Serving as Fishers of Men

“Jesus said to Simon: ‘Stop being afraid. From now on you will be catching men alive.’”​—LUKE 5:10.

1, 2. (a) What part has fishing played in mankind’s history? (b) What new kind of fishing was introduced almost 2,000 years ago?

FOR thousands of years, mankind has fished for food in earth’s seas, lakes, and rivers. Fish from the Nile were an important part of the diet in ancient Egypt. When the Nile waters were turned into blood in Moses’ day, Egyptians suffered not only because a water shortage resulted but also because the fish died, affecting their food supply. Later, at Sinai, when Jehovah gave Israel the Law, he told them that certain fish could be eaten but that others were unclean, not to be eaten. This indicated that the Israelites would eat fish when they came to the Promised Land, so some of them would be fishermen.​—Exodus 7:20, 21; Leviticus 11:9-12.

² However, almost 2,000 years ago, another kind of fishing was introduced to mankind. This was a spiritual kind of fishing that would benefit not only the fishermen but also the fish! This kind of fishing is still being practiced today, with immense benefits to millions worldwide.

“Catching Men Alive”

3, 4. Which two fishermen showed great interest in Jesus Christ?

³ In the year 29 C.E., Jesus, the One who would introduce this new form of fishing, was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptizer. A few weeks later, John pointed Jesus out to two of his disciples and said: “See, the Lamb of God!” One of these disciples, whose name was Andrew, quickly told his brother Simon Peter: “We have found the Messiah”! Interestingly, both Andrew and Simon were fishermen by trade.​—John 1:35, 36, 40, 41; Matthew 4:18.

⁴ Quite some time later, Jesus was preaching to the crowds beside the Sea of Galilee, not far from where Peter and Andrew lived. He was telling the people: “Repent, you people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” (Matthew 4:13, 17) We can imagine that Peter and Andrew were eager to hear his message. Likely, though, they did not realize that Jesus was about to say something to them that would change their lives forever. Moreover, what Jesus was to say and do in their presence has an important meaning for all of us today.

5. How was the fisherman Peter able to be of service to Jesus?

⁵ We read: “On an occasion when the crowd was pressing close upon him and listening to the word of God, he was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats docked at the lakeside, but the fishermen had got out of them and were washing off their nets.” (Luke 5:1, 2) Back then, professional fishermen often worked at night, and these men were cleaning their nets after a night of fishing. Jesus decided to use one of their boats in order to preach more effectively to the crowd. “Going aboard one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to pull away a bit from land. Then he sat down, and from the boat he began teaching the crowds.”​—Luke 5:3.

6, 7. What miracle involving fishing did Jesus perform, leading up to what statement about fishing?

⁶ Notice that Jesus had something more in mind than teaching the crowds: “When he ceased speaking, he said to Simon: ‘Pull out to where it is deep, and you men let down your nets for a catch.’” Remember, these fishermen had already been working all night. Not surprisingly, Peter replies: “Instructor, for a whole night we toiled and took nothing, but at your bidding I will lower the nets.” What happened when they did this? “They enclosed a great multitude of fish. In fact, their nets began ripping apart. So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and assist them; and they did come, and they filled both boats, so that these began to sink.”​—Luke 5:4-7.

⁷ Jesus had performed a miracle. That stretch of sea had been barren all night; now it was teeming with fish. This miracle had a strong effect on Peter. “Simon Peter fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying: ‘Depart from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord.’ For at the catch of fish which they took up astonishment overwhelmed him and all those with him, and likewise both James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were sharers with Simon.” Jesus calmed Peter and then said the words that were to change Peter’s life. “Stop being afraid. From now on you will be catching men alive.”​—Luke 5:8-10.

Fishers of Men

8. How did four professional fishermen respond to the invitation to ‘catch men alive’?

⁸ Jesus thus compared men to fish, and he invited this humble fisherman to give up his secular trade for a far grander form of fishing​—catching men alive. Peter, and his brother Andrew, accepted the invitation. “At once abandoning the nets, they followed him.” (Matthew 4:18-20) Jesus next called out to James and John, who were in their boat mending their nets. He invited these also to become fishers of men. How did they respond? “At once leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.” (Matthew 4:21, 22) Jesus showed skill as a fisher of souls. On this occasion he caught four men alive.

9, 10. What faith did Peter and his companions show, and how were they trained in spiritual fishing?

⁹ A professional fisherman makes a living by selling his catch, but a spiritual fisherman cannot do that. Hence, these disciples showed great faith when they abandoned all to follow Jesus. They had no doubt, however, that their spiritual fishing would be successful. Jesus had been able to make unproductive waters teem with literal fish. Similarly, when they let their nets down into the waters of the Israelite nation, the disciples could be sure that, with God’s help, they would catch men alive. The work of spiritual fishing that began back then continues, and Jehovah is still giving a rich harvest.

¹⁰ For more than two years, those disciples were trained by Jesus in fishing for men. On occasion he gave them careful instructions and sent them ahead of him to preach. (Matthew 10:1-7; Luke 10:1-11) When Jesus was betrayed and killed, the disciples were stunned. But did Jesus’ death mean no more fishing for men? Events soon gave the answer.

Fishing in the Sea of Mankind

11, 12. After his resurrection, what miracle did Jesus perform that had to do with fishing?

¹¹ Shortly after Jesus’ death outside Jerusalem and his resurrection, the disciples went back to Galilee. On one occasion seven of them were together near the Sea of Galilee. Peter said he was going fishing, and the others joined him. As usual, they fished at night. In fact, they again cast their net into the sea all night without catching anything. Then at dawn, a figure seen standing on the shore called to them across the water: “Young children, you do not have anything to eat, do you?” The disciples called back: “No!” So the one standing on the shore told them: “‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ Then they cast it, but they were no longer able to draw it in because of the multitude of the fishes.”​—John 21:5, 6.

¹² What an astounding experience! Likely the disciples remembered the earlier miracle involving fishing, and at least one of them realized who the figure on the shore was. “That disciple whom Jesus used to love said to Peter: ‘It is the Lord!’ Hence Simon Peter, upon hearing that it was the Lord, girded about himself his top garment, for he was naked, and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not a long way from land, only about three hundred feet away.”​—John 21:7, 8.

13. After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, what international fishing program was begun?

¹³ What did this miracle indicate? That the work of fishing for men was not finished. This fact was emphasized when Jesus three times went on to tell Peter​—and through him all the disciples—​to feed Jesus’ sheep. (John 21:15-17) Yes, a spiritual feeding program lay ahead. Before his death, he had prophesied: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” (Matthew 24:14) Now it was time for the first-century fulfillment of that prophecy to begin. His disciples were about to lower their nets into the sea of mankind, and the nets would not come up empty.​—Matthew 28:19, 20.

14. In what way was the fishing of Jesus’ followers blessed in the years before the destruction of Jerusalem?

¹⁴ Before he ascended to his Father’s throne in heaven, Jesus said to his followers: “You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) When holy spirit was poured out on the disciples at Pentecost 33 C.E., the great work of spiritual fishing commenced internationally. On the day of Pentecost alone, three thousand souls were caught alive, and soon thereafter “the number of the men became about five thousand.” (Acts 2:41; 4:4) The increase continued. The record tells us: “Believers in the Lord kept on being added, multitudes both of men and of women.” (Acts 5:14) Soon, Samaritans responded to the good news, and shortly thereafter so did uncircumcised Gentiles. (Acts 8:4-8; 10:24, 44-48) Some 27 years after Pentecost, the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians that the good news had been “preached in all creation that is under heaven.” (Colossians 1:23) Clearly, the disciples of Jesus had fished far from the waters of Galilee. They had let their nets down among the Jews dispersed around the Roman Empire, as well as in the apparently unpromising seas of the non-Jewish peoples. And their nets came up full. For the needs of the first-century Christians, Jesus’ prophecy at Matthew 24:14 was fulfilled before Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 C.E.

Fishing for Men in “the Lord’s Day”

15. In the book of Revelation, what further fishing work was prophesied, and when was it to be carried out?

¹⁵ However, more lay ahead. Near the end of the first century, Jehovah granted the last surviving apostle, John, a revelation of things that were to happen during “the Lord’s day.” (Revelation 1:1, 10) One outstanding feature was to be the telling of the good news worldwide. We read: “I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” (Revelation 14:6) Under angelic direction God’s servants would preach the good news literally in all the inhabited earth, not just throughout the Roman Empire. A global work of fishing for souls was to be undertaken, and our day has seen a fulfillment of that vision.

16, 17. When did the latter-day spiritual fishing work begin, and how has Jehovah blessed it?

¹⁶ How has the fishing been during this 20th century? Early on, the fishermen were comparatively few. After World War I ended, there were only about four thousand active preachers of the good news, zealous men and women who were mostly of the anointed. They cast their nets wherever Jehovah opened the way, and many souls were caught alive. Following the second world war, Jehovah opened up new waters for fishing. Missionaries who had attended the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead spearheaded the work in many lands. Countries such as Japan, Italy, and Spain, which may initially have seemed quite barren, eventually yielded rich harvests of souls. We have also recently learned how successful the fishing has been in Eastern Europe.

¹⁷ Today, in many countries the nets are almost breaking. The great harvest of souls has necessitated the organizing of new congregations and circuits. To accommodate these, new Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls are being built all the time. More elders and ministerial servants are needed to care for the increase. A mighty work was begun by those faithful ones back in 1919. In a literal way, Isaiah 60:22 has been fulfilled. ‘The little one has become a thousand,’ as those four thousand fishers have become more than four million today. And the end is not yet.

18. How can we imitate the fine example of first-century spiritual fishers of men?

¹⁸ What does all of this mean for us as individuals? The scripture says that when Peter, Andrew, James, and John were invited to become fishers of men, “they . . . abandoned everything and followed [Jesus].” (Luke 5:11) What a fine example of faith and dedication! Can we cultivate the same spirit of self-sacrifice, the same readiness to serve Jehovah no matter what the cost? Millions have answered that they can. In the first century, the disciples fished for men wherever Jehovah permitted. Whether it was among Jews or Gentiles, they fished without reservation. Let us also preach to everyone without any restraint or prejudice.

19. What should we do if the waters where we are fishing do not seem productive?

¹⁹ What, though, if your territory at present seems unproductive? Do not be discouraged. Remember, Jesus filled the nets of the disciples after they had fished all night without result. The same can happen in a spiritual way. In Ireland, for example, faithful Witnesses labored for years with rather limited results. Yet, recently that has changed. The 1991 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses reports that by the end of the 1990 service year, Ireland had enjoyed 29 peaks in a row! Perhaps your territory will some day produce similarly. As long as Jehovah permits, keep on fishing!

20. When should we engage in fishing for men?

²⁰ In Israel, fishermen went fishing at night, when everyone else was warm and comfortable in bed. They went out, not when it was convenient for them, but when they could catch the most fish. We too should study our territory so that we go fishing, as it were, when the majority of people are at home and receptive. This may be during the evenings, on weekends, or at some other time. Whenever it is, let us do everything we can to locate righthearted people.

21. What should we remember if our territory is frequently worked?

²¹ What if our territory is frequently covered? Professional fishermen in the world often complain that their fishing grounds are overfished. But can our spiritual fishing grounds be overfished? Not really! Many territories yield increase even when frequently covered. Some produce better because of being well worked. Nevertheless, when homes are visited often, be extra sure that all not-at-homes are noted and later contacted. Learn a variety of subjects for conversation. Keep in mind that someone will visit again soon, so do not overstay your welcome or unwittingly antagonize the household. And develop your skills in street work as well as informal witnessing. Let down your spiritual nets on every occasion and in every possible way.

22. What grand privilege do we enjoy at this time?

²² Remember, in this fishing both the fishers and the fish benefit. If those we catch persevere, they can live forever. Paul encouraged Timothy: “Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” (1 Timothy 4:16) It was Jesus who first trained his disciples in spiritual fishing, and this work is still being done under his direction. (Compare Revelation 14:14-16.) What a grand privilege we have to work under him in getting it done! Let us keep letting down our nets as long as Jehovah allows. What greater work could there possibly be than that of catching souls alive?

What Do the Dragnet and Fish Mean for You?

“To you it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens.”​—MATTHEW 13:11.

1, 2. Why might we be interested in Jesus’ illustrations?

DO YOU enjoy knowing a secret or solving a puzzle? What if doing so would help you to see more clearly your part in God’s purpose? Happily, you can gain such privileged insight by means of an illustration that Jesus gave. It confounded many who heard it and has puzzled countless others since, but you can understand it.

² Note what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 13 about his use of illustrations. His disciples asked: “Why is it you speak to them by the use of illustrations?” (Matthew 13:10) Yes, why did Jesus use illustrations that most people would not understand? He replied in Mt 13 verses 11 to 13: “To you it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted. . . . This is why I speak to them by the use of illustrations, because, looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, neither do they get the sense of it.”

3. How can understanding Jesus’ illustrations bring us benefits?

³ Jesus then applied Isaiah 6:9, 10, which described a people who were spiritually deaf and blind. We, though, need not be like that. If we understand and act on his illustrations, we can be very happy​—now and into the endless future. Jesus offers us this warm assurance: “Happy are your eyes because they behold, and your ears because they hear.” (Matthew 13:16) That assurance covers all of Jesus’ illustrations, but let us focus on the brief parable of the dragnet, recorded at Matthew 13:47-50.

An Illustration With Deep Meaning

4. What did Jesus relate by way of illustration, as recorded at Matthew 13:47-50?

⁴ “The kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering up fish of every kind. When it got full they hauled it up onto the beach and, sitting down, they collected the fine ones into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away. That is how it will be in the conclusion of the system of things: the angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the righteous and will cast them into the fiery furnace. There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be.”

5. What sort of questions arise as to the meaning of the dragnet parable?

⁵ You have probably seen men fishing with a net, at least on film or on television, so Jesus’ parable is not difficult to envision. But what about the details and the meaning? For example, Jesus said that this illustration is about “the kingdom of the heavens.” Yet, surely he did not mean that “every kind” of person, the fine and the unsuitable, or wicked, will be in the Kingdom. Also, who do the fishing? Did this fishing and separating occur in Jesus’ day, or might it be confined to our time, “the conclusion of the system of things”? Do you see yourself in this parable? How can you avoid ending up among those who weep and gnash their teeth?

6. (a) Why should we be keenly interested in understanding the dragnet parable? (b) What is a key to its understanding?

⁶ Such questions show that this illustration is not simple after all. Do not forget, though: “Happy are your eyes because they behold, and your ears because they hear.” Let us see if we can delve into its meaning so that our ears are not unresponsive and our eyes are not shut as to its import. Actually, we already have a vital key to unlocking its meaning. The preceding article told of Jesus’ inviting Galilean fishermen to leave that occupation and take up a spiritual work as “fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) He told them: “From now on you will be catching men alive.”​—Luke 5:10.

7. What was Jesus illustrating when he spoke of fish?

⁷ In line with that, the fish in this parable stand for humans. Hence, when Mt 13 verse 49 speaks of separating the wicked from the righteous, it refers, not to righteous or wicked marine life, but to righteous or wicked people. Similarly, Mt 13 verse 50 should not make us think of sea animals that weep or gnash their teeth. No. This parable is about the gathering of humans and their later separation, which is very serious, as the outcome shows.

8. (a) What can we learn as to the outcome for the unsuitable fish? (b) In view of what was said about unsuitable fish, what can we conclude regarding the Kingdom?

⁸ Note that the unsuitable fish, that is, the wicked, will be cast into the fiery furnace, where they will have to weep and gnash their teeth. Elsewhere Jesus linked such weeping and gnashing to being outside the Kingdom. (Matthew 8:12; 13:41, 42) At Matthew 5:22 and Mt 18:9, he even mentioned “fiery Gehenna,” referring to permanent destruction. Does that not show how vital it is to get the meaning of this illustration and to act accordingly? All of us know that there neither are nor will be wicked ones in God’s Kingdom. Hence, when Jesus said that “the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet,” he must have meant that in connection with God’s Kingdom, there is a feature like a net let down to collect various sorts of fish.

9. How are angels involved in the dragnet illustration?

⁹ After the dragnet was let down and the fish collected, there would be a separating work. Who did Jesus say were involved? Matthew 13:49 identified these fishermen-separators as angels. So Jesus was telling us about angelic oversight of an instrument on earth that is used to identify men​—some fine and suitable for the Kingdom of heaven, others proving unsuitable for that calling.

The Fishing​—When?

10. By what reasoning can we determine that the fishing extended over a considerable period of time?

¹⁰ The context helps us to find out when this applies. Just before this, Jesus gave an illustration about the sowing of fine seed, but then weeds were oversown in the field, which pictures the world. He explained at Matthew 13:38 that the fine seed represented “the sons of the kingdom; but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one.” These grew up side by side for many centuries, until the harvest in the conclusion of the system of things. Then the weeds were separated and afterward burned up. Paralleling this with the illustration of the dragnet, we see that the drawing of creatures into the net was to extend over a long period of time.​—Matthew 13:36-43.

11. How did an international fishing operation get under way in the first century?

¹¹ According to Jesus’ parable, fish would be gathered indiscriminately, that is, the dragnet took in both fine fish and unsuitable fish. While the apostles were alive, the angels guiding the fishing operation used God’s Christian organization to catch “fish” who became anointed Christians. You might say that before Pentecost 33 C.E., Jesus’ fishing for men netted about 120 disciples. (Acts 1:15) But once the congregation of anointed Christians was established, the fishing with the dragnet instrument began, and thousands of fine fish were caught. From 36 C.E., the fishing spread widely into international waters, as Gentiles were drawn to Christianity and became members of Christ’s anointed congregation.​—Acts 10:1, 2, 23-48.

12. What developed after the death of the apostles?

¹² In the centuries after the apostles left the scene, there continued to be some Christians striving to find and hold to divine truth. At least some of these had God’s approval, and he anointed them with holy spirit. Still, the death of the apostles removed a restraining influence, allowing a widespread apostasy to develop. (2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8) An organization grew up that unworthily professed to be God’s congregation. It falsely claimed to be the holy nation anointed with God’s spirit to rule with Jesus.

13. Why can it be said that Christendom had a role in the dragnet operation?

¹³ Do you think that unfaithful professors of Christianity had any part in the illustration of the dragnet? Well, there is reason to answer, yes, they did. The symbolic dragnet included Christendom. True, for ages the Catholic Church tried to keep the Bible from the common people. Nevertheless, over the centuries members of Christendom played a key role in translating, copying, and distributing God’s Word. Churches later formed or supported Bible societies, which rendered the Bible into the languages of remote lands. They also sent out medical missionaries and teachers, who made rice Christians. This gathered vast numbers of unsuitable fish, who did not have God’s approval. But at least it exposed millions of non-Christians to the Bible and to a form of Christianity, although corrupted.

14. How was fishing for fine fish aided by some work done by the churches of Christendom?

¹⁴ All the while, the scattered faithful ones adhering to God’s Word exerted themselves as best they could. At any given time, they constituted God’s true anointed congregation on earth. And we may be sure that they too were catching fish, or men, many of whom God would view as fine and whom he would anoint with his spirit. (Romans 8:14-17) These fine professors of Christianity were able to bring Bible truth to many who had become rice Christians or who had gained limited Biblical knowledge from the Scriptures translated into their tongues by Christendom’s Bible societies. True, the collecting of fine fish was going on, even though most being gathered by Christendom were unsuitable from God’s standpoint.

15. Pointedly, what is represented by the dragnet of the parable?

¹⁵ So the dragnet represents an earthly instrument that professes to be God’s congregation and that gathers in fish. It has included both Christendom and the congregation of anointed Christians, the latter having continued to collect fine fish, under the invisible guidance of the angels, in line with Matthew 13:49.

Our Time Is Special

16, 17. Why is the time we live in so important in the outworking of Jesus’ illustration of the dragnet?

¹⁶ Let us now consider the time element. For centuries the dragnet instrument gathered fine fish as well as many unsuitable, or wicked, ones. Then the time came when the angels got involved in doing a crucial separating work. When? Well, Mt 13 verse 49 clearly says that it is during “the conclusion of the system of things.” This matches what Jesus said in the illustration of the sheep and the goats: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”​—Matthew 25:31, 32.

¹⁷ Hence, in accord with Matthew 13:47-50, a crucial separating work under angelic guidance has been in progress since “the conclusion of the system of things” began in 1914. This became particularly evident after 1919, when the remnant of anointed ones were freed from temporary spiritual bondage, or captivity, and became a more effective instrument for accomplishing the fishing work.

18. How have the fine fish been gathered into vessels?

¹⁸ What was to happen to the separated fine fish? Mt 13 Verse 48 says that the angelic fishermen-separators “collected the fine [fish] into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away.” The vessels are protective containers into which fine fish are put. Has this occurred in our time? Definitely. As symbolic fine fish have been caught alive, they have been gathered into congregations of true Christians. These vessellike congregations have helped to protect and to reserve them for divine service, do you not agree? Still, someone could think, ‘This is all well and good, but what does it have to do with my present life and my future?’

19, 20. (a) Why is it vital today to get the sense of this parable? (b) What important fishing work has been done since 1919?

¹⁹ The outworking of what was here illustrated was not limited to the centuries between the apostles’ time and 1914. During that period, the dragnet instrument came to gather both false and true professors of Christianity. Yes, it was gathering in both unsuitable fish and fine fish. Furthermore, the separating work done by angels did not end back around 1919. No, indeed. In some aspects this illustration of the dragnet is applicable right down to our time. We are involved and so is our immediate future. It is imperative for us to understand how and why that is so if we want these words to describe us: “Happy are your eyes because they behold, and your ears because they hear” with understanding.​—Matthew 13:16.

²⁰ You likely know that after 1919 the anointed remnant got busy in the preaching work in cooperation with the angels, who continued to use the symbolic dragnet to haul fish onto the beach, to separate the fine ones from the unsuitable ones. Statistics from that period show that the catch of fine fish for anointing with God’s spirit continued as the last ones of the 144,000 were gathered by the symbolic net. (Revelation 7:1-4) But by the mid-1930’s, the collecting of fine fish for anointing with holy spirit basically ended. Was the congregation of the anointed remnant then to discard the net, as it were, and simply sit idle, waiting for their heavenly reward? Not at all!

Your Involvement in the Fishing

21. What other fishing has occurred in our time? (Luke 23:43)

²¹ Jesus’ illustration of the dragnet focused on fine fish who would be rewarded with a place in the Kingdom of the heavens. Yet, aside from that illustration, there is other symbolic fishing occurring on a vast scale, even as was illustrated in the preceding article. This fishing is, not for the fine anointed fish mentioned in Jesus’ illustration, but for symbolic fish to be caught alive and given the marvelous hope of life on a paradise earth.​—Revelation 7:9, 10; compare Matthew 25:31-46.

22. What happy outcome can we experience, and what is the alternative?

²² If you entertain that hope, then you can rejoice that Jehovah has allowed a lifesaving fishing work to continue till now. This has made it possible for you to gain a marvelous prospect. Prospect? Yes, that is the fitting word to use, since the outcome will be in accord with our continued faithfulness to the One who is directing the ongoing fishing effort. (Zephaniah 2:3) Recall from the illustration that not all fish drawn up by the dragnet experience a favorable outcome. Jesus said that the unsuitable, or wicked, ones will be separated from the righteous ones. To what end? At Matthew 13:50, Jesus described the serious consequence for the unsuitable, or wicked, fish. These will be cast into the fiery furnace, meaning eternal destruction.​—Revelation 21:8.

23. What makes the fishing work today so important?

²³ For the fine anointed fish, as well as for the symbolic fish who may live forever on earth, there is a glorious future. With good reason, then, the angels are seeing to it that right now a successful fishing operation is being carried on around the globe. And what a catch is being made! You would be right in saying that in its own way, it is just as miraculous a catch as that of the literal fish that the apostles enjoyed when they let down their nets at Jesus’ direction.

24. What should we want to do respecting the spiritual fishing?

²⁴ Are you having as active a share as possible in this lifesaving work of spiritual fishing? No matter how extensive our individual share has been up to this time, each of us can beneficially look at what is being accomplished globally in the grand fishing and lifesaving work now in progress. Doing so should stimulate us to even greater zeal in letting down the nets for a catch in the days right ahead!​—Compare Matthew 13:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1.

Fishing for Men in Global Waters

“If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!”​—1 CORINTHIANS 9:16.

1, 2. (a) Who have truly met the challenge implied at 1 Corinthians 9:16, and why do you so answer? (b) What responsibility have Jehovah’s Witnesses accepted?

WHO in this 20th century have truly met the challenge presented by Paul’s words above? Who have gone out into the world by the millions to fish for men and women who are “conscious of their spiritual need”? (Matthew 5:3) Who have risked imprisonment and death, and who have suffered such in many lands because of fulfilling Christ’s command at Matthew 24:14?

² The record answers: Jehovah’s Witnesses. Last year alone over four million Witnesses went from house to house ‘declaring the good news’ in 211 countries and territories and in more than 200 languages. These were not just a select group of trained missionaries. No, all of Jehovah’s Witnesses feel a responsibility to preach and teach from house to house and on every appropriate occasion. Why do they feel that need to share their beliefs with others? Because they recognize that knowledge brings responsibility.​—Ezekiel 33:8, 9; Romans 10:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 9:16, 17.

Fishing for Men, a Global Challenge

3. How extensive must the fishing work be?

³ This great fishing work is not confined, as it were, to some river or lake or even one ocean. No, as Jesus commanded, it is to be carried out “in all the nations.” (Mark 13:10) Before ascending to his Father, Jesus told his disciples: “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 conclusion of the system of things.”​—Matthew 28:19, 20.

4. (a) What must have surprised Jesus’ early Jewish followers? (b) How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view the extent of their preaching work?

⁴ To Jesus’ Jewish followers, that must have been a startling commission. He was telling his Jewish disciples that they would now have to go out to the “unclean” Gentiles of all the nations and teach them. It took some readjusting for them to absorb the impact of and act on that assignment. (Acts 10:9-35) But there was no getting around it; Jesus had told them in a parable that “the field is the world.” Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses today view the whole world as the scene for their fishing rights. There can be no “12-mile [20 km] limit” or “territorial waters” restricting their commission from God. Sometimes discretion is needed where religious freedom does not exist. Nevertheless, they fish with a sense of urgency. Why is that? Because world events and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicate that we are in the final part of the global fishing work.​—Matthew 13:38; Luke 21:28-33.

Progress in the Global Fishing Work

5. What kind of people are responding to the global fishing work?

⁵ Most of the anointed Kingdom heirs were “fished” from the nations prior to 1935, so their full number has basically been completed. Therefore, especially since 1935, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been seeking those humble persons who might be described as “meek ones” who “will possess the earth.” (Psalm 37:11, 29) These are people who “are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done.” They are making a move in favor of God’s Kingdom rule before the “great tribulation” strikes Satan’s depraved and corrupt system of things and his worshipers are assigned to “the fiery furnace” of final destruction.​—Ezekiel 9:4; Matthew 13:47-50; 24:21.

6, 7. (a) What steps were taken in 1943 with regard to the preaching work? (b) What have the results been?

⁶ Has the global fishing work been successful so far? Let the facts speak for themselves. Back in 1943, World War II was still raging, yet the faithful anointed brothers at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York, foresaw that a vast global fishing operation would have to be carried out. So, what steps were taken?a​—Revelation 12:16, 17.

⁷ In 1943 the Watchtower Society established a missionary school called Gilead (Hebrew, “Witness Heap”; Genesis 31:47, 48) that began training a hundred missionaries every six months so that they could be sent out as symbolic fishers earth wide. Back then, there were only 126,329 Witnesses actively fishing for men in 54 lands. Within ten years those figures had virtually jumped to 519,982 Witnesses in 143 lands! Surely, Gilead School was producing intrepid fishermen and fisherwomen, willing to go out to foreign cultures and adapt to new fishing waters. As a result, thousands of honesthearted people responded. Those missionaries, and local Witnesses they worked with, laid a foundation for the marvelous increase that is now taking place.

8, 9. (a) What examples might be cited of outstanding missionary work? (b) How have missionaries seen outstanding growth in their fields? (See also the 1992 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses.)

⁸ Many faithful veterans from those early classes of Gilead are still serving in their foreign assignments, even though they are now over 70 or even 80 years of age. One example that typifies many of these is that of 82-year-old Eric Britten and his wife, Christina, who graduated from Gilead’s 15th class in 1950 and are still serving in Brazil. When they went to serve in Brazil, there were fewer than 3,000 Witnesses in that country. Now there are over 300,000! Surely, the ‘small one has become a mighty nation’ in Brazil because the fishing work has been productive.​—Isaiah 60:22.

⁹ And what can we say about the missionaries in Africa? Most have adapted to a very different culture and have come to love the African peoples. Typical are the brothers John and Eric Cooke and their wives, Kathleen and Myrtle, presently serving in South Africa. John and Eric were graduated from the eighth class in 1947. Between them they have served in Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. Some missionaries died in Africa because of disease, and others because of war and persecution, such as Alan Battey and Arthur Lawson, who died during the recent civil war in Liberia. Yet, the African waters have proved to be very productive. There are now over 400,000 Witnesses spread throughout that vast continent.

All Have a Part

10. Why and in what way are pioneers doing a commendable work?

¹⁰ However, it has to be recognized that while the foreign missionaries have numbered some thousands, the local publishers and pioneersb have become millions. They are doing the bulk of the preaching work earth wide. In 1991 there was an average of over 550,000 pioneers and traveling ministers. What an impressive figure that is when we think of all these faithful Witnesses making a special effort to participate in the great fishing work, averaging anywhere from 60 to 140 hours of preaching each month. Many do this at great personal sacrifice and expense. But why? Because they love Jehovah their God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, and they love their neighbors as themselves.​—Matthew 22:37-39.

11. What sure evidence is there of Jehovah’s spirit at work among his people?

¹¹ What can we say of the over three and a half million other Witnesses who are not in full-time service but nevertheless give 100 percent in Jehovah’s service, according to their circumstances? Some are wives, even mothers caring for small children, who nevertheless devote some of their valuable time to the global fishing work. Many are husbands or fathers with a full-time secular job; yet, they set aside time on weekends and evenings to teach the truth to strangers. Then there is the great crowd of single men and women and young ones who share in preaching and who recommend the truth by their conduct. What other religious group has over four million unpaid volunteers who every month preach the good news of God’s Kingdom rule? Surely this evidences Jehovah’s spirit at work!​—Psalm 68:11; Acts 2:16-18; compare Zechariah 4:6.

Factors That Contribute to Growth

12. Why and in what numbers are people responding to the truth?

¹² This vast preaching work is bringing remarkable results every year. In 1991 over 300,000 new Witnesses were baptized by total immersion in water. That is the equivalent of over 3,000 congregations of 100 Witnesses each! How is all of this achieved? Let us remember what Jesus said: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him . . . It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by Jehovah.’ Everyone that has heard from the Father and has learned comes to me.” Therefore, it is not just by human effort that one responds to the global fishing. Jehovah perceives the heart condition and draws toward himself those worthy ones.​—John 6:44, 45; Matthew 10:11-13; Acts 13:48.

13, 14. What fine attitude have many Witnesses manifested?

¹³ Human fishers are the agents, however, that Jehovah uses to draw people to him. Therefore, their attitude toward the people and the territory where they fish is important. How encouraging it is to see that the vast majority have taken to heart Paul’s words to the Galatians: “So let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out.”​—Galatians 6:9.

¹⁴ Many faithful Witnesses have been preaching for decades, while closely watching world developments. They have seen the rise and fall of Nazism, Fascism, and other totalitarian systems. Some have witnessed the many wars that have taken place since 1914. They have seen world leaders pin their hopes on the League of Nations and then on the United Nations. They have seen Jehovah’s work banned and later legalized in many lands. Through all of this, Jehovah’s Witnesses have not given up in doing what is fine, including serving as fishers of men. What an outstanding record of integrity!​—Matthew 24:13.

15. (a) What help have we had in adapting to the needs of our worldwide territory? (b) How have publications helped in your assignment?

¹⁵ There are other factors that have contributed to this worldwide growth. One is the flexible attitude of the fishers of men toward the needs of the territory. With the migration of peoples of different cultures, religions, and languages, Jehovah’s Witnesses have broadened their understanding of these diverse viewpoints. And the worldwide congregation has helped tremendously by preparing Bibles and Bible literature in over 200 languages. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, whole or in part, is now in 13 languages, including Czech and Slovak. The brochure Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! is now available in 198 languages, ranging from Albanian to Zulu, with a printing of 72 million copies. The book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived is already available in 69 languages. Mankind’s Search for God, published in 29 languages, gives insight into the origin and beliefs of the major religious systems of the world and is proving a unique aid in the global fishing.

16. How have some responded to the needs in other lands?

¹⁶ What else has furthered the global fishing work? Thousands have been willing to respond to the ‘Macedonian call.’ Just as Paul was willing to move from Asia Minor to Macedonia in Europe, at God’s call, many Witnesses have moved to lands and territories where there is a greater need for Kingdom preachers, as well as for elders and ministerial servants. They have been like literal fishermen who find their local waters to be well fished and move out into waters where there are fewer boats and the fish are plentiful.​—Acts 16:9-12; Luke 5:4-10.

17. What examples do we have of those who have responded to the ‘Macedonian call’?

¹⁷ Recent classes of the Gilead missionary school have included students from various European countries who have learned English and have then offered themselves for service in other lands and cultures. Likewise, through the Ministerial Training School, many single brothers are given two months of intensive training and are then sent to other nations to strengthen the congregations and the circuits. Other unique fishing grounds are in the territories that are now opening up in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics.​—Compare Romans 15:20, 21.

18. (a) Why are pioneers usually effective ministers? (b) How can they help others in the congregation?

¹⁸ An additional aid in the worldwide fishing work is the Pioneer Service School that regular pioneers attend. Through two weeks of intensive coverage of the publication Shining as Illuminators in the World, prepared exclusively for pioneers, they improve their ministerial ability as they consider such subjects as “Pursuing the Way of Love,” “Follow Jesus as a Model,” and “Developing the Art of Teaching.” How grateful all the congregations are to have these teams of qualified house-to-house fishers who can train many in this great fishing work!​—Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15; 2 Timothy 2:1, 2.

Can We Improve?

19. Like the apostle Paul, how can we improve in our ministry?

¹⁹ Like Paul, we want to have a positive, forward-looking attitude. (Philippians 3:13, 14) He adapted to all kinds of people and circumstances. He knew how to find common ground and how to reason on the basis of local attitudes and culture. We can start Bible studies by being alert to a householder’s reactions to the Kingdom message and then adapting our presentation to the person’s needs. With the wide variety of Bible study aids we have, we can offer the one that suits the individual’s outlook. Our flexibility and alertness are also important factors in productive fishing.​—Acts 17:1-4, 22-28, 34; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

20. (a) Why is our fishing work so important now? (b) What is our individual responsibility now?

²⁰ Why is this unique global fishing work so important now? Because from Bible prophecies reflected in the events that have taken place and that are taking place, it is evident that Satan’s world system is heading for a disastrous climax. So, what should we, Jehovah’s Witnesses, be doing? The three study articles in this magazine have highlighted our responsibility to be industrious and zealous in our fishing activity in our portion of the global waters. We have the solid assurance from the Bible that Jehovah will not forget our diligent fishing activity. Paul stated: “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering. But we desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end.”​—Hebrews 6:10-12.

[Footnotes]

[Chart on page 24]

RESULTS OF INTERNATIONAL FISHING

Year Lands Witnesses

1939 61 71,509

1943 54 126,329

1953 143 519,982

1973 208 1,758,429

1983 205 2,652,323

1991 211 4,278,820