GETTING TO KNOW " THE MIND OF CHRIST"

His Prehuman Existence

Our close associates can have an effect on us, influencing our thoughts, feelings and actions for good or for bad. (Proverbs 13:20) Consider the association that Jesus had in the heavens before coming to earth. The Gospel of John calls attention to Jesus' prehuman existence as "the Word, or Spokesman, of God. Says John: "In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This one was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1, 2) Since Jehovah had no beginning, the Word's being with God from "the beginning" must refer to the start of God's creative works. (Psalm 90:2) Jesus is "the firstborn of all creation." Hence, he existed before other spirit creatures and the physical universe were created.- Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14.

According to some scientific estimates,the physical universe has existed for at least 12 billion years. If those estimates are anywhere near correct, God's firstborn Son enjoyed close association with his Father for eons before the creation of Adam. (Compare Micah 5:2) A tender and deep bond thus developed between the two of them. As wisdom personified, this firstborn Son in his prehuman existence is represented as saying: "I cam to be the one [Jehovah]was specially fond of day by day, I being glad before him all the time. (Proverbs 8:30) Surely spending countless ages in intimate association with the Source of love had a profound effect on God's Son! (1 John 4:8) This S0on came to know and reflect his Father's thoughts, feelings and ways as no one else could. -Matthew 11:27.

Next time: Earthly Life and Influences

Watchtower, 2000

GETTING TO KNOW " THE MIND OF CHRIST"

WHAT did Jesus look like? What color was his hair? His skin? His eyes? How tall was he? How much did he weigh? Over the centuries, artistic representations of Jesus have varied from the reasonable to the far-fetched. Some have depicted him as manly and vibrant, while others have portrayed him as frail and pallid.

The Bible, however, does not focus attention on Jesus' appearance. (No one knows what he looks like because no one has seen him except as a very bright light much as the sun, to try to look at him is like looking straight into the sun for awhile. No one would live) Rather, Jehovah saw fit to reveal something far more significant: The kind of person Jesus was. The Gospel accounts not only report what Jesus said and did but also reveal the depth of feeling and and the pattern of thinking behind his words and actions. These four inspired accounts referred to as "the mind of Christ." ( 1 Corinthians 2:16) It is important that we become acquainted with the thoughts, feelings and personality of Jesus. Why? For at least two reasons.

First, the mind of Christ gives us a glimpse into the mind of Jehovah God. Jesus was so intimately acquainted with his Father (No,not like that, get your minds out of the gutter people) that he could say: 'Who the Son is no one knows but the Father, and who the Father is, no one knows but the Son, and he to whom the Son is willing to reveal to him." (Luke 10:22) It is as if Jesus was saying, 'if you want to know what Jehovah is like, look to me.' (John 14:9) Thus, when we study what the Gospels reveal about the way Jesus thought and felt, we are, in effect, learning how Jehovah thinks and feels. Such knowledge enables us to draw closer to our God. -James 4:8.

Second, our knowing the mind of Christ helps us to "follow his steps closely." (1 Peter 2:21) Following Jesus is not simply a matter of repeating his words and copying his deeds. Since speech and actions are influenced by thoughts and feelings, following Christ requires that we have the same "mental attitude" that he had. (Philippians 2:5) In other words, if we are to truly act like Christ, we must first learn to think and feel like him, that is, to the best of our ability as imperfect humans. Let us, then with the help of Gospel writers, peer into the mind of Christ. We will. first discuss factors that influenced the way Jesus thought and felt.

Next time: His Prehuman Existence

Watchtower,2000

HEED THE WARNING!

Once You Have Fled, Stay Away

It is one things to flee from the endangered system, but it is quite another to remain in the protective care of "the whole association of brothers." (1 Peter 2:17) Let us not forget the farmers who, after being evacuated, went back to check their fields near Mount Fugen. Probably they were anxious to return to the "normal" life they used to have. But you realize that their decision to go back was unwise. Perhaps that was not their first attempt to crossing the line. They might have stayed a little longer, and still nothing happened. Likely, they soon became accustomed to crossing the protective line and were emboldened to linger in the endangered area.

Jesus Christ referred to a similar situation that would occur during "the conclusion of the system of things." He said: "As they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking., men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note unto the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be." -Matthew 24:3,38, 39.

Notice that Jesus mentioned eating, drinking and getting married. None of those things are in themselves wrong in Jehovah's eyes. What was wrong then? The people of Noah's day "took no note," leading a life centered around their regular routine in a time of emergency, one cannot live a "normal" life.

Once you have fled from or have separated yourself from, the present doomed world, you must fight any urge to go back to take advantage of whatever can be gleaned from it. (1 Corinthians 7:31) You may be able to wander out of the spiritually safe zone and come back unscathed with no one even noticing it. However, that likely will embolden you and lead you to returning to the world again, lingering in it a bit longer. Soon the attitude could develop: "The end won't come today.

Also, think of the three cab drivers who lost their lives waiting for the news reporters and cameramen when the volcanic flow swirled down the slope. Some today may tag along with other who have dared to go back into the world. Whatever the reason, it is clear that being coaxed into returning to the perilous zone is not worth the risk.

All the victims of the eruption of Mount Fugen crossed the safety line and went into the danger zone. Though they expected that the mountain would erupt someday, no one thought that they would be on that day. By observing the sign of the conclusion of the system of things, many expect the day of Jehovah to come sometime but likely not soon. Some even feel that the day could never be "today." Such an attitude is indeed risky.

"Jehovah's day will come as a thief," the apostle Peter warned. We need to be alert, "awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah,: doing our utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace." (2 Peter 3:10-14) After the destruction of the present wicked system of things, a paradise earth under the Kingdom of God awaits. May we never be tempted to venture into the danger zone for whatever reasons our mind might come up with, since the day we cross the line back into the world could be the day of Jehovah.

Take refuge along with Jehovah's people and stay with them.

Next time: GETTING TO KNOW "THE MIND OF CHRIST"

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

Conclusion of Take Refuge Now

Many today hear the message about God's decision to destroy this wicked system of things and discern, to a certain extent,the validity of the warning. "It may eventually come,' they may reason, 'but not today,' they conveniently put off the day of Jehovah to a later time so that they may not be diverted from what seems more important in their eyes at the moment.

Baruch had such a problem. Being the secretary to the ancient prophet Jeremiah, Baruch courageously warned the Israelites of Jerusalem's impending doom. Yet, he once became weary of this commission. At that, Jehovah corrected him:"As for you, you keep seeking great things for yourself. Do not keep on seeking." Be wealth, prominence, or material security, Baruch was not to 'seek great things for himself.' He was to be interested in one thing, doing God's will to help people to stand on His side. As a result, he would receive 'his soul as a spoil.' (Jeremiah 45:1-5) Comparably, instead of 'seeking great things for ourselves,' we should seek Jehovah, which can lead to the saving of our own lives.

At Mount Fugen, over a dozen policemen and volunteer firemen were on duty when the superheated volcanic flow hit them. They were trying to help and protect endangered people. They were like well-meaning men and women who are immersed in improving this world. Lofty though their motives may be, "that which is made crooked cannot be made straight." (Ecclesiastes 1:15) The crooked system of things cannot be straightened out. Is it reasonable to make oneself "a friend of the world" by trying to save a worldwide system that God is determined to eliminate?

Next time: Once You Have Fled, Stay Away

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

Take Refuge Now

To take refuge by seeking Jehovah, we have to be his friends. What does that involve? The Bible answers: "Do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4) To be friends of God, we must rid ourselves of any emotional attachment to the present wicked world, characterized by a rebellious attitude toward God.

The Bible admonishes us: "Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; because everything in the world-the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one's means of life-does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:15-17) Most people today are motivated by fleshly desires-uncontrolled sexual appetite, greedy pursuit of money, and abusive use of power. But to be in Jehovah's side, one must overcome such desires. -Colossians 3:5-8.

You may have read this journal from time to time, and you might agree with its application of Bible prophecies. Yet, you may hesitate to take the further step of associating with Jehovah's Witnesses. If we are faced with a disaster, however, is it enough just to hear the warning? As we can see from the case of the Mount Fugen eruption, we need to act on the warning. Remember, at least 15 news reporters and cameramen intent on securing a scoop lost their lives. In fact, one photographer died with his finger on the shutter button of his camera. A volcanologist-who had remarked, "If one day I have to die, I want it to be at the edge of a volcano"-lost his life just as he had wished. They were all dedicated to their work and their pursuits. Yet, they paid with their lives-the price of ignoring the warning.

Next time: Continue with Take Refuge Now

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

The Fear-Inspiring Day of Jehovah

What will happen when the tie is ripe for Jehovah to execute his judgment? Listen to his own graphic description of what will then take place: "I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah." -Joel2:30,31.

That day, more fearsome and destructive than any local volcanic eruption or earthquake, is imminent. The prophet Zephaniah says: "The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near and there is a hurrying of it very much. . .By the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured, because he will make an extermination ,indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth." Although "neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah's fury," there is a way to survive that fear-inspiring day. -Zephaniah 1:14-18.

Showing how, Zephaniah says: "Before there comes upon you people the burning anger of Jehovah's anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth . . .Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." (Zephaniah 2:2, 3) We can take refuge by 'seeking Jehovah , seeking righteousness, and meekness and seeking meekness.' Who today are seeking Jehovah?

You no doubt relate the word "Jehovah" to Jehovah's Witnesses because of their preaching work. You may have received this magazine from one of them. They are known as moral citizens who lead upright lives. They are endeavoring to put on a "new personality," which includes developing meekness. (Colossians 3:8-10) This, they admit, results from being educated by Jehovah's visible organization, throughout the earth represented by local congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yes, you can take refuge along with 'the entire association of brothers' among Jehovah's Witnesses the world over. -1 Peter 5:9.

Next time: Take Refuge Now

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

STAY OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE!

It is the task of volcanologists to make observations and to weigh the evidence and then to warn about coming volcanic eruptions. (Once Mount Fugen had erupted, the police had to keep people out of the danger zone.) Similarly, Bible students observe the sign of "the conclusion of the system of things." and alert others to the impending danger. -Matthew 24:3.

In the same chapter of the Bible that warns about an impending global catastrophe, we can read this description of preliminary development: "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another . . .Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. . . And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come." -Matthew 24:7-14.

We do not need to be news analysts to discern the current fulfillment of this prophecy. Especially since 1914, we have experienced it. This century has seen two world wars, a great number of civil wars, local warfares and racial and religious conflicts. Mankind has suffered food shortages as a result of such wars, in addition to privation caused by natural disasters. Many lives have been swallowed up by earthquakes. Cults and dubious leaders and fanatic followers have sprung up. "The increasing of lawlessness" has turned people away from showing love, and neighborliness is no longer the norm.

The worldwide preaching work, another aspect of the sign, is certainly being accomplished. Just turn back to the cover of this magazine, and you will note the words "Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom" as part of the title. The Watchtower, published in 132 languages and with a circulation of more than 22 million, is a major tool for those who declare "this good news of the kingdom" in all the inhabited earth. That good news includes the message that the Creator of the universe, Jehovah God, has establish the heavenly Kingdom that will destroy the wicked system of things and in a paradise on earth. Indeed, the sign that God will soon take action is observable now, indicating that the lives of people in this system of things are in danger. -Compare 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3, 4; Revelation 6:1-8.

Next time: The Fear-Inspiring Day of Jehovah

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

Are You in a Danger Zone?

We may not all live near an active volcano, yet, what if we were facing a global catastrophe, putting all of us in a danger zone encompassing the entire globe? A book that has proved to be a reliable source of prophetic information warns us of a coming worldwide disaster and describes it in this way: "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken . . .All the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation." (Matthew 24:29, 30) Here celestial phenomena of universal magnitude are described as affecting "all the tribes of the earth." In other words, this prophecy relates to a catastrophe that will affect every one of us.

This book of reliable prophecy is the Bible. Interestingly, the context of the above mentioned scripture passage gives a detailed description of things that will lead up to the global calamity. Just as the lave dome and other volcanic indicators gave the Shimabara city officials reasons for designating a danger zone, the Bible gives us reasons for being on the alert and for preparing ourselves for survival. We can learn a lesson from the tragedy at Mount Fugen and discern the gravity of what lies ahead.

Next time: STAY OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

A LAVA dome had been observed on Mount Fugen about two weeks earlier, so the authorities and inhabitants had been on the alert. For well over a week before the disaster, an advisory to evacuate the area had been given. Just a day before the eruption, the police had asked members of the press to refrain from going into the restricted area. Yet, that fatal afternoon the 43 victims were in the danger zone.

Why did so many venture into the area or remain there? Some farmers who had evacuated their homes went back to check on their belongings and fields. Three vulcanologist were trying to get as near as possible to the volcano to satisfy their academic interest. A number of reporters and photographers dared to cross the off-limits line because they wanted to get a scoop on the volcanic activity. Three cab drivers hired by the press were on the scene. Policemen and volunteer fire fighters were on duty. Each had his own reason for going into the danger zone-and the consequence was that he lost his life.

Next time: Are You in a Danger Zone?

Watchtower, 2000

LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

Conclusion of How to Grow Stronger in the Faith

From where did Paul's boldness come? From within? No, he said that he mustered up boldness "by means of our God." A reference work for Bible translators says that this statement may be rendered "God took fear out of our hearts." so if you do not feel particularly bold about your ministry, or if some aspect of it in particular strikes you as intimidating, why not appeal to Jehovah to do the same for you? Ask him to help you muster up boldness for the work. In addition, take some other practical measures. For example, arrange to work with someone who is adept at the form of witnessing that concerns you. It may involve business territory, street witnessing, informal preaching or telephone witnessing. Perhaps your partner will be willing to take the lead at first. If so, observe and learn. But then muster up the boldness to give it a try.

If you do muster up boldness, think of what may result. When you persist and do not let yourself become discouraged, you are likely to have good experiences in sharing the truth, experiences that you might think otherwise have missed. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have pleased Jehovah by doing something that is difficult for you. You will experience his blessing and help in overcoming your fears. Your faith will be stronger. Really, you cannot work at building faith in others without building your own faith at the same time. -Jude 20, 21.

May you continue to strengthen your faith and the faith of those around you. You can do so by building yourself and others up through adept use of God's Word, by studying Bible examples of faith and bringing them to life, by preparing for and participating in Christian meetings, and by holding fast to the precious privilege of the public ministry. As you do these things, be assured that you are, indeed, one of "the sort that have faith." Remember, too,that those of this sort have a precious reward. They are "the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul." May your faith continue to grow, and my Jehovah God preserve you alive forever!

Next time: HEED THE WARNING!

Watchtower, 1999