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