The Watchtower, January 15, 1974

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The Watchtower — January 15, 1974

Source: jw.org

Contents

Can You Be True to God, Yet Hide the Facts?

Where Love of Truth Is Found

Insight on the News

How One Language Will Bring Unity to Mankind

Are You as Considerate of Your Family as You Are of Others?

Early Christians’ Loyalty to God Tested

‘Keep Close in Mind the Presence of the Day of Jehovah’

The Right Attitude Is a Safeguard

Do You Remember?

Questions From Readers

How to Begin Your Day

Can You Be True to God, Yet Hide the Facts?

WHAT results when a lie is let go unchallenged? Does not silence help the lie to pass as truth, to have freer sway to influence many, perhaps to their serious harm?

What happens when misconduct and immorality are allowed to go unexposed and uncondemned? Is this not like covering over an infection without any effort to cure it and keep it from spreading?

When persons are in great danger from a source that they do not suspect or are being misled by those they consider their friends, is it an unkindness to warn them? They may prefer not to believe the warning. They may even resent it. But does that free one from the moral responsibility to give that warning?

If you are among those seeking to be faithful to God, the issues these questions raise are vital for you today. Why? Because God’s servants in every period of history have had to face up to the challenge these issues present. They have had to expose falsehood and wrongdoing and warn people of dangers and deception—not just in a general way, but in a specific way, in the interest of pure worship. It would have been far easier to keep silent or say only what people wanted to hear. But faithfulness to God and love of neighbor moved them to speak. They realized that “better is a revealed reproof than a concealed love.”—Prov. 27:5.

THE CONTINUING PATTERN

Consider the situation in ancient Israel and the example that God’s prophets then set. Wrongdoing became rampant in that nation. Dishonesty, violence, immorality and hypocrisy disgraced the name of the God whom the Israelites claimed to worship. Did the people welcome divine correction? To the contrary, the Bible shows that they said this to God’s prophets:

“‘You must not see,’ and to the ones having [inspired] visions, ‘You must not envision for us any straightforward things. Speak to us smooth things; envision deceptive things. Turn aside from the way; deviate from the path.’”—Isa. 30:9-11.

The majority of the religious leaders sought popularity by doing just that, condoning and “whitewashing” the wrongdoing and violation of God’s righteous standards and ways. But God’s instructions to his true prophets are exemplified by what he said to the prophet Ezekiel:

“Now as regards you, O son of man, a watchman is what I have made you to the house of Israel, and at my mouth you must hear the word and give them warning from me. When I say to someone wicked, ‘O wicked one, you will positively die!’ but you actually do not speak out to warn the wicked one from his way, he himself as a wicked one will die in his own error, but his blood I shall ask back at your own hand.”—Ezek. 33:7, 8.

In time God did bring the foretold destruction upon that nation. Only those who had faithfully upheld his word enjoyed his protection then.

Was it any different in the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry? God’s Son describes the state of affairs he found, saying:

“Light has come into the world but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. For he that practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, in order that his works may not be reproved. But he that does what is true comes to the light, in order that his works may be made manifest as having been worked in harmony with God.”—John 3:19-21.

And who, primarily, objected to Jesus’ bold declaration of the truth that exposed the way God’s standards were being violated? Was it not the religious leaders, the scribes, the Pharisees and chief priests? Read for yourself what the Bible states at Matthew 16:21; 20:18, 19; 23:13.

Jesus knew the high position of trust and confidence that those religious leaders held in the eyes of the people. Did this cause him to remain silent and not warn others? No, but forcefully and publicly he exposed them as betrayers of God and man, as lovers of popularity and praise, as “hypocrites,” “blind guides” who were like “whitewashed graves,” beautiful outside but full of uncleanness inside, persecutors of those speaking the truth from God.—Read Matthew 23:1-36.

Though these men murderously plotted Jesus’ death, his faithfulness to God caused him to make known the truth for the good of all those loving righteousness. His apostles followed the same faithful course, not letting themselves be muzzled into silence.—Acts 5:27-32, 40-42.

Do we not face similar conditions in our time? Today a flood tide of immorality sweeps the earth. News reports reflect an unprecedented rise in dishonesty, crookedness and crime. Sexual looseness, perversion and homosexuality become ever more common and accepted. Bible standards of clean conduct and morality are ignored or even ridiculed. Yet many of those engaging in these things call themselves “Christian” and profess to serve God. How true the words at Titus 1:16: “They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works”!

Most notable of all is that more and more of today’s religious leaders openly condone and “whitewash” much of this wrongdoing. They speak of the Bible’s moral standards as “outdated” and ‘inadequate for today’s modern circumstances.’ They place its authenticity as God’s inspired Word in doubt, thereby weakening its strength among the people as a force for right. They accept the evolution theory in place of the Bible’s account of man’s creation by an All-wise and Almighty Creator.

Yet, despite this and despite the worsening moral picture and the world’s increasing violence and decay and the mounting evidence of the failure of human efforts to solve these problems, the religious leaders seek to soothe the people with the assurance that they need fear no adverse action from God, no active intervention on his part. Though Bible prophecies clearly point to a global destruction facing mankind, Christendom’s clergy are silent on this. (Dan. 2:44; Rev. 19:11-15) How well these words at Jeremiah 6:13-15 fit them:

“‘From the prophet even to the priest, each one is acting falsely. And they try to heal the breakdown of my people lightly, saying, “There is peace! There is peace!” when there is no peace. Did they feel shame because it was something detestable that they had done? . . . they have not come to know even how to feel humiliated. Therefore they will fall among those who are falling; in the time that I must hold an accounting with them they will stumble,’ Jehovah has said”!

WHAT FAITHFULNESS REQUIRES OF US

Do you believe that lies should not go unchallenged? Then what about falsehoods told about God, misrepresentations of his announced purposes? Surely this is, not less, but more serious than lies of a general kind. Perhaps you agree that wrongdoing should be exposed. But what if the wrongdoing is done by religious people, perhaps persons in your own church? Will faithfulness to God cause you to speak out for what is right? And if we would naturally feel guilty about failing to warn our neighbors of some threatening disaster, such as an approaching flood or violent windstorm, should we not feel greater guilt if we failed to warn them of approaching destruction that God’s Word positively shows as now threatening people everywhere?

Christ Jesus said that in this time of the end “this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) To those loving righteousness it is the best of news that God’s heavenly government soon will take complete control of earth, that it will cause God’s will to be done ‘on earth as in heaven.’—Matt. 6:9, 10.

But Jesus said that after the preaching of such good news, “then the end will come.” Obviously, those declaring the good news must also warn of that destruction, which will end the present world system. Logically, too, they must aid people to see why that destruction is coming, the reasons obliging God to act against a corrupt world, and why the world’s religions have failed to lead people into peaceful relations with God, even as the religious leaders of Israel failed to do so.

To do this requires true Christians to speak out, not holding back in exposing false teachings and unscriptural practices of the world’s religious organizations. It requires them to show people why and how the entire present world system is responsible before God for the bad conditions on earth and why he therefore detests it and has the unalterable determination of removing it forever. They must show persons why their trusting in or supporting that world system places them in line for experiencing God’s anger. Faithfulness to God and love for their neighbor require this.

Today, in over 200 lands and islands of the sea, more than one million six hundred thousand of Jehovah’s witnesses regularly share in carrying out the divine commission to bear witness. Rather than speaking “smooth things” that lull people into complacency, they straightforwardly show what the Bible clearly states, that “whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (Jas. 4:4) The fact that this bold proclamation is now being made earth wide is sound evidence that time is running out for this present world system. As its end draws ever closer, the urgent need for action grows.

If you desire to learn more concerning pure worship—the protection it brings and the blessings to which it leads—why not contact Jehovah’s witnesses, perhaps through their local Kingdom Hall? You will find them willing and happy to aid you to gain Bible knowledge in your own home, free of charge. In faithfulness to God, use the yet-remaining time wisely.—Eph. 5:15-17.

[Pictures on page 35]

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THE TRUTH COVERED OVER . . . ?

. . . OR DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE FACTS?

Where Love of Truth Is Found

THERE is a big difference between knowing what is truth and loving it. A person may know what is true but not act in harmony with it. But one who loves truth shows this by adhering to it.

To the disappointment of many, love of truth is woefully lacking among church members. But this does not mean that there are no lovers of truth today. To the contrary, some of the disappointed ones now rejoice in having found real love of truth. Where? Read their experiences and see.

PRACTICERS OF TRUTH ARE DIFFERENT

A young woman working at the Catholic headquarters in Essen, Germany, tells of her disappointment about the views she heard expressed there: “I was surprised and disappointed when they told me that the Bible was subject to interpretation and that one should not take everything in the Bible so seriously. The Bible ‘had gone through many changes and was only applicable to certain times,’ I was told. The account of creation was definitely rejected. Concerning celibacy, one priest declared, ‘I have lived together with my housekeeper in the best relationship for thirty-five years, but we have agreed that we will not marry.’”

Through a study of the Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses, however, this woman came to appreciate that there are people who take the Bible seriously and are not afraid to expose religious error. After attending the talk and slide presentation at the Kingdom Hall on the subject “A Close Look at the Churches,” she noted the clear distinction between true worship and the false.

After she told her mother what she had seen and heard during this presentation about the actions of some Catholic clergymen, her mother felt that the Catholic Church had been misrepresented. Therefore she insisted that the speaker have a talk with the priest. During the resulting discussion, the mother said repeatedly to the priest, “Say that what the Witnesses are saying is not so!” But the priest could not deny what was being said, because it was the truth.

On account of her love for truth, the daughter severed her connection with the Catholic Church and is now sharing with others what she has learned.

Not all respond so readily to the exposure of religious error. At times, false teaching has blinded people to such an extent that they think they want nothing to do with those who do not agree with their beliefs. Yet, once someone is able to help them to see that they have not been told the truth, they are willing to make tremendous changes. Says a young woman from California: “As a child I was taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and attended their church school. At that time we were taught not to have anything to do with the name Jehovah, and always to check certain scriptures to make sure that that name did not appear before we bought a Bible.

“Despite this religious background, I married by the time I was fifteen and, at eighteen, was in the process of getting a divorce. In the meantime I had turned to prostitution, nude modeling, making stag films and also to the occult.

“Then, one day, a nine-year-old boy and his grandmother came to my door with The Watchtower and Awake! I told them that I wasn’t interested and didn’t want any. The man in the apartment with me said that he wanted them and gave the boy ten cents. When we closed the door, I took the magazines out of his hand, ripped them up and threw them into the garbage.

“The grandmother came back about two months later. Again I told her that I wasn’t interested in Jehovah’s witnesses or their literature. I told her about Jehovah’s name and how it was not in the Bible and that as Christians we shouldn’t use it. Then she asked me to get my Bible and to turn to Psalm 83:18. When I read it, I was put into a state of shock. I stood there for a moment with my mouth open and then started to scream at her, saying things like: ‘Why didn’t they tell me the truth? Why did they have to lie to me?’ She could see that I was upset. So she left.

“The following week she returned and we had a long Bible discussion. Thereafter we had several other discussions, but never an organized Bible study. I began to see this would mean changes in my life, changes that I was not quite ready to make. So I would not be at home, only being there when I had a question or when I felt like talking. I would sit at my neighbor’s place and watch her come to my door and wait for her to leave, or just not bother answering the bell. But, somehow, we always got together. I even moved three times and she tracked me down!”

In time this young woman did make the necessary changes. She continues: “Within six months I was preaching the good news. Not long thereafter I was baptized.”

Similarly, a man in Colombia, South America, did not continue following what was generally accepted in his community once he understood that it was wrong. This man was about to accompany Jehovah’s witnesses in their preaching activity. He had already made tremendous changes to bring his life into harmony with the teachings of the Bible. However, when asked, “Where do you get your electricity?” he replied, “Like others in this section of town.” And how was that? He had simply strung two wires to an electric pole for street lighting and had connected them. When it was explained to him that this was a form of stealing, he immediately saw the point and desired to rectify the situation. He reported the matter to the proper authorities, saying:

“Look, I was a no-good, I was a drunkard and was unfaithful to my wife. But now this is all different. I study with Jehovah’s witnesses and want to get baptized to become one of them. Also, I want my home used for Bible studies, and I need a meter, as Jehovah’s witnesses do not steal electricity, nor anything else.”

LOVE FOR TRUTH LEADS TO FAITHFUL ENDURANCE

Besides moving persons to change their way of life to conform to God’s Word, love for truth has made it possible for many to endure terrible persecution.

A case in point is one of Jehovah’s witnesses in Liberia. The mother of five children, she lived with her non-Witness husband in a very remote village of less than ten houses. Through jungles and swamps she would make her way to the Kingdom Hall, always being among the first to arrive. This despite the fact that for eight years her husband opposed her, even subjecting her to great physical abuse.

There was the time that he wounded her seriously with a stick. He inflicted wounds on one of her legs and told her, ‘Let me see how you can go to the Kingdom Hall without legs.’ She was in bed for some days, but as soon as she felt better and could walk a bit, her first trip was to the Kingdom Hall, to the disappointment of her husband.

Finally, after many similar incidents, came the climax. Their large rice farm was about to be harvested. The husband chose this time to abandon the family, with no intention of returning to his Witness wife. He went to the capital city of Monrovia. Meanwhile, fellow Witnesses harvested the rice, thereby saving the mother and her children from starvation.

At Monrovia, the husband, by coincidence, found accommodations with a man who, unknown to him, was one of Jehovah’s witnesses. This Witness invited him to a meeting and, though he did not know the nature of the meeting, he just could not refuse to go, as he was staying in the home. At the Kingdom Hall he was warmly welcomed and learned that those in attendance were Jehovah’s witnesses, just like his wife. Their kindness impressed him, as he never thought that such a “crazy religion” (as he had been calling it) could be practiced by people in a city like Monrovia. Later, in the house, he confessed to the Witness accommodating him that he was going back to his family and would worship Jehovah.

Back home he kneeled down before his wife, related his experiences and asked her for forgiveness. Since then he never misses a meeting at the Kingdom Hall and is now zealously telling others about the truth that he once bitterly opposed.

If you would like to associate with people who live by the Bible because they love truth, even to the point of enduring persecution for it, why not visit a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at your earliest opportunity? See for yourself whether love of truth can be found there.

Insight on the News

Kohoutek a Sign?

● Since mid-December earth’s inhabitants have been fascinated by the rare appearance of the comet Kohoutek. To many it is a display of awesome celestial beauty. Others see in it a fulfillment of Luke 21:11, where Jesus foretold “fearful sights and from heaven great signs” at the “conclusion of the system of things.” They remember Jewish historian Josephus’ report that before the end of the Jewish system in 70 C.E. “a star stood over the City [Jerusalem], very like a broadsword, and a comet that remained a whole year.” Is Kohoutek a sign for our day?

True, those viewing all comets as “evil omens” may be frightened by Kohoutek. But astronomy enables most persons to know that this comet neither threatens our planet nor is more significant than Halley’s comet, which visits earth’s vicinity every seventy-six years.

What, then, of Jesus’ words about “fearful sights and from heaven great signs”? Do well-informed persons feel fear because of things they now see in the heavens? Yes. What is fear-inspiring is the potential for war that man-made satellites imply. Nearly 50 percent of the satellites launched serve military purposes.

Such “fearful sights” are seen not only in “outer space” but also in the immediate “heavens” of our atmosphere, where modern militarists hurl intercontinental missiles. When armed with nuclear warheads these can rain instant death on millions of persons. It is these things, with the fear that they generate, that fulfill part of Jesus’ prophecy.

Peace Through Law

● This decade has heard much of a “thaw” in the cold war, of détente and pacts for halting the arms race. How strong really is the movement toward genuine peace?

London’s Institute for Strategic Studies in a recent report informs us that more, not fewer, weapons are being made. And at the World Conference on World Peace Through Law, speaker C. S. Rhyne said that, even with the U.N., “we have no peace.” The reason? He answered: “We have no peace, my friends, because form and structure do not substitute for substance. Without the will to follow the road to peace, all the institutions in the world are useless.”

“World Peace Through Law”—yes, but whose law and enforced by what government? Most nations today have compulsory war training. None have compulsory peace training.

The Bible at Isaiah 2:2-4, however, foretells many people turning to divine government and that to them God’s “law will go forth.” The effect among them is that “nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” The means for enforcing that law throughout all the earth is the kingdom of God’s Son. Those seeking peace hypocritically and not through God’s law are due for removal by that kingdom in the near future.—1 Thess. 5:3.

Famine Threat

● Agricultural analysts increasingly warn of severe food shortages coming on a worldwide scale. What prospects are there of escaping hunger?

Many take comfort in recent good harvests in some major countries. But one good season is not enough. In the U.S., the world’s leading food producer, there are no more grain reserves in storage. Food science professor Georg Borgstrom says: “People are still convinced that some great technological trick will solve the problem.” But “green revolutions,” “miracle rice” and “wonder wheat” have not brought the solution.

Some may try to cope individually by storing up food against future famine possibilities. How much security does this give? If electrical power fails, what happens to frozen foods? And if conditions got dire enough, would not those holding large supplies become prime targets of hunger-crazed people?

The Bible foretold food shortages as part of the sign of our times. (Matt. 24:3, 7, 21; Rev. 6:1-8) More than this, in the coming “great tribulation,” opposers of God’s kingdom may seek forcibly to place his servants in starvation conditions. The safety of true Christians will lie, not in stored supplies, but in God’s care. They can join the prophet in saying confidently: ‘Though the terraces themselves may actually produce no food, yet, as for me, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.’—Hab. 3:17, 18; Rev. 7:9, 10, 14.

How One Language Will Bring Unity to Mankind

RIGHT now there is much national rivalry and suspicion. Travelers are familiar with the wearisome “red tape” of passports, visas and customs checks. Distribution of food and other necessities is hampered by tariffs and trade barriers, and the economy and prosperity of every country are seriously affected.

Among the things blamed for international lack of cooperation is the language barrier. Some have advocated an international language as one of the “cures” for much of the difficulty. It is true that fuller communication through a common language would do some good. It would tend to erase certain misunderstandings, and many delays and tie-ups would be eliminated.

But would one language in itself be the answer? No, much more is needed. In fact, at a time when all people spoke one tongue, God himself created language differences. And he did it for the good of the human race. How is this?

This was because, following the global flood in the days of Noah, the people rebelled. God had commanded the people to spread out so that, as the population increased, they would carry on true worship throughout the earth. The one language they spoke would have been a great advantage, a unifying force.—Gen. 9:1.

But Noah’s great-grandson Nimrod did not recognize God’s sovereignty, as Noah did. In a desire to have control of earth’s population at that time, Nimrod saw that it served his purpose better to concentrate the people in one area. So he encouraged the people in their rebelliousness to build a religious tower, so as to hold them in close subjection and under his domination.—Gen. 11:1-6.

God’s device of confusing their language protected mankind from the iron hand of imperial dictatorship. Jehovah said about this: “Look! They are one people and there is one language for them all, and this is what they start to do. Why, now there is nothing that they may have in mind to do that will be unattainable for them.” So God miraculously caused them to speak new languages.—Gen. 11:5-8.

For about four thousand years the language barrier that God established has remained. It has served to prevent large-scale regimentation—yes, widespread regimentation under one false religion, the religion that began in Babylon. Having a common language helps bad men to cooperate more easily in a bad thing.

But something else of importance should here be noted. It is clear from what happened that when men did all speak one language this alone did not bring peace. People today who speak the same language do not always get along together. No, one language, though helpful for unity of action, does not necessarily bring unity of heart and mind, with happiness. Before one language could be used in a fully beneficial way, all people would have to be united in one religion, the pure worship of the one true God, according to the way set forth by God in his Word. Can this come about? Will it?

ONE UNITED WORSHIP COMES FIRST

One pure worship under the one true God can come to be, and it will. God says, speaking of the time now, just before he expresses his indignation toward the world’s kingdoms: “For then I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language, in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder.”—Zeph. 3:8, 9.

The “pure language” here spoken of could not be a literal language, such as English, Spanish, Russian, French, and so forth. We cannot say that any of these languages need to be eliminated because of impurity. The original language given to Adam was good. (Gen. 1:31) And later, when God miraculously bestowed new tongues on people at Babel, these were not impure languages, not bad in themselves. They were from God, whose gifts are always good, and they have served a good purpose.—Jas. 1:17.

So a new form of human speech could not be the “pure language” of which the prophet spoke. The “pure language” is the truth of God from the Bible. It can be spoken now and applied to one’s life no matter what literal tongue one speaks. It makes a change, not only in words, but in the things a person thinks and talks about. His speech is cleaned up and becomes upbuilding, promoting better relations with others.

THE GOVERNMENT THAT MAINTAINS TRUTH

During the coming thousand-year reign of God’s kingdom the whole world—yes, all the universe—will speak this “pure language.” The rulers in this government will be Jesus Christ, its Head King and High Priest, and 144,000 associate kings and underpriests, ruling from heaven. These all spoke the “pure language” of truth when on earth. Christ himself came to earth to “bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) And of his 144,000 associate kings, it is written: “No falsehood was found in their mouths.” (Rev. 14:5; Eph. 4:25) In ruling for a thousand years they will see that the “pure language” is maintained by earth’s inhabitants. As the psalmist prophesied: “Trueness itself will sprout out of the very earth, and righteousness itself will look down from the very heavens.”—Ps. 85:11; 2 Pet. 3:13.

These heavenly kings have been “bought from among mankind,” from all nations. (Rev. 14:4; Matt. 28:19) Will they, in heaven, speak their former native tongues? It would not be reasonable to think so. There is no doubt that those in heaven will all speak the same language, the gift of this language being conferred upon them in their new spirit bodies at their resurrection from the dead. The apostle Paul wrote about the “tongues of men and of angels,” and we read of discussions between God and angels.—1 Cor. 13:1; 1 Ki. 22:19-22; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6.

This does not mean that their former earthly language will be erased from their minds. No, for it will be by identifying themselves by their former language that they will be able to recognize themselves as being the same persons. But at their heavenly resurrection they will not need interpreters to speak to one another. They will speak the language of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will speak the language of his heavenly Father, Jehovah God.

Then, what language will be spoken by earth’s inhabitants during that heavenly kingdom’s rule? Will those on earth whose native tongue is Greek be ruled over by one of the heavenly kings who, when on earth, spoke Greek, with another area speaking Russian under a Russian-speaking Kingdom heir, another area Chinese, and so on, according to the distinct language groups? Since languages constitute a barrier to communication and fullest unity, will this be the case?

In this regard, it must be said that the Bible does not indicate what assignments of kingly responsibility will be given out by Jesus Christ to his 144,000 subordinate kings, but it would be very illogical to suppose that the Kingdom would leave a barrier to communication in God’s righteous new order—a barrier that he created for rebellious people, to safeguard and restrain them from full unity in a bad activity.

ONE RACE, ONE LANGUAGE

When we examine God’s original purpose concerning man’s language, it becomes clear that he will have but one language spoken during Christ’s thousand-year rule. God wanted man to communicate. He himself spoke to Adam, and arranged for Adam to talk to him. (Gen. 2:15-23) Also, he gave language to man as an indispensable tool for thought. Adam could build upon the language as he learned new things or needed an enlarged vocabulary. Adam could fill the spiritual capacity God gave him, learning about God and expressing himself fully.

What was the one original language? It was undoubtedly what later came to be called Hebrew. Why can we say this? Well, when the confusion of tongues occurred at the Tower of Babel, not all were affected. Noah had not rebelled. He recognized God’s sovereignty, not making himself king, as Nimrod did. Noah’s son Shem, whom Noah had prophetically blessed, evidently stayed with Noah and with true worship. (Gen. 9:26, 27) The Bible record reveals that true worship was carried down through the Shemites, particularly through the outstanding man of faith, Abraham. Abraham (Abram) was called a Hebrew.—Gen. 14:13.

Later, Moses, a descendant of Abraham, wrote his account (Genesis through Deuteronomy) in a language called Hebrew. There may well have been little change in Moses’ language from the original language spoken by Adam. Why? Because men then enjoyed very long life-spans, their lives often overlapping into five or six generations. Therefore, the language could have been passed down through only five human links between Adam and Moses, namely, Methuselah, Shem, Isaac, Levi, Amram. (Gen. 5:3-32; 11:10-32; 21:5; 25:26; 29:34; Ex. 6:16, 18, 20) Of course, after the exile of Israel to Babylon in 607 B.C.E., and right on down to our modern times, the Hebrew language has been influenced by other languages. Too, the exact pronunciation of God’s name as spelled out in the Hebrew of Moses’ day is not now known. But God can easily restore the purity of the language so that those living in the New Order will speak it naturally and fluently.

This speaking of one literal language will be the finishing touch to the unity brought about by the “pure language” of truth—beautifully so! All religious, national, social and racial barriers will be things of the past, and, additionally, with one vocabulary all will be able to express their thoughts fully and be understood accurately. Think also of being able to read for yourself exactly what the Hebrew prophets wrote—in their own language! The many resurrected ones who did not previously know God will find that the inspired Scriptures give an accurate account of human history down to the days of the prophet Malachi. Then the honesthearted ones will be able to say, as did the apostle Paul: “Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar.”—Rom. 3:4.

LEARN THE “PURE LANGUAGE” OF TRUTH NOW

To live in such a world will indeed be a delight. You can have a foretaste of it now. For the major requirement can be met now. The requirement is to learn the “pure language” of truth from the Bible. This “pure language” erases all social, racial and national barriers. This “language” is being learned and spoken by hundreds of thousands of people today, and they are at unity, just as the prophet Isaiah was inspired to foretell:

“It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah [his true worship] will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. And many peoples will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ . . . And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.”—Isa. 2:2-4.

The Kingdom government will bring about the speech of one tongue earth wide during Christ’s thousand-year reign, but right now you have available to you the “pure language.” Jehovah’s witnesses call on you, not to promote their own ideas, but as ambassadors and envoys of that Kingdom government. That God is really backing their work, and that the Bible’s “pure language” has great power are evident facts. How?

In the changed, cleaned-up lives and the happy unity of more than a million six hundred thousand people from all languages. Their unity, peacefulness and love for one another have been a matter of amazement for observers. The fruitage of their conforming to Bible ways is illustrated in a comment in the Detroit News of June 21, 1973, with regard to a convention of Jehovah’s witnesses at Detroit’s Tiger Stadium:

“It’s . . . the kind of convention which finds policemen wandering in, realizing they have nothing else to do, and leaving for more important matters.”

And at the Düsseldorf, Germany, assembly, where delegates from many nations gathered, the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung of July 28, 1973, remarked:

“Since Wednesday nearly 60,000 people have assembled—it is the largest convention that has ever been held in Düsseldorf, the city of exhibitions. And it is a mass meeting which follows its own laws. We have never seen so many people meet together who are so orderly, so moral, so disciplined as they are.”

Jehovah’s witnesses do not confine their love to their own circle. They desire to help all who want to live under the righteous rule of God’s Messianic kingdom, where every barrier to unity will be wiped out. If you desire to learn the “pure language” you can do so, with their help.—Rev. 22:17.

Are You as Considerate of Your Family as You Are of Others?

“GLAD you were able to make it,” said the host to one of his guests. Replied the guest: “Oh, when I say I’m coming, I COME!” Yes, he prided himself on being a man of his word. But was he such a man of his word to his family? Well—not always.

There is a German proverb, Haus Bengel und Strassen Engel, which means, ‘At home an ill-mannered boor but on the street an angel.’ That proverb points up a common human failing. For example, at the end of a social evening a husband may be eager to help some young single woman with her coat, but may let his wife put on her own coat. Apparently the pretty single woman stimulated the husband’s romantic interest so that he became the courteous gentleman. But how much more good he could do by being solicitous and romantically courteous to his own wife! That would be loving his wife as he loves himself, which is what a husband should do.—Eph. 5:33.

To the point is the saying that “charity begins at home,” that is, it should begin at home. Not in the matter of giving money necessarily, but in being helpful to one another. Are we not quick to help out when a stranger asks for directions or for some other information? So should we not likewise be quick to help out in our homes, in fact, even more ready to do so? Yet how often one member of the family struggles with burdens while others of the family seem to be blind as to their opportunities to be of help. Are there a number of children to get ready before a certain hour? Are there a lot of dishes to be washed? Especially should husbands of “working wives” recognize that the old notions of what is a man’s sphere of work and what is a woman’s sphere need to be revised if wives are not to be unduly burdened.

Charity also begins at home when it comes to putting up with others’ weaknesses and shortcomings. One may tend to make allowances for outside friends and acquaintances, such as those with whom one happens to be working. Should we not be even more ready and willing to put up with the shortcomings and weaknesses of our own families? In some cases it may be a mistaken sense of duty and love that causes some wives or husbands to be unduly critical of their mates.

Far more important is it that we build one another up by giving moral support, overlooking slight inaccuracies or weaknesses, than that everything be exactly perfect or be required to measure up to what we think it ought to be. Besides, the one prone to correct another may well be the one that is mistaken. Of course, one that is close to another can be helpful in aiding that one to avoid mistakes, but the role of being your mate’s “severest critic” can be overdone.

Yes, the considerate thing to do is to make allowances for another’s weaknesses. Remember, they are often due to heredity or environment, which exert a powerful influence in molding personality. And such is also the wise course, for to the extent that we are merciful with others, others will most likely be merciful with us, even as Jesus Christ on one occasion noted: “With the measure that you are measuring out [to others], they will measure out to you in return.” (Luke 6:38) As one American woman in the public limelight said in arguing against the stand taken by some in the women’s liberation movement: “I treat my husband like a king and he treats me like a queen.”

The saying of the world that “familiarity breeds contempt” should not apply to our relations with members of our own family. Just the opposite should be the case. Familiarity should “breed” loyalty and respect because of our having learned to know, understand and appreciate one another better. It is natural for people who have been given proper training at home during youth to treat outsiders or strangers with a measure of respect. And that is as it should be, for does not the Bible say, “Honor men of all sorts”? “All sorts” would include members of our own families, would it not? (1 Pet. 2:17) By showing respect to one another, individual members of a family strengthen one another’s personality, putting each one in a better position to be helpful to the others. Respect can be shown by addressing others with due regard for who they are and according to their feelings, both in what is said and how it is said.

Sometimes a member of a family feels free to be blunt, severe or critical of others in the family although he would not think of treating outsiders this way. But, in doing so, is he not betraying a lack of empathy? There is a great difference, for example, between the way we feel when we ourselves discover we have made a mistake, and are able to correct it, and the way we feel when another calls a mistake to our attention and asks us to correct it. Empathy will help us to appreciate that difference.

Often, however, our failure to treat our own families as we treat outsiders is due to mere thoughtlessness. Especially when it comes to saying things that had better been left unsaid. With outsiders we are inclined to be more careful. But with our own families also it is well always to think before we speak. A handy rule is to ask: “Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?” Give thought, also, to the way you say a thing. The opposite of thoughtlessness is showing consideration. Do so even in little things, for it has well been said, “Little things mean a lot.” Consideration is shown by prefacing a request with “Please,” and saying “Thanks!” and meaning it whenever receiving a favor no matter how small.

Truly many are the reasons for us to be helpful, charitable, respectful and considerate in dealing with those outside our families. There is a moral satisfaction in manifesting these characteristics, it makes for better relations, it helps us to be well thought of and may even benefit us in a material way. But do we not stand to benefit in these various ways also if we manifest those characteristics to those of our own families? Indeed we do, and even more so. Besides, in doing so we might be said to be ‘laying up treasures’ that can be drawn upon when we are in need. And what a comfort that can prove to be!

Early Christians’ Loyalty to God Tested

WE HUMANS have an inherent desire to be loved. Therefore, it is not easy for us to bear up under constant misrepresentation, ill treatment and hatred. Yet that is exactly what the early Christians did.

To stop their activity, opposers stirred up mob violence and official action against them. These opposers also misrepresented their work and made it appear that only the inexperienced and ignorant would be stupid enough to accept Christianity. Said one such opposer, Celsus:

“Whenever they get hold of children in private and some stupid women with them, they let out some astounding statements as, for example, that they must not pay any attention to their father and schoolteachers, but must obey them; they say that these talk nonsense and have no understanding, and that in reality they neither know nor are able to do anything good, but are taken up with mere empty chatter. But they alone, they say, know the right way to live, and if the children would believe them, they would become happy and make their home happy as well. And if just as they are speaking they see one of the schoolteachers coming, or some intelligent person, or even the father himself, the more cautious of them flee in all directions; but the more reckless urge the children on to rebel.”

Why, despite such absurd misrepresentation, did the early Christians continue their efforts to preach and to make disciples? Why did they not just wait until others approached them instead of taking the initiative to spread their beliefs? Early Christians recognized that they had a commission from the Lord Jesus Christ to declare the truth to others and to make disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) They wanted to be faithful to that commission, even if this resulted in their being persecuted.

Another aspect that made Christians objects of hatred was their separateness from the world. (John 15:19) They did not share in political activity nor did they serve in the armies of Rome. Hence, Christians were labeled as unpatriotic and their position was represented as foolish, in fact, as dangerous to the security of the state.

Why did Christians not succumb to arguments to render military service in defense of Rome? They recognized the principle enunciated at Isaiah 2:4: “They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” Clearly alluding to this prophecy, an early Christian writer, Justin Martyr, noted:

“We who were filled with war, and mutual slaughter, and every wickedness, have each through the whole earth changed our warlike weapons,—our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into implements of tillage.”

Then, too, Christians recognized themselves as members of an international brotherhood. Though opposers did not understand the love Christians had, they were forced to acknowledge that it existed. It was stated of Christians: “They love one another almost before they know one another . . . and they call one another promiscuously brothers and sisters.” Because of their deep love for one another, early Christians did not let the world’s hatred and divisions break up their unity.—John 13:35; 1 Pet. 5:9.

They also refused to engage in any activities linked with idolatry. Notes the book A History of Christianity:

“Because they refused to participate in pagan ceremonies the Christians were dubbed atheists. Through their abstention from much of the community life—the pagan festivals, the public amusements which to Christians were shot through and through with pagan beliefs, practices, and immoralities—they were derided as haters of the human race. They were popularly charged with perpetrating the grossest immoralities.”

Why were the early Christians so adamant in avoiding idolatry? They recognized it as disloyalty to God, something both senseless and detestable. Justin Martyr declared:

‘We see that these idols are dead and have not the form of God. The craftsmen make what they call a god; which we consider not only senseless, but to be even insulting to God who thus gets His name attached to things that are corruptible, and require constant service. The artificers of these are both intemperate and practised in every vice. Even their own girls who work along with them they corrupt.’

Having incurred the world’s hatred because of their zealous preaching and their separateness from the world’s conflicts, politics and idolatry, Christians were often brought before public officials for punishment. These officials would give them the opportunity to renounce Christianity and thus escape punishment, yes, even death. Pliny the Younger, writing to Emperor Trajan, tells of his procedure in dealing with Christians:

“I asked them whether they were Christians; if they admitted it, I repeated the question twice, and threatened them with punishment . . . An anonymous information was laid before me containing a charge against several persons, who upon examination denied they were Christians, or had ever been so. They repeated after me an invocation to the gods, and offered religious rites with wine and incense before your statue (which for that purpose I had ordered to be brought, together with those of the gods), and even reviled the name of Christ: whereas there is no forcing, it is said, those who are really Christians into any of these compliances: I thought it proper, therefore, to discharge them.”

All that was necessary to escape punishment was the performance of religious rites once. But those who were truly devoted Christians remained loyal to God. They did not compromise; they did not reason that it was just a little thing for which they could ask God to forgive them.—Compare Luke 4:6-8.

The record that many early Christians made for themselves is one of outstanding loyalty, even when faced with death under extreme torture. Of the terrible persecution that befell them during the reign of Caesar Nero, who shifted the blame onto them for the fire that destroyed much of Rome, the historian Tacitus notes:

“An arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.”

There are Christians today who have shown similar loyalty to God in the face of death. They too call one another “brothers” and “sisters” and really love one another deeply, avoiding all involvement in the conflicts and politics of this world. They zealously proclaim the truth in spite of misrepresentation. Are you one of them? Do you have the kind of faith that is needed to show such loyalty to God? If you really want such faith, Jehovah’s witnesses will be glad to help you to acquire it.

‘Keep Close in Mind the Presence of the Day of Jehovah’

“What sort of persons ought you to be . . . awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah.”—2 Pet. 3:11, 12.

1. What is the “day of Jehovah,” and why should we be giving serious thought to it now?

A TIME of accounting draws near for all mankind. It is a time when divine judgment will be executed against the wicked, also a time of deliverance for the righteous. All persons then alive will be called to account for the way they have used their lives, whether with selfish disregard for the will of God and the welfare of their fellowmen or with loving obedience to God and unselfish concern for fellow humans. Because it will be a time of settling accounts on the part of the true God, the coming time period is referred to in the Bible as the “day of Jehovah.” It deserves our serious concern.—Zeph. 2:2, 3.

2, 3. What attitude toward the “day of Jehovah” did the apostle Peter urge all Christians to have?

2 Do you have the presence of the day of Jehovah close in mind? Do you keep it there? Is it a reality to you? The apostle Peter felt that way. He encouraged all Christians to have that attitude. In the Bible, at 2 Peter 3:11-13, he wrote: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt! But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”

3 Are you keeping close in mind that fiery day of Jehovah? Is it so real to you that you can see it clearly, immediately ahead of you? According to The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, that expression “keeping close in mind” is “speeding up.” So we should not be slowing it down, that is, not looking at Jehovah’s day as a long way off and putting it off.

4. Why would it result in serious loss to us if we failed to keep Jehovah’s day close in mind?

4 This attitude is a necessary one for all Christians, at all times, regardless of when Jehovah’s “day” arrives. Why? The apostle Paul answers, “for the scene of this world is changing.” (1 Cor. 7:31) It is like the changing scene on a stage, which, though appearing glamorous, is soon succeeded by another scene, with different settings and different actors, so that there is nothing permanent. (Eccl. 1:4) Why, then, should the Christian, who has the hope of life everlasting in a permanent world of real values, spend his time and his life energies on a transitory, passing thing? As stated at 1 John 2:17, ‘this world is passing away.’ It will soon go completely out of the picture, forever. Do you believe that?

THE ATTITUDE OF THE APOSTLES

5, 6. How did the apostles by their attitude toward Christ and his kingdom set a fine example for us?

5 If we keep alert and in tune with what Jehovah is doing, we are always sharers in great blessings. On the other hand, we are in danger if we develop an attitude of skepticism toward the things pointed out to us by the “faithful and discreet slave,” that composite Christian body through which Jesus Christ provides spiritual food for his disciples. We can find ourselves in a situation where we are like stragglers in an army column, easily picked off by the enemy.—Matt. 24:45.

6 The desire not to miss out on anything that God would provide was the attitude Christ’s apostles had. When they asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of your presence?” they did not know that his future presence would be invisible. (Matt. 24:3) Even after his resurrection, they asked: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” (Acts 1:6) They looked for a visible restoring of it. However, their inquiry showed that they were keeping in mind God’s kingdom by Christ as being close. They looked forward to having an official share in that kingdom. They were not like the unbelieving Jews who saw Jesus visibly among them in the flesh and yet did not recognize that he was the promised Messiah, that ‘the kingdom of God was in their midst.’ (Luke 17:21) Jesus had all the credentials of the Messiah. He came in the way the Scriptures foretold. But those Jews did not accept him. They stumbled over him. Why?

7, 8. Why did the scribes and Pharisees fail to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah?

7 They were proud and materialistic. They loved the praise and approval of men more than that of God. Jesus told them plainly: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. . . . [You] appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matt. 23:27, 28) He told his disciples that those religious leaders did all their works to be viewed by men, loving the most prominent places and wanting public adoration. They were lovers of money, but they did not love God.—Luke 16:14.

8 With this attitude it was impossible for the Jewish clergy to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Though Christ was right there before them, in the flesh, performing the most wonderful cures, their eyes were blind. Being in this state of mind and heart, they were disappointed in Jesus because their selfishness caused them to look for the wrong things, according to the standards of the world.—John 5:39-44; Isa. 8:14, 15; Matt. 13:57.

9. How would our spiritual condition be affected if, in our mind and heart, we were to put off the presence of Jehovah’s day?

9 We today must not become materialistic like them. It is extremely dangerous to allow ourselves to fall into a sleepy, apathetic condition, in our mind and heart ‘putting off’ the presence of the fiery day of Jehovah. If we do, we will fail to discern God’s leadings, his directives for us. We will fail to get to know him, appreciating his fine characteristics. A drowsy attitude will cause us not to see clearly what needs to be done in the service of God. We will not ever ‘be ready’ for or wanting the “day of Jehovah” to come. We will be off balance so that we may be caught unawares when that “day” arrives.—1 Thess. 5:2-5.

WHAT WORLD CONDITIONS INDICATE

10. (a) In what way is our time marked by Bible chronology? (b) What view do world leaders take of the critical situations facing mankind?

10 Bible chronology definitely marks the time in which we live as being of great importance. The “appointed times of the nations,” extending from 607 B.C.E. to 1914 C.E., have ended. (Luke 21:24) Six thousand years of human history are soon to end. In the light of these facts, what we see happening to the world is very significant. To what conclusion does it point? World conditions give strong testimony of the closeness of the end. For one thing, now, for the first time, even the world leaders have recognized world destruction as a real possibility. They agree that an all-out nuclear war would be so deadly that there could be no winners, only losers. However, many, particularly the scientists, say that there is even greater danger from worldwide pollution, and also from the “population explosion,” with the widespread famine, disease and unrest that it threatens to bring. A report in the Washington Post stated: “Suddenly in any number of disparate countries—the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union, India, Japan—influential men have sensed an impending danger unlike any in human experience.” These men recognize that, even though mankind might survive the impending crises one at a time, they could not survive if all, or even several of them, hit at once. In every field—war, population growth, ecology, crime, famine, disease, unrest—there is the potential for destruction, and all of them could explode simultaneously.

11. (a) Why is it unreasonable to expect technology to solve the problems? (b) Why will world destruction not come from the sources that men fear? (c) As shown in the Bible, when will the “great tribulation” strike?

11 While some say that modern technology can and will solve the problems, what is technology doing? Has it not shared responsibility for the worsening situation, particularly in the areas of war and pollution? And even if technology could solve these problems, will it do so? No, there is too much selfishness among people, too many selfish interests that block efforts to remedy the bad situation. Yet the foretold destruction will not come from the sources that men fear. The present world system will not collapse on its own. Now that its complete failure is clearly evident, Jehovah’s own time is at hand to annihilate it. And this time he clearly marked in his Word long ago. Unmistakably, the Bible pinpoints 1914 C.E. as the time when the “kingdom of the world” became the kingdom of the Lord God and of his Christ. Before the generation that was then alive passes off the scene, the “great tribulation” will strike.—Rev. 11:15; Dan. 4:10-17; Matt. 24:21, 34.

12. What developments show a decline in the influence of worldly religion in many places?

12 Events in the field of religion are also of keen interest to students of God’s Word. Many are leaving the priesthood and the ministry, and churches are closing. But it is not merely the closing of churches, the loss of members in many places, and the resigning of clergymen that portend the destruction of world religion, as if it were going to collapse on its own. There is more to it.

13. What led to the desolation of Jerusalem and its religious system in 70 C.E.?

13 Consider this: What really brought God’s anger resulting in the desolation of Jerusalem and its religious system in the year 70 C.E.? It was their rejection of God’s Word, which led to all sorts of moral corruption. Also, their spurning of God’s Son as the Messiah and their choosing instead to put their trust in Caesar. (Matt. 15:1-9; John 19:14-16) Jerusalem’s end was fully deserved. Are Christendom’s clergy today any better? No, they are counterparts of those corrupt religious leaders of ancient Jerusalem.

14. How has the clergy’s rejection of the Bible as God’s inspired Word influenced their outlook on morals?

14 They too have rejected the Bible as God’s inspired Word. In some cases they have openly labeled parts of it as “myth.” But that is not all. Listen to just a few from among the many headlines that have appeared in the public press. From Australia: “Minister Urges Church to Bless Homosexuals.” From New York city: “Is Homosexuality Wicked? Episcopal Priests Say No.” From Sweden: “Ease Sex Rule, Say Clergy.” From London: “Bishop Wants Sex Made Legal at 14.” This is what happens when people turn away from the Word of God.

15. In what ways have Christendom’s clergy demonstrated their rejection of God’s Messianic Kingdom?

15 Their rejection of God’s Messianic kingdom in the hands of his Son is also a matter of record. Like the Pharisees, Christendom’s clergy have put their trust in the governments of men. They are on hand to pray when presidents and kings take office. Chaplains bless the troops as they go to war. And they are willing and eager to point to the United Nations organization as the means by which mankind will gain the peace and security that only God’s Messianic kingdom can bring.

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The Watchtower, January 15, 1974