"DESIRABLE THINGS" ARE FILLING JEHOVAH'S HOUSE

Modern-Day "Desirable Things"

It seems that by the year 1935, the general thinking of the anointed was complete. But Jehovah was not finished glorifying his house. No "desirable things" would yet come into it. Remember that the high priest in Israel offered two animals-a bull for the sins of the priests and a goat for the sins of the nonpriestly tribes. Since the priests pictured the anointed ones who would be with Jesus in the heavenly Kingdom, whom did the nonpriestly tribes represent? The answer is found in Jesus' words recorded at John 10:16: "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd." Hence, Jesus' shed blood benefits two groups of people-first, those Christians whose hope is to rule with Jesus in heaven and second, those who look forward to everlasting life on a paradise earth. Evidently, it is this second group that is pictured by the "desirable things" of Haggai's prophecy. - Micah 4:1, 2; 1 John 2:1, 2.

These "desirable things" are still filling Jehovah's house. In recent years, restrictions have been lifted in Eastern Europe, parts of Africa, and other lands, allowing the good news of God's established Kingdom to flourish in hitherto untouched territories. As desirable ones come into God's temple arrangement, they in turn strive to make further disciples, in obedience to Jesus' command. (Matthew 28:19, 20) As they do so, they encounter many individuals, both young and old, who have the potential for becoming "desirable things" that will glorify Jehovah's house. Consider just a few examples of how this is taking place.

In Bolivia, a five-year -old girl is being raised by Witness parents asked her teacher for permission to be excused from school during the week of the circuit overseer's visit. Why? She wanted to share in the ministry during this entire special week of activity. This surprised her parents, but they were happy that she had such a fine attitude. This little girl now conducts five home Bible studies, and some of these students attend Christian meetings. She has even brought her schoolteacher to the Kingdom Hall. Perhaps in time, some of her Bible students will show themselves to be "desirable things that will glorify Jehovah's house.

While waiting at a train station, a Christian woman in Korea approached a student who was listening to music on his headphones. Do you have a religion?" She asked. "I am not interested in any religion." The student replied. The sister was not deterred. "With the passing of time," She continued, "a person may want to choose a religion. But if he has no knowledge about religion, he might choose the wrong one." The student's expression changed, and he began to listen to our sister with interest. She offered him the book Is There A Creator Who Cares About You? and said that this publication would be a great help when the time came for him to choose a religion. He readily accepted the book. The next week, he began studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, and now he attends all congregation meetings.

Next time: Conclusion of Modern-Day "Desirable Things"

Watchtower, 2000