Grateful for Spiritual Enlightenment

Regarding progressive spiritual enlightenment, Proverbs 4:18 has proved true.  It says:  "The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."  How thankful we are for the progressive spiritual enlightenment we have experienced!  At the Cedar Point, Ohio, convention in 1919, God's Kingdom was highlighted.  Jehovah uses the Kingdom to sanctify his name and vindicate his sovereignty.  In fact, spiritual enlightenment  has enabled us to discern that from Genesis through Revelation, the Bible testifies to Jehovah's purpose to sanctify his name by means of the Kingdom ruled by his Son.  Therein lies the grand hope of all lovers of righteousness. -Matthew 12:18, 21.

At the Cedar Point convention in 1922, the principal speaker, J.F. Rutherford, urged God's people to "advertise,m advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom."  In the article birth of the Nation," published in The Watch Tower of March 1, 1925, attention was drawn to spiritual insight concerning prophecies that had pointed forward to the setting up of God's Kingdom in 1914.  It was also discerned in the 1920's that there are two opposing organizations-Jehovah's and Satan's. The fight is on the winning side only if we keep in step with Jehovah's organization. 

How has such spiritual enlightenment helped us?  Since God's Kingdom and the King Jesus Christ are no part of the world, neither can we be part of it.  By keeping separate from the world, we show that we are on the side of the truth.  (John 17:16, 18:37)  When we observe the complex problems plaguing this wicked system, how thankful we are to be no part of Satan's organization!  And how favored we are to have spiritual security within Jehovah's organization!

At the Columbus, Ohio convention in 1931, fitting  application was made of Isaiah 43:10-12.   The Bible students adopted the distinctive name Jehovah's Witnesses.  What a grand privilege it is to make known God's name so that others may call upon it in order to be saved! -Psalm 83:18; Romans 10:13.

Next time: Conclusion of Grateful for Spiritual Enlightenment

The Watchtower, 2001