The Watchtower, July 1, 1982

Download: PDF — The Watchtower, July 1, 1982

The Watchtower — July 1, 1982

Source: jw.org

Contents

Whatever Happened to Appreciation?

‘Where Are the Other Nine?’

Showing Our Appreciation to God

Teasing—Good or Bad?

Insight on the News

Annual Meeting October 2, 1982

Birth of the Royal Nation on a Newborn Land

What Birth of the Nation Has Meant for Mankind

On the Way Up in Ecuador

“I’ve Been Wondering About That”

Whatever Happened to Appreciation?

Whatever Happened to Appreciation?

THE twelve-year-old boy was drying dishes, somewhat against his will. Suddenly, a large platter slipped from his fingers and went crashing to the kitchen floor. The momentary silence that followed seemed unending. Then his mother said: “You know, Robert, of all the times you have dried dishes for me, this is the first time you dropped one. I think you have set some kind of a record.”

The anxious look left the boy’s face and he smiled lovingly at his mother. Her few words of appreciation at the right time had saved the day for both her son and her. How true the words of the wise man Solomon! “As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it.”​—Proverbs 25:1, 11.

“Utterly Lacking in Gratitude”

It is truly heartwarming to receive a few words of commendation or gratitude. But what has happened to appreciation? Why, in today’s materialistic world sincere expressions of appreciation are disappearing! Gratitude is being replaced by a “me-first” attitude. Lacking in the vocabulary of many is the simple phrase “Thank you very much!” This situation is in fulfillment of the apostle Paul’s words: “But you must realise that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become utterly self-centred . . . They will be utterly lacking in gratitude.”​—2 Timothy 3:1-5, Phillips.

At the same time, appreciation is often replaced by flattery. Expressions of appreciation are made from the heart with no thought of personal gain. However, flattery, usually insincere and extravagant, stems from the ulterior motive of getting ahead or gaining certain personal advantages. (Jude 16) Who wants to receive insincere flattery? But genuine appreciation​—well, that is different!

The writer Mark Twain once said: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Most of us do feel good when someone pays us a sincere compliment. In fact, being commended or receiving words of true appreciation can stimulate us to keep doing our best and also to commend or thank others when we have opportunity to do so.

That heartfelt gratitude is a godly virtue is evident from many statements in the Bible. For instance, numerous psalms contain expressions of thanksgiving. To illustrate: The psalmist David prayed that he might dwell in Jehovah God’s house of worship all his life and look upon God’s temple “with appreciation.” (Psalm 27:4) Asaph, another psalmist, declared: “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks to you.” (Psalm 75:1) So it is fitting that we reflect on this matter of showing appreciation.

Yet, how can we show appreciation to others? And what about showing gratitude to the One who made all things?

‘Where Are the Other Nine?’

‘Where Are the Other Nine?’

THE contrast between persons showing appreciation and those neglecting to do so was well illustrated in the Bible account of the ten lepers healed by Jesus Christ. The lepers, prohibited by the Law from coming close to anyone, called out to Jesus as he was entering a certain village. Their plea was that he have mercy on them. Jesus saw that they were leprous and told them: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And what happened? The inspired record adds:

“Then as they were going off their cleansing occurred. One of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. And he fell upon his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking him; furthermore, he was a Samaritan. In reply Jesus said: ‘The ten were cleansed, were they not? Where, then, are the other nine? Were none found that turned back to give glory to God but this man of another nation?’”​—Luke 17:11-19.

‘How sad!’ you may exclaim. ‘All ten were cured but only one expressed his appreciation.’ Surely, we should all take to heart the lesson implied by Jesus’ comment and the question ‘Where are the other nine?’ Yes, and this incident should move us to show appreciation.

Showing Appreciation to Family Members

There are many opportunities for expressing appreciation to others, including friends and family members. This is true even in small things: for an unexpected gift, for a visit from a friend, for a delicious meal, or for having our clothes washed and ironed.

Children, you can show appreciation to your parents. How? By doing chores promptly and without grumbling, by keeping your room clean and your clothes neat. You can show gratitude for the education you are receiving by applying yourself well both in class and when doing homework. In one country it is estimated that it costs up to $54,000 (US) to raise a child to the age of eighteen. When was the last time you expressed gratitude to your parents for all they have done in your behalf?

Parents, do you show appreciation for things done by your children? True, they may not have done something as well as you could do it. But a word of appreciation for their effort will make them happy. And it will encourage your children to do even better in the future.

Husbands, do you recall the saying ‘a woman’s work is never done’? Well, then, do you commend your wife so that her housework does not become drudgery? The Bible says of a “capable wife”: “Her sons have risen up and proceeded to pronounce her happy; her owner rises up, and he praises her. There are many daughters that have shown capableness, but you​—you have ascended above them all.” (Proverbs 31:10, 28, 29) A husband can show appreciation for his wife in many ways, as by an evening out together or by a loving gesture.

Wives also have many opportunities to show appreciation. To provide the necessities of life, a husband usually has to work with persons of varying temperaments and habits, and this can be very depressing. So, on returning home, how heartwarming it is for him to receive a loving welcome or a few words of appreciation from his wife for what he does for the family! Yes, and how grateful a man can be for a capable​—and appreciative—​wife! The Bible says: “Her value is far more than that of corals. In her the heart of her owner has put trust, and there is no gain lacking. She has rewarded him with good, and not bad, all the days of her life.”​—Proverbs 31:10-12.

Aging parents also come into the picture. They have done much for us over the years. Children are an “inheritance from Jehovah,” but rearing them is a great responsibility. (Psalm 127:3) In fact, doing so might be called a twenty-year training program. Yet many do not show gratitude to their parents for all those years of service and self-sacrifice. Too often, elderly parents are shunted off to a home for the aged. Of course, in some cases professional attention in such places may be essential. But regardless of how well trained strangers are, their care alone for the elderly is never the same as their being with their own family. So, when necessary and possible, what a fine way to show appreciation for our aging parents is our inviting them to live with us! The apostle Paul put it this way: “Remember that if a widow has children or grandchildren it is primarily their duty to show the genuineness of their religion in their own homes by repaying their parents for what has been done for them, and God readily accepts such service.” (1 Timothy 5:3, 4, Phillips) Naturally, aging parents and grandparents should be cooperative and should show appreciation for what is done in their behalf.

Outside the Family

When family members show us their gratitude for something we have said or done, how this warms our heart! Similarly, it is heartwarming to those outside our family when we express our appreciation for them and for what they do or say. The occasions for doing this are so numerous that there really is no way to cite them all.

Perhaps you have recently begun to increase your understanding of the Bible through personal study and association with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Is it not spiritually rewarding to gain knowledge of God’s Word? Surely you appreciate that. And what about the Christian associates you now have? The Scriptures say that Jehovah God would “rock all the nations” and that the “desirable things” of all nations would come into his house of worship. Evidently these “desirable things” are people who are streaming to ‘the mountain of Jehovah’s house,’ and are now worshiping him “with spirit and truth.” (Isaiah 2:2-4; Haggai 2:7; John 4:23, 24) They are loving, honest, upright and wholly devoted to God and his righteous principles. And just think! In a world marked by such traits as lovelessness, dishonesty and unthankfulness, you are privileged to have fine godly associates. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Is their association not something for which to be deeply appreciative? Surely it is.

On the other hand, perhaps we have been pursuing a Christian way of life for years. If so, think about those who have been our faithful fellow Christians for some time. Certainly it would be fitting to thank them for their many kindnesses in word and deed. Have we been guests in their home? Or, have we enjoyed a meal with them? Then, besides a verbal expression of thanks, might it not be appropriate to write a note or send a card expressing appreciation?

Doubtless, each one of us can find many ways to make ourselves and others happier by showing our sincere appreciation. So let us be like the one cured leper who had a truly appreciative spirit. May we not be ingrates, such as the other healed lepers concerning whom Jesus asked: ‘Where are the other nine?’

Clearly, we should show appreciation to fellow humans. But what about the One who made all things? (Revelation 4:11) What are some reasons to be grateful to him? And how can we show our appreciation to Jehovah God?

Showing Our Appreciation to God

Showing Our Appreciation to God

We thank you, Jehovah, each day and each night,

That you shed upon us your precious light!

We thank you that we have the priv’lege of pray’r,

That we can approach you with ev’ry care!

We thank you, Jehovah, for your faithful Son,

Who o’er death and Hades the vict’ry won!

We thank you for guidance in doing your will,

For thus you do help us our vows fulfill!

We thank you, Jehovah, for our brotherhood,

Where we find companions both true and good!

We thank you for giving us your active force,

Your spirit, which aids us to hold our course!

We thank you, our God, for the honor to preach

About your great name and the truth to teach!

We thank you that soon all earth’s woes will be past,

While your Kingdom blessings forever last!

THESE are the words of the song “We Thank You, Jehovah!” They appear in the publication “Singing and Accompanying Yourselves with Music in Your Hearts,” a songbook used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. This song gives evidence of their desire to express appreciation to God, and this harmonizes with the Scriptural encouragement to ‘sing with music in our hearts to Jehovah,’ thus “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks always for all things to our God and Father.” (Ephesians 5:18-20) But what are some reasons to give thanks, to show appreciation, to Jehovah God?

Why Show God Our Appreciation?

Life itself is a gift from God for which to be thankful. In fact, Jehovah provides all things good and beneficial. (Acts 17:24, 25) Among such good things mentioned in the song just quoted are these: precious spiritual light (Psalm 43:3; John 17:3); the privilege of prayer (Proverbs 15:8); the sin-atoning sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:1, 2); Scriptural guidance in doing the divine will (Psalm 40:8; 119:9-16, 105); the loving Christian brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17); God’s guiding holy spirit, or active force (Psalm 143:10); and the eternal kingdom blessings that will replace earth’s woes. (Matthew 6:9, 10; Revelation 11:15-18; 12:9-12) These are among the things for which Jehovah’s Witnesses give God thanks when singing in congregational assembly.

There are so many reasons to show God our appreciation. Why, think about awakening on a beautiful morning! The sun is shining brightly, you hear the birds singing, and you smell the sweet fragrance of flowers or newly mowed hay. Thrilled, you say: “It’s great to be alive!” Yet, how appropriate to express your appreciation to the One who made all of this possible!

God has, indeed, made many provisions for mankind’s benefit and pleasure. Consider the sun, moon and stars that give us light. There is air to breathe and plant life to purify it. Jehovah has provided food and water in abundance. And think of all the bird and animal life that makes a trip through the countryside so enjoyable. (Job 37:5-16; Psalm 8:3-9; Acts 14:15-17) Moreover, God has given us the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell that enable us to enjoy these provisions to the full. How grateful we should be!

Of much greater importance to dedicated Christians are Jehovah’s spiritual provisions. A number of them are mentioned in the song quoted at the outset. Surely it is proper to be grateful to God for such spiritual blessings.

It is also good to meditate regularly on all of Jehovah God’s abundant provisions, spiritual and material. Doubtless such meditation will move us to do something. Very likely it will prompt us to show God our appreciation by expressing it in words and actions.​—Psalm 1:1-3; 77:11, 12.

Appreciative Words and Deeds

Sincere prayer is one obvious way to express our appreciation to the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present.” (James 1:17) So, do we thank God regularly in words of prayer? We might well be moved to do so as did the psalmist David, who declared: “Many things you yourself have done, O Jehovah my God, even your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us; there is none to be compared to you. Were I inclined to tell and speak of them, they have become more numerous than I can recount.”​—Psalm 40:5.

David also was determined to show God his appreciation by words spoken to others. Accordingly, he said: “I will laud you, O Jehovah, with all my heart; I will declare all your wonderful works.” (Psalm 9:1) In a similar vein the song “We Thank You, Jehovah!” says: “We thank you, our God, for the honor to preach about your great name and the truth to teach!” Yes, indeed, speaking to others about God, verbally expressing ourselves by sharing with them the truth from his Word, is probably the finest way to show him our gratitude.

Think back, please, to that one leper who returned to express his gratitude for being cured. How did he do this? We are told: “One of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. And he fell upon his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking him.” (Luke 17:15, 16) Not only did the man thank Jesus for curing him but he also glorified God, the Source of life and true healing. And the healed man did this “with a loud voice.” Why, he must have praised Jehovah and talked about the matter for weeks, even months! This well illustrates how we can express our gratitude by talking about what we have seen, heard and learned about God.

Basically, this is why Jehovah’s Witnesses go from house to house. Gratitude to God moves them to engage in good works, godly deeds. (James 2:26) These works include proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. The Witnesses are eager to tell others about what they have learned from God’s Word, the Bible, and to explain how this knowledge has given them a hope for the future. Like the appreciative leper, they, too, want to glorify God.

Do you also feel motivated to talk about some of the things you have learned from the Scriptures? Do not resist the urge. You can begin by talking to family members, neighbors, fellow workers and friends. As you do so, you will find that your own appreciation for spiritual things will grow, your understanding will deepen, and your desire to learn more will be enhanced. A Scriptural proverb states: “Give to a wise person and he will become still wiser. Impart knowledge to someone righteous and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9) Millions of persons are moved to express their appreciation to God in this way, and they are doing so as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

It is evident, then, that we can and should show appreciation to God and fellow humans. We can express gratitude to God in prayer and by extolling his praises in song. Above all, we can show appreciation to Jehovah God by talking to others about his wonderful works.

If you desire help in learning and doing the will of the One who made all things, Jehovah’s Witnesses stand ready to help you. With them, you can know the joy that comes from showing your heartfelt appreciation to God.

[Picture on page 7]

“It’s great to be alive!”

Teasing—Good or Bad?

Teasing​—Good or Bad?

THERE was a certain German family consisting of parents and five children. The eldest and the youngest were girls, with three boys in between. The eldest boy was fond of teasing his still older sister. Whenever she appealed to her mother because he was tormenting her, strict disciplinarian though the mother was, all the comfort she gave her daughter was to remind her of the German proverb Was sich liebt, das neckt sich (‘Whom a person loves he teases’). In other words, teasing expresses affection, fondness. And that may well be.

However, there is another kind of teasing. One elderly Christian minister, when addressing couples whom he is about to pronounce man and wife, counsels them with the words: ‘Do not tease each other, and especially not in public. It might seem to be a bit of harmless fun, but it always leaves the one teased feeling hurt, embarrassed or humiliated.’

Obviously, there is good and bad teasing. This is apparent from the foregoing examples and from definitions of the term. Among these are: ‘to cause a person annoyance; to make affectionate or good-humored fun of; to make a joke of without annoying; to annoy or weary by jokes; to ask persistently; to pester.’ So whether teasing is good or bad, and whether you should indulge in it or not, depends upon the circumstances and the nature of the teasing.

When Children Tease

Because of thoughtlessness, many children are prone to tease or poke fun at those who happen to be handicapped or disadvantaged in some way, possibly due to a birth defect or an accident. Or youngsters tease others because they are of a different race or nationality. Often, as in the foregoing instance, it is the boys who do the teasing, perhaps because they are generally more aggressive than girls. But it would be a mistake for parents not to notice the nature of the teasing and forbid it if it is of the wrong kind or betrays a lack of kindness.

Teasing often shows a lack of empathy, for almost invariably it involves having fun while causing another person discomfort or pain. After all, young as well as old like to be treated with due respect, do they not? The Bible tells of God’s displeasure with youthful teasers. Once, some small boys teased Jehovah’s faithful prophet Elisha by jeering at him as a “baldhead.” They did not get away with this, for two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of their number.​—2 Kings 2:23, 24.

Children are prone to indulge in another form of teasing, if it is tolerated by their parents. They keep teasing, actually pestering their father or mother until the youngsters’ request is granted. However, such a thing could be as much the parents’ fault as the youngsters’. How so? Well, the youngsters would soon learn that nothing is to be gained by teasing their parents in an effort to change their minds if the parents carefully thought out matters and then firmly held to the Scriptural rule: “Just let your word Yes mean Yes, your No, No.”​—Matthew 5:37.

Teasing Among Adults

Some menfolk enjoy teasing their wives or female relatives or acquaintances. This is the kind of teasing meant by the elderly minister mentioned earlier. It is amusing to the person indulging in it, and it may be so to some bystanders. But teasing usually causes at least a twinge of hurt or embarrassment. Obviously, godly individuals led by Jehovah’s holy spirit and displaying its fruitage of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness and self-control cannot at the same time be loveless, unkind, and so forth. (Galatians 5:22, 23) How can they tease or trick others just to have some “fun”?​—Compare Proverbs 26:18, 19.

At times, though, there can be positive, constructive teasing​—that borne of sincere fondness. This kind is sensitive to the feelings of others; it has empathy. A husband might gently tease his wife when she overindulges in sweets, reminding her of her weight problem.

With a delicate sense of humor, he can make his point far better than by complaining, scolding or criticizing.

Teasing That Lacks Morality

However, there is another form of teasing for which nothing good can be said. And what is that? It is teasing in the form of trifling with the affections or emotions of others, as by flirting, or dressing and/​or acting in a way designed to arouse erotic feelings. This really is an extreme form of selfishness, although it is often indulged in without full awareness of all the implications.

It cannot be denied that there are many men who, not subscribing to Bible principles, enjoy being teased sexually, for this whets their appetite for promiscuity. But Christian men, who are determined to live by the principles set forth in God’s Word, do not appreciate being thus exposed to temptation. First of all, they do not want to come under the censure or condemnation contained in Jesus’ words: “But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Moreover, godly men and women do not want to be tempted to engage in fornication or adultery, knowing how Jehovah God views such wrongdoing. “Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement,” says Jehovah’s Word, “for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.”​—Hebrews 13:4.

Hence, there is teasing that can be harmless and even constructive, an expression of fondness. But other teasing can cause injury and can even tempt others to succumb to unchristian emotions and actions. So do you like to tease others? If so, do not forget that though teasing can be good, very often it is bad.

Insight on the News

Insight on the News

Saying “No” to Teen Sex

Increased sexual activity among youths has prompted many governments to make contraceptives available to teenagers. How wise is this? The British Medical Journal recently observed: “Providing contraception to under age people without doubt implies a condoning attitude to sexual activity.” But is such an attitude really in the best interests of youth?

“Evidence shows teenage pregnancy to be harmful,” answers the Journal. “There is less schooling, reduced job prospects and a high divorce rate. There is no evidence that intercourse is at all beneficial to children and as sexual activity is both instinctive and learned behaviour, it is similar to the problem of drug abuse. Early sexual behaviour does not lead to a better sexual experience later in life, improved learning or improved job performance. It probably does lead to inability to form a sound and permanent marriage. . . . The only consistent way to reduce the harm from under age sex is to concentrate all efforts in preventing sexual intercourse.”

Similarly, a world-famous American sex educator, Dr. Sol Gordon, said recently at a meeting of sex educators: “I can’t think of any good reason for teenagers to have sex. Sex is a health hazard to boys and girls.” Calling teen sex a “national social disaster,” he said that “without information and education, too many teenagers are not equipped to say no.” That guidance and education best comes from parents who make clear God’s view of sex outside marriage. Teenagers need to heed what the apostle Paul told the young man Timothy: “Flee from the desires incidental to youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart.”​—2 Timothy 2:22.

Annual Meeting October 2, 1982

Annual Meeting October 2, 1982

This year the annual meeting of the members of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania will be held at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Norval, Ontario, Canada, on Saturday, October 2, 1982. The assembly hall is located approximately six miles from the Canada branch, which is in Georgetown.

The Canada branch advises that it has not been able to secure a large facility for the annual meeting and that the available seating at the assembly hall is comparatively limited. For this reason the branch has arranged that admission to the annual meeting will be by invitation only and is giving priority to the membership of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and their immediate families, as well as a good cross section of representatives from all across Canada. The Canada branch advises that those members who are planning to attend may correspond directly with the branch office in respect to rooming accommodations in neighboring hotels and motels, as well as some accommodations in the homes of brothers in the area. Members can write to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, Box 4100, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada L7G 4Y4. Each member who is going to attend the annual meeting in person should promptly write to the branch, informing them as to how many family members will accompany him. The branch asks that all this information be received from the members who are going to attend the annual meeting in person not later than August 15, 1982; so please write the branch immediately, giving all information.

The regular letters of notice of the annual meeting, together with the proxies, will be sent to the members earlier than usual this year so that we can receive them back from the members not later than August 15, 1982. As each member knows, he should complete and return his proxy promptly whether he is going to be at the meeting personally or not. The information given on each proxy should be definite on this point, as it will be relied upon in determining in advance those who will actually be personally present. The Secretary’s office does not need information regarding members of the family that will accompany the member.

So all members will need to return their proxies promptly after receipt, and, additionally, those members who are going to attend the annual meeting in Canada will need to write also to the Canada branch, giving the necessary information, so that this reaches the branch not later than the 15th of August 1982.

Birth of the Royal Nation on a Newborn Land

Birth of the Royal Nation on a Newborn Land

“Will a land be brought forth with labor pains in one day? Or will a nation be born at one time? For Zion has come into labor pains as well as given birth to her sons.”​—Isaiah 66:8.

1. On July 26, 1931, what action was taken by the International Bible Students at their convention in Columbus, Ohio, and what corresponding action followed worldwide?

MORE than half a century ago​—on Sunday afternoon, July 26, 1931, to be precise—​a people stepped out on the world stage of action, championing a name. On that unforgettable day the thousands of International Bible Students, as met together in general convention at Columbus, Ohio, USA, unanimously adopted a resolution by which they chose to be called henceforth by the Bible-based name “Jehovah’s witnesses.” (Isaiah 43:10-12) In short order all the congregations of International Bible Students around the globe followed suit and formally adopted the unique name. The new name has stuck!

2. (a) What have the bearers of that Bible-based name endured ever since? (b) What reassuring words do they find at Isaiah 66:5?

2 By reason of that honorable name those witnesses of the Most High God have incurred the hatred of the world, even of Christendom, the members of which claim to be the religious brothers of all those who profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ. This religious hatred has gone so far as to express itself in violent persecution, with death resulting to many. For the encouragement of those bearers of the name who are living up to the dignity of that name there come ringing down through more than 2,500 years of time these reassuring words as preserved for us by one of the most outstanding prophets of the Bible: “Hear the word of Jehovah, you men who are trembling at his word: ‘Your brothers that are hating you, that are excluding you by reason of my name, said, “May Jehovah be glorified!” He must also appear with rejoicing on your part, and they are the ones that will be put to shame.’”​—Isaiah 66:5.

3. How do Jehovah’s Witnesses demonstrate that they tremble at his Word, and, besides being hearers of it, what are they?

3 Jehovah’s Witnesses of today are the ones who “are trembling at his word.” They fear to act contrary to his written Word. That is why they are continually studying the inspired Scriptures. They recognize the Author of the Bible to be the God and Father of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They accept as the word of Jehovah all thirty-nine books of the Hebrew Scriptures and all twenty-seven books of the Christian Greek Scriptures, of which they must be both hearers and doers.

4. (a) What was the basic reason for Christendom’s hating and excluding their brothers? (b) What motive did they give for doing so?

4 Basically, why is it that Jehovah’s Witnesses are hated by Christendom, by people who claim to be in the brotherhood of Jesus Christ? Why is it that Christendom excludes them from the ranks of those recognized as Christians, and does not want to have anything to do with them because of having nothing in common with them? Jehovah himself gives the reason for this, saying: “By reason of my name.” And yet those doing the hating and excluding give the loftiest of reasons for acting that way by exclaiming: “May Jehovah be glorified!” Or, using Bible translations that avoid the use of the divine name, they exclaim: “Let the Lord be glorified.” However, the Lord God does not look upon their hating and disassociating themselves from his witnesses as something glorifying to him.

5. (a) When Jehovah puts in appearance by some manifestation on his part, who are the ones then made to rejoice? (b) What does the putting of the others to shame mean for them?

5 When he puts in appearance by making some manifestation on his part to express his approval of certain ones and his disapproval of others, who are the ones made to rejoice at such an appearing? Who are the ones then made to feel ashamed? To those hated and excluded by reason of their real respect for his name, Jehovah says: “He must also appear with rejoicing on your part, and they are the ones that will be put to shame.” That meant dire trouble for those indulging in hatred and exclusiveness. The ancient trouble upon them foreshadowed the greatest of all troubles that is shortly to come upon the haters and excluders of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this “time of the end.” (Daniel 12:4) In his next further words the prophet Isaiah goes on to refer to this, saying: “There is a sound of uproar out of the city, a sound out of the temple! It is the sound of Jehovah repaying what is deserved to his enemies.”​—Isaiah 66:6.

6. What was the city out of which there was the “sound of uproar,” and what was the reason for such a sound?

6 The unnamed city out of which there was to come “a sound of uproar” is, of course, Jerusalem, for there the temple for the worship of Jehovah stood. The idea here is that Jehovah comes to the temple of his worship to make an inspection, and the way that he finds his worship being carried on is not to his liking. The worship is merely outward, formal, hypocritical. This resulted in reproach for his sacred name. What would show Jehovah’s disapproval of this would be an “uproar” caused by the invasion of the world-conquering Babylonians, whom Jehovah would use as his instruments in “repaying what is deserved to his enemies,” the practicers of hypocritical worship that degraded his temple. These were Jehovah’s enemies for the reason that they were hostile haters of those really “trembling at his word” and were excluding them, as he said, “by reason of my name.”​—Isaiah 66:2, 5.

7. When was Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled, what happened to Jeremiah, and who saw that Jehovah’s word was true?

7 So, in the following century, during the days of the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, Jehovah used the armies of Babylonia as his agents in “repaying what is deserved” to the covenant-breaking Israelites. What an “uproar” that created in Jerusalem in 607 BCE when the whole city was destroyed, not even the gorgeous temple built by wise King Solomon being spared! The surviving Jews were deported to Babylon. The few Jews that were left behind in the land finally fled down to Egypt, dragging the prophet Jeremiah along with them. In this way his prediction was fulfilled in the utter desolation of the land. Thus, too, the territory once occupied by a nation ceased to be the homeland of a living nation with Jehovah God as its heavenly King. Faithful Jews who ‘trembled at God’s word’ saw that his word was true.

8, 9. (a) What is the modern antitypical Jerusalem? (b) According to Jesus’ prophecy, what will happen to her, and why?

8 Shocking events far surpassing those of 607 BCE are in store for the haters and shunners of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the ones who today are trembling at Jehovah’s Word. All those tragic things that happened away back there in the days of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel “went on befalling them as examples [or, as types], and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) Then indeed there will issue “a sound of uproar out of the city,” the antitypical Jerusalem under divine condemnation, namely, Christendom. Like Israel of old, she, too, claims to be in a covenant with God, in the “new covenant” with Jesus Christ as its Mediator. (Hebrews 8:7-9) But she has not lived up to her claimed covenant relationship with God. So a “great tribulation,” as foreshadowed by that upon ancient Jerusalem, awaits Christendom, according to Jesus’ own prediction:

9 “Then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.”​—Matthew 24:21, 22; Mark 13:19, 20.

10. Whom, besides Christendom, will that tribulation engulf, and who will be the ones to make up the “flesh” surviving?

10 This great tribulation without equal is impending. It comes from the hand of the God of “the chosen ones,” Jehovah. It will engulf, not just Christendom, the antitypical Jerusalem, but also that with which Christendom has been a good friend, the whole system of things. (James 4:4) The dedicated, baptized Christians of today who tremble at Jehovah’s Word will be the “flesh” surviving.

An Unpreventable, Accelerated Birth

11. (a) Human birth is preceded by what period, but was something like that to occur in the case of a rebuilt Jerusalem? (b) By whose order was another Jerusalem to be built on site? (c) Did Isaiah foretell how long the site of old Jerusalem would be a desolate emptiness?

11 Now, back to Isaiah’s thrilling prophecy! As a relief to the gloomy prospect that he had just presented under inspiration, he now foretells a joy-inspiring event. Birth of legitimate offspring is something that the duly wedded parents await with great eagerness and the highest of hopes. With human creatures birth has to be preceded by the divinely prescribed time for the full development of the desired offspring. But in this connection the Great Author of the birth process foretold something unusual according to his own arranging. His prophet Isaiah had foretold the destruction of the defiled city of Jerusalem, and thus the original city built upon Mount Zion would cease to exist. But another city was to come into existence on the same Mount Zion by order of the Persian conqueror, Cyrus the Great, the servant of Jehovah who was to overthrow the Babylonian Empire. (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1) But Isaiah did not predict how long old Jerusalem would be out of existence and thus be without “children,” or citizens. Nor did Isaiah predict how long Mount Zion and all the land associated with her would be an avoided, desolate emptiness.

12. How was a new land to be shown on the map of the ancient world, and of what was it to be the motherland?

12 Yet, in the days of Cyrus the Great, another Jerusalem was to arise and become the mother of many “sons,” that is, many citizens and subjects, living on her assigned domain. Did that mean that a “land” would appear on the map of the ancient world that would serve as the motherland of people who were once not a “nation”? The prophetic answer of Jehovah God to this question was Yes!

13, 14. (a) When the next regular Jubilee year came around after their deportation, were the Jewish captives to be restored to their land? (b) Was Jerusalem again to become a mother of “sons” by extraordinary efforts on the part of Jewish captives, and what did Isaiah 66:7, 8 prophesy about this?

13 So the question was, When and how? By his prophet Jeremiah Jehovah foretold that the land of the onetime “nation” would lie desolate for seventy years, a time lapse twenty years longer than the Jubilee period of fifty years. So, when the regular Jubilee year 573 BCE came, there would be no Jubilee celebration on the former homeland, and there would be no Jerusalem, or Zion, coming into existence to mother a body of citizens as her “sons,” or “children.” First in the year 537 BCE were any surviving Jewish deportees to get back to their former homeland. Such a thing was to occur without unusual, strenuous self-exertions on the part of the Jewish captives of Babylon. It was to be an act of God, in line with his prophetic promise. Most unlikely as it might have seemed, a postexilic “nation” was to come into being on a land reserved by Jehovah God for this “nation.” Looking ahead beyond the national calamity of 607 BCE, Jehovah implied the happening of such a thing, when he next moved Isaiah to say:

14 “Before she [that is, another Jerusalem] began to come into labor pains she gave birth. Before birth pangs could come to her, she even gave deliverance to a male child. Who has heard of a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Will a land be brought forth with labor pains in one day? Or will a nation be born at one time? For Zion has come into labor pains as well as given birth to her sons.”​—Isaiah 66:7, 8.

15. How does that birth-time experience compare with that described in Revelation 12:1-17?

15 Such an extraordinary birth is just the opposite of that description of the birth of a male child given in the last book of the Holy Bible. There, in Revelation 12:1-17, we read: “And a great sign was seen in heaven, a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon was beneath her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars, and she was pregnant. And she cries out in her pains and in her agony to give birth. And another sign was seen in heaven, and, look! a great fiery-colored dragon, with seven heads and ten horns and upon its heads seven diadems; and its tail drags a third of the stars of heaven, and it hurled them down to the earth. And the dragon kept standing before the woman who was about to give birth, that, when she did give birth, it might devour her child. And she gave birth to a son, a male [she brought forth a man child, Authorized Version], who is to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod. And her child was caught away to God and to his throne. . . . And the dragon grew wrathful at the woman, and went off to wage war with the remaining ones of her seed, who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus.”

16. We must identify that “sign” woman and her “son, a male,” as being what or whom?

16 Since no woman on earth has the moon beneath her feet and a circlet of twelve stars about her head like a crown, the above-described “sign” woman must be symbolic. As her child was accepted and acknowledged by God, He must be the one who made her pregnant. So she is, as it were, married to him. All things considered, the “sign” woman in heaven must symbolize God’s wifelike organization of heavenly spirit creatures, among whom his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is the chief one. The woman’s child, “a male,” must likewise be symbolic, and it symbolizes God’s kingdom, inasmuch as the male child was caught away to God’s throne. So as to make the kingdom more than a mere abstract, theoretical thing, there has to be a live person to serve as the royal ruler. That real person must be the one with whom Jehovah God made a covenant for the kingdom.

17. So how did the only-begotten Son of God become the rightful one to occupy the throne at his Father’s side?

17 Yes, that one was his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who, by reason of his miraculous human birth in Bethlehem and in the family line of King David of Israel, was the natural heir to the kingdom. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Luke 22:29, 30; Matthew 1:17-25) Rightly, then, in connection with the heavenly “woman” it was emphasized that her child was a “male,” forasmuch as the kingly office was reserved for a male offspring in the royal line of David.

18. So how do the circumstances surrounding the producing of that symbolic man-child line up with those set out in Isaiah 66:7, 8, as shown by the American Standard Version?

18 All those circumstances surrounding the birth of a “son, a male,” of the heavenly “woman” differ from those set out in Isaiah’s prophecy, particularly with regard to the matter of pregnancy and the labor pains and birth pangs. Thus there are important reasons for concluding that the “male child” of Isaiah 66:7 relates to a different situation prophetically than does the “son, a male,” at Revelation 12:5. Evidently the “male child” refers to the “nation” produced in the “land” in Isaiah’s prophecy. Moreover, in the case of the restored Israelites, kingship, or rulership, was not the prominent feature in their getting reestablished at Jerusalem in 537 BCE. A king in the line of David was not placed on the throne again. Judea being a Persian province, they were under the rule of King Cyrus who had issued the decree to rebuild the temple and restore true worship at Jerusalem. Nevertheless, restoration came suddenly, unexpectedly. According to the American Standard Version, Isaiah 66:7, 8 reads: “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”

19. (a) To whom did it seem that the birth of the postexilic nation of Israel had been accelerated, and for what reason? (b) How was it a brand-new generation that took up dwelling on the land of their forefathers, and in what sense was it a newborn land?

19 True to the prophecy, the birth of the postexilic nation of Israel, was, so to speak, speeded up. It came with surprising suddenness for the ancient world, in 537 BCE. The pagan world never expected the long-dead nation of Israel to come alive again, on its own God-given land. It was really a new Zion that came into being, giving birth to a new nation. We recall that Israelites were deported to Babylon at various times, the Bible record showing that 10,000 were deported at the first captivity in 617 BCE. Hundreds were later deported. (2 Kings 24:14; Jeremiah 52:28-30) However, those who were released from that pagan land in 537 BCE and who took up residence upon the land of their forefathers included 42,360 males, besides many slaves and professional singers. The Israelites included a number of old men who had seen the temple that King Solomon built at Jerusalem. (Ezra 2:64, 65; 3:12) Thus, for the most part, it was a brand-new generation that took up dwelling in the land with the object of building a new temple. A new Zion arose upon a newborn land. She became the mother to a new, postexilic nation. It occupied the new Persian province of Judea.

20. How did the modern counterpart of that take place in the case of the International Bible Students in the first postwar year of 1919?

20 Is there a modern counterpart of the “birth” of the restored Israelites as a “nation” in 537 BCE? Yes, for in the year following the first world war of 1914-1918 a spiritual “nation” was born, under the Greater Cyrus, the enthroned King Jesus Christ! How so? Well, during the war the headquarters of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, the publication agency of the International Bible Students, had been dismantled at Brooklyn, New York, and moved back to smaller quarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its latest pieces of literature had been banned in Canada and the United States of America, and the Society’s president, its secretary-treasurer, and six other members of the headquarters’ staff of workers had been sentenced in 1918 to long terms of imprisonment. The intent of the enemies behind all of this was like that expressed in Psalm 83:4: “Let us efface them from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” But in the spring of 1919, to the shocking surprise of Christendom, there came release! That same year the persecuted International Bible Students held their first postwar convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. To the conventioners the publication of a new magazine, in addition to the Watch Tower magazine, was announced, namely, The Golden Age (now called Awake!).

21. Thus, five years after the end of the Gentile Times, what was born, to serve in what capacity, and how so on a newborn “land”?

21 Thus, five years after the end of the “times of the Gentiles” in 1914, and the establishment of God’s kingdom in the hands of the Greater Cyrus, Jesus Christ, a new “nation” came into existence, a spiritual “nation.” The members of this new “nation” were to serve as ambassadors of God’s kingdom newly born in the heavens and as witnesses bearing his name. He has put the “nation” in its rightful “land,” its earthly realm of activity, its symbolic “land,” now that the Gentile Times for trampling his visible organization underfoot have ended.​—Luke 21:24, AV.

22. What questions did Jehovah raise as to his ability to become Father to the “nation,” and, in answer, how did he act in the ancient type and in the modern antitype?

22 Jehovah God the Almighty was responsible for that remarkable birth, and he was determined that nothing should obstruct it. In Isaiah 66:9 he had said: “‘As for me, shall I cause the breaking through [the amnion or amniotic sac] and not cause the giving birth?’ says Jehovah. ‘Or am I causing a giving birth and do I actually cause a shutting up [of the womb]?’ your God has said.” His first response to those challenging questions was his releasing his people from Babylon in 537 BCE and then causing Jerusalem to be built and to teem with Jewish residents as her children. God’s modern-day, antitypical response to his own questions was his making the antitypical Jerusalem, his heavenly organization, fruitful so that she brought forth a spiritual “nation,” on earth. This was under the direction of the Greater Cyrus, the newly enthroned King in heaven. This birth took place in the postwar year of 1919, and it produced a people, the “sons” of Zion, who were wholly devoted to the interests of God’s established kingdom and who maintained strict neutrality toward the political governments of this world. Almighty God has allowed nothing to obstruct the complete outworking of his purpose from 1914 onward till right now!

After this study of Isaiah 66:5-8, can you answer the following questions:

Isa 66 Verse 5: How do “brothers” hate and exclude true worshipers? How are these “brothers” put to shame?

Isa 66 Verse 6: In what way was there “a sound of uproar out of the city” in ancient times? In the modern day?

Isa 66 Verse 7: What is the “male child” produced by a “woman” without “birth pangs”? Is this the same as “a son, a male,” at Revelation 12:5?

Isa 66 Verse 8: In what way was a “nation” and a “land” born suddenly and unexpectedly in 537 BCE?

[Pictures on page 13]

The kingdom, like a newborn babe, was produced by God’s “woman” in 1914

In 1919, spiritual Israel was “born” suddenly into its “land”

What Birth of the Nation Has Meant for Mankind

What Birth of the Nation Has Meant for Mankind

1, 2. (a) Does Jehovah directly answer his own questions at Isaiah 66:9? (b) According to Isaiah 66:10-14, what call does he give?

INSTEAD of answering his own questions recorded at Isaiah 66:9 with a plain No! God moved Isaiah to express this triumphant call:

2 “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be joyful with her, all you lovers of her. Exult greatly with her, all you keeping yourselves in mourning over her; for the reason that you will suck and certainly get satisfaction from the breast of full consolation by her; for the reason that you will sip and experience exquisite delight from the teat of her glory. For this is what Jehovah has said: ‘Here I am extending to her peace just like a river and the glory of nations just like a flooding torrent, and you will certainly suck. Upon the flank you will be carried, and upon the knees you will be fondled. Like a man whom his own mother keeps comforting, so I myself shall keep comforting you people; and in the case of Jerusalem you will be comforted. And you will certainly see, and your heart will be bound to exult, and your very bones will sprout just like tender grass. And the hand of Jehovah will certainly be made known to his servants, but he will actually denounce his enemies.’”​—Isaiah 66:10-14.

3. Thus the restored Jewish exiles were likened to what, with what enjoyment, and whose hand would they see in this matter?

3 Thus those restored from exile were likened to newborn babes taking nourishment. To the Jewish exiles by the rivers of Babylon the references to sucking the breast and sipping the teat denoted that there would be another Jerusalem built on the site of the destroyed capital city; also that she would mother a population of many citizens or inhabitants and the many other citizens of her realm. (Compare Luke 13:34.) Like mothers then in the Middle East, rebuilt Jerusalem would have her children straddle her left or right thigh, to carry them; and, when seated, she would fondle them lovingly on her lap. Those Jews who loved Jehovah’s visible organization back there in the sixth century BCE would rejoice over this, and they would cease from mourning over the fact that for the seventy years of their exile in a pagan land there had been no Jerusalem as the capital city of Jehovah’s chosen people. Their joy was like that described in Psalm 126, as in contrast with the sorrow expressed in Psalm 137. Jehovah’s servants saw his hand in their deliverance.

4, 5. (a) How did the remnant react to the manifestation of God’s “hand” in their behalf, and what did they appreciate more than ever? (b) The time had then arrived for what other action? (c) How does Isaiah describe this?

4 This was no less the case with the members of the spiritual “nation” that was “born” in 1919 CE. After their astonishing liberation from the restrictions imposed during World War I and the threat of their being wiped out, they rejoiced with unbounded joy. Their mourning passed away. More keenly than ever before they came to appreciate that Jehovah is their God and that he has a visible organization, just as he has an invisible organization in the heavens that is like a wife to him. This invisible organization is, for the remnant, a “mother,” the “Jerusalem above.” (Isaiah 54:1-6; Galatians 4:26) So, coming together again from their disorganized state during World War I, they rejoiced to be nursed, borne along and fondled by this spiritual “mother,” the celestial “wife” of God their Father. As “servants” dedicated to him through their older Brother, Jesus Christ, they were comforted to know that the “hand” of Jehovah was operating in their favor. Opposite to this, the time had come for him to “denounce his enemies.” This included those who are hostile to the proclaimers of his newborn kingdom, for those who are enemies of his dedicated people are also his own personal enemies. Telling how he will carry out his denunciation, Jehovah goes on to say:

5 “‘For here Jehovah himself comes as a very fire, and his chariots are like a storm wind, in order to pay back his anger with sheer rage and his rebuke with flames of fire. For as fire Jehovah himself will for a fact take up the controversy, yes, with his sword, against all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah will certainly become many. Those sanctifying themselves and cleansing themselves for the gardens behind one in the center, eating the flesh of the pig and the loathsome thing, even the jumping rodent, they will all together reach their end,’ is the utterance of Jehovah. ‘And as regards their works and their thoughts, I am coming in order to collect all the nations and tongues together; and they will have to come and see my glory.’”​—Isaiah 66:15-18.

6. So how were the Israelites of Isaiah’s day breaking their covenant and befouling themselves?

6 In the days when Isaiah wrote those words, over a century before the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 BCE, the Israelites were grossly violating their national covenant with Jehovah, the law covenant mediated by the prophet Moses. They were sanctifying themselves and cleansing themselves for idolatrous worship in special gardens and were breaking God’s laws forbidding them to eat certain things. They defiled themselves and befouled themselves before the God of their covenant and did nothing for his glory.

7. (a) How did Jehovah act in line with his covenant terms to settle the controversy? (b) With whom does God have a like controversy today?

7 So he brought upon those covenant breakers his fiery, stormy judgments, in proper harmony with his covenant terms. He took up the “sword” of execution in settling the controversy that he had with all Jewish flesh. No wonder that merely a few thousand survived the merciless destruction of Jerusalem, only to be dragged off into long exile in pagan idolatrous Babylon. All the surrounding nations and language groups were obliged to witness this manifestation of the glory of Jehovah as the covenant-keeping God who does not lie. All of this solemnly reminds us that the same God has a controversy on a far larger scale with modern-day Christendom, which claims to have replaced ancient Israel as the people of Jehovah God. To his glory he will use his “sword” of vengeance to slay her utterly.

A “Sign” Set Among the Nations

8, 9. (a) To his glory Jehovah has carried out his purpose after having produced what things and after what wartime experience of his people? (b) How did he set out his purpose in Isaiah 66:19, 20?

8 To his international glory this Almighty God has carried out his unalterable purpose as to what would take place after he caused “a land” to be “brought forth with labor pains in one day” and after he caused “a nation” to be “born at one time.” As we read his words set out in Isaiah 66:19, 20, we can call to mind what he has gloriously done since the birth of the “nation” made up of the remnant of spiritual Israelites in 1919 after having ceased to be an organized people during World War I, and entertaining little hope or expectation of surviving that world conflict. Here is what he said:

9 “‘And I will set among them a sign [ōth, Hebrew; signum, Latin Vulgate], and I will send some of those who are escaped to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, those drawing the bow, Tubal and Javan, the faraway islands, who have not heard a report about me or seen my glory; and they will for certain tell about my glory among the nations. And they will actually bring all your brothers out of all the nations as a gift to Jehovah, on horses and in chariots and in covered wagons and on mules and on swift she-camels, up to my holy mountain, Jerusalem,’ Jehovah has said, ‘just as when the sons of Israel bring the gift in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah.’”

10. What has the “sign” that God “set” among the nations proved to be?

10 What has proved to be the “sign” that Jehovah “set” among the nations since World War I? It was a living “sign.” Earlier, in Isaiah’s prophecy, this mouthpiece of Jehovah said: “Look! I and the children whom Jehovah has given me are as signs and as miracles in Israel from Jehovah of armies, who is residing in Mount Zion.” (Isaiah 8:18) In Hebrews 2:11-13 the Christian apostle Paul quotes from those prophetic words and applies them to Jesus Christ and his spirit-begotten disciples, saying: “For both he who is sanctifying and those who are being sanctified all stem from one, and for this cause he is not ashamed to call them ‘brothers,’ as he says: . . . ‘Look! I and the young children, whom Jehovah gave me.’”

11. What have those who make up that “sign” preached worldwide since 1914, and why did they need to be gathered?

11 In agreement with that, the “sign” that Jehovah set up among the nations of earth, for whom “the times of the Gentiles” ran out in 1914, is the spiritual “nation,” the members of which have preached worldwide God’s kingdom that was born in the heavens at the close of the “appointed times of the nations” in 1914. (Luke 21:24, Authorized Version; New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures; Matthew 24:14) To that end Jehovah gathered together the remnant of spiritual Israelites who had been scattered by the fierce persecution during World War I.

12. (a) Who were to be added to the remnant that had survived World War I? (b) When, especially, did the sending forth of “those who are escaped” begin to take place?

12 Also, there were still others who were to be brought and added to those spiritual Israelites who survived World War I, so as to make up the full membership of the remnant of Christ’s spiritual “brothers” at this time. (Matthew 25:40) Notably since the holding of the first general convention of the International Bible Students in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA, in the summer of 1919, Jehovah began to send “some of those who are escaped” of the original remnant “to the nations.” More strikingly did he do so at the 1922 convention of the IBSA at the same resort offshore from Sandusky, Ohio, when the president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society climaxed his rousing discourse to the conventioners with the dramatic words: “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” Thereafter the congregations of the remnant of spiritual Israelites geared themselves for the proclamation of God’s established kingdom, “for a witness to all the nations,” by having all members go forth into the field, “from house to house” and publicly. All were ambassadors of the kingdom!​—Acts 20:20.

13. In fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, who are gathered out of all the nations, and, as it were, by what means faster than by walking?

13 In fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, all of this resulted in a grand gathering of the remnant of the spiritual brotherhood, as it were, by all means of conveyance or transportation much faster than by walking. Jehovah had said that he would send “some of those who are escaped” even to far distant lands, and this he did by sending those who had “escaped” alive from the first world war and the famines, pestilences and earthquakes that marked the death-dealing period of 1914-1918 CE, and particularly the persecution that raged against the dedicated Bible students who were cooperating zealously with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society worldwide. The persecution in particular caused the spiritual death of some, so that they did not join in the regathering of the surviving remnant after World War I, especially when the call to united action began to be issued through the printed publications of the Society and through its traveling representatives who visited the congregations.

…