Faith and Your Future

“Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for.”—HEBREWS 11:1.

1. Most people want what kind of future?

ARE you interested in the future? Most people are. What they hope for is a future of peace, freedom from fear, decent living conditions, productive and enjoyable work, good health and long life. No doubt every generation in history has wanted those things. And today, in this world that is so filled with trouble, such conditions are more desirable than ever.

2. How was one view of the future expressed by a statesman?

² As mankind moves toward the 21st century, is there any way to determine what the future will be like? One way was expressed over 200 years ago by the American statesman Patrick Henry. He said: “I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.” According to this view, the future of the human family can be known to a considerable extent by what man did in the past. Many agree with that idea.

What Was the Past Like?

3. What does the record of history indicate regarding prospects for the future?

³ If the future is going to be a reflection of the past, do you find that encouraging? Did the future get better for previous generations down through the ages? Not really. Despite the hopes people have had for thousands of years and despite material progress in some places, history has been filled with oppression, crime, violence, war, and poverty. This world has experienced one calamity after another, mainly brought about by unsatisfactory human rule. The Bible accurately states: “Man has dominated man to his injury.”—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

4, 5. (a) Why were people hopeful in the early 20th century? (b) What happened to their hopes for the future?

⁴ The fact is that the bad history of mankind keeps repeating itself—but on an ever larger and more damaging scale. This 20th century is proof of that. Did mankind learn from and avoid the mistakes of the past? Well, at the beginning of this century, many put faith in a better future because there had been a relatively long period of peace and because of advances in industry, science, and education. In the early 1900’s, said a university professor, it was believed that war was no longer possible because “people were too civilized.” A former British prime minister said of the view people had back at that time: “Everything would get better and better. This was the world I was born in.” But then he stated: “Suddenly, unexpectedly, one morning in 1914 the whole thing came to an end.”

⁵ Despite the faith in a better future prevailing at that time, the new century had hardly begun when the world was engulfed in the worst man-made catastrophe ever—World War I. As an example of its nature, consider what took place in 1916 in one battle when British troops attacked German lines near the Somme River in France. In just hours the British suffered a loss of 20,000, and many were killed on the German side. Four years of slaughter took the lives of nearly ten million soldiers and many civilians. France’s population declined for a while because of so many men lost. Economies were ruined, leading to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. No wonder that some have said that the day World War I began was the day the world went mad!

6. Did life get better after World War I?

⁶ Was this the future hoped for by that generation? No, far from it. Their hopes were dashed to pieces; nor did all of that lead to anything better. Only 21 years after World War I, or in 1939, a much worse man-made catastrophe began—World War II. It took the lives of some 50 million men, women, and children. Mass bombings pulverized cities. In World War I, some thousands of soldiers were killed in one battle in just hours, whereas in World War II, only two atom bombs killed over 100,000 people in just seconds. What many consider even worse was the systematic murder of millions in Nazi concentration camps.

7. What is the reality of this entire century?

⁷ Several sources state that if we include wars between nations, civil conflicts, and deaths inflicted by governments on their own citizens, those killed in this century would total about 200 million. One source even puts the figure at 360 million. Imagine the horror of it all—the pain, the tears, the anguish, and the ruined lives! In addition, on the average, about 40,000 people, mostly children, die each day from poverty-related causes. Three times that number are killed by abortions every day. Also, about one billion people are too poor to obtain the food needed to do a normal day’s work. All these conditions are evidence of what was foretold in Bible prophecy that we live in “the last days” of this wicked system of things.—2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13; Matthew 24:3-12; Luke 21:10, 11; Revelation 6:3-8.

No Human Solutions

8. Why cannot human leaders solve the world’s problems?

⁸ As this 20th century nears its end, we can add its experience to that of past centuries. And what does that history tell? It tells us that human leaders have never solved the major problems of the world, that they are not solving them now, and that they will not solve them in the future. It is simply beyond their ability to provide the kind of future we want, no matter how well-meaning they may be. And some in authority are not that well-meaning; they seek position and power for their own egotistical and material ends, not for the good of others.

9. Why is there reason to doubt that science has the answers to man’s problems?

⁹ Does science have the answers? Not if we consider the past. Government scientists have expended huge amounts of money, time, and effort developing terribly destructive chemical, biological, and other kinds of weapons. The nations, including those that can least afford it, spend over 700 billion dollars on armaments every year! Also, ‘scientific progress’ is partly responsible for the chemicals that have contributed to the pollution of air, land, water, and food.

10. Why does even education not ensure a better future?

¹⁰ Can we hope that the educational institutions of the world will help build a better future by teaching high moral standards, consideration for others, and love of neighbor? No. Instead, they focus on careers, on making money. They engender a very competitive spirit, not a cooperative one; nor do the schools teach morals. Rather, many of them condone sexual liberty, which has produced a huge increase in teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

11. How does the record of business enterprises cast doubt on the future?

¹¹ Will the great business enterprises of the world suddenly be motivated to take good care of our planet and to show love for others by making products that will be of genuine benefit and not just for profit? That is not likely. Will they stop producing television programs filled with violence and immorality that contribute to corrupting the minds of people, especially the young? The recent past is not at all encouraging because, for the most part, TV has become a cesspool of immorality and violence.

12. What is the human condition as to sickness and death?

¹² Furthermore, however sincere medical doctors are, they cannot conquer sickness and death. For instance, at the end of World War I, they were unable to contain the Spanish influenza; worldwide, it took some 20 million lives. Today, heart disease, cancer, and other death-dealing ailments are rampant. Neither has the medical world conquered the modern plague of AIDS. On the contrary, a U.N. report publicized in November 1997 concluded that the rate at which the AIDS virus is spreading is double previous estimates. Already, millions have died from it. In a recent year, another three million became infected.

How Jehovah’s Witnesses View the Future

13, 14. (a) How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view the future? (b) Why can humans not bring about a better future?

¹³ However, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that mankind has a bright future, the very best! But they do not expect that better future to come by human efforts. Instead, they look to the Creator, Jehovah God. He knows what the future will be like, and it will be a marvelous one! He also knows that humans cannot bring about such a future. Since God created them, he knows their limitations far better than anyone else. In his Word, he clearly tells us that he did not create humans with the ability to govern successfully without divine guidance. God’s long permission of human rule independent of him has demonstrated that inability beyond any doubt. One author acknowledged: “The mind of man has tried all possible combinations of sovereignty, and in vain.”

¹⁴ At Jeremiah 10:23, we read the words of the inspired prophet: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” Also, Psalm 146:3 states: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” In fact, because we are born imperfect, as Romans 5:12 shows, God’s Word cautions us not to trust in ourselves either. Jeremiah 17:9 says: “The heart is more treacherous than anything else.” Thus, Proverbs 28:26 declares: “He that is trusting in his own heart is stupid, but he that is walking in wisdom is the one that will escape.”

15. Where can we find the wisdom to guide us?

¹⁵ Where can we find this wisdom? “The fear of Jehovah is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is what understanding is.” (Proverbs 9:10) Only Jehovah has the wisdom that can guide us through these fearful times. And he has given us access to his wisdom through the Holy Scriptures, which he inspired for our guidance.—Proverbs 2:1-9; 3:1-6; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

The Future of Human Rule

16. Who has determined the future?

¹⁶ What, then, does God’s Word tell us about the future? It tells us that the future will most certainly not reflect what humans have done in the past. So Patrick Henry’s viewpoint was wrong. The future of this earth and the people on it is to be determined, not by humans, but by Jehovah God. His will is going to be done on earth, not the will of any men or nations of this world. “Many are the plans in the heart of a man, but the counsel of Jehovah is what will stand.”—Proverbs 19:21.

17, 18. What is God’s will for our time?

¹⁷ What is God’s will for our time? He has purposed to bring an end to this violent, immoral system of things. The centuries-old bad reign of humans will soon be replaced with a rulership of God’s making. The prophecy found at Daniel 2:44 states: “In the days of those kings [that exist today] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom [in heaven] that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.” The Kingdom will also remove the evil influence of Satan the Devil, something humans could never do. His rulership of this world will forever cease.—Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19.

¹⁸ Note that the heavenly government will crush out of existence all forms of human rule. The governing of this earth will not be left to people. In heaven, those who make up God’s Kingdom will control all earth’s affairs for the good of mankind. (Revelation 5:10; 20:4-6) On earth, faithful humans will cooperate with the directives of God’s Kingdom. This is the rulership Jesus taught us to pray for when he said: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”—Matthew 6:10.

19, 20. (a) How does the Bible describe the Kingdom arrangement? (b) What will its rule do for mankind?

¹⁹ Jehovah’s Witnesses put their faith in the Kingdom of God. It is the “new heavens” that the apostle Peter wrote about: “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Peter 3:13) The “new earth” is the new human society that will be governed by the new heavens, God’s Kingdom. This is the arrangement God revealed in a vision to the apostle John, who wrote: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away . . . And [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:1, 4.

²⁰ Notice that the new earth will be a righteous one. All unrighteous elements will have been removed by an act of God, the battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14, 16) The prophecy at Proverbs 2:21, 22 puts it this way: “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth.” And Psalm 37:9 promises: “Evildoers themselves will be cut off, but those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth.” Would you not like to live in such a new world?

Put Faith in Jehovah’s Promises

21. Why can we put faith in Jehovah’s promises?

²¹ Can we put faith in Jehovah’s promises? Listen to what he states through his prophet Isaiah: “Remember the first things of a long time ago, that I am the Divine One and there is no other God, nor anyone like me; the One telling from the beginning the finale, and from long ago the things that have not been done; the One saying, ‘My own counsel will stand, and everything that is my delight I shall do.’” The latter part of Isa 46 verse 11 says: “I have even spoken it; I shall also bring it in. I have formed it, I shall also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11) Yes, we can have faith in Jehovah and his promises just as surely as if those promises had already come true. The Bible expresses it this way: “Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.”—Hebrews 11:1.

22. Why can we be confident that Jehovah will fulfill his promises?

²² Humble people display such faith because they know that God will fulfill his promises. For example, at Psalm 37:29, we read: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” Can we believe this? Yes, because Hebrews 6:18 says: “It is impossible for God to lie.” Does God own the earth, so that he can give it to humble ones? Revelation 4:11 declares: “You created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.” Thus, Psalm 24:1 says: “To Jehovah belong the earth and that which fills it.” Jehovah created the earth, owns it, and gives it to those who have faith in him. To help build our confidence in this, the next article will show how Jehovah has kept his promises to his people in times past as well as in our day and why we can have absolute confidence that he will do so in the future.

Jehovah Fulfills His Promises to Faithful Ones

“He is faithful that promised.”—HEBREWS 10:23.

1, 2. Why can we have complete confidence in Jehovah’s promises?

JEHOVAH asks that his servants develop and maintain a solid faith in him and his promises. With such faith one can completely trust Jehovah to do what he has promised to do. His inspired Word declares: “Jehovah of armies has sworn, saying: ‘Surely just as I have figured, so it must occur; and just as I have counseled, that is what will come true.’”—Isaiah 14:24.

² The statement, “Jehovah of armies has sworn,” shows that he gives his solemn oath to fulfill his promises. That is why his Word can say: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6) When we trust in Jehovah and allow ourselves to be guided by his wisdom, our paths will without fail lead to everlasting life, for God’s wisdom is “a tree of life to those taking hold of it.”—Proverbs 3:18; John 17:3.

True Faith in Ancient Times

3. How did Noah show faith in Jehovah?

³ The record of Jehovah’s acts toward those with true faith testifies to his dependability. For example, over 4,400 years ago, God told Noah that the world of his day was to be destroyed by a global Flood. He instructed Noah to build a huge ark for preserving human and animal life. What did Noah do? Hebrews 11:7 tells us: “By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” Why did Noah have faith in something that had never happened before, something “not yet beheld”? Because he knew enough of God’s previous dealings with the human family to appreciate that whatever God says comes true. So Noah was confident that the Flood would also take place.—Genesis 6:9-22.

4, 5. Why did Abraham fully trust Jehovah?

⁴ Another example of true faith is Abraham. Nearly 3,900 years ago, God told him to sacrifice Isaac, his only son by his wife, Sarah. (Genesis 22:1-10) How did Abraham respond? Hebrews 11:17 states: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up Isaac.” However, at the last moment, Jehovah’s angel stopped Abraham. (Genesis 22:11, 12) Still, why would Abraham even consider doing such a thing? Because, as Hebrews 11:19 says, “he reckoned that God was able to raise [Isaac] up even from the dead.” But how could Abraham have faith in a resurrection when he had never seen one and there was no previous record of one?

⁵ Remember, Sarah was 89 when God promised them a son. Sarah’s womb was beyond childbearing—dead, so to speak. (Genesis 18:9-14) God restored Sarah’s womb to life, and she bore Isaac. (Genesis 21:1-3) Abraham knew that since God restored Sarah’s dead womb to life, then he could also restore Isaac to life if need be. Romans 4:20, 21 says of Abraham: “Because of the promise of God he did not waver in a lack of faith, but became powerful by his faith, giving God glory and being fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do.”

6. How did Joshua express confidence in Jehovah?

⁶ More than 3,400 years ago when Joshua was over a hundred years of age and after a lifetime of experiencing how trustworthy God is, he gave this reason for his confidence: “You well know with all your hearts and with all your souls that not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed.”—Joshua 23:14.

7, 8. What saving course of action did faithful Christians take in the first century, and why?

⁷ About 1,900 years ago, many humble people demonstrated true faith. They realized from the fulfillment of Bible prophecy that Jesus was the Messiah and accepted his teachings. Having a solid basis in the facts and in the Hebrew Scriptures, they put faith in what Jesus taught. Thus, when Jesus said that God’s judgment was coming against Judea and Jerusalem because of unfaithfulness, they believed him. And when he told them what course of action they had to take to save their lives, they took it.

⁸ Jesus told believers that when Jerusalem was surrounded by armies, they should flee. Roman armies did come against Jerusalem in the year 66 C.E. But then the Romans left for some unexplained reason. That was the signal for the Christians to abandon the city, for Jesus had said: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, and let those in the midst of her withdraw, and let those in the country places not enter into her.” (Luke 21:20, 21) Those with true faith abandoned Jerusalem and the surrounding area and fled to safety.

Consequences of a Lack of Faith

9, 10. (a) How did the religious leaders show their lack of faith in Jesus? (b) What were the consequences of that lack of faith?

⁹ What did those without true faith do? They did not flee when they had the opportunity. They thought that their leaders could save them. Yet, those leaders and their followers also had the evidence of the Messiahship of Jesus. So why did they not accept what he said? Because of their wicked heart condition. This was exposed earlier when they saw many of the common people flock to Jesus after he resurrected Lazarus. John 11:47, 48 relates: “The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin [the Jewish high court] together and began to say: ‘What are we to do, because this man [Jesus] performs many signs? If we let him alone this way, they will all put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.’” Joh 11 Verse 53 says: “Therefore from that day on they took counsel to kill him.”

¹⁰ What a wonderful miracle Jesus had performed—bringing Lazarus back from the dead! But the religious leaders wanted Jesus killed for doing that. Their gross wickedness was further exposed when “the chief priests . . . took counsel to kill Lazarus also, because on account of him many of the Jews were going there and putting faith in Jesus.” (John 12:10, 11) Lazarus had just been raised from the dead, and those priests wanted to see him dead again! They were not concerned about God’s will or the welfare of the people. They were selfish, concerned about their positions and advantages. “They loved the glory of men more than even the glory of God.” (John 12:43) But they paid for their lack of faith. In the year 70 C.E., Roman armies came back and destroyed their place and their nation, as well as many of them.

Faith Demonstrated in Our Time

11. Early in this century, how was true faith demonstrated?

¹¹ In this century, there have also been many men and women of true faith. For instance, back in the early 1900’s, people in general were anticipating a peaceful, prosperous future. At that same time, those who put faith in Jehovah were announcing that mankind was about to enter its worst time of trouble yet. That is what was foretold in God’s Word in Matthew chapter 24, 2 Timothy chapter 3, and elsewhere. What those people of faith said actually did happen, beginning in 1914 with World War I. The world indeed entered the foretold “last days” with “critical times hard to deal with.” (2 Timothy 3:1) Why did Jehovah’s servants know the truth about world conditions back then when others did not? Because, like Joshua, they had faith that not one of Jehovah’s words would fail.

12. Today, what promise of Jehovah do his servants fully trust?

¹² Today, Jehovah’s servants, who put their trust in him, number nearly six million worldwide. They know from the evidence in fulfillment of God’s prophetic word that he will soon bring this violent, immoral system of things to an end. So they are confident that the time is near when they will see the outworking of 1 John 2:17, which says: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” His servants completely trust that Jehovah will fulfill this promise.

13. How far can you trust Jehovah?

¹³ How far can you trust Jehovah? You can stake your life on him! Even if you lose your life now for serving him, he will give you back a much grander life in the resurrection. Jesus assures us: “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs [that is, in God’s memory] will hear his voice and come out.” (John 5:28, 29) Do you know any doctor, political leader, scientist, businessman, or any other human who can do that? Their past record shows that they cannot. Jehovah can, and he will!

A Wonderful Future for Faithful Ones

14. What wonderful future does God’s Word promise faithful ones?

¹⁴ Jesus indicated the surety of a new world under God’s heavenly Kingdom, saying: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) That reinforced God’s promise found at Psalm 37:29: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” And just before the death of Jesus when an evildoer expressed faith in him, Jesus said to that man: “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Yes, as King of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will see to it that this man is resurrected to life on earth with the opportunity to live forever in that Paradise. Today, those who put their faith in Jehovah’s Kingdom can also look forward to living in Paradise when “[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”—Revelation 21:4.

15, 16. Why will life be so peaceful in the new world?

¹⁵ Let us project our minds ahead to that new world. Imagine that we are living in it already. Immediately, we cannot help but observe everywhere the happy people dwelling together in total peace. They are enjoying conditions similar to those described at Isaiah 14:7: “The whole earth has come to rest, has become free of disturbance. People have become cheerful with joyful cries.” Why are they that way? For one thing, notice that the doors to the houses have no locks. There is no need for them, since there is no crime or violence. It is just as God’s Word said it would be: “They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble.”—Micah 4:4.

¹⁶ There is no more war either, for in this new world, war is outlawed. All weapons have been turned into implements of peace. In the complete sense, Isaiah 2:4 has been fulfilled: “They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” But, then, that is what we expected! Why? Because many inhabitants of the new world learned to do that while serving God in the old world.

17. What living conditions will prevail under God’s Kingdom?

¹⁷ Something else you notice is that there is no poverty. No one lives in a squalid shack or wears rags or is homeless. Everyone has a comfortable home and well-kept property with lovely trees and flowers. (Isaiah 35:1, 2; 65:21, 22; Ezekiel 34:27) And there is no hunger because God has fulfilled his promise that there would be abundant food for all: “There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.” (Psalm 72:16) Indeed, under the guidance of God’s Kingdom, a glorious paradise extends earth wide, just as God purposed back in Eden.—Genesis 2:8.

18. In the new world, what things will no longer threaten people?

¹⁸ You also marvel at the vigorous energy everyone has. This is because they now have perfect bodies and minds. There is no more sickness, pain, or death. No one is in a wheelchair or a hospital bed. All of that is gone forever. (Isaiah 33:24; 35:5, 6) Why, none of the animals are a threat either, for they have been made peaceful by God’s power!—Isaiah 11:6-8; 65:25; Ezekiel 34:25.

19. Why will every day in the new world be one of “exquisite delight”?

¹⁹ What a wonderful civilization is formed by the faithful inhabitants of this new world! Their energies and skills and the wealth of the earth are devoted to positive pursuits, not to hurtful ones; to cooperating with others, not to competing with them. And everybody you meet is someone you can trust because, as God promised, all are “persons taught by Jehovah.” (Isaiah 54:13) Since everyone is governed by God’s laws, the earth is “filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.” (Isaiah 11:9) Truly, every day in this new world is what Psalm 37:11 said it would be, one of “exquisite delight.”

A Happy Future Guaranteed

20. What must we do to enjoy a peaceful future?

²⁰ What must we do to be part of that happy future? Isaiah 55:6 tells us: “Search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near.” And as we search, our attitude should be as described at Psalm 143:10: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” Those who do this can walk blamelessly before Jehovah through these last days and can look forward to a fine future. “Watch the blameless one and keep the upright one in sight, for the future of that man will be peaceful. But the transgressors themselves will certainly be annihilated together; the future of wicked people will indeed be cut off.”—Psalm 37:37, 38.

21, 22. What is God forming today, and how is the training accomplished?

²¹ Right now Jehovah is calling out from every nation those who want to do his will. He is forming them into the foundation of his new earthly society, as Bible prophecy foretold: “In the final part of the days [the time in which we now live] . . . many peoples will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah [his elevated true worship] . . . He will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’”—Isaiah 2:2, 3.

²² Revelation 7:9 describes these as “a great crowd . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” Re 7 Verse 14 states: “These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation,” surviving the present system’s end. This foundation for the new world is now nearly six million strong, with many new ones becoming part of it each year. All of these faithful servants of Jehovah are being trained for life in his new world. They are learning the spiritual and other skills needed to transform this earth into a paradise. And they fully trust that Paradise will become a reality because “he is faithful that promised.”—Hebrews 10:23.