Prepare Now for Life in the New World

Conclusion of HOW TO PREPARE

The privilege of living under Kingdom rule is well worth any effort we make to cooperate with Jehovah's organization and care for theocratic assignments. Of course, our circumstances may change with the passing of time.  For instance, some members of the Bethel family in the United States have been reassigned to the field and are now enjoying abundant blessings in other forms of the full-time ministry.  Because of advancing age of other factors, others who were in the traveling work have now received  special pioneer assignments. If we cultivate contentment, pray for God's help, and do all we can in his service, we will experience joy and will receive many blessings even in these critical last days.  (Read Proverbs 10:22) What about our future prospects?  We may have ideas about where we would like to live in the new world, but we may be asked to move to a different area.  Regardless of where we will then serve and what we will do, we can be sure that we will be grateful and contented, brimming with joy. -Nehemiah 8:10. 

In the new world, there may be times when we will need to exercise patience.  For example, we may hear of individuals who, to the delight of their relatives and friends, have been raised from the dead. However, we ourselves may have to wait for the resurrection of our loved ones. If that is the case, will we rejoice  with others and be patient?  (Romans 12:15)  Learning to wait patiently for the fulfillment of Jehovah's promises now will help us to exercise patience then. - Ecclesiastes 7:8. 

We can also prepare for life in the new world by exercising patience regarding revealed truth.  Are we studious  and patient as our understanding of the Bible truth is progressively clarified today? If so, we will likely  have no difficulty showing patience in the new world as Jehovah makes known his requirements for mankind. -Proverbs 4:18; John 16:12. 

Another quality that will stand us in good stead for life in the new world is a forgiving spirit.  During Christ's Thousand Year Reign, it may some time for the righteous and the unrighteous to shed imperfect traits.  (Acts  24:15)   Will we be able to deal lovingly with one another during that time?  If we learn to forgive freely and if we avoid strained relations now, it will be easier for us to do so then. -Read Colossians 3;12-14. 

Life in the new world may not mean that we will always get what we want when we want it. Instead, that life will involve being appreciative and content in any situation  as we benefit from submitting  to Jehovah's loving sovereignty.  It will mean putting into practice the very qualities that Jehovah is teaching us to cultivate now.  By learning to live now as we expect  to live then, we are developing qualities that we will need to manifest for all eternity.  We are strengthening our faith in the reality of  "the inhabited earth to come." (Hebrews 2:5; 11:1) Moreover, we are showing how deeply we yearn for the righteous conditions that will then exist on earth. Indeed, we are preparing for everlasting life in God's new world.

Next time: Prepare Now for Life in the New World - FOCUS NOW ON SPIRITUAL PURSUITS

From the Watchtower magazine