The Watchtower, February 1, 1971

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The Watchtower — February 1, 1971

Source: jw.org

Contents

When Will God’s Will Be Done on Earth?

Effective Use of Study Time Brings Joy

Love for Our Brothers and Sisters

Proclaiming Good News World Wide

Where More Proclaimers of the Good News Are Especially Needed

Madagascar Denies Freedom of Worship

Look to God for a Reward

Where She Finds Refreshment

Loyally Advocate God’s Word

Questions From Readers

Announcements

When Will God’s Will Be Done on Earth?

“LET your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”—Matt. 6:10.

Nineteen hundred years have passed since those words were first spoken by Jesus of Nazareth as part of a model prayer given to his disciples. Since then they have been repeated by thousands of millions of persons, thousands of millions of times, all over the earth.

Is what we see on earth today a fulfillment of that prayer? The answer obviously is, No! Some persons may try to assure us that mankind is in fine shape and that the future looks good. But their statements have a hollow sound when compared with the actual facts.

Not wild-eyed fanatics, but presidents, statesmen, scientists, historians and other men of repute today voice grave concern about man’s future. They warn that this earth could easily become a colossal graveyard for men and animals if solutions are not found—and found quickly—for the major problems facing the planet’s inhabitants. There is not only the possible triggering of World War III with intercontinental missiles carrying hydrogen bombs lacing the skies, but also the already existing poisoning by mass pollution of air, land and water, the problem of feeding a growing world population that threatens to double in the next thirty years, plus the breakdown in respect for authority and standards of moral conduct.

What solutions, then, do men offer? Recently, Charles A. Lindbergh, discussing the urgent need to prevent further damage to the earth by modern technology, said: “We need a policy and plan that covers our entire planet and extends to the utmost of human capability into space and time.”

But who can offer such an earth-wide plan or formulate a worldwide policy that would work and effectively control human capabilities? Are the scientists—the ones that developed the atomic weapons and the modern technology that now endanger our environment—the ones to formulate such plan? And what government or combination of governments could ensure the enforcement of such a policy if produced?

If your mind turns to the most comprehensive international organization men have yet produced, the United Nations, what assurance do you find? Speaking before a congress of World Federalists, UN Secretary-General U Thant called for reforms in the United Nations and a “body of enforceable world law” backed by “the necessary executive, legislative and judicial functions,” saying: “The degradation of our environment is now so serious that unless immediate measures are taken, the very capacity of the planet itself to sustain human life will be in doubt.”

About two months later, when opening the twenty-fifth annual session of the UN General Assembly, Thant asked: “Is it not high time for the leaders of this world to turn radically away from the errors of the past and to realize that understanding, love and tolerance are the highest forms of interest on our small and interdependent planet?”

“Understanding, love and tolerance”—has the United Nations made progress in teaching these qualities and inculcating them into the minds and hearts of people everywhere, all over the earth? The facts say No. Can we count on the world’s religions to do this? Not when we see how little they have succeeded in their centuries of existence and observe how unsettled and troubled they are themselves.

GOD’S WAY TO BRING THE NEEDED CHANGE

The Bible shows that the Creator of earth, man and all forms of life, is the only One who can and will provide the global direction and moral guidance the inhabitants of this planet so desperately need. His selected means for doing this is a government, heaven based and headed by his own Son, Christ Jesus. That government is the Kingdom for which persons have been praying for centuries.

But someone may here say, “Just how realistic is it to put our hope in God to straighten out matters on earth if, after nineteen centuries, that prayer still has not seen fulfillment?”

Would it not be better to ask: “How realistic is it to keep on putting hope in imperfect men to do the job when, after all these centuries, their leaders now admit their concern and even anxiety for the future of mankind as a whole?” Rather than think it strange to turn to the everlasting God for hope for the future, is it not far stranger that people should keep on trusting dying men to bring them out of the world’s worsening situation?

Men of affairs admit that for any real improvement to come there must be full cooperation on the part of people, rulers and subjects, earth wide. Selfishness, national and individual, must be set aside. Do you personally see any genuine progress in that direction? Are people in your neighborhood changing in that direction?

Make no mistake about it, however. The Bible does not say that the needed change will come about by world conversion of all persons by religious organizations. It foretold in plain terms that conditions on earth would develop to their present point for the very reason that the nations—rulers and people in general—would stubbornly refuse to submit to God’s will and bring their lives into harmony with it.

In the last book of the Bible, the nations of the earth, their armies, and the people, from both the ‘free world’ and the ‘enslaved world,’ are shown as opposing the carrying out of God’s will for the earth by his kingdom. For that reason, Christ Jesus is represented as ‘shepherding the nations with a rod of iron,’ ridding the earth of all who oppose his Kingdom rule. (Rev. 19:11-21) This is, in fact, what you pray for if you pray, “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”

1914 THE TURNING POINT

As far back as its issue of March 1880, this journal, The Watchtower, called attention to Bible prophecies focusing on the year 1914 as the date when what Jesus called the “appointed times of the nations” would end. (Luke 21:24) That would mean this world’s systems would then enter their “last days” leading up to a “great tribulation” that would see those systems forever end, replaced by a new system of God’s making. (2 Tim. 3:1; Matt. 24:21, 22) Every year that has passed since 1914 has served to strengthen our conviction that this has been the case.

As British historian H. R. Trevor-Roper said in 1954: “Since 1914 the world has had a new character: a character of international anarchy.” Ten years later, Konrad Adenauer, then chancellor of Germany, stated: “Security and quiet have disappeared from the lives of men since 1914.”

This magazine has also repeatedly shown from the Scriptures that the distressing conditions that have developed and intensified since 1914 are solid proof that we live in the generation that will see God’s will take place on earth. Yes, that we can now do as Christ Jesus said: “Raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near. . . . When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.”—Luke 21:28-32.

Men of this world offer you nothing stable, nothing sure. Their promises and predictions of better things have failed time and again. Why let yourself be carried along with them in a steadily downward course to ultimate disaster due to rejecting God’s will? God’s prophetic Word has not failed. Time has confirmed its truthfulness, its unerring accuracy. The generation that saw the start of the time of distress that began in 1914 is now dwindling in numbers. Before it passes off the scene the prophesied “great tribulation” will come. You can be among the joyful survivors, experience deliverance from a world system that has proved oppressive, unworkable and death dealing. Why not investigate God’s prophetic Word and seek knowledge and understanding that will give you the faith you need to endure now and to win the privilege of life in God’s righteous new order? Jehovah’s witnesses offer to help you in gaining such strengthening, life-giving knowledge. Why not write us for such help, free of charge?

[Box on page 69]

“WHEN YOU SEE THESE THINGS OCCURRING, KNOW THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR.”

“Nation will rise against Since 1914 two world wars have

nation and kingdom against killed more than 69,000,000.

kingdom.”a

“There will be food shortages Half the world called

. . . in one place after undernourished, with 3,500,000

another.” dying every year from

malnutrition.

“In one place after another From 1918 to 1919 some

pestilences.” 500,000,000 persons stricken

with Spanish flu; 21,000,000

died. Other diseases take their

toll.

“There will be . . . earthquakes Since 1914 there have been

in one place after another.” recorded nearly twice as

many major quakes as during

the previous 200 years.

“Increasing of lawlessness.” A plague of violence and

lawlessness is now sweeping

the earth.

‘Men became faint out of Fear is said to be “the biggest

fear.” single emotion” that dominates

people’s lives today.

“This good news of the Jehovah’s witnesses preach the

kingdom will be preached good news of the kingdom in

in all the inhabited earth 206 lands, their literature

. . . and then the end will appearing in 165 languages.

come.”

[Footnotes]

These prophecies given by Jesus Christ are in Matthew chapter 24 and Luke 21.

Effective Use of Study Time Brings Joy

FINDING joy and getting results in personal study are not always a matter of spending more time at it. There is another consideration, an even more important one. It is how you use the time you do take.

Those whose study is fruitful and enjoyable do not necessarily put more time in study than poor students. But they do make more effective use of the time they spend. They are skilled at study.

Some have difficulty with study because of problems such as a slow reading rate, poor grammar, or poor study habits. If these are remedied, the student could make far better use of the time spent and enjoy it much more.

There are remedies for such problems, but the remedies require effort. But then, anything new usually does. When you were a child, did you learn to walk confidently overnight? It took months of repeated falls. Now you enjoy walking with little effort. If you are a housewife, your first attempts at cooking were likely frustrating and not very successful. But what a calamity for your family if you had given up trying to learn! If you play a musical instrument, your first tries and the constant practice were likely not very enjoyable. But by persisting you became proficient enough to enjoy it.

So, too, with study habits. You cannot expect to improve them without hard effort, particularly at first. But in time, good study procedures will become easier, even habitual. They will then make your personal study far more effective and enjoyable.

Do you want the best help anyone can give you toward improving your study? Who could help better than the One who created your mind? Since study related to the Bible involves Jehovah, and the material is provided by means of his spirit and organization, begin by asking Jehovah’s assistance. Jesus said: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. . . . the Father in heaven [will] give holy spirit to those asking him.”—Luke 11:9-13.

READING SPEED

One of the main reasons some find study difficult is that they are poor readers. The cure is PRACTICE. Do you want to cook well? PRACTICE! Do you want to play a musical instrument well? PRACTICE! Do you want to be a good reader? PRACTICE!

But the practice must be based on proper reading principles. One habit poor readers have is that their eyes stop at every word, even each syllable in words. That is very slow and makes for poor comprehension. A good reader will average several words for each stop. He will let his eyes come to rest just a few times for a line of the length you are now reading. A poor reader will stop many more times.

Are you a slow reader? Practice reading more rapidly than you do now. Force yourself to take in at least two of the smaller words at a time, then more if you can. At first you will lose some of the meaning. But soon you will develop the habit of reading faster with the same understanding as before. In time your understanding will improve, as you will come closer to reading thoughts instead of just words or syllables.

As you learn to take in several words with one stop of the eye, keep going. Do not let your eyes backtrack because you have missed a word. For lighter reading you eventually will want to avoid any backtracking, as that slows reading down greatly.

Also, with lighter material, avoid pronouncing each word out loud, or even moving your lips. If you come across words you do not know, wait until you are finished with the article, or at least the paragraph, then look them up in a dictionary.

However, what if the subject matter is weighty? Would you want to read it the same way, rapidly? No. For instance, if you are preparing for the weekly Watchtower study held at the Kingdom Hall, your reading method will be different. You may have read the material more rapidly when you first received your magazine, but now for the actual lesson preparation you will want to slow down and digest one paragraph at a time, meditating on what you read. With this kind of reading, as with Bible reading, reading out loud “in an undertone” can be very profitable. This makes use of your ears and your mouth as well as your eyes. It helps you to keep your attention focused on the lesson.—Josh. 1:8.

So there is a difference between reading for general interest, which is much faster, and doing deeper study for a lesson, which is much slower. A good reader may be able to move along at the rate of 1,000 words or more a minute with light material, but may slow down to 100 words or less a minute in deep study. Hence, do not expect to treat lighter material the same way you would deeper material.

STUDY CONDITIONS

As you prepare to study, establish the right study conditions.

There are many things in a home that can be of interest. If you do not shut these off as much as possible, they can divert your attention before long. It would be well, as much as you can, to eliminate all interesting sounds and activity from your study area. This includes conversations, television programs, and even a radio playing pleasant music.

Although pleasant music playing in the background may seem to be desirable, it is often interesting enough to divert some of your mental energy. The efforts to pull your mind back to the lesson will be tiring. And pleasant music may tend to lull you to sleep. There is a time and a place for pleasant music, as well as television programs and interesting conversations. But the private study period is not that time.

Since soft beds and pillows are associated with sleep, for serious study it usually is not good to lie on a bed or sit in a chair that is too comfortable. You should be comfortable, but not overly so, as that might suggest relaxing, sleep. And if you are already too tired or sleepy, then a brief nap or rest, or an invigorating shower, or both, may be beneficial before beginning your study.

For serious study it is good to sit at a plain table in an attitude of work, since study requires work. Keep the table free from clutter, which is distracting. Have the necessary tools for study and as little else as possible on it. The lighting should be good, but avoid glare. If you can, keep room temperature comfortable, but not so warm as to encourage drowsiness.

HOW MUCH MATERIAL?

Some who are skilled in study spend whatever time they need to study an entire Watchtower lesson well in just one study period. But if you are one who can study seriously for only a short time to begin with, then concentrate on just a portion of the study.

You may choose the part that affects you more directly, or perhaps the beginning part. Cover that material well. The rest you will get to an extent by paying close attention to comments from others at the congregation study itself. By covering a portion using good study habits, you will learn how to study correctly. In time, you will be able to expand this so you can cover the entire lesson.

Should you try to speed along and cover as much material as possible? No. Why not? Because coverage of material is not the main consideration. How much serious study material would sink down into your heart, where it really counts, if you were to speed through it? What is better—merely to skim over a lesson and learn and remember little or nothing? or to concentrate on a part of it, having those thoughts sink down deep into your heart? How much good would excellent food do you if all you ever did was to smell it, but never ate any?

EFFECTIVE STUDY

How can you improve effectiveness in serious study, such as for a Watchtower lesson? Consider the following five steps.

(1) Survey the Material. First, correctly determine the lesson for that week. Then look at the title of the article, which will tell you what the subject is. Next, read the Scripture text under the title, which reinforces the theme. Lastly, go through the pages of the lesson and read just the subheadings. These steps will give you an overall picture of what is to be discussed, the general plan of the material. This survey should take no longer than thirty to sixty seconds.

(2) Read the Question on the Paragraph. Before reading each paragraph, go down to the bottom of the page and read the question, or questions, for that particular paragraph. This will call your attention to the main points in that paragraph.

(3) Read the Paragraph. You may do this silently, but reading out loud, in an undertone, is even more effective, since you are not trying to hurry anyway. And as you read, read actively, not passively. Search for the answer to the question. Meditate on the material. “The heart of the righteous one meditates so as to answer.” (Prov. 15:28) Ask yourself: How does that information fit what I already know? How should I revise my attitudes or actions to harmonize with what I read? Such searching and meditation creates interest as well as sounding down the material into your heart. After reading the paragraph in this way, you can look up scriptures that are cited but not quoted, as well as looking up in a dictionary words you do not know.

(4) Give the Answer. Having done this, now look down at the question again. Can you answer it in your own words as though you were explaining it to someone else? If you can, then you know what the main point is. If you cannot, then go over the paragraph again to search for that answer. It is helpful too, to underline the answer, marking only key words or phrases. You can underline an additional point or two of interest, but avoid underlining too many things in one paragraph as this makes it difficult to locate the main ideas.

(5) Review. When you have finished the entire lesson, or as much of it as your time allows, review it to get the overall picture. Check the points you have underlined and see how they fit the subheading under which the paragraphs fall. This final review will help to fix points in your mind, since repetition is a key to learning. And if there are additional points you want to check, or you have questions, then after the lesson you can consult such helps as the Watch Tower Publications Index or Aid to Bible Understanding. Also, if you have the opportunity to talk to someone else about the material, this will reinforce what you know about the subject.—Heb. 5:14.

Now you are prepared for the Watchtower study that week. And you will find the study hour far more enjoyable. You can be an active participant and not just a passive listener. Also, when the paragraph is read by the reader, you will not be looking ahead to the next paragraph, trying to find an answer, as some have the bad habit of doing. This poor practice deprives you of following the reading and having the paragraph’s thoughts further impressed on your mind.

Following the reading also enables you to confirm the pronunciation of difficult words. It will help you to learn how words go together when spoken correctly, all of which helps to improve your speaking ability. So follow the reading instead of looking ahead to the next paragraph.

But what of other material used at congregation meetings that you may not be able to study beforehand? For example, what if you have not studied all the material presented in the Theocratic Ministry School? Well, since you are present at the school for one hour, why not pay careful attention to what is said? In that way, in a sense, you could be studying the material, benefiting from what the others say. Since you are there already, what better use of the time could you make?

BENEFITS

By using good study methods, you will find that your reading ability will improve, as well as your choice and use of words, and grammar. You will learn more, and remember more, as Jehovah’s Word gets past your mind and down into your heart.

You will be better equipped to make judgments when faced with important decisions or issues of right and wrong. You will enlarge and make stronger the shield of faith to protect you from this world’s wicked influences. You will give better talks, more upbuilding comments at meetings and home Bible studies. Yes, the more you learn, the better equipped you will be to give others the reasons for the Kingdom hope within you.—1 Pet. 3:15.

Thus, by improving your study habits, you can grow spiritually strong instead of remaining a spiritual babe. You will plant your feet more firmly on the road that leads to eternal life in Jehovah’s new order. So be diligent about your study. “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright.”—2 Tim. 2:15.

Then you can be like one of those happy persons about whom the psalmist said: “His delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.”—Ps. 1:2.

Love for Our Brothers and Sisters

An article specially designed for parents to read with their children

HOW many brothers and sisters do you have? Not everyone has a brother or a sister in his family at home. If you have even one, you can be thankful.

God made us so that we feel especially close to certain people. We may have many friends, but brothers and sisters usually care about one another even more than friends do. When one is in trouble, the other helps out. That’s the kind of brother you would want to have, isn’t it?

But not everyone is good to his brother or his sister. Have you ever seen brothers or sisters fight each other? Do you think it is right to do that? The Bible tells us about a person who hit his brother. Do you know his name? He was Cain, a son of the first man.

One day Cain took some food that he had grown. He made a gift or an offering of this food to Jehovah. His brother Abel also made an offering to Jehovah. Abel offered to God the very best sheep that he had. God was pleased with Abel and with his offering. But he was not pleased with Cain and his offering.

Why was that? It was not because Abel offered the most. And it was not just the kind of offering that made the difference. The Bible tells us that God can see what is in our hearts. He knows how we feel deep inside ourselves. He could see what was in the heart of Cain, and he could see what was in Abel’s heart. What he saw in Cain’s heart was not good.

What did God see in Cain’s heart? He saw that Cain did not really love his brother. When Cain saw that Jehovah was pleased with Abel and his offering, did he try to change so that he would be like his brother? No. He became angry. His face showed that he was angry.

Have you ever felt angry when your brother or sister did something better than you did? We can learn a lesson about this from what happened with Cain and Abel.

Jehovah saw that Cain was angry. So Jehovah said to Cain: ‘Why are you angry with your brother? If you do what is good, I will show favor to you. But if you do not change, sin will get a hold on you and you will do something very bad.’

Did Cain listen to Jehovah? Did he change his thinking? If he had really loved God, he would have paid attention to him. But he did not love God. And he did not love his brother. So, do you know what Cain did?

One day he said to Abel: “Let us go over into the field.” Cain had bad in his heart, but Abel did not know it. So Abel went along with Cain. While they were there in the field alone, Cain hit his brother. He hit him so hard that he killed him. Wasn’t that terrible?—Gen. 4:2-8.

The Bible tells us that there is a special lesson that we should learn from that. Do you know what it is? The apostle John tells us. He says: “This is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should have love for one another; not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one.” (1 John 3:11, 12) So brothers and sisters should have love for one another. They should not be like Cain.

Why would it be so bad to be like Cain? Because the Bible says that he “originated with the wicked one.” Who is the wicked one? The main wicked one is the Devil. Cain acted like the Devil. The Devil does bad things to people. Cain was just the same as the Devil is. So the Bible says that it was just as if the Devil were his father. Think of that!

Do you see why it is so important to love your brothers and sisters? If you do not love them, whose child would you be? You would be a child of the Devil. You wouldn’t want to be that, would you? So how can you prove that you want to be a child of God? It is by really loving your brothers and sisters.

But what is love? Love is a deep feeling inside us that makes us want to do good things for other people. We show that we love others when we have a good feeling toward them. We show it when we do good things for them.

The Bible says, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) God is always doing good things for people. God made the beautiful earth for us to live on. He gives us the sunshine and the rain. Even before we loved God, God loved us. We can learn from this. Even before others do good to us, we can do good to them. We can love them first.

Jesus was the Great Teacher, and he was like that. He had brothers and sisters. The names of some of them were Joseph, James and Simon. Were they always kind to him? No, it does not seem so. They may have been among Jesus’ relatives who said about him: “He has gone out of his mind.” They made fun of Jesus.—Mark 3:21.

But did Jesus let anger grow in his heart for his brothers and sisters? No, he did not. He showed love for them. And do you know what the result was? These brothers came to love Jesus, and they became his disciples. Isn’t that fine?—Acts 1:14.

Now they were Jesus’ brothers in a very special sense. You see, the Bible says that Christians have many more brothers and sisters than just those who live in the same house with them. Do you know who they are? Jesus said: ‘Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister.’ (Matt. 12:50) That means that all who do God’s will are brothers and sisters in the faith. They are a special family of brothers and sisters. Did you know that?

Do you love all the brothers and sisters in this big Christian family? Jesus said that we should. He said: ‘Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.’ (John 13:35) We cannot love just a few of them. We must love all of them. If we love them, we won’t stay away from them because we don’t want to talk to them. We will be friendly to all of them. We will always do good to them. If ever they are in trouble, we will come to their help, because we are truly a big family.

When we really do love all our brothers and sisters, what does it prove? It shows that we are disciples of Jesus, the Great Teacher. And isn’t that what we want to be?

“If anyone makes the statement: ‘I love God,’ and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.”—1 John 4:20

Proclaiming Good News World Wide

“How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ‘Your God has become king!”’—Isa. 52:7.

1, 2. How does the earth appear to one far out in space, and how did the angels react when God created it?

IN YOUR mind’s eye see the earth as it was photographed for the first time by the Apollo 8 astronauts. See it hanging in the blackness of space with the rays of the sun making it look like a giant multicolored bowling ball. Through bands of fluffy white clouds can be seen the sparkling blue waters of the oceans and the browns and greens of the land areas. What a beautiful planet God created for mankind! For all who dwell on it he has good news. Do you know what it is?

2 When one is looking at the earth from a point far out in space it is not difficult to imagine why the Bible says that the angelic sons of God “began shouting in applause” when God created the earth. (Job 38:7) It is so outstandingly different from all the other planets in our solar system that the angels felt impelled to cry out joyfully together in praise of the Creator, Jehovah God. Then when he populated the earth with living creatures and capped his work on earth by creating man, they had even more reason to shout in applause.

3, 4. What has happened to the earth as a result of man’s efforts to rule himself without God?

3 But what has happened on earth since the time God created man? Because man rebelled and turned his back on his Creator living conditions have been far from ideal. Men have leaned upon their own wisdom and tried to rule the earth without God. This has resulted in a colossal mess. Mankind has become divided into nationalistic groups that are constantly quarreling and fighting among themselves. Vast cities have become asphalt jungles where people prey upon one another, acting like unreasoning wild beasts. Violence, crime, injustice and rebellion are everywhere.

4 Man in his folly is even ruining his earthly environment upon which he depends for life. He is polluting the air and fouling the rivers, lakes and oceans. He has ruined fertile lands by unwise agricultural practices and has ruthlessly slaughtered vast numbers of wild creatures, causing many to become extinct. Indeed, man’s effort to rule himself without God has been a monumental failure.

SOMETHING BETTER IS COMING

5, 6. What is the good news God has for mankind, and how were his actions regarding war foretold?

5 For all who are “sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done” the Creator of this beautiful earth has good news. (Ezek. 9:4) He has set up a kingdom of his making by which he will rule the entire earth in justice and righteousness. Under its rule mankind will no longer be divided into warring national groups but will live in permanent peace.

6 Speaking as if it already has happened, a Bible prophecy says: “Come, you people, behold the activities of Jehovah, how he has set astonishing events on the earth. He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire.” (Ps. 46:8, 9) These ancient instruments of war employed at the time when this prophecy was written are used here to symbolize all weapons of war. There will be no need for them under the peaceful and righteous reign of God’s kingdom.

7. Identify the foundation of God’s kingdom, and explain why the people under the Kingdom will act in a straight and truthful manner.

7 The king of that kingdom has already been selected and installed in office. He is none other than the tried and faithful Son of Jehovah God, Jesus Christ. He was spoken of in Bible prophecy as “a tried stone, the precious corner of a sure foundation.” (Isa. 28:16) The whole structure of God’s kingdom is built upon him as its King. This prophecy in Isaiah goes on to foretell that the rule of God’s kingdom under Jesus Christ will be one of justice and righteousness. “And I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the leveling instrument.” (Isa. 28:17) As a plumb line reveals the trueness of a supporting pillar in a building or of a wall so the quality of righteousness that will predominate in God’s kingdom will cause people to act in a straight and truthful manner. How different it is today under the unrighteous rule of imperfect men! Wicked people have “made a lie [their] refuge and in falsehood [they] have concealed [themselves].”—Isa. 28:15.

8. Why will no one under the rule of God’s kingdom need to feel fearful or insecure?

8 With righteous rulers in God’s kingdom ruling the earth in justice, righteousness and peace, there will be no reason for anyone to feel fearful and insecure. The wicked will no longer be present to threaten them with violence and death or to try to steal their possessions. Our Creator has assured us that the “wicked one will be no more.” (Ps. 37:10) Instead of the earth being dominated by violent people who rebelliously violate the laws of God, people who are mild-tempered and obedient to those laws will possess it. Jesus Christ himself foretold this when he said: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” This is certainly good news!—Matt. 5:5; Ps. 37:11.

9. Explain why God’s kingdom, especially its establishment, is good news for mankind.

9 In view of the marvelous purpose God has for the earth his kingdom is good news for mankind. It gives us assurance that the wicked will not dominate the earth indefinitely, and it gives us hope for much better living conditions to come. The fact that God’s kingdom has been established in the heavens and that we are now living in the last days of the present wicked system of things is especially good news. To those putting their trust in that kingdom at this time, Jesus Christ said: “But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.”—Luke 21:28.

BEGAN IN FIRST CENTURY

10. (a) When and how did the proclaiming of the good news begin? (b) Why could the Kingdom be said to be near at that time?

10 The proclaiming of the good news of the kingdom began in the first century of our common era. It was taken up by Jesus Christ, and his followers were instructed to engage in it. “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.”’ (Matt. 10:7; 4:12-17) Although the kingdom of God was not yet established at that time, the message was appropriate and the Kingdom could be said to be near because its anointed King, Jesus Christ, was present. He represented it.

11. How did Jesus set an example as to the way the good news ought to be preached?

11 Jesus took the good news of the Kingdom directly to the people by going to them and preaching to them. “Then he went around throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom.” (Matt. 4:23) He also preached to people in their private homes. He called at the home of Zacchaeus in Jericho, the home of Matthew and at the home of a ruler whose daughter had died, just to mention a few. (Luke 19:5; Matt. 9:9, 10, 18, 23) He also preached in the mountains, at the seashore and in the marketplaces. It was to all types of people that he preached—rulers, priests, merchants, fishermen, tax collectors, harlots, soldiers, and so forth. Jesus thus set an example for the way his followers should preach the good news of the Kingdom.

12. How did Jesus fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2?

12 As Jesus walked about proclaiming the good news he was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2: “The spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me . . . to proclaim the year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah . . . to comfort all the mourning ones.” To the meek and distressed people of that time his coming among them with the good news of the Kingdom was a pleasing sight indeed. His feet would be a comely or pleasant sight. People would be grateful that he came among them because of the good he did for them. He brought to distressed people comfort, and to downhearted ones hope. They learned from him that God has purposed something better that would come by means of his kingdom.

13. Describe how Jesus’ disciples followed his example of preaching after Pentecost.

13 Following the example Jesus set, his disciples after Pentecost of 33 C.E. preached the good news of the Kingdom wherever they went, even when they were scattered by persecution. “However, those who had been scattered went through the land declaring the good news of the word.” (Acts 8:4) They were used in fulfilling Isaiah 52:7: “How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ‘Your God has become king!”’ Those that went to other lands also preached the good news. The Bible gives detailed information on how the apostle Paul and those traveling with him did this in several lands over a period of many years. Like Jesus they went directly to the people, calling at their homes and talking to them in the marketplaces and in other locations where the public gathered.

14. How did Paul describe his efforts to help people learn of God’s purpose?

14 To a group of persons in Asia Minor who had embraced the hope of God’s kingdom because of his efforts, the apostle Paul said: “You well know how from the first day that I stepped into the district of Asia I was with you the whole time, slaving for the Lord with the greatest lowliness of mind and tears and trials that befell me by the plots of the Jews; while I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:18-20) See how he expended himself so people could learn the good things that God has purposed for mankind. Were not his feet also “comely” or pleasant in appearance to the many people he comforted with the good news?

15. Why can we be certain that the prophecy at Isaiah 52:7 applies to Jesus’ anointed followers?

15 The anointed followers of Jesus who have the prospect of eventually ruling with him fulfill the prophecy at Isaiah 52:7. This is indicated by Paul himself. They too publish peace, bring “good news of something better” and publish salvation. Pointing out the need for them to preach the good news to others, Paul wrote: “However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth? Just as it is written: ‘How comely are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!’” (Rom. 10:14, 15) See how Paul quoted the prophecy at Isaiah 52:7 and applied it to those following Jesus’ example of proclaiming the good news.

16. What was the result of the preaching done by the early Christian organization?

16 As a result of the zealous and diligent preaching effort of the early Christian organization people in many lands heard the good news and became believers. Reporting the results of the first missionary tour by Paul and Barnabas through Cyprus and Asia Minor, the Bible says: “When they had arrived and had gathered the congregation together, they proceeded to relate the many things God had done by means of them, and that he had opened to the nations the door to faith.” (Acts 14:27) The people in these other lands who listened and responded in faith to what they heard were most grateful that Paul and Barnabas had come to them. They certainly regarded the feet of these publishers of good news as “comely.” Thus the good news spread throughout the Roman Empire, and a great many people became part of God’s organization. But that was just the beginning.

“PREACHED IN ALL THE INHABITED EARTH”

17, 18. What happened to the Christian organization after the death of the apostles?

17 After the death of the apostles the Christian organization began to deteriorate because of corrupting beliefs brought into it from false religions. Also individuals began promoting their own ideas, causing divisions in the congregations. These self-important persons gathered to themselves members of the congregation and went off on their own course. All this was foretold by the apostle Paul. “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.

18 From this corrupting of the Christian organization came a fusion religion that appeared outwardly to be Christian but actually was fused with falsities of paganism. Because of being filled with pagan beliefs and practices it became less objectionable in the Roman Empire, eventually being made to dominate it. As might be expected, this corrupted organization did not carry on the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom and did not encourage the people to do so. Its people became spiritually dead.

19. Can God’s Christian organization be blamed for conversions by the sword?

19 In view of this, we can see that it was not the true Christian organization but one that even used military arms to force people throughout Europe to become so-called Christians. This was not the way Jesus instructed his followers to make disciples. Such forced conversions were the result of twisted thinking by men who thought more of their own ideas than of God’s Word of truth. Such men had become a clergy class that preached the religious philosophies of men to church members who formed an inactive and inferior laity class. This was not God’s way, and the religious organization that prompted it was not his. Although the preaching of the good news stopped, it was not God’s will that it should cease permanently. It was his will that it should be preached in all the inhabited earth.

20. Explain how the preaching of the good news was revived.

20 After a lapse of many centuries God revived the preaching of the good news in the latter part of the nineteenth century. This revival started with a small group of Bible students in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. It had become evident to them that the churches of Christendom were not fulfilling the commission that Jesus Christ gave to his followers. Instead, they were engrossed in politics, social activities, human philosophy, unscriptural teachings and human traditions. Seeing the need for proclaiming the good news, these modern-day followers of Jesus Christ expressed their willingness to serve as did Isaiah. That prophet said: “I began to hear the voice of Jehovah saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I proceeded to say: ‘Here I am! Send me.’” (Isa. 6:8) So this group of faithful Christians under the leadership of Charles Taze Russell began taking up the long-neglected work of proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. God’s Christian organization began to reappear.

21, 22. (a) To what extent has the number of proclaimers of the good news grown since the 1870’s? (b) How have they been fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy for the “last days,” and how have they followed Jesus’ example?

21 From that small beginning back in the 1870’s the body of proclaimers of the good news has grown to an organization of more than a million active Christian witnesses of Jehovah today. This is God’s active organization, and it has been doing what Jesus foretold would be done in the last days of the present worldly system of things—preaching the good news of the Kingdom “in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.”—Matt. 24:14.

22 Every dedicated, baptized person in this Christian organization is a preacher. All are spiritually active and are continually being encouraged by Jehovah’s organization to continue being active in the ministry. This is the way his organization was in the first century while the apostles were still living. Like Jesus they have been going to the homes of the people and to every other place where they can find people who are willing to listen. To grateful people who have been comforted by the good news they have brought, they are a pleasant sight.

23. Show how God’s organization today is indeed preaching the good news in all the inhabited earth.

23 In the first century the preaching of the good news was directed considerably to the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea, but today we see it being done throughout the inhabited earth as Jesus foretold. In 1970, Jehovah’s witnesses were busy preaching it in 206 lands, spending more than 267 million hours at it and distributing approximately 232 million pieces of literature about God’s Word and purposes. Certainly this is the scale of preaching of the good news that Jesus foresaw over 1900 years ago as taking place in the last days of the earth-encompassing system of wicked men.

PREACHING ORGANIZATION

24, 25. Why is an organization necessary among those whom God uses, and what evidence do we have of its existence among the early Christians?

24 To carry on the worldwide preaching of the good news that God has purposed to be done an organization is necessary. It is needed to unify the efforts of the hundreds of thousands of Christians whom God is using to do this preaching work. Its governing body directs the work for the best results and settles differences. Such an organization existed after Pentecost in the year 33 C.E., and its governing body consisted of the twelve apostles along with some other mature Christians in Jerusalem. This group rendered decisions, appointed persons to special service and settled disputes. Its decisions were binding upon the entire organization of Christians in that day as we see in the fifteenth chapter of Acts.

25 When we read the fifteenth chapter of Acts, particularly Acts 15 verses 23-29 twenty-three to twenty-nine, we see the governing body of God’s organization in action. A dispute that had arisen among the Christians in Antioch, Syria, one that could not be resolved locally, was brought before it. After hearing it, the governing body rendered a decision that was dispatched to Antioch.

26. Identify the governing body in God’s organization today.

26 Today the organization that God has raised up for preaching the good news of the Kingdom also has a governing body. It represents the “faithful and discreet slave” class of anointed Christians that Jesus spoke about in an illustration at Matthew 24:45 to 47. These fulfill their responsibility to provide spiritual food “at the proper time,” doing so through the governing body. This governing body is closely associated with the board of anointed directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

27. Explain how God’s organization is devoted exclusively to serving his interests.

27 Unlike Christendom’s churches that have become involved in politics, social reforms, operating businesses and investing in business corporations, God’s organization of faithful witnesses has concentrated on only one thing—the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom. It has not lost sight of the commission that Jesus gave his followers to “make disciples of people of all the nations” and to teach them “to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) It therefore is fulfilling today Jesus’ prophecy about the worldwide preaching of the good news of the Kingdom.—Matt. 24:14.

28, 29. Whom did Jesus train to be proclaimers of the good news, and how is God’s organization today following his example in this respect?

28 When Jesus was preaching the good news of the Kingdom he taught common people such as fishermen and tax collectors to be preachers and teachers of God’s Word of truth. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees who had been trained in the religious schools of higher learning of those days, these common people had God’s blessing and authorization to preach. They actually did his will, whereas the scribes and Pharisees did not.

29 So today, God’s organization teaches and trains common people of all walks of life to be preachers and teachers of his written Word. They do not have to go to a religious seminary of higher learning to have God’s authorization to preach. It even trains children to preach the good news. Like the fishermen of Jesus’ day, these common people are being taught to do what they probably never dreamed they could do.

30. What training is given to those who are sent to other lands, and what has been the result of their efforts?

30 A special school established by the organization also provides training for those selected to be sent to other countries as missionaries. An intensive five-month course of study is given them in the Bible as well as a foreign language. When they arrive in their foreign assignments they devote 150 hours a month to proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and teaching the truths of God’s Word to the local people. Graduates of this special school of Gilead have opened up the work of preaching the good news in many lands, territories and islands of the world. They have assisted thousands of persons to take a stand for God’s kingdom.

HOW MUCH LONGER?

31, 32. What is indicated by the worldwide preaching of the good news, and what has God’s organization been doing in fulfillment of Isaiah 52:7?

31 The very fact that the good news is now being preached in all the inhabited earth and on a scale such as never before seen is evidence in itself that we are in the last days of this present wicked system of man-made governments. Jesus made it clear that, when this would be seen along with the other world events he foretold, it would be the “time of the end,” and the final climax would be near.—Luke 21:28.

32 We have been in the “time of the end” since 1914 C.E. During this time Jehovah’s organization of witnesses has been “publishing peace,” “bringing good news of something better” and saying, “Your God has become king!” This is what the prophet Isaiah foretold.—Isa. 52:7; Rev. 11:17, 18.

33. Why is it important for everyone who wants the blessings that come with being part of Jehovah’s organization to preach the good news?

33 The time remaining to proclaim the good news is very short. Much is still to be done, for, as Jesus said, “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Matt. 9:37) If you want the blessings that God has in store for those in his organization, become part of it now. Join in the ingathering work by being an active proclaimer of the good news. Let people know what Jehovah God has purposed for our beautiful earth. Be one of those of whom Isaiah prophesied that they would publish peace and bring good news of something better.

Where More Proclaimers of the Good News Are Especially Needed

“Step over into Macedonia and help us.”—Acts 16:9.

1, 2. What was Paul’s experience when he first visited Ephesus, and what did he recognize and promise?

FOR those who appreciate the Christian responsibility to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom, it is a thrilling experience to find people who plead with them to stay and teach them the truth. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, had this experience when he first visited the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor. It was about the middle of the first century of our Common Era. He stopped there briefly on his way back to Antioch, Syria, during his second missionary tour. When people in a synagogue heard him proclaim the good news, they urged him to stay so they could hear more.

2 Paul recognized that the need for preachers of the good news in Ephesus was great. He could not stay and help them at that time, but he promised to return, saying: “I will return to you again, if Jehovah is willing.” (Acts 18:21) This he did on his third missionary tour, staying there for three fruitful years. He built up a congregation in Ephesus that was specifically mentioned by the resurrected Jesus Christ more than forty years later. Jesus inspired the apostle John to commend the Ephesus congregation for its endurance and labor but also to rebuke it for having “left the love you had at first.”—Rev. 2:2-4.

3. How did Paul manifest the right attitude when he spoke with the Ephesians on his third missionary tour?

3 At the conclusion of his third missionary tour, Paul stopped at Miletus, a small town a little south of Ephesus, and he sent for the older men of the congregation in Ephesus. When they arrived he spoke with them and reminded them of how he had expended himself so they could learn the good news. From the moment he had stepped into the Roman province of Asia, which was an area that embraced the western part of the peninsula of Asia Minor and which had Ephesus as its capital, he kept preaching the good news despite persecution. This fine attitude is what persons today need who go to where the need for proclaimers of the good news is very great.

4. How did Paul respond to the plea to come to Macedonia and help people there?

4 On an earlier occasion Paul manifested his willingness to serve where more preachers were needed. This was on his second missionary tour. He was at the town of Troas in the northwest corner of the peninsula of Asia Minor. There he received a vision of a man of Macedonia entreating him to come over and help the people of Macedonia. (Acts 16:9, 10) Recognizing this as Jehovah’s direction to go to this territory where the need was very great, Paul promptly boarded a vessel and sailed to Neapolis in Macedonia. From there he went to the city of Philippi, which was on a trade route. It was always his policy to establish himself in cities that were on trade routes, evidently so the preaching he did would be carried by travelers to other cities. The congregation he formed in Philippi was always especially grateful to him for his labors and often sent gifts to him.

5. What example did Paul, Aquila and Priscilla set for us today?

5 Paul set a fine example for Jehovah’s dedicated servants today. He put the interests of God’s kingdom first in his life and was willing to go to other places where the need for preachers was great. This also appears to have been true of Aquila and Priscilla. Paul met them in Corinth during his second missionary tour, and when he left they accompanied him as far as Ephesus. There they stayed and preached. Persons who are dedicated servants of Jehovah today can manifest the same willingness to serve where the need for preachers of the good news is greater than where they are.

PLACES WHERE THERE IS GREAT NEED

6, 7. (a) How can a Kingdom publisher make his efforts more fruitful? (b) Should a Christian move to another territory if he is getting good results where he is?

6 There are many places today where the need for more preachers of the good news of the Kingdom is very great, and these places provide fine opportunities for dedicated servants of Jehovah to make their efforts in the ministry as fruitful as possible in the short time that remains to the present system of things.

7 Of course, if one of these dedicated Christians is having good results in the territory assigned to his congregation, and people are responding to the good news of the Kingdom by associating with Jehovah’s organization, he is needed right there. He has a fertile field for the ministry, and he might as well continue working it instead of going elsewhere. But suppose the territory is being worked frequently without much fruit coming from his efforts, what then? Should he slow down or quit? By no means! His endurance is pleasing to Jehovah God.

8. Why is it advisable to move, if possible, when a territory is not productive?

8 However, if he is in a position that permits him to help out in another territory where more preachers are needed, would it not be a wise move for him to go to that territory? A fisherman that finds that his boat is in a location where the fishing is bad will move his boat to fishing grounds where the possibility of a catch is more promising. He is interested in catching as many fish as he can before the day ends. As spiritual fishermen Jehovah’s witnesses today want to work where their efforts will be the most productive.

9, 10. If a person can move to another country, what are some of the countries where the need is very great that he might consider?

9 It may be possible that a family can arrange its affairs so as to go to another country where the need for preachers is exceptionally great. In the United States the ratio of publishers to population is one to 524, but there are a number of countries where the ratio is not as good, indicating a great need for more preachers of the good news of God’s kingdom. For example, in Bolivia the ratio is one in 4,222; in El Salvador it is one to 1,951; in Guatemala it is one to 2,298; in Colombia it is one to 3,021; in Ecuador it is one to 2,095; in Paraguay it is one to 2,963, and in Peru it is one in 3,007. These countries are all in Central and South America, where the “fishing” has proved to be very good. Some of them, however, still have entire cities without a congregation of Jehovah’s people.

10 Now suppose we take a look at Africa and see how great the need for preachers of the kingdom is there. In Burundi the ratio of Jehovah’s witnesses to population is one to 71,174; in Senegal it is one to 20,339; in Gambia it is one to 35,111; in Ivory Coast it is one to 9,513; in Kenya it is one to 11,094; in the Republic of Mali it is one to 700,000; in Niger it is one to 106,296; in Tchad it is one to 50,000, and in Uganda it is one to 98,234. These countries offer a fine “fishing” opportunity to dedicated servants of Jehovah who are able to move to another country.

11, 12. Describe what Witness missionaries are finding in some of the African countries.

11 There is so much interest in some of these countries that the Witnesses there have waiting lists of people who want to study the Bible with them. In Kenya, for example, they do not waste time with persons who fail to keep appointments. When a person fails to be home a few times when the study is supposed to be held, the Witness will discontinue the study and spend his time with someone else who shows more appreciation for it. If after a study has been discontinued the person promises to keep his appointments and wants the study to be renewed, he is put at the bottom of the list of those waiting for studies.

12 A missionary that went to Dahomey reported that in a little over six months she was conducting fifteen home Bible studies. She writes: “There is not enough time to cope with everyone who would like to study. We are getting well known in the town and people just stop us and ask if we will study with them.” The good “fishing” conditions in these countries are indicated by the fine increases in the number of those associating with Jehovah’s organization. These too are active in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom.

13. What did a Witness find in the Truk Islands, and what question confronts you?

13 As might be expected, those who have gone to countries where the need for preachers is very great have had some stimulating experiences. One who visited some of the many islands in the Truk District found people who had never seen a Bible and had never heard the good news of the Kingdom. They eagerly listened to him. When he left an island after preaching to the people for a while, they repeatedly asked, “When are you coming back?” How like the people of ancient Ephesus when the apostle Paul first visited them. Can you respond to the plea of such people in various countries to “Step over . . . and help us”?

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The Watchtower, February 1, 1971