False Tongues Condemned

Isaiah prophesied that God's people would condemn any tongue that rose against them. In them.   In the first century, Christians were often the object of misrepresentation, being depicted as  evildoers.  The words found at Acts 16:20, 21 are typical of such accusations:  "These men are disturbing our city very much, . . .and they are publishing customs that are not lawful for us to take up or practice, seeing we are Romans."   On another occasion, religious opposers tried to incite  the city rulers to act against Christ's followers, asserting:  'These men that have overturned the inhabited earth are present here also, [and they] act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar." (Acts 17:6, 7) The apostle  Paul was labeled "a pestilent fellow" and the leader of a sect that was stirring up seditions "throughout the inhabited earth." -Acts 24:2-5.

Accordingly, it does not surprise us that  true Christians today have faced gross misrepresentations, malicious slander, and smear campaigns.  How is it that we condemn such verbal attacks? -Isaiah 54:17. 

Such accusations and propaganda are often refuted by the fine conduct of Jehovah's Witnesses.  (1 Peter 2:12)  When Christian prove themselves to be law-abiding citizens and moral people who show genuine concern for the welfare of  of their fellow humans, the accusations hurled against them are show up as false.  Our good conduct speaks for itself. As observers note our perseverance in fine works, they are often moved to glorify our heavenly Father and to acknowledge the superior way of life of his servants. Isaiah 60:14; Matthew 5:14-16. 

In addition to our godly conduct, it may at times be necessary to defend  with boldness our Scriptural position. One way is by appealing to governments and courts for protection.  (Esther 8:3; Acts 22:25-29; 25:10-12) When Jesus was on earth, on occasion he openly contended  with his critics, refuting their false accusations.  (Matthew 12:34-37; 15:1-11) May we never allow ridicule at school, at work, or from unbelieving relatives to stop us from making known the truth of God's Word. -2 Peter 3:3, 4.

Next time: Jerusalem-"A Burdensome Stone"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

Satan's Unsuccessful Efforts

Weapons used against true worshipers have included bans, mob violence, prisons, and the 'framing of trouble by law.' (Psalm 94:20) Actually, in some lands, even as  Witnesses of Jehovah are studying this article, these true Christians are being "put to the test" regarding their integrity to God. -Revelation 2:10.

For example, one branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses reported that  during just one year, there were 32 cases in which God's  servants were physically attacked while they engaged in the ministry.  In addition, there were 59 incidents of police detention of Witnesses-young and old, male and female-who were preaching publicly.  Some were fingerprinted, photographed, and place behind bars as criminals.  Others have been threatened with physical harm. In another land, there are now over 1,100 documented cases of Jehovah's Witnesses being arrested, fined, or beaten.  More than 200 of these cases occurred  on the day when they gathered to commemorate Jesus' death!  Nonetheless, Jehovah's spirit has enabled  his people to survive despite overwhelming odds, both in these lands and in other countries.  (Zechariah 4:6) The heat of the enemy wrath will not still the lips of those praising Jehovah.  Yes, we are confident that no weapon can defeat God's purpose. 

Next time: False Tongues Condemned 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU WILL SUCCEED

DECADES ago, in  a small mountainous country in southeastern Europe, there was a fearless band of Christians. An atheistic Communist government did its best to crush them. Yet torture, labor camps, and media attacks could not stamp them out.  Who were they?  Jehovah's Witnesses in Albania.  Though meeting together and preaching were extremely difficult, their persistence over decades has exalted  and honored Christianity and brought praise to Jehovah's name. Last year at the dedication of their new branch facilities, a longtime faithful Witness said:  "No matter how hard Satan tries, he keeps losing and Jehovah keeps winning!"

All of this is living proof of the truthfulness of God's promise toward his people as recorded at Isaiah 54:17:  "Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn."  History confirms that nothing  that Satan's world can do will ever put a stop to the worship of Jehovah God by his dedicated servants. 

Next time: Satan's Unsuccessful Efforts

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

Have Confidence in Jehovah

Can you imagine the feeling of confidence that the Israelites must have had as they thought back on that pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of cloud by night? It was evidence that "the angel of the true God" was guiding their journey.  (Exodus 13:21, 22; 14:19) Today, we can have confidence that Jehovah is with his people to guide, protect, and deliver them. We can take to heart the promise: '[ Jehovah] will not leave his loyal ones.  to time indefinite they will certainly be guarded."  (Psalm 7:28)  Never let us forget those mighty angelic forces that are backing God's servants today.  With their support, we can "stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah." -Exodus 14:13. 

What will enable all of us to "stand firm" in the way of the truth? Wearing the spiritual armor described by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. Notice that the apostle admonishes us to "put on the complete suit of armor from God." Are we wearing all the parts of this spiritual armor?  In the coming calendar year, it would be well for each one to take stock of himself to make sure that every part of that armor is in place and fits well.  Our enemy, Satan the Devil, knows our weaknesses, and he tries to catch us off guard or to attack a vulnerable  spot.  We have "a wrestling" with wicked forces.  Still, in Jehovah's strength, we can come off the winner! -Ephesians 6:11-18; Proverbs 27:11.

Jesus said to his followers:  "By endurance on your part you will acquire your souls." (Luke 21:19)  May we be among those who faithfully endure any hardships that they may encounter and so be privileged by God's undeserved kindness to "stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah." 

Next time: NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU WILL SUCCEED

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

Learn From Israel's Salvation

What effect did this miraculous deliverance have on the survivors?  Why, Moses and the sons of Israel spontaneously burst into song, praising Jehovah!  They sang:  "Let me sing to Jehovah, for he has become  highly exalted. . . .Jehovah will make as king to time indefinite, even forever."  (Exodus 15:1, 18) Yes, their first thought was to exalt God. In that situation, Jehovah's sovereignty had been demonstrated. 

What instruction, comfort, and hope do we gain from these thrilling events?  Surely we can see that Jehovah is ready for any trial that his people have to go through.  He is equal to any situation that may confront them.  The Red Sea was not barrier to Israel when Jehovah caused that strong east wind to blow.  And he was able to cause that same  Red Sea to become a watery grave  for Pharaoh's armies. Contemplating this, we can echo the words of the psalmist  who said:  "Jehovah is on my side; I shall not fear.  What can earthling man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6) We can also find comfort in Paul's words recorded at Romans 8:31)  "If God is for us, who will be against us?"  What confidence these inspired saying give us!  They quiet any fears and doubts that we may have and fill us with hope.  How appropriate, then, is our yeartext for 2008:  "Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah"! -Exodus 14:13. 

What else can we learn from Israel's Exodus from Egypt?  That we must obey Jehovah no matter what he asks us to do.  The Israelites were obedient  in carrying out the detailed preparations for the Passover.  They obediently stayed indoors during the night of Nisan 14.  When they finally left Egypt, they had to go "in battle formation."  (Exodus 13:18)  Today, it is so important that we follow the guidance that comes to us through "the faithful and discreet slave"!  (Matthew 24:45) We have to listen very carefully  to God's word behind us, saying:  " 'This is the way. Walk in it, you people,' in case you people should go the right or in case you should go to the left." (Isaiah 30:21) As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions.  Our safe journey through these troublesome days will depend on our keeping in step with other loyal servants of Jehovah.

Remember, too, that Jehovah diverted the Israelites into a position where they appeared to be trapped between the mountains on one side and  the Red Sea on the other.  It just did not seem to be the right move. But Jehovah had everything in hand, and all worked out to his praise and to the salvation  of his people.  Today, we may not clearly  see why some organizational matters are handled in a certain way, but we have every reason to trust in Jehovah's guidance through his faithful channel of communication. At times,m our enemies may seem to be getting the upper hand.  From our limited perspective, we may seem able to see the whole picture. Still, Jehovah is  capable  maneuvering matters at the right moment, just as he did back there for the sons of Israel. -Proverbs 3:5.

Next time: Have Confidence in Jehovah

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

"See the Salvation of Jehovah"

Next, there is an amazing turn of events. Jehovah tells Moses:  "Speak to the sons of Israel, that they should turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth between Migdol and the sea in view of Baal-zephon."  As they follow these instructions, this great multitude find themselves hemmed in between  the mountains and a arm of the Red Sea.  There seems  to be no way out. However, Jehovah knows what he is doing.  He tells Moses:  "I shall let Pharaoh's heart become obstinate, and he will certainly chase after them and I shall get glory for myself by means of Pharaoh and all his military forces; and the Egyptians will certainly  know that I am Jehovah." -Exodus 14:1-4. 

Pharaoh, feeling that he has made a mistake in allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt, sets off in hot pursuit with 600 chose war chariots. As the Egyptian  army comes into sight, the Israelites  become terrified and cry out to Moses: "Is it because  there are no burial places at all in Egypt that you have taken us here to die in the wilderness?"  Confident in Jehovah's salvation, Moses replies:  "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will perform for you today. . . .Jehovah will himself fight for you, and you yourselves will be silent.," -Exodus 14:5-14. 

True to Moses' words that Jehovah would fight for the Israelites, superhuman forces now take over. Jehovah's angel miraculously moved to their rear near the pillow of the cloud that has been leading the camp of Israel. While it becomes a source of darkness to the Egyptians, that same pillar gives light to the Israelites.  (Exodus 12:21, 22; 14:19, 20)  In obedience  to God's command, Moses now stretches out his hand.  The account continues:  "Jehovah began making the sea go back by a strong east wind all night long .  . .At length the sons of Israel went through the midst  of the sea on dry land, while the waters  were a wall to them on the right hand and on their left."  The Egyptians take up the pursuit, but Jehovah is on the side of his people.  He throws the camp of the Egyptians  into confusion, and then he tells Moses:  "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters  may back over the Egyptians, their war chariots and their cavalrymen."  So complete is the destruction of Pharaoh's armies that not a single soldier is left alive! -Exodus 14:21-28; Psalm 136:15.  

Next time: Learn From Israel's Salvation

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

Jehovah Rescues His People

The year is 1513 B.C.E. Jehovah has already brought nine blows against the Egyptians. After the last of those, Pharaoh summarily  dismisses Moses with the words: "Get out from me!   Watch yourself!  Do not try to see my face again, because on the day of you seeing my face you will die."  Moses replies:  That is the way you have spoken. I shall not try to see your face anymore." -Exodus 10:28, 29. 

Jehovah now reveals to Moses that there will be one more blow against Pharaoh and all the Egyptians, a final one.  On the 14th of Abib (Nisan), the firstborn of every Egyptian man and of every animal is going to die.  But Israelite households can be spared by carefully following God's  instructions given to Moses.  They are to splash some of the blood of the male lamb upon the  doorposts and the upper part of the doorway of their houses and to stay indoors.  What happens that night?  Let Moses himself tell us:  "It came about that at midnight Jehovah struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt."  Pharaoh's reaction is immediate.  Calling Moses and Aaron to him, he tells them:  "Get up, get out from the midst of my people, . . . and go, serve Jehovah, just as you have stated." And go to the Israelites do, possible more than three million of them along with an unnumbered  "vast mixed company" of non-Israelites. -Exodus 12:1-7, 29, 31, 27, 38.

The nearest route for the Israelites to take is by the Mediterranean Sea and through the  land of the Philistines. But that is enemy territory. Hence, likely to save his people from having to engage in warfare, Jehovah leads them by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. Although, there are millions of People on the march, this is no disorderly crowd.  The Bible record says:  "It was in battle formation that the sons of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt." -Exodus 1:17, 18. 

Next time: "See the Salvation of Jehovah" 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

Conclusion of:"STAND FIRM AND SEE THE SALVATION OF JEHOVAH"

All the nations of the earth will have aligned themselves against Jehovah's people.  Will the nations succeed in wiping out those faithful Christians? It may seem as if they could.  But look! Heavenly armies following Christ Jesus will see to it that these human forces are destroyed.  (Revelation 19:19-21)  Finally, the Devil and his angels will be cast into an abyss of inactivity.  They will no longer be able to mislead man because they will be bound for a thousand years. Oh, what a relief that will be to the great multitude of survivors! -Revelation 7:9, 10, 14; 20:1-3.

We are about to experience these wonderful and awe-inspiring events.  They all have  to do with vindicating Jehovah's right to rule, his universal sovereignty. And think of this:  If we remain loyal to Jehovah and if we stand firm for his sovereignty, we shall have the opportunity of sharing in the sanctification of his purpose.  What an estimable joy that will be!

Are we prepared for those momentous events?  Do we have faith in Jehovah's saving power?  Are we confident that he will come to our aid at the right time and in the best way?  In answering such personal questions, we can keep in mind what the apostle Paul told his fellow Christian in Rome:  "All the things that were written aforetime were written  for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)  Among the things written for our instruction, giving us comfort and hope, is the record of  the occasion when Jehovah delivered  the Israelites from the iron grip  of their Egyptian  oppressors. A close examination of those exciting events when Jehovah maneuvered the salvation of the sons of Israel should be of great encouragement to us as we look forward to the fast-approaching great tribulation. 

Next time: Jehovah Rescues His People

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

"STAND FIRM AND SEE THE SALVATION OF JEHOVAH"

TODAY, mankind faces events of a magnitude never previously experienced.  Foretelling this about our day, Jesus warned his followers:  "There will be great tribulation such as not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short." -Matthew 24:21, 22.

Unseen to human eyes, heavenly forces are now holding back that great tribulation.  The apostle John was privileged to see the reason for this restraint in a revelation given to him by Jesus.  Here is how the aged apostle described it:  "I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth . . . And I saw another angel ascending from the sun rising, having a seal  of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels . . .'Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God into their foreheads.' " -Revelation 7:1-3.

The final sealing of the anointed "slaves of our God" is approaching completion.  The four angels are ready to release those destructive winds.  When they do, what will happen first?  An angel answers that question:  "With a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again."  (Revelation 18:21) What heavenly  rejoicing there will be when this happens when the world empire of false religion is destroyed! -Revelation 19:1, 2. 

Next time: Conclusion of: "STAND FIRM AND SEE THE SALVATION OF JEHOVAH"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007

Look Beyond Jehovah's Great Day

You will be able to await Jehovah's day with a calm heart if you keep everlasting life in view.  (Jude 20, 21)  You look forward to eternal life in Paradise, and thus you have the hope of renewed youthful vitality and unlimited time to pursue wholesome goals and learn more about Jehovah. You can actually go on learning about God forever because humans now know only  "the fringes of his ways." (Job 26:14) What exciting prospects! 

In Paradise, resurrected ones will be able to fill in some gaps in our knowledge of the past. Enoch will be there to explain how he had the courage needed to declare Jehovah's message to ungodly people.  (Jude 14, 15) Noah will certainly relate what it was lie to build the ark. Abraham and Sarah will be able to reveal how they felt about leaving the comforts of Ur and living in tents.  Think of Esther supplying details about how she stood up  for her people and foiled Haman's plot against them.  (Esther 7:1-6) Imagine Jonah telling about his three days in the belly of the big fish or John the Baptize  describing his feelings when he baptized Jesus.  (Luke 3:21, 22; 7:28) What intriguing things to learn!

During Christ's Thousand Year Reign, you may be privileged to help resurrected ones to gain "the very knowledge of God."  (Proverbs 2:1-6) Today, what a pleasure it is to see people take in knowledge of Jehovah God and act upon it!  But  think of your joy at that future time when Jehovah blesses your efforts to instruct people from bygone eras and they respond with appreciative hearts!

The benefits we now enjoy as Jehovah's people are beyond our imperfect efforts to number or evaluate.  (Psalm 40:5) Especially are we grateful for God's spiritual provisions.  (Isaiah 48:17, 18) Regardless of our circumstances, let us wholeheartedly render sacred service as we await the great day of Jehovah.  

Next time: "STAND FIRM AND SEE THE SALVATION OF JEHOVAH"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2007