The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praises God and Christ - THANK JEHOVAH FOR THE HOPE HE HAS GIVEN YOU

 

The difference between the anointed and the other sheep is not their value to God.  Both groups are equally precious to him.  After all, he paid the same price, the life of his dear So, to purchase both the anointed and the other sheep.  The difference between the two groups  is that they have different hopes.  Both groups must remain loyal to God and Christ.  (Psalm 31:23) And remember, God's spirit can work with equal force on all of us.  This means that Jehovah supplies his holy spirit to each individual according to what is needed.

Anointed Christians  are not born with the heavenly hope. It has to be implanted in thier heart by God.  They think about their hope, pray about it, and are eager to receive their reward in heaven.  They cannnot even imagine what their spiritual body will be like.  (Philippians 3:20, 21; 1 John 3:2) Even so, they look forward to meeting Jehovah, Jesus, the angels, and te rest of the anointed.  They long to take their place among them in the heavenly Kingdom.

The other sheep cherish the hope that comes naturally to humans. the prostpect of living forever on earth. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  They look forward to the day when they can turn the entire planet into a paradise.  They yearn for the day.  They yearn for the day when they can build their houses, plant their gardens, and raise their children in perfect health.  (Isaiah 65:21-23)  They look forward to exploring the earth-its mountains, forests, and seras-and to studyt Jehovah's abundant creation. Above all, they are thrilled to know that their bond with Jehovah will grow ever stronger and closer.  

Jehovah has given each of his dedicated servants a wonderful hope for the future.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  The Memorial of Christ's death gives each of us a grand opportunity to praise God and Christ for what they have done for us so that we ca enjoy unending life.  The Memorial is without question thmost important occasion for true Christians to meet together. It will be held after sundown on Saturday March 27,  2021.  This year many will be able to attend this important occasion in relative freedon.  Others will attend despite opposition.  Some will face the challege of commemorating this occasion while in prison. As Jehovah, Jesus, abd the heavenly part of God's family look on, may every congregation, group, and individual have wonderful Memorial observance! 

Next time: Keep Cultivating Tender Affection

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The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praises God and Christ - GIVE YOUR WHOLEHEARTED PRAISE AT THE MEMORIAL

 

In recent years, approximately 1 out of every 1,000 who attend the Memorial partakes of the bread and the wine. Most congregations do not have any partakers in the attendance.  The vast majority who attend the Memorial have the earthly  hope.  Why, then, do they attend the Lord's Evening Meal?  They attend for the same reason that people attend a friend's wedding.  They attend because they want to show their love and support for the couple who are getting married. Thus, some of the other sheep attend the Memorial because they want to show their love and support for Christ and the anointed. The other sheep also attend to show their appreciation for the sacrifice  that the Memorial commemorates, a sacrifice that makes it  possible for them to live forever on earth.

Another important reason why the other sheep attend the Memorial is in order to be  obedient to Jesus' command.  When Jesus instituted that special meal with his faithful apostles, he told them:"Keep doing this in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)  So they continue to attend the Lord's Evening Meal as long as some anointed ones are alive here on earth.  In fact, the other sheep invite everyone to attend the Memorial with them.

At the Memorial, we have the opportunity to praise God and Christ in son and prayer.  The talk that will be given this year is "Appreciate What God and Christ Have Done for You!" It will deepen our gratitude for Jehovah and Christ. As the emblems are being passed, those of us in attendance will be reminded  of what they symbolize-Jesus' body and his blood. We will recall that Jehovah  allowed his Son to die in our place so that we have life.  (Matthew 20:28) Everyone who loves our heavenly Fatyher and his Son will want to attend the Memoral. 

Next time: The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ - THANK JEHOVAH FOR THE HOPE HE HAS GIVEN YOU

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The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ - A UNIQUE PROSPECT - Conclusion

 

Read Revelation 7:13-15.  John reports that the great crowd have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  This  signifies that they have a clean conscience and righteous standing before Jehovah. (Isaiah 1:18)  They are dedicated, baptized Christians, who exercise stong faith in Jesus's sacrifice and who have a relationship with Jehovah.  (John 3:36; 1 Peter 3:21)  Thus, they qualify to stand before God's throne to render him "sacred service day and night" in the earthyly courtyard  of his spiritual temple. Even now, they zealously perform the greater part of Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work, putting the interests of God's Kingdom ahead of their own. - MATTHEW 6:33; 24:14; 28:19, 20.

The great crowd who come out of the tribulation are assured of God's continued care, for "the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them." The promise that the other sheep have longed to see fulfilled will be fully realized: "[God] wipe out ever tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." - REVELATION 21:3, 4.

Read Revelation 7:16, 17.  Right now, some of Jehovah's people are suffering physical hunger because of oppressive economic conditions or as a result of the ravages of civil unrest and war.  Others are imprisioned for their faith.  However, those of the great crowd are thrilled to know that on escaping teh destruction of this wicked system of things, they will always have an abundance of physical and spiritual food.  When destruction is unleashed on Satan's system of things, the great crowd will be spared the "scorching heat" of Jehovah's anger that he will pour out on the nations. After the great tribulation ends, Jesius will guide these earthly survivors of the "waters of [everlasting] life."  Just think: The great crowd have a unque prospect of all the billions who have ever lived, they may never die! - JOHN 11:26. 

The other sheep have a marvelous hope for when they are thankfor to Jehovah and Jesus! They were not chosen for heavenly life, but they are in no way less precious, or less valuable to Jehovah.  Members of both groups can praise God and Christ.  One way they do so is by attending the Lord's Evening Meal.  

Next time:The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ - GIVE YOUR WHOLEHEARTED PRAISE AT THER MEMORIAL

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The Great Crow of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ - A UNIQUE PROSPECT

 

With the great tribulation just ahead, it would be encouraging fo rus to review what  Revelation chapter 7 Says about anointed Christians and the great crowd of other sheep.  Jesus commands the angels to continue holding back the four winds of destruction. They are not to unleash thsoe winds on the earth until all anointed Christians have been sealed, that is, finally appproved by Jehovah.  (Revelation 7:1-4) As a reward for their faithfulness, Christ's anointed brothers become kings and priests with him in heave.  (Revelation 20:6)  All those who make up  the heavenly part of God's family will be eager to see the 144,000 anointed ones receive their heavenly reward. 

After telling about these 144,000 kings and priests, John sees somthing exciting. "a great crowd" who survived Armageddon.  Unlike the first group, this second group is much larger and has no fixed number.  (Read Revelation 7:9, 10) They are "dressed in white robes," indicating that they have kept themelseves   "without spot"  from Satan's world and have remained loyal to God and Christ.  (James 1:27)  They cry out that they have been saved because of what Jehovah and Jesus, the Lamb of God, have done.  All the while, they are holding palm branches, whicch shows that they joyfully acknowledge Jesu as Jehovah's  anointed King. - Compare JOHN 12:12, 13.

Read Revelation 7:11, 12.  Whatwas the reaction in heaven?  John sees all of Jehovah's heavenly family filled with joy as those of the great crowd  appear and praise God. Jehovah's heavenly family will be delighted to see the fulfillment of this vision when the great crowd come out of the great tribulation alive. 

Next time: The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ - A UNIQUE PROSPECT - Continued

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The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ - A NEW UNDERSTANDING CHANGED THOUSANDS OF LIVES

 

A thrilling moment at that covention came when the speaker asked the audience: "Will all those who have the hope of living forever on the earth please stand?" According to an eyewitness, over half of the same 20,000 people in the audience stood.  Then Brother  Rutherford  declared: "Behold! The Great multidude!"  That was followed by thunderous cheering.  SThose who stood realized thaty they were not chosen for heavenly life.  They knew that they had not been anointedf by God's spirit.  On the next day of the convention, 840 new Witnesses got baptized, most of whom were of the other sheep. 

After that talk, the young man mentioned earlier and thousands of others  rightly stopped partaking of the bread and wine at the Lord's Evening Meal.  One brother humbly partook of the emblems. I realized that the heavenly hope had not been awakened within me by Jehovah through his holy spirit; rather, I had the hope  to live on the earth and to share in the work of making it a paradise." (Romans 8:16, 17; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) Since then, those of the great crowd have increased in number and have been working side by side with the anointed remnant. 

How Jehovah view those who stopped partaking of the bread and the wine at the Lord's Evening Meal but later realizes that he or she is not truly anointed? (1 Corinthians 11:28)  Some  have partaken of the emblems because they misunderstood their hope. But if they honestly acknowledge their mistake, stop partaking, and continue faithfully serving Jehovah, he will surely count them among the other sheep.  Even though they do not partake of the bread and wine, they still attend the Memorial because they deeply appreciate what Jehovah and Jesus have done.

Next time: The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ - A UNIQUE PROSPECT

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The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ

 

THE young man was 18 years old when he got baptized in 1926,  His parents were Bible Students, as Jehovah's Witnesses were known at the time.  They had three sons and two daughters, whom they raised to serve Jehovah God and imitate Jesus Christ.  As was true of all Bible Students back then, this sincere young man partook of the bread and wine each year at the Lord's Evening Meal.  However, his entire outlook on life was changed by a history-making talk entitled "The Great Multitude."  That talk was given in 1935 by J.F. Rutherford at a convention in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.  What was revealed at that convention?

In his talk brother Rutherford identified those who would make up the "great multitude" (King James Version), or  "great crowd," mentjioned at Revelation 7:9.  Until then, this group was thought to be a secondary heavenly that was less faithful.  Brother Rutherford used the Scriptures to explain that the great crows are not chose to live in heaven, but they are  Christ's other sheep who will survive "the great tribulation" and live forever on earth. (Revelation 7:14)  Jesus promised: "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd."(John  10:16) These sheeplike ones are loyal Witnesses of Jehovah who have the prospect of living forever in Paradise on earth.(Matthew 25:31, 33, 46) Let us seehow the flash of spiritual light changed the lives of many Jehovah's people, including that 18-year-old brother. - PSALM 97:11; PROVERBS 4:18.

Next time: The Great Crowd of Other Sheep  Praise God and Christ - A NEW UNDERSTANDING CHANGED THOUSANDS OF LIVES

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Lessons From "the Disciple Jesus Loved" - "REMAIN IN MY LOVE"

 

John had a long eventful life. He faced all types of challenges that could have weakened his faith.  But he always did his best to observe Jesus' commandments, including the order to love his brothers and sisters.  As a result, John was sure that Jehovah and Jesus loved him and that they would give him the strength to overcome any trial.  (John 14:15-17; 15:10; 1 John 4:16) Nothing that Satan or his system did could stipe John from feeling, expressing, and showing love.

Like John, we live in a world dominated by Satan, the hateful god of their system. (John 3:1, 10) While want us to stop loving our brothers and sisters, he canot make that happen unless we allow him to do so.  May we be determined to  love our brothers and sisters, to express that love by what we do.  Then we will have the satisfaction of being part of Jehovah's family, and life will be truly worth living. -Read 1 JOHN 4:7.

Next  time: The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ

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Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR FAMILY

 

One important way that a family head proves that he loves is family is by providing their material needs.  (1 Timothy 5:8)  He must remember, however, that material things cannot  satisfy his family's spiritual needs.  (Matthew 5:3) Note the example that JEsus set for his family heads. According to John's Gospel, while Jesus was dying on a tortue stake, he was still thinking of his family.  John was standing with Jesus' mother, Mary, at the location where Jesus was being executed. Despite being in severe agony, Jesus arranged for John to care for Mary. (John 19:26, 27) Jesus had siblings who would no doubt care for Mary's physical needs, but it appears that none of htem had yet become his disciples. So Jesus wanted to make sure that Mary was cared for physically as well as spiritually.

John carried a heavy load of responsibility.  As one of the apostles, he took the lead in the preaching work.  He may also have been married, so he would have had to balance caring for his family's needs with providing for their spiritual needs.  (1 Corinthians  9:5) What is  the lesson for family headfs today?

A brother who is a family head may have a number of weighty responsibilities.  For instance, he must be diligent in his secular work so that his conduct reflects well on Jehovah.  (Ephesians 6:5, 6; Titus 2:9, 10) And he may have reponsibilities  in the congregation, such as shepherding and taking the lead in the preaching work.  At the same time, it is important that he regularly study the Bible with his wife and children.  They will deeply appreciate his efforts to keep them physically, emotionally, and spirituall healthy. -  EPHESIANS 5:28, 29; 6:4. 

Next time: Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved"  - "REMAIN IN MY LOVE" 

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Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

 

John proved his love for his brothers and sisters not only by commending them but also by imparting counsel to them.  For instance, in his letters, John commended his brothers and sisters for their faith and good works, but he also gave them direct counsel about sin.  ( 1 John 1:8-2:1, 13, 14)  Similarly, we need to commend our brothers and sisters for the good things they do. But if  someone is developing a  bad attitude or habit,m, we can show love by tactfully telling him what he needs to hear. It takes courage to give counsel to a friend, but the Bible says that true friends sharpen, or correct, one another. - PROVERBS 27:17.

Sometimes, we prove our love for our brothers and sisrters by what we do not do.  For example,  we do not get easily offended by what they say.  Consider an incident that happened toward the end of Jesus' life on earth.  He told his disciples that to gain life they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood.  ( John 6:53-57)  That speech was so shocking  that many of his disciples abandoned him-but no so his real friends, including John.  They loyally stuck with him.  They did not understand what Jesus said was wrong and become offended by it.  Instead, they trusted him, knowing that he spoke the truth.  (John 6:60, 66-69) How important it is that we do not become so easily offended by what our friends say! Rather, we allow them the opportunity to explain misunderstandings. - PROVERBS 18:13; ECCLESIASTES 7:9.

John also urged us not hate our brothers or sisters. If we fail to heed that counsel, we leave ourselves open to being manipulated bny Satan.  (1 John 2:11; 3:15)  This happended to some at the end of the first century C.E. Satan was doing all that he could to promote hatred and divide God's people.  By the time John wrote his letters, men showed the same spirit as Satan had slipped into the congregation.  For instance, Diotrephes was creating serious divisions in one congregation.  (3 John 9:10)  He was disrespectful to traveling representatives of the governing body. He even tried to throw out of the congregaton those who were hospitable to people whom he disliked. How arrogant! Satan is still desperately trying to divide and conquer God's people today.  May we never allow hatred to drive us apart.

Next time: Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR FAMILY

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Lessons From "the Disciile Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

 

John could have stayed with his father and made money working in the family fishing business.  But instead he devoted the remainder of his long life to helping others learn the truth about Jehovah and Jesus. The life John chose was not an easy one.  He suffered persecution, and hear the end of the first century when he was an old man,  he was exiled.  (Acts 3:1; 4:1-3; 5:18; Revelatiuon 1:9)  Even while confined for preaching about Jesus, John proved that he was thinking of others.  For example, while on the island of Patmos, he recorded the revelation that he received and had it sent to the congregations so that they would know what "must shortly take place." (Revelation 1:1) Then, likely after he was released from Patmos, John worte his Gospel account of Jesus' life and ministry.  He also wrote three letters in order to encourage and strengthen his brothers and sisters. How can you imitate John's self-sacrificing life course? 

You can prove that you love people by what you choose to do with your life.  Satan's sytem would have you spend all your time and energy on yourself, trying to make money or to make money or a name for yourself.  Instead, self-sacrificing Kingdom proclaimers all over the world spend as much time as they can preaching the good news and helping people all over the world spend as much time as they can preaching the good news and helping people to draw close to Jehovah. Some are even able to preach and teach full-time. 

Many loyal Christians must work at secular work jobs full-time so that they can support themselves and their famil/ies.  Even so, these faithful publishers support God's organization in any way they can.  For instance, some are able to provide disaster relief, others can work on construction projects, and everyone has the opportunity to donate funds to the worldwide work.  They do these things because they love God and their fellow man.  Each week, we prove that we love our brothers and sisters by attending congregation meetings and participating in them. Although we may be tired, we are present at those meetings. Although we may nervous, we comment. And although we all have problems of our own, we encourage others before or after the meeting.  (Hebrews 10:24, 25)  How grateful we are fo the work done byour fellow publishers!

Next time: Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS- Conclusion

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