The Confidence of the Upright

“He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.”—Prov. 13:20.

1. How did David view his integrity, and as a type of whom?

DAVID, the upright king of ancient Israel, was a man with real confidence in his Creator, the God whom David called Jehovah. He appreciated that over the years of his life he had made many mistakes as a sinful, imperfect human, but he also knew that uppermost in his mind and heart was the doing of the will of his heavenly Life-giver. As the leading member of a nation dedicated to Jehovah God, David was concerned with the matter of integrity. “As for me,” said he, “in my integrity I shall walk.” (Ps. 26:11) This he faithfully endeavored to do, as an example to all the subjects over whom he reigned and also as a prophetic type for the true followers of the Greater David, Jesus Christ, the glorified king of God’s new world.

2. Why was David confident he had walked in his integrity, and how does he plead to be judged?

² The 26th Psalm shows David presenting his integrity and offering himself to Jehovah’s searching. He had confidence that he had walked in the right way, living according to the commandments of God. Always anxious to do the right thing, David said to Jehovah: “Make me walk in your truth and teach me.” (Ps. 25:5) Feeling certain that he had walked in truth, he confidently stated: “Judge me, O Jehovah, for I myself have walked in my own integrity.” (Ps. 26:1) Reading the whole psalm, one sees David in his joyful worship of Jehovah contrasting himself with the wicked life of sinful men with whom he did not want to be classed. David did not want to be judged by men’s standards of living. He knew what sort of man he was, a lover of truth and of right things. He was honest and blameless. His one desire was to give Jehovah exclusive devotion. He knew what God’s standards were and he wanted to be judged by them. So he pleads: “Judge me according to your righteousness, O Jehovah my God, and may [opponents] not rejoice over me.” (Ps. 35:24) Such righteous judgment brought him happiness. He was content, satisfied. He had assurance that he was walking in integrity. Today is our confidence in our integrity as sure as David’s was?

3. In what ways did David show his desire was to please Jehovah?

³ When David was a young man he was chosen by Jehovah to be king. From the time of his anointing by the prophet Samuel he had special responsibilities. He took care of them, always seeking Jehovah. After many trials and hardships he was placed on the throne of Jehovah over the nation of Israel. One of his great joys was the bringing of the sacred ark of the covenant to the holy city of Jerusalem and establishing the place of worship of Jehovah there. On Mount Zion Jehovah’s altar was built and all Israel praised Jehovah there. Of this place he said: “O Jehovah, who will be a guest in your tent? Who will reside in your holy mountain? He who is walking faultlessly and practicing righteousness and speaking the truth in his heart.” (Ps. 15:1, 2) David wanted to measure up to those requirements and to be strong, not weak or unsteady. So he had to trust in God. “In Jehovah I have trusted, that I may not wobble.” (Ps. 26:1) David’s reliance and faith in Jehovah were unshakable, undisturbed, calm, and there was no wavering on his part, for he was walking as one should who ‘loved the dwelling of Jehovah’s house.’

4. What helps true Christians today to be confident in their integrity, as David was?

⁴ Today true Christians, followers of Christ Jesus, believe in the same God of David and they too want to worship at “the place of the residence of [Jehovah’s] glory.” (Ps. 26:8) Christians have the same Word of God that David had, only more of it. Many prophets were sent to God’s chosen people after David’s death and their statements were written down in God’s Word for our admonition and learning. In addition to that we have the life of Christ and the Acts of the Apostles and the writings of the disciples, and now these many scriptures make up the complete Bible, the whole Word of God, for all mankind to follow. Thus equipped, Christians today should and could “practice righteousness and speak truth” and have confidence in their integrity toward Jehovah as David had! Studying and understanding God’s Word and living by it should assure one that he will not wobble.

CHRISTENDOM WITHOUT CONFIDENCE

5, 6. As regards Christendom’s confidence in her integrity, what pointed questions call for an answer?

⁵ But someone says: “Look about Christendom and you will see hundreds of millions of wobbling, unbelieving churchgoers attending Christendom’s churches. Can these who are on the roll books of the various churches say confidently: ‘Examine me, O Jehovah, and put me to the test; refine my kidneys and my heart’? What is wrong? Where today are the men of integrity that David foreshadowed?”

⁶ More such questions can be asked: Can Christendom stand to be examined? Can Jehovah find faith in her? Do the leaders of Christendom have as clear a conscience as David? Are they able to come to Jehovah in prayer and ask him to examine, test and refine them? Are they confident that they are living up to the standards that Jehovah has set out in his Word, the Holy Bible? Do they believe all its teachings? Can all the hundreds of millions of Christendom today who are taught by the clergy be just as confident in their integrity toward Jehovah God as David was? The answer to every query is No! But they should have the faith of David if they have made a dedication to do the will and the service of God. Christendom and its supporters claim faithfulness. They say they believe the Bible and they call themselves Christians—Christlike. Whether they ask for it or not, they are being examined before Jehovah God.

7. How has Christendom repudiated God’s Word? In support of whom? How unlike Christ Jesus?

⁷ There is no backing up and running away from the judgment of Jehovah the Almighty God. Christendom has repudiated God’s Word by her own teachings. She has gone with this wicked world in its politics, because she supports them. She certainly is not for God’s kingdom, because Christendom gives full support to the United Nations organization. Christendom is not like Jesus, who told Pilate: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” (John 18:36) No, Christendom, upon examination, cannot be refined. She has no real, good, worthwhile material in her. She has compromised with this wicked old world, from which God’s kingdom could not come. Listen to what David wrote: “O Jehovah, you have searched through me and you know [me]. You have examined my heart, you have made inspection by night, you have refined me; you will discover [that] I have not schemed. My mouth will not transgress.” (Ps. 139:1; 17:3) Can Christendom say that? No!

8. What attitude should all Christians have toward those not loving and serving Jehovah?

⁸ Every professed Christian throughout the world should be able to say with David and Christ Jesus: “Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies. Search through me, O God, and know my heart. Examine me and know my disquieting thoughts, and see whether there is in me any way causing pain, and lead me in the way of time indefinite.” (Ps. 139:21-24) Lovers of righteousness, real Christians, want to live in a clean world with clean people. How can that be done today? By associating ourselves with men and women of integrity, the ones who are practicing righteousness and speaking the truth in their hearts.—Ps. 15:2.

9, 10. (a) What ancient examples of meeting the test and maintaining integrity do we have? (b) In modern times, do we see such integrity-keepers?

⁹ Tests of integrity must come. Look at how Abraham, David’s forefather, was tested. “Now after these things it came about that God put Abraham to the test.” (Gen. 22:1) He was told to offer his own son Isaac in sacrifice. Because Abraham showed integrity and obeyed, Jehovah provided a lamb in place of Isaac. On a later occasion Jehovah tested his people, Israel, when he brought them through the wilderness: “And you must remember all the way that Jehovah your God made you travel these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, to put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart, as to whether you would keep his commandments or not. . . . who fed you with manna in the wilderness, which your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and in order to put you to the test so as to do you good in your afterdays.” (Deut. 8:2, 16) Testing is necessary, but integrity and endurance are happy rewards. How many of God’s dedicated people today will endure these wicked days and maintain integrity to the end? Those who stand faithful and maintain their integrity will be saved. Forty years, as in Israel’s case, is a long time to prove one’s love for Jehovah more than anything else. Could any of us as individuals stand a test that long? Many have done so, even in this day of Jehovah’s judgment. Meeting the test of integrity means life. Hence Abraham kept his living son. The Israelites went into the land flowing with milk and honey. You may live in God’s new world.

¹⁰ Are you willing to be refined as gold in a smelter and have the dross taken off so that there remains only pure gold? Some have gone through the processing and received a final “well done, good and faithful slave.” Others are still being refined, as Malachi said they would be: “And he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto Jehovah, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.” (Mal. 3:3, 4, AS) Thousands upon thousands of Jehovah’s witnesses have gone through a refining such as David mentioned and Malachi described, a real refining by scorching heat. Can you take the heat like those suffering persecution under the communistic totalitarian rule in Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia and elsewhere behind the Iron Curtain? Look at Jehovah’s witnesses in the Catholic-ruled Dominican Republic who have been beaten and tortured and thrown into prison because of preaching God’s kingdom and taking their stand as Jehovah’s witnesses. Others have maintained and are still maintaining their integrity in Germany, Italy, Norway and other countries that were overrun by the crushing hordes of Nazi and Fascist lords. It is not easy to be a real Christian, no matter where one lives in this world. Enemy efforts to break our integrity can be brought to bear in many ways.

11. What serves to make our confidence in our integrity firm today?

¹¹ Long ago David invited his Father to examine him, to test him, to refine him. Today is our confidence in our own uprightness, our own integrity, that firm? It should be if we see matters like David and we are walking in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. Then we would say: “For your loving-kindness is in front of my eyes, and I have walked in your truth.” (Ps. 26:3) When one gets to appreciate the works of Jehovah God, the purposes he has in mind, what he has done, is doing and will do for the blessing of all those who love him, then one can truly appreciate His loving-kindness. Look how loving he has been in sending his only-begotten Son, Christ Jesus, from heaven to earth to redeem mankind. But Jesus Christ did more. He vindicated Jehovah’s name by maintaining his integrity and he was made King of the new world of righteousness. You can live in that new world if you want to. How? By getting acquainted with the Bible, reading its truths carefully and living by them. That is necessary in order to get life in the kingdom of God that millions of Christendom have prayed for: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will come to pass, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matt. 6:10) Keep Jehovah’s kingdom in front of your eyes and walk in the truth and you will enjoy life in God’s new world.

12, 13. In order to remain innocent before Jehovah, with whom will we associate and whom will we shun?

¹² Preach and teach the good news of the Kingdom whenever and wherever you can. Associate with those persons who are doing that. Then you will stay away from the wicked people because you are busy maintaining your integrity. All who learn the truth and take a right path, dedicating their lives to Jehovah’s service thereafter, do as David said he did: “For I have not sat with men of untruth, and with those who conceal what they are I do not come in. I have hated the congregation of evildoers, and with the wicked ones I do not sit. I shall wash my hands in innocency itself, and I will march around your altar, O Jehovah.”—Ps. 26:4-6.

¹³ Christians of integrity have set their course. They will not sit with men of untruth. They will not have prolonged discussions with men of this world except to preach the Kingdom. The interests of this world have not become the interests of Jehovah’s witnesses. They have a bigger and more important work to do. Those who sit in the counsel of wicked men and support their schemes always end up in ruin and misery. “Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked ones, and in the way of sinners has not stood and in the seat of ridiculers has not sat. But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.” (Ps. 1:1, 2) Have you likewise set your course? Which way will you walk? Let it be one of integrity.

THE HATED “CONGREGATION OF EVILDOERS”

14, 15. In what ways have many of the clergy shown they lack integrity, and what reward will be theirs at the hands of Jehovah?

¹⁴ Do you know that the leading scholars of Christendom today have removed the name of God from Bible translations? Hiding the true name of Jehovah from the people is trying to remove true worship. Many clergymen today stand in their church pulpits and deny the Genesis account of creation. They would rather teach the people evolution. Some even deny the value of Christ Jesus’ sacrifice and say it has no redeeming value. They love to have an appearance of holiness and to get the praises of men, but they do not want to march around the altar of Jehovah. Jesus described them in these words: “You are from your father the Devil and you wish to do the desires of your father. . . . he is a liar and the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) David knew men of this type and he well said: “Untruth they keep speaking one to the other; with a smooth lip they keep speaking even with a double heart. Jehovah will cut off all smooth lips, the tongue speaking great things, those who have said: ‘With our tongue we shall prevail. Our lips are with us. Who will be a master to us?’” (Ps. 12:2-4) They are proud of what they are doing, hiding the name of Jehovah. But what a recompense they will receive!

¹⁵ The majority of the clergy and their followers have taken the name of Jehovah in a worthless way or discarded it altogether. It makes one wonder what suchlike translators of the Bible thought when they came to the text at Exodus 20:7: “You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave the one unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way.” The clergy will not be left unpunished. With them in view the psalmist prayed: “Fill their faces with dishonor, that people may search for your name, O Jehovah.”—Ps. 83:16.

16. (a) What does friendship with the world mean? So what must Christians do? (b) To whom is Christendom likened in trying to hide her true identity?

¹⁶ For true Christians to have integrity like David they certainly cannot associate with Christendom or with this system of things and be friends of this world. James, the disciple of Jesus, said: “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (Jas. 4:4) That is one reason why it is so clearly stated: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4) Christendom is hypocritical and is trying to cover over what she really is, the same as did the religious leaders of Jesus’ day: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of plunder and immoderateness. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside of it also may become clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every kind of uncleanness. In that way you also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matt. 23:25-28) They tried to hide their true identity. The leaders of Christendom do the same today. Avoid them.

17. In being like the psalmist, what is the attitude of the true Christian?

¹⁷ Be like the psalmist in saying: “Do not draw me along with wicked people and with practicers of what is hurtful, those who are speaking peace with their companions but in whose hearts is what is bad.” (Ps. 28:3) The attitude of a true Christian must be: “I have hated the congregation of evildoers.”—Ps. 26:5.

18. Of what significance was David’s expression, “I shall wash my hands in innocency itself, and I will march around your altar, O Jehovah”?

¹⁸ King David wanted clean hands and innocency before Jehovah so that he could worship before Jehovah’s altar. In his expression: “I shall wash my hands in innocency itself, and I will march around your altar, O Jehovah,” he must have had in mind the copper basin that was set near the altar and that was used by the priests for washing their hands and feet. Concerning them God’s law said: “When they go into the tent of meeting they will wash with water that they may not die, or when they go near the altar to minister in order to make an offering made by fire smoke to Jehovah. And they must wash their hands and their feet that they may not die, and it must serve as a regulation to time indefinite for them, for him and his offspring throughout their generations.” (Ex. 30:19-21) David, however, wanted to have hands morally clean, cleansed by God’s truth.

19. How, today, do true Christians wash their hands in innocency?

¹⁹ Today anyone that comes to the place of worship, pictured by Jehovah’s altar, must be clean. He cannot be contaminated with old-world living and its sordid activity. What Jehovah’s priests did back there true Christians must do in reality now. Speaking to the Hebrew Christians about cleanness, Paul said: “Let us approach with sincere hearts in the full assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies washed with clean water. Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised. And let us consider one another to incite to love and right works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:22-25) Christians must assemble in these last days, but must always be clean in their worship, which includes their lifelong and daily activities.

20. In what ways do Jehovah’s witnesses continue in an upright and clean course?

²⁰ Worship by Jehovah’s witnesses is not confined to meeting together and inciting one another to love and right works just once a week. All day long and every day they must be worshipers of God, whether they be in meetings or away from their Kingdom Hall. After becoming a Christian one must keep clean, as he has already been washed clean by the blood of Christ Jesus. Christ is not going to die a second time to give one a second washing. Many who become Christians have walked with the wicked in fornication, idolatry, greed and drunkenness, but as Paul said to the Corinthian congregation: “But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11) Like David we must wash our hands in innocency, show everyone that we are clean and separate from the Devil’s organization and devoted to true worship. We are in the world but are no part of it, and we cannot have upon us the stain of its guilt. Even Pilate did not want the responsibility of the death of Christ Jesus upon him. Before the great crowd of angry Jews Pilate laid all the guilt on the clergy of his day by taking water and washing his hands before the lovers of unrighteousness, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this man. You must see to it.” (Matt. 27:24) But he really could not wash his hands in innocency like David.

21. Who is it that stands alone today in emulating the works of Christ Jesus, and what is their message?

²¹ Christendom too must take the whole load of responsibility for defiling Jehovah’s worship through their wicked and unclean lives. But as for Jehovah’s witnesses, they will wash their hands and stand alone as true Christians separate from every branch of Christendom. They must take this stand to be acceptable for true worship of Jehovah. Our separation from the false worshipers makes it possible “to cause thanksgiving to be heard aloud, and to declare all your wonderful works. Jehovah, I have loved the dwelling of your house and the place of the residence of your glory.” (Ps. 26:7, 8) With thanksgiving in their hearts Jehovah’s witnesses thrill to make known the wonderful works of Jehovah from the creation of man in the garden of Eden to the restoration of all humankind in the paradise earth. As Christ Jesus stood alone, separate from all religions, in declaring that the kingdom of the heavens is at hand, so Jehovah’s witnesses today are all alone in their announcement of God’s kingdom. They are telling the world that we are living in the last days of this wicked organization and there is about to begin a new government that will rule in righteousness. To let all persons of good will know the good news it takes a great deal of preaching in the homes of the people, and teaching too, using the householder’s own Bible. Why not study with them and ‘cause their thanksgiving to be heard aloud’?

TO ESCAPE BEING TAKEN AWAY WITH SINNERS

22. What is the fate of sinners, and how does Bible history bear this out?

²² David said: “Do not take away my soul along with sinners, nor my life along with bloodguilty men, in whose hands there is loose conduct and whose right hand is full of bribery.” (Ps. 26:9, 10) A student of the Scriptures can clearly see that Jehovah is going to destroy the wicked. He did it before in the catastrophe of Noah’s day when he destroyed all the depraved ones by the flood because of their sinfulness. He wiped out those in Sodom and Gomorrah. God condemned in judgment the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day because they were bloodguilty men. Judas was condemned to Gehenna because his right hand was full of bribery. Later Ananias was struck dead because of lying, and Jude wrote of “ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct.” (Jude 4) Today the sacredness of life is no longer held in high esteem by most of the peoples or their rulers. While the clergy and the politicians backed up by big business cry, Peace, peace! they prepare for war on an even greater scale. Destruction of mankind is their theme of the day. To have anything to do with such a system of things is not wise, for “he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.” (Prov. 13:20) The end of such bloodguilty, loose-living, bribe-loving men will be destruction at the battle of Armageddon!

23. On the other hand, what is the promise to those confident in uprightness?

²³ On the other hand, those confident in their uprightness are like David and true dedicated followers of Christ Jesus. They can say: “As for me, in my integrity I shall walk. O redeem me and show me favor.” (Ps. 26:11) This is like saying, Deliver me from the wicked and show me favor. Through Moses God delivered the children of Israel, or redeemed them from Egypt, leading them to the Promised Land. Jehovah gave mankind the Greater Moses, Christ Jesus, the Redeemer of all mankind, if they accept him as Jehovah’s gift for their redemption. When we see the miracles that Christ performed while on earth it makes us think of the fuller complete life men will enjoy under the Kingdom arrangements. If on earth he healed the sick, opened blind eyes, even raised the dead, surely with all power in heaven and earth he can build a perfect new world of righteousness according to his Father’s will.

24, 25. When will the miracle of deliverance take place, and to what do true servants of God look forward?

²⁴ The great miracle of deliverance will be performed at the battle of Armageddon, when Jehovah will destroy completely the wicked system of things and at the same time keep alive men of integrity, whom he will remember for their acts of loving-kindness. God’s servants of integrity today feel just like Nehemiah, because we are living in the time of the purifying of God’s people. Nehemiah said: “Do remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not blot out my acts of loving-kindness that I have performed in connection with the house of my God and the guardianship of it.”—Neh. 13:14.

²⁵ All the true servants of God want to continue in right worship and maintain integrity and be redeemed or delivered through the battle of Armageddon. They want to see the time come when there will be no more discord, wars, selfishness, corruption and when everyone will be praising Jehovah God and blessing him. That will be seen in completion after the battle of the great day of God the Almighty—Armageddon. By faith all true Christians look to and work for that happy day, but they start living by the standards of that day now.

26. What is the attitude of nation toward nation, and why is such an attitude one of folly?

²⁶ All men are traveling in a rough world among nations who hate one another, all of them truly nationalistic, thinking that their individual nation is better than any other. Some even think theirs is the only one having the right to existence and are therefore anxious to destroy others. Why cannot man see that color of skin, language of tongue or stature of body does not make him any different from his neighbor? We all have one Maker, we are all brothers, descendants of Adam and Eve, and destined to worship only one God. We must find him! We can if we read about him in his Word, the Bible. Jehovah’s witnesses are sincerely trying to acquaint people with Jehovah, and if they can do so it will mean for those getting to know God a happy and new life in a new world not far distant.

27. What period of time for Jehovah’s witnesses has been reached?

²⁷ The time is now here when integrity-keeping men and women stand upon a “level place,” an open plain, where there is no more fear of stumbling and where true worship can be carried on. So in real happiness with all of God’s people they can say as did David: “My own foot will certainly stand on a level place; among the congregated throngs I shall bless Jehovah.”—Ps. 26:12.

28. With this frame of mind, what view do Jehovah’s witnesses take of the world scene, and how will they show their confidence?

²⁸ In this frame of mind Jehovah’s witnesses today, being scattered throughout 164 different nations, lands and islands of the sea, with more than 700,000 proclaimers of good news, stand on level ground looking forward to the final destruction of this wicked system of things and the complete establishment of God’s new world of righteousness. Until that day arrives they will stand on a level place among the congregated throngs and bless Jehovah. Whatever troubles and persecutions may come from the evildoers they will continue to say: “As for me, in my integrity I shall walk.” (Ps. 26:11) Not only will they preach as they walk from house to house, even to the ends of the earth, but, when invited into the homes of the people, there they will teach them the truth, for their desire is to gather out from all nations all the sheep who love righteousness so that they too may join in praising Jehovah God in the congregated throngs. These too must gain confidence in their uprightness. Will you be one of these praisers of Jehovah walking in your integrity during 1958?

Qualified to Teach with Confidence

1. As opportunity affords, what will Jehovah’s witnesses do that brings them pleasure?

USUALLY when individuals have good news that has brought them real comfort and joy of heart they want to tell others what they know. Jehovah’s witnesses have turned to God’s Word, studied it carefully, and find it filled with good news. The more they study the sixty-six books of the Bible, the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation, this good news becomes clearer and delights their souls. When a Christian has the opportunity to talk with another person about the good things of God’s kingdom it brings him real pleasure. He does not need to fight, says the apostle Paul, to make the person understand. Rather, one must be tactful and careful in one’s expressions. The instructor will try to teach his hearer new things. That is why Paul, when writing to Timothy, said: “But a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be tactful toward all, qualified to teach.”—2 Tim. 2:24.

2. What was often the opinion about preaching in years gone by, and how has that view now changed?

² Private teaching is the big work of Jehovah’s witnesses in these last days of the Devil’s organization. While for forty years since 1918 Jehovah’s witnesses have been preaching the good news of God’s kingdom, today they find an ever-greater responsibility falling upon them, and that is teaching the people concerning God’s kingdom. In years gone by it was the opinion that all that was needed was to say a few words concerning the Kingdom, to tell people about the battle of Armageddon, and then they had the witness. But people today have been so steeped in ignorance and darkness concerning God’s Word that it is necessary to do more than just remind people of what is in the Bible. It is necessary to go into their homes when invited, use their Bible and actually show them what is in it and where to find the truths concerning the kingdom of God, the only hope for mankind. Jehovah’s witnesses have good reasons for being so energetic today in their preaching and teaching the people. They have scriptures to back them up in going from house to house. (See Acts 5:42 and Ac 20:20.) There is also the scripture telling us to be at it daily, found at Psalm 96:2: “From day to day tell the good news of salvation by him.” It certainly is good news, the knowledge of God’s kingdom under which healthful living and paradise will be the blessing of every individual on earth.

3, 4. (a) In answer to the disciples’ questions on the sign of the consummation of this system of things, how did Jesus reply? (b) Who, today, are carrying out Jesus’ commandment?

³ With such a message Jehovah’s witnesses want to go from house to house every day or as often every week as they can, to speak about the salvation that Jehovah God has provided for mankind. While David had in mind preaching to his fellow man in his day, Jesus accentuated it when he was upon the earth. He was very specific in telling his disciples what to do. In the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew it is recorded that the disciples came to Jesus and asked him what the sign of the end of this world would be. They were very much interested in this matter. So when he was sitting on the side of the Mount of Olives just outside Jerusalem four disciples approached Jesus privately and said: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the consummation of the system of things?”—Matt. 24:3.

⁴ So Jesus went into detail explaining to them what kind of conditions would be existing in the earth at the time of the end when this system of things would consummate, and what things they would see, so that they could be sure of his invisible second presence. Among the many things, such as wars and pestilences and famines, delinquency among the people and the bringing forth of a league among nations, he stated that a very outstanding thing would be noticeable, not only to his own people but to all the world. It was this: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) Today it cannot be denied that Jehovah’s witnesses, a Christian organization, have been more active than any other religious organization in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom. In face of the facts we are bold enough to say that Jehovah’s witnesses are the only ones that proclaim the kingdom of God as the only hope for mankind and that all the efforts of mankind today through their political organizations, with their religious backing and commercial support, will be a failure. We hold that world-wide it must be proclaimed that God’s kingdom is the only thing that will bless mankind. When this preaching work has been accomplished, said Jesus, the end of this system of things will come.

5. What command at Matthew 28:19, 20 do true Christians follow, causing them to show what confidence?

⁵ Just before Jesus ascended into the heavens he was very specific in giving command to his disciples, and he told them: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the consummation of the system of things.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) Certainly Christ Jesus is with his people now in seeing to it that this good news of the Kingdom is preached and that the discipling work is going on in a teaching manner in all parts of the earth. People are being taught, not only preached to concerning the Kingdom, but studies are arranged in the homes of the people and they are taught God’s Word. Paul informed Timothy: ‘You must be qualified to teach.’ So Jehovah’s witnesses must equip themselves to do the same. Each individual Christian is going to be a teacher as soon as he can and therefore must be well versed in the Scriptures. His own integrity must be established through good works, study and service, and he must sometime be able to say as did David: “Judge me, O Jehovah, for I myself have walked in my own integrity.”

INTEGRITY REQUIRED OF TEACHERS

6. How do Jehovah’s witnesses prove their integrity, and for what kind of people are they looking?

⁶ Proved must be the integrity of each one of Jehovah’s witnesses today. Individually each one is responsible to Jehovah God and to his earthly organization to get this preaching and teaching work done before the final end comes. It has been said that Jehovah’s witnesses are the fastest-growing religious organization today. If so, why is it? Certainly it is not because they are trying to be the fastest-growing religious organization. But if it is true, then, it is because they have a responsibility on their shoulders and accept it, that is, to gather together all the sheep of God’s flock. Those who love truth and righteousness and who do not want their lives taken away along with bloodguilty men, nor want to associate with those of loose conduct, are going to look for Jehovah’s true people. These people that are sighing and crying because of the world’s abominations are the ones that Jehovah’s witnesses are trying hard to find. In order to find them they must go from door to door, and they do this time and time again, year in and year out. Probably Jehovah’s witnesses have called at your door often, unless you are in an isolated place where landlords or hotel owners will not allow Jehovah’s witnesses to enter. But if they can reach your home and are welcome they will talk to you; and be assured that they will be happy to do so.

7. What responsibility that David felt do Jehovah’s witnesses feel today, and whose example in preaching do they strive to follow?

⁷ Jehovah’s witnesses feel the responsibility that David felt, that of maintaining integrity and taking a definite stand for righteousness as against evil and having no association with this old system of things that brings degradation upon mankind. Having the Bible in hand and being well acquainted with it, they feel themselves equipped to teach and therefore they go into people’s homes and try to teach them Bible knowledge. At the same time they themselves keep studying in congregational meetings to be better qualified to teach. They remember that their leader, Jesus Christ, was the greatest teacher that ever lived upon the earth. He was able to inculcate in the minds of his followers the truth, and they were so convinced of what they heard that they believed him because what he said was backed up by Scripture. They became his disciples.

8. What requirements must a pupil of Christ Jesus meet, and is there a large majority of integrity-keepers today?

⁸ Followers of Christ Jesus must be his sincere pupils and anxious to know what their teacher has to say. A pupil must be interested in and love his instructor in order to grasp the ideas of his teacher. If the instructor has the opportunity of being with a devoted pupil long enough, his student will soon be like his instructor and will talk and live like him. That is exactly what happened with the disciples of Christ Jesus. When he said to them, ‘Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Get under my yoke with me and become my learners,’ he meant that he would take the time to explain to them all the difficulties and problems of life and he would help them overcome the world, even as he had overcome the world. (Matt. 11:28) Integrity-keepers are few, but there have always been some true witnesses of Jehovah on earth. If you give Jehovah’s witnesses the opportunity of coming into your home and letting them talk and study with you, using your own Bible, Catholic or Protestant or Jewish, or any translation in any language, you will find the Bible has the answers to your problems, to all problems of mankind.

9. What positive attitude does Psalm 25:4, 5 show true Christians should have, and what offer is made to those seeking knowledge?

⁹ However, you will not understand everything in ten minutes. But do not give up. Take time and study with Jehovah’s witnesses and at least get the knowledge even if you do not agree right away with the counsel. Your attitude should be like David’s: “Make me know your own ways, O Jehovah; teach me your own paths. Make me walk in your truth and teach me, for you are my God of salvation.” (Ps. 25:4, 5) Give Jehovah’s witnesses the opportunity of coming to your home once a week to study with you for an hour or an hour and a half and at a time convenient to you. Get right down to Bible study, look up the scriptures under consideration and you will be amazed at what you will learn in a period of only six months’ time; and it is free too. If none of Jehovah’s witnesses have ever studied with you, or if they have and have discontinued studying and you want to start again, just write a card to Watchtower, 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn 1, New York, and say, “I want a Bible study,” and someone will call soon to help you in your study of Jehovah’s Word. Be sure to give us your name and address and we will find you. Hundreds of thousands of persons who have had Bible studies with Jehovah’s witnesses in their own homes have learned the truth and are now followers of Christ Jesus, carrying on true worship of Jehovah God.

10. Why was Jesus’ doctrine not a new one, and what reward was to be given to those keeping integrity? To those not doing so?

¹⁰ When Jesus walked the earth and began to teach what many people said was a new doctrine, it was not new. He was bringing to them a summary of the Law. It was, Love God—love your neighbor. He was showing them the way to eternal life. He was opening up a way for all people, for all nations, for all kindreds and tongues. No longer was the truth of God’s Word or his laws being confined to just the nation of Israel, but the opportunity was soon to be given to everyone. Jesus did not come to destroy the Law, but he came to fulfill it and to show its value to all people. Jesus fully appreciated God’s Word and lived by it, and it was he who said: “Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these least commandments and teaches mankind to that effect, he will be called ‘least’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. As for anyone who does them and teaches them, this one will be called ‘great’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. For I say to you that if your righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.”—Matt. 5:19, 20.

11. The conduct of the scribes and Pharisees showed what, and who are like them today, and why?

¹¹ In Jesus’ training of his disciples he taught them to keep the commandments of Jehovah and to live by them. As he observed the lives and teachings of the scribes and Pharisees he saw they were putting forth traditions of their own and of other men rather than the teachings of God’s Word, which Jehovah had given them in writing through the prophets he sent in olden times. The same is true concerning Christendom today. The religious clergy of Christendom are not teaching the people the Bible. They have their own traditions, their own ideas, and practically every clergyman will point to the United Nations as the only hope for mankind rather than to God’s kingdom. In this one thing alone they have turned mankind away from God’s Word and they have repudiated Jehovah and his Son and his kingdom, and therefore they should no longer declare themselves as Christians or ministers of God’s Word. They “will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.”

12. Because Christendom has watered down the truth, what is it necessary for seekers of real truth to do?

¹² Christendom has watered down the truth of the Bible so much that it is difficult for individuals who claim to be Christians to understand what is truth. Jesus said: “For this purpose I have been born and for this purpose I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) So, then, go back to the Bible and find truth. It is so necessary for each individual to turn to the Word of God itself and to see what it says, rather than to listen to the traditions of men. Get to the original source of Christian teaching. Why not take the good advice Paul, a good minister and follower of Christ, gave to the congregation of Ephesus? He said: “This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in the Lord, that you no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds, while they are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensibility of their hearts. Having come to be past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every kind with greediness.”—Eph. 4:17-19.

“TAUGHT BY JEHOVAH”

13. Outline the requirements for gaining everlasting life.

¹³ Jesus was a wonderful instructor, and he taught his disciples how to carry on the teaching work. First, always use the Scriptures; and in that way one will teach them about Jehovah, the true God. If an individual is going to gain everlasting life he must learn about the Creator of life, the Father, and his teachings. His teachings are set forth in his own Word, the Bible, which Jehovah had written and preserved to our very day for our admonition and learning. Jesus said: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him, and I will resurrect him in the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by Jehovah.’ Everyone that has heard the Father’s teaching and has learned comes to me.” (John 6:44, 45) We see, then, how necessary it is to learn or hear what Jehovah first has to say, and if we are ever going to hear what Jehovah has to say we must read his Word and study it. When one learns of the teachings of Jehovah God it will naturally lead one to Christ Jesus, and because of one’s learning from the Bible it will point one to Christ Jesus as the only redeemer of mankind who is able to give life through the merit of his sacrifice. He will “resurrect [the believer] at the last day.”—John 6:54.

14. What advice did Paul give Timothy that is of value to the Christian today?

¹⁴ Paul realized that some persons who took up the Christian ministry would afterward try to turn their followers away from the true worship of the true God, Jehovah. That is why Paul advised: “But turn down the false stories which violate what is holy and which old women tell. On the other hand, be training yourself with godly devotion as your aim. For bodily training is beneficial for a little, but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come. Trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance is that statement. For to this end we are working hard and exerting ourselves, because we have rested our hope on a living God, who is a Savior of all kinds of men, especially of faithful ones. Keep on giving these commands and teaching them.”—1 Tim. 4:7-11.

15, 16. (a) How only can knowledge be gained, and of what value is it to study the Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses? (b) Why do some individuals cease studying with Jehovah’s witnesses, and yet why cannot Jehovah’s witnesses compromise Christian principles?

¹⁵ The only way that one can train himself with godly devotion as his aim is by studying God’s Word. When one reads the Bible and carefully studies it with someone who is trained in the study of the Bible he will find that what he has read is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. Jehovah’s witnesses do work hard and they exert themselves, to the end that they will keep the hope and also establish this hope and faith in the lives of others. Jehovah’s witnesses studying in the homes with people will stick to the commandments of God and teach these, even though Bible truth conflicts with men’s personal ideas. Sometimes the righteous laws of God are disturbing to individual students and they throw the study overboard. They will have nothing to do with it because it means such a tremendous change in their lives. But we cannot compromise with them and continue to remain qualified to teach with confidence.

¹⁶ “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? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: ‘I shall reside among them and walk among them, and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.’ ‘“Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,” says Jehovah, “and quit touching the unclean thing,’” ‘“ and I will take you in.’” ‘“And I shall be a father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me,” says Jehovah the Almighty.’” (2 Cor. 6:14-18) Those who are going to be taught by Jehovah are the ones he will take in and he will be a Father to them and they will gain everlasting life. There is no other way of gaining it. The quicker an individual turns to the Word of God, reads it, studies it and becomes a disciple the sooner he is going to have comfort, joy and blessings, and training in godly devotion. And as Paul said to Timothy: “It holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.”

17. How long must one wait before he becomes a teacher?

¹⁷ While millions of the people today still ought to be taught the truth in God’s Word, there are not enough qualified ministers to teach them. Many of Jehovah’s witnesses are themselves new in the truth and as yet have not taken upon themselves the responsibility of teaching others. They are preaching from house to house, but they have not assumed the duties of a teacher. How long must one wait to be a teacher? That is not hard to decide. Paul indicates that as soon as one knows the fundamental teachings of God’s Word, then he should begin teaching at least these truths to others. As he matures he can help others in advanced study, but before then he could be a teacher. If the other person he meets in the field while witnessing knows nothing or only a little of God’s Word, the new Kingdom publisher could at least teach his pupil as much as he knows by using the Bible as his textbook.

18. (a) In what way did Paul upbraid those who slacked off from teaching in his day? (b) Is this applicable to Christians today?

¹⁸ Paul was sharp in his speech to those who knew and just did not bother about telling others what they knew. He said: “Although you ought to be teachers in view of the time, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the first principles of the sacred pronouncements of God.” (Heb. 5:12) How long have you claimed to be one of Jehovah’s witnesses, or a Christian for that matter? Any individual who professes to be a Christian should be a teacher by this time if he is mature in years and has grown up in Christian teaching. Christians cannot shirk their responsibility by saying, ‘My minister does my Bible study for me.’ Paul is not talking to the overseers of congregations, such as the clergy of Christendom claim to be. He is talking to everyone professing to be a Christian. What are you doing about teaching others in God’s Word? Paul says: “You ought to be teachers in view of the time.” You have been going to the congregation of God long enough to know what the truth is. Why, then, are you not teaching it to others? So what applies to Jehovah’s witnesses applies also to all of Christendom, in that they should preach and teach this good news of God’s kingdom. Now are you going on to maturity by studying with God’s congregation, and are you then going weekly to others not in your congregation and studying with them the things you have learned?

TEACHING AT GOD’S COMMAND

19. Why was the religious body of the Sanhedrin opposed to the apostles’ preaching, and what effect did this have on the apostles?

¹⁹ In many parts of the world great persecution is brought to bear against Jehovah’s witnesses because they are preaching and teaching the good news, but this will not slow them down. In his day Peter too was very energetic in declaring the good news of God’s kingdom. For healing those who were sick and preaching he was thrown into prison. The religionists of that day, the Sanhedrin, were very much opposed to the apostles’ teaching people about Christ Jesus. For their constructive work in educating the people in the Bible the religionists “called them and charged them in general not to make any utterance nor to teach upon the basis of the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18) However, the apostles did not stop preaching because some men directed them to do so. When this body of rulers threw the apostles into prison, the record at Acts 5:20 shows, the prison doors were opened by Jehovah’s angel and he said: “Be on your way and take a position in the temple and keep on speaking to the people all the sayings about this life.” That command of Jehovah’s angel to the early apostles is still part of God’s Word and applies to Christians just as much today. The sayings about this life and the life to come must still be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Back there the religionists did not want it proclaimed because it interfered with the business of the religionists. There were too many persons turning away from the decaying established religion and following this new truthful religion of Christ Jesus.

20-22. (a) What principle with regard to obedience was set forth by Peter and the apostles at Acts 5:29? By David at Psalm 26:11? (b) How is this principle followed today by Jehovah’s witnesses, and how do they show they are qualified to preach with confidence?

²⁰ After the apostles were found missing from prison they were reported as being “in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” They were immediately hurried to the Sanhedrin. The Bible account tells us: “So they brought them and stood them in the Sanhedrin hall. And the high priest questioned them and said: ‘We positively charged you not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name, and yet, look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.’ In answer Peter and the other apostles said: ‘We must obey God as ruler rather than men.’” (Acts 5:27-29) The apostles were not afraid of the rulers. Their command from God was to teach and to preach. They were like Jesus, whom David foreshadowed; David said: “As for me, in my integrity I shall walk.” (Ps. 26:11) They were marvelous teachers of faithfulness by word and example. Christ Jesus was their example, and they were not faltering but continued turning the minds and hearts of the people away from the old, staid religion of hypocrisy to the words of truth and life, to a religion that showed them that the kingdom of God was the only hope for mankind.

²¹ The same thing is happening today as in the days of the apostles. The rulers of the Dominican Republic, under the guidance of the Catholic priests, have beaten and thrown Jehovah’s witnesses into prison because they preach the good news of the Kingdom. In Poland and other countries behind the Iron Curtain the rulers say the truth may not be proclaimed because it interferes with the doctrine of communism. However, this does not stop Jehovah’s witnesses from preaching in the same manner that the apostles preached in their day. They go underground if necessary and continue their preaching and teaching work. They obey God rather than men! Even in countries where the witnesses of Jehovah have the opportunity to preach freely, opposition often comes against their work because of the religious leaders. If these wicked men want to interfere with the proclaiming of Jehovah’s truth, let them also receive Jehovah’s judgment.

²² A true Christian, however, will follow the Word of God and not be silenced but prove himself qualified to teach. He will continue to go to the meetings among the congregated throngs of God and there learn and study diligently so that he will be better qualified to present the truth with confidence to other people. He knows that he must walk in the footsteps of Christ Jesus and preach and teach. He must be faithful to the Word of God and he must follow out Jehovah’s commandments. He must equip himself for every good work and be qualified to teach. He must be earnest about the proclamation of the Kingdom, as were the early disciples, and so prove his own integrity.

23. What helps a person to become a true Christian, and how do Jehovah’s witnesses aid to that end?

²³ There is no difference between the way of Kingdom preaching carried on by the apostles in their day and the way Jehovah’s witnesses carry on their work today. It is not by big revivals, by construction of great church buildings, by powerful religious groups influencing politicians, by combining different religious denominations into one, that a nation is made a Christian nation. This does not help the people to get an understanding of Jehovah’s purposes. Rather, it is the going from house to house, finding those sighing and crying because of the abominations and teaching them the truth that will make persons change their thinking about religion. By a true Christian’s going into the home of a stranger and comforting him with the Word of God he will be effective in changing that person’s way of life. Not combined force, but the truth will do it. Remember: “A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be tactful toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed.—2 Tim. 2:24, 25.

24. How do the methods employed by false religionists compare with those used by Christians when it comes to teaching others?

²⁴ At times, in years gone by, a nation has risen up in battle against another nation, carrying on a religious war, trying to make people change their religion. Inquisitions were carried on by religionists in different parts of the earth to make people believe like those in authority. Religionists have tried to force Indians and others with different faiths into the faith of the persecutors. Paul never used those methods, and neither did Christ Jesus have that in mind. Early Christians used the simple method of teaching the truth, sitting down with people and tactfully, patiently, quietly and humbly telling them what God’s Word has to say. Even those under evil influence can be taught the truth if they are instructed in mildness. Even those not favorably disposed toward the Bible, if approached tactfully, will listen to a minister of God.

25. What will Jehovah’s witnesses continue to do, and what are seekers of truth encouraged to do?

²⁵ So Jehovah’s witnesses today will try to continue to preach this good news in all the world for a witness until the end comes, and during all this period of time they too will be able to say: “Judge me, O Jehovah, for I myself have walked in my own integrity.” Why not study God’s Word with them and apply the knowledge you can get from the Bible and thus be with wise persons and become wise yourself? In that case you will surely know that he who is having dealings with stupid ones will fare badly, but that wisdom is a tree of life to those who find it. Do you love life and want to live in God’s new world of righteousness under the kingdom of heaven? Then ‘stand on a level place among the congregated throngs’ and bless Jehovah. Then you will always be determined to say: “As for me, in my integrity I shall walk.”

Endurance Serves to Prove Integrity

1. What shining examples of endurance do we have in Scripture, and for what reason did they and do we endure?

THERE are not too many people in the world today that will stand for right principles and even suffer for them. Jehovah loves those who will. He is very much interested in men and women who will walk in their own integrity and who will endure even to death for righteousness. Peter appreciated this fact and wrote: “For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being struck blows, you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with God. In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Pet. 2:20, 21) That is something to think about, for no individual has ever endured as much pain, suffering, ignominy