Hope - Vital to Happiness

A rently promoted concept dubbed positive psych0logy holds that optimism, cultivated by positive thinking and by focusing on one's personal strengths, can lead to happiness.  Few would deny that an optimistic  view of life and of the future adds to our happiness.  However, such optimism  has to be based on fact, not just wishful thinking.  Besides no amount of optimism or positive thinking will elimate war, starvation, disease,  pollution, old age, sickness, or death - things that rob so many of their happiness.  Nonetheless, optimism does have its place.

Interestingly, the Bible does not use the word optimism; it uses a more powerful word - hope.  Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary defines "hope" as used in the Bible as "favorable and confident expectation, . . .the happy anticipation of good. In Bible usage, hope is more than an optimistic view of a situation.  It also refers to the thing upon which one's hope is fixed.  (Ephesians 4:4;  1 Peter 1:3)  The  Christian hope, for instance, is that all the undesirable things mentioned in the preceding paragraph will soon be done away with. (Psalm 37:9-11, 29) But it embraces more.

Christians look forward to the time, when faithful humans will attain to perfect life on a paradise earth.  (Luke 23:42, 43 ) Enlarging on that hope, Revelation 21:3, 4 says: "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. . . . And he will wipe out ever tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.  The former things have passed away."

Any one who expects to have such a future has every reason to be happy, even if his present circumstances leave much to be desired.  (James 1:12)  So why  not investigate the Bible and find out why you can believe it.  Strengthen you hope by spending  time each day reading the Bible.  Doing so will enrich you spiritually, help you avoid the things that rob people of happiness, and build up your sense of contentment.  Yes, the ultimate secret to real happiness is doing the will of God.  (Ecclesiastes 12:13) A life built on obeying the Bible's  precepts is a happy life, for Jesus said: "Happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!" - Luke 11:28.

Next time: What Is the Spiritual Paradise?

The Watchtower, 2001

What Happened to Integrity?

A LITTLE over one hundred years ago, Barney Barnato, a diamond speculator, returned to England from South Africa. Upon his arrival he took exception to a newspaper story written about him. So he gave the editor some handwritten notes for a second article, "just putting things right," with a check for a large sum of money.

The editor, J.K. Jerome, threw the notes into the wastepaper basket and gave the check back. Surprised, Barnato immediately doubled his offer. That was likewise rejected. "How much do you want?" He asked. Recalling the incident, Jerome says: "I explained to hm it wasn't done-not in London." His editorial integrity was definitely not for sale.

"Integrity" has been defined as "moral uprightness and honesty." A person of integrity is worthy of trust. But today, improbity -a lack of integrity-is undermining all walks of life.

In Britain the media have popularized the word "sleaze" to describe the loss of moral integrity. As The Independent newspaper put it, sleaze covers "everything from love affairs and local government gerrymandering to kickbacks or big expert orders. "No area of life is exempt.

Next time: Integrity's Fluctuating Standards

Watchtower, 1997

WHEN GENEROSITY ABOUNDS

IF YOU had the opportunity to present a gift to a king, what would you give him? What if he were the wealthiest and wisest ruler in the world? Could you think of any gift that would please him? Some three thousand years ago, the queen of Sheba had to ponder those questions while preparing to visit just such a ruler -King Solomon of Israel.

Her gift, the Bible tells us, included 120 talents of gold "and a very great deal of balsam oil and precious stones." At today's prices, the gold alone was worth about $40, 000,000. Balsam oil, an aromatic and medicinal oil, was ranked with gold as a precious commodity. While the Bible does not say how much oil the queen gave Solomon, it does tell us that her gift remained unequaled. -1 Kings 10:10.

The queen of Sheba was obviously a wealthy and generous woman. What is more, her generosity was returned to her. "King Solomon," the Bible says, "gave the queen of Sheba all her delight for which she had asked,besides the value of what she brought to the king." (2 Chronicles 9:12) True, it may have been the custom for royalty to exchange gifts; yet, the Bible specifically mentions Solomon's "openhandedness." ( 1Kings10:13) Solomon himself wrote: "The generous soul will itself be made fat, and the one freely watering others will himself also be freely watered." -Proverbs 11:25.

Of course,the queen of Sheba also made a big sacrifice in time and effort to visit Solomon. Apparently Sheba was in the area of the present-day Republic of Yemen; so the queen and her camel train traveled well over 1,000 miles to Jerusalem. As Jesus said, "she came from the ends of the earth." Why did the queen of Sheba go to so much trouble? She came primarily "to hear the wisdom of Solomon." -Luke 11:31. First Kings 10:1, 2 says that the queen of Sheba "came to test [Solomon] with perplexing questions . . . [she]began to speak to him all that happened to be close to her heart." How did Solomon respond? "Solomon, in turn, went on to tell her all her matters. There proved to be no matter hidden from the king that he did not tell her." -1 Kings 10:3

Astounded at what she heard and saw, the queen humbly replied: "Happy are these servants of yours who are standing before you constantly, listening to your wisdom!" (1 Kings 10:4-8) She did not pronounce Solomon's servants happy because they were surrounded by opulence-although they were. Rather, Solomon's servants were blessed because they could constantly listen to Solomon's God-given wisdom. What a fine example the queen of Sheba is for Jehovah's people today, who bask in the wisdom of the Creator himself and that of his Son, Jesus Christ!

Also noteworthy was the queen's next comment to Solomon: "May Jehovah your God come to be blessed." (1 Kings 10:9) Evidently,she saw Jehovah's hand in Solomon's wisdom and prosperity. This accords with what Jehovah earlier promised to Israel. 'Keeping my regulations,' he said, "is wisdom on your part and understanding on your part before the eyes of the peoples who will certainly say, "This great nation is undoubtedly a wise and understanding people.' " - Deuteronomy 4:5-7.

Next time:Coming to the Giver of Wisdom

Watchtower, 1999

BENEFITS FROM LOVING GOD'S WORD

Glorious Future Benefits

The sowing of Kingdom seed continues to bring great benefits to mankind. In recent years more than 300,000 persons each year have allowed the Bible's message to take root in their hearts to the extent that they have dedicated their lives to Jehovah and symbolized this by means of water baptism. what a glorious future awaits them!

Soon, lovers of God's Word know that Jehovah God will rise up to magnify his name. "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion, will be destroyed. (Revelation 18:2, 8) Then, those who refuse to live in harmony with God's Word will be put to death by the King, Jesus Christ. (Psalm 2:9-11; Daniel 2:44) Afterward, God's Kingdom will bring permanent relief from crime, war and other disasters. There will no longer be need to comfort people because of pain, sickness and death. -Revelation 21:3, 4.

What glorious good works will then be accomplished by those who love God's Word! Armageddon survivors will start with the joyful task of transforming this earth into a paradise. They will have the thrilling privilege of preparing for the needs of dead humans who are now resting in the grave and held in God's memory with the prospect of sharing in the resurrection of the dead. (John 5:28, 29) During that time, perfect direction will flow to earth's inhabitants from the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah, through his exalted Son, Jesus Christ. 'Scrolls will be opened,' revealing Jehovah's instructions for new world living. -Revelation 20:12.

In Jehovah's due time, the complete body of faithful anointed Christians will be raised to their heavenly reward as "joint heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:17) During the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, all humans on earth who love God's Word will be uplifted to perfection of mind and body. After proving faithful under a final test, they will be rewarded with everlasting life and will come to enjoy "the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:21; Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10) What a wonderful time that will be! Truly, whether Jehovah has granted us a heavenly or an earthly hope, an enduring love of his Word and a determination to live according to godly wisdom will safeguard us. And in the future it 'will glorify us because we embrace it.' -Proverbs 4:6, 8.

Next time: WHEN GENEROSITY ABOUNDS

Watchtower, 1999

BENEFITS FROM LOVING GOD'S WORD

Conclusion of Prove Yourselves to Be "Good Soil"

Finally, there is the seed that falls on good soil. This points to people who receive the message with "a fine and good heart." Naturally, each of us would like to believe that he falls into this category. In the final analysis, though, it is God's view that counts. (Proverbs 17:3; 1 Corinthians 4:4, 5) His Word says that our having "a fine and good heart" is something that we prove by our actions from now until our death or until God brings an end to this wicked system of things. If our initial response to the Kingdom message is positive, that is fine. However, those with a fine and good heart accept God's Word and "retain it and bear fruit with endurance." -Luke 8:15.

The only sure way to retain God's Word in our heart is to read and study both privately and in association with fellow believers. This includes taking full advantage of the spiritual food provided through the channel appointed to care for the spiritual interests of Jesus' true followers. (Matthew 234:45-47) By such means, those who retain God's Word in their hearts are motivated by love to "bear fruit with endurance."

What fruit is born by the fine soil? In the natural world, seeds grow into plants that bear fruit containing the same kind of seed, which can then be scattered to bear further fruit. Similarly, for those with a fine and good heart, the seed of the word grows in them, causing them to progress spiritually until they, in their turn, can sow the seed in the hearts of others. (Matthew 28:19, 20) And their work of sowing is marked by endurance. Jesus showed the importance of endurance in sowing when he said: "He that had endured to the end is the one that will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then he end will come." -Matthew 24:13, 14,

Next time: "Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work"

Watchtower, 1999

BENEFITS FROM LOVING GOD'S WORD

Safeguarded From Lasting Harm

in what way is one safeguarded by wisdom gained from studying and applying God's Word? For one thing, he is safeguarded from Satan the Devil. Jesus taught his followers to pray for deliverance from the wicked one, Satan. (Matthew 6:13) Today, the need to include this request in our prayers is truly urgent. Satan and his demons were cast out of heaven following 1914, and consequently Satan has "great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." (Revelation 12:9, 10, 12) At this late date, his anger must be white-hot as he unsuccessfully wages war against those "who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus." -Revelation 12:17.

Satan in his wrath continues to stir up trouble fro these Christian ministers and to foment violent persecution or cause other obstacles to their activity. He also wants to lure Kingdom proclaimers into focusing on such things as worldly prominence, the love of ease, the acquiring of material possessions, and the pursuit of pleasure, rather than on the Kingdom - preaching work . What safeguards God's faithful servants from surrendering to Satan's pressure or being entrapped by his snares? Of course, prayer, a close personal relationship with Jehovah, and faith in the certainty of his promises are vital. But all these are linked to a knowledge of and a determination to heed the reminders of God's Word. These reminders come through reading the Bible and Bible study aids, attending Christian meetings, heeding Scriptural counsel from a fellow believer, or simply by prayerfully meditating on Bible principles that God's spirit recalls to the mind. -Isaiah 30:21; John 14:26; 1 John 2:15-17.

Those who love God's Word are safeguarded in other ways. For example, they avoid the emotional distress and physical diseases that result from such things as drug abuse, the use of tobacco and sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 5:11: 2 Corinthians 7:1) They do not contribute to strained relationship by gossip or unkind speech, (Ephesians 4:31) Neither do they fall victim to doubt by delving into the deceptive philosophies of the wisdom of the world. ( 1 Corinthians 3:19) By loving God's Word, they are safeguarded from things that could rob them of their relationship with God and the hope of everlasting life. They keep busy helping their neighbors to put faith in the wonderful promises contained in the Bible, knowing that they will thus 'save both themselves and those who listen to them.' - Timothy 4:16.

True, everyone-even those who love God's Word-is subject to "time and unforeseen occurrence." (Ecclesiastes 9:11) it is inevitable that some among us will experience natural disasters, serious sicknesses, accidents, or untimely death. Still, we are safeguarded . No calamity can bring permanent harm to a person who truly loves God's Word. Hence, we should not be overly concerned about what might happen in the future. After we take all reasonable precautions, it is better to leave matters in Jehovah's hands and not allow today's insecurity of life to rob us of peace. (Matthew 6:33, 34; Philippians 4:6, 7) Bear in mind the certainty of the resurrection hope and of a better life when God makes all thing new." -Revelation 21:5; John 11:25.

Next time: Prover Yourself to Be "Good Soil"

Watchtower, 1999

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?

Other Imitators of Christ

The apostle Paul wrote to fellow Christians: "Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1) Like his Master, Paul developed a fondness for the Scriptures. He confessed: "In my inmost self I dearly love God's Law." (Romans 7:22, The Jerusalem Bible) Paul quoted God's Word frequently. (Acts 13:32-41; 17:2, 3; 28:23)) When he gave his final instruction to Timothy, a beloved fellow minister, Paul emphasized the important part that God's Word should play in the daily life of every "man of God." -2 Timothy 3:15-17.

Many faithful servants of Jehovah in modern times have likewise imitated Jesus' love for God's Word. Early in this century, a young man received a Bible from a friend. He described the effect of this precious gift on him: "I determined to make it a must in my life to read a portion of the Bible each and every day." That young man was Frederick Franz, and his love of the Bible led to his enjoying a long and successful life in Jehovah's service. He is fondly remembered for his ability to quote entire chapters of the Bible from memory.

Jehovah's Witnesses place great emphasis on regular Bible reading. Each week, in preparation for one of their Christian meetings,the Theocratic Ministry School , they read several chapters of the Bible. Highlights of the assigned Bible reading are discussed during the meeting. Some Witnesses find it convenient to divide the week's Bible reading into seven smaller sections and read one section each day. As they read, they reflect on the material. When possible, they do additional research with the help of Bible-based publications.

You may need to 'buy out the time' from other activities in order to read the Bible regularly. (Ephesians 5:16) However, the benefits will far outweigh any sacrifices. As you develop the habit of daily Bible reading, your love for God's Word will grow. Before long, you will be moved to say with the palmist: "How I do love your law! All day long it is my concern." (Psalm 119:97) Such an attitude will bring great benefits now and in the future, as the next article will show.

Next time: BENEFITS FROM LOVING GOD'S WORD

Watchtower, 1999

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD?

God's Word Sustained Jesus

On one occasion, Jesus' parents found him sitting in the midst of the teachers at the temple in Jerusalem. How these experts in God's Law "were in constant amazement at his understanding and his answers"! (Luke 2:46, 47) That was when Jesus was 12 years old. Yes, even at a young age, he clearly had a fondness for God's Word. Later, Jesus used the Scriptures to rebuke the Devil saying: "Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth." (Matthew 4:3-10) Soon after that, Jesus preached to the inhabitants of his hometown of Nazareth using the Scriptures. -Luke 4:16-21.

Jesus frequently quoted from God's Word to support his teachings. His listeners "were astounded at his way of teaching." (Matthew 7:28) And no wonder-Jesus' teachings came from Jehovah God himself! Jesus said: "What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him that sent me. He that speaks of his own originality is seeking his own glory; but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him, this one is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him." -John 7:16, 18.

Unlike the writer of Psalm 119, there was "no unrighteousness" in Jesus. He was sinless, the Son of God who "humbled himself and became obedient as far as death." (Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 7:26) Yet, perfect as he was, Jesus studied and obeyed God's Law. this was a key factor in his ability to maintain his integrity. When Peter used a sword to try to prevent his Master from being arrested, Jesus rebuked the apostle and asked: "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father to supply me at this moment more than twelve legions of angels? In that case, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must take place this way.?" (Matthew 26:53, 54) Yes, the fulfillment of the Scriptures meant more to Jesus than escaping a cruel and humiliating death. What outstanding love for God's Word!

Next time: Other Imitators of Christ

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

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD?

A Psalmist Who Loved God's Law

The writer of the 119th Psalm certainly had deep appreciation for God's Word. Who wrote that psalm? The writer is not identified in the Bible. From the context, however, we learn some details about him, and we know that his life was not problem free. Some of his acquaintances who were suppose to be worshipers of Jehovah did not share his love for Bible principles. Nevertheless, the psalmist did not allow their attitude to prevent him from doing what was right. (Psalm 119:23) If you live or work with someone who does not respect the Bible standards, you may see similarities between the psalmist's situation and your own.

Although a godly man, the psalmist was by no means self-righteous. He frankly acknowledged his own imperfections. (Psalm 119:5, 67) However, he did not allow sin to control him. "How will a young man cleanse his path?" He asked. His answer: "By keeping on guard according to your word." (Psalm 119:9) Then, underscoring what a powerful force for good God's Word is, the psalmist added: "In my heart I have treasured up your saying, in order that I may not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11) A force that can help us avoid sinning against God is powerful indeed!

Next time: Conclusion of A Psalmist Who Loved God's Law

Watchtower, 1999

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD?

"Form a Longing" for God's Word

As newborn infants, "wrote the apostle Peter, "form a longing for the unadulterated milk belonging to the word. (1 Peter 2:2) Just as a baby craves its mother's milk, Christians who are conscious of their spiritual need find exquisite delight in reading God's Word. Is that how you feel? If not, do not despair. You too can cultivate a longing for God's Word.

In order to do so, first discipline yourself to make Bible reading a regular habit, a daily one if possible. (Acts 17:11) You may not be able to spend an hour each day in Bible reading as Nasho Dori did, but quite likely you can set aside some time each day to consider God's Word. Many Christians arise a few minutes early in order to meditate on a Bible passage. what better way could there be to start the day? Others just before retiring. Still others read the Bible at some other convenient time. The important thing is to read the Bible regularly. Then, take a few moments to meditate on what you have read. Let us consider some examples of individuals who benefited from reading and meditating on God's Word.

Next time: A Psalmist Who Loved God's Law

Watchtower, 1999

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD?

HUNDREDS of millions of men and women own a copy of the Bible. But there is a difference between owning a Bible and loving God's Word. Can a person rightly claim to love God's Word if he seldom reads it? Of course not! In contrast, women who once had little regard for the Bible now read it every day. They have learned to love God's Word, and like the psalmist, they now make God's Word their concern "all day long." -Psalm 119:97.

One who learned to love God's Word is Nasho Dori. Along with fellow believers, he endured for many decades, serving Jehovah in his native Albania. During much of that time, Jehovah's Witnesses were banned, and these faithful Christians received little Bible literature. Yet, Brothers Dori's faith remained strong. How so? "My goal," he said, was "to read the Bible for at least an hour each day, which I did for some 60 years before my eyesight failed." Until recently, the entire Bible was not available in Albania, but Brother Dori had learned Greek as a child, so he read the Bible in that language. Regular Bible reading sustained Brother Dori through various trials, and it can sustain us as well.

Next time: "Form a Longing" for God's Word

Watchtower, 1999

PREPARE FOR THE MILLENNIUM THAT MATTERS!

THE THOUSAND YEAR REIGN of Christ will bring untold blessings to the human family. Under Jesus' loving direction, mankind will be lifted from its present sorry state to glorious perfection. Think of what that can mean for you. Radiant health! Imaging waking up each morning feeling better than the day before. Millions of men, women and children look forward to living during that happy time. They count on it, pray for it. Their study of the Bible has convinced them that these blessings can be theirs to enjoy.

Before he begins his Thousand Year Reign, however, Jesus Christ must rid the earth of all who oppose his rulership. he will do this at the battle called Armageddon in the Bible. (Revelation 16:16) Genuine Christians on earth will not fight in that war. It is God's war. And it will not be confined to a single geographic location. The Bible says that it will reach to the farthest corners of the earth. Enemies of Christ's rulership will be slain. None of them will escape! -Jeremiah 25:33.

Then Jesus will turn his attention to Satan the Devil and his demons. Picture the scene, as the writer of the book of Revelation saw it: "I saw an angel [Jesus Christ ] coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:1, 2) Later, Satan and his demons will be destroyed forever. -Matthew 25:41.

"A great crowd, which no man [is]able to number," will survive Armageddon. (Revelation 7:9) Christ will guide these to benefit fully from "fountains of waters of life," just as a shepherd guides his sheep to lifesaving waters. (Revelation 7:17) Unhindered in their spiritual progress by Satan and his demons, these Armageddon survivors will gradually be helped to overcome their sinful tendencies until finally they reach perfection!

Under Christ's rulership, living conditions will steadily improve. Jehovah God, through Jesus Christ, will eliminate all causes of pain and sorrow. He "will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be now more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." (Revelation 21:4) The prophet Isaiah rounds out the picture, saying: "At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as the stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness." (Isaiah 35:5, 6) And the dead, "the great and the small," will come back to life with the prospect of never having to die again! -Revelation 20:12.

Even now, the "great crowd" that will survive Armageddon are being gathered. They are getting ready for Christ's Millennial Reign. Although they do not know when that reign will begin, they are confident that in God's due time, it will be ushered in. You can be among them, but you too must get ready-not by selling your belongings and traveling to some geographic location, but by taking in accurate knowledge of Jehovah God and his purposes through a study of the Bible. At no cost or obligation, Jehovah's Witnesses will gladly show you how a study of the Bible can benefit you and your family. The publisher of this magazine will be happy to provide further information.

The Thousand Years - Literal or Symbolic?

Since most of the Bible book of Revelation was written in symbolic language, a question arises. What about the Thousand Year Reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation? Is it literal or a symbolic period?

There is every indication that a literal thousand year period is meant. Consider: The apostle Paul refers to the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, during which mankind is judged, as a day. (Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:4) The apostle Peter wrote that one day (24 hours) will Jehovah is as a thousand years. (2 Peter 3:8) That would argue that this judgment "day" is literally one thousand years long. In addition, at Revelation 20:3, 5-7) We read four different times, not of "a thousand years," but of "the thousand years." This would seem to indicate a period of definite length.

Next time:HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD?

Watchtower, 1999

WHEN DOES THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BEGIN?

Will Their Millennial Hopes Be Dashed?

Nevertheless, some religious fundamentalist have great expectations for the year 2000. They believe that during the next few months, portions of the book of Revelation will have a literal fulfillment. Indeed, they see themselves as sharing personally in that fulfillment. For example, they point to the prophecy recorded at Revelation 11:3, 7, 8, which tells of two witnesses who prophesy in a "great city which is in a spiritual sense called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also impaled." When they finish their witnessing, the two witnesses are killed by a ferocious wild beast that comes out of an abyss.

According to the report in The New York Times Magazine of December 27, 1998, the leader of one religious group "has foretold followers he is one of the two witnesses who is fated to announce the destruction of the earth and coming of the Lord-and then be slain by Satan in the streets of Jerusalem." Israeli authorities are understandably worried. They fear that certain extremists may try to "fulfill" the prophecy on their own-even if that means provoking an armed conflict! However, God does not need man's "help" to bring his purpose to fruition. All of the Bible's prophecies will be fulfilled in God's own time and in God's own way.

The book of Revelation was written "in signs." According to Revelation 1:1, Jesus wanted to reveal to "his slaves" (not the world in general) what would shortly take place. To understand the book of Revelation, Christ's slaves, or followers, would need God's holy spirit, which Jehovah gives to those who please him. If the book of Revelation is to be understood literally, even faithless people could read it and understand it. Then there would be no need for Christians to pray for holy spirit in order to understand it. -Matthew 13:10-15.

We have seen that according to Biblical evidence, the third millennium from Jesus' birth begins in the fall of 1999 and that neither the date nor January 1, 2000, nor January 1, 2001, has any special significance. Still, there is a millennium that deeply interests Christians. If not the third millennium, which one? The final article in this series will answer this question.

Next time: PREPARE FOR THE MILLENNIUM THAT MATTERS!

Watchtower, 1999

WHEN DOES THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BEGIN?

Does that matter? For example, would the start of the third millennium mark the beginning of the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ, referred to in the book of Revelation? No. The Bible nowhere indicates any link between the third millennium and the Thousand Year Reign of Christ.

Jesus warned his followers against speculating about dates. He told disciples: "It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction." (Acts 1:7) Earlier, Jesus revealed that even he did not then know when God would execute judgment on this wicked system, paving he way for Christ's Millennial Rule. He said: "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens n or the Son, but only the Father." -Matthew 24:36.

Is it reasonable to expect that Christ will return exactly 2,000 years from the date of his birth as a human? No, it is not. Jesus must have known the date of his own birth. And he certainly knew how to count 2,000 years from that date. Yet, he did not know the day and hour of his coming. Obviously, it would not be that simple to pinpoint the date of his return! The 'times and seasons' were in the Father's jurisdiction-the time-table his alone to know.

Furthermore, Jesus did not command his followers to wait for him a specific geographic location. He told them, not to gather together and wait, but to scatter to "the most distant part of the earth" and make disciples of people of all the nations. He has never rescinded that command. -Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19, 20.

Next time: Will Their Millennial Hopes Be Dashed?

Watchtower, 1999

WHEN DOES THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BEGIN?

HAVE you heard the claim that the third millennium will not begin in the year 2000 but in 2001? That claim is correct-up to a point. If we assume that Jesus Christ was born in what is now known as 1 B.C.E., as some once supposed, then December 31, 2000 (not 1999), will indeed mark the end of the second millennium, and January 1, 2001, the beginning of the thirde. However, today almost all scholars agree that Jesus Christ was not born in 1 B.C.E. Well, then, when was he born?

When Was Jesus Born?

The Bible does not reveal the exact date of Jesus' birth. It does say, however, that he was born "in the days of Herod the king." (Matthew 2:1) Many Bible scholars believe that Herod died in the year 4 B.C.E. and that Jesus was born before then-perhaps as early as 5 or 6 B.C.E. They base their conclusions about Herod's death on statements by the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.

According to0 Josephus, shortly before King Herod died, there was an eclipse of the moon. Bible scholars point to a partial lunar eclipse on March 11, 4 B.C.E., as proof that Herod must have died in that year. However, in the year 1 B.C.E., there was a total lunar eclipse on January 8 and a partial eclipse on December 27. No one can say whether Josephus was referring to one of the eclipses in 1 B.C.E. or to one in 4 B.C.E. Consequently, we cannot use Josephus' words to pinpoint the precise year of Herod's death. Even if we could, without more information we still could not determine when Josephus was born.

The strongest evidence we have of the date of Jesus' birth, comes from the Bible. The inspired record states that Jesus' cousin John the Baptizer began his career as a prophet in the 15th year of Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar. (Luke 3:1, 2) Secular history confirms that Tiberius was named emperor on September 15, 14 C.E. John began his ministry during that time, and Jesus evidently started his ministry six months later. (Luke 1:24-31) This, combined with other evidence, would take place the beginning of Jesus' ministry in the fall of 29 C.E. The Bible states that Jesus was "about thirty years old" when he began his ministry. (Luke 3:23) If he was 30 years old in the fall of 29 C.E., he must have been born in the fall of 2 B.C.E. Now,if we count forward two thousand years from the fall of 2 B.C.E. (remembering that there was no zero year; hence, from 2 B.C.E.to 1 C.E. in two years). we realize that the second millennium ended and the third millennium began in the fall of 1999!

Next time: Conclusion of WHEN DOES THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BEGIN?

Watchtower, 1999

2000 A MARKED YEAR?

IS THERE anything special about the year 2000? People living in Western lands generally view it as the first year of the third millennium. Elaborate preparations to celebrate it are underway. Huge electronic clocks are being installed to count off the seconds until the new millennium dawns. Gala New Year's Eve balls are being organized. T-shirts bearing end-of-millennium slogans are being hawked at country stores as well as in big-city shopping malls.

Churches, large and small, will be joining in the year-long festivities. Early next year, Pope John Paul II is expected to travel to Israel to lead Roman Catholics in what has been called. "the Roman Catholic Churches jubilee celebration of the millennium." It is estimated that between two and a half million and six million tourists, from the devout to the curious, are planning to visit Israel next year.

Why are so many people planning to visit Israel? Speaking for the pope, Roger Cardinal Etchegaray, a Vatican official, said: "The year 2000 is a celebration of Christ and his life in this land. Therefore it is only natural that the Pope would come here." How is the year 2000 connected with Christ? The year 2000 is commonly thought to mark exactly 2,000 years from the birth of Christ. But does it? We shall see.

The year 2000 is even more significant to members of some religious groups. They are convinced that with the next year or so, Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives and the battles of Armageddon, spoken of in the book of Revelation, will be fought in the valley of Megiddo. (Revelation 16:14-16) In the anticipation of these events, hundreds of U.S. residents are selling their homes and most of their belongings and are moving to Israel. For the benefit of any who cannot leave their homes, a prominent U.S. evangelist has reportedly promised to broadcast the return of Jesus on television-in color!

In Western lands, plans to usher in the third millennium are intensifying. People in other lands, however, are going about their business. These people-the majority of the world's population-do not believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. Neither do they necessarily accept the B.C.-A.D. style of dating. Many Muslims, for example, use their own calendar, according to which next year will be 1420-not 2000. Muslims number the years from the date the prophet Muhammad fled from Mecca to Medina. All in all, people worldwide use some 40 different calenders.

Should the year 2000 have meaning for Christians? Is January 1, 200, really a red-letter day? These questions will be answered in the following article.

Next time: WHEN DOES THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BEGIN?

Watchtower, 1999

What Can Be Done About Discouragement?

Vanquishing Discouragement

Whatever its causes, discouragement is a scourge that must be fought. Remember, though, that we are not alone in this fight. If we are discouraged, let us accept the help of our Christian companions, especially the elders. By doing so, we may lessen feelings of discouragement.

Above all, we need to turn to God for help in overcoming discouragement. If we prayerfully rely on Jehovah, he may help us to vanquish discouragement entirely. (Psalm 55:22; Philippians 4:6, 7) In any case, as his people we can share the sentiments of the psalmist who sang: "Happy are the people knowing the joyful shouting. O Jehovah, in the light of your face they keep walking. In your name they are joyful all day long and in your righteousness they are exalted. For you are the beauty of their strength; and by your goodwill our horn is exalted." -Psalm 89:15-17.

Next time: 2000 A Marked Year?

Watchtower, 1999