YOU CAN REMAIN CHASTE IN AN IMMORAL WORLD

Too High a Price

For what other reason should we keep our way far off from that of a wayward person?  Solomon answers:  "That you may not give to others your dignity, nor your years to what is cruel; that strangers may not satisfy themselves with your power, nor things you got by pain be in the house of a foreigner, nor you  have to groan in  your future when your flesh and your organism come to an end." -Proverbs 5:9-11.

Solomon thus emphasizes the high price of succumbing to immorality.  Adultery and loss of dignity, or self-respect, go hand in hand.  Is it not truly humiliating to serve merely as a means of satisfying our own immoral passion or that of someone else?  Does it  not show a lack of self-respect to indulge in sexual intimacy with someone who is not our marriage mate?

What, though, is included in the 'giving of our years, our power, and the fruit of out labor to strangers, or foreigners'?  "The point of these verses is clear:  The price of infidelity may be high; for everything one works for-position, power, prosperity-could be lost either through the avaricious demands of the woman or the outcry for restitution by the community."  Immoral relations can cost plenty!  Having forfeited his dignity and exhausted  his resources, a foolish person would groan, saying:  "How I have hated discipline and my heart  has disrespected even reproof!  And I have not listened to the voice of my instructors, and to my teachers I have not inclined my ear.  Easily I have come to e in every sort of badness in the midst of the congregation and of the assembly." -Proverbs 5:12-14.

In time the sinner lets  out what one scholar calls "a long litany of  'if onlys':  If only I had listened to my father, if only I hadn't gone my own way; if only i had  taken other's advice."  However, this realization comes too late.  The now unchaste individual's life has already been ruined and his reputation soiled.  How vital for us to consider the high price of engaging in immorality before we are engulfed by it!

Next time: Drink Water out of Your Own Cistern"

Watchtower, 2000

SERVING WITH THE WATCHMAN

The Conclusion of A Nation of Witnesses

Those truly devoted to pure worship had to "put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones."  (Jude 3) Would the witness to pure worship and to Jehovah vanish from the earth?  No. As the time approached for the destruction of the rebel Satan and all his works, it became evident that not everyone had surrendered to the apostle worship practiced in Christendom.  In the latter part of the 19 -century, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A., a group of sincere Bible students was organized and became the nucleus of God's modern-day witness class.  These Christians drew attention to the Scriptural evidence that the conclusion of the present world system was at hand.  True to Bible prophecy, this world's "conclusion" began in 1914 and was marked by the outbreak of the first world war.  (Matthew 24:3, 7)  There is strong evidence that Satan and his demonic hordes were cast out of heaven following that year.   The trouble - filled 20th century has provided clear proof of Satans's activity and of a remarkable fulfillment of the sign of Jesus' royal presence in heavenly Kingdom power. -Matthew, chapters 24 and 25; Mark, chapter 13; Luke, chapter 21;  Revelation, 12:10, 12.

 In June 1918, Satan frantically tried to wipe out those Bible students, who by then were preaching in several  countries.  He also sought to destroy their legal corporation , the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.   Responsible officers of the Society were imprisoned, falsely charged with sedition, as Jesus had been in the first century.  (Luke 23:2) But in 1919, these officers were released, enabling them to continue their ministry. Later, they were fully exonerated. 

Next time: A "Lookout" on the Watch

Watchtower, 2000

THE FAMILY-A Human Necessity

Value of Bible Education

In a united Christian family, the importance of regular Bible study is also stressed.  Daily discussion of Bible texts and a weekly study of Sacred Scriptures provide a basis for a united family.  Basic Bible truths and principles should be discussed together in a way that stirs the hearts of all in the family.

Such family sessions should be educational but at the same time enjoyable  and encouraging.  A family in the north of Sweden used to have the children write down questions that came up during the week.  These questions were then discussed at the weekly Bible study.  The questions were often deep and thought-provoking and proved  to be a reflection of the children's thinking abilities and appreciation of Bible teachings.  Some questions were:  "Does Jehovah make everything grow all the time, or did he do it just once?"  "Why does the Bible say that God is not a man?"  Why does the Bible say that God created man 'in his image'  since God is not a man?"  "Didn't Adam and Eve freeze during the winter in Paradise since they were barefoot and didn't have any clothes?"   "Why do we need the moon at night when it should be dark?"  The children are now grown and are serving God as full-time ministers.

When handling family problems, you parents do well to strive to be positive and cheerful.  Be considerate and flexible, yet consistent, when it comes to heeding important principles.  Let the children see that love for God and his right principles always governs your decisions.  The school environment is often very stressful and depressive, and the children need much encouragement in the home to counterbalance such an influence.

Parents do  not pretend to be perfect, admit mistakes and apologize to your children when necessary.  Young people, when Mom and Dad admit a blunder, grow in love for them. -Ecclesiastes 7:16.

Yes, a united family provides a home of peace, security and happiness.  The German poet Goethe once said:  "He is happiest, king or peasant, who finds his happiness at home."  For appreciative parents and children, there should be no place like home.

True, the family is severely threatened today by the pressures of the world in which we live.  But since  the family is from God, it will survive.  Your family will survive, and you will too if you follow God's righteous guidelines for happy family life.

Next time:A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

Watchtower, 1998

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE JEHOVAH

A Child's Responsibility

Consider again the illustration of the archer.  Although he may be skilled, he is unlikely to hit the target if the arrow he shoots has become bent or warped.  Of course, parents will try hard to straighten the bent arrow, so to speak, by striving to adjust a child's wrong thinking.  But children must eventually decide for themselves whether to let this world bend them to its will or to allow Jehovah to make their "paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5, 6; Romans 12:2.

While parents have a weighty responsibility to raise their children in "the discipline and mental regulating of Jehovah."  the final decision as to what a child will grow up to become rests  with the child himself.  (Ephesians 6:4)  Therefore, children, ask  yourselves,  'Will I  accept the loving training my parents provide?  if you do, you will be choosing the best possible way of life.  You will make your parents very happy.  Most important, you will make Jehovah' s heart rejoice. -Proverbs 27:11.

Next time: Is The Bible the Word of God?

Watchtower, 2007

The "Septuagint" Useful in the Past and the Present

Useful Today

The Septuagint remains valuable today and is used to help uncover copyists' errors that might have crept into Hebrew manuscripts copied at a later date. For example, the account at Genesis 4:8 reads:   "After that Cain said to  to Abel his brother:  ['Let us go over into the field.'] So it came about that while they were in the field Cain proceeded to assault Abel his brother and kill him."

The bracketed clause "let us go over into the field" is not found in Hebrew manuscripts dating from the tenth century C.E.   However, it is included in older Septuagint manuscripts and in a few other other early references.  The Hebrew text has the word that usually introduces speech, but no words follow.   What could have happened?  Genesis 4:8 contains two consecutive clauses that end with the expression "in (to) the field."  McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia suggests:  "The Hebrew transcriber's eye was probably misled by the [same]word . . . terminating both the clauses."  Thus the transcriber may have skipped over the earlier instance of the clause  ending with the expression "into the field."   Clearly,the Septuagint, as well as other older extant manuscripts, can be  useful in identifying errors in later copies of the Hebrew text.

On the other hand, copies of the Septuagint are also subject to error, and at times the Hebrew text is referred to in correcting the Greek.  Thus, comparing the Hebrew manuscripts with the Greek and with other language translations results in finding translations errors as well as copyists' mistakes and assures us of an accurate rendering of God's Word.

Next time: Conclusion of Useful Today

Watchtower, 2002

"SALVATION BELONGS TO JEHOVAH"

"Gentle Toward All"

As world conditions deteriorate in these "critical times," feelings of patriotism are likely to  intensify.  (2 Timothy 3:1) May those who love God never forget that salvation belongs only to Jehovah.  he deserves exclusive devotion.  When asked to do something out of harmony with Jehovah's will, Jesus' apostles said:  "We must obey God as ruler rather than men." -Acts 5:29.

"A slave of the Lord does not need to fight," wrote the apostle Paul,  "but needs to be gentle toward all."  ( 2 Timothy 2:24)  Thus, Christians endeavor to be peaceable, respectful and gentle as they rely on their Bible-trained  conscience in making personal decisions regarding flag salute and the singing of a national anthem.

Next time: The "Septuagint" Useful in the Past and the Present

Watchtower, 2002

MESSENGERS OF GODLY PEACE PRONOUNCED HAPPY

Identifying God's Messengers Today

What about today? Many in the world feel a sense of foreboding when they observe the deterioration of human society. Those with a love of righteousness are pained at heart when they see the hypocrisy and sheer wickedness of Christendom. As Jehovah foretold through Ezekiel, they "are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done in the midst of it." (Ezekiel 9:4) However, many do not realize what Jehovah's purposes are. They need to be told.

Does anyone speak out with the fearless spirit of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel? Jesus indicated that someone would. When foretelling events of our day, he said: "This good news of the kingdom will be approached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) Who today is fulfilling that prophecy, serving as a messenger, a preacher of good news? Similarities between our day and the time of ancient Israel help us to answer that question.

During the dark days of World War I , Jehovah's modern-day people, the remnant of the anointed "Israel of God," went into a captivity similar to that of Israel in Babylon. (Galatians 6:16) They suffered spiritual exile in Babylon the Great, the world conglomerate of false religions,of which Christendom is the most prominent and reprehensible. Nevertheless, Jehovah's words to Ezekiel showed that they were not abandoned. He said: "I will also collect you from the lands among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the soil of Israel." (Ezekiel 11:17) In order to fulfill that promise for ancient Israel, Jehovah raised up the Persian Cyrus, who overthrew the Babylonian World Power and opened the way for a remnant of Israel to return to their land. But what of today?

Next time: Conclusion of Identifying God's Messengers Today

Watchtower, 1997

NO PEACE FOR THE FALSE MESSENGERS!

MESSENGERS-false or true? There were both kinds in Bible times. But what of our day? At Daniel 12:9, 10, we read that a heavenly messenger told God's prophet: "The words are made secret and sealed up until the time of the end. Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will certainly act wickedly, and not wicked ones at all will understand; but the ones having insight will understand." We are now living in that "time of the end." Do we see a sharp distinction between "the wicked ones" and "the ones having insight"? Certainly we do!

At chapter 57, verses 20 and 21, we read the words of God's messenger Isaiah: " ' The wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire. There is no peace,' my God has said, 'for the wicked ones.' " How aptly these words describe this world as it approaches the 21st century! What do messengers having insight have to tell us?

The apostle John had divinely inspired insight. At 1 John 5:19, it is stated: "We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." In contrast with this world are the 144,000 spiritual Israelites, an aging remnant of whom are still with us. Joining these today are "a great crowd . . .out of all the nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,,," who now number more than five million, who also have insight. "These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation." And why are they rewarded? Because they too "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" by exercising faith in Jesus' ransom. As messengers of light, they too "are rendering [God] sacred service day and night." -Revelation 7:4, , 14, 15.

Next time" So-Called Messengers of Peace

Watchtower, 1997

IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT KIND OF MESSENGER

Startling Messages About Babylon and Jerusalem

Judah and Jerusalem were to be desolated, without human inhabitant, for 70 years. However, Jehovah declared through Isaiah and Ezekiel that the city would be rebuilt and the land inhabited at the precise tie that he had foretold! This was an amazing prediction. Why? Because Babylon had the reputation of never freeing her prisoners. (Isaiah 14:4, 15-17) So who could possibly liberate these captives? Who could overthrow might Babylon, with her colossal walls and river-defense system? Almighty Jehovah could! And he said that he would: "I am . . .the One saying to the watery deep [that is, the watery defense of the city], 'Be evaporated; and all your rivers I shall dry up'; the One saying of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and all that I delight in he will completely carry out';even in my saying of Jerusalem,' She will be rebuilt and of the temple, 'You will have your foundation laid.' " -Isaiah 44:25, 27, 28.

Think of that! The Euphrates River, a truly formidable barrier to men, was to Jehovah like a drop of water on a red-hot surface. Poof, the barrier would be evaporated! Babylon would fall. Although it was about 150 years before the birth of Cyrus that Persian, Jehovah had Isaiah foretell this king's capture of Babylon and the liberating of the Jewish captives by his authorizing their return to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple.

We find this prophecy at Isaiah 45:1-3: "This is what Jehovah has said to his anointed one, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue before him nations . . .to open before him the two leaved doors, so that even the gates will not be shut: 'Before you I myself shall go, and the swells of land I shall straighten out. The copper doors I shall break in pieces, and the iron bars I shall cut down. And I will give you the treasures in the darkness and the hidden treasures in the concealment places, in order that you may know that I am Jehovah, the One calling you by your name.' "

Notice that Jehovah speaks to Cyrus as if he is already alive. This harmonizes with Paul's statement that Jehovah "calls the things that are not as though they were." (Romans 4:17) Also, God identifies Cyrus as "his anointed one." Why did he do that? After all, Jehovah's high priest never poured holy anointing oil on Cyrus' head. True, but this is a prophetic anointing. It indicates an induction into a specific office. So, God could speak of his advance appointment of Cyrus as an anointing. -Compare 1 Kings 19:15-17; 2 Kings 8:13.

Next time: God Fulfills the Words of His Messengers

Watchtower, 1997

IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT KIND OF MESSENGER

JEHOVAH GOD is the Grand Identifier of his true messengers. He identifies them by making the messages he delivers through them come true. Jehovah is also the Great Exposer of false messengers. How does he expose them? He frustrates their signs and predictions. In this way he shows that they are self-appointed prognosticators, whose messages really spring from their own false reasoning-yes, their foolish, fleshly thinking!

Both Isaiah and Ezekiel claimed to be messengers of Jehovah God. Were they? let us see. Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem from about 778 B.C.E. to sometime after 732 B.C.E. Ezekiel was exiled to Babylon in 617 B.C.E. He prophesied to his Jewish brothers there. Both prophets boldly announced that Jerusalem would be destroyed. Other prophets said that God would not let this happen. Who proved to be the right kind of messengers?

Next time: Jehovah Exposes False Prophets

Watchtower, 1997

Trust in an Imperfect World

Integrity - The Rewards

The apostle John was a fearless man. On account of their fiery enthusiasm, Jesus called him and his brother James "Sons of Thunder." (Mark 3:17) A man of outstanding integrity, John, along with Peter, explained to the Jewish rulers that he 'could not stop speaking' about the things he had seen and heard while he was with Jesus. John was also one of the apostles who said: "We must obey God as ruler rather than man." -Acts 4:19, 20; 5:27-32.

It seems that when John was well into his 90's, he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos "for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus." (Revelation 1:9) At his age, he may have thought that his ministry had ended. But only a man of integrity could be entrusted with the assignment to pen the thrilling vision of Revelation. In this, John was faithful. What a privilege that was for him! And there was more to come. Later, apparently in the vicinity of Ephesus, he wrote his Gospel account and three letters. Such grand privileges to cap 70 years of faithful trustworthy service!

To be a person of integrity in a general way gives deep satisfaction. To be trusthworthy in God's sight brings everlasting rewards. Today, "a great crowd" of true worshipers is being prepared to enter a new world of peace and harmony, with the prospect of everlasting life. (Revelation 7:9) Integrity in the vital matters of morality and worship must be upheld, despite the trials of this system of things and the many challenges Satan may bring to bear. Be assured that in the power Jehovah imparts, you can succeed! -Philippians 4:13.

Speaking both of the present and of the future, the psalmist David reassures all of us when he says, in a prayer of thanks to Jehovah: "As for me, because of my integrity you have upheld me, and you will set me before your face to time indefinite. Blessed be Jehovah . . .Amen and Amen." -Psalm 41:12, 13.

Next time: IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT KIND OF MESSENGER

Watchtower, 1997

BENEFITS FROM LOVING GOD'S WORD

READING the Bible is essential for a Christian. However, merely reading it does not in itself demonstrate a love of God's Word. What if someone reads the Bible but then practices things that the Bible condemns? Obviously, he does not love God's Word in the way that the writer of Psalm 119 loved it. Loving God's Word led him to live in harmony with its requirements. - Psalm 119:97, 101, 105.

Living in harmony with God's Word requires constant adjustment of one's thinking and way of living. Such a course reflects godly wisdom, which means to make practical applications of knowledge and understanding gained from studying the Bible. "Love [wisdom], and it will safeguard you. Highly esteem it, and it will exalt you. It will glorify you because you embrace it. To your head it will give a wreath of charm; a crown of beauty it will bestow upon you." (Proverbs 4:6, 8, 9) What fine encouragement to develop a love of God's Word and be guided by it! Who does not want to be safeguarded, exalted, and glorified?

Next time: Safeguarded From Lasting Harm

Watchtower, 1999

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD?

A Prince Who Dared to Be Different

The contents of the 119th Psalm harmonizes well with what we know of Hezekiah when he was still a young prince. Some Bible scholars suggest that Hezekiah was the writer of the psalm. While this is not certain, we do know that Hezekiah had great respect for God's Word. By this life course, he showed that he was in heart harmony with the words at Psalm 119:97. Of Hezekiah, the Bible states: " He kept sticking to Jehovah. he did not turn aside from following him, but he continued keeping his commandments that Jehovah had commanded Moses." -2 Kings 18:6.

By all accounts, Hezekiah did not grown up in a godly family. His father King Ahaz, was a faithless idolater who had at least one of his sons-Hezekiah's own brother-burned alive as a sacrifice to a false god! (2 Kings 16:3) Despite this bad example, Hezekiah was able to "cleanse his path" of pagan influences by getting acquainted with God's Word. -2 Chronicles 29:2.

As Hezekiah grew up, he saw firsthand how his idolatrous father handled affairs of State. Judah was surrounded by enemies. There was Rezin,m the king of Syria, who joined with King Pekah of Israel in besieging Jerusalem. (2 kings 16:5, 6) There were the Edomites and the Philistines, who made successful forays into Judah and even captured some Judean cities. (2 Chronicles 28:16-19) How did Ahaz deal with these crises? Instead of appealing to Jehovah for help against Syria, Ahaz turned to the king of Asyria, bribing him with gold and silver, including that from the temple treasury. But that did not bring lasting peace to Judah. - 2 Kings 16:6, 8.

Eventually, Ahaz died and Hezekiah became king at 25 years of age. (2 Chronicles 29:1) He was relatively young, but that did not prevent him from becoming a successful king. Rather than imitate the conduct of his unfaithful father, he stuck to Jehovah's Law. This included a special commandment for kings: "When [the king] takes his seat on the throne of his kingdom, he must write in a book for himself a copy of this law from that which is in the charge of the priests, the Levites. And it must continue with him, and he must read in it all the days of his life,in order that he may learn to fear Jehovah his God so as to keep all the word of this law." (Deuteronomy 17:18, 19) By reading God's Word daily, Hezekiah would learn to fear Jehovah and avoid repeating the mistakes of his ungodly father.

Not only were the kings of Israel encouraged to give constant thought to God's Word but all God-fearing Israelites were to do so. The first Psalm describes a truly happy man as one whose "delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night." (Psalm 1:1, 2) Of such a man, the psalmist says: "Everything he does will succeed." (Psalm 1:3) In contrast, of the one lacking faith in Jehovah God, the Bible says: "He is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways." (James 1:8) All of us want to be happy and successful. Regular, meaningful Bible reading can contribute to our happiness.

Next time: God's Word Sustained Jesus

Watchtower, 1999

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD?

Conclusion of A Palmist Who Loved God's Law

Christian youths do well to consider the psalmist's words. Young Christians are under attack today. The Devil would dearly love to corrupt the rising generation of Jehovah's worshipers. Satan's goal is to entice young Christians to give in to fleshly desires and break God's laws. Movies and television programs often reflect the Devil's thinking. The stars of such programs seem attractive and likable; immoral relations between them are portrayed as normal. The message? 'It is all right for unmarried people to have sexual relations as long as they truly love each other.' Sadly, each year a number of young Christians fall prey to such reasoning. Some experience shipwreck of their faith. So the pressure is on! But is the pressure so intense that it is impossible for you young people to cope? By no means! Jehovah has provided a way for young Christians to overcome unwholesome desires. They can resist any weapon the Devil can devise by 'keeping on guard according to God's Word, treasuring up God's sayings in their heart. How much time do you spend in regular personal Bible reading and meditation?

The writer of the 119th Psalm exclaimed: "How I love your law!" (Psalm 119:97) To which law was he referring? To Jehovah's revealed word, including the Mosaic Law code. At first glance some might dismiss the Law code as outdated and wonder how anyone could love it. However, as we meditate on the various features of the Mosaic Law, as did the psalmist, we can appreciate the wisdom behind that Law. Aside from the many prophetic aspects of the Law, there are its sanitary and dietary stipulations, which promoted cleanness and good health. (Leviticus 7:23, 24, 26; 11:2-8) The Law encouraged honesty in business practices and exhorted the Israelites to show empathy to fellow worshipers in need. (Exodus 22:26, 27; 23:6; Leviticus 19:35, 36; Deuteronomy 24:17-21) Judicial decisions were to be made with impartiality. (Deuteronomy 16:19; 19:15) As the writer of Psalm 119 gained experience in life, he no doubt saw how well things turned out for those who applied God's Law, and his fondness for it grew stronger. Similarly today, as Christians have success in applying Bible principles, their love and appreciation for God's Word intensifies.

Next time: A Prince Who Dared To Be Different

Watchtower, 1999