Continue with: God's Prophetic Word Gives Hope For The Future

Day One:

Walking in the Light of God

Introducing the afternoon program, the talk "Shining as Illuminators" enlarged on Ephesians 5:8, where the apostle Paul counsels us to "go on walking as children of light." Christians are illuminators, not simply by sharing God's Word with others but also by applying the Bible in their lives in imitation of Jesus.

To be an illuminator of this kind, we must "Take Delight in Reading God's Word." This topic was developed in a three-part symposium. After quoting Abraham Lincoln, who called the Bible "the best gift God has ever given to man," the first speaker asked the audience what their reading habits revealed about their depth of appreciation for Jehovah's Word. Listeners were encouraged to read the Bible carefully, taking the time to visualize Scriptural accounts and to associate new points with things already learned.

The next part of the symposium stressed the need for study, not casual reading, if we are going to assimilate "solid food." (Hebrews 5:13, 14) Study is especially upbuilding, said the speaker, if we 'prepare our hearts' beforehand, as did the Israelite priest Ezra. (Ezra 7:10) But why is study so important? Because it has a direct bearing on our relationship with Jehovah. Hence, Bible study ought to be precious, delightful and refreshing, even though it involves mental discipline and effort. How do we find the time for meaningful study? By "buying out the opportune tie" from less important activities, said the final speaker of the symposium. (Ephesians 5:16) Yes, the key to finding time is to make the bst of the time we have.

The talk "God Empowers the Tired One" acknowledged that many people are tire now-a-days. So that we may have "power beyond what is normal" for the Christian ministry, we need to rely on Jehovah, who "is giving to the tired one power." (2 Corinthians 4:7; Isaiah 40:29) Strengthening aids include God's Word, prayer, the Christian congregation, regular participation in the ministry, Christian overseers and the faithful example of others. The theme "Be Teachers in View of the Time" highlighted the need for Christians to be teachers and to work hard at the developing the "art of teaching." -2 Timothy 4:2.

The day's final talk, "fighters Against God Will Not Prevail," mentioned recent misguided efforts in some lands to have Jehovah's Witnesses branded a dangerous cult. But we need not fear, for Isaiah 54:17 says: " ' Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn. This is the hereditary possession of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from me,' is the utterance of Jehovah."

Next time: Day Two: Things Made Known Through the Prophetic Scriptures'

Watchtower, 2000