WATCHTOWER - JUNE 1, 1999

 

Page 3: Time, apparently, is one of those things that only God can fully understand, for he alone is "from time indefinite to time indefinite." - Psalm 90:2

Note: Jesus Christ is from time indefinite.

Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."

 

Page 5: As the "King of eternity," he has a marvelous overview and can determine when in the stream of time his actions will do the most good for all involved. - 1 Timothy 1:17.

Note: This "marvelous overview" involves your sincere faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

 

Page 5: Then, in the following verses, Peter points to the marvelous prospect for those manifesting "holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion," namely, that they may survive into God's promised "new heavens and a new earth." - 2 Peter 3:10-13.

Note: To experience the "marvelous prospect" of a new earth, get to know Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

 

Page 6: When God executes judgment, there will be no doubt that his intervention is justified.

Note: Jesus Christ will be the Judge.

John 5:22-23 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."

 

Page 7: All evidence indicates that we now live among that wicked generation of which Jesus said: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." (Matthew 24:34)

Note: Which generation will experience the return of Jesus Christ? 1914 or our generation?

Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

 

Page 7: But on the other hand, "let the righteous one do righteousness still, and let the holy one be made holy still. (Revelation 22:10, 11) This latter development is taking place in connection with the world-wide Bible educational work conducted by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Note: True righteousness results from faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

 

Page 7: The objective of that work is to teach people what God requires of them so that they can be counted as worthy of receiving everlasting life.

Note: The true "work of God" is placing your sincere faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

 

Page 7: Jehovah's Witnesses around the world are doing all they reasonably can to share with their neighbors the knowledge that leads to eternal life. (John 17:3, 17)

Note: Get to know Jesus Christ for eternal life.

John 14:7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."

 

Page 9: Elders are a provision from Jehovah to look after his sheep. (Luke 12:32, John 10:16) Jehovah's sheep are dear to him - so dear, in fact, that he purchased them with the precious blood of Jesus.

Note: Jehovah's sheep are the sheep of Jesus Christ.

John 21:15-17 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."

 

Page 9: Notice the prophetic description of these elders, or "princes": "Each one must prove to be like a hiding place from the wind and a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless country, like the shadow of a heavy crag in an exhausted land."

(Isaiah 32:1, 2)

Correction: This prophecy is about Jesus Christ with the princes being His disciples.

Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

Page 9: When Paul used the expression "gifts in men," he was quoting King David, who had said of Jehovah: "You have ascended on high; you have carried away captives; you have taken gifts in the form of men." (Psalm 68:18)

Note: This prophecy is about Jesus Christ and His ascension into heaven.

John 20:17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"

 

Page 9: But who were the "gifts in the form of men"? They were men taken captive during the conquest of the land. Some of these captives were later made available to the Levites to help with the work at the tabernacle. - Ezra 8:20.

Correction: This refers to Christians who followers of Jesus Christ.

John 17:11 "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me,"

 

Page 10: He also triumphed over death and over Satan by reason of God's resurrecting him from the dead. (Acts 2:24; Hebrews 2:14)

Note: Jesus Christ resurrected Himself from the dead also.

John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

Note: The Holy Spirit raised Jesus Christ from the dead also.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

 

Page 10: Starting at Pentecost 33 C.E., the ascended Jesus, as God's representative, began despoiling Satan's house by 'carrying away captives' - men who had long been in slavery to sin and death and under Satan's control. These "captives" willingly became "Christ's slaves, doing the will of God whole-souled." (Ephesians 6:6)

Correction: The death of Jesus Christ released faithful "captives" into heaven.

Luke 16:22"So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom."

Philippians 1:22-23 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

 

Page 12: "Building up" calls to mind construction, and "the body of the Christ" refers to people - the members of the anointed Christian congregation. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:23)

Correction: There is no partiality with God.

Ephesians 3:8-12 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

 

Page 12: When Jehovah's sheep are built up and motivated, their love for God will move them to do all they can in serving him!

Note: True Christians serve Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

 

Page 13: Does that not remind us of how clever apostates operate? Using slick arguments, they manipulate the Scriptures in an attempt to lure true Christians away from their faith. Elders must be on the watch for such "oppressive wolves"! - Acts 20:29, 30.

Correction: True Christians realize that salvation is totally of God.

Acts 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

 

Page 15: Paul did not wish to control the faith and way of life of his brothers. Really, he saw no need to do so, for he expressed confidence that they were already faithful men and women who were in Jehovah's organization because they wanted to do what was right.

Correction: Paul wanted the Corinthians to know the love he had for them.

2 Corinthians 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

 

Page 25: While the graduates could contemplate the changes Jesus had to make to be successful in his assignment on earth, the benefits of Jesus' missionary service are still available to all who will take advantage of them.

Note: Do you have the power of God in your life? Are you a Jesus witness?

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

 

Page 26: The example of former missionaries is surely a powerful motivation for all God's servants to go on walking in Jehovah's name and serving him faithfully.

Note: True Christians do everything in the name of Jesus.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Note: True Christians serve Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,

 

Page 26: Next on the program was Gilead instructor Lawrence Bowen. The theme of his presentation raised the question, "What Will You Prove to Be?" He showed that success in God's service depends on faith and trust in Jehovah.

Note: Eternal life with God depends on faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Page 31: Paul did not take any credit to himself for the results attained but humbly acknowledged that he was a slave and that all honor should go to God as the one responsible for the growth. - 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; 9:16; Philippians 1:1.

Note: Do you honor Jesus as God?

John 5:22-23 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."

Note: Do you honor Jesus at all?

John 8:54 Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God."

Note: Pure worship in heaven gives honor to both the Father and the Son.

Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"

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