The Watchtower, June 15, 1977

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The Watchtower — June 15, 1977

Source: jw.org

Contents

Are You Walking as in God’s Presence?

“Apostate Mockers for a Cake”

Disregarding God’s Warnings Brings Calamity

Insight on the News

A College-bred Newshound Finds the Best News

Life in Ancient Ephesus

“The Lord Be with the Spirit You Show”

“Keeping a Tight Grip on the Word of Life”

What Did the Wise Man Mean?

Feminine Modesty

The Influential Pharisees

The “In-Between” People

Questions From Readers

How God’s Kingdom Can Benefit You

Are You Walking as in God’s Presence?

DUE to inherited human weakness, many employees need to be watched or they may steal or loaf on the job. That is why, for example, every large post office in the United States has inspectors stationed high above the mail clerks. It is their job to detect any worker with “sticky fingers,” who might be tempted to pocket a piece of valuable mail. The inspectors work behind one-way mirrors; they can see the clerks but the clerks cannot see the inspectors.

Not that postal employees are the only ones that need to be watched. Employee dishonesty runs rampant throughout the world, causing losses that mount to many thousands of millions of dollars. Statistics show that the greatest amount of dishonesty, dollarwise, is found among supervisors and executives.

Clearly, none of these would be erring if they were walking as in God’s presence. To be walking in God’s presence means, first of all, having faith that God really exists. The evidence to our senses all about us testifies to the existence of the Creator, Jehovah God. And so do the pages of His Word, the Bible. But to believe that God exists is not enough, even as his Word reminds us: “You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder.” (Jas. 2:19) We must go farther. We must have faith in God’s justice, wisdom and power; we must appreciate that he knows and cares about what is going on in the earth among men.

Yes, God sees everything; his powers of vision are far superior to those of a postal inspector and He does not need one-way mirrors to keep humans from seeing him. Whether he personally takes note of everything or does so through his vast angelic organization is beside the point. The effect, the result, is the same: “The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, keeping watch upon the bad ones and the good ones.” We can rest assured that “there is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.” Note, we are accountable to God.—Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13.

The fact that we are accountable to God should make us take our walking as in his presence seriously. It means for us to walk, that is, to conduct ourselves, knowing that God is watching continually what we do. Moses, Jehovah’s prophet and the ancient leader of Israel, was one who was fully aware of that fact, for of him we read that “he continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible.” God was truly real to him and He should be to us also.—Heb. 11:27.

If we are walking in God’s presence it will keep us from getting into trouble with him, for it means that we will be fearful of displeasing him, knowing that there is no escaping his judgments. It will keep us from the course of the wicked one of whom it is written that “there is no dread of God in front of his eyes.” (Ps. 36:1) That the fear of God will keep us from yielding to temptation and so getting into trouble can be seen from the response that the young man Joseph, the favorite son of the patriarch Jacob, made when he was importuned by the wife of his Egyptian master Potiphar: “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9) He walked as in God’s presence, as though God were watching him all the time, as though he at all times could see God. Doing so served as a safeguard for him.

Whether the attacks of our adversary Satan the Devil are in the form of temptations to engage in immoral conduct and other forms of selfishness, or in the form of pressures to compromise our loyalty to Jehovah God, our only safety is to be walking as in God’s presence. That means that God must be very real to us. To aid us toward that end we must give thought to God. One way in which we can do this is by regularly praying to God. If we make a habit of prayer we will instinctively call on him for help when we are faced with temptations or pressures. Praying to God strengthens our faith, for prayer is an expression of faith, and God answers prayers directed to him in the right manner and in regard to right matters. (1 John 5:14, 15) But it follows that we must do our part; we must work at what we pray for, wholeheartedly.—Phil. 4:6, 7.

One way in which we can do that is to increase our knowledge of Jehovah God by a study of his Word and the Bible helps that he has provided. We can benefit by the weekly congregation meetings. The more we get to know God the more we will love him and the more he will be in our thoughts and be the primary object of our feelings. Of course, all of this takes time, for which reason the apostle Paul admonishes us: “Keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, buying out the opportune time for yourselves, because the days are wicked.” True, we need a certain amount of time for providing things honest in the sight of all men, a certain amount of time for eating and sleeping, but beyond that, are we wasting much of it on excessive recreation, pleasure-seeking or hobbies?—Eph. 5:15, 16.

One reason why lawlessness is increasing in these perilous last days is that people are less aware than ever that God sees all and that all are accountable to him. If we are wise we will not ignore these facts but at all times will be walking as in God’s presence.

“Apostate Mockers for a Cake”

In one of his psalms, David tells of the abuses that he had to endure. “Among the apostate mockers for a cake,” said David, “there was a grinding of their teeth even against me.” (Ps. 35:16) These ridiculers were apostates in the sense that they could not be numbered among God’s faithful people. They were outcasts, the very dregs of society. Just to get a cake from the one (likely King Saul) who would be pleased with their words, these base men would make fun of David. They would grind their teeth at him, that is, express anger, derision and scorn.

Disregarding God’s Warnings Brings Calamity

WHEN God gives a warning it is not without reason, nor is it done merely to show his authority. It is always for the personal benefit of all who hear. It will save them from grave and costly mistakes. Before the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, God warned them of the danger of disregarding his law, and added: “For it is no valueless word for you, but it means your life.”—Deut. 32:46, 47.

Furthermore, by listening to Jehovah’s warnings we learn how he feels about certain matters, how he views them, and we come to know his ways. And this is the most important thing of all—to know Jehovah God intimately, thereby coming into closer relationship with him. He tells us not to brag about riches, wisdom or mightiness that we may have, “but let the one bragging about himself brag about himself because of this very thing, the having of insight and the having of knowledge of me, that I am Jehovah, the One exercising loving-kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I do take delight.”—Jer. 9:23, 24; John 17:3.

The warnings that God gave were often in the form of prophecies, or were commands that, in effect, were prophetic. A case in point is the declaration made with regard to Jericho by Joshua, the successor of Moses and commander of Israel’s armies. Joshua was under orders from God to vanquish the Canaanite inhabitants in the Promised Land, because they practiced extremely degraded sex worship and idolatrous, demonistic rites, and were polluting the land with immorality, disease and bloodshed. (Deut. 20:15-18; Lev. 18:24-30) Jericho was the first city that the army of Israel encountered in the land. As such, it was the “firstfruits” of the conquest of Canaan. Just as the firstfruits of all the produce of the Israelites—grain, cattle, and so forth, were considered sacred, “devoted,” so Jericho was to be. (Lev. 23:10-14; Josh. 6:17) And just as the firstfruits were “devoted,” to be offered to Jehovah before any of the crop could be eaten by the farmer, so Jericho was to be completely “devoted,” nothing being taken from the city for personal use. Therefore Joshua utterly destroyed and burned the city, turning over its metal to Jehovah’s temple (tabernacle).

This requirement of God was like the law, which applied later, regarding a city of Israel that should fall away to idolatry. Such a city was “made sacred by ban.” Its inhabitants were to be put to death and the city burned, never to be rebuilt. Nothing from that city was to be appropriated for any personal use. It was to be viewed by Israel as absolutely detestable. They were not even to toy with the idea of using such things.—Deut. 13:12-17.

Accordingly, when Joshua destroyed the city of Jericho, he pronounced an oath, saying: “May the LORD’S curse light on the man who comes forward to rebuild this city of Jericho: the laying of its foundations shall cost him his eldest son, the setting up of its gates shall cost him his youngest.”—Josh. 6:26, New English Bible.

What did Joshua mean? His words evidently did not mean that the site of Jericho, “the city of palm trees,” would not be inhabited, for Joshua himself allotted the site of the city of Jericho to the Benjamites, and it is mentioned later as an inhabited place. (Judg. 3:13; 2 Sam. 10:5) The emphasis is on a walled “city.” Joshua’s words show that he had reference to the rebuilding of the city. This included a wall. The laying of the foundations would be the foundations of the walled city. The setting up of its gates would not be erecting doors on the homes, but setting up the city gates, which could not be hung without walls. The man who would do this in disregard of Joshua’s prophetic oath would pay the price of his eldest and youngest sons. This expression may mean ‘all his sons,’ so that he would have no one to carry on his name in Israel.

A strong warning, this, but it was nonetheless ignored after Israel fell into gross idolatry. Under the reign of Ahab over the ten-tribe northern kingdom of Israel, Baal worship had been brought in. Indicative of the low level to which Israel had fallen was the action of Hiel the Bethelite. The account reads: “In [Ahab’s] days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. At the forfeit of Abiram his firstborn he laid the foundation of it, and at the forfeit of Segub his youngest he put up its doors, according to Jehovah’s word that he spoke by means of Joshua the son of Nun.”—1 Ki. 16:34.

Whether the boys died in accidents connected with the building of the fortifications, or by other means, is not stated. Nevertheless, the declaration of Joshua had proved to be prophetic.

All other declarations of God in his Word are likewise sure of fulfillment. Therefore we should carefully avoid things that God declares to be dangerous. We can learn the things that God considers good and the things that he views as detestable by closely considering the Bible. We should feel as he does about the things he condemns; we should train our hearts and consciences so that we have no leaning at all toward the things against which he warns and should stay completely away from them for safety. We should not delay, but should take immediate action to free ourselves from any connection or association with things disapproved by God. Jesus Christ was deeply conscious of what pleased and what displeased his Father. (Heb. 1:9) He said: “I always do the things pleasing to him.” (John 8:29) Note how instantly he rejected Peter’s wrong advice, not entertaining it for even a second. (Matt. 16:21-23) He proved Jehovah’s words true: “Not by bread alone does man live but by every expression of Jehovah’s mouth does man live.” (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4) The sad calamity that overtook Hiel the Bethelite is one of the Bible’s many examples that emphasize the danger of disregarding God’s warnings.

Insight on the News

Influenza Mystery

● “In all history there had been no sterner, swifter visitation of death,” says “Science Digest” of the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic. The article notes that the sixth-century plague of Justinian “supposedly claimed 100 million lives—but it endured for 50 years.” The 14th-century bubonic plague was said to have taken 62 million lives world wide, but it lasted for three years. However, though the first world war “had killed over 21 million people in four years of dogged conflict,” observes “Science Digest,” “the influenza epidemic took approximately the same toll in about four months.”

The magazine marvels: “With an irony that surpasses man’s understanding, the plague faded almost simultaneously with the ending of the Great War. . . . Why it began, why it ended, where it went, no one knows to this day.”

Yet many students of Bible prophecy know that Jesus Christ had predicted just such events to mark the beginning of the end of this present system of things. Adding to his prophecy that “nation will make war upon nation, kingdom upon kingdom,” Jesus said that there would be “famines and PLAGUES in many places,” heralding the “end of the age.”—Luke 21:7-11; Matt. 24:3-8, “New English Bible.”

Religion—For Peace or War?

● A recent “Redbook” magazine survey of 65,000 women’s views on how religion affects their lives revealed that only 14 percent believe ‘it’s a sin to take part in any war.’ “Redbook” also noted: “Very religious women say that ‘taking part in a war is a sin’ far less often than nonreligious or slightly religious women.” Hence, the magazine remarked, “if our government were to become more pious, that might not herald an era of peace on earth.”

Similarly, the “National Observer” published a poem that commented on the religious conflicts in Ireland, Lebanon and the Hanafi Muslim siege of buildings in Washington, D.C. It concludes:

“How historically constant, yet unseemly odd,

This hatred and gore in the name of God.”

Throughout history, world leaders have seemingly been blind to worldly religion’s role, both in fomenting wars and in fostering blood lust during political wars. Will such religions always escape responsibility? No.

Bible prophecy pictures the world’s politically meddling religions as being like a “great harlot . . . with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication” and who bears responsibility for the blood “of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.” Soon, the prophecy shows, these same “kings of the earth” “will hate the harlot . . . and will completely burn her with fire,” ending her bloody career.—Rev. 17:1, 2, 12, 16; 18:24.

‘What Price God?’

● A Florida circuit court judge recently ruled that a Jewish couple would have to pay $90 in back dues to their former synagogue. The temple had filed suit when the pair fell behind on their pledge during the 1974 business recession. “What’s the price of God?” asked the wife. “Judaism is not a business,” countered the synagogue’s executive director, but “where it is housed, is.” He also told the court that most of 20 other families who had been sued for nonpayment had settled out of court.

Similarly, a Catholic in Rhode Island complained to the Providence “Evening Bulletin” that after seven generations with a parish, “I’ve just gotten a letter from my priest, saying we are no longer entitled to full services . . . because we have not fulfilled our budget obligations. . . . My friend, an 80-year-old parishioner, has no money at all, but she got the same letter.”

How unlike the spirit of the Biblical Jewish and Christian congregations! “Whosoever is of a willing heart” and “of every man whose heart maketh him willing ye shall take My offering” was God’s own expression on how to obtain the needs of the ancient tabernacle.—Ex. 35:5; 25:2, “Jewish Publications Society.”

And of the early Christian practice, Tertullian (c. 190 C.E.) wrote: “Even if there is a chest of a sort, it is not made up of money paid in entrance-fees, as if religion were a matter of contract. . . . for nobody is compelled.”—“Apology,” XXXIX, 5.

A College-bred Newshound Finds the Best News

As told by Vora C. Hannan

IN 1975, through the generosity of my brother’s widow, I returned to Wellesley College in the United States for my fiftieth class reunion. The natural beauty of the campus near Boston, Massachusetts, has changed little, but the same couldn’t be said of the dozens of us former classmates—fifty years does take its toll.

‘What have you done during the past fifty years? How have you used your life?’ We were curious about one another. And it was interesting to hear the kind of lives that various ones of us had lived.

I hadn’t accumulated material wealth as some had. Nor did I have a prestigious position or worldly fame to show for my fifty years. But after listening to others, I do believe that I’ve had a more exciting and, yes, happier, more rewarding life than any of them. And it wasn’t just my years as a news reporter that made it so. Let me explain.

A LITERARY, RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND

My thirst for knowledge began when I was only eight. I used to hide books in my bed to read when I was supposed to be asleep. Also, at the same age, I started playing the violin. My parents were an encouragement. Father gave me the six-foot shelf of the Harvard Classics for my bedroom. I devoured these, as well as scores of volumes from the public library.

Both my parents were very religious. After attending the Congregational Church Sunday morning we wouldn’t go riding in the family auto, nor could we read the Sunday comics. All pleasure was reserved for weekdays.

In time, mother became disillusioned with father’s religion and went back to her girlhood faith, the Episcopal Church. I went with her. Finally, mother started to read the Studies in the Scriptures, and became convinced that we were living in the last days foretold in Bible prophecy.—Matt. 24; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

This time I didn’t follow my mother. Although I read everything else, I couldn’t be induced to read her books. My reaction was: “If the world is coming to an end, then I’m going to enjoy myself.” But father insisted that I go to college; so at age seventeen off I went to Wellesley.

At the time a course in Biblical history was required for all freshmen. I was interested to learn that God’s name is Yahweh in Hebrew. But it wasn’t long before I clashed with what was taught. We were told that the early chapters of Genesis were written by three different men, and that these writings were unreliable. That struck right at the basis of my belief in the Bible as the Word of God, and I communicated my distress to mother.

During my first vacation I confronted the Congregational minister. “Well, Vora,” he explained smoothly, “you mustn’t take the Bible too seriously. You know it was written by many different men, and each wrote as he saw things.” That view of God’s Word was enough to set me afloat from organized religion. Back at college, the acquiring of knowledge became my religion.

A CAREER

After graduating from college I thought I’d be a high school teacher. However, during my first year at it I was more interested in training the school orchestra than in teaching Latin. So I lost my position. Back home I concentrated on music, practicing my violin five or six hours a day.

As far as mother’s Bible literature was concerned, I was stubborn. I would read only the Bible. I had been burned once at Wellesley, and I didn’t want to be disillusioned again.

In 1930 I became a news reporter for the summer, or so I thought. However, I found the work so fascinating that I kept on. Soon I was free-lancing for three papers and also the Associated Press. It was exciting work, the most exciting in the world, I thought. I was also playing and teaching violin. As a result, even in the midst of the Great Depression I was doing well financially.

Still, from my varied experiences in reporting, I began to realize that things weren’t going well in the world. Everything was false. I’d sit beside the timekeeper at a wrestling match and he’d tell me the outcome of each match before it started. Each event that had spectators on the edges of their seats was fixed.

Similar hypocrisy existed in political, social and religious gatherings. As I listened to seemingly endless speeches, I’d pick out some inadvertent remark that exposed weaknesses or wrongs in the system. Then I would highlight that remark in an article. I wanted to call attention to the wrongs in the hope that someone would try to rectify the condition. People like to read such things, but they aren’t at all interested in changing them. Everybody loves scandal, it seems, but not reform.

A REPORTER OF BETTER NEWS

I continued my Bible reading and in time became convinced that mother’s beliefs were Scripturally sound. Still I was stubborn about reading anything except the Bible. One day in April 1933 I drove mother to a baptism talk in Boston as a favor to her. As I sat in the balcony, I thought: “Why, I’ve always wanted to do the will of Jehovah.” Something seemed to nudge me, almost pushed me to go downstairs to present myself for baptism. Mother was completely taken by surprise but, of course, was overjoyed.

In time I realized that the literature provided by Jehovah’s Witnesses is a shortcut to Bible knowledge, and I forgot my foolish prejudice. Then my thirst for reading took over and I devoured all the books and magazines as they came along.

It was getting difficult for me to be a lone Witness in Newburyport, and at the same time work as a well-known reporter. Some Irish Catholic police officers refused to cooperate with me on police stories. They even made fun of Jehovah when I entered the police station.

Then a special representative of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Robert Hannan, was assigned to witness in Haverhill, where the nearest congregation was located. Soon afterward we were married, and I shared with him in the preaching work. Gradually he tried to persuade me to leave the newspaper and become a full-time proclaimer of Bible truth too. But I felt that I had to keep working for our maintenance.

The large national assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses at St. Louis, Missouri, brought things to a head. I told my editor that I would like a few days off to attend the assembly. He commented that being a Witness and a reporter didn’t make a good combination. I agreed. He thought I’d give up my religion. Instead I gave up my newspaper work, and on September 15, 1941, became a pioneer, just in time to escape being a war correspondent.

When the United States entered the second world war, my husband and I started the special pioneer work in Walpole, Massachusetts. Now I could really do something to better the lives of the people I met. Not only could I call attention to the injustices, as I had done in the newspaper, but now I could show them the best news—how Jehovah God was going to solve all difficulties by means of his righteous Kingdom government.

Then in 1943 we heard that Gilead School for missionaries had started. How I wanted to go! We received an invitation to attend the fifth class beginning in February of 1945. Our missionary assignment was Chile, where we arrived in Santiago late in 1946. After a whole day’s train trip farther south, we arrived at Concepción, the third largest city of Chile. Here we were on our own, together with the four who had accompanied us.

NEWSPAPER EXPERIENCE HELPS

For a while life was almost too difficult for me. The second month I was bitten by a fly that was a carrier of anthrax, which kills horses, and had to undergo a sulphur treatment for a month. The next month, in my weakened condition, I contracted typhoid and spent the next two months in the hospital with a high fever. First, I lost my hearing, then my hair; I was reduced to a bag of skin and bones.

After two more months in bed I had to consider how I was going to get started in the preaching work. With my loss of hearing, and being unable to express myself in a new language, it looked hopeless. But I remembered that as a news reporter I always had overcome obstacles to get my story. Now some way must be found to conquer these difficulties.

First, mother sent me a wig to cover my baldness until my hair grew back. That took care of my appearance. How to get around my lack of hearing? That was the major problem.

Most Chileans were at the time nominal Catholics. I used a thin Catholic New Testament that fitted nicely in my book bag, and practiced some appropriate texts. A news reporter asks questions. He never gives discourses. So I decided to follow that method.

Using words taken from a Bible text, I formed pertinent questions. Even though I didn’t hear the householder’s response, I always had something interesting in the Bible to show them that had to do with the current news in their papers. Relating the Bible to news items made it seem like a living book to them. If I didn’t get the sense of their questions, and, as a result, showed them a Bible text on another subject, they excused me because I was a gringuita, an American.

NEWS THAT TRANSFORMS LIVES

As time went on, my hearing improved slightly, and I was able to conduct many Bible studies. One of the first was with a man whose wife had abandoned him to marry another man. But she did not bother to dissolve the original marriage. Not wanting to expose his wife to a charge of bigamy, and yet now desiring to be in a morally clean position to serve Jehovah, this man gradually persuaded his wife to initiate annulment proceedings.

This opened the way for the man to be legally, as well as Scripturally, free to marry the woman with whom he had been living. He, his new wife and their three children all dedicated their lives to Jehovah. Eventually two of the children served as special pioneers for a time, and the man became a presiding overseer.

So the missionary work took on a life-transforming aspect. It amazed me to watch Jehovah’s spirit at work on those I was teaching. By 1950 there were so many who wanted to serve Jehovah that we had to have a series of baptisms in the beautiful San Pedro Lake on the other side of the river from Concepción.

Although my husband and I were located in Concepción, we roamed the province carrying the good news of God’s kingdom to outlying areas. Riding in third-class trains between baskets of fish, crabs and fresh-baked bread, we visited mining towns, fishing villages and textile settlements. Our preaching laid a foundation for the many congregations that were formed later.

Over the years many missionaries served in Concepción for a while and then left. But my husband and I stayed fixed, just shifting a little from one part of the territory to another. It led to our being called los padres (the parents) of all the congregations. Our continued presence seemed to give a certain visible stability.

With the formation of new congregations, the territory for myself and my husband was more restricted. Although living in Concepción, I began to work across the river in San Pedro. There on the outskirts I found a woman living with her six children in a ventilated shack. She had been abandoned by her heavy-drinking husband, who years before took off for Santiago to live with another woman.

One day this woman received a letter from her husband. He offered to give her money for the support of the children if she would come to Santiago. The woman and her children eventually joined her husband, and he began accompanying his wife to Christian meetings. When, after a long struggle, he was finally able to conquer his addiction to alcohol, the good news from God’s Word had accomplished another remarkable transformation. A split-up, unhappy family was brought together and happily united in true worship.

Being able to bear news that has such a grand effect on people’s lives has been ever so much more rewarding to me than serving as a newspaper reporter.

Over the years I’ve seen transformations in the lives of literally hundreds of persons whom I’ve personally assisted to learn the best news. And what is that news? That God cares and that his Kingdom government will soon eliminate all causes for human suffering.

No, I don’t have money or worldly prestige to show for my more than fifty years since graduation, as do a number of my former college classmates, but I do have something much more precious—the satisfaction of having helped many persons to become active servants of Jehovah God.

[Picture of Vora C. Hannan on page 360]

Life in Ancient Ephesus

DESIRABLE. Likely that is what many people thought about life in ancient Ephesus in Asia Minor. In fact, that city’s Greek name probably meant just that—desirable.

Visitors of today may find it hard to imagine that Ephesus ever was a desirable city. All that they see there are moldering ruins. So, tourists may well ask, “Could anyone have enjoyed life in ancient Ephesus?”

A TEEMING METROPOLIS

Ephesus once had at least an estimated 225,000 inhabitants. The city was important from both commercial and religious standpoints. Wealth abounded, although not every resident was prosperous.

The location of Ephesus contributed to its importance. Situated near the mouth of the Cayster River on the western coast of Asia Minor, it lay nearly opposite the island of Samos. Perhaps you can better fix its location in mind by noting that the ruins of Ephesus are some thirty-five miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Izmir, Turkey.

Ephesus had an artificial harbor that was kept open by dredging. With the passing of years, however, silt deposits apparently choked it, so that the site now is several miles inland. Nevertheless, in the city’s heyday, the largest seagoing vessels could be seen in its harbor. Moreover, Ephesus lay astride the main trade route between Rome and the East. By sea it was connected with Rome, and by land routes with much of Asia. So, many goods could be bought in the city’s shops and markets.

The founding of Ephesus is shrouded in legend. Eventually, though, Ionian Greeks settled there. The Lydians took the city in 560 before the Common Era, but only three years later the Persians were in control. It came under Macedonian domination in the days of Alexander the Great. Years thereafter, Attalus III, king of Pergamos (Pergamum), bequeathed Ephesus to Rome, along with the rest of his kingdom. In 190 B.C.E. the Roman province of Asia was established, with Pergamum as its capital and Ephesus eventually as the principal city.

A WALK THROUGH THE CITY

Shall we now take a look at some of the sights of ancient Ephesus? The agora, or marketplace, was a rectangular colonnaded area entered through gateways. It was surrounded by chambers and halls. Nearby was the library of Celsus, probably dating from the second century of the Common Era. This structure was built with columns, as well as an outer and an inner wall. The two walls protected the library’s papyrus documents from deterioration due to humidity.

In the heart of the city was the stadium, rebuilt during Roman Emperor Nero’s reign (54-68 C.E.). Likely, this was the scene of athletic events, and perhaps of gladiatorial combats.

Another notable site was the theater, the remains of which are situated on a slope of Mount Pion. About 495 feet (150 meters) in diameter, the theater had a facade decorated with pillars, niches and fine statues. Marble seats radiated upward from the stage to the number of sixty-six rows. Some 25,000 persons could be seated here, and the acoustic properties were excellent. Even today, in the theater’s ruined state, words spoken in a low voice at the stage’s location can be heard in the top row.

In front of the theater was the “Arkadiane,” a thirty-six-foot-wide (eleven-meter-wide) marble-paved street running to the harbor. On each side, this avenue was flanked by colonnades, with shops and storerooms behind them. A mammoth gateway was at each end of the street. Impressive indeed! But even more so was its temple.

THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS

This famed structure was one of the so-called ‘Seven Wonders of the World.’ The temple of Artemis (or, Diana) had been rebuilt according to the plan of an earlier Ionic temple said to have been burned in 356 B.C.E. by Herostratus. Erected on a platform about 239 feet (72 meters) wide by 418 feet (127 meters) long, the temple of Artemis had an approximate width of 164 feet (49 meters) and a length of 343 feet (104 meters). It was a cedar, cypress and marble building of brilliant color, with white marble roof tiles. Reportedly, instead of mortar, gold was used between the joints of the marble blocks. The inner sanctuary was about 70 feet (21 meters) wide and 105 feet (32 meters) long and is thought to have been open to the sky. Possibly, a statue of Artemis stood behind the large altar.

Artemis of the Ephesians, as her representations indicate, was a fertility goddess with many breasts. Both the Holy Scriptures and an ancient inscription identify Ephesus as the “temple keeper of the great Artemis.” (Acts 19:35) So sacred was her temple considered to be that treasures were placed there without fear of thievery. Even foreign monarchs and peoples deposited money in the temple, and these funds were loaned. Hence, a banking enterprise was linked with this edifice. Also, criminals were able to find asylum within an area extending some 600 feet (180 meters) outward around the temple, though the distance varied at different periods. Therefore, a village of thieves, murderers and other lawbreakers sprang up around this ‘wonder of the world.’

Nevertheless, pilgrims flocked to the temple of Artemis, even as multitudes go to Rome and Mecca today. Why, during the month of Artemision (March-April), hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Asia Minor crowded into the city! A notable feature of the festivities was a jubilant religious procession during which an image of Artemis was paraded about. One can just imagine her devotees carrying a statue of the goddess and crying out “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Compare Acts 19:34.) Incidentally, the archaeologist’s spade has turned up coins bearing representations of the temple of Artemis with her image inside.

For the average resident, then, life in ancient Ephesus was busy. Aside from everyday pursuits, he would probably be absorbed in the religious processions. He might be witnessing spectacles in the stadium. Or, perhaps the man and his whole family would spend hours at the theater. They might dabble in occult practices, too, as Ephesus was widely known for magical arts. In fact, Greek and Roman writers referred to books or rolls containing magical formulas as “Ephesian writings.”

CHRISTIANITY COMES TO EPHESUS

Now, suppose we center our attention on the first century C.E. Things were going to change for some residents of Ephesus. It was probably in 52 C.E. that the Christian apostle Paul came to the city with Aquila and Priscilla and began to preach in the Jewish synagogue. Paul soon left, but he returned to Ephesus later, likely in the winter of 52/53 C.E. This time the apostle taught in the synagogue for three months. Opposition arose and he directed those who had become believers to the school auditorium of Tyrannus, where the apostle spoke daily for two years. The result? We are told in Scripture: “All those inhabiting the district of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”—Acts 18:18-21; 19:1-10.

Paul’s ministry was accompanied by miraculous healings and the expelling of demons. Many Ephesians became believers in Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Furthermore, an unsuccessful attempt at exorcism by the seven sons of Sceva stirred up considerable interest, and former practicers of magic embraced true worship, burning their books.—Acts 19:11-20.

Since many Ephesians forsook the worship of Artemis, Demetrius the silversmith really got excited. He and his fellow craftsmen were realizing “no little gain” from making “silver shrines of Artemis.” Demetrius told his fellow workers that Paul’s preaching threatened their occupation and also endangered the worship of the goddess. Those men surely did not want the apostle to continue making Christian disciples and cutting down their business. Why, all those pilgrims might start going elsewhere! That glorious temple and the goddess herself might be esteemed as nothing. Then what would happen to the business of making “silver shrines of Artemis”?—Acts 19:23-27.

At any rate, Demetrius succeeded in throwing the city into an uproar. This culminated in a two-hour riot at the theater. After quieting the disorderly mob, the city recorder asked: “Men of Ephesus, who really is there of mankind that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the image that fell from heaven?” So, the Ephesians thought that they possessed an image of Artemis that had a heavenly origin. Some theorize that what ‘fell from heaven’ was a meteorite, thereafter fashioned into virtual human form and treated reverentially.—Acts 19:28-41.

Be that as it may, Christianity had made its mark in Ephesus. After the riot, Paul left the city. But a Christian congregation came into being there. Later, from Miletus the apostle summoned the overseers of the Ephesus congregation. Among other things, he was able to point to the fact that “night and day” he “did not quit admonishing each one with tears” for “three years,” evidently using a round figure for the time he spent in Ephesus.—Acts 20:1, 17-38; compare Acts 19:8-10.

It is interesting that the apostle Paul asked the Christians of Corinth: “If, like men, I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, of what good is it to me?” (1 Cor. 15:32) Paul could have been referring to conflicts with brutish men opposed to his preaching work in that city. But if his words are to be taken literally, perhaps he had to defend himself against literal wild animals and was miraculously delivered by Jehovah in the very stadium unearthed at ancient Ephesus.—Compare 1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 11:23-27.

THE CITY’S LATER YEARS

About 60-61 C.E., during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, he wrote a divinely inspired letter to Ephesian Christians. In it the apostle stressed the importance of spiritual riches, giving very beneficial counsel for persons living in this fabulously wealthy city. (Eph. 1:7, 15-18; 2:6, 7; 3:8, 14-16) Ephesus was noted also for its immorality. So Paul appropriately warned against taking delight in discussing fornication and engaging in obscene jesting. (Eph. 5:3-5) Since demonistic practices were rampant in the city, Paul gave excellent counsel on resisting wicked spirit forces. (Eph. 6:10-20) Naturally, the apostle’s godly admonition benefits those applying it in life today, especially if they live in an environment like that of ancient Ephesus.

As the years wore on, Christians in Ephesus faithfully endured much suffering for righteousness’ sake. But the glorified Jesus Christ found that by the end of the first century C.E. some members of the congregation there had lost the consuming love that they once had for Jehovah God.—Rev. 2:1-6.

During the rule of Antoninus Pius (138-161 C.E.) a large part of Ephesus was rebuilt. About 262 C.E., however, the Goths ravaged the city, and the great temple of Artemis was destroyed. With the city’s historical significance gone, little can be said about Ephesus in later times, except that it changed hands often. For instance, the Turks took it in 1308 and built a town at nearby Ayassoluk. Both fell to the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem during the fourteenth century. Little by little, the once resplendent city—“desirable” Ephesus—was abandoned, leaving in its ruins only a hint of the city’s former grandeur.

[Map on page 365]

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ANCIENT EPHESUS

Temple of Artemis

Gate

Stadium

Mt. Pion

Theater

Harbor

Agora

Odeon

AEGEAN SEA

TURKEY

Izmir

SAMOS

“The Lord Be with the Spirit You Show”

“The Lord be with the spirit you show. His undeserved kindness be with you people.”—2 Tim. 4:22.

1, 2. How might a person’s spirit be defined? Please illustrate this by Scriptural examples. (Philem. 25)

EVERYONE has a certain spirit. That is, he has a particular disposition, inclination or motivating force. Hence, it is not surprising that people often become well known for the motivation behind what they say and do.

2 The Holy Scriptures mention the qualities of some individuals that moved them to action. To illustrate: Jehovah God’s prophet Moses is described as “by far the meekest of all the men who were upon the surface of the ground.” (Num. 12:3) Abigail, who eventually became the wife of Israel’s King David, was “good in discretion.”—1 Sam. 25:3, 39.

3. (a) Why should Christians have a fine spirit? (b) What was Paul’s desire regarding Timothy’s spirit?

3 True Christians have put on the “new personality” and should therefore have a fine spirit. After all, they have clothed themselves with such motivating forces as love, compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness and long-suffering. They cultivate and demonstrate the fruits of God’s spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-14) Certainly, within the Christian congregation personal attitudes are important, for the apostle Paul, in writing to his co-worker Timothy, expressed himself this way: “The Lord be with the spirit you show. His undeserved kindness be with you people.” (2 Tim. 4:22) Paul desired that God, by the Lord Jesus Christ approve the actuating force displayed by Timothy.

THE “SPIRIT” OF A CONGREGATION

4. (a) Does a congregation have a spirit? (b) In this connection, what is desirable?

4 Just as a person manifests a particular spirit, so an entire congregation of God’s people has a certain spirit. It is very likely that an observant person will notice the effects of that force at work in their minds and hearts, perhaps producing a spirit of friendliness, love, or one of tranquillity and peace, or of zeal and enthusiasm. Of course, the spirit could be one that produces negative effects. But what a blessing when that spirit is a fine one! Obviously, the apostle Paul desired that the congregations display such a spirit. To the congregation of Christians in the city of Philippi, he wrote: “The undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the spirit you show.” (Phil. 4:23) The apostle expressed himself similarly when writing to Galatian Christians.—Gal. 6:18.

5. An excellent congregational spirit might have what features?

5 Are you one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? If so, what is the spirit of the congregation with which you are associating? It may be an excellent spirit. The congregation may be very responsive to counsel from the Scriptures. Moreover, it may have a loving, warm, cooperative, hospitable spirit. Those associated with the congregation may be very spiritual in their viewpoint. In that case, ‘the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ is with the spirit you people show.’—Philem. 25.

SAVING THE CONGREGATION’S SPIRIT

6. What kind of improper condition was being tolerated in the Corinthian congregation?

6 Such a fine spirit should be maintained. The importance of preserving a congregation’s spirit was emphasized in ancient Corinth. The apostle Paul learned that among the Christians in that city sexual immorality was being tolerated, “such fornication as is not even among the nations, that a wife a certain man has of his father.”—1 Cor. 5:1.

7, 8. Why, according to Paul, was it necessary to disfellowship the immoral Corinthian?

7 Overseers of that congregation had not expelled this person, but Paul urged them to “hand such a man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.” They were to put him out of the Christian congregation into the world ruled by Satan the Devil and where destruction awaits. (1 John 5:19) Why take this action? As Paul said, “in order that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord,” Jesus Christ.—1 Cor. 5:3-5.

8 This man had to be disfellowshiped if the “spirit,” or spirituality of the congregation, based upon God’s Word, was to be saved. Otherwise, ‘a little leaven would ferment the whole lump,’ that is, a spiritually corrupting influence would permeate the congregation and Jehovah would cut off that congregation. Today it is just as vital that the congregation’s spirit, based on Jehovah’s inspired Word, be saved.—1 Cor. 5:6.

EARLY CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION—PATTERN FOR TODAY

9. The first-century congregations in general displayed what spirit?

9 True, elders of the first-century congregations had to be vigilant spiritually if the ‘spirit was to be saved.’ Admittedly, problems arose at times. Nevertheless, nothing abounds with greater warmth, love and real mutual concern than the spirit of early Christian congregations in general. Jesus Christ had declared: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Such love was being manifested constantly. For instance, the apostle John spoke of his fellow worshiper Gaius as “the beloved, whom I truly love.”—3 John 1.

10. What kind of relationship did the apostles have with fellow believers?

10 The apostles were working with their brothers and sisters in the faith, not browbeating them. They were not issuing harsh commands. Rather, these men made appeals to the hearts of fellow believers. Fittingly, Christian associates were referred to as “brothers,” “beloved ones” and “sharers . . . in the undeserved kindness.” (Phil. 1:7; 4:8; 1 Pet. 4:12; 1 John 4:1) This loving attitude was based on deep interest in the spiritual welfare of others as fellow heirs of life.—Jas. 2:5; 1 Pet. 3:7.

HUMBLE, LOVING OVERSEERS

11. How would you describe the apostle Paul’s attitude toward his spiritual brothers and sisters? (1 Thess. 2:7)

11 The love and mutual regard permeating the first-century congregations reflected the inner qualities of the early Christians as individuals. Take the traveling overseer Paul as an example. His heart had “widened out” to encompass affectionately fellow believers in Corinth. (2 Cor. 6:11-13) Moreover, he had a heart full of love for his spiritual brothers and sisters everywhere. No wonder that daily there rushed in on him “the anxiety for all the congregations”!—2 Cor. 11:28.

12, 13. (a) With what spirit did Paul admonish Christian elders in Ephesus? (b) With what reaction did the elders of Ephesus respond when Paul bade them farewell?

12 Was Paul arrogant, domineering, thus lording it over other worshipers of Jehovah? Certainly not! For instance, he did not scold and make authoritarian demands when admonishing Christian elders in Ephesus. His appeals to them were based on love. Those overseers knew that the apostle spoke the truth when he said: “Bear in mind that for three years, night and day, I did not quit admonishing each one with tears.” (Acts 20:18, 19, 31) What a sincere and humble elder! And that is the spirit his Lord expected him to display, for Jesus Christ had said: “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great men wield authority over them. This is not the way among you; but whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.”—Matt. 20:25-27.

13 Now, please think about the overseers of Ephesus themselves. Were they cool, aloof? No, indeed! That is not the picture portrayed in God’s Word. When Paul was about to bid them farewell at Miletus, we are told: “He kneeled down with all of them and prayed. Indeed, quite a bit of weeping broke out among them all, and they fell upon Paul’s neck and tenderly kissed him, because they were especially pained at the word he had spoken that they were going to behold his face no more.” (Acts 20:36-38) Only loving and humble persons would act that way. Certainly, ‘the Lord was with the spirit they showed.’

THE SPIRIT THAT OTHERS MANIFESTED

14. Lydia manifested what particular trait?

14 But what about others associated with the early Christian congregation? The fine spirit displayed by many of them, as disclosed in Scripture, furnishes an excellent example for Christians today. For instance, among the first persons to embrace Christianity in Europe were Lydia and her household, residents of Philippi. Lydia accepted the good news preached by Paul, was baptized, and immediately displayed hospitable qualities. “If you men have judged me to be faithful to Jehovah,” she said, “enter into my house and stay.” In fact, Paul’s traveling companion Luke wrote, “She just made us come.” (Acts 16:11-15) Perhaps at least partially due to Lydia’s hospitality, the apostle later told Philippian Christians: “I thank my God always upon every remembrance of you . . . because of the contribution you have made to the good news from the first day until this moment.” (Phil. 1:3-5) Yes, ‘the Lord was with the spirit shown’ by those Philippians, including faithful Lydia.

15-17. (a) Why were Aquila and Priscilla able to ‘expound the way of God more correctly’ to Apollos? (b) How can it be said that the Lord was with the spirit shown by Aquila and Priscilla?

15 The Jew Aquila and his wife Priscilla also had a fine spirit. Banished from Rome by the decree of Emperor Claudius against the Jews (in 50 C.E.), they became residents of Corinth. Some months later, the apostle Paul arrived there and was received into their home. In fact, all three worked together making tents. Undoubtedly, Aquila and Priscilla also helped the apostle to build up the new congregation in Corinth.—Acts 18:1-11.

16 When Paul sailed for Syria in 52 C.E., Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him as far as Ephesus. There this married couple opened their home as the congregation’s meeting place. In Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla also were privileged to ‘expound the way of God more correctly’ to Apollos. (Acts 18:18-26; 1 Cor. 16:8, 19) They were able to provide such instruction because of their good mental grasp or comprehension of God’s Word and will.

17 By the time the apostle Paul wrote to Roman Christians, about 56 C.E., Aquila and Priscilla had returned to Rome. There they again opened their home as a place of Christian assembly. Paul greeted them as his “fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their own necks for my soul, to whom not only I but also all the congregations of the nations render thanks.” (Rom. 16:3-5) At some time, Aquila and Priscilla had put their lives in jeopardy for Paul. Shortly before suffering martyrdom about 65 C.E., Paul, through Timothy, sent greetings to this fine married couple, then residing in Ephesus. By that time, Aquila and Priscilla had been Christians for years and still ‘the Lord was with the spirit they showed.’—1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 4:19, 22.

18. What kind of person was the apostle John’s friend Gaius?

18 Toward the end of the first century C.E. the aged apostle John addressed his third divinely inspired letter to a fellow believer named Gaius. The apostle had love for this fine Christian man. Gaius was “walking in the truth,” and others had ‘borne witness to his love before the congregation.’ John knew Gaius to be a hospitable and loving man.—3 John 1-8.

19. Why must we say that the Lord was not with the spirit Diotrephes showed?

19 But what a contrast there was between Gaius and a certain Diotrephes! John said: “I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation.” (3 John 9, 10) Certainly, the Lord was not with the spirit Diotrephes showed.

20. The early Christian congregations were comprised of many persons of what kind?

20 Here and there, a person like Diotrephes might appear on the scene. But the congregations of that time were comprised of many faithful, spiritually strong Christians. Yes, there were loving, hospitable individuals like Lydia and Gaius. There were persons like Aquila and Priscilla, who had fine spiritual comprehension and were willing to open their homes for congregation meetings. Unquestionably, ‘the Lord was with the spirit such persons showed.’ What lover of God today would not want to be like them?

UPBUILDING FELLOW WORSHIPERS

21, 22. (a) Why should Christian elders of today be deeply interested in the spirit of the congregations with which they serve? (b) What questions might an overseer ask himself regarding the congregation he serves?

21 As noted earlier, the apostle Paul showed concern for the spirit of the Corinthian congregation. Moreover, he expressed the hope that ‘the Lord Jesus Christ would be with the spirit shown’ by congregations and individuals. (1 Cor. 5:1-5; Gal. 6:18; Phil. 4:23; 2 Tim. 4:22; Philem. 25) Similarly, the glorified Jesus Christ was concerned about the spirit manifested by the seven congregations addressed in Revelation. (Rev. chaps. 2, 3) Therefore, Christian elders of today should be deeply interested in the spirit shown by the congregations with which they serve.

22 As a man appointed by holy spirit to “shepherd the flock of God,” an overseer should know the appearance of that flock. (1 Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28; compare Proverbs 27:23.) He might well ask himself: Are the brothers and sisters in the congregation truly happy? (Ps. 128:1) Do their faces indicate that they are serving Jehovah with “joy of heart”? (Deut. 28:45-47) Are they attending Christian meetings regularly? (Heb. 10:24, 25) Do they study the Bible privately at home? (Josh. 1:7, 8) Are these fellow believers really “healthy in faith”? (Titus 2:2) Do they keenly appreciate spiritual things? (Ps. 27:4) Is it evident that they cherish their relationship with Jehovah God and truly desire to praise him?—Ps. 9:1, 2.

23. If elders are to “preach the word,” what must they do?

23 A candid appraisal may reveal a need to cultivate greater spirituality in the congregation. For this the public platform often serves quite well. The overseer Timothy had to face some persons within the congregation who ‘fought about words’ and were “not favorably disposed” toward the truth. (2 Tim. 2:14, 23-25) Their presence would produce a “troublesome season” for the congregation. So Timothy was to “preach the word”—not human wisdom, but the unadulterated “word” of God. (2 Tim. 4:1, 2; compare 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.) Similarly, for the spiritual good of congregations today, elders need to “preach the word,” basing their comments on the Bible, whether from the public platform or in private conversation.

24, 25. (a) For what purpose may elders visit fellow believers in their homes? (b) Is there Scriptural reason for elders to pray in behalf of other worshipers of Jehovah?

24 Another way to upbuild fellow believers spiritually is by visiting them in their homes. Jesus Christ did this, seeking to aid people in a spiritual way. (Luke 7:36-50; 19:1-27) Similarly, the apostle John desired to visit Gaius and others in order to speak with them face to face about spiritual matters.—2 John 1, 12; 3 John 1, 13, 14.

25 Motivated by Christian love, present-day elders may visit fellow believers in their homes. This is not done to ‘check up’ on them, but to offer spiritual aid and encouragement. Moreover, overseers do well to mention their Christian brothers and sisters in prayer. Interestingly, the prophet Samuel told the Israelites: “It is unthinkable, on my part, to sin against Jehovah by ceasing to pray in your behalf.” (1 Sam. 12:20, 23) Also, the apostle Paul set a fine example for overseers by praying in behalf of fellow worshipers of Jehovah.—1 Thess. 1:1, 2; 2 Tim. 1:1-4; Philem. 4.

26. If the Lord is to be with one’s spirit, what does the individual need?

26 A fine, joyous spirit will exist in a congregation of God’s people if they pray for one another. Additionally, a good spirit will prevail if Christian overseers lovingly shepherd the “flock.” (Phil. 2:19, 20; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) Indeed, ‘the Lord can be with the spirit you show,’ but this requires something very specific on your part as an individual. You need to have a good grasp on God’s Word, in order to be fully pleasing to Jehovah.

“Keeping a Tight Grip on the Word of Life”

“Keep doing all things free from murmurings and arguments, that you may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world, keeping a tight grip on the word of life.”—Phil. 2:14-16.

1-3. (a) How would one react upon receiving a letter from one’s beloved father? (b) What “letters” have been received from Jehovah God, and what results from applying the counsel that they contain?

IF YOUR father lived in a distant land, how would you react upon receiving a letter from him? Would you leave it unopened? Or, would you read merely a sentence or two and then file the letter away with other correspondence?

2 If you really loved your father, you would receive his letter with deep appreciation. Eagerly you would open it. With keen interest, you would read every word. Doubtless you would appreciate and apply any sound counsel that the letter contained. In fact, you might read that letter again and again, out of pleasure, or to make sure that you understood its contents. Is that not true?

3 Well, if you have dedicated your life to Jehovah God, you possess something of greater importance than any correspondence from a human parent. From your heavenly Father you have received a volume of sixty-six “letters,” God’s own holy Word, the Bible. By applying its counsel, anointed followers of Jesus Christ have remained innocent “in among a crooked and twisted generation” and have proved to be spiritual illuminators in the world. Whether you are of their number or entertain the hope of eternal life on earth in God’s promised new order, it is vital that you ‘keep a tight grip on the word of life.’—Phil. 2:14-16.

4. What is the “word of life”?

4 What is the “word of life”? It is God’s message about the hope of life, which began with his promise of the Seed. (Gen. 3:15) This assured the eventual triumph of righteousness. For some four thousand years, Jehovah added to that “word,” until the Bible’s completion about the year 98 C.E. Since then the “word of life” has consisted of the Holy Scriptures in their entirety. They reveal that God makes life eternal possible through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) Persons desiring divine approval and eternal life must understand God’s Word, declare it to others and live according to the Bible, thus “keeping a tight grip on the word of life.”

5. Why is there great value in “keeping a tight grip on the word of life”?

5 There is great value in “keeping a tight grip on the word of life.” Any person having such a grip on it can maintain a close relationship with Jehovah God. Also, the individual is better able to cope with life’s problems. Furthermore, “keeping a tight grip on the word of life” makes it possible for the Christian to endure adverse circumstances. Please observe now just how true this is.

DEALING WITH ILLNESS

6, 7. Regarding illness, Jehovah’s servants can draw comfort and strength from what knowledge?

6 Sickness befalls poor and rich alike. (Eccl. 5:16, 17; 6:1, 2) Jesus Christ described his spiritual brothers as being ill at times. (Matt. 25:39, 40) And early Christians such as Epaphroditus, Timothy and Trophimus were stricken with sickness. (Phil. 2:25-30; 1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20) So, Jehovah’s modern-day servants can draw some comfort from the knowledge that illness is not a unique experience among God’s people today.

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The Watchtower, June 15, 1977