Jehovah Prepares The Way

BECAUSE Jehovah is a God of love, it is his will that "all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." ( 1 Timothy 2:4) This has called for an international preaching and teaching campaign. In the first century, this preaching made the Christian congregation "a pillar and support of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15) Afterward came a long period of apostasy in which the light of truth became dim. In recent times, during "the time of the end," "True knowledge" has again become abundant, bringing a Bible-based hope of everlasting salvation to millions. -Daniel 12:4.

Despite the unrelenting efforts of Satan to thwart God's purpose , the preaching activity in both the first and the 20th centuries has met with amazing success. It calls to mind the prophecy of Isaiah. Concerning the return of Jewish exiles to Judah in the sixth century B.C.E., Isaiah wrote: "Let every valley be raised up, and every mountain and hill be made low. And the knobby ground must become level land, and the rugged ground a valley plain." (Isaiah 40:4) Jehovah has also prepared and smoothed the way for the great preaching campaigns of both the first and the 20th centuries.

This does not mean that Jehovah directly influenced every development on earth in order to advance the preaching of the good news; nor does it mean that Jehovah exercised his foresight to know in precise detail everything that would occur. Granted, he is able both to foresee and to shape future events. (Isaiah 46:9-11) But he is also able to react to developments as they unfold. Like an experience shepherd who knows both how to direct and how to protect his flock, Jehovah guides his people. He leads them toward salvation, protecting their spirituality and moving them to take advantage of situations and developments that promote the successful preaching of the good news worldwide. -Psalm 23:1-4.

Next time: A Difficult Assignment

Watchtower, 1999