As World Calamity Nears​—‘Consider Jesus’

“Holy brothers, . . . consider the apostle and high priest whom we confess​—Jesus.”​—HEBREWS 3:1.

1, 2. How can we benefit from an ancient calamity commemorated in Rome?

YOU can find in Rome graphic testimony to a calamity​—a calamity that should have a major impact on your life. In the ancient Roman Forum stands the Arch of Titus, commemorating General Titus’ capture and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. A relief on the arch shows manacled Jews, and Roman soldiers carrying spoils from the city.

² We as Christians can benefit from that calamity by examining timely Bible counsel that evidently was written nine years or so before that destruction. It is in the book of Hebrews, which the apostle Paul wrote to Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem and Judea.

3. What made the situation of Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem difficult?

³ Our brothers back then were in a very difficult situation. Though Judea seemed to be firmly under the control of Rome, many of the Jews were rebellious. (Acts 5:36, 37) Imagine the fierce pressure such Jews would have put on Jesus’ followers who, being “no part of the world,” would not side with the Jews against Rome. (John 17:16) Another cause of persecution against Hebrew Christians was the Jews’ feeling of superiority because they had been chosen by God, taken into the Law covenant and given a way of worship involving Levitical priests and sacrifices.

4. (a) Why could it be said that Jesus had appeared at “the conclusion of the systems of things”? (b) What did Jesus foretell regarding that conclusion?

⁴ However, the Jewish epoch​—with its systems of temple sacrifices, priests, festivals and Sabbaths—​ended first after the Messiah’s sacrificial death. (Galatians 3:24, 25; Colossians 2:13-17) Paul could thus write that God’s Son was manifested as a man “once for all time at the conclusion of the systems of things.” (Hebrews 9:26; 1:2) That conclusion was soon to become undeniably clear, with the destruction of the temple. When Jesus foretold that destruction, his disciples asked, “When will these things be?” (Matthew 23:37–24:3) Jesus replied that there would be wars, food shortages, earthquakes, pestilences and an extensive Kingdom preaching work before the end would come. (Matthew 24:4-14; Luke 21:10, 11) Those words came true in the generation between Jesus’ giving the prophecy and Paul’s writing Hebrews. Christ also foretold for Jerusalem a ‘great tribulation such as had not occurred since the world’s beginning.’ (Matthew 24:21) The destructive tribulation that came on Jerusalem in 70 C.E. was unparalleled and unrepeatable for that city. Yet it was only a miniature fulfillment. Why? Because a “great tribulation” for all the world of mankind was to take place in the distant future.

5. How is it that there will yet be on a larger scale a “great tribulation”?

⁵ The facts prove that the prophetic words of Jesus have a larger, a major, fulfillment at the time of his “presence and of the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 24:3) Revelation chapter 6, written decades after Jerusalem’s tribulation, also foretold war, famine and sickness. This would involve far more than Judea, for Revelation said that the war would “take peace away from the earth.” (Revelation 6:4) Global developments since World War I in 1914 to 1918 show that we are living in the conclusion of the present wicked system of things, which will climax in a “great tribulation.” This tribulation will eliminate wickedness from the earth, making way for a Paradise under the rule of God’s Kingdom.

6. What indicates that the book of Hebrews was written with our time in mind?

⁶ The book of Hebrews points down to our time. In it Paul wrote that Christ was then in heaven “awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.” (Hebrews 10:13) The book also speaks of the time “when [God] again brings his Firstborn into the inhabited earth.”a (Hebrews 1:6) That is now! The evidence shows that Christ has received kingship and acted against God’s enemies in heaven. (Revelation 12:7-12) Christ has turned his attention to the inhabited earth, being invisibly present. So, as Jesus foretold, we will soon face the climactic removal of God’s enemies from our globe. What counsel, then, does Hebrews have for us?

‘Consider Jesus’

7, 8. Why did Hebrews fittingly focus on Jesus?

⁷ Paul particularly focused attention on Jesus. He wrote: “Now as to the things being discussed this is the main point: We have such a high priest as this, and he has sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” (Hebrews 8:1) Why was that especially appropriate counsel for Christians living at the conclusion of a system of things?

⁸ Distorted views of Jesus have long existed. First-century Jews were proud that they descended from Abraham, practiced a religion given through Moses and had priests of Aaron’s lineage. So they might have thought: ‘This Jesus of Nazareth is merely a Galilean carpenter’s son.’ They even accused the Son of God of being a demonized Samaritan. (John 7:52; 8:39-41, 48; 9:24, 28, 29) Hence, God wisely encouraged Hebrew Christians to ‘consider Jesus,’ because a proper, balanced view of and relationship with the Son of God would help those Christians to be faithful.

9. What makes the counsel to ‘consider Jesus’ appropriate today, but against what danger do we need to guard?

⁹ The divine counsel in Hebrews is also helpful to us because false or distorted views of Christ still abound. Many people today, rather than downgrading Jesus as did Jewish opposers, exaggerate his role. Their churches assert that Jesus is part of a triune deity and that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are equal. Yet, who gets most of their attention? Jesus. He is pushed into the foreground, and the Father is squeezed into the shadows. This poses a challenge for true Christians. At John 14:28 Jesus said that his Father was greater, and Psalm 83:18 states that “you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” But we must not overreact to the distorted views about Jesus and unconsciously minimize his true position. As with the Hebrew Christians, a balanced and accurate estimation of Jesus will be of immense value as we face the future.

10. What does Hebrews indicate about Jesus’ position?

¹⁰ The book of Hebrews begins by focusing attention on Christ’s superior position. He is now a glorified spirit, “the exact representation of [God’s] very being.” This does not imply that the Father and the Son are one person or one god, for Hebrews 1:3 adds that Jesus has “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty [“of God,” Today’s English Version] in lofty places.” Texts such as Hebrews 2:10 and Heb 5:5, 8 also indicate that Jehovah is superior to the Son. Still, Christ now has “a name [position or reputation] more excellent than [the angels’].”​—Hebrews 1:4.

11. (a) How do God’s angels treat Jesus Christ? (b) How is Hebrews 1:6 to be understood?

¹¹ As the faithful angels do, we also need to recognize Christ’s exalted position. Quoting from Psalm 97:7 (Greek Septuagint Version), Hebrews 1:6 says: “Let all God’s angels do obeisance to him.” As other versions render this, the angels “fall before,” “bow down before” or “pay homage” to the Son.b The context suggests that this means that even the angels render homage to Jesus as God’s chief representative and exalted Son. They appreciate that he has been “crowned with glory and honor” and given authority over the inhabited earth to come.​—Hebrews 2:5, 9.

12. Why is it important for us to pay attention to Jesus’ words?

¹² How should this affect us? After showing Jesus’ superiority over the angels, Paul says: “That is why it is necessary for us to pay more than the usual attention to the things heard by us, that we may never drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1) As the Hebrew Christians knew, the Jews long paid attention to God’s Word, or Law, given through Moses. It is much more vital for us to pay attention to divine guidance provided through Jesus.

13. How might Christians benefit from attention to Jesus? Illustrate.

¹³ Bearing this out, recall what Jesus Christ had said about fleeing when Jerusalem was surrounded by encamped armies. (Luke 19:43, 44; 21:20-24) The Romans surrounded rebellious Jerusalem in 66 C.E. but then mysteriously withdrew, whereupon Christians fled the city. Their paying attention to Jesus saved their lives when the Romans returned, bringing calamity in 70 C.E. Let us learn a lesson from this: With a world calamity just ahead, ask: ‘Am I giving keen attention to Jesus’ words? For example, does the amount of time I spend in recreation, my attitude toward my job or business, or my view of secular education indicate that I have given attention to Jesus’ words at Luke 12:16-31?’

14. (a) In what way is Jesus the ‘Chief Agent of salvation’? (b) Jesus was “made perfect” in what sense?

¹⁴ Hebrews 2:10 calls Jesus the ‘Chief Agent of salvation.’ That is first the case as to anointed Christians who are his “brothers.” (Hebrews 2:11-17) But all who hope for life on a Paradise earth also depend on him for salvation. Paul wrote: “Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered; and after he had been made perfect he became responsible for everlasting salvation to all those obeying him, because he has been specifically called by God a high priest.” (Hebrews 5:8-10) Of course, Jesus had been a perfect spirit, and on earth he was physically perfect. Still, in view of his role as our priest, Jesus had to be perfected in another sense. On earth he received training​—education, disciplining and testing of his obedience even to death—​to perfect him as a merciful and sympathetic high priest.

Confidence in Our High Priest

15. Why do we find so much said about priests in the book of Hebrews?

¹⁵ In reading Hebrews you can see that it has much to say about priests. This is to build our understanding of and appreciation for the “high priest whom we confess​—Jesus.” (Hebrews 3:1) Paul explains that “every high priest taken from among men is appointed in behalf of men over the things pertaining to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” (Hebrews 5:1; 8:3) Much of the Law covenant centered on the fact that humans are sinners. That is why sacrifices were offered in their behalf by priests, who also made offerings to cover their own sins. Yet, the animal sacrifices that were repeated time after time did not overcome sin or make any of the people perfect. (Hebrews 7:11, 19, 27; 10:1-4, 11) This proves that a new covenant was needed, along with a new sacrifice and a new high priest.​—Jeremiah 31:31-34.

16. How does Jesus as a priest excel over Israelite priests?

¹⁶ We have such in Christ. Foreshadowed by Melchizedek, whose lineage is not given in the Bible, Jesus did not become a priest through natural descent from Levi or Aaron. God appointed him directly. (Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17; 5:5, 6) If God thus approves of Jesus as high priest, can we not have full confidence in him? Furthermore, he will not soon die and need replacement, as was the case with priests under the Law. He was able to offer a final sacrifice, his own body; it was perfect, and the sacrifice would never have to be repeated. Christ our high priest took the value of his life blood to heaven and presented it before God. He is still there, serving as a priest for us.​—Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:12-18.

17. In what ways are we helped by having Jesus as high priest?

¹⁷ We can have confidence in our high priest as we face the coming world calamity. Unlike the sacrifices under the Law, Christ’s perfect sacrifice can fully cover our sins. Beyond that, it can “cleanse our consciences from dead works [both past wicked pursuits and any personal efforts of self-justification before God] that we may render sacred service to the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14; 10:1-4) We must agree that, when in a difficult situation and under pressure, a clear conscience before God is of immeasurable value. (Hebrews 10:19-22) In other ways, too, we can delight in having Jesus as a permanent high priest in heaven.

18. Why was it, and is it, good to know that our high priest is sympathetic?

¹⁸ The book of Hebrews assures us that Christ is a sympathetic priest. You can imagine the decisions and problems that the Hebrew Christians faced in the patriotic environment of Jerusalem as they prepared to flee, leaving their homes, relatives and employment. Yet they were not entirely on their own. Paul wrote: “We have as high priest, not one who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in all respects like ourselves, but without sin.” How comforting that must have been to them, and it should be the same to us in the closing days of this system of things! With such a sympathetic high priest “we may obtain mercy and find undeserved kindness for help at the right time.” (Hebrews 4:15, 16) No matter what trial arises, “he is able to come to the aid of those who are being put to the test.”​—Hebrews 2:17, 18.

The Perfecter of Our Faith

19, 20. How is Jesus the “Perfecter of our faith”?

¹⁹ Our faith is specifically involved as we ‘consider Jesus.’ After mentioning “the sin that easily entangles us”​—lack of faith—​Paul speaks of our ‘looking intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus.’ (Hebrews 12:1, 2) Why is that vital during the conclusion of the present system of things?

²⁰ From its first prophecy in Genesis 3:15 the Bible points to the Christ. He is the focal point of much that is foretold and typified in the Bible. Many of the features of the Mosaic Law mentioned in the book of Hebrews were “a shadow of the good things to come.” (Hebrews 9:23; 10:1) But “the reality belongs to the Christ.” (Colossians 2:17) Yes, Jesus’ birth, earthly ministry, sacrificial death, resurrection and priestly service in heaven bring to completion, or perfection, all the prophecies, types and patterns concerning these things.

21. In what additional sense is Jesus the “Perfecter of our faith” today?

²¹ While Paul could recognize Christ as the “Perfecter of our faith,” we have added reason to do so today. We see the major fulfillment of Jesus’ words about the ‘sign of his presence and the conclusion of the system of things.’ (Matthew 24:3) So our faith has a more solid basis. Salvation into “the inhabited earth to come” is also so much closer than it was in Paul’s day. Let us, then, continue to consider Jesus, the Perfecter of our faith, confident that God “becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him” in faith. (Hebrews 2:5; 11:6) As the following article will show, the book of Hebrews can help us to have the needed faith and Christian outlook to be in position to receive the marvelous reward.

[Footnotes]

Lay Hold on the Hope Before You

1, 2. Why should you seriously consider the matter of laying hold on your hope?

THE apostle Paul wrote that “we actually become partakers of the Christ only if we make fast our hold on the confidence we had at the beginning firm to the end.” (Hebrews 3:14) He also spoke of our need “to lay hold on the hope set before us.”​—Hebrews 6:18.

² You may have become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses recently and are zealously sure of your convictions. Or you may have been a Christian witness for decades and feel solid in the way of the truth. In either case, likely each of us can call to mind some people we know who have ceased walking in the way of the truth, even as occurred in the first century. (Philippians 3:18; Acts 20:30) Some may gradually have lost their faith, become preoccupied with material interests or given in to temptation and sinned.

3-5. How can the book of Hebrews be of help with regard to our hope?

³ How can we prevent that from happening to us? Let us reflect on counsel in the book of Hebrews. We will see how appropriate this is for our time, by the faithful endurance of many modern-day witnesses of Jehovah who have been strengthened by such counsel.

⁴ Hebrews was written to Christians who were “partakers of the heavenly calling.” They were anointed with God’s spirit and had the solid hope of following Christ the forerunner into heaven. As you can imagine, ‘this hope was an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm.’ Still, Paul called attention to the need “to lay hold on the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 3:1; 6:18-20) If they had such a need, how much more now do the anointed remnant and the “great crowd” who expect to survive the coming “great tribulation.”​—Revelation 7:9, 15.

⁵ In Hebrews Jehovah alerts us to dangers such as ‘drifting away,’ ‘falling away,’ ‘becoming sluggish,’ ‘shrinking back to destruction’ or ‘begging off.’ (Hebrews 2:1; 6:6, 12; 10:39; 12:25) The book offers fine counsel to help us to show “industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end” and to be “the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul.”​—Hebrews 6:11; 10:39.

“Not the Sort That Shrink Back”

6. What had Hebrew Christians faced, yet what need did they have?

⁶ Evidently many of the Hebrew Christians had experienced persecution. They “endured a great contest under sufferings,” such as being exposed in a Roman theater or jeopardizing themselves by coming to the aid of those in prison. (Hebrews 10:32-34) Nonetheless, they had to work at not being “the sort that shrink back to destruction, but [being] the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul.”​—Hebrews 10:39.

7. (a) How might the prospect of persecution affect a Christian? (b) What should you ask yourself?

⁷ So there is the danger that a Christian might develop a fear of opposition, causing him to “shrink back” or compromise. How about us? We may have had a limited amount of opposition, such as from schoolmates or fellow workers. Even physical abuse, as from an unbelieving mate or parent, has come to some. Yet in many lands it is rather unusual for a Witness to be severely persecuted because of his faith. This can make him less prepared for intense persecution and more liable to “shrink back” when it comes. Let us ask, ‘Might I, after having lived a comfortable life, be tempted to shrink back if I were seriously threatened, such as with the loss of my home, employment or access to my family, or with imprisonment and physical abuse?’

8. What advice about coping with persecution does Hebrews offer us?

⁸ When commenting on showing faith under adversity, Paul urged us to consider how Jesus endured. (Hebrews 12:2, 3) Then Paul reminded us that if severe persecution comes, we should view it as a form of profitable discipline. Of course, God is not causing the persecution; he is merely permitting it. Still, persecution can train us or help us to improve in needed Christian qualities, such as endurance, patience, loyalty and trust in Jehovah.​—Hebrews 12:4-11; James 1:2-4.

9. (a) How do we know that imperfect humans can endure persecution? (b) What occurred with some sisters in a communist land during the 1960’s?

⁹ Lest we feel that only a perfect man could endure, as did Jesus, Hebrews highlights imperfect men and women like us who endured through faith. (Hebrews 11:35-40; 12:1) The “cloud of witnesses” who have endured by faith have been added to in modern times. In August 1982 a Swiss journal printed an article relating one woman’s experiences with Jehovah’s Witnesses imprisoned at a women’s labor camp in a communist land a couple of decades before. Here is the gist of some of her comments:

Only the larger churches have partial freedom because they preach what the State permits. It is not so with the smaller faiths meeting in homes. The most persecuted are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many Witnesses in whose homes copies of The Watchtower were found have been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. It can be understood, then, why the camp authorities were exasperated when the Witnesses somehow kept getting literature in quantity. Every prisoner had been stripped naked and searched, and their clothing was searched to the last thread. Also, any prisoner working in the fields was watched by armed guards and searched upon coming back through the gate. Still the literature appeared. It was as if angels at night flew over and dropped it. Most of the Witnesses were younger women. The first imprisonment would be for 5 to 7 years, the second conviction for not less than 10 years. The Witnesses were the worst off in the camp. When more than three of them met, they were ordered to disperse.

10. Hebrews helps us reach what determination regarding persecution?

¹⁰ Concerning the ancient examples of faith under persecution, Hebrews says that “the world was not worthy of them,” but that Jehovah will see that they are “made perfect” in the earthly Paradise. Who could ask for more? So let us take to heart both ancient and modern examples of faith. Rather than ‘shrinking back to destruction,’ we must be determined to “have faith to the preserving alive of the soul.”​—Hebrews 11:38, 40; 10:39.

Let Us Not “Drift Away”

11. How could ‘drifting away’ be a danger for someone who has been a Christian for quite a while?

¹¹ As Hebrews shows, another danger is ‘drifting away.’ (Hebrews 2:1) Consider how that might occur. A person​—it could be any of us—​became a Christian and was admirably filled with enthusiasm. He readily shared in the field ministry even when he had only limited Biblical knowledge. (Acts 3:1-9; 8:39; 13:48, 49) After some years his excitement should have matured into ardent zeal and deep devotion. Has it? Does he view the Christian ministry as a means to display his love for God and to aid others, as he himself was aided? Or has it become a routine, a chore? If he has children, does he regularly and enthusiastically urge them to be full-time ministers? Or does he mention it only casually and with less conviction than what he says about their getting advanced schooling, having a high-paying job or acquiring an elegant home?​—Revelation 2:4.

12. (a) Hebrews offers us what recommendation so we can avoid ‘drifting away’? (b) What questions might we consider as to paying attention to the Word?

¹² A step to avoid ‘drifting away’ is our ‘paying more than the usual attention to the things heard.’ (Hebrews 2:1) Some of the Hebrew Christians failed in this. After learning the “primary doctrine about the Christ,” they did not “press on to maturity.” When they ‘ought to have been teachers,’ they were still on elementary things. (Hebrews 5:12–6:2) What about us? Are we merely “coasting” or are we progressing through attention to personal study? Do we try to read part of the Bible daily? Do we study Christian publications with genuine interest, even conversing with others about new things we learn? Are we helping our children to progress beyond the ‘milk of the Word’? Can they explain from the Bible the truth about the soul, resurrection, Trinity, Paradise earth, and so forth? Are they doing that in the field service, not remaining at last year’s level?​—1 Peter 3:15.

13. Our imprisoned sisters set what pattern as to study, suggesting what for us?

¹³ Concerning imprisoned Witnesses, the article related:

In their little free time they applied themselves to memorizing Bible passages. Also, they worked at learning foreign languages, particularly English, French and German. The literature they acquired was sometimes in these languages, and those who learned them could thus translate the material for other sisters.

Though few of us are forced as they were to work long hours on a restricted food supply, are we as industriously using our free time to give “more than the usual attention to the things heard”?

Do Not ‘Fall Away’

14. What can befall even persons who have long been Christians?

¹⁴ After urging us to continue progressing, Hebrews warns that those “who have once for all been enlightened” can ‘fall away,’ perhaps to the point of being beyond repentance. (Hebrews 6:4-8) Yes, Christians who have long served God, even anointed ones who have “become partakers of holy spirit,” might be drawn toward something tempting in the present system.

15. How have some fallen away in connection with sex and with business activities?

¹⁵ A number have fallen away through the desire of the flesh or the desire for wealth. (1 John 2:16) Of course, sexual desire is involved when youths give in to premarital sex. But consider another aspect. Some married persons have grown tired of their mate and met up with another person who seems more attractive, makes more interesting conversation or is more successful in this world. Sadly, this has led to divorces and immoral remarriages. Others have “fallen away” to material pursuits, being drawn into business practices that are clearly dishonest or that ignore the government’s licensing and tax requirements. (Matthew 22:21) Or they have promoted pyramid-type monetary ventures or get-rich-quick schemes that tempt people to take greedy advantage of their brothers. (Compare Acts 20:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 11.) These endeavors, aside from their often eclipsing Kingdom interests, have sometimes resulted in hard feelings and disputes, if not charges of fraud. The Bible has been proved true: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare.”​—1 Timothy 6:9.

16. The imprisoned sisters set what good example in resisting temptations?

¹⁶ If we humbly recognize that we are not so strong that we could not fall, then we should be determined not to give in to the beginnings of temptation and sin. (Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 10:12) The sisters in the labor camp provide us with a good example:

Some of them were taken, one by one, to a large city where there were stores, movie theaters and other entertainment. For example, two of the secret police led a sister into a store with plenty of food on display. They told her, ‘Choose what you want.’ She said that she didn’t need anything. It was awful to show shelves of fresh bread and pastries to a worn-out person who had had little to eat for years. Similar temptations were tried at the department stores and theaters. Though they kept her there for a few weeks and promised freedom if she would abandon the faith, nothing availed. They were able to break down only one sister. Months later she came back to the camp, having put on weight and now dressed in fancy clothing. She gave a two-hour lecture to her former sisters, who did not even greet her. Apparently the secret police thought that this was a very ingenious effort and that the sisters would line up and renounce their faith. They got the opposite result.

17. How should we feel about temptations that we face?

¹⁷ Do you feel that you could have been resolute in the face of those temptations? But what about the temptations you do face? Paul wrote: “Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God; but keep on exhorting one another each day, as long as it may be called ‘Today,’ for fear any one of you should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12, 13) To avoid falling away or drawing away, we need to concentrate on “today.”

Manifesting Faith “Today”

18. Why did the Israelites fail to enter into God’s rest?

¹⁸ Paul based his comment about “today” on a quotation from Psalm 95:7-11. (Hebrews 3:7-11) As that passage mentions, the Israelites had hardened their hearts during the days of Moses. The Israelites, after hearing the report of Joshua and Caleb about the Promised Land, manifested lack of faith. (Numbers 13:17–14:38) Even though they there could enjoy peace and blessings during God’s ongoing rest day, the Israelites, with hardened hearts and unbelief, refused to move into the land and live there. So God had them wander in the wilderness for 40 years.​—Hebrews 3:17-19.

19. When and how can we enter into Jehovah’s rest?

¹⁹ God’s great Sabbath Day, or rest day, continues. (Genesis 1:31–2:3) Paul wrote that “a promise is left of entering into his rest.” (Hebrews 4:1, 9) Hence, we Christians can now enter or remain in that “rest.” How? By exercising faith, not in the Joshua of ancient times, but in the Greater Joshua, our leader Jesus. We also need to cease from works of unbelief, such as those manifested by people who do not truly believe that a New Order will ever come. Their lives center on recreation or pleasures. They may want to “be somebody,” such as by acquiring a position or a title. Or they may pursue a philosophy of being a “nice” person.

20, 21. (a) What works do we need to avoid? (b) What good work should we share in, as exemplified by the imprisoned sisters?

²⁰ If we do have faith in Jesus and what lies ahead for God’s people, we should show that by our activities. Paul wrote: “The man that has entered into God’s rest has also himself rested from his own works.” (Hebrews 4:10) Hence, instead of works of unbelief or those in which a person tries to justify himself, we must have works reflecting our faith.

²¹ A prime Christian work is speaking about Jehovah God and his Son. Concerning Jesus, Paul urged: “Let us hold onto our confessing of him.” (Hebrews 4:14) Naturally, we can and should do that in Christian meetings as we make public declaration there of our hope. (Hebrews 10:23-25) But that “public declaration” should include confessing to outsiders our beliefs and hopes. Really, we should feel compelled to make “a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to [God’s] name.” (Hebrews 13:15; 1 Corinthians 9:16) The author of the article mentioned earlier tells of a conversation with one sister:

I said the authorities are putting all of you in prisons, not because of your beliefs, but because you preach to others. If you would sit alone at home and quietly pray, no one would know. She replied, ‘That is true, but our obligation is to speak to others and to gain new brothers and sisters. We cannot be self-centered and prepare just for our own life on earth during the millennium. All people have to know about what life then will be like.’

22. What conviction based on Hebrews do you have?

²² You can see that a key point in Hebrews is that we must “do our utmost to enter into [God’s] rest, for fear anyone should fall in . . . disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11) We can have the deep satisfaction of being in that rest right now, as well as the assured hope of continuing in it when all alive on earth worship God. There is no question about Jehovah’s willingness to bless and preserve those who, through faith and obedience, enter into his rest now. He is “the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Hebrews 11:6) If there is any question, it is about us. Yet even we need not be in question. By our faith and endurance, and with God’s help, we can “lay hold on the hope set before us.”​—Hebrews 6:18.