Page 4: When God created the first human, he produced more than just a body with a brain. Further, God did not create Adam and Eve to be mindless robots. He implanted in them the faculty of free will. And that was a fine gift, for "God saw everything he had made and, look! It was very good." (Genesis 1:31)
Note: Jesus Christ is God by definition.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Page 5: However, was the fine gift of free will to be used without limits? In directions given to early Christians, God's Word answers: "Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God." (1 Peter 2:16)
Note: Jesus Christ is God by definition.
Romans 1:1-4 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the good news of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Page 5: For the common good, there must be boundaries. Hence, free will was to be regulated by the rule of law. Otherwise, anarchy would result.
Correction: Christian love naturally regulates sinful free will.
Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Page 5: Clearly, a vital point is this: Humans were not created to be independent of God. He made them in such a way that their success and happiness depend on obedience to his righteous laws. God's prophet Jeremiah said: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." - Jeremiah 10:23.
Correction: True Christians are obedient through sincere 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 5: Thus, the human family could never be successful in regulating itself without God's rulership. Trying to be independent from him, people would devise social, economic, political, and religious systems that would conflict with one another, and 'man would dominate man to his injury.' - Ecclesiastes 8:9.
Note: True Christians have God ruling in their hearts.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Pages 5-6: Of their own free will, they stepped outside the boundaries of his laws. (Genesis, chapter 3) Because they rejected his rulership, he no longer was obligated to sustain them in perfection. 'They acted ruinously on their own part, did not remain his children, and the defect was their own.' - Deuteronomy 32:5.
Note: True Christians are children of God through Jesus Christ.
John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him (the Son), to them He (the Father) gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Page 6: From the time they disobeyed God, Adam and Eve began to degenerate in body and mind. With Jehovah is the source of life. (Psalm 36:9) So because of cutting themselves off from Jehovah, the first human couple became imperfect and eventually died. (Genesis 3:19)
Note: True Christians have Jesus Christ as their source of life.
Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Page 6: Consistent with laws of genetic inheritance, their offspring could receive only what their parents themselves possessed. And what was that? It was imperfection and death. The apostle Paul therefore wrote: "Through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." - Romans 5:12.
Note: Do you want to be saved from the wrath of God? Do you love Jesus Christ?
Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Page 6: What do thousands of years of human history tell us? For all those centuries, people have tried many kinds of social, economic, political, and religious systems. However, wickedness and suffering have continued. In fact, 'wicked men have advanced from bad to worse,' especially in our time. - 2 Timothy 3:13.
Note: True Christians will suffer due to their identification with Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Page 6: The 20th century saw a peak of scientific and industrial achievements. But it also saw the worst suffering in the entire history of the human race. And no matter what medical advances are made, the law of God still holds true: Humans separated from God - the source of life - get sick, grow old, and die. How clearly it has been proved that humans cannot 'direct their own steps'!
Note: Have you been reconciled back to God the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit?
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Page 6: Once and for all time, this tragic experiment in independence from God has demonstrated that rulership by humans apart from him can never succeed. Only God's rulership can bring happiness, unity, health, and life.
Note: True Christians allow God to rule their lives through dependence upon Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Page 6: God will soon intervene in human affairs. The Scriptures tell us: "In the days of those kings (human rulerships now existing) the God of heaven will set up a kingdom (in heaven) that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people (never again will humans rule the earth). It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms (present rulerships), and it itself will stand to times indefinite." - Daniel 2:44.
Correction: (The Watchtower assumes to know the times and seasons of the present rulerships)
Acts 1:7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority."
Correction: (The kingdom will be on the earth)
Zechariah 14:16-21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
Page 6: The vindication of Jehovah God's sovereignty by means of the heavenly Kingdom is the Bible's theme.
Correction: The Bible's theme is the salvation of believing mankind through Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Page 6: Jesus made this his foremost teaching. He said: "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 24:14.
Note: The good news of the Kingdom concerns Jesus Christ.
Acts 28:23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Pages 6-7: When God's rulership replaces man's rule, who will survive and who will not? At Proverbs 2:21, 22, we are assured: "The upright (who uphold God's rule) are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it.
Answer: Christians who have a testimony of Jesus Christ will survive.
1 Corinthians 1:4-8 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 7: The divinely inspired psalmist sang: "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more ... But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." - Psalm 37:10, 11, 29.
Note: Are you meek? Do you want righteousness? Are you merciful? Are you pure in heart?
Matthew 5:5-8 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Page 7: Under the rulership of God's Kingdom, survivors of the end of the present system of things will be ushered into an earth cleansed of wickedness and suffering.
Note: Are you meek? Do you want righteousness? Are you merciful? Are you pure in heart?
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Page 7: God-given instruction will be provided for mankind, and in time "the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea." (Isaiah 11:9) This upbuilding, positive teaching will result in a truly peaceful, harmonious human society. Thus, there will be no more war, murder, violence, rape, theft, or any other crime.
Note: The wicked Watchtower will never allow you to grow in the knowledge of 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 7: Marvelous physical benefits will flow to obedient humans living in God's new world. There will be a canceling out of all the bad consequences of rebellion against God's rule. Imperfection, sickness, old age, and death will be things of the past.
Note: Do you want to be saved? Are you preaching the good news of Christ?
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the good news of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Page 7: Under God's loving direction, the inhabitants of that new world will use their energies and skills in building an earth-wide paradise.
Correction: God will make all things new.
Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
Page 7: Gone forever will be poverty, hunger, and homelessness, for Isaiah's prophecy states: "They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating." (Isaiah 65:21, 22)
Note: Do you want to be saved? Have you entered eternal life through Jesus Christ?
John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved,..."
Page 8: What about the billions of people who have died? Those in God's memory will be brought back to life, for "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Yes, the dead will be restored to life. They will be taught the wonderful truths regarding God's rulership and be given the opportunity to live forever in Paradise. - John 5:28, 29.
Correction: All people will resurrected for judgment including you and me.
Matthew 25:31-32 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats."
Correction: That Paradise opportunity depends on your love and honor of Jesus Christ.
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 8: That is how God will end suffering. He will destroy this corrupt world and usher in an entirely new system of things in which "righteousness is to dwell." (2 Peter 3:13) What good news this is!
Correction: The good news is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the good news which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
Page 8: We desperately need that new world. And wee will not have to wait long to see it. From the fulfillment of Bible prophecies, we know that the new world is at the door, and God's permission of suffering is nearing its end. - Matthew 24:3-14.
Note: True Christians will suffer for Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
Page 9: Many of Jehovah's great deeds have been associated with his "eternal purpose" to bless obedient mankind by means of the Messiah and his Kingdom rule. (Ephesians 3:8-13)
Correction: The "eternal purpose" of the Father is salvation to mankind through the Son.
Ephesians 1:11-12 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
Page 9: That purpose was developing progressively when the aged apostle John was allowed to peer through a visionary opened door in heaven. He heard a trumpetlike voice say: "Come on up here, and I shall show you the things that must take place." (Revelation 4:1) While banished by the Roman government to the isle of Patmos "for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus," John received "a revelation by Jesus Christ."
Note: True Christians are Jesus Witnesses.
Page 9: Through that opened door in heaven, John saw 24 elders, enthroned and crowned like kings. They fell down before God and said: "You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
Note: The Father and the Son are worshipped together in heaven as God.
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!"
Page 9: Those elders represent all the resurrected anointed Christians in the exalted position God promised them.
Note: Anointed Christians will reign on the earth.
Revelation 5:8-10 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."
Page 9: They are moved to praise Jehovah because of his great deeds associated with creation. We too marvel at the evidence of Jehovah's "eternal power and Godship." (Romans 1:20) And the more we learn about Jehovah, the more reason we have to laud him for his great deeds.
Note: Have you praised Jesus Christ for His great deeds?
Revelation 5:11-12 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
Page 10: The Scriptures repeatedly invite-yes, urge-us to praise God, as David did. The book of Psalms contains many expressions of praise to God, and about half of these songs are attributed to David. He constantly praised and thanked Jehovah. (Psalm 69:30) Moreover, since early times, divinely inspired compositions of David and others have been used to praise Jehovah.
Note: The early church sang praises to Jesus Christ.
If the early Church viewed Jesus as God, we would expect to find them singing to Christ in worship and praise. And when we open the New Testament, this is exactly what we find. Around a dozen hymn fragments have been so far identified in the New Testament: Luke 1:46-55; 1:68-79; 2:14; 2:29-32; Philippians 2:6-11; Ephesians 5:14; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 5:8-14; 7:9-12. The Trinity, Dr. Robert Morey, page 382.
Page 10: When we overcome an obstacle to our spiritual progress, we may be inclined to express joy and gratitude in prayer, even as the psalmist did when he sang: "O come let us cry out joyfully to Jehovah! Let us shout in triumph to our Rock of salvation. Let us come before his person with thanksgiving; let us with melodies shout in triumph to him." - Psalm 95:1, 2.
Note: True Christians cry out joyfully to Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Pages 10-11: Praising Jehovah is implicit in the word "Hallelujah," a transliteration of a Hebrew expression almost always rendered "Praise Jah, you people." For example, at Psalm 135:1-3, we find this warm, emphatic invitation: "Praise Jah, you people! Praise the name of Jehovah, offer praise, O servants of Jehovah, you who are standing in the house of Jehovah, in the courtyards of the house of our God. Praise Jah, for Jehovah is good. Make melody to his name, for it is pleasant."
Note: True Christians are part of the spiritual house of God called the church.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Page 11: Our very existence gives us just cause to praise Jah. David sang: "I shall laud you (Jehovah) because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, as my soul is very well aware." (Psalm 139:14) Yes, we are "wonderfully made" and have such precious gifts as sight, hearing, and thinking ability. Should we not, therefore, direct our life in such a way as to praise our Maker?
Note: Have you praised the Father and the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit?
Genesis 1:26 Then God (singular) said, "Let Us (plural) make man in Our (plural) image, according to Our (plural) likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Page 11: We will do all things for Jehovah's glory if we truly love him. Jesus said that the first commandment is: "You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength." (Mark 12:30; Deuteronomy 6:5)
Note: Do you love Jesus Christ?
John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Page 11: We certainly should love Jehovah and praise him as our Maker and the Giver of "every good gift and every perfect present." (James 1:17; Isaiah 51:13; Acts 17:28)
Note: Do you love Jesus Christ?
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
Page 11: After all, our reasoning faculties, our spiritual capacity, and our physical strength - all our attributes and abilities - come from Jehovah. As our Creator, he is worthy of our love and praise.
Note: Do you love Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Page 11: Our hope in the future is bound up with the great and praiseworthy deeds associated with God's eternal purpose. After the rebellion in Eden, Jehovah gave the hope-filled first prophecy. Pronouncing sentence upon the serpent, God stated: "I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel." (Genesis 3:15) Hope in the promised Seed of the woman lived on in the hearts of faithful humans after Jehovah performed a great deed by preserving Noah and his family through the global Deluge that wiped out a wicked world. (2 Peter 2:5) Prophetic promises to such men of faith as Abraham and David gave further insight into what Jehovah would accomplish through that Seed. - Genesis 22:15-18; 2 Samuel 7:12.
Note: Have you placed your hope in Jesus Christ?
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
Page 12: The superlative manifestation of Jehovah as the one performing great deeds in behalf of mankind took place when he gave his only-begotten Son-the promised Seed, Jesus Christ-as a ransom sacrifice. (John 3:16; Acts 2:29-36) The ransom provided the basis for reconciliation with God. (Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:11)
Note: Are you rejoicing in the reconciliation with the Son of GOD the Father?
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Page 12: Jehovah brought the first reconciled ones together in the Christian congregation, established at Pentecost 33 C.E. With the help of the holy spirit, they preached the good news far and wide, showing how Jesus' death and resurrection opens the way for obedient mankind to experience eternal blessings under the rule of God's heavenly Kingdom.
Note: Are you preaching the good news of Jesus Christ?
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
Page 12: In our day, Jehovah has acted in a wonderful way to gather the last anointed Christians. The winds of destruction have been held back to allow for the sealing of the remaining ones of the 144,000, who will rule with Christ in heaven. (Revelation 7:1-4; 20:6)
Correction: The 144,000 will be on the earth during the "winds of destruction."
Revelation 6:17 "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Revelation 7:1-4 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
Note: The 144,000 are sealed for protection while on the earth during the great tribulation.
Page 12: God has seen to it that anointed Christians were delivered from spiritual bondage to "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion. (Revelation 17:1-5)
Correction: True Christians were delivered from spiritual bondage through Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Note: Jesus Christ did not die for the sins of the world in 1919.
Page 12: That deliverance in 1919 and the divine protection they experienced since then have allowed the anointed remnant to do what?
Answer: True Christians serve God through the Spirit as opportunities arise.
Romans 7:6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Note: Have you been delivered from Watchtower law?
Page 12: Jehovah's anointed Witnesses have zealously spearheaded a worldwide Kingdom - preaching work. As a result, an increasing number of "other sheep" are now becoming worshipers of Jehovah. (John 10:16)
Note: The "other sheep" are Gentiles.
Acts 10:45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
Page 12: We rejoice that the opportunity is still open for meek ones of the earth to join us in praising Jehovah. Those who respond to the invitation to "come" are in line for preservation through the great tribulation, with the prospect of praising Jehovah throughout eternity.
Note: This "great crowd" will be preserved from the great tribulation in heaven.
Revelation 19:1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!"
Pages 12-13: They are fulfilling these prophetic words: "This is what Jehovah of armies has said, 'It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a man who is a Jew, saying: "We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people."'" (Zechariah 8:23) These "people" are spiritual Jews, the present-day remnant of anointed Christians.
Correction: Strong nations have not come to the Watch Tower for spiritual enlightenment..
Zechariah 8:22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Page 13: Since ten can represent completeness of an earthly kind, the "ten men" stand for the "great crowd," brought into association with "the Israel of God," with whom they form "one flock." (Revelation 7:9, 10; Galatians 6:16)
Correction: The Israel of God refers to believing Jews as compared to believing Gentiles.
Romans 3:29-30 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Note: Only 1,440,000 will survive the "great tribulation" according to Watch Tower math.
Page 13: We are thrilled that tens of thousands - indeed, hundreds of thousands - are embracing true worship in lands once so dominated by false religion that it seemed as though the people would never accept the good news. Consult the current Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, and note the lands now reporting from 100,000 to nearly 1,000,000 Kingdom publishers. This is powerful proof that the Kingdom-preaching work is being blessed by Jehovah. - Proverbs 10:22.
Correction: Britain, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Spain are large countries that suffered losses.
Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies.
Page 13: As Jehovah's people, we praise and thank our heavenly Father for giving us real purpose in life, rewarding work in his service, and a bright outlook for the future. We live in eager expectation of the fulfillment of all divine promises and are determined to 'keep ourselves in God's love, with everlasting life in view.' (Jude 20, 21)
Note: Are you looking for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Jude 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Page 13: How delighted we are to see that the great crowd praising God now numbers some 6,000,000! With Jehovah's evident blessing, the anointed remnant together with their other sheep companions are organized into some 91,000 congregations in 235 lands.
Note: There are no Jehovah's Witnesses in Red China, a land of 1.4 billion people. WT 1/1/01.
Page 13: All of us are well-fed spiritually through the tireless efforts of "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) A progressive theocratic organization with loving oversight is administering Kingdom activity through 110 branch offices of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Correction: The Watch Tower does not teach the visible return of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:44-46 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing."
Page 14: Behind all the discussion was a common issue: What is the identity of the "great multitude" (King James Version), or "great crowd" (New World Translation), mentioned at Revelation 7:9? Would this group of believers live in heaven?
Answer: Yes!
Revelation 19:1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!"
Page 14: There were, however, certain associates of the anointed Christians who became very zealous in the preaching work. They had no aspirations of going to heaven.
Correction: These Jehovah's Witnesses are obviously not Christians.
Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Page 14: The Watch Tower of October 15, 1923, discussed Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats and said: "Sheep represent all the peoples of the nations, not spirit-begotten but disposed toward righteousness, who mentally acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Lord and who are looking for and hoping for a better time under his reign." - Matthew 25:31-46.
Correction: The "goats" will not be in the Kingdom of God ever.
Matthew 25:33 "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left."
Matthew 25:41-43 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'"
Page 14: In 1934, The Watchtower made it clear that Christians with an earthly hope should make a dedication to Jehovah and be baptized. The light regarding this earthly class was indeed shining ever more brightly! - Proverbs 4:18.
Note: True Christians do not associate with the Watch Tower.
Proverbs 24:21-22 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; For their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?
Page 15: In a stirring talk on "The Great Multitude," delivered to about 20,000 conventioneers, J. F. Rutherford presented Scriptural proof that the modern-day "other sheep" are identical with that "great crowd" of Revelation 7:9. (John 10:16)
Correction: The "other sheep" are Gentiles.
Acts 26:22-23 "Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come; that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
Page 15: Prior to 1935, an increasing number of those who responded to the Bible's message and showed zeal in preaching the good news manifested an interest in living forever on the Paradise earth. They had no desire to go to heaven, for God had not given them the hope of heavenly life.
Correction: True believers desire to go to heaven.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Page 15: Their identifying themselves with the great crowd of other sheep indicated that by 1935 the calling of the 144,000 anointed Christians was virtually complete. - Revelation 7:4.
Correction: The 144,000 will not be numbered until after the start of the "great tribulation."
Revelation 6:17 "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Revelation 7:1-3 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
Page 15: But because of divine blessing, matters have turned out otherwise. 'Standing complete and with firm conviction,' the anointed and their companions, the other sheep, have been fulfilling the disciple making commission. (Colossians 4:12; Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20)
Correction: Jehovah's Witnesses are suffering for the name and person of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
Page 16: Our loving heavenly Father, Jehovah, has provided his written Word to guide us in all matters. He says: "I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk." (Isaiah 48:17) It is not surprising, then, to find in the Bible time-tested guidelines for selecting a marriage mate.
Note: Are you in Jesus Christ?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Page 18: Mutual devotion to Jehovah God fashions a lasting bond and promotes unity in a way that no other factor does. (Ecclesiastes 4:12) When a Christian couple center their lives on the true worship of Jehovah, they are united spiritually, mentally, and morally. They study God's Word together.
Note: True Christians are devoted to Jesus Christ.
John 15:5-6 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
Pages 19-20: Paul wrote that those who marry "will have tribulation in their flesh." (1 Corinthians 7:28) Problems will arise because there are two distinct personalities, and viewpoints will vary.
Correction: Christians were being persecuted in Corinth at that time.
1 Corinthians 7:26-27 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress; that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
Page 20: Because of human imperfection, it may be difficult to fulfill our Scriptural role in the marriage arrangement. (1 Corinthians 11:3; Colossians 3:18, 19; Titus 2:4, 5; 1 Peter 3:1, 2, 7) It takes maturity and spiritual stability to seek and follow divine guidance so as to settle stressful situations lovingly.
Note: Are you spiritually mature and stable in Jesus Christ?
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Page 20: Jehovah's direction for Christians is very clear: 'Marry only in the Lord.' (1 Corinthians 7:39) Christian parents and their children may be tested in this regard. How so?
Answer: By not marrying in Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:5-6 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
Pages 20-21: More important, of course, 'marrying in the Lord' is a matter of loyalty to Jehovah. When we comply with God's Word, our hearts do not condemn us, for we are doing what is "pleasing in his eyes." - 1 John 3:21, 22.
Note: True Christians are "pleasing in his eyes" by believing in the name of Jesus Christ in love.
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Page 21: When marriage is considered, the virtue and spirituality of the prospective mate should be of primary concern. A Christian personality, along with love for God and whole-souled devotion to him, is of far greater value than physical attractiveness.
Note: True Christians will be in love with Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.
Page 21: Divine approval is enjoyed by those who appreciate and fulfill their obligation to be spiritually strong marriage partners. And the greatest strength a couple can achieve comes from mutual devotion to the Creator and full acceptance of his guidance.
Note: Jesus Christ is the Creator.
John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Isaiah 44:24 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;
Page 21: "BE FRUITFUL and become many and fill the earth." (Genesis 1:28) With those words to Adam and Eve, Jehovah God instituted the family arrangement. (Ephesians 3:14, 15)
Note: Jehovah God is a plurality of persons.
Genesis 1:26 Then God (singular) said, "Let Us (plural) make man in Our (plural) image, according to Our (plural) likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Page 21: But Adam and Eve fell into sin, and the earth did not become filled with righteous, God-fearing people. (Romans 5:12) Instead, family life quickly deteriorated, and hatred, violence, and a lack of "natural affection" have prevailed, especially in these "last days."
Note: True Christians are filled with spiritual righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:10-11 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Pages 21-22: Like their father, Adam's offspring had moral capacity and could learn to distinguish between right and wrong. They could be instructed about how to worship their Creator and the importance of loving him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Correction: Everyone has a conscience that tells them what is right from wrong.
Romans 2:12-16 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Page 22: Furthermore, they could be trained "to exercise justice and to love kindness and to be modest in walking with ... God." (Micah 6:8) As sinners, however, they would need to pay considerable attention in order to build a spiritually strong family.
Correction: Furthermore, godly righteousness is through sincere 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 22: In these complicated, critical times, great effort must be expended so that children become "lovers of Jehovah" who truly "hate what is bad." (Psalm 97:10)
Note: True Christians are in love with Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Page 22: If you are a parent, how can you do this? First, establish priorities, giving attention to "the more important things," including the teaching and training of your children.
Note: True Christians are filled with the fruits of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Page 22: Children flourish best with daily personal attention. Love and concern need to be displayed unstintingly. Even before they decide to have children, married couples must seriously consider this important responsibility. (Luke 14:28) Then, they will not regard the rearing of children as a chore. Instead, they will view it as a blessed privilege. - Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3.
Note: Have you introduced your children to Jesus Christ?
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God."
Page 22: Teaching your children to love Jehovah begins with your own love for him. A strong love for God will move you to follow all his instructions faithfully. This includes bringing children up "in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah." (Ephesians 6:4)
Note: True Christians are in love with Jesus Christ.
John 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me."
Pages 22: Children are eager to learn. They are keen listeners and observers and are quick to imitate your example. When they see that you are not materialistic, this helps them to learn how to follow Jesus' counsel. You teach them not to be anxious about material things but to 'seek first God's kingdom.' (Matthew 6:25-33)
Note: The kingdom of God concerns Jesus Christ. Are you seeking Him?
Acts 28:30-31 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Page 23: How thankful we are that Jehovah has provided abundantly for the instruction and spiritual development of families! Do you take full advantage of all the provisions made through the faithful and discreet slave class? - Matthew 24:45-47.
Note: Do you want to be freed from Watch Tower slavery? Fall in love with Jesus Christ.
John 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
Page 23: Scriptural goals likewise contribute to a spiritually strong family, and parents should help their children establish these. Appropriate goals include reading the Bible daily, becoming a regular publisher of the good news, and progressing to dedication and baptism. Other goals may include full-time service as a pioneer, at Bethel, or as a missionary.
Correction: True Christians are focused on Jesus Christ. Are you?
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Pages 23-24: Also necessary for strong spiritual health is regular meeting attendance. The apostle Paul admonished fellow believers 'not to forsake the gathering of themselves together, as some had the custom.' Let that not become our custom, for young and old alike benefit greatly from regular presence at Christian meetings. (Hebrews 10:24, 25; Deuteronomy 31:12)
Note: True Christians will avoid the false teachings of the Watch Tower.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
Page 24: Wise parents will direct the youthful energy of their children toward serving Jehovah, helping them to make preaching an important part of their lives. (Hebrew 13:15)
Note: True Christians will be serving 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 24: Only by working with their children in the ministry can parents make sure that their young ones will get the training needed to become ministers "with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Note: True ministers will preach Jesus Christ and salvation by faith in Him.
Galatians 3:1-2 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Page 26: Rather than always telling them what to do, why not show them how to find God's viewpoint on matters by encouraging them to do research on their own? Teaching children to make good use of all the tools and publications provided through the 'faithful slave' will help them to develop a close relationship with Jehovah. (1 Samuel 2:21b)
Correction: Christians have a relationship with the Father through the Son not the Watchtower.
John 8:19 Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also."
Page 26: Of course, Christians who are single parents need to rely fully on Jehovah. They must have faith that he will provide help. - Psalm 121:1-3.
Note: True Christians have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Page 26: Upbuilding music and especially singing songs of praise to God will help a child to develop a healthy attitude that can play an important role in strengthening his relationship with Jehovah. (Colossians 3:16)
Note: Is the word of God dwelling in you? Are you ministering in the name of Jesus Christ?
Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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.
Page 26: Youth is also the time to prepare to be a God-fearing adult, so that enjoyment of life can continue forever on a paradise earth. - Galatians 6:8.
Correction: True Christians will proclaim Jesus Christ not paradise earth.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Page 26: Jehovah wants all Christian families to succeed as strong spiritual units. If we truly love God and do our best to obey his Word, he will bless our efforts and will supply us with the strength needed to follow his inspired direction. (Isaiah 48:17; Philippians 4:13)
Note: The apostle Paul was strengthened by Jesus Christ. Are you?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Page 27: Daniel 9:24-27 is a prophecy concerning the appearance of "Messiah the Leader" - the Christ. The foretold anointing of "the Holy of Holies," then, does not refer to the anointing of the Most Holy compartment of the temple in Jerusalem. Rather, the expression "Holy of Holies" refers to the heavenly sanctuary of God - the heavenly Most Holy - in the great spiritual temple of Jehovah. - Hebrews 8:1-5; 9:2-10, 23.
Correction: The expression "Holy of Holies" refers to the body of the Lamb of God.
John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple (Holy of Holies), 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 (Holy of Holies) of His body.
Page 27: When did God's spiritual temple begin to operate? Well, consider what took place when Jesus presented himself for baptism in 29 C.E.
Correction: God's spiritual temple began with outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Page 27: Jesus knew that God "did not want" animal sacrifices to continue to be offered at Jerusalem's temple. Instead, Jehovah had prepared a perfect human body for Jesus to offer as a sacrifice. Expressing his heartfelt desire, Jesus continued: "Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do your will, O God." (Hebrews 10:7) And what was Jehovah's response? The Gospel of Matthew states: "After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God's spirit coming upon him. Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: 'This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.'" - Matthew 3:16, 17.
Correction: Jesus Christ did not die for the sins of the world at His baptism.
Romans 5:6-8 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Page 27: Jehovah's God's acceptance of the presentation of Jesus' body for sacrifice meant that an altar greater that the literal altar in Jerusalem's temple had come into existence. This was an altar of God's "will," or arrangement for accepting Jesus' human life as a sacrifice. (Hebrews 10:10) The anointing of Jesus with holy spirit meant that God had now brought forth his entire spiritual temple arrangement. God's heavenly abode was anointed, or set apart, as "the Holy of Holies" in the great spiritual temple arrangement.
Correction: Jesus Christ did not die for the sins of the world at His baptism.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Page 28: True wisdom is the ability to put knowledge and understanding to proper use. It is the very opposite of foolishness, stupidity, and madness. So the Scriptures exhort us to acquire wisdom. (Proverbs 4:7)
Note: True Christians have asked or received Jesus Christ into their lives.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Page 29: Today, as the messengers of true wisdom, Jehovah's Witnesses are busy inviting people, wherever they are found, to study the Bible. Taking in this knowledge, indeed, can lead to everlasting life. - John 17:3.
Correction: Jehovah's Witnesses are not Jesus Witnesses.
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.
Note: True Christians avoid the error of the wicked Watch Tower organization.
Page 29: It is not that all of their motives are bad, but it takes time and effort to bring the heart into a condition that really pleases Jehovah God. This calls for bringing thoughts, desires, affections, and goals into harmony with what God approves.
Correction: It only takes a moment of time for a person to truly repent of their sins.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Page 29: In fact, should not all of us go beyond "the primary doctrine"? Surely we need to develop an interest in "the deep things of God" and draw nourishment from the solid food that belongs to mature people. (Hebrews 5:12-6:1; 1 Corinthians 2:10)
Note: True Christians know that the Father and the Son together is the mystery of God.
Colossians 2:1-3 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Page 29: In our endeavor to reach honesthearted ones with the Kingdom good news, may we be careful not to get involved in debates and arguments with ridiculers.
Note: True Christians will not be afraid to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.