof as a reminder to yourself as to the amount you have promised and post the card to the Society immediately. Write nothing upon the card except the following:

    By the Lord’s grace I hope to be able to contribute to the work of announcing the kingdom of Jehovah during the ensuing year the amount of $ , which I will remit in such amounts and at such time as I can find it convenient as the Lord prospers me.

    [Signed]

    Address your card to

    Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society Treasurer’s Office 124 Columbia Heights Brooklyn, New York.

    Those residing outside of the United States and who desire to participate in contributing to the necessary expense will please address your letters or cards to the Society’s office in the respective country in which you live.

    Have in mind our need for guidance by the Lord and present the matter before the throne of heavenly grace that the money contributed may be used to the best advantage to announce the Kingdom.

    WHY NO SALVATION BY RELIGION

    RELIGION is defined by the sacred Scriptures as a belief and indulging in a form of worship of some higher power, such belief being based on the teachings of men handed down by tradition from one generation to another. Furthermore, that system of belief or teaching is induced and put forward by God’s adversary, the Devil, in order to turn men away from God. For this reason religion is a snare of the Devil, and God warns against it. — Deut. 7: 16, 25.

    Christianity is the exact opposite of religion. The name Christianity is derived from Jesus’ title Christ, since he at all times obeys the commandments of Almighty God and is the beginner of Christians. Christianity means to know what God has set forth in his Word disclosing his purpose, and to obey fully God's commandments at all times. Where does religion do that? To follow the lead of religion means everlasting death. To follow Christ Jesus means everlasting life. (John 17:3) With a knowledge of the truth there is set before men the choice between life and death. To live, one must avoid religion and follow truly the lead of Christ Jesus.

    Psalm 3:8 sings out: “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord"’; that is, unto Jehovah God. No man or organization of men can give salvation to others. Religious organizations, and particularly the leaders in them, claim to save souls or to bring salvation to men; but such claim is wholly false, and no creature can get life from another God created man and gave that perfect man life. (Genesis 2:7) God has made provision for the salvation of sinful men from death and unto life. The religious doctrine that man has inherent life and that the soul of man is immortal and cannot die is as false as the Devil himself and is the result of the Devil’s first lie The doctrine of inherent immortality of human souls was the lie told by Satan to Eve for the first time and led to death upon Adam and Eve. (Gen. 3:4) On the contrary, every man is a soul, that is to say, a living, breathing creature. He does not possess a soul separate and detachable from his body; but the body of flesh and the breath of the living creature, together, constitute the soul. When these are separated the soul is out of existence. If a human soul were immortal it could not die; but it is plainly written in God’s Word: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezek. 18:4) Also: “What man is he that liveth, and shall notsee death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?”—Ps. 89:48.

    When a man dies he is completely dead and entirely without knowledge or consciousness. He is not conscious anywhere; and therefore religion’s doctrine of “purgatory” and of “eternal hell torment”, “where men are suffering conscious punishment,” is completely false, a wicked doctrine promulgated by the Devil to deceive men. “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”—Eccl. 9: 5,10.

    Why do human creatures now die? Because the first man Adam willfully sinned by joining the Devil in rebellion against Jehovah God. All the human race sprang from Adam; and since Adam became a sinner before he and Eve had children, it follows naturally that all men have been born imperfect and are therefore sinners by inheritance. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Ps. 51: 5) Unless provision is made by the Almighty God to save men from death, all men would in time perish. God alone could provide for man’s salvation; and therefore it is written: “Salvation belongeth unto Jehovah.” (Ps. 3:8, Am. Rev. Ver.) It is easy to be seen, therefore, why it is recorded in the Scriptures that the man who claims there is no God is a fool, and his course of action in refusing to hear and obey God proves him to be a fool.

    …