The Watchtower, May 1, 1975

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The Watchtower — May 1, 1975

Source: jw.org

Contents

Relief from Global Problems at Hand

Insight on the News

A Spiritual Awakening in the “Land of the Morning Calm”

How Do You Accept Counsel?

The Death of a God

Why We Have Not Been Told “That Day and Hour”

How Are You Affected by Not Knowing the “Day and Hour”?

A Contrast—Missionaries with an Urgent, Lifesaving Work

Do You Remember?

Questions From Readers

God’s Name Is Jehovah

Relief from Global Problems at Hand

PROBLEMS are certainly not new. You, like everyone else, have your share of them. Also, you no doubt find that these problems have intensified in recent months.

Men in responsible positions actually fear global disaster. Daily their fears are screamed out in headlines such as:

“WHOLE WORLD SUFFERING FROM SURGE OF INFLATION”

“STREET CRIME BECOMES WORLDWIDE PROBLEM”

“WORLD STARVATION IS FEARED”

But there are other problems. Oil shortages and economic collapse threaten many nations. So serious are the problems that global and regional conferences have been held frequently, such as when 130 nations gathered in Rome last November on the global food problem. In fact, so many groups met in 1974 that it has been called ‘the year of international conferences.’

Problems that in the past were on ‘the other side of the globe’ seem now to have closed in on everybody. As this takes place, the truth becomes more evident that all men are members of the same human family. And what affects one segment of that family affects all, sometimes “overnight.”

It is clear, therefore, that the earthly system is a close-woven fabric. Yes, whether we like it or not, the nations are all interdependent. Yet this fact has not brought them into cooperation, even though they see the desperate need for this.

Why is it that the nations cannot work out their problems by cooperation?

WHY MEN CANNOT COPE WITH PROBLEMS

In particular, because they are divided in so many ways. They have different political ideologies, economic systems, social setups and religious beliefs. And people, as a result, often have deep-seated prejudices against those who hold views different from theirs.

All this breeds distrust. And this lack of trust is a major reason for man’s inability to solve problems between nations and peoples. For example, consider one result: Though they see how unwise it is, nations nearly ruin their economies to spend billions of dollars on armaments that they hope they will never have to use. And yet, in view of the repeated breaking of peace treaties, nations can see no reason to trust one another, and hence believe that there is no alternative to such arms races.

Thus a basic factor in the inability of men to solve global problems is human selfishness. It not only is prevalent in organizations and nations, but exists in the very roots of human society. Is it not true that nearly everyone thinks first of “me”? He usually seeks his own advantage without consideration for the other person. He may excuse his actions with the thought that the next person does the same, and will take advantage of him if he does not selfishly care for himself first. Nations do this on a massive scale.

No one should get the idea that the earth itself is responsible for man’s problems—that it is, for example, incapable of growing enough food for everyone. The fact is, back in 1970 the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that the earth could feed many times as many people as the present world population. Humans simply have been mismanaging earth’s food production, as well as the distribution of that food.

It is similar in connection with the world’s so-called ‘dwindling resources.’ The earth is literally a bountiful storehouse of all the raw materials that humans need in order to enjoy a comfortable, happy life. But men have selfishly squandered and misused these things, and in such a way as to spread pollution earth wide. Yes, the problems that threaten the globe are of man’s own making.

Furthermore, these problems are now too big for man to solve on just a local basis. People in every part of the globe must be taken into consideration. To accomplish this, what is needed?

NEEDED: A WORLD GOVERNMENT

In recent decades, more and more talk has centered on the need for a world government of some kind. Of course, God saw man’s need for a world government long ago and spoke of such a global rule in his Word the Bible.—Dan. 7:13, 14, 27.

However, back in 1918, after World War I, men said that their method, the League of Nations, would solve the globe’s problems. Even the churches backed it, wrongly looking to it as “an essentially Christian means of attaining international justice and peace.”—The London Times, December 5, 1918.

Yet that League was not really Christian. Nor was it actually a world government. And it did not solve the problems. Now, the United Nations is in the limelight as never before in its twenty-nine-year history. But, honestly, which one of the many truly global problems plaguing mankind has the United Nations been able to solve?

Clearly, global problems are too difficult for man to cope with. Does this mean, then, that the situation is hopeless? No, there is a solution. Where?

SOURCE OF RELIEF

Well, consider: To whom would it be more reasonable to look for a solution than to man’s own Creator? Who knows better than He the functioning of our earth and how to fill the needs of men upon it? And who is more interested in humans than their Creator?

But you may ask, ‘If He were going to solve global problems, why has He not done so before now?’

Our Creator answers that question in a most satisfying way in his Word. The Bible explains that God has permitted wicked conditions for these many years in order to settle important issues that were raised at the time of man’s rebellion against God, issues that affect our own enjoyment of life. But now the time is at hand when, as He has promised, God will destroy all who make a practice of wickedness, and then he will fulfill his own grand purpose to make the earth a paradise. Also, God is patient with humankind, and desires that they have opportunity to gain salvation by learning about his purpose and living in accord with it. He has kindly allowed time for this.—2 Pet. 3:9, 15.

What is God’s purpose?

WORLD GOVERNMENT BY GOD

His purpose is to bless humankind with a righteous government that will unite all peoples on earth. Jesus Christ devoted his earthly ministry to telling people about this Kingdom government. He urged his disciples to pray for it. You pray for that government when you say: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”—Matt. 6:9, 10, Authorized Version.

But how will that kingdom come? Will it come by all present nations and peoples eventually submitting to the laws of God and unselfishly looking after the interests of one another? What do you think? Is there any indication that this will happen?

Some persons may point to food gifts of richer nations to poorer nations as evidence of these nations’ unselfish interest in the welfare of others. But is this really unselfish interest? To the contrary, political strategists consider these gifts as “enlightened self-interest.” George Wald of Harvard University explains: “Our food is promised where it can be used to secure a political advantage or where it can be sold at a good price.”

No, if the ‘coming’ of God’s kingdom were dependent upon development of unselfish, loving interest of present peoples and nations in one another, then it would never come. Instead, God’s kingdom will come in another way, a very shocking way to most people on earth. How is that?

This is explained in Bible prophecy. Pointing forward to this very time for the complete settling of issues and the fulfilling of God’s grand purposes, the Bible says: “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—Dan. 2:44.

Think what that means! When we pray for God’s kingdom to come, it means that we are praying for it to come with destructive force to wipe from the earth all present human governments. This will mean the end of this unrighteous world, an event often spoken about in the Bible. (2 Pet. 3:5-7; 1 John 2:17) Of course, the literal earth will survive, and God will also preserve some of humankind to fulfill his grand purpose for our earth.

How will this government unite all peoples on earth, and bring relief from global problems?

WHAT GOD’S GOVERNMENT WILL BRING

The Bible says, “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Pet. 3:13) Now, the Bible here is not speaking of new literal star-filled heavens, or a new literal planet earth. There is nothing defective about these so that they need to be replaced. In fact, the Bible says the literal earth was established to last “forever.”—Ps. 104:5.

What is needed, though, is a righteous government, one that is impartial toward all its subjects and so has their confidence. That is what God’s kingdom is. Jesus repeatedly called it “the kingdom of the heavens.” (Matt. 4:17; 10:7; 11:11) This heavenly rulership is the symbolic “new heavens.” The “new earth” is a new earthly society of people who submit to the rule of God’s kingdom. Righteousness will dwell in this new system. Why can we be sure?

First of all, because Jesus Christ is God’s designated ruler of his heavenly government. And while on earth Jesus proved that he would make a good ruler; he lived a righteous life. He also taught others: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” (Matt. 7:12) Now, if everyone really lived in this way, what kind of “earth” do you think this would be?

It would truly be new, would it not? People would not be divided. They would not be distrustful of one another, nor have prejudices. All selfishness would be eliminated, and, instead, people would be genuinely concerned with helping one another. With Jesus Christ as ruler, we can be certain that he will see to it that all his earthly subjects conform to this righteous standard. They all will obey the Bible command to love one another. How grand that will be!—John 13:34.

What about other global problems, such as worldwide food shortages? How will these be relieved?

Think about it: With the power of the One who created the great galaxies of trillions of stars backing him up, will not Jesus Christ be able to handle such problems? Why, even on earth Jesus demonstrated control over the weather, upon which the growth of crops is dependent. (Mark 4:35-41) Also, he blessed five loaves and two fishes, and God miraculously increased this food so that it was sufficient to feed 5,000 men, besides women and children. With such power behind the throne, no one under God’s kingdom will lack nourishing food to eat.—Matt. 14:14-21.

Even problems that men cannot hope to solve, Christ will solve. When people brought him the sick and infirm, he demonstrated what he will do for his subjects earth wide. The Bible says: “He cured them; so that the crowd felt amazement as they saw the dumb speaking and the lame walking and the blind seeing.”—Matt. 15:30, 31.

Jesus even raised the dead! Addressing himself to a dead girl, he said: “Maiden, I say to you, Get up!” And she did! “Immediately the maiden rose and began walking.” How did the people react? The Bible says: “They were beside themselves with great ecstasy.” (Mark 5:41, 42) Surely that will also be the reaction in God’s “new earth” when the resurrection of the dead takes place.

As for the literal earth, it will undergo a delightful transformation. As Jesus was dying, a man being executed on a stake alongside him put faith in him, and asked: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your kingdom.” Jesus replied: “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42, 43) And that is what the whole earth will become under the rule of God’s king, Christ Jesus—a beautiful garden or park, a true paradise.

WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT?

Some people may say, ‘Why, all of that is too good to be true.’ But one thing is sure, men have proved unable to solve global problems. There is no hope in their promises. At the same time, all of us will have to admit that the things that God promises are what we desire for ourselves and our loved ones. Yet God does not expect us to believe without evidence. That is why he has provided in his Word the Bible evidence that these things are true.

We encourage you to investigate. Attend the meetings, free of charge, at any Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They will be glad to show you what the Bible says that we personally must do in order to benefit from the permanent solution to man’s global problems.

Insight on the News

Churches’ Money Woes

● Religious apathy has closed scores of old churches in England. Many have been sold and converted into community centers, theaters or just dwelling places. The Anglican Church is especially concerned about many of its big cathedrals—suffering from the corroding effects of pollution, the decay of old age and the high costs of spiraling inflation. Public appeals have raised millions of British pounds to repair cathedrals in York, Winchester and Canterbury. Salisbury’s cathedral now charges a voluntary entrance fee to cover its expenses. But the situation remains critical. The head of the Church of England is considering asking the state for financial support.

In Nigeria, the “Sunday Times” reports that “many Roman Catholic parishes in East-Central State are broke.” To cope with the situation, the “Daily Times” says, a bishop in the area “sharply raised fees for church services by between 300 to 400 per cent.” Fees for weddings are up and adult baptisms now cost about double those of children.

The Vatican has had problems of another type: bad investments. Reporting on the crumbling empire of Italian financier Michele Sindona, “Business Week” magazine lists the Vatican as one of the “big losers.” Of the Vatican’s investments in two of Sindona’s banks (one now bankrupt and the other closed by Swiss authorities), the magazine says that “the smart money in Rome puts the total Church loss between $40-million and $50-million.” The “National Catholic Reporter” comments that if all the money given the Catholic Church were put in one bank account, “the Church of Rome, Inc. would undoubtedly be the world’s largest multinational corporation.” “And,” it adds, “dollar for dollar, it would probably be among the worst run corporations in the world.”

“In God’s Image”

● Not long ago, men made glowing predictions of the part that computers would play in directing human affairs. A recent article in “Saturday Review” magazine says: “In the sober light of the mid-Seventies, it now appears that both futurists and popularizers have been premature in their assessment.” Why? Because, though able to perform amazing computations, research has shown that “even the largest, most advanced computer cannot be made to understand sentences which a four-year-old child can comprehend without hesitation.”

This more sober estimate enhances appreciation of something else. Not that computers are not remarkable inventions but, the article continues, “that human abilities are far more wonderful than we had dreamed. . . . the number of possible interactions within the brain alone is beyond the current skill of our best mathematicians to compute in a meaningful manner. The best way of expressing the total creative capacity of the human central nervous system . . . is that for all practical purposes it is infinite.” Quoting the Genesis statement that “God created man in His own image,” the article adds, “it is still clear that we are operating with only a tiny fraction of our true abilities. Studying nature, we find that systems are created to be used to the full. What is the purpose of all the unused human capability? What is its destination?” Only the Bible points to the answer: everlasting life in a righteous new order where human capacities will be used to the full with resulting happiness and delight.

Pious Criminals

● It is well known that many members of the Mafia are active church supporters. Also, over in Israel, where a Jewish criminal underworld has begun to develop, it seems that some persons view crime and religion as compatible. Criminologist Dr. Menahem Amir says that some Israeli criminals are religious Jews despite their activities in robbing, prostitution, narcotics, smuggling and gambling. He cites an example of a man belonging to a narcotics and prostitution ring who was shot and buried in an orange grove. A member of the gang that carried out the murder became concerned because this Jewish man had been buried without proper ritual. So he had the body moved to a cemetery—to his own undoing, as the move led to police investigation and arrest. As in the first century, people make God’s word invalid while holding to man-made religious tradition. God’s Son said such worship is in vain.—Matt. 15:7-9.

A Spiritual Awakening in the “Land of the Morning Calm”

FOR many centuries Korea was called Cho-sen, meaning “morning calm.” But there is little calm during mornings in Korea now. Instead, the noises of bulldozers, trucks and cranes pierce the air at numerous construction sites. A remarkable surge of economic activity has swept Korea in recent years.

The “Land of the Morning Calm” is awakening, however, not just materially, but also spiritually. How so? Recently there has been a pronounced shift in the attitude of many Koreans toward the Bible teaching work of Jehovah’s witnesses. Typical of this change are the remarks of Mr. Kim, a successful businessman in Seoul, the capital:

“I made my fortune by hard work from the bottom up. I made all the money I thought my family needed. And now that we are comfortable for ourselves, I see the world falling apart around us.” Gesturing with strong, weather-beaten hands, he continues: “For many years I was skeptical of my wife’s being one of Jehovah’s witnesses. But now I am beginning to realize that as the world system crumbles, Jehovah’s witnesses are really teaching the truth.” Mr. Kim thus made his decision to learn about the unfailing hope offered by the Bible.

Similarly, Mr. Choi Chang-Soo, a gardener from Chonju city, at first opposed his wife’s house-to-house Bible teaching. But then things changed. “Though I had been a stubborn materialist,” he says, “I suddenly felt the limitation of humans and the need we have of the natural laws of God, which can be explained only through the Bible.” As a baptized Witness, he is now assisting others who feel this same need.

These expressions are typical of the many thousands who are now awakening spiritually in Korea. But twenty-six years ago the scene was quite different.

“SMALL BEGINNINGS”

In 1949, when Don and Earlene Steele arrived in Korea as the first missionaries from the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, they joined with less than twenty local Witnesses located in Seoul and Chonju. Most of these early Korean Witnesses had survived imprisonment and torture during the Japanese wartime occupation of Korea. Some are faithfully preaching even now.

“When we think of those days and the small beginnings,” the Steeles say, “it would have been very hard then to foresee the 119 thriving congregations we now have in the capital or the 10 in Chonju, where there is now an active Witness for every 200 of the population.”

In just five years, by 1954, the little group grew to 1,065. Ten years later, in 1964, over five times as many were preaching—5,538. And another ten years brought still another fivefold increase, to almost 28,000 active Witnesses at the end of 1974! Over 425 congregations throughout South Korea now serve every town and city of any size.

The Korean Bible has had a wide circulation, and even nonbelievers have respect for the Bible. Many are interested in its prophecies and their meanings. As a result, many thousands are finding the instructive meetings of Jehovah’s witnesses spiritually satisfying. About 40,000 attended the four district assemblies they held last summer, and more than 55,000 were at the annual celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal on April 7, 1974. Their meeting places are usually full to overflowing on the three days they meet each week. The fact that most Kingdom Halls in Korea use straw floor mats rather than chairs helps, because more people can be seated in the available space on the mats.

“The thing that impresses us about the people here,” remarks Milton Hamilton, who came to Korea twenty years ago with his wife Elizabeth, “is the zeal with which they take up studying the Bible and their ability to stick to it—often attending the Kingdom Hall right from the start and beginning a Christian way of life.” The Korean Witnesses have developed into fine teachers of the Bible too.

“At first I thought they were not qualified enough to be out teaching,” says Mr. Park, the assistant principal of a Korean primary school who devotes all his time to education. “But the method of preaching, house-to-house work, return visits and home Bible studies is, I think, excellent. Especially when I studied for a while with your Mr. Cho, I could see the effectiveness of your method.” How effective was it? After having studied for just a short time, Mr. Park says, “Now I am no longer an atheist.”

FINDING LIFE’S PURPOSE

You may have noted from the foregoing experiences that the Bible teaching work of Jehovah’s witnesses is arousing the interest of Koreans from various walks of life. Honest-hearted people, from farmers to high government officials, are awakening spiritually.

One of many examples is Dr. Pyun Keun-Suk, a plastic surgeon. After becoming a surgeon, he opened his own hospital and sent his wife to medical school so that they could become a medical team. His life’s goal was to accumulate wealth. Also, his ambitious personality and pride drove him to become proficient and well-read in many fields, including interior decorating, sculpturing and others.

In the meantime, Dr. Pyun found his former Buddhism to be unsatisfying and he finally joined the Presbyterian Church. Realizing the need to change his overly ambitious personality, he immersed himself in church activities, visiting nursing homes and orphanages and doing other charitable works, thinking this would help. But ten years as a Presbyterian brought no change. Finally another doctor told him about Jehovah’s witnesses, and, though initially prejudiced, he eventually decided to find out more.

As Dr. Pyun began to recognize the unfolding of Bible prophecies and the Bible’s solid hope for the future, his ambitions for material things and his pride began to fade. Putting these things behind, he was baptized as a Christian witness of Jehovah in 1974. Some of Dr. Pyun’s non-Witness friends recently marveled at the fact that this prominent plastic surgeon willingly performed the “menial” task of directing traffic at a circuit assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses. Now he and his wife take turns, alternating months between spending one hundred hours teaching the Bible and caring for the hospital.

Can political position give life purpose and serve as a basis for helping humanity? In Namwon there is a former politician who thought so. He had been elected to the local assembly as a state representative at the early age of twenty-five. He tried hard to root out corruption by means of his position, but finally gave up in discouragement, realizing that such is impossible. He finally quit politics.

In the meantime, his wife had become one of Jehovah’s witnesses, and, at her encouragement, he attended one of their large district assemblies. “I was jolted to my senses,” he reflects. “I realized that these people had something real that I could learn.” He accepted their free assistance to learn from the Bible what will truly help humanity. Now he spends his full time in teaching others about God’s promised new system of things, rather than trying to change the old one.

SEEING THE DIFFERENCE

Often sincere Koreans awaken to the Bible’s true value when they note the difference between those who adhere uncompromisingly to its principles and those who merely profess to do so.

A member of a socially prominent Catholic family, Mr. Pyo Hwi-Sung, was another who had spent time in political service. For six years he had been secretary to the then prime minister of Korea. During all his work in important government assignments and in the business world, he says, he continually felt the need to be closer to God, but his religion offered little help.

Mr. Pyo first learned of Jehovah’s witnesses through his wife, who became gravely ill and was also pregnant. Due to her knowledge of the Bible, she refused an abortion even though her aunt, a nun of the Maryknoll order for over thirty years, and a priest encouraged her to go ahead with it. Mr. Pyo saw for himself in the Bible that God’s law opposes abortion, yet these church representatives encouraged it.—Ex. 21:22-24.

Further comparison of the Bible with teachings and practices of the Church amazed him, especially when these are compared with the way that the Witnesses stick to Bible principles under all circumstances. After delivering a healthy baby, Mr. Pyo’s wife regained her health. Mr. Pyo is now a full-time teacher of Bible principles to others.

Another who observed a difference in the practices of true Christians was a well-known fortune-teller from the southern city of Masan. She noticed that, of all the different religions, only Jehovah’s witnesses did not come to her for readings, and she wondered why. When her sister began to study the Bible, she had the chance to find out. This fortune-teller learned that Jehovah’s witnesses do not worry about the future because they have confidence in Bible prophecy. She also learned that fortune-telling is contrary to the Word of God.—Deut. 18:10-12.

Immediately she stopped her occult business, though it was her means of livelihood. Instead, as people came to have their fortunes told, she would tell them about what she was learning from her Bible study and encourage them to study also. In this way she started fifteen Bible studies in just a short time!

Thus the Bible teaching work of Jehovah’s witnesses is awakening people in every corner and island of the “Land of the Morning Calm.” The great increase in the number of those responding to it both here and earth wide shows that many more sincere people realize that now is the time for spiritual awakening. “Look! Now is the especially acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation.”—2 Cor. 6:1, 2.

How Do You Accept Counsel?

WHAT is the purpose of counsel offered by one person to another? It is to give aid, direction or understanding as to how to do something. Only Jehovah God the Creator needs no one to counsel him, as the prophet said: “Who as his man of counsel can make him know anything? With whom did he consult together that one might make him understand, or who teaches him in the path of justice, or teaches him knowledge, or makes him know the very way of real understanding?”—Isa. 40:13, 14.

Even the perfect man Jesus Christ, with all his previous experience in the heavens, received and followed counsel from God. He said: “I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak these things.”—John 8:28; 5:19, 30.

THE NECESSITY OF HEEDING COUNSEL

Certainly, then, imperfect men sorely need counsel, to understand the right way and to apply God’s Word in their lives. The apostle John emphasized the situation that is making counsel so needful when he said: “If we make the statement: ‘We have no sin,’ we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us.”—1 John 1:8.

Because of inherent sin, it is the natural tendency of all of us to resent counsel, especially if that counsel points out a mistake or a weakness. Jehovah warns: “Do not make yourselves like a horse or mule without understanding, whose spiritedness is to be curbed even by bridle or halter before they will come near to you.” (Ps. 32:9) A person who gives himself over to the spirit of resentment, repeatedly “making his neck hard,” becoming unreasoning and unapproachable, will face sterner measures, restrictions and, finally, calamity.—Prov. 29:1.

On the other hand, persons who are humble, desirous of advancing in understanding, seek counsel. They are concerned, not with always being “right,” but with doing things that please God and that will help others. They realize, therefore, that “there is salvation in the multitude of counselors.” (Prov. 11:14) If they make a mistake they are glad to have it brought to their attention, even though at times it may be embarrassing. They want to avoid repeating a wrong or undesirable thing, to their shame. They follow God’s counsel: “Buy truth itself and do not sell it—wisdom and discipline and understanding.”—Prov. 23:23.

PROPER SPIRIT AND MOTIVE IN GIVING COUNSEL AND REPROOF

Counsel at times may include reproof. The Hebrew root word for “reprove” has the meaning: ‘to decide matters, set matters straight.’ Reproof, in the Bible sense, is in itself a kindly, straightforward proving of what is right and what is wrong in an issue. Depending on the circumstances and the attitude of the one reproved, it may or may not be accompanied by rebuke.

The apostle revealed the proper spirit for the one counseling when he spoke of the responsibility of elders in the Christian congregation: “Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted.”—Gal. 6:1.

Therefore, if an elder sees a Christian brother, as a result of inexperience or poor judgment, taking a course that may well end up undesirably, he will not simply turn the other way and let his brother suffer the consequences. Nor will he give him a tongue-lashing. Rather, he is bound by love to point out to his brother the danger, unwisdom or wrong of his course or of his thinking, and to do so in a spirit of mildness.

Accordingly, the motive in giving reproof is to help the one reproved. Also the reprover is concerned with keeping peace and a healthy spirit in the congregation. The receiver of reproof, if he takes it properly, is saved from getting into trouble and losing favor in the eyes of God. He will change, be readjusted.

WHAT IF THE COUNSEL HURTS?

But what if you feel that certain counsel given to you is ill-advised, perhaps merely the opinion of the counselor? Before ignoring the counsel, consider your own attitude. Are you seeking to please yourself, or God? It may be that your course is not wrong in itself. But are you unconcerned as to what effect it may have on others? The apostle reminds us: “We . . . who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor in what is good for his upbuilding.”—Rom. 15:1, 2.

To guide our course in a manner pleasing to God, Paul also said: “All things are lawful; but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful; but not all things build up.” (1 Cor. 10:23) Within the framework of Christian law there is a wide latitude of action and the Christian has to decide many matters according to his Christian conscience. But he must consider also the consciences of others. Not all things build up either himself or others. Such things can well be sacrificed, especially where love and peace are at stake.

Sometimes counsel may be given, not with regard to wrongdoing, but for improvement, advancement. Say you are counseled as to the quality of your public reading. This may come as a shock, since you thought you read very well. What will you do? Why not find out just where your reading is weak and what will improve it? Certainly none of us are perfect readers—there is admittedly room for improvement. Practice reading. Before doing public reading, prepare by looking up pronunciation and meaning of words, consider sentence meanings and sense stress, and so forth. Your reading is bound to improve, and you will get more enjoyment out of it.

Or, you may be counseled to be more friendly with others. Perhaps in your own heart you think you have a friendly personality. But evidently it is not manifest to others. Well, accept the counsel as having some foundation; strive to take greater interest in others; be more outgoing, more expressive, more appreciative. Not only will you establish better friendships, but your own spirit will improve, and you will be happier.

Even if deeply hurt by counsel, remember David’s example. He underwent much discipline, but God was training him for greater things. David said, from experience: “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.” (Ps. 141:5, Authorized Version) Even if the counsel of a brother is hard to take, it will not kill you, either physically or spiritually, but it can prove to be like soothing, refreshing oil. If you take it to heart, you will experience the fulfillment of the proverb: “The one keeping a reproof is the one that is glorified.”—Prov. 13:18; Heb. 12:11.

The Death of a God

WHAT is a god? The word “god” means a “mighty one.” The term has often been applied to anything worshiped as mighty or able to do good or bad toward its worshipers. The god could be an object, a person, a group of men or an organization.

The god here under discussion is a group or class of men. It is what the Bible calls “the man of lawlessness.” The apostle Paul gave us a description of that god, as follows:

“He is set in opposition [against Almighty God] and lifts himself up over everyone who is called ‘god’ or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god.”—2 Thess. 2:3, 4.

Who fits this description of the “man of lawlessness”? We might answer by asking: Who have taken to themselves titles such as “Reverend,” “Right Reverend,” “Father,” “Holy Father,” and the like, directly in opposition to Jesus’ words at Matthew 23:8-12? (Compare Job 32:21, 22.) Have not the clergy, both Catholic and Protestant, done so? Do they not lay claim to the “flock of God” as their flock, and in many places strenuously try to prevent others from speaking to the people in their parishes or communities about the Word of God, if what these people say disagrees with the clergy’s teachings? (1 Pet. 5:2) This is exactly the attitude and action that the Jewish religious leaders took toward Jesus’ preaching. (Luke 11:52) Compare also the course of the Jewish leaders of ancient times.—Ezek. 34:1-6; Mic. 3:5.

The clergy have used their influence to cause governments to ban or severely limit and oppress those trying to teach Bible truth to the people. Many of them have denied the inspiration of the Bible and call it “myth,” “outdated” and inapplicable to modern living, thereby putting their word above God’s and showing themselves to be lawless toward God.

While Christendom’s clergy have sought to elevate themselves to a godlike position, many things that they have done are most ungodly. They have made themselves friends of the world, thereby making themselves enemies of the true God, as James, Jesus’ half brother, wrote. (Jas. 4:4) They have been confidants of and counselors to worldly politicians and men of Big Business, and they have served as the handmaid of war makers and military elements. We find them serving as military chaplains, blessing the armies’ deadly weapons, and praying for victory on both sides of wars between so-called “Christian” nations.

The clergy have thereby made themselves a powerful part of “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion. She is said symbolically to be “the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 17:18) She is the religious “great harlot,” with whom the “kings of the earth committed fornication, whereas those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”—Rev. 17:1, 2.

TO BE JUDGED BY ALMIGHTY GOD

For holding himself up as a god, the “man of lawlessness” must be judged by Jehovah the Almighty God. Jesus Christ referred to the Psalms, which spoke of mighty men who were ranked as “gods.” These men, who were leaders and judges, were unjust men, and the psalm, addressing them as “gods,” goes ahead to say: “Surely you will die just as men do; and like any one of the princes you will fall!”—Ps. 82:1-7; John 10:34-36.

The clergy class, the “man of lawlessness,” who ‘publicly shows himself to be a god,’ is not immortal, but will die like an ordinary man. He can be compared to the traitorous Judas Iscariot, who was called “the son of destruction.” (John 17:12; 2 Thess. 2:3) In spite of lifting himself up “over everyone who is called ‘god’ or an object of reverence,” that princely “man of lawlessness” will fall, put to death by Jehovah’s Messiah.

How does the “man of lawlessness” meet destruction? To answer that, let us consider the situation and destiny of “Babylon the Great,” for the “man of lawlessness,” being the chief part of this world empire of false religion, will share in its judgment. The Bible depicts “Babylon the Great” as riding the back of a scarlet-colored “wild beast.” This beast symbolizes the world organization for peace and security now known as the United Nations. It is called an “eighth king,” the Eighth World Power of Bible prophecy.—Rev. 17:1-11.

The clergy of Christendom have spoken very favorably and commendably of that international organization for peace and security, even assigning to that unchristian organization a Messianic role. They called its predecessor, the League of Nations, “the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth.” The wish of the “man of lawlessness” is that such an international organization may save the world from a third global conflict, a nuclear war.

But the Bible foretells that the ten governmental “horns” of the symbolic “wild beast” will “hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire.” (Rev. 17:16) When the duplicity, hypocrisy, greed, filth and lawlessness of “Babylon the Great” become disgusting to the world rulers, the “man of lawlessness” will share in the punishment meted out to her. The clergy class will be seen by all the people to have taught false doctrine, to have participated in worldly politics, in wars and revolutions, and the riches that their organizations have gained by exploiting the people will be taken from them.

To some it seems sacrilegious to say that the church buildings, in which the clergy sit and receive reverence as a god, will be reduced to ruins, and that the sanctimonious “men of the cloth” will be destroyed with “Babylon the Great.” The religious Jews of the first century were likewise shocked at predictions of the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. Yet the destruction came in 70 C.E. (Matt. 24:1, 2) The book of Revelation shows that, similarly, there will be mourners over the final fall of “Babylon the Great,” namely, those who got materialistic gain from their dealings with her.—Rev. 18:9-19.

This execution of judgment on the “man of lawlessness,” though it comes by the hand of the political rulers, is actually from God through his enthroned Son Jesus Christ. The Bible gives the credit to God for the destruction of “Babylon the Great” and calls for praise to him for bringing about her complete downfall.—Rev. 18:5, 8, 20; 19:1-3.

In this way the apostle Paul’s words come true about the “man of lawlessness,” “whom,” Paul wrote, “the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence.” (2 Thess. 2:8) Soon now the Lord Jesus Christ, whose invisible presence in Kingdom power began in 1914, will suddenly bring the destruction. Though earthly kings are the instruments used, it is the “spirit,” the motivating force from his mouth, that decrees the destruction.

AVOID FOLLOWING “UNRIGHTEOUS DECEPTION”

There is a great danger impending over all who follow the clergy. The apostle said about this: “The lawless one’s presence is . . . with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.”—2 Thess. 2:9-12.

There is ample evidence now to identify the “man of lawlessness” unmistakably. In our day the apostasy has come to a climax. Its bad fruitage has come to full ripeness and is revealed and exposed as rotten, so that all who desire the truth can find it. Persons having “the love of the truth” need to investigate thoroughly to avoid following an “unrighteous deception.” Finding and accepting truth is more important and more vital to anyone than clinging to a deception, even if we and our forefathers have been ensnared by it for generations. This can mean life or death, for God has let “an operation of error” go to those believing the lie, who look on the “man of lawlessness” as representing God, yes, even more, as being a “god,” accepting his words as above those of Almighty God as recorded in the Bible.

God does not directly send this “operation of error,” but lets it go to the deceived ones in order to prove that it is what they really want. (Compare Hebrews 4:12.) In this way all honest-hearted persons can see that God is just in his judgment. (Rev. 19:2; 2 Thess. 1:6-8) For not ‘accepting the love of the truth’ those who ‘believe the lie’ will find themselves among “those who are perishing” at the death of their “god,” the “man of lawlessness.”

For this reason a person is following a wise course if he now takes the time to look into the evidence that identifies and exposes the “man of lawlessness.” He will be most happy to discover that there are glorious promises of God that have been obscured by the false teachings of Christendom’s clergy. In ‘sitting in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god,’ the “man of lawlessness” has kept people from learning about and coming to know the true God Jehovah and his loving qualities and purposes toward mankind.

Furthermore, in looking beyond the mere identification of the “man of lawlessness,” the sincere seeker for truth will find that God’s fine purpose toward mankind is now nearing its realization. The destruction of those who have misrepresented God will be followed by a complete wiping out of the present system of things. There will be survival for those who “accept the love of the truth that they might be saved” and an opportunity for life on a cleansed earth. These matters will be discussed in the next issue of The Watchtower.—Rev. 19:19-21; 7:9-17; 21:1-4; Zeph. 2:3.

Why We Have Not Been Told “That Day and Hour”

“Keep on the watch . . . because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”—Matt. 24:42.

1. (a) What will the coming “great tribulation” mean for all of earth’s inhabitants? (b) When is it that, as foretold in Matthew 24:30, the ‘Son of man comes on the clouds of heaven’?

THE time is coming when all of earth’s inhabitants will face an event that will mean either life or death for them. Jesus Christ foretold it when he said: “Then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.” This is the time when, as a result of feeling his destructive power, “all the tribes of the earth . . . will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory,” and they will beat themselves in selfish grief over what it means to them.—Matt. 24:21, 22, 30.

2. How do we know that there will be survivors of that “great tribulation”?

2 But, while that will be true of “all the tribes” collectively, it will not be true of each individual, and it does not have to be your own experience. Why is that? Because, in this same prophecy, Jesus foretold the saving of some “flesh.” Holding out a marvelous hope, he made known that some would be spared, with a prospect of “everlasting life” before them. (Matt. 24:22; 25:46) And, over sixty years after giving that prophecy, he revealed to the apostle John that, “out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,” there would be persons who would “come out of the great tribulation” as survivors. (Rev. 7:9-14) By taking appropriate action now, you may be one of those survivors.—Zeph. 2:2, 3.

WHEN WILL IT BE?

3, 4. What did the apostles of Jesus Christ have in mind when they asked the question that is recorded in Matthew 24:3?

3 With a view to personal safety and the safety of our loved ones, it is only natural to ask, When will this “great tribulation” come? Does the Bible tell us?

4 The apostles of Jesus Christ asked a similar question: “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matt. 24:3; Mark 13:3, 4) What did they have in mind when asking that question? Were they inquiring about the time in which we live? The preceding verses in the Bible explain. These show that the apostles had just been with Jesus in the temple area in Jerusalem when he had said to the crowds: “You will by no means see me from henceforth until you say, ‘Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah’s name!’” And, as they had been leaving the temple area, he had said to his disciples with reference to the temple buildings: “By no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down.” This obviously would mean the end of the Jewish system of things. (Matt. 23:38–24:2) It was with these things in mind that the apostles posed their question.

5. (a) Did Jesus’ answer discuss the end of the Jewish system of things? (b) How do we know that his answer also involved much more than that?

5 Jesus answered their inquiry, but his answer reached beyond what would affect merely the Jewish system of things. The language employed in Matthew 24:21, 22 indicates that he had in mind a “great tribulation” of such dimensions that nothing in human history would ever equal it. Furthermore, in Mt 24 verse 30 he showed that, not merely the Jews, but “all the tribes of the earth” would be involved. And in Mt chapter 25, verse 32, he brought “all the nations” into the picture.

6. (a) How much of Matthew chapter 24 has more than one fulfillment? (b) In what part of the world in particular has the modern-day fulfillment taken place?

6 What is recorded in Matthew chapter 24, verses 4 through 22, all of it, had a fulfillment back there in the first century, between the years 33 and 70 C.E. But it also applies in our day, since the year 1914 C.E., which both the Bible and secular history identify as a marked date in world history. The events in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy have been particularly in evidence in the lands making up the counterpart of ancient unfaithful Jerusalem, that is, in Christendom, which claims to be in covenant relationship with the God of the Bible.

7. Since 1914, how has it been true that impostors have come saying, “I am the Christ”?

7 As Jesus foretold, since 1914 C.E. there have been impostors that have represented themselves as fulfilling a Messianic role, saying, in effect, “I am the Christ.” (Matt. 24:4, 5; Mark 13:5, 6) Some of these have been religious leaders, such as the man who, in the 1930’s, styled himself “Father Divine” and was called “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Others have been politicians—for example, Nkrumah, a former ruler of Ghana, who rephrased the words of Jesus Christ and urged his people: “Seek ye first the political kingdom.” Even Russian Communism has claimed that it would bring the Messianic blessing of “Paradise” to its people.

8. (a) Are the “wars and reports of wars” foretold by Jesus different from the ‘nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom’ of which he spoke? (b) Does “nation . . . against nation and kingdom against kingdom” necessarily refer to world wars?

8 During this same time period there have been “wars and reports of wars” because ‘nation has risen against nation and kingdom against kingdom.’ (Matt. 24:6-8; Mark 13:7, 8) Notably, there have been two world wars, unprecedented in human history. However, remember, Jesus’ expression ‘nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom’ also had a first-century application, so it is not limited to world wars. With the wars have come severe food shortages and disease, even as foretold. Terrifying earthquakes “in one place after another” have also marked our day. You are acquainted with these facts, because they are the everyday news of our generation.

9. (a) To what extent has the “good news of the kingdom” been preached in our day? (b) What is the “name” on account of which Jesus’ followers have been objects of hatred by all the nations?

9 Despite difficult conditions, including an upsurge of lawlessness, Jehovah’s Christian witnesses have pushed the preaching of the “good news of the kingdom” into “all the inhabited earth,” yes, into over two hundred lands. Millions of persons have heard them gladly, but they have also been “objects of hatred by all the nations” on account of the name of their Master. These things too were foretold. (Matt. 24:9-14; Mark 13:9-13) It is not merely the use of the name “Jesus” that has brought such hatred upon them; many who claim to believe in Jesus are not persecuted for doing so. But Jehovah’s Christian witnesses point to Jesus as the One anointed by God to be earth’s new King and the only one through whom men can acceptably approach God. (Luke 19:11-23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12) This is the “name,” or what it implies or imports, that irritates men who selfishly seek to pursue their own schemes.

10. (a) In the first century, what was the signal for Jesus’ followers to flee from Jerusalem? (b) What proved to be the “disgusting thing,” and the “holy place” in which it stood?

10 In the first century, thirty-three years after Jesus gave his prophecy, an event occurred that was a signal for his followers to clear out of Jerusalem and its vicinity. Jerusalem itself was “surrounded by encamped armies,” armies of the very nation whose emperor the Jews had chosen instead of Jesus Christ. (John 19:12-15) The foretold “disgusting thing that causes desolation,” the Roman armies under Cestius Gallus, was “standing in a holy place,” there at Jerusalem, the “holy city” of the Jews. That indicated that the time had come for those who believed the words of Jesus Christ to flee, not trying to salvage material possessions. “Great tribulation” was impending, something without precedent in the history of Jerusalem. Providentially the way was opened for flight when the Roman armies temporarily withdrew.—Matt. 24:15-22; Luke 21:20-22; Mark 13:14-20.

11. (a) In the twentieth century, what has proved to be the “disgusting thing,” and what is the “holy place”? (b) How will Christendom fare for having put her confidence in human rulership instead of the kingdom of God’s Son?

11 This feature of the “sign,” like the rest of it, has also had fulfillment in the twentieth century. It was in 1918 that the Federal Council of Churches hailed the League of Nations as the “political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth,” showing that they really preferred human rule instead of submitting to the authority that God’s Son Jesus Christ in heaven had been given over the nations. (Rev. 11:15; 12:10) How “disgusting” this was in the sight of Jehovah God! Similar “honors” have been heaped upon the League’s successor, the United Nations, thus putting it in a place viewed by Christendom as “holy.” But the Bible foretells that it will be this “disgusting thing,” the United Nations, that will cause desolation to those who have trusted in it, first to Christendom (which receives principal attention in Jesus’ great prophecy) and then to the rest of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. (Rev. 17:1-5, 16-18) This will be no small thing. In describing it, Jesus said that “then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.”

12. To avoid destruction in that “great tribulation,” what action must we individually take now?

12 To avoid being cut off in that tribulation, it is urgent to flee now, to get out of Christendom, cutting all ties with her churches. Not merely by words but by actions, it is necessary to demonstrate to God that one is not in harmony with the hypocrisy of Christendom, which has claimed to believe in Christ but has failed to apply his teachings and has instead gotten involved in the political affairs of the world. To be among the survivors, one must “not be loving either the world or the things in the world”—any part of it—but must be a faithful follower of God’s Son.—1 John 2:15-17.

13. How has the first fulfillment of Matthew 24:4-22 beneficially affected the expectations of true Christians?

13 Keep in mind that, as shown by the events that have taken place, that entire section of Jesus’ prophecy, as recorded in verses 4 through 22 of Matthew chapter 24, has a double application. Its first fulfillment strengthened the conviction of true Christians that the remaining things would also take place.

AFTER THE TRIBULATION ON JERUSALEM

14. (a) The things foretold in Matthew 24:23-38 take place during what period of history? (b) So what is the difference between the warning against “false Christs” as recorded in Matthew 24:24 and the warning found in verses 4 and 5?

14 What is recorded in Matthew chapter 24, verses 23 through 28, touches on developments from and after 70 C.E. and on into the days of Christ’s invisible presence (parousia). The warning against “false Christs” is not simply a repetition of Mt 24 verses 4 and 5. The later verses are describing a longer time period—a time when such men as the Jewish Bar Kokhba led a revolt against the Roman oppressors in 131-135 C.E., or when the much later leader of the Bahai religion claimed to be Christ returned, and when the leader of the Doukhobors in Canada professed to be Christ the Savior. But, here in his prophecy, Jesus had warned his followers not to be misled by the claims of human pretenders.

15. How could appreciation of the fact that Jesus’ presence would be invisible protect his disciples against being misled?

15 He told his disciples that his presence would not be simply a local affair, but, since he would be an invisible King directing his attention to earth from the heavens, his presence would be like the lightning that “comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts.” So, he urged them to be farsighted like the eagles, and to appreciate that true spiritual food would be found only with Jesus Christ, to whom they should gather as the true Messiah at his invisible presence, which would be in effect from 1914 onward.—Matt. 24:23-28; Mark 13:21-23; see God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, pages 320-323.

FROM 1914 C.E. FORWARD

16. In what time period do the events described in Matthew 24:29–25:46 have fulfillment?

16 As a comparison of the Scriptures with the events of history indicates, from Mt 24 verse 29 in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew’s account down to the end of Mt chapter 25, the events described are ones that reach their climax during the time period since 1914 C.E. Some of these events, of course, had their beginning in the first century, but the finale to which they point is in the twentieth century. This is true of what is said about “the faithful and discreet slave,” also the illustrations of the ten virgins and the talents.—Matt. 24:45-47; 25:1-30.

17. (a) What is the “tribulation” referred to in Matthew 24:29? (b) How can it be said that events starting with 1914 C.E. are “immediately after” what took place in 70 C.E. ?

17 When Matthew 24:29 refers to something that takes place “after the tribulation of those days,” it is talking about events since 1914 C.E., and that is after the “great tribulation” that came upon Jerusalem in 70 C.E. It is true that, from the standpoint of man with his short lifespan, events of our day might not be viewed as coming “immediately after” what took place in 70 C.E. But God, for whom a thousand years are “but as yesterday when it is past,” sees matters differently.—Ps. 90:4; compare “shortly” in Revelation 1:1.

18. Explain the fulfillment of Matthew 24:29.

18 Since 1914 C.E. it has taken place, just as foretold: “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Starting with the outbreak of World War I, mankind entered a gloomy period, indeed. There was no light for the future from the sources to which man was accustomed to look. It was also true that, historically, the literal heavens were viewed as the domain of the birds. But early in the twentieth century man succeeded in flying an airplane, which soon was employed for purposes of war. This led to development of death-dealing rockets, also to space probes that carried men to the moon, with the result that it came to be viewed as a potential military base for control of the earth. During this same time, what was being learned about the bombarding of the earth by cosmic rays from the sun and the stars added to man’s fears. Not because the heavens themselves had changed, but as a result of what man himself was doing and because of his increased knowledge of extraterrestrial forces that he could not control, the physical heavens have come to have a foreboding appearance to many people in this generation.—Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24, 25.

19. All of this leads up to what event described in Matthew 24:30?

19 All of this is leading up to the end of this system of things, to the time when, as Matthew 24:30 says, “the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation.” That time is now very near!—Mark 13:26.

20. Why will not everyone share in that “lamentation,” and how does the following verse indicate that?

20 Not everyone will grieve, however, when ‘the Son of man comes with power’ to destroy this wicked system of things. By that time, all the “chosen ones,” the 144,000 spirit-anointed followers of Jesus Christ will have been gathered, as Jesus foretold. (Matt. 24:31; Mark 13:27) Others, too, in great numbers are taking their stand alongside those anointed ones, sharing with them in giving a witness to all nations about God’s Messianic kingdom.—Zech. 8:23.

21. How can we be certain that the time for the “coming” of the Son of man is very near?

21 There is no doubt in their minds as to the certainty of the fulfillment of all the things that Jesus foretold. Jesus said: “Now learn from the fig tree as an illustration this point: Just as soon as its young branch grows tender and it puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he [the Son of man] is near at the doors.” “All these things” that he foretold can now be seen with unmistakable clarity.—Matt. 24:32-34; Mark 13:28, 29.

ASCERTAINING THE TIME

22. To which “generation” did Jesus refer as the one that would see his “coming” with destructive power?

22 When will it be, then, that the Son of man comes with destructive power to cleanse this earth of all who love the way of unrighteousness? Jesus himself answers: “Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” (Matt. 24:34; Mark 13:30) Which “generation” is that? The one that has witnessed the events in fulfillment of prophecy since 1914 C.E. There is no doubt about the truthfulness of what Jesus said. Forcefully he added: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.”—Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; compare Matthew 5:18.

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The Watchtower, May 1, 1975