LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

How to Grow Stronger in the Faith

Paul showed the Hebrew Christians a number of practical ways in which they could strengthen their faith. Let us consider just two. We likely are familiar with is exhortation at Hebrews 10:24, 25, urging us to gather regularly at our Christian meetings. Remember, though, that Paul's inspired words there do not imply that we are to be mere passive observers at such meetings. Rather, Paul describes meetings as opportunities to get to know one another, to move one another to serve God more fully, and to encourage one another. We are there to give not just to receive. That helps to make our meetings joyous occasions. -Acts 20:35.

Primarily, though, we attend Christian meetings to worship Jehovah God. We do so by joining in prayer and song, by listening intently, and by offering "the fruit of the lips" -expressions of praise to Jehovah in our comments and parts on the meeting. (Hebrews 13:15) If we keep those goals in mind and act on them at every meeting, our faith will without fail be built up each time.

Another way to build faith is through the preaching work. Paul wrote: "Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hopes without wavering, for he is faithful that promised." (Hebrews 10:23) You might urge others to hold fast to something when they seem in danger of letting go. Satan was certainly pressuring those Hebrew Christians to let go of their ministry, and he is pressuring God's people today as well. In the face of such pressure, what should we do? Consider what Paul did.

To the Christians in Thessalonica, P aul wrote: "After we had first suffered and been insolently treated(just as you know) in Philippi, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to speak to you the good news of God with a great deal of struggling." (1 Thessalonians 2:2) How had Paul and his companions been "insolently treated" in Philippi? According to some scholars, the Greek word used by Paul expresses insulting, shameful, or outrageous treatment. The Philippian authorities had beaten them with rods, thrown them into prison, and confined then in stocks. (Acts 16:16-24) How did that painful experience affect Paul? Did ones in the next city on his missionary tour, Thessalonica, find Paul shrinking back in fear? No, he "mustered up boldness." He conquered fear and continued to preach boldly.

Next time: Continue with How to Grow Stronger in the Faith

Watchtower, 1999

LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

Bringing Examples of Faith to Life

Paul also built faith by powerful use of examples. As you read Hebrews chapter 11, note how he brings the examples of Bible characters to life. He says, for instance, that Moses "continued steadfast as seeing the one who is invisible." In other words, Jehovah was so real to Moses that it was as if he could see the invisible God. Could the same be true of us? It is easy to talk about a relationship with Jehovah, but to build and strengthen that relationship requires work. That is work we need to do! Is Jehovah so real to us that we take him into consideration when making decisions, including minor ones? Faith of that kind will help us to endure even the worse opposition.

Consider, too, the faith of Enoch. The opposition he faced is difficult for us to imagine. Enoch had to deliver a stinging message of judgment against the wicked people living then. (Jude 14, 15) The persecution that threatened this faithful man was evidently so vicious, so violent, that Jehovah "transferred him," taking him from the living state to the sleep of death before the enemies could lay hold of him. So Enoch did not get to see the fulfillment of the prophecy to be uttered. However, he received a gift that was in some respects, even better. -Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 5:22-24.

Paul explains: "Before his transference [Enoch] had the witness that he had pleased God well." (Hebrews 11:5) What did this mean? Before he went into the sleep of death, Enoch may have had a vision of some kind, perhaps of the earthly Paradise in which he will awaken one day soon. In any case, Jehovah let Enoch know that He was well pleased by his faithful course. Enoch had made Jehovah's heart rejoice. (Compare Proverbs 27:11) Thinking of Enoch's life is touching, is it not? Would you like to live such a life of faith? Then ponder over such examples; see them as real people. Be determined to live by faith, day by day. Remember, too, that the sort that have faith do not serve Jehovah on the basis of a date or deadline when God will fulfill all his promises. Rather, we are resolved to serve Jehovah forever! Doing so means the very best of life in this system of things and in the next.

Next time: How to Grow Stronger in the Faith

Watchtower, 1999

LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

Fitting Use of God's Word

Paul also built in his fellow believers by his skillful use of the Scriptures. For example, he wrote: " 'But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,' and, 'if he shrinks back, my soul had no pleasure in him.' " (Hebrews 10:38) Paul was here quoting from the prophet Habakkuk. These words were likely familiar to Paul's readers, Hebrew Christians to whom the prophetic books were well-known. Considering his goal-to strengthen the faith of Christians in and near Jerusalem around the year 61 C.E.-the example of Habakkuk was an apt choice. Why?

Habakkuk evidently wrote his book just over two decades before the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. In vision, the prophet saw the Chaldeans (or Babylonians), a "nation biter and impetuous," swooping down on Judah and destroying Jerusalem, swallowing up people's and nations in the process. (Habakkuk 1:5-11) But such a calamity had been foretold since Isaiah's day, over a century earlier. In Habakkuk's time, Jehoiakim succeeded good King Josiah, and wickedness again flourished in Judah. Jehoiakim persecuted and even murdered those speaking in Jehovah's name. (2 Chronicles 36:5; Jeremiah 22:17; 26:20-24) It is no wonder that the anguished prophet Habakkuk cried out: "How long, O Jehovah?" -Habakkuk 1:2.

Habakkuk did not know how close the destruction of Jerusalem was. Similarly, the first-century Christians did not know when the Jewish system of things would end. Nor do we know today know the "day and hour" when Jehovah's judgment will come against this wicked system. (Matthew 24:36) Let us note, then, Jehovah's two-fold answer to Habakkuk. First, he assured the prophet that the end would come right on time. "It will not be late," God said, even though from a human standpoint, it might appear to delay. (Habakkuk 2:3) Second, Jehovah reminded Habakkuk: "As for the righteous one, by his faithfulness he will keep living." (Habakkuk 2:4) What beautiful, simple truths! What matters most is, not when the end comes, but whether we continue to live a life of faith.

When Jerusalem was sacked in 607 B.C.E., Jeremiah, his secretary Baruch, Ebed-melech, and the loyal Rechabites saw the truth of Jehovah's promise to Habakkuk. They 'kept living' by escaping the terrible destruction of Jerusalem. Why? Jehovah rewarded their faithfulness. (Jeremiah 35:1-19; 39:15-18; 43:4-7; 45:1-5) Similarly, the first-century Hebrew Christians must have responded well to Paul's counsel, for when the Roman armies attacked Jerusalem in 66 C.E. and then inexplicably withdrew, those Christians faithfully heeded Jesus' warning to flee. (Luke 21:20, 21) They kept living because of their faithfulness. Likewise, we will keep living if we are found faithful when the end comes. what a vital reason for strengthening our faith now!

Next time: Bringing Examples of Faith to Life

Watchtower, 1999

LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

Express Confidence in One Another

The first thing we might note is Paul's positive attitude toward his audience. He wrote: "Now we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction, but the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul." (Hebrews 10:39) Paul thought the best, not the worst, of his faithful fellow Christians. Notice, too, that he used the expression "we." Paul was a righteous man. Yet, he did not speak down to his audience, as if he were on a lofty plane of righteousness far above them. (Compare Ecclesiastes 7:16) Rather, he included himself with them. He expressed heartfelt confidence that he and his faithful Christian readers would all face the daunting obstacles looming before them, that they would courageously refuse to shrink back to destruction, and that they would prove to be of the sort that have faith.

How could Paul have such confidence? Was he blind to the faults of the Hebrew Christians? On the contrary, he offered them specific counsel to help them overcome their spiritual shortcomings . (Hebrews 3:12; 5:12-14; 6:4-6; 10:26, 27; 12:5) Still, Paul had at least two good reasons for having confidence in his brothers. (1) As an imitator of Jehovah, Paul endeavored to see God's people as Jehovah sees them. That was not merely in terms of their faults but in terms of their good qualities and their potential for choosing to do good in the future. (Psalm 130:3; Ephesians 5:1) (2) Paul had implicit faith in the power of the holy spirit. He knew that no obstacles, no human frailties could prevent Jehovah from imparting "power beyond what is normal" to any Christians endeavoring to serve Him faithfully. (2 Corinthians 4:7; Philippians 4:13) So Paul's confidence in is brothers and sisters was not misplaced,unrealistic, or blindly optimistic. It was solidly based and Scripturally founded.

Surely, the confidence Paul displayed proved infectious. It must have meant a great deal to the congregation in Jerusalem and Judea to have Paul speak so encouragingly to them. In the face of the withering scorn and haughty indifference of their Jewish opposers, the Hebrew Christians were helped by such expressions to resolve in their hearts to be the sort that have faith. Can we do the same for one another today? It is all too easy to see in others only a long list of faults and personality quirks. (Matthew 7:1-5) Yet, we can help on another far more if we take note of and value the unique faith that each one possesses. With such encouragement, faith is more likely to grow. -Romans 1:11, 12.

Next time: Fitting Use of God's Word

Watchtower, 1999

LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

THE next time you are in a Kingdom Hall full of worshipers of Jehovah, pause to look at those around you. Think of the many ways in which they show faith. You may see elderly ones who have served God for decades, youths who daily stand up to peer pressure and parents who work hard to raise God-fearing children. There are congregation elders and ministerial servants, who shoulder many responsibilities. Yes, you may see spiritual brothers and sisters of every age who surmount all manner of obstacles in order to serve Jehovah. How precious the faith of each one! -1 Peter 1:7.

Few imperfect humans, if any, have understood the importance of faith better than did the apostle Paul. In fact, he noted that genuine faith leads to the preserving alive of the soul." (Hebrews 10:39) Paul knew, though, that faith is subject to attack and erosion in this faithless world. He was deeply concerned about the Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem and Judea, who were struggling to preserve their faith. As we look at parts of Hebrew chapters 10and 11, let us take note of the methods that Paul used to build up their faith. In the process, we will see how we can build stronger faith in ourselves and in those around us.

Next time: Express Confidence in One Another

Watchtower, 1999

LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

Conclusion of Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Now, consider a contrast. Today, pure worship has already lasted longer than the period until the apostles died. From the time of the publication of the first issue of this journal back in 1879, Jehovah has blessed us with increasingly purified worship. Jehovah and Christ Jesus entered the spiritual temple in 1918 for the purpose of cleansing it. (Malachi 3:1-5) Since 1919, the arrangement for worshiping Jehovah God has been progressively refined. Our understanding of Bible prophecies and principles has become clearer. (Proverbs 4:18) To whom does the credit go? Not to mere imperfect humans. Only Jehovah, with his Son as head of the congregation, could protect his people from corruption, during these corrupt times. Let us never fail, then, to thank Jehovah for allowing us to take part in pure worship today. And let us be firmly resolved never to shrink back to destruction!

Like those Hebrew Christians, we have a second reason for rejecting a cowardly , shrinking course-our own record of endurance. Whether we have begun to serve Jehovah in recent years or have been doing so, faithfully for decades, we have built up a record of Christian works. Many of us have suffered persecution, be it imprisonment, ban, brutality, or loss of property. Many more have faced family opposition, scorn, ridicule and indifference. All of us have endured continuing our faithful service to Jehovah despite life's challenges and tests. By doing so, we have built up a record of perseverance that Jehovah will not forget, a storehouse of treasures in heaven. Surely, then, this is no time to shrink back to the corrupt old system we left behind! why render all our hard work worthless? Especially is this true today, w hen only "a very little while" is left behind before the end. -Hebrews 10:37.

Yes, let us be resolved that "we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction!" Let us, rather, be "the sort that have faith." (Hebrews 10:39) How can we make sure that we fit that description, and how can we help fellow Christians to do the same? Our next article will consider this matter.

Next time: LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

True Christians today have equally powerful reasons for not shrinking back. First, let us remember what a blessing we have in the pure for of worship that Jehovah has given us. Like the first-century Christians, we live at a time when members of the more popular religions sneer at us and mock us, pointing proudly to their impressive religious edifices and the antiquity of their traditions. Jehovah assures us, though, that he approves of our form of worship. In fact, we enjoy blessings today that the first-century Christians did not have. You might wonder, 'How can that be?' After all, they lived when the spiritual temple came into operation. Christ became its High Priest upon his baptism in 29 C.E. Some of them had seen the miracle-working Son of God. Even after his death, there were more miracles. As foretold, though, such gifts eventually ceased. -1Corinthians 13:8)

However, we live during a significant fulfillment of the extensive temple prophecy of Ezekiel chapters 40-48. Thus, we have seen the restoration of God's arrangement for pure worship. that spiritual temple has been cleansed of all forms of religious pollution and idolatry. (Ezekiel 43:9; Malachi 3:1-5) Think of the advantages that this cleansing has given us.

During the first century, the future looked dark for the organized Christian congregation. Jesus had foretold that it would be as if a newly planted wheat field were oversown with weeds, making the wheat virtually indistinguishable from the weeds. (Matthew 13:24-30) And so it was. By the end of the first century, when the aged apostle John was acting as the final restraint against corruption, apostasy was already flourishing. (2 Thessalonians 2:6; 1John 2:18) Not long after the death of the apostles, a separate clergy class arose, oppressing the flock and wearing distinctive garb. Apostasy spread like gangrene. How discouraging for faithful Christians! They saw the newly established arrangement for pure worship become overwhelmed by a corrupted form. This developed less than a century after Christ founded the congregation.

Next time: Continue with: Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

Why They Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Let us examine two reasons that Paul gave his brothers and sisters there in Judea for never shrinking back to destruction. The first- superiority of the Christian system of worship-pervades the letter to the Hebrews. Throughout his letter, Paul developed this theme. The temple in Jerusalem was merely a copy of a far greater reality, Jehovah's spiritual temple, a building "not made with hands." (Hebrews 9:11) Those Christians had the privilege of serving in that spiritual arrangement for pure worship. They served under a better covenant, the long-promised new covenant, which had a Mediator superior to Moses, Jesus Christ. -Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Those Christians also had a far better High Priest, Jesus Christ. No, he had not descended from Aaron. Rather, he was a High Priest "according to Melchizedek, whose lineage was unrecorded, was king of ancient Salem as well as its high priest. He thus made a fitting prophetic type of Jesus, whose priesthood depended, not on any imperfect human ancestry, but on something far greater-Jehovah God's own oath. Like Melchizedek, Jesus serves not only as High Priest, but also as King, one who will never die. -Hebrews 7:11-21.

Furthermore, unlike the high priest at the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus did not have to offer sacrifices year after year. His sacrifices was his own perfect life, which he offered once for all time. (Hebrews 7:27) All those sacrifices offered at the temple were only shadows, pictures of what Jesus offered. His perfect sacrifice provided for real forgiveness of the sins of all who exercised faith. Heartwarming, too, are Paul's comments showing that this High Priest is the same unchanging Jesus whom the Christians in Jerusalem had known. He was humble, kind, and one who can sympathize with our weaknesses." (Hebrews 4:15; 13:8) Those anointed Christians had the prospect of serving as Christ's underpriests! how could they even think of shrinking back to "the weak and beggarly" things of corrupt Judaism? -Galatians 4:9.

As if that were not enough, Paul gave the Hebrews a second reason never to shrink back to destruction-their own record of endurance. He wrote: "Keep on remembering the former days in which , after you were enlightened, you endured a great contest under sufferings." Paul reminded them that they had been "exposed as in a theater" to reproaches and tribulations. Some had suffered imprisonment; others had sympathized with and supported those in prison. Yes, they had shown exemplary faith and perseverance. (Hebrews 10:32-34) Yet, why did Paul ask them to "keep on remembering" such painful experiences? Would that not proved discouraging?

On the contrary, "remembering the former days" would remind the Hebrews of how Jehovah had sustained them under trial. With his help, they had already resisted many of Satan's attacks. Paul wrote: "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name." (Hebrews 6:10) Yes, Jehovah remembered all their faithful works, storing them in his limitless memory. We are reminded of Jesus' exhortation to store up treasures in heaven. No thief can steal these treasures; no moth or rust can consume them. (Matthew 6:19-21) In fact, these treasures can be destroyed only if a Christian shrinks back to destruction. That would squander any treasures he had stored up in heaven. What a powerful reason Paul gave the Hebrew Christians for never pursuing such a course! Why waste all their years of faithful service? It would be right and far better to keep on enduring.

Next time: Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

How Christians Were Pressured to Shrink Back

the evidence indicates that Paul wrote his letter to the Hebrews about 61 C.E. The congregation in Jerusalem had a tumultuous history. After the death of Jesus, a wave of vicious persecution struck, forcing many Christians in the city to scatter. A periods of peace ensued, however, allowing the number of Christians to multiply. (Acts 8:4; 9:31) As the years passed, other persecutions and hardships came and went. It seems that by the time Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews,the congregation was once again enjoying a period of comparative peace. Still, there were pressures. Nearly three decades had passed since Jesus had foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. There were likely some who felt that the end had delayed beyond reason and might not come in their lifetime. Others, especially those newer in the faith, had not yet been tested by severe persecution and knew little of the need for endurance under trial. (Hebrews 12:4) Satan surely sought to take advantage of such circumstances. What "crafty acts" did he use?

The Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea viewed the fledgling Christian congregation with contempt. Judging from the content of Paul's letter, we get some idea of the taunts that the arrogant Jewish religious leaders and their followers directed at the Christians. They may, in effect, have said: 'We have the great temple in Jerusalem, standing for centuries! We have a noble high priest officiating there, along with his underpriests. Sacrifices are offered daily. We have the Law, transmitted by angels to Moses and established with great signs upon Mount Sinai. This upstart sect, these Christians, who have apostatized from Judaism, they have none of these things!' Did such scorn find its mark? Some Hebrew Christians were evidently troubled by the attacks. Paul's letter came to their aid at just the right time.

Next time: Whey They Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

What It Means to Shrink Back to Destruction

When Paul wrote of "the sort that shrink back," he did not mean those who may suffer a momentary lapse of courage. Paul surely knew of Peter's experience and of other similar cases. Elijah, a bold and outspoken prophet, once gave in to fear and fled for his life because of a death threat from wicked Queen Jezebel. (1 Kings 19:1-4) The prophet Jonah had a more serious bout with fear. Jehovah assigned him to travel to the notoriously violent, wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah promptly boarded a boat headed for Tarshish-2,200 miles in the opposite direction! (Jonah 1:1-3) Yet, neither of these faithful prophets nor the apostle Peter could rightly be described as the sort that shrinks back. Why not?

Note the full phrase that Paul used: "Now we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction." What did he mean by "destruction?" The Greek word he used refers at times to eternal destruction. This definition fits the context. Paul had just warned: "If we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifices for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and there is a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition." -Hebrews 10:26, 27.

So when Paul said to his fellow believers, "We are not the sort that shrink back to destruction," he meant that he and his faithful Christian readers were determined never to turn away from Jehovah and stop serving him. To do so could lead only to eternal destruction. Judas Iscariot was one who shrank back to such destruction, as did other enemies of the truth who willfully worked against Jehovah's spirit. (John 17:12; 2Thessalonians 2:3) Such individuals are among "the cowards" who suffer eternal destruction int he symbolic lake of fire. (Revelation 21:8) No, we do not ever want to be of that sort!

Satan the Devil wants us to shrink back to destruction. A master of "crafty acts," he knows that such a ruinous course often starts in small ways. (Ephesians 6:11) If direct persecution fails to achieve his ends, he sees to erode the faith of true Christians through subtler means. He wants to see bold, zealous Witnesses of Jehovah silenced. Let us see what tactics he used against the Hebrew Christians to whom Paul wrote.

Next time: How Christians Were Pressured to Shrink Back

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

THE apostles must have been shocked when their beloved Master, Jesus, told them that they would all scatter and abandon him. How could such a think be -in this, his hour of greatest need? Peter insisted: "Even if all the others are stumbled, yet I will not be." In truth, Peter was a brave bold man. But when Jesus was betrayed and arrested, the apostles-including Peter-scattered. Later, while Jesus was being interrogated in the house of the High Pries Caiaphas, Peter lingered anxiously in the courtyard. As the cold night wore on, Peter likely came to fear that Jesus and anyone associated with him might be executed. When some bystanders recognized Peter as one of Jesus' close associates, panic seized him. Three times he disavowed his connection with Jesus. Peter denied even knowing him! -Mark 14:27-31, 66-72.

That was a low point in Peter's life, a moment he no doubt regretted for the rest of his days. But did Peter's course that night make him a coward? Did it make him one of "the sort," that the apostle Paul later described when he wrote: "Now we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction?" (Hebrews 10:39) Most of us would likely agree that Paul's words do not apply to Peter. Why? Because Peter's fear was temporary, a brief lapse in a life marked by outstanding courage and faith. Similarly, many of us have moments in our past that we recall to some degree of shame, moments when fear caught us by surprise and kept us from standing as boldly for the truth as we would have liked. (Compare Romans 7:21-23) We can be assured that such momentary lapses do not make us the sort that shrink back from destruction. Still, we need to be determined never to become of that sort. Why? And how can we avoid becoming such a person?

Next time: What It Means to Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

CHRISTMAS IN THE ORIENT

Scriptural Insight Into Christmas

What do we learn from such historical background and developments? if a shirt or blouse is buttoned unevenly from the start, the only way to correct the situation is to begin again. Is that not true? Despite that truth, some argue that notwithstanding its pagan roots in sun worship, Christmas has been accepted by Christendom. So they feel that the holiday has been sanctified as the birthday of Christ and imbued with new significance.

We can learn a valuable lesson from a historical event that took place In ancient Judah. In 612 B.C.E., the Judeans introduced pagan worship of the sun into the temple in Jerusalem. Was such pagan worship sanctified by being carried on in the place devoted to clean worship of Jehovah God? The Bible writer Ezekiel wrote of the sun worship practiced at Jerusalem's temple: "Look! At the entrance of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, there were about twenty-five men with . . . their faces to the east, and they were bowing down to the east, to the sun. And he went on to say to me: 'Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it such a light thing to the house of Judah to do the detestable things that they have done here, that they have to fill the land with violence and that they should offend me again, and here they are thrusting out the shoot to my nose?' " -Ezekiel 8:16, 17.

Yes, rather than being sanctified, that pagan form of worship put the whole temple in jeopardy. Such practices permeated Judah and contributed to the prevalence of violence and moral degradation in that land. It is similar in Christendom, where practices rooted in the sun worship of Saturnalia come to the fore at Christmas. Significantly, a few years after Ezekiel received that vision, Jerusalem experienced God's judgment -it met destruction at the hands of the Babylonians. -2 Chronicles 36:15-20.

You might have found the description of the young Jesus by a Korean scholar, related in the preceding article, amusing. But the fact is that coming from a person without an accurate knowledge of Christ, the reaction has considerable validity. It might make people who celebrate Christmas think seriously. Why? Because Christmas falls far short of representing Christ correctly. Christ was born when the shepherds kept their animals outside when it was warm, not in December as everyone was led to believe by all the false prophets in this world There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. (Luke 2:8) In fact, it obscures his true standing now. Jesus is no longer a babe in the manger.

Over and over, the Bible highlights that Jesus is now the Messiah, the powerful King of God's heavenly Kingdom. (Revelation 11:15) He is ready to put an end to the poverty and misery that some people have not forgotten during the Christmas season as they give to charity.



Frankly, Christmas has benefited neither the lands of Christendom nor other countries, including those in the Orient. Rather, it has diverted attention from the true Christian message about the Kingdom of God and the end of the present wicked system. (Matthew 24:14) We invite you to inquire of Jehovah's Witnesses about how that end will come. And you can learn from them about the lasting blessings that then will follow on earth, under the direction of God's Kingdom and the reigning King, Jesus Christ. -Revelation 21:3,4.


Note: Also, birthdays are not to be celebrated either. Christ never celebrated his birthday; But those who did, ended up in death.

Next time:MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION!

Watchtower, 1999

CHRISTMAS IN THE ORIENT

The Origin of Christmas

A wild animal that is moved into a cage in a zoo is still a beast. And it would be a grave mistake to believe that it has been domesticated just because it has been in a cage for awhile and seemingly enjoys itself with its young ones. You may have heard reports of zoo workers being attacked.

In some ways we can say much the same about the celebration of Christmas. At first it was a "beast" living outside of Christianity. Under the subheading "Relation to the Roman Saturnalia," The Christian Encyclopedia (in Korean) observes regarding Christmas: "The pagan Saturnalia and Brumalia were too deeply entrenched in popular custom to be set aside by Christian influence. The recognition of Sunday (the day of Phoebus and Mithras as well as the Lord's Day) by the emperor Constantine . . . may have led Christians of the fourth century to feel the appropriateness of making the birthday of the Son of God coincide with that of the physical sun. The pagan festival with its riot and merrymaking was so popular that Christians were glad of an excuse to continue its celebration with little change in spirit or in manner.

Do you think that such a development could come about without any opposition? The same encyclopedia says: "Christian preachers of the West and the Nearer East protested against the unseemly frivolity with which Christ's birthday was celebrated, while Christians of Mesopotamia accused their Western brethren of idolatry and sun-worship for adopting as Christian this pagan festival. "Truly, something was wrong from the beginning. "Yet the festival rapidly gained acceptance and became at last so firmly established that even the Protestant revolution of the sixteenth century was not able to dislodge it," the encyclopedia notes.

Yes, a festival of the sun-god, outside of true Christianity, was brought into the prevailing church. It got a different name-yet its pagan character remained. And it helped to infuse paganism into nominally Christian churches and to corrupt individuals' spiritually. History bears out that as Christendom developed, the original attitude of "love thy enemies gave way to moral degradations and violent wars.

In time, it was clear that despite its counterfeit name, Christmas reflected its pagan origin with revelry, heavy drinking, merrymaking, dancing, gift-giving and the decorating of homes with evergreens. for the sake of commercialism's ultimate goal-more sales-Christmas has been exploited in every way possible way. The mass media praise it; the public is simply amused. In downtown Seoul, a store that specializes in underwear made television news by displaying in its window a Christmas tree decorated only with underwear. The atmosphere of Christmas was noticeable, but any sign of welcoming the Christ was not.

Next time: Scriptural Insight Into Christmas

Watchtower, 1999

CHRISTMAS IN THE ORIENT

The Role of Gift-Giving

Gift-giving is one custom that has never faded away. For a long time, Koreans have found much joy in giving and receiving gifts. This was one reason for the popularizing of the Christmas celebration in Korea.

After World War II, for the U.S. soldiers stationed in Korea who wanted to strengthen their ties with the people, churches were places to meet and to distribute gifts and relief aid. Especially on Christmas Day did this occur. Many children visited churches out of curiosity, and there they had their first exposure to gifts of chocolate. As you can understand, many of them then looked forward to the next Christmas.

For such children, Santa Claus was an American soldier in a red stocking cap. Proverbs 19:6 says: "Everybody is a companion to the man making gifts." Yes, gift-giving proved to be very effective. But as you can conclude from that verse, such gifts do not guarantee a lasting friendship. Even in Korea, many are those whose experiences with the church amounted to nothing more than a taste of chocolate in their younger years. Christmas, though, was not forgotten. Along with Korea's rapid economic growth, commercialism grew, and Christmas gift-giving was a simple means for boasting consumer spending. Businesses exploited Christmas to increase profits.

That provides you with insight into Christmas in the Orient today. Aiming at the Christmas shopping spree, new products are developed. Plans for advertisements begin in midsummer. Sales figures peak at year-end, supported by all the purchasing of Christmas gifts, cards and musical recordings. Why, advertisement would make the average youth feel miserable if he or she stayed at home and did not get any presents on Christmas Eve!

As Christmas Day draws near, stores and shopping malls in Seoul get crowded with people who are there to buy gifts, and the story is the same in other Oriental cities. There are traffic jams, Hotels, business districts, restaurants and nightclubs are flooded with customers. Sounds of revelry-loud singing-can be heard. On Christmas Eve, drunken men and women are seen making their way through streets that are littered with trash.

So it is, Christmas in the Orient is no longer a holiday led by professed Christians. Obviously, in Korea as elsewhere, commercialism has taken the lead in making the most of this holiday of Christendom. . Is the commercialism, then, solely to blame for a Christmas that has become so out of line with the spirit of Christ? True Christians need to probe deeper into the serious issues involved.

Next time: The Origin of Christmas

Watchtower, 1999

CHRISTMAS IN THE ORIENT

CHRISTMAS Why Even in the Orient?

An old Oriental belief is reminiscent of the Santa Claus of Christmas. That is the Korean belief in one named Chowangshin, and something similar can be found among some Chinese and Japanese.

Chowangshin was considered a god in charge of the kitchen, a god of fire who was related to the ancient Korean worship of fire. (In olden times, Koreans transported live charcoals carefully, making sure that these were never extinguished.) This god was believed to keep watch over the conduct of the family members for a year, after which he ascended to heaven through the kitchen stove and chimney.

Supposedly, Chowangshin reported to the king of heaven on the 23rd of the lunar month of December. He was expected to come back at the end of the year through the chimney and the stove, bringing rewards and penalties in accord with each one's conduct. On the day of his return, the members if the family were to light candles in the kitchen and elsewhere in the house. Portraits of that kitchen god bear another similarity to Santa Claus-he was depicted in red! It used to be a custom for the daughter-in-law to make a pair of traditional Korean socks and on the winter solstice give them to her mother-in-law . That was meant to symbolize her wish that the mother-in-law would have a long life, since the days get longer after that date.

Do you not see some similarities between the foregoing points and Christmas? They share stories and customs: the chimney, candles, gift-giving, socks, an old man in red clothing, and the date. Still, such similarities alone do not account for the easy acceptance of Christmas in Korea. The belief in Chowangshin had almost faded away by the time Christmas was first introduced to Korea. In fact, most Koreans today do not know that such a belief ever existed.

Nonetheless, this illustrates how customs related to the winter solstice and the end of the year spread all over the world through different paths. In the fourth century C.E., the prevailing church in the Roman Empire changed the name of the Saturnalia, the pagan Roman festival of the birth of the son-god, and made this par of Christmas. The Christmas celebration amounted to a revival of local customs with a different name tag. How was that possible?

Next time: The Role of Gift -Giving

Watchtower, 1999

CHRISTMAS IN THE ORIENT

SOME TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO, a prominent Korean scholar visited Peking, China. Starting at a painting on the ceiling of a cathedral, he saw a scene of Mary with the child Jesus in her arms. He said of this startling painting: "A lady held a sickly-looking child, about five or six years old, on her lap. She seemed to have little strength in her neck, as if she couldn't bear to watch her son for pity. And far behind them there were a lot of ghosts and babies with wings flying around. As I stared at them above me, it looked as if they would drop down on me at any moment. Startled, I put my hand out to take them."

THAT occurred long after the Reformation began in Europe, long after the dark era of the Middle Ages. But to most Orientals, Christianity, was as unfamiliar as the painting itself. How that situation has changed! Every Christmas season, scenes of the baby Jesus are featured . The Orient has become used to such scenes , and many streets there now resemble those in Europe.

On the evening of November 25, 1998, a month prior to Christmas, the Champs Elysees in Paris is brightly lit by over 100,000 bulbs in the 300 trees lining that famous avenue. Comparably, on the downtown street in Seoul, Korea, a giant Christmas tree is featured by a major department store and begins to brighten the night in that capital city. Soon its trees are adorned with Christmas decorations.

Television, radio and newpapers present Christmas related programs day after day. Stirred by the Christmas mood, the whole country becomes occupied with welcoming the end of the year. The churches in Seoul, the number of which astonishes may visitors, get decorated in a hurry. Thus, Korea and other countries in the Orient are engulfed by the Christmas spirit about the time the United States is involved in its Thanksgiving Day celebration in late November.

Most countries of the Orient are not considered part of the Christendom. For instance, only 26.3 percent of the population of Korea professes to be Christian. In Hong Kong it is 7.9 percent, in Taiwan 7.4 percent, and in Japan only 1.2 percent. Clearly most Oriental do not practice Christianity, but they seem to have not objection in celebrating Christmas. In fact, they often seem to be more enthusiastic about than their Western counterparts are. Hong Kong, for instance, is well-known for its flamboyant Christmas celebration, even though most of its inhabitants are either Buddhists or Taoists. Even in China, where only0.1 percent professes to be Christian, Christmas is very rapidly gaining in popularity.

Why is Christmas celebrated so widely in the Orient? Why do people who do not accept Jesus as the Messiah join in celebrating Christmas, which most professing Christians view as his birthday? Should true Christians imitate their view of Christmas? We shall find the answers as we consider how Christmas become popularized in Korea, an age-old country of the Orient.

Next time: CHRISTMAS Why Even in the Orient?

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Conclusion with Reaching Non-English Readers

The United Bible Societies reports that of the world's 6,500 languages, portions of the Bible are available in only 2,212. Hence, some 100 translators are working to produce the New World Translation of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures in 11 and 8 languages respectively. God's will is "that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) The New World Translation will not doubt continue to play a major role in this regard.

We therefore rejoice that this translation has passed a milestone of 100 million copies, and we pray that many more millions will be produced in the future. We encourage you to examine for yourself. You will enjoy numerous special features: clear type, page headings, an index that can help you to locate familiar verses, detailed maps and fascinating appendix material. More important, you can read the this Bible with confidence that it accurately transmits the very sayings of God in your language.

Next time: Christmas in the Orient

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Reaching Non-English Readers

Between 1963 and 1989, the New World Translation became available, in whole or in part, in ten additional languages. However, the work of translation was laborious, with some projects lasting 20 years or more. Then in 1989 the Translation Services Department was established at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. Under the direction of the Writing Committee of the Governing Body, this department set out to speed up Bible translation. A method of translation was developed that combined Biblical word study with computer technology. How does this system work

Once the Writing Committee has approved the translation of the Bible into a new language, it appoints a group of dedicated Christians to serve as a translating team. Teams can produce more balanced translations than can an individual working alone. (Compare Proverbs 11:14) Generally, each team member has had experience in translating the Society's publication. The team then receives thorough training in the principles of Bible translation and in the use of specially developed computer programs. A computer does not do actual translation work, but it can give a team access to important information and help them to keep track of their decisions.

A Bible translation project has two stages. During the first stage, the translators are given a list of words and expressions used in the English New World Translation. Related English terms, such as "atone," "atonement," and "propitiation," are grouped together, alerting the translators to subtle shades of meaning. They compile a list of vernacular equivalents. At times, though, a translator may have difficulty rendering a verse. The computer research system provides the translator with information on Greek and Hebrew terms and gives access to Watchtower publications.

When the project moves into it second stage, the selected vernacular terms are automatically inserted into the Bible text. This builds considerable accuracy and consistency into the translation. However, the text resulting from this "search and replace" operation is hardly readable. Considerable work must be done to edit and rephrase Bible verses so that they read smoothly.

This translation system has proved to be remarkably effective. One group was able to translate the entire Hebrew Scriptures in just two years. Compare this to a group that worked on a related language without computer support. It took them 16 years. to date, the Christian Greek Scriptures have been printed in 18 additional languages since 1989. The New World Translation is now available,in whole or in part, in 34 languages. Thus over 80 percent of Jehovah's Witnesses have at least the Christian Greek Scriptures available in their mother tongue.

Next time: Continue with Reaching Non-English Readers

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Restoring God's Name

An outstanding feature of the New World Translation involved the restoration of God's name, Jehovah. In ancient copies of the Hebrew Bible, the divine name is represented by four consonants that may be transliterated as YHWH or JHVH. This distinctive name appears 7,000 times in the so-called Old Testament alone. (Exodus 3:15; Psalm 83:18) Clearly, our Creator intended his worshipers both to know and to use that name.

However, superstitious fears caused the Jewish people to cease using the divine name. Following the death of Jesus' apostles, copyists of the Greek Scriptures began replacing God's personal name with the Greek words Ky'-ri-os (Lord) or The-os' (God). Sad to say, modern translators have perpetuated this God-dishonoring tradition, eliminating God's name from most Bibles and even concealing that God has a name. For example, at John 17:6 are Jesus' words: "I have made your name manifest." Today's English Version, however, renders this: "I have made you known.

Some scholars defend the elimination of the divine name because its exact pronunciation is unknown. However, such familiar Bible names as Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Jesus are routinely rendered in ways that bear little resemblance to their original Hebrew pronunciation. Since the form Jehovah is a legitimate way of rendering the divine name-and one familiar to many people-objections to using it ring hollow.

The New World Bible Translation Committee took the bold step of using the name Jehovah in both the Hebrew and Greek portions of Scripture. They had a precedent for this in early missionary translations for people in Central America, the South Pacific, and the Orient. Such use of God's name is not merely of academic interest, however. Knowing God's name is critical to coming to know him as a person. (Exodus 34:6, 7) The New World Translation has encouraged millions of readers to use his name!

Next time: Reaching Non-English Readers

Watchtower,1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Unique Features

Millions of readers have done just that and have discovered the New World Translation to be not only readable but scrupulously accurate. Its translators worked from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages, using the best texts available. Unusual care was also exercised to render the ancient text as literally as possible but in language that would readily be understood. Accordingly, some scholars praised this translation for its integrity and accuracy. For example, the Andover Newton Quarterly of January 1963 said: The translation of the New Testament is evidence of the presence in the movement of scholars qualified to deal intelligently with the many problems of Biblical translation.

The translators opened up a new world of Biblical understanding. Bible texts that had previously been only dimly understood became dramatically clear. For example, the perplexing text at Matthew 5:3, "blessed are the poor in spirit"(King James Version) was rendered in a way that made sense: "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need." The New World Translation is also quite consistent and uniform in its rendering of key terms. The Greek word psy-khe', for example, was translated "soul" in each of its occurrences. As a result, readers can quickly discern that contrary to religious theories, the soul is not immortal! -Matthew 2:20; Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 17:33.

Next time: Restoring God's Name

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

THIS feat is particularly remarkable considering that upon its release, this translation was subjected to severe criticism. Yet, it has not only survive but thrived, making its way into millions of homes-and hearts-all over the world! What is the origin of this unique translation? Who is behind it? And how might you benefit from using it?

Why a New Translation?

For over a hundred years, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the legal agency representing Jehovah's Witnesses, has distributed Bibles. Why, though, did Jehovah's Witnesses see the need to produce another version of God's Word? The book So Many Version? By Sakae Kubo and Walter Specht, observes: "No translation of the Bible can ever be considered final. Translation must keep pace with the growth in biblical scholarship and the changes in language."

This century has seen considerable growth in the understanding of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic-the language in which the Bible was originally penned. Also, Bible manuscripts have been discovered that are older and more accurate than those used by previous generation of Bible translators God's Word can thus be rendered more accurately today than ever before! It was for good reason, then, that the New World Bible Translation Committee was formed to undertake the translation of the Bible into modern-day languages.

In 1950 the English-language version of the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures was published. The title itself was a bold departure from tradition, rejecting the designation of the Bible as made up of "Old" and "New" testaments. During the next decade, portions of the Hebrew Scriptures were published in installments. In 1961 the complete Bible in English was released in one volume.

Just who translated this remarkable Bible? The Watchtower of September 15, 1950, said: "The men who compose the translation committee have indicated their desire . . . to remain anonymous, and specifically do not want their names to be published while they are in life or after death. The purpose of the translation is to exalt the name of the living, true God." Some critics charged that the work should be summarily dismissed as the product of amateurs, but not all took such an unreasonable stance. Writes Alan S. Duthie: "If we know who the translators or the publishers of a particular Bible translation are, does it help us to decide whether that translation is good or bad? Not directly. There is not substitute for examining the characteristics of each translation itself."

Next time: Unique Features

Watchtower, 1999

YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

A Final Effort to Gain Him

If step two fails to settle the matter, congregation overseers are definitely involved in the third step. "If he does not listen to [the one or two], speak to the congregation, if he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a tax collector." What does this entail?

We do not understand it as a directive to bring up the sin or wrong at a regular or special meeting of the whole congregation. We can determine the appropriate procedure from God's Word. See what was to be done in ancient Israel in a case of rebellion, gluttony and drunkenness: "In case a man happens to have a son who is stubborn and rebellious, he is not listening to the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and they have corrected him but he will not listen to them, his father and his mother must also take hold of him and bring him out to the older men of his city and to the gate of his place, and they must say to the older men of the city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he is not listening to our voice, being a glutton and a drunkard.' Then all the men of his city must pelt him with stones." -Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

The man's sins were not heard and judged by the whole nation nor by all of his own tribe. Rather, the recognized "older men" dealt with it as representatives of the congregation. (Compare Deuteronomy19:16, 17) about a case handled by 'priests and the judges who were acting in those days.') Similarly today, when it is necessary to take the third step, the elders, who represent the congregation, handle the matter. Their goal is the same, to gain the Christian brother if at all possible. They reflect this by showing fairness, not prejudging the case or being partial.

They will strive to weigh the facts and hear the witnesses needed to establish whether sin truly has been committed (or continues to be committed). They want to protect the congregation from corruption and to keep the spirit of the world out. (1 Corinthians 2:12; 5:7) In line with their Scriptural qualifications, they will endeavor "to exhort by the teaching that is healthful and to reprove those who contradict." (Titus 1:9) Hopefully, the wrongdoer will not be like the Israelites of whom Jehovah's prophets wrote: "I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not listen; and you kept doing what was bad in my eyes, and thing in which I took no delight you chose." -Isaiah 65:12.

In a relatively few cases, however, the sinner reflects that same attitude. If so, Jesus' direction is clear: "Let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector." The Lord did not recommend being inhuman or desirous of any hurt. There is, though, no ambiguity about the apostle Paul's direction to exclude unrepentant sinners from the congregation. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Even this may eventually result in the goal of gaining the sinner.

We can see that potential from Jesus' parable of the prodigal son. As illustrated, after a period of living outside the loving fellowship of his father's house, that sinner "came to his senses." (Luke 15:11-18) Paul mentioned to Timothy that some wrongdoers would in time repent and "come back to their proper senses out from the snare of the Devil." ( 2 Timothy 2:24-26) We would certainly hope that nay who unrepentantly sin and must be excluded from the congregation will feel their loss-both of God's approval and of the warm fellowship and social contact with loyal Christians-and then come to their senses.

Jesus did not consider people of the nations and tax collectors as being beyond redemption. One of the latter, Matthew Levi, repented, sincerely 'followed Jesus,' and was even chosen as an apostle. (Mark 2:15; Luke 15:1) Consequently, if a sinner today does "not listen even to the congregation" and is excluded from it, we can wait to see if he, in time, will repent and make straight his paths for his feet. When he does and is again a member of the congregation, we will then be happy to have gained our brother back in the fold of true worship.

Next time: A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Watchtower, 1999

YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

Getting Mature Help

Would you want others to give up on your quickly if you were guilty of a serious wrong? Hardly. Accordingly, Jesus showed that after the first step, you should not give up trying to gain your brother, to keep him united with you and others in worshiping God acceptably. Jesus outlined a second step: "If he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established."

He said to take "one or two more." He did not say that after taking the first step, you are free to discuss the problem with many others to contact a traveling overseer, or to write to brothers about the problem. Convinced as you may be about the wrong, it has not really been fully established. You would not want to spread negative information that could turn out to be slander on your part. (Proverbs 16:28; 18:8) But Jesus did say to take along one or two others. Why? And who could they be?

You are trying to gain your brother by convincing him that a sin has been committed and by moving him to repent so as to be at peace with you and with God. To that end, the ideal situation would be if the "one or two" were witnesses to the wrong. Perhaps they were present when it occurred, or they have valid information about what was done (or not done) in a business matter. If such witnesses are not available, those who bring may have experience in the field at issue and therefore be able to establish whether what occurred was truly a wrong. Moreover, should it late be needed, they could be witnesses to what was said, confirming the facts presented and effort made. (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6) So they are not simply neutral parties, referees; yet, their being present is to help gain your brother and theirs.

You need not think that those you bring must be men who are elders in the congregation. However, mature men who are elders may be able to contribute by their spiritual qualifications. Such elders are "like a hiding place from the wind and a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless country, like the shadow of a heavy crag in an exhausted land." (Isaiah 32:1, 2) They have experience in reasoning with and readjusting brothers and sisters. And the wrongdoer has good reason for showing confidence in such "gifts in men." (Ephesians 4:8, 11, 12) Talking the matter out in the presence of such mature ones and sharing in prayer with them can create a new atmosphere and resolve what seemed irresolvable. -Compare James 5:14, 15.

Next time: A Final Effort to Gain Him

Watchtower, 1999

YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

Strive to Gain Your Brother

Jesus began: "If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." Clearly, this is not a step based on mere suspicion. You should have evidence or specific information that you can use to help your brother to see that he committed a wrong and needs to set matters straight. It is good to act promptly, not letting the matter grow or letting his attitude become entrenched. And do not forget that brooding over it can damage you too. Since the discussion is to be between you and him alone, refrain from talking to others beforehand to win sympathy or improve your self-image. (Proverbs 12:25; 17:9) Why? Because of your goal.

Your objective should be to gain your brother, not to castigate, humiliate, or ruin him. If he really has done wrong, his relationship with Jehovah is at risk. You surely want to keep him as your Christian brother. The likelihood of success will be enhanced if in the private discussion you remain calm, avoiding harsh words or an accusatory tone. In this loving confrontation, remember that you both are imperfect, sinful humans. (Romans 3:23, 24) As he realizes that you have not gossiped about him and sees that you sincerely want to help, a solution may readily come. This kind, clear approach will especially reflect wisdom if it turns out that you both share a degree of fault or that a misunderstanding was really at the root of the matter. -Proverbs 25:9, 10; 26:20; James 3:5, 6.

If you help him to see that a wrong occurred and that it is serious, he may be moved to repent. Realistically, though, pride can be an obstacle. (Proverbs 16:18; 17:19) So even if he does not initially admit the wrong and repent, you may pause before taking the matter further. Jesus did not say 'go only once and lay bare his fault.' Since it is a sin that you can resolve, consider approaching him again in the spirit of Galatians 6:1 and "under four eyes." You may succeed. (Compare Jude 22, 23) Yet, what if you are convinced that as in has been committed and that he will not respond?

Next time: Getting Mature Help

Watchtower, 1999

YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

What Did He Mean?

Strictly speaking, what Jesus advised to relates to more serious matters. Jesus said: "If your brother commits a sin." In a broad sense, "a sin" can be any mistake or failing. (Job 2:10; Proverbs 21:4; James 4:17) However, the context suggests that the sin Jesus meant must have been serious. It was sufficiently grave that it could lead to the wrongdoer's being viewed "as a man of the nations and as a tax collector." What does that phrase imply?

Jesus' disciples hearing those words knew that their countrymen would not socialize with Gentiles. (John 4:9; 18:28; Acts 10:28) And they definitely avoided tax collectors, men who were born Jewish but who turned into misusers of the people. So strictly speaking, the reference at Matthew 18:15-17 was to serious sins, not personal offenses or hurts that you can simply forgive and forget. -Matthew 18:21, 22.

Under the Law, some sins called for more than forgiveness from an offended person. Blasphemy, apostasy, idolatry, and the sexual sins of fornication, adultery, and homosexuality were to be reported to and handled by elders (or priests). That is true also in the Christian congregation. (Leviticus 5:1; 20:10-13 Numbers 5:30; 35:12; Deuteronomy 17:9; 19:16-19; Proverbs 29:24) Note, though, that the class of sins Jesus here spoke of could be settled between two persons. As examples: Moved by anger or jealousy, a person slanders his fellowman. A Christian contracts to do a job with particular materials and to finish by a certain date. Someone agrees that he will repay money on a schedule or by a final date. A person gives his word that if his employer trains him, he will not (even it changing jobs)compete or try to take his employer's clients for a set time or a designated area. If a brother would not keep his word and is unrepentant over such wrongs, it would certainly be serious. (Revelation 21:8) But such wrongs could be settled between the two involved.

How, though, would you proceed in resolve the matter? Jesus' words have often been viewed in three steps. Let us consider each. Rather than view them as fixed, legal procedures, seek to grasp their sense, never losing sight of you loving goal.

Next time: Strive to Gain Your Brother

Watchtower, 1999

YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

With less than a year of his ministry left, Jesus had vital lessons for his disciples. You can read them in Matthew chapter 18. One was the importance of being humble, like children. He next stressed that we must avoid stumbling "one of these little ones" and that we should try to recover straying "little ones" so that they do not perish. Then Jesus added valuable, practical advice on settling differences between Christians.

You may recall his words: "If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them speak to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17) When should we apply such counsel, and what should be our attitude in doing so?

The preceding article emphasized that since we all are imperfect and prone to error, we need to work at being forgiving. That is especially so when here is hurt over what a fellow Christian said or did. (1 Peter 4:8) Often it is best simply to pass over the offense-to forgive and forget. We can view doing this as contribution to peace in the Christian congregation. (Psalm 133:1; Proverbs 19:11) Yet, there may be an occasion when you may feel that you must resolve a matter with your brother or sister who hurt you. In such a case, Jesus' words above provide guidance.

Jesus advised that you "lay bare his fault between you and him alone." That is wise. Some German translations phrase this, present his fault "under four eyes," meaning yours and his. When you kindly bring up a problem in private, it usually is easier to resolve. A brother who did or said something offensive or unkind may more readily acknowledge the error to you alone. If others were listening, imperfect human nature might incline him to deny being wrong or try to justify what he did. But as you bring the issue up "under four eyes," you may find that it was a misunderstanding rather than a sin or deliberate wrong. Once you both grasp it as misunderstanding, you can settle it, not allowing a trivial issue to grow and poison your relationship. Hence, the principle at Matthew 18:15 can be applied even to minor offenses in daily life.

Next time: What Did He Mean?

Watchtower, 1999

FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Continue with:Make Peace-Forgive

Significantly, Jesus did not say to go to your brother to convince him that you were in the right and that he was in the wrong. Maybe he was. More probably, there was some fault on each side. In any case, the goal should not be to get the other party to concede, to grovel, as it were. If that is how you approach the discussion, failure will be almost certain. Nor should the goal necessarily be to review every detail of the real or imagined offense. When calm discussion in the spirit of Christian love reveals a sad misunderstanding at the core of the problem, you can both try to clear that up. But even if the discussion does not lead to total agreement, is that always necessary? Would it not be better if you at least could agree that you both sincerely want to serve our forgiving God? When you face that reality it may be easier for each to say from the heart," I am sorry that in our imperfection we had this difference. Please, let us pass beyond it."

Remember that the apostles had their differences, as when some of them aspired to greater honor. (Mark 10:35-39; Luke 9:46; 22:24-26) That caused tension, perhaps hurt feelings, or even deep offense. But they were able to pass over such differences and keep on working together. On of them later wrote: "He that would love life and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from what is bad and his lips from speaking what is bad and his lips from speaking deception, but let him turn away from what is bad and do what is good; let him seek peace and pursue it." -1 Peter 3:10, 11.

We earlier noted one phase of a cycle: God forgave many sins that we committed i the past, so that we should imitate him and forgive our brothers. (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25) But there is another phase to this cycle. After providing the model prayer, Jesus said: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us." (Matthew 6:12, 14; Luke 11:4) Then, just days before his death, Jesus added: "When you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against anyone; in order that your Father who is in the heavens may also forgive you your trespasses." -Mark 11:25.

Yes, our prospects for continuing to receive God's forgiveness are to a large extent contingent on our being willing to forgive our brothers. When a personal problem between Christians arises, ask yourself, ' Is not gaining God's forgiveness far more important that my proving that a brother or a sister was wrong on some minor slight, some petty offense, or some reflection of human imperfection? You know the answer.

What though, when the matter is more serious than a minor personal offense or problem? And when does Jesus' counsel recorded at Matthew 18:15-18 apply? Let us next consider these matters/

Next time: YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

Watchtower, 1999

FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Make Peace-Forgive

What does it really take to forgive when you have have a problem with another Christian? Frankly, there is no one simple method, but the Bible offers helpful examples and realistic advice. A key recommendation-though not an easy one to accept and apply-is simply to forget the matter, to let it pass. Often when a problem exists, as it did between Euodia and Syntyche, each person feels that the other is in the wrong or mainly at fault. So in a situation like that, you may well think that the other Christian is primarily to blame or has done the most harm. Nevertheless, can you simply close the book by forgiving? Realize that, if and this may be a big if, the other Christian is primarily or entirely at fault, you are in the prime position to let the matter pass as forgiven and ended.

Let us not lose sight of God as our example in forgiving. (Ephesians 4:32-5:1) As to His pattern in letting errors pass, the prophet Micah wrote: "Who is a God like you, one pardoning error and passing over transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? He will certainly not hold onto his anger forever, for he is delighting in loving-kindness." -Micah 7:18.

By describing Jehovah as one "passing over transgression," the Bible is not saying that he is incapable of recalling the wrongs having some sort of selective amnesia. Consider the cases of Samson and David, both of whom committed serious errors. God was able to remember those sins long afterward; even we know of some of their sins because Jehovah had recorded them in the Bible. Still, our forgiving God showed mercy to those two, setting them before us as examples of faith to imitate. - Hebrews 11:32; 12:1.

Yes, Jehovah was able to 'pass over' transgression, even as David repeatedly asked him to do. (2 Samuel 12:13; 24:10) Can we imitate God in this, being willing to pass over the slights and offenses that our fellow servants commit as imperfect humans? Imagine yourself on a jet airplane speeding down a runway. Looking out, you see near the runway an acquaintance making the rude gesture of childishly sticking her tongue out. You know that she had been upset and might have you in mind. Or she might not be thinking of you at all. Anyway, as the plane circles to gain altitude, you pass high over the woman, who now seems to be just a speck. In an hour you are hundreds of miles away, and her offending gesture is long since behind you. Similarly, many times it will help us to forgive if we try to be like Jehovah and wise pass over the offense. (Proverbs 19:11) Will not the slight seem tine ten years from now or two hundred years into the Millennium? Why not just let it pass?

On a rare occasion, though, you may have prayed about the matter and tried to forgive, but you feel that you cannot. What then? Jesus urged going to the other party and trying to resolve the difference in privacy to achieve peace. "If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift." -Matthew 5:23, 24.

Next time: Continue with Make Peace-Forgive

Watchtower, 1999

FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

We Need to Work at Being Forgiving

It would be nice to think that in the Christian congregation, there are few occasions when we have to practice the godly course of forgiving. The reality is otherwise. Granted, our Christian brothers and sisters are striving to follow Jesus' pattern of love. (John 13:35; 15:12, 13; Galatians 6:2) They have long worked, and are still working, to abandon ways of thinking, speaking, and acting common to this wicked world. They truly want to manifest the new personality. (Colossians 3:9, 10) Yet, we cannot ignore the fact that the global congregation, and each local congregation, is composed of imperfect humans. Overall, they are certainly better than they once were, yet they are still imperfect.

In the Bible, God deliberately tells us that we can expect imperfection in the congregation, among our brothers and sisters. Consider, for instance, Paul's words recorded at Colossians 3:13: "Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also.{"

Significantly, the Bible here reminds us of the link between God's forgiving us and our duty and need to be forgiving toward others. Why is this a challenge? Because Paul admitted that someone may have "a cause for complaint against another." He realized that such causes would exist. They must have existed in the first century, even among Christian "holy ones," who, had a 'hope reserved for them in the heavens.' (Colossians 1:2, 5) So we can imagine that it would be otherwise today when most true Christians do not have the testimony of the spirit that they are God's chosen ones, holy and loved."? (Colossians 3:12) Hence, we should not conclude that something is exceptionally wrong if in our congregation there are causes for complaint-hurtful feelings over real or supposed wrongs.

The words of Jesus' half brother James also show that we must expect that we may at least occasionally encounter situations that call on us to forgive our brothers. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show out of his fine conduct his works with a mildness that belongs to wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and contentiousness in your hearts, do not be bragging and lying against the truth." (James 3:13, 14) "Bitter jealousy and contentiousness" in the hearts of true Christians? Yes, James' words clearly suggest that such had surfaced in the first-century congregation and will do so today.

A real example involved two anointed Christians who had a fine reputation for exerting themselves side by side with Paul. You may recall reading about Euodia and Syntyche, members of the Philippian congregation. Though not describing the matter in detail. Philippians 4:2,3 shows that there was some problem between them. Did it begin with a thoughtless, unkind comment, a perceived slight of a relative, or some evidence of competitive jealousy? Whatever its nature, it became so serious that Paul heard about it far away in Rome. Icy silence may have developed between the two spiritual sisters, leading to their keeping each other at a distance at the meetings or making harsh comments about the other to their friends.

Does any of that sound familiar, like what occurred between some in your congregation or something that you were involved in? A problem of that sort may even now exist to a degree. What can we do? In the ancient case , Paul urged those two dedicated sisters "to be of the same mind in the Lord." They may have agreed to discuss the matter, to clear the air, to express a mutual willingness to forgive,and then actually to imitate Jehovah's forgiving attitude. There is not reason to think other than that euodia and Syntyche succeeded, and we too can succeed. Such a forgiving attitude can be applied successfully today.

Next time: Make Peace-Forgive

Watchtower, 1999

FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Forgiveness Needed-And Shown to Us

You are imperfect, as yo know all too well. If asked, you would even admit it, perhaps recalling the words found at 1 John 1:8: "If we make the statement: 'We have not sin,' we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us." (Romans 3:23; 5:12) With some, sinfulness may have been manifested by gross, shocking sins. But even if you are not knowing guilty of such, there certainly are many times and ways in which you have fallen short of God's standards-you sinned. Is that not so?

Hence, your situation might correspond to the apostle Paul's description: "Though you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of your flesh, God made you alive together with him [Jesus]. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses." (Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 2:1-3) Note the phrase "forgave all our trespasses." That covers a lot. Each of us has good reason to plead as did David: "For your name's sake, O Jehovah, you must even forgive my error for it is considerable." -Psalm 25:11.

How can you -or any of us-receive forgiveness? A key is that Jehovah God is inclined to forgive. That is characteristic of his personality. (Exodus 34:6, 7; Psalm86:5) Understandably, God expects us to turn to him in prayer and ask his pardon,ask that he forgive us. ( 2 Chronicles 6:21; Psalm 103:3,n10, 14) And he has arranged a legal basis for extending such forgiveness-Jesus' ransom sacrifice. -Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 1 John 4:9, 14.

You should see in God's willingness to forgive a pattern as to how you ought to treat other humans. Paul focused on this writing: "Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one anther just as God also by Christ freely forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) There is not doubt that Paul's point involves our learning from God's example, for the next verse continues: "Therefore, become imitators of God as beloved children." (Ephesians 5:1) Do you see the link? Jehovah God forgave you , so-Paul forcefully reasons-you need to imitate Him and be "tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving" of others. But ask yourself, 'Am I working in that direction, really striving to imitate God in being forgiving.

Next time: We Need to Work at Being Forgiving

Watchtower, 1999

FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

SHE was likely a prostitute, not someone you would expect to find in the home of a religious person. If some were shocked to see her there, what she did was more shocking. She approached the man with the highest morals and displayed her appreciation for his works, washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair.

That man, Jesus, was not repelled by this woman, "known in the city to be a sinner." But Simon the Pharisee, whose home it was, was concerned that she was a sinner. Jesus responded by telling of two men in debt to a lender. One owed a lot-about two year's wages for a laborer. The other owed a tenth of that-less than three months' wages. When neither could repay, the lender "freely forgave them both." Clearly, the one forgiven more had greater reason to respond in love. After tying in the woman's kind act, Jesus added the principle: "He who is forgiven little, loves little." Then he told her: "Your sins are forgiven." -Luke 7:36-48.

Ask yourself, 'Had I been that woman or if I were in a similar situation and mercy was shown me, would I then be harshly unforgiving toward others? You might answer, 'Certainly not!' Still, do you truly believe that you are inclined to forgive? Is that your basic nature? have you often done so readily, and would others describe you as being forgiving? Let us see why each of us ought to give this our frank, introspective attention.

Next time: Forgiveness Needed-And Shown to Us

Watchtower, 1999

Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

Continued Effort Required

Learning to feel and to show love toward others is an ongoing process. Doing so requires so much effort on our part because we have to work hard to overcome our own imperfections as well as to resist the strong influence of this loveless world. However, the rich rewards this brings makes it really worthwhile. -Matthew 24:12.

Even in this very imperfect world, we can enjoy improved relations with our fellowmen, resulting in much joy, peace and satisfaction to ourselves and to others. By making such an effort, we can prove ourselves worthy of the wonderful hope of living forever in God's new world. Above all, by learning the excelling way of love, we may gain the approval and blessings of our loving Creator, both now and for eternity!

Next time: FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Watchtower, 1999

Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

Letting Your Love Grow

Love and friendship need to be nurtured and cultivated, and among the essential ingredients for this are sincerity and honesty. Some try to hide their shortcomings in order to leave a favorable impression with the people they want to befriend. However, such a course often backfires, as others eventually find out the facts and are repelled by such dishonesty. Therefore, we should not be afraid to allow others to know us as we truly are-even though we have shortcomings that we are striving to overcome. This may help to open up friendships with them.

For instance, an elderly Witness sister in a congregation in the Far East has had very little education. Yet, she never tries to hide that fact from others. She frankly admits, for example, that she is not able to demonstrate to others how to establish from Bible prophecies and history that the Gentile Times ended in 1914. However, she sets such a fine example in zeal for the ministry, as well as in love and generosity for the brothers, that she is affectionately referred to as the jewel of the congregation.

In some cultures, showing affection openly is frowned upon; people are taught to keep up a polite formality in their dealings with others. While it is always good to be courteous and considerate, we should not allow our politeness to stifle or hide our feelings toward others. Jehovah did not feel ashamed to profess his affection for his chosen people, ancient Israel, saying to them: "With a love to time indefinite I have loved you." (Jeremiah 31:3) Similarly, the apostle Paul told his fellow believers in Thessalonica: 'Having a tender affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:8) So as we endeavor to cultivate genuine affection for fellow humans, it is more in keeping with the Bible teaching to let such feelings be naturally expressed rather than suppressed.

Next time: Continued Effort Required

Watchtower, 1999

Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

Learning To Love Our Fellow Humans

As Jesus pointed out, in addition to loving God with all our heart, soul and mind, we should love our neighbor as ourselves. In fact, the love of God obligates us to love our fellow humans. The apostle John explained: "Beloved ones, if this is how God loved us, then we are ourselves under obligation to love one another." He further emphasized: "I love God,' and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also." -1 John 4:11, 20, 21.

Today we are living in a world where most people show a me-first attitude, being "lovers of themselves," just as the Bible foretold. (2Timothy 3:2) Therefore, if we want to learn the excelling way of love, we have to put forth serious effort to make our minds over and imitate our loving Creator, rather than follow the selfish ways of people in general. (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:1) God is even "kind toward the unthankful and wicked," and he "makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous." since our heavenly Father sets such a magnificent example for us, we should strive to be kind and helpful to all. By doing so, we can prove ourselves 'sons of our loving heavenly Father.' - Luke 6:35; Matthew 5:45.

Sometimes such loving deeds result in helping people become worshipers of the true God. Some years ago a housewife who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses tried to share the Bible message with her neighbor, only to be firmly rebuffed. However, she was not discouraged by the response. Instead, she continued to show kindness and tried to be helpful to the neighbor. One time she helped the neighbor move to a different house. Another time she arranged for someone to accompany the neighbor to the airport to meet the latter's relatives. Later, the neighbor accepted a Bible study and eventually became a zealous Christian despite very severe persecution from her husband. Yes, those expressions of love laid the groundwork for everlasting blessings.

If we are honest about it, we will admit that God's love for us is not because we have an abundance of admirable qualities. On the contrary, he loves us even though we have many faults and shortcomings. That being so, we should likewise learn to love our fellow humans despite their many failings. If we train ourselves to discern and appreciate the finer qualities of others rather than looking for their faults, we will find it much easier to feel love toward them. What we feel toward them may even go beyond the love governed by principle and include the warm affection and fondness that exists between close friends.

Next time: Letting Your Love Grow

Watchtower, 1999

Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

We Must Learn to Love God

Jehovah God knows that in spite of everything, mankind is still capable of showing love. That is why he requires all who want to please him to manifest love to the best of their ability. This requirement was made clear by God's Son, Jesus Christ, when he was asked to name the greatest commandment in the Law given to Israel. He said: " 'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment." Then he added: "The second, like it, is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandment the whole Law hangs." -Matthew 22:37-40.

Many people feel, however, that it is very difficult to love someone whom they cannot see, and we humans cannot see Jehovah God because he is a Spirit. (John 4:24) Still, we are affected every day by what God does, as we all depend on the many good things he created for our benefit. The apostle Paul pointed out this face when he said: "[God] did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts to the full with food and good cheer." -Acts 14:17.

Even though everyone benefits from the Creator's provisions in one way or another, comparatively few are grateful to him or are moved to give thanks to him. Thus, we need to take stock of all the good things that God has done for us and to meditate on all the qualities that permeate all that he does. Doing so should enable us to discern that awe-inspiring wisdom and power of our Grand Creator. (Isaiah 45:18) Above all, it is , in that he not only granted us life but also made it possible for us to enjoy the many pleasures of living.

For example, think of the endless variety of beautiful flowers that God created on earth. How wonderful for us that he also endowed us with the ability to see and to derive great pleasure from these things of beauty! Similarly, God provided all sorts of nourishing food for our sustenance. How thoughtful of him that he also created in us the sense of taste so that we can experience such enjoyment from eating! Are these not eloquent proofs that God truly loves us and has our best interests in mind? -Psalm 145:16, 17; Isaiah 42:5, 8.

Besides revealing himself to us through the "book of nature," the Creator, through his Word, the Bible, shows us what kind of God he is. This is because in the Bible are recorded many of the loving things Jehovah God did in the past and to the numerous blessings he promised to bestow upon mankind in the near future. (Genesis 22:17, 18; Exodus 3:17; psalm 72:6-16; Revelation 21:4, 5) Above all, the Bible reveals to us the greatest expression of God's love toward mankind -giving his only-begotten Son to be our Redeemer so that we can be freed from the bondage of sin and death. (Romans 5:8) Indeed, the more we learn about our loving Creator, the more we are moved to love him from our heart.

Next time: Learning to Love Our Fellow Humans

Watchtower, 1999

Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

SEEING that there have been wars throughout history, many have come to the conclusion that wars are really inevitable and that it is natural for humans to hate one another. Such views, however, are entirely contrary to the teachings of God's Word, the Bible. The Scriptures declare unequivocally: "He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:8) It is clear that the Creator wants humans to love one another.

The Bible also reveals that man was created in God's image. (Genesis 1:26, 27) This means that mankind is endowed with the capacity to reflect God's qualities, the most prominent of which is love. Since this is so, why have humans failed so miserably in showing love to one another throughout history? Again, the Bible provides insight. It is because the first human pair, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God and fell into sin. As a result, all their offspring inherited sin and imperfection. Romans 3:23 explains: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Our God-given ability to love is marred by our inherited sin and imperfection. Does this mean that humans are incapable of loving one another anymore? What hope is there that we will ever enjoy a peaceful, loving relationship with our fellowman?

Next time: We Must Learn to Love God

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Everlasting Life on a Paradise Earth

On man asked: "How many people will find it worth while living once they don't have to die?" Will life without death be boring? The Bible assures us that it will not. Everything he has made pretty in its time. Even time indefinite he has put in their heart, that mankind may never find out the start to the finish." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Jehovah God's creation is so rich and complex that it will continue to intrigue us, stimulate us, and make us happy as long as we live-even forever.

A man who studied the bird known as' the Siberian Jay called it "an extraordinary enchanting acquaintance" and claimed that observing the bird, the more intriguing he found it. He said that even after 18 years, his study was far from finished. If one species of bird can intrigue, stimulate and keep an intelligent man happy during an 18-year long intense study, just imagine the potential for joy and satisfaction that there must be in studying the entire earthly creation.

Picture all the interesting fields of science that will open up to someone who is not restricted by time. Imagine all the fascinating places there will be to explore and all the interesting people there will be to meet. Try to grasp the endless possibilities to conceive, create, and construct things. There will be no limit to the opportunities for us to develop and make use of our creativity. When we reflect on the abundance of creation, it is obvious that eternity is the only time measure that can do justice to life's possibilities.

The Bible shows that by means of a resurrection, living forever will also be extended to those who are dead. (John 5:28, 29) Many of the mysteries of history might become clear to us when those who experienced them can fill in the details and answer our questions. Think of all the insight on different periods of history that the resurrected ones will supply. -Acts 24:15.

When contemplating that time, you can appreciate that the resurrected Job may want to revise the statement found at Job 14:1. Perhaps he will offer instead: 'Man born of woman, now lives forever and is filled with satisfaction.'

For those putting trust in Jehovah and exercising faith in Jesus, prolonging life beyond the limits of time is not just an elusive dream. It will soon become a reality. Aging and death will cease. This is in line with Psalm 68:20, which says: "To Jehovah the Sovereign Lord belong the ways out from death." Revelation 21:3, 4.

Next time:Learning the Way of LOVE

Watchtower, 1999