word.” (John 17:20, NW) It is through the words preached that new disciples to come would put faith in Jesus. Fulfilled prophecies now learned about confirm faith and buttress the basis for belief.

20. How can we endure, along with God’s Word?

²⁰ “The word spoken by Jehovah endures forever,” quotes the apostle Peter. (Isa. 40:8; 1 Pet. 1:25, NW) Jehovah God assures us that his Word will be fulfilled, that it will not return unto him void, but will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent out. (Isa. 46:10, 11; 55:11) Yes, God’s Word will endure. But will we endure with it? Will we by our study of it and works in harmony with it make our faith strong enough to endure all trials, to withstand all the assaults that come against it in these last days? We can if we study, for though worldly men like to smear us and say only the ignorant believe the Bible, advancing knowledge is proving the reverse to be true! It is the willfully ignorant that shut their eyes to its vindication by means of scientific findings and archaeological diggings, and above all to its vindication made manifest by the increasing number of fulfilled prophecies illuminating our times. So study God’s Word, act in accord with it, build on rock foundation, and your faith will stand the assaults of men now and the storm of Armageddon later. Thus we can endure along with God’s Word to enjoy life in the foretold new world of righteousness.

The Complete Cycle

● The Christmas tree has now made a complete cycle. Pagans first used it in midwinter celebrations. Those calling themselves “Christians” did not take time to really convert the pagans they absorbed, just gave their corrupting ceremonies a Christian name. The pagans were satisfied, so were the “Christians”, even though the midwinter celebration was at a time of the year when Christ could not have been born. Now the Communists believe, as did early so-called Christians, that there is no need to oppose the people’s customs, right or wrong; so they merely performed another name-change. According to the Romanian News, February 3, 1952, the new name is the “Winter Tree Celebration”, or “the children’s winter vacation”, or the “Winter Festival”. Bucharest had a Christmas tree (we beg your pardon, Winter tree) seventy feet tall, “thousands of lights, ribbons, golden globes and little metal bells.” A “fairy tale city” was set up, with “Father Frost, painted on a huge panel, advancing with gifts”. With the evergreen tree decked with lights and spangles, and “Father Frost” to give the gifts, the Christian name has been removed and a non-Christian celebration is back to its pagan origin.

What partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols?—2 Cor. 6:14-16, NW.