grand display of Jehovah’s battle power at Armageddon.

19. What will happen to the desire or craving of the wicked, and who will have happiness, even in 1955?

¹⁹ “The desire [craving] of the wicked shall perish.” Their wicked schemes against the righteous will not prosper, except to their own destruction, and all the things upon which they have set their eyes as desirable in this world will perish with them, to their everlasting disappointment. In glorious contrast, the righteous Kingdom publishers will see their desire fulfilled as they gaze upon their adversaries, for they will be on Jehovah’s winning side and will survive into the triumphant new world where Jehovah’s vindication will forever be celebrated. Oh, the unhappiness of the man that does not fear Jehovah and that does not delight greatly in His commandments! But, oh, your own happiness if you will be a fearer of Jehovah in 1955 and keep his commandments with God-given freedom from fear!

Questions From Readers

● What is meant by the “high places of Isaac” mentioned at Amos 7:9, and is it not contradictory for the Bible to say that certain kings removed the high places, yet later on say they failed to abolish them?—A. M., Turkey.

The “high places” refer to the sacred high places of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel, whose capital was Samaria, Jeroboam II being then king of Israel. The ten tribes were descendants of Isaac as well as of Jacob or Israel. Hence the expression “high places of Isaac” runs parallel with the “sanctuaries of Israel” mentioned in the same verse (Amos 7:9). The high places of “Isaac” (equivalent to Israel) refer therefore to the sacred high places of golden calf worship at Bethel and Dan, which were patronized by these ten tribes of apostate descendants of Isaac through Jacob or Israel.—1 Ki. 12:28-33.

Concerning King Asa of the kingdom of Judah it is written: “He took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.” Yet later it is recorded concerning his reign: “But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.” And of his successor Jehoshaphat we read: “And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.” But of his reign also we later read: “Howbeit the high places were not taken away.”—2 Chron. 14:3-5; 15:17; 17:6; 20:33, AS.

How can these apparent contradictions be explained? It seems evident that the high places in Judah fell into two classes, one where pagan gods were worshiped and the other where Jehovah was worshiped. There was to be no toleration of the high places of the Canaanites where their idolatries were practiced: “You must drive away all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their stone figures, and all their images of molten metal you should destroy and all their sacred high places you should annihilate.” But even after the tabernacle was established and still later the temple, there was some sacrificing done to Jehovah on high places which was acceptable to him, the sacrificing done by Samuel and David and Elijah, for example. Also, some improper modes of high-place worship were carried on in Jehovah’s name, and for this reason may have persisted longer than the high places devoted to pagan gods. Even the idolatrous calf worship at Sinai was called “a festival to Jehovah.”—Num. 33:52; Ex. 32:5, NW; 1 Sam. 9:11-19; 1 Chron. 21:26; 1 Ki. 18:30-39.

So it may be that these kings removed all the high places devoted to pagan gods but allowed those where Jehovah was worshiped to remain. If that is the case, then their purging work was not thorough and complete, because in general the proper place for sacrificing to Jehovah was at the tabernacle or temple, and when it was acceptably done elsewhere it was a special case. (Deut. 12:2-14; Josh. 22:29) Yet with the two classes of high places in mind it could be said that the kings removed all of one kind but those of the other class remained.

Or it is possible that Asa removed all the high places of both kinds but that they persisted secretly or cropped up again toward the end of his reign, and were present for his successor Jehoshaphat to smash again, only to have them again go underground and break out later on. Whether we view the explanation to be on the basis of two classes of high places or on the basis of their return after once being overthrown, we must still recognize a revival of the high places, for if they had not returned after Asa overthrew them there would have been none for his successor to smash. Certainly the people were persistent and tenacious in clinging to and returning to demon worship.

Announcements

LIVING NOW AS A NEW WORLD SOCIETY—Matt. 19:28, 29, NW.

The expression “the New World Society” is becoming more and more prominent with each passing day. Just what is it? The New World society is a group of people, Christian people, organized and working together in a common work, meeting together regularly and worshiping the one true God, and striving to live according to a common standard, God’s standard. Being located in 159 different lands its members spread beyond the bounds of any one nation or empire. But regardless of their individual location, one and all look to and serve Jehovah God. During December Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions in all 159 lands will work together, well organized to call at the homes of as many people as they can with Bible truths and aids to Bible study. Three books and three booklets will be offered on a contribution of $1.50, or the New World Translation of the Hebrew or Greek Scriptures and one book on a contribution of $2. The placing of this literature will enable many more to start learning and living for the new world.

ARE YOUR PLANS LAID?

Though it seems almost no time since Jehovah’s witnesses gathered for their 1954 district assemblies, it is already time to lay your plans for the 1955 gatherings. Such cities as Chicago, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, London, Paris, Rome, Nuremberg, Stockholm and The Hague will be scenes of theocratic rejoicing, Christian fellowship and spiritual encouragement. Thousands of Jehovah’s witnesses will attend four, five or more of these assemblies, especially those in Europe. Will you join this enthusiastic group of conventioners traveling to Europe, benefiting from the rich spiritual feasts that will be provided? being stirred to greater activity through the zeal of the brothers you meet in other lands? and being a strength and encouragement to them by your presence there? If you have not yet decided which assemblies you can attend and how you will get there, then now is the time to talk to your local congregation servant and make definite plans. Do it now! June is only six months away, and the first convention will be under way.

A WORLD-WIDE REPORT

To the headquarters of the Watchtower Society, from all directions, have come reports of the inspiring work Jehovah’s witnesses have done as another year of their activity comes to a conclusion. Compiled into a comprehensive record the 1955 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses brings you the account of their world-wide ministerial work. The entire book is filled with interesting and true accounts and happenings they have experienced in preaching the kingdom of God as the only hope for mankind. You will be amazed and inspired on reading this absorbing report. Also, the Yearbook contains helpful texts and comments for each day of 1955. Order your copy for 50 cents right away. As a companion publication to the Yearbook is the 1955 calendar displaying the yeartext with appropriate illustration. Calendars are 25 cents each or five to one address for $1. Order now.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of January 16: Prospects of Fearers of Jehovah for 1955, ¶1-22.

Week of January 23: Prospects of Fearers of Jehovah for 1955, ¶23-25; also, Freedom from Fear in 1955.