INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT-Abound With Spiritual Discernment

Abound With Spiritual Discernment

To please Jehovah, we need  "discernment in all things."  (2 Timothy 2:7) Avid study of the Bible and compliance with the direction of God's spirit and organization will help us to discern what to do when we face situations that could lead  us into a wrong course.  For example, suppose something in the  congregation is not handled as we think it should be.  Spiritual discernment will help us to see that this is no reason to stop associating with Jehovah's people and to quit serving God.  Think of our privilege to serve Jehovah, of the spiritual freedom we enjoy, of the joy we can derive from our service as Kingdom proclaimers.  Spiritual discernment enables us to get the right perspective and to realize that we are dedicated to God and should cherish our relationship with him, regardless of what others do.  If there is nothing that we can do theoretically  to handle a problem, we need to wait patiently  for Jehovah to remedy the situation.  Instead of quitting or yielding to despair, let us "wait for God." --Psalm 42:5, 11.

Spiritual discernment helps us to remain loyal to God and his people.  Paul told Christians in Philippi:  "This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment;  that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ."  (Philippians 1:9, 10) To reason properly, we need "accurate knowledge and full discernment."  the Greek word here rendered "discernment" denotes "sensitive moral perception."  When we learn something, we want to perceive its relationship to God and Christ and to meditate on how it magnifies Jehovah's personality and provisions.  This enhances our discernment and our appreciation for what Jehovah God and Jesus Christ have done for us.  If we do not fully understand something,discernment will help us to realize that we  must not cast aside our faith in all the important things we have learned about God, Christ, and the divine purpose.

We will abound with spiritual discernment if we always harmonize our thoughts and actions with God's Word.  (2 Corinthians  13:5)  Doing this in a constructive  way helps us to be humble, not opinionated and critical of others.  Discernment will help us  to benefit from correction and make sure of the more important things.  (Proverbs 3:7)  With a desire to please Jehovah,m then, let us seek to be filled with accurate knowledge of his Word.  This will enable us to discern right from wrong, determine  what is truly important, and loyally cling to our precious relationship with Jehovah.  All of this is  possible  if we incline our heart to discernment.  Yet, something else is needed. We must let discernment safeguard us.

Next time: LET DISCERNMENT SAFEGUARD YOU

The Watchtower, 1997 

INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Always Look to Jehovah for Discernment

Always Look to Jehovah for Discernment

To follow an upright course in life, all of us need to acknowledge our imperfection and look to Jehovah for spiritual discernment.  Says Proverbs 2:6-9:  "Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment. And for the upright  ones he will treasure up practical wisdom; for those walking in integrity he is a shield, by observing the paths of judgment, and he will guard the very way of his loyal ones.  In that case  you will understand righteousness and judgment and uprightness, the entire course of what is good." -Compare James 4:6.

Acknowledging our dependence upon Jehovah, let us humbly seek to discern his will by delving deeply into his Word.  He possesses wisdom in the absolute sense and his counsel is always beneficial.  (Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34) In fact, any advice that stands in opposition to him is valueless.  Proverbs 21:30 states:  "There is not wisdom, nor any discernment, nor any counsel in opposition to Jehovah."  (Compare Proverbs 19:21)  Only spiritual discernment, developed by a study of God's Word with the help of publications provided through "the  faithful and discreet slave," will help to pursue a proper course in life.  (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us therefore direct out way of life in harmony with the counsel of Jehovah, knowing that no matter how plausible contrary  advice may seem, it cannot stand against his Word.

Discerning Christians who give counsel realize that it should be based solidly on God's Word and that Bible study and meditation are required before answering a question.  (Proverbs 15:28)  If questions about serious matters are wrongly answered, great harm can result.  Hence, Christian elders need  spiritual discernment and should pray for Jehovah's guidance when endeavoring to assist fellow believers spiritually.

Next time: INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Abound With Spiritual Discernment

The Watchtower, 1997

INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Course in Life

Discernment and Our Course in Life

Discernment helps us to maintain a proper course in all our affairs.  This is indicated at Proverbs 15:21, which says:  "Foolishness is a rejoicing for one who is in want of heart, but the man of discernment is one who goes straight ahead."  How are we to understand this proverb?  A course of foolishness, or folly, is a cause of joy to senseless men, women and young people.  They are "in want of heart," lacking good motive, and are so unwise that they rejoice in foolishness.

Israel's discerning King Solomon learned that frivolity means very little.  he admitted:  "I said, even I, in my heart: 'do come now, let me try you out with rejoicing.  Also, see good.'  And, look!   That too was vanity. I said to laughter:  'Insanity!" and to rejoicing:  'What is this doing?' " (Ecclesiastes  2:1, 2) As a man of discernment, Solomon found that mirth and laughter alone are not satisfying, for they do not produce real and lasting happiness. Laughter may help us to forget our problems temporarily, but afterward they may loom up to an even greater degree.  Solomon could rightly speak of laughter as "insanity." Why?  Because thoughtless laughter beclouds sound judgment.  It may cause us to take very serious  matters lightly.  This kind of rejoicing associated with the words and actions of a court jester cannot be pointed to as producing something worthwhile.  Discerning the import of Solomon's experiment with laughter and mirth helps us to avoid being "lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God." -2 Timothy 3:1, 4.

How is it that the man of discernment goes "straight ahead"?  Spiritual discernment and the application of godly principles lead people in an upright, straightforward course.  Byington's translation bluntly says:  "Foolishness is bliss to a brainless man, but an intelligent man will go straight."  "The man of discernment" makes straight paths for his feet and his able to distinguish between right and wrong because of applying God's Word in his life. -Hebrews 5:14; 12:12, 13.

Next time: INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT -Always Look to Jehovah for Discernment

The Watchtower, 1997

INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Family

Discernment and Our Family

Family members need to show wisdom and discernment, for these qualities will build up a household.  Says Proverbs 24:3, 4:  "By wisdom a household will be built up, and by discernment it will prove firmly established. And by knowledge will the interior rooms by filled with all precious and pleasant things of value."   Wisdom and discernment are like fine building blocks for successful family life.  Discernment helps Christian parents to draw out the feelings and concerns of their children. A discerning person is able to communicate, to listen and gain insight into the feelings and thoughts of his or her marriage mate. -Proverbs 20:5.

Wisdom and discernment are unquestionably vital for happy family life.  For instance, Proverbs 14:1 says:  "The truly wise woman has built  up her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands."  A wise and discerning married woman in proper subjection to her husband will work hard for the good of the household and will thereby help to build up her family.  One thing that will 'build up her house'  is that she always speaks well of her husband and thus increases  the respect of others for him. And a capable and discerning wife who has the reverential fear of Jehovah wins praise for herself. -Proverbs 12:4; 31:28, 30.

Next time: Discernment and Our Course in Life

The Watchtower, 1997

INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Spirit

Discernment and Our Spirit

Inclining our heart to discernment also helps us to control our spirit, "He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment," says Proverbs 14:29,  "but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness."  One reason why a discerning person strives to avoid uncontrolled anger is that  it has adverse effects upon us physically. It can raise blood pressure and cause respiratory trouble.  Doctors have cited anger and rage as emotions aggravating or causing such ailments as asthma, skin disease, digestive problems and ulcers. 

It is not just to avoid injuring our health that we should use discernment and be  "slow to anger."  Being impatient can lead to foolish actions that we will regret.  Discernment makes us consider what could result from unbridled speech or rash conduct and thus keeps us from "exalting foolishness" by doing something unwise. Especially does discernment help us to realize that rage can upset our thinking processes, so that we cannot use sound judgment.  This would impair our ability to do the divine will and live according to God's righteous principles.  Yes, yielding to uncontrolled anger is spiritually damaging.  In fact, "fits of anger" are classed among the detestable "works of the flesh" that would keep us from inheriting God's Kingdom.  (Galatians 5:19-21) As discerning Christians, then, let us be "swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath." -James 1;19.

If we do become angry, discernment may indicate that we should keep quiet, so as to avoid conflagration.  Proverbs 17:27 says:  "Anyone holding back his sayings  is possessed  of knowledge, and a man of discernment  and brotherly love will help us to see the need to control and urge to blurt out something hurtful. If an outburst of anger has already occurred, love and humility, will move us to apologize and make amends.  But suppose someone has offended us.  Then let us speak to him alone in a mild and humble way and with the principal objective of promoting peace. -Matthew 5:23, 24; 18:15-17.

Next time: INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Family

The Watchtower, 1997

INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Conduct

Discernment and Our Conduct

Bible proverbs help us to use discernment and avoid improper conduct.  For example, Proverbs 10:23 says:  "To the stupid one the carrying on of loose conduct is like sport, but wisdom is for the man of discernment."  Those to whom loose conduct is "like sport" are blind to the wrongness of their course  and discount to God as the one to whom all must render an account.  (Romans 14:12) Such 'stupid ones'  become perverted in their reasoning to the point of assuming that God does not see their wrongdoing.  By their actions, they in effect say:  "There is no Jehovah."  (Psalm 14:1-3; Isaiah 29:15, 16) Not being guided by godly principles, they lack discernment and cannot judge matters correctly. -Proverbs 28:5.


"The man of discernment" realizes that loose conduct is not "sport,"  a game.  He knows that it displeases God and can destroy our relationship with him.  Such conduct is stupid because it robs people of  self-respect, ruins marriages, harms both mind and boy, and leads to loss of spirituality.  Let us therefore incline our heart to discernment and avoid loose conduct or immorality of any kind. -Proverbs 5:1-23.

Next time: INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Spirit

The Watchtower, 1997

INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Speech

Discernment and Our Speech

Discernment helps us to realize that there is "a time to keep quiet and a time to speak."  (Ecclesiastes 3:7) This quality also makes us careful about what we say.  Proverbs 11:12, 23 states:  "The one in want of heart has despised his own fellowman, but the man of broad discernment is one that keeps silent.  The one walking about as  a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk, but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter."  Yes, a man or woman who despises another person is "in want of heart." According to Lexicographer Wilhelm Gesenius, such an individual is "void of understanding."  He or she lacks good judgment, and the use of the term "heart"  shows that positive qualities  of the inner person are deficient.  If a professing Christian should carry his or her loose talk to the point of slander or reviling, appointed elders must act to put an end to this unwholesome situation in the congregation.-Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 101:5; 1 Corinthians 5:11.

Unlike those "in want of heart," individuals of "broad discernment" keeps silent when it is appropriate to do so.  They do not betray a confidence.  (Proverbs 20:19)  Knowing that unguarded speech can cause harm, discerning ones are "faithful in spirit."  They are loyal to fellow believers and do not divulge confidential information of any kind pertaining to the congregation, they keep it to themselves until Jehovah's organization sees good to make it known by its means of publication.

Next time: INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Conduct

The Watchtower, 1997

INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT

"Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment. " - PROVERBS 2:6.


JEHOVAH is our Grand Instructor.  (Isaiah 30:20, 21) But what must we do to benefit from  "the very knowledge of God" revealed in his Word?  In part,  we must 'incline our heart to discernment' - have a heartfelt desire to acquire and display this quality.  For this, we must look to God, for the wise man said: "Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment." (Proverbs 2:1-6) What are knowledge, wisdom and discernment?

Knowledge is familiarity with facts acquired by experience, observation, or study. Wisdom is the ability to put knowledge to work. (Matthew 11:19) King Solomon displayed wisdom when two women claimed the same child and he used his knowledge of a mother's devotion to her offspring to settle the dispute.  (1 Kings 3:16-28)  Discernment  is "acuteness"  of judgment."  It is "the power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another."  (Webster's Universal Dictionary) If we incline our heart to discernment, Jehovah will give it to us through his Son.  (2 Timothy 2:1, 7)  But how can  discernment affect various aspects of life?

Next time: INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT - Discernment and Our Speech

The Watchtower, 1997

Why Miracles Do Not Build Faith - Believing Though Not Seeing

Believing Though Not Seeing

The apostle Thomas had difficulty exercising faith in Jesus' resurrection from the dead.  "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe,"  Thomas declared.  When Jesus later materialized a body that displayed the wounds of his impalement, Thomas responded favorably to this miracle.  However, Jesus said:  "Happy are those who do not see and yet believe." -John 20:325-29.

Today, millions of Jehovah's Witnesses are "walking by faith, not by sight."  (2  Corinthians 5:7)  Although they did not see the miracles recorded in the Bible, they firmly believe that these occurred.  The Witnesses exercise  faith in God and his Word.   With the help of his spirit, they are able to understand the Bible's teachings and its predominant theme-the vindication of Jehovah God's sovereignty by means of his heavenly Kingdom.  (Matthew 6:9, 10; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17)  With great benefit to themselves these genuine Christians apply the Bible's  wise counsel in life.  (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 48:17, 18)  They accept the irrefutable proof that Bible prophecies mark out time as "the last days," and they have faith that God's  promised new world is near at hand.  (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:3-14; 2 Peter 3:13)  For them it is a joy to share the knowledge of God with others;.  (Proverbs 2:1-5)  They know that it is only through a study of the Scriptures that those seeking God can truly find him. -Acts 17:26, 27.

Do you recall Albert, who was mentioned in the previous article?  A few days after his prayer for a miracle had gone unanswered, he was visited by one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and elderly woman who left some Bible based literature with him.  Albert thereafter  accepted a free home Bible study.  As he became better acquainted with the Bible's message, his disappointment turned to excitement.  He began to realize that he had found God after all. 

The Scriptures urge:  "Search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found.  Call to him while he proves to be near."  (Isaiah 55:6) You can do this, not by awaiting a modern-day miracle from God, but by gaining accurate knowledge of his Word.  This is a necessity, for miracles alone do not build faith. 

Next time:INCLINE YOUR HEART TO DISCERNMENT

The Watchtower, 1997

Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith - The Meaning of True Faith

The Meaning of True Faith

Faith is more than mere belief.  It is also more than a momentary emotional reaction to some miracle.  Says Hebrews 11:1: "Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld."  An individual having faith is convinced in his heart that everything Jehovah God promises is as good as fulfilled.  Moreover, the undeniable proof of unseen realities is so powerful that  faith itself is said to be equivalent to that evidence.  Yes, faith is based on evidence.  And in times past, miracles played a role in development of faith or the building of it.  the signs performed by Jesus served to convince others that he was the promised Messiah.  (Matthew 8:16, 17; Hebrews 2:2-4)   Similarly, such gifts of God's holy spirit, or active force, as miraculous healing and speaking in tongues proved that the Jews no longer had Jehovah's favor but that his approval now rested on the Christian congregation, established by his Son, Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 12:7-11.

Among the miraculous gifts of the  spirit was the ability to prophesy.  When unbelievers  observed this miracle, some were moved to worship Jehovah, declaring:  "God is really among you."  (1 Corinthians 14:22-25)  However, Jehovah God did not intend that miracles be a permanent  feature of Christian worship.  Accordingly, the apostle Paul wrote:  "Whether there are gifts of prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease.  (1 Corinthians 13:8)  These gifts evidently ceased with the death of the apostles and those who had received such gifts by means of them.

Would people then be left without a basis for faith?  No, for Paul 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)  Indeed, to honesthearted ones who are willing to open their minds and hearts to the evidence that surrounds us, Jehovah God's "invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived  by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they [those who deny God] are inexcusable." -Romans 1:20.

More than belief in God's existence is needed.  Paul urged:  "Quit being fashioned  after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  (Romans 12:2)  This can be done by diligently studying the Scriptures with the aid of Christian publications, such as this magazine.  Faith based on accurate knowledge of God's Word, the Bible, is not weak, nor shallow.  Those who have discerned God's will and are doing it in faith are rendering sacred service to God. -Romans 12:1.

Next time: Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith - Believing Though Not Seeing

The Watchtower, 1997

Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith - Why Miracles Did Not Build Faith

Why Miracles Did Not Build Faith

How can such  lack of faith exist  in the face of miracles?  Rejection of Jesus by Jewish religious leaders  seems especially puzzling when you consider that at the very time that he began his ministry, the Jews as a whole were "in expectation" of  "the Christ or the Messiah.  (Luke  3:15)  However, the problem lay in what those expectations were.  Lexicographer W.E. Vine quotes a well-known Bible scholar as saying that  the Jews were obsessed with the idea of a Messiah who would give them "temporal triumph" and "material greatness."  Hence, they were not prepared for the humble, non-political Jesus of Nazareth, who appeared in their midst as the true Messiah in 29 C.E.  The religious leader also feared that Jesus' teachings would upset the existing state of affairs and jeopardize their prominent positions.  (1 John 11:48)  Their preconceived ideas and selfishness blinded them to the meaning of Jesus' miracles.

Jewish religious leaders and others later rejected the miraculous proof that Jesus' followers enjoyed divine favor.  For example, when his apostles healed a man lame from birth, irate members of the Jewish  high court asked:  "What shall we do with these men? Because, for a fact, a noteworthy sign has occurred through them, one manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.  Nevertheless, in order that it may not spread abroad further among  the people, let us tell them with threats, not to speak anymore upon the basis of this name to any man at all."  (Acts 3:1-8;  4:13-17)  Clearly, this wonderful miracle had not built or produced faith in the hearts of those men.

Ambition, pride, and greed are factors that have moved many to shut the doors of their hearts.  This appears to have been the case with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, mentioned at the outset.  Jealousy, fear, and  a host of other hurtful attitudes have hindered others.  We are reminded, too, of the disobedient angels, the demons, who once had the privilege of looking upon the very face of God.  (Matthew 18:10) They do not doubt the existence of God. Indeed, "the  demons believe and shudder."  (James 2:19) Yet, they have no faith in God.

Next time: Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith - The Meaning of True Faith

The Watchtower, 1997

Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith

SEEING is believing.  That is the view of many.  Some say that they would believe in God if he were to reveal himself in some miraculous way. (Oh, please, people, that is the lamest excuse for not believing in God, that I have ever heard of, I know he exists, because he has saved my life a few times) Perhaps that is so, but would such belief lead to genuine faith?

Consider the Israelites Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.  The Bible shows that they were eyewitnesses of those awe-inspiring miracles from God: the ten plagues upon Egypt, the escape of the nation of Israel through the Red Sea, and the annihilation of the Egyptian Pharaoh and his military force.  (Exodus 7:19-11:10; 12:29-32; Psalm 136:15)  Korah, Dathan, and Abiram also heard  Jehovah speak from heaven at Mount Sinai.  (Deuteronomy 4:11, 12)  Yet, not long after these miracles occurred, the three men instigated a rebellion against Jehovah and his appointed servants. -Numbers 16:1-35; Psalm 106:16-18.

About 40 years later, a prophet named Balaam also witnessed a miracle. Even angelic intervention  did not deter him from siding with God's enemies, the Moabites.  That miracle notwithstanding, Balaam went ahead  and took a stand against Jehovah God and his people.  (Numbers  22:1-35; 2 Peter 2:15, 16)  Balaam's lack of faith, however, pales alongside that of Judas Iscariot. Despite having been a close companion of Jesus and an eyewitness to an extraordinary array of miracles, Judas betrayed Christ for thirty silver pieces. -Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50; 27:3-5.

The Jewish religious leader were als9o aware of Jesus' many miracles. After he resurrected Lazarus, they even admitted:  "This man performs many signs."  But did the sight  of the now-living Lazarus soften their hearts and give them faith?  No, indeed.  Instead, they schemed to kill both Jesus and Lazarus! - 11:47-53; 12:10.

Even direct intervention by God failed to produce faith in those wicked men.  While Jesus was in the temple precincts on one occasion, he prayed aloud:  "Father, glorify your name." Jehovah replied in a voice out of heaven:  "I both glorified it and will glorify it again."  Yet, this miraculous event did not produce faith in the hearts of those present.  Says the Bible: "Although he had performed so many signs before them, they were not putting faith in him." -John 12:28-30, 37; compare  Ephesians 3:17.  (note: they were either very, very jealous  of Jesus' powers, or very stupid. )

Next time: Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith - Why Miracles Did Not Build Faith

The Watchtower,  1997

Note:  I was helped through a very traumatic relationship and was helped to get away from it, only at the time, I did not realize it was God. It took me a few years to realize this. I thought that because I was not going to church, that God would not be there for me, but he was and I realized it later and when I did, I told him how grateful I was and that I was sorry that my faith wasn't as strong as it should have been.  He knew that I did believe in him, but that my faith  had lagged a bit, but he still helped me, knowing years later that I would be there for him; that he was willing to wait until I was ready to accept the whole truth, which I finally did, when  two Jehovah's Witnesses came by one day and asked if I would like a Bible study and I said yes and  a little while later, I realized that what I was hearing, was indeed the truth/ true knowledge.  I had gone to other churches searching for something that I did not realize what it was, but that something was definitely missing from  all the sermons at each church that I had gone to throughout the many years that I had gone off and on.  I finally found the real truth of what the other preachers/pastors/ etc. were not teaching. I am glad that I did. I began to read the Bible more, but until I had, had a few days of Bible study, I had not read it word for word, the whole Bible. I started doing that and read the whole Bible word for word from Genesis to Revelation over and over, and each time I read it, God granted me the  wisdom and discernment to learn a  little at a  time, when he knew I was ready.  I am a full -fledged believer in Jehovah God and he has been there for me whenever I needed him and still is. I also still read the Bible every day and thank him for all he has done for me, no matter how little or how much it is.  Those churches I went to those years past, did not teach the whole truth/Bible.  They skipped around.  Sorry that this was so long, but everyone needs to wake up and get close or closer to Jehovah.  He is the one that will be judging in the end.  Not some imperfect/ sinful human. 

Faith in God Should it Call for a Miracle?

ALBERT was in his early 20's when he began searching for God.  He tried a number of religions but remained dissatisfied.  Reading parts  of the Bible, he learned how God dealt with such individuals as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Moses. Albert found himself drawn to the God of the Bible.  Could he, however, be sure that God really exists?

One evening Albert drove to an isolated place where he prayed, "Please God, give me a sign-anything to prove that you exists."  Albert waited and waited .  He recalls that when nothing happened, his expectation "turned to disappointment, to emptiness, to anger."

Like Albert,  many feel that they have searched for God in vain.  They may be confused by the sermons of clergymen or disillusioned by the salesmanship of television evangelizers. Struck by the hypocrisy evident among many of their neighbors, some are not, sure what to believe.  Yet, King David of ancient Israel assured his son Solomon:  "If you search for [God], he will let himself be found by you." -1 Chronicles 28:9.

Well, then, how does God reveal himself?  Should you expect a sign-some supernatural experience that will prove to you that God exists?  According to a recent poll reported in Time magazine, more than two thirds of Americans believe in miracles.  The article also noted that "the fastest-growing  churches in America or the Charismatic and Pentecostal congregations whose worship revolves around signs and wonder.' "

Should it really take "signs and wonders" to believe in God? (No)  He has used miracles in times past. To illustrate:  Saul of Tarsus, who was persecuting the followers of God's Son, Jesus Christ, had an extraordinary experience on the road from Jerusalem  to Damascus.  This miraculous encounter with the resurrected  Jesus led to Saul's conversion.  (Acts 9:1-22) Thus a former prosecutor became the apostle Paul-one of the foremost advocates of Christianity!

But do miracles always evoke such a favorable response?   Is genuine faith in God dependent upon one's having some miraculous experience? 

Next time: Why Miracles Alone Do Not Build Faith

The Watchtower, 1997

DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - Accomplishing Something Else

Accomplishing Something Else

Jehovah's patience in these last days is accomplishing something else.  He is allowing time to gather and educate the great crowd, already numbering more than five million. Under Jehovah's direction, they have been formed into a forward-moving organization. Men, women, and youths are trained to teach others Bible truths.  Through their meetings and Bible publications, they learn God's loving ways.  (John 13:34, 35; Colossians 3:14; Hebrews 10:24, 25)  In addition, they are developing skills in construction, electronics, printing, and other fields in order to support the preaching of the "good news."  (Matthew 24:14)  Likely such teaching and building skills will be widely used in the new world. 

Yes, today Jehovah is preparing his servants to pass through the "great tribulation" into a righteous new world.  Then there will be no Satan and his wicked  world to contend  with, no sickness, sorrow, and death.  With great enthusiasm and joy, God's people will proceed with the happy task of building a new paradise, where everyday will be an "exquisite delight."  How privileged we are to live at this climax of ages, to know and serve Jehovah, and to realize that very soon we will  'lift our heads up because our deliverance is getting near!'  -Luke 21:28; Psalm 146:5. 

Next time: FAITH IN GOD Should it Call for a Miracle?

The Watchtower, 1997

DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - Why So Long?

Why So Long?

However, why has Jehovah waited so long to remove wickedness and deliver his people into the new world? Consider what had to be accomplished.  Most important is the vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty, his right to rule.  By permitting enough time to go by, he has demonstrated beyond  any doubt that human rule outside of his sovereignty has turned out to be a colossal failure.  (Jeremiah 10:23) So now Jehovah is fully justified in replacing human rule with the rule of his heavenly Kingdom under Christ. -Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:9, 10.

What has taken place during all these centuries is similar to what happened in Abraham's time. Jehovah told Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan-but not for four hundred years "because the error of the Amorites [had] not come to completion."  )(Genesis 12:1-5; 15:13-16) Here the term "Amorites"  (a  dominant tribe) likely represents the peoples of Canaan as a whole.  So some four centuries would pass before Jehovah would  enable his people to take over Canaan. In the meantime Jehovah let the nations in Canaan develop their societies.  With what result? 

The Bible Handbook, by Henry H. Halley, notes that at Megiddo, archaeologist found  the ruins of a temple in Ashtoreth, goddess-wife of Baal.  He writes:  "Just a few steps from this temple was a cemetery, where many jars were found,m containing remains of infants who had been sacrificed in this temple . . .Prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth were official murderers of little children."  Another horrible practice was [what] they called 'foundation sacrifices.'  When a house was to be built, a child would be sacrificed, and its body built into the wall."

Halley comments:  "The worship of Baal, Ashtoreth, and other Canaanite gods consisted in  the most extravagant orgies; their temples were centers of vice. . . .Canaanites worshiped,by immoral indulgence, . . .and then, by murdering their first-born children, as a sacrifice to these same gods.  It seems that, in large measure , the land of Canaan had become a sort of Sodom and Gomorrah on a national scale.. . .Did a civilization  of such abominable filth and brutality have any right longer to exist? . . .Archaeologists who dig in the ruins of Canaanites cities wonder that God did not destroy them sooner than he did." -Compare 1 Kings 21:25, 26.

The wickedness of the Amorites had "come to completion ."  So Jehovah was now fully justified in exterminating them.  The same is true today.  This world is filled with violence, immorality, and contempt for God's laws. And since we  are rightly  appalled at the hideous child sacrifices in ancient Canaan, what of the sacrifices of tens of millions of young people in the wars of this world, far worse than anything in Canaan?  Certainly, Jehovah is now fully justified in bringing this wicked system to an end. 

Next time: Accomplishing Something Else

The Watchtower, 1997

DELIERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - The New World

The New World

What a thrilling time that will be-the elimination of wickedness and the dawn of the most glorious era in all human history!  (Revelation 20:1-4)   How grateful to Jehovah the Armageddon survivors will be to have entered a bright, clean  civilization of God's making, a new world, on an earth that will be transformed into a paradise!  ( Luke 23:43)  And they will never need to die at all!  (John 11:26)  Indeed, from that point onward, they will have the amazing , marvelous prospect of living as long as Jehovah lives!

Jesus, whom Jehovah has appointed as heavenly King, will oversee the miraculous blessings that the delivered ones will enjoy.  When on earth, he opened blind eyes and deaf ears and cured "every  sort of disease and every sort of infirmity."  (Matthew 9:35; 15:30, 31)  In the new world, he will resume that great healing work but on a global scale.  As God's Agent, he will fulfill the promise:  "[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry not pain be anymore.  The former things have passed away."  (Revelation 21:4) Never again will there be need  for medical practitioners or undertakers! -Isaiah 25:8; 33"24.

Also delivered will be all those faithful servants of God who died in the past.  In the  new world, they will be rescued from the clutches of the grave.   Jehovah guarantees:  "There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."  (Acts 24:15)  Likely, "righteous" ones will be resurrected earlier and contribute to the expanding Paradise.  How fascinating it will be for Armageddon survivors to hear the experiences of those faithful dead ones of long ago, now returned to life! -John 5:28, 29.

All those living will then experience what the psalmist said of Jehovah:  "You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing."  (Psalm 145:16)  No more hunger:  The earth will be restored to an ecological balance and produce abundantly.  (Psalm 72:16) No more homeless people:  "They will certainly build houses  and have occupancy," and each one will sit "under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one  making them tremble."   (Isaiah 65:21, 22;Micah 4:4)  No more fear: There will be no war, violence, or crime.  (Psalm 46:8, 9; Proverbs 2:22)  "The whole earth has come to rest, has become free of disturbance.  People will become  cheerful with joyful cries." -Isaiah 14:7.

In the new world, Satan's propaganda media will have been removed.  Instead,  "righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn."  (Isaiah 26:9; 54:13)   With wholesome spiritual instruction year after year.  "the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are cover the very sea."  (Isaiah 11:9)  Up building thoughts and actions will permeate mankind.  (Philippians 4:8) Imagine, a worldwide society of people free from crime, egotism, jealously-an international brotherhood where the fruitage of God's spirit is produced by all.  Indeed,m even now such qualities are being cultivated by the great crowd. -Galatians 5:22,23.

Next time: DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - Why So Long?

The Watchtower, 1997

DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - "Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"

"Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"

At that particular time, the prophecy of Luke 21:28 applies.  Jesus said:  "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near."  God's enemies will be trembling gwith fear because they will know that the supernatural events taking plane come from Jehovah.  But Jehovah's servants will rejoice because they will know that their deliverance is getting near.

Jehovah then delivers the death blow to Satan's system:   "I will bring myself into judgment with [Gog],  with pestilence and with blood; and a flooding downpour and hailstones, fire and sulphur I shall rain down upon him and upon his hands .  . .And they they will  have to know that I am Jehovah."  (Ezekiel 38:22, 23)  All vestiges of Satan's system are destroyed. The entire human society of God-ignoring people is annihilated.  That is the Armageddon climax of the "great tribulation." -Jeremiah 25:31-33; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; Revelation 16:14. 16; 19:11-21.

Delivered through the "great tribulation" will be the millions of worshipers of Jehovah earth wide.  These make up the "great crowd" who have come  "out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues."  Why are they delivered in such an awe-inspiring way?  Because they render Jehovah "sacred service day and night."  So they survive this world's end and are ushered into a righteous new world.  (Revelation 7:9-15)  Thus, they witness the fulfillment of Jehovah's promise:  "Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth.  When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it." -Psalm 37:34.

Next time: DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - The New World

The Watchtower, 1997

DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - God's Servants Attacked

God's Servants Attacked

Having destroyed false religion, the political elements turn on Jehovah's servants.  Satan, "God of the land of Magog" in prophecy says:  "I shall come upon those having no disturbance, dwelling in security."  Thinking that they are easy prey, he attacks them with "a numerous military force . . .,like clouds to cover the land."  (Ezekiel 38:2, 10-16)  Jehovah's people know that this attack will fail because they trust in Jehovah. 

When Pharaoh and his armies felt that they had God's servants trapped at the Red Sea, Jehovah miraculously delivered his people and destroyed Egypt's armies.  (Exodus 14:26-28)  During the "great tribulation," when the nations feel that they have Jehovah's people  trapped, he again miraculously comes to the rescue:  "In that day . . .my rage will come up into my nose.  And in my ardor, in the fire of my fury, I shall have to speak."  (Ezekiel 38L18, 19)  The climax of the "great tribulation" will then be imminent!

At some point after the "great tribulation" begins, but before Jehovah executes his judgment upon the rest of the world, supernatural events will occur.  Note the effect they will have.  "Then the sign of the Son of man [Christ] will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."  (Matthew  24:29, 30)  "There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, . . .while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." -Luke 21:25, 26.  (This is no joke, it will happen. And don't forget Jehovah's time is not the same as ours, so we need to be awake spiritually)

Next time: DELIVERANCE IN A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - "Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"

That Watchtower, 1997

DELIVERANC3E INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - The "Great Tribulation"

The "Great Tribulation"

In 1914 this world entered its "last days."  (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13) We are now 83 years into that period and are nearing its end when, as Jesus foretold, the following will take place:  "There will be great tribulation such as  not occurred since the world's beginning  until now, no, nor will occur again."  (Matthew 24:21)  Yes, worse than ever World War II, when some 50 million lives were taken.  What a world-shaking time is fast approaching! 

The "great tribulation" will come with astounding suddenness, "in one hour."  (Revelation 18:10)  Its outbreak will be marked by God's execution of judgment on all false religion, which God's Word calls "Babylon the Great."  (Revelation 17:1-6, 15) Ancient Babylon's dominant feature was false religion.  Modern Babylon is like her ancient counterpart and represents the world empire of false religion.  She has played the harlot by compromising with the political elements.  She has supported their wars and has blessed armies on opposing sides, resulting in people of the same religion slaughtering one another.  (Matthew 25:51, 52; 1 John 4:20, 21)  She has winked at the corrupt practices of her adherents and has persecuted true Christians. -Revelation 18:5, 24.

The "great tribulation" begins when the political elements suddenly turn on "Babylon the Great." They "will hate the harlot and will make her devastated  and naked, and will eat up her fleshly parts and will completely burn her with fire."  (Revelation 17:16)  Thereafter, her former supporters "will weep and beat themselves in grief over her."  (Revelation 18:9-19)  But Jehovah's servants have long expected this, and they will exclaim:  "Praise Jah, . . .for he has executed judgment upon the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged the blood of his slaves at her hand." -Revelation 19:1, 2.

Next time:  DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - God's Servants Attacked

The Watchtower, 1997

DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD

"They will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." -PSALM 37:11.


JEHOVAH is a God of deliverance. In ancient times, he delivered his people on many occasions.  Those deliverances were temporary, for Jehovah did not in any of those instances permanently execute his judgments against Satan's entire world.  But in our day, Jehovah will soon perform the grandest deliverance of  all for his servants.  ( note:  keep in mind, that Jehovah's idea of time is not what we think, nor is the same as our time) This time he will destroy every trace of Satan's system earth wide, and he will bring his servants into a permanent, righteous new world. -2 Peter 2:9; 3:10-13.

Jehovah promises:  "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more. .  .But the meek ones themselves will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."  (Psalm 37:10,11)  For how long?  "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."  (Psalm37:29; Matthew 5:5)  However, before that happens, this world will undergo the greatest time of trouble it has ever known.

Next time: DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - The "Great Tribulation"

The Watchtower, 1997

TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - Deliverances in the Past

Deliverances in the Past

We can be greatly encouraged by recounting some of Jehovah's previous saving acts.  For instance, Lot was "greatly distressed" by the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah.  But Jehovah took note of  "the cry of complaint" against those cities.  At the right time, he sent messengers to urge Lot and his family to get out of that area right way. The result?  Jehovah "delivered righteous Lot,"  "reducing the cities Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes."  (2 Peter 2:6-8; Genesis 18:20, 21)  Today, too, Jehovah notices the cry of complaint regarding this world's gross wickedness.  When his modern-day messengers have completed their urgent witnessing work to the extent he wants, he will act against this world and deliver his servants as he did Lot. -Matthew 24:14.

In ancient Egypt millions of God's people were enslaved.  Jehovah said about them:  "I have heard their outcry . ..I well know the pains they suffer.  And I am proceeding to go down to deliver them."   (Exodus 3:7, 8)  However, after letting God's people go, Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them with his mighty army.  The Israelites seemed trapped at the Red Sea.  Yet Moses said:  "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will perform for you today."  (Exodus 14:8-14)  Jehovah parted the Red Sea, and the Israelites escaped.  Pharaoh's army charged after them, but Jehovah's projected his power so that "the sea covered them; they sank like lead in majestic waters."   Afterward, Moses exulted in song to Jehovah:  "Who is like you, proving yourself mighty in holiness?  The One to be feared with songs of praise, the One doing marvels." -Exodus 15:4-12, 19.

On another occasion, the enemy nations of Ammon, Moab, and Seir (Edom) threatened Jehovah's people with destruction.  Jehovah said:  "Do not you be afraid or be terrified because of this large [enemy]  crowd; for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . .Your will not need to fight . . .Stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf."  Jehovah delivered his people by proceeding to strike confusion into the ranks of the enemy so that they slaughtered one another. -2 Chronicles 20:15-23.

When the Assyrian World Power came against Jerusalem, King Sennacherib taunted Jehovah by saying to the people on the wall. "Who are there among all the gods of these lands  [that I have conquered] that have delivered  their land out of my hand so that Jehovah should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?"  To God's servants he said:  "Do not let Hezekiah cause you to trust in Jehovah, saying:  "Without fail Jehovah will deliver us.' " Then Hezekiah prayed fervently for deliverance, "that all the kingdoms of the earth my know that you, O Jehovah, are God alone."   Jehovah struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, and God's servants were delivered. Later, as Sennacherib worshiped his false god, his sons assassinated him. -Isaiah, chapters 36 and 37.

We can surely take courage when we see how Jehovah in the past has wonderfully delivered his people.  What about today?  Into what dangerous situation will his faithful servants soon come that will require his miraculous deliverance?  Why has he waited until now to bring their deliverance?  What fulfillment will there be of Jesus' words:  "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near?" (Luke 21:28)  And how will deliverance come for God's servants who have already died?  The following article will examine these questions.

Next time: DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD

The Watchtower, 1997

TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - The Principal Deliverer

The Principal Deliverer

For God's servants to be delivered, Satan and his entire worldwide system of things need to be removed.  This requires a source of deliverance far more powerful than humans.  That source is Jehovah God, the Supreme Sovereign, the almighty Creator of the awesome universe.  He is the principal Deliverer:  "I-I am Jehovah, and besides me there is not savior." - Isaiah 43:11; Proverbs 18:10.

In Jehovah there is the ultimate degree of power, wisdom, justice and love.  (Psalm 147:5; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 61:8; 1 John 4:8) So when he executes his judgments, we can be certain that his actions will be righteous.  Abraham asked:  "Is the Judge of all the earth not going to do what is right?  (Genesis 18:24-33)  Paul exclaimed:  "Is there injustice with God? Never may that become so!"   (Romans 9:14) John wrote:  "Yes, Jehovah God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judicial decisions." -Revelation 16:7.

When Jehovah promises deliverance, he will without fail accomplish it.  Joshua said:  "Not a promise failed out of all the good promise that Jehovah has made." (Joshua 21:45)  Solomon stated:  "There has not failed one word of all his good  promised that he has promised. (1 Kings 8:56)  The apostle Paul noted that Abraham "did not waver in a lack of faith, . . .being fully convinced that what [God] had promised he was also able to do."  Sarah likewise "esteemed [God] faithful who had promised" -Romans 4:20, 21; Hebrews 11:11.

Unlike humans, Jehovah is completely trustworthy, true to his word,  "Jehovah of armies has sworn, saying:  "Surely just as I have figured, so it must occur; and just as I have counseled, that is what will come true.  (Isaiah 14:24) So when the Bible says that "Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous  people for the day of judgment to be cut off,," we can have full confidence that this will happen.  (2 Peter 2:9) Even when threatened with destruction by powerful enemies, Jehovah's servants take courage because of his attitude, reflected in his promise  to one of his prophets: "They will be certain to fight against you, but they will not prevail against you,  for 'i am with you,' is the utterance of Jehovah,  'to deliver you.'' " - Jeremiah 1:19; Psalm 33:18, 19; Titus 1:2.

Next time: TAKE COURAGE AS THE DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - Deliverances in the Past

The Watchtower, 1997

TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - Deliverance Near - For Whom?

Deliverance Near - For Whom?

The increasingly difficult conditions on earth are striking  evidence that a vast change-indeed, a grand deliverance-is near at hand!  For whom?  Deliverance is nearing for those who pay attention to the warning signals and who take appropriate action.  First John 2:17 shows what must be done:  "The world [Satan's system of things] is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God  remains forever." -See also 2 Peter 3:10-13.

Jesus foretold that the corrupt society of today is soon to be swept away in a time of trouble "such as not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."  (Matthew 24:21)  That is why he cautioned:  "Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare.  For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth.  Keep awake, (spiritually) then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur." -Luke 21:34-36.

Those who "pay attention" and "keep awake" will search out the will of God and do it.  (Proverbs 2:1-5; Romans 12:2)  These are the ones who will "succeed in escaping" the destruction soon to be brought on Satan's system.  And they can  have complete confidence that they will be delivered. -Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 10:28-30.

Next time: TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - The Principal Deliverer

The Watchtower, 1997

TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - No Deliverance by Humans

No Deliverance by Humans

Can human endeavors deliver us from these bad conditions? God's Word answers: "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs."  "It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step."  (Psalm 146:3; Jeremiah 10:23)  Thousands of years of history have been verified those truths.  Humans have tried (and miserably failed) every political, economic, and social system imaginable, but conditions worsen.  Had there been a human solution, it would have become evident by now.  Instead, the reality is that "man has dominated man to his injury." -Ecclesiastes 8:9; Proverbs 29:2; Jeremiah 17:5, 6.

A few years ago, former U.S. national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski said:  "The unavoidable conclusion of any detached analysis of global trend  is that social turmoil, political unrest, economic crisis, and international friction are likely to become more widespread."  He added:  "The menace confronting humanity [is] global anarchy."  That assessment of world conditions is even more valid today.  Commenting on this era of increased violence , an editorial  in the New Haven, Connecticut, Register declared: "We seem to be too far gone to be able to halt it."  No, there will not be a halt to this world's  deterioration, for the prophecy about these  "last days"  also said:  "Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled." -2 Timothy 3:13.


Humans cannot reverse these trends (no matter what some president says or thinks) because Satan is "the god of this system of things."  (2 Corinthians 4:4)   Yes, "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19; see also John 14:30)  Rightly the Bible says of our day:  "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."  (Revelation 12:12)  Satan knows that his rule and his world are about to end, so he is like "a roaring lion seeking to devour someone." -1 Peter 5:8) 

Next time: TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - Deliverance Near - For Whom?

The Watchtower, 1997

TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - "Critical Times Hard to Deal With"

"Critical Times Hard to Deal With"
Since this 20th century has experienced greater suffering than any other, there is a greater need for deliverance now than ever before.  Today, well over a billion people live in dire poverty, and that number increases by some 25 million annually.  Each year about 13 million children die from malnutrition or other poverty-related causes-more than 35,000 a day!  And millions of older people die prematurely from various diseases. -Luke 21:11; Revelation 6:8.

Wars and civil disorders have caused untold suffering.  the book Death by Government says that wars, ethnic and religions strife, and mass murder by governments of their own citizens have "killed over 203 people in this century."  It further says: "The dead could conceivably be nearly 360 million people. It is as though our species has been devastated by a modern Black Plague.  And indeed, it has, but a plague of Power, not germs."  Writer Richard Harwood observed:  "The barbarian wars of centuries past were alley fights in comparison." -Matthew 24:6,7; Revelation  6:4.

Adding to the distressing conditions of recent years is the huge increase in violent crime, immorality, and family breakdown.  Former United States Secretary of Education William Bennett noted that in 30 years the U.S. population grew 560 percent, illegitimate births 400 percent, divorces 300 percent, and the teenage suicide rate 200 percent.  Princeton University Professor John Dilulio, Jr., warned of the growing ranks of young "super-predators,"  who "murder, assault, rape, rob, burglarize and create serious communal disorders.  They do not fear the stigma of arrest, the pains of imprisonment, or the pangs of conscience."  In that land, homicide is now the second-leading cause of death among those 15 to 19 years of age.  And more children under the age of four die from abuse than from disease.

Such crime and violence are not confined to one nation.  Most lands report similar trends. Contributing to this is the surge of illegal drug use  that corrupts  millions.  Australia's Sydney Morning Herald said:  "International drug trafficking has become the world's second most lucrative business after the arms trade."  Another factor is the violence and immorality that now saturate television.  In many countries, by the time a child reaches the age of 18, he as seen tens of thousands of violent acts on TV and countless immoral ones.  That is a significant  corrupting influence, since our personality is shaped by what we regularly feed our minds. -Romans 12:12;  Ephesians 5:3, 4.

Bible prophecy accurately foretold this awful trend of events in our century.  It said that there would be global wars, disease epidemics, food shortages, and increasing lawlessness.  (Matthew 24:7-12; Luke 21:10, 11)  And when we consider the prophecy recorded at 2 Timothy 3:1-5, it is like listening to nightly news reports.  It identifies our era as "the last days" and describes people as 'lovers of themselves, lovers of money, disobedient to parents, disloyal, having no natural affection, without self-control, fierce, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.'  That is exactly what the world is like today. As William Bennett acknowledged: "There are just too many signs of . . .civilization gone rotten."  It has even been said that civilization ended with the first world war.

The situation now is even worse than before the Flood of Noah's day, when "the earth became filled with violence."  back then, people in general refused to repent of their bad ways.  Thus, God said: "The earth is full of violence as a result of them; and here I am bringing them to ruin."  The Deluge ended that violent world. -Genesis 6:11, 13; 17:24.

Next time: TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - No Deliverance by Humans

The Watchtower, 1997

TAKE COURSAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR

" 'I am with you,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'to deliver you.' " -JEREMIAH 1:19.



DELIVERANCE What a  comforting word!  To be delivered means to be rescued, set free from a bad, unhappy situation.  This includes the thought of being brought into a much better, happier condition.

How desperately the human family needs such deliverance at this time!   People everywhere are burdened down and discouraged  by difficult problems-economic, social, physical, mental, and emotional.  The vast majority are discontented  and disappointed with the way the world is going and would like a change for the better. -Isaiah 60:2; Matthew 9:36.

Next time: TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR  - "Critical Times Hard to Deal With"

The Watchtower, 1997

ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - Good News

Good News


One of the most noteworthy features of the sign of the last days is recorded  at Matthew 24:14:  "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and they the end will come."  In this century, Jehovah's Witnesses have carried out a work unique in human history.  They have taken the Bible's message about Jehovah God's Kingdom-what it is, how it rules, and what it will accomplish-and have spread that message all over the earth.  They have published literature on this subject in well over 200 languages and have brought it to people in their homes or on the streets or at their places of business in virtually every land on earth.

In so doing, they have been fulfilling this prophecy.  But they have also been spreading hope.  Notice that Jesus called this "good news," not bad news.  How could that be in these  dark times?  Because the Bible's central message is not about how bad things will be at the end of this old world.  Its central message involves God's Kingdom, and that Kingdom promises something dear to the hearts of every peace-loving human-deliverance.

Just what is that delivery and how can it be yours?  Please consider the following articles on this subject.

Next time: TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR

The Watchtower, 1997

ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - Is Our Generation the One Foretold?

Is Our Generation the One Foretold?

You may wonder, though, 'Have not these conditions always plagued mankind?  How do we know that our modern generation is the one foretold in these ancient  prophecies?'   Let us consider three lines of evidence that prove that Jesus was talking about our time.

First, while there was a partial,  early fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, Jesus' words definitely pointed to the future beyond that day.  About 30 years after the cataclysm that destroyed Jerusalem, Jesus gave the ages apostle John a vision showing that the prophesied conditions-war, famine, pestilence, and resultant death-were to arrive worldwide in the future.  Yes, these distresses would embrace, not any one locality, but "the earth" as a whole. -Revelation 6:2-8.

Second, in this century some features of Jesus' sign are being fulfilled in what we might call the ultimate degree.  For example, is there any room for wars to become much worse than they have been since 1914?  If there is a World War III, with all of today's nuclear powers deploying their weapons, the aftermath would likely find this earth, a charred waste-and mankind as extinct as the dodo....  Similarly, Revelation 11:18 foretold that in these last days when the nations are "wrathful," mankind would be "ruining the earth."  For the first time in history, pollution and degradation of the environment now threaten the very habitability of this planet!  So this feature too is seeing fulfillment in or near its ultimate degree.  Could wars and pollution simply continue to worsen until man has destroyed himself and this planet?  No; for the Bible itself decrees that the earth will last forever, with right hearted humans living upon it. -Psalm 37:29; Matthew 5:5.

Third, the sign of the last days is especially convincing when taken as a whole.  All told, when we take into account the features Jesus mentioned in the three Gospels, those in Paul's writings,m and those in Revelation, this sign has dozens of features.  A person might quibble about them at a time, arguing that other ages have seen similar problems, but when we consider all of them together, the point an unmistakable finger at only one age-our own.

What, though, does all of this mean?  That the Bible simply paints our age as a desperate, hopeless time?  Far from it!

Next time: ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - Good News

The Watchtower, 1997

ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - Other Features of the Sign

War is only one aspect of the sign Jesus mentioned.  He also warned that there would be food shortages."   (Matthew 24:7)  And so it has been, though paradoxically the earth is producing more food than is needed to feed all mankind, though agricultural science is more advanced than ever in human history, though speedy and efficient transportation is available to transport food anywhere in the world.  Despite all of that, about one fifth of this world's population goes hungry every day.

Jesus also foretold that "in one place after another" there would be "pestilences."  (Luke21:11)  Again, our age has  seen a strange paradox-better medical care than ever.  (not in Oklahoma) technological breakthroughs, vaccines to prevent many common diseases; yet pestilential diseases have made unprecedented strides as well.  The Spanish influenza followed swiftly on the heels of World War I  and claimed more lives than the war did.  So contagious  was this disease that in cities such as New York, people could be fined or jailed just for sneezing!   Today, cancer and heart disease  claim millions of lives each year-veritable pestilences. And AIDS continues  to strike down lives, basically unchecked  by medical science.  Whereas Jesus discussed the last days largely in terms of sweeping historical and political conditions, the apostle Paul put the focus more on social problems and prevalent attitudes.  He wrote, in part:  "Know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here.  For men will be lovers of themselves, . . .disloyal, having not natural affection, not open in any agreement, . . .without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, loves of pleasures rather than lovers of God." -2 Timothy 3:1-5.  

Do those words strike a familiar chord with you?  Consider just one aspect of social decay in today's world-the disintegration o the family.  The flood tide of broken homes, battered spouses, abused children, and maltreated elderly parents-how these show that people have "no natural affection," are "fierce," and even "betrayers,"  "without love of goodness"! Yes, we see these traits on an epidemic level today.

Next time:  ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - Is Our Generation the One Foretold?

The Watchtower, 1997

ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - War in the Last Days

If you read Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Mark chapter 13, and Luke chapter 21, you will see unmistakable evidence that Jesus was talking about our own age.  He foretold a time of wars-not just the "wars and reports of wars" that have always marred human history but wars involving 'nation against nation'-yes, great international wars. -Matthew 24:6-8.

Think for a moment about how warfare has changed in our century.  When war meant merely the clash of armies representing two opposing nations, slashing with sabers or even firing guns at one another on a battlefield, it was terrible enough.  But in 1914 the Great War broke out.  Nation followed nation into the conflagration in a domino effect-the first global war. Automatic weapons were designed to kill more and more people and from greater distances.  Machine guns spat bullets with grim efficiency; mustard gas burned, tormented, maimed, and killed soldiers by the thousands; tanks rumbled mercilessly through enemy lines, their great guns blazing.  The airplane  and the submarine also came into play-mere harbingers of what they were to become.

World War II did the unimaginable-it actually dwarfed its predecessor, killing scores of millions of people.  Huge aircraft carriers, virtual floating cities, plied the seas and unleashed warplanes to rain death from the skies upon enemy targets.  Submarines torpedoed and sank enemy vessels.  And atom bombs were dropped claiming thousands of lives in each crushing blow!  Just as Jehovah prophesied, there have indeed been "fearful sights" to mark this warring age. -Luke 21:11.

Has war eased off since World War II?  Hardly.  Sometimes literally dozens of wars rage during a single year.  And there has been no change in war's primary victims.  No longer are the dead mainly soldiers.  Today, most casualties of war-in fact, over 90 percent of them -are civilians.

Next time: ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS> - Other Features of the Sign

The Watchtower, 1997

ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - The End of Jerusalem

The End of Jerusalem

Consider first what Jesus said about Jerusalem and its temple.  Over three decades in advance, he foretold a time of terrible hardships for one of the greatest cities in the world.  Notice in particular his words recorded at Luke 21:20, 21: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near.  Then let those  in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, and let those in the midst of her withdraw , and let those in the country places not enter into her" simply "withdraw," as Jesus had commanded?  Clearly, Jesus was implying that a window of opportunity would open up.  Did it? 


In 66 C.E., the Roman armies under the command of Cestius Gallus had beaten the Jewish rebel forces back to Jerusalem and had them pinned within the city.  The Romans even made a thrust into the city itself and reached as far as the temple  wall.  But then Gallus directed his armies to do something truly baffling.  he ordered them to retreat!  Elated Jewish soldiers set out in pursuit  and inflicted damage on their fleeing Roman enemies.  Thus, Jesus' foretold window of opportunity opened.  True Christians heeded his warning and got out of Jerusalem.  Wisely so, for just four years later, the Roman armies were back with General Titus leading them.  This time no escape was possible.

The Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem again; they built a fortification of pointed stakes around it.  Jesus had prophesied  regarding Jerusalem:  "The days will come upon you when your enemies will build around you a fortification with pointed stakes and will encircle you and distress you from every side."  (Luke 19:43)  Before long, Jerusalem fell; its glorious temple was reduced to smoldering ruins.  Jesus' words were fulfilled in every detail! 

Jesus had far more in mine, though, than that destruction of Jerusalem.  His disciples had also asked him about the sign of his presence.  They did not know it, but this referred to a time when he would be installed to reign as King in heaven.  What did he foretell?

Next time: ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - War in the Last Days

The Watchtower, 1997

ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - Jesus' Followers Ask a Meaningful Question

Jesus' Followers Ask a Meaningful Question

Jesus' followers must have been amazed. Jesus had just tole them, in not uncertain terms, that Jerusalem's impressive temple buildings would be completely destroyed!  Such a prediction was astonishing.  Shortly afterward, as they sat upon the Mount of Olives, four of the disciples asked Jesus:  "Tell us When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"  (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:1-4)  Whether they realized it or not, Jesus' answers would have been a multiple application.

The destruction of Jerusalem's temple and the end of the Jewish system of things were not the same as the time of Christ's presence and of the conclusion of the whole world system of things.  Nonetheless, in his lengthy answer, Jesus artfully addressed all these aspects of the question.  He told them what things would be like before Jerusalem's destruction; he also told them what to expect the world to be like during his presence, when he would be ruling as King in heaven and would be on the verge of bringing the entire world system of things to its end.   (Yea! The sooner the better)

Next time: ARE THESE REALLY THE LAST DAYS? - The End of Jerusalem

The Watchtower, 1997