Israelites and stated a general rule in keeping with Ecclesiastes 10:20, and applied primarily to faithful rulers. This command cannot be used to void the many other commands in obedience to which Jehovah’s witnesses do publish “seething denunciations” against rulers as a class who today are in similar positions of high authority as were the rulers of ancient Israel. Nevertheless, wisdom and tact indicate that we should not be guilty of committing personal discourtesy to such rulers when we are brought into direct address to them. We can always give the particular individual the benefit of the doubt, although at times the course taken by Stephen may be that indicated by God’s spirit.

● In The Watchtower, February 1, 1959, on the subject of “Paradise,” in the last paragraph of the first article appears the statement: “Enoch will be resurrected into Paradise restored here on earth.” How are we to understand this when we have been taught that Enoch, together with other faithful men of old, will have an early resurrection?—G. G., U.S.A.

When the Society’s publications speak of an early resurrection, it does not mean instantly after Armageddon. In fact, a number of years might elapse. We must bear in mind that immediately after the battle of Armageddon accomplishes the binding of Satan and his demons the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ begins. Consequently, a considerable number of years of that millennial reign of Christ might pass and it would still be early in that millennium. Therefore, early could mean after the Armageddon survivors have cleaned up the bones and the debris and have begun to convert the earth into a paradise under Jehovah’s blessing through Christ.

Adam was in a paradise, although it did not extend all around the earth. Doubtless when the faithful pre-Christian witnesses come back in an early resurrection they will be resurrected into the portions of the earth where the Armageddon survivors are and have converted that portion into a paradise locally. Besides this the spiritual paradise condition will also have survived the battle of Armageddon and all those resurrected early will come into that condition also. So the literal paradise does not have to extend all around the earth, that is, cover every part of the globe before those resurrected early can come back into a paradise. Doubtless later, when the resurrection of mankind in general occurs, the paradise will be quite well on its way to coextensiveness with the earth. However, just to what extent those coming forth then will have a part in extending the paradise so that it includes every portion of the earth’s surface we do not know.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

As an aid to “making the mind over for the new world,” during January Jehovah’s witnesses will offer to all persons of good will a year’s subscription for The Watchtower and three informative Bible booklets, for $1. For information as to how you may share, write us or contact the congregation at the nearest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses.

WHAT WILL 1960 BRING YOU?

Will the year 1960 bring you peace of mind? Will it bring you security and hope for the future? Will it bring you faith and favor with God? It can! Regular reading of the Bible and following its teachings closely will bring you this and more. To insure your full appreciation of what you read you need The Watchtower also. Study it with your Bible and receive the most the new year has to offer you. Send $1 at once for a year’s subscription and you will be sent free the booklets “This Good News of the kingdom,” After Armageddon—God’s New World and Healing of the Nations Has Drawn Near.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

February 28: The Great God Who Is “Doing Wondrous Things.” Page 37.

March 6: The Happy Family of the Wonder-working God. Page 44.