Be Joyful Harvest Workers!

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”​—MATTHEW 9:37, 38.

1. What helps us to press on in doing God’s will?

WHEN we recall the day of our baptism as one of Jehovah’s servants, whether it occurred a few years ago or many, it may seem as though it took place yesterday. Praising Jehovah became the focal point of our dedicated life. As we bought out the opportune time to help others to hear and possibly accept the Kingdom message, joyful service to Jehovah was our major concern. (Ephesians 5:15, 16) To this day, we find that time flies when we are busy, “having plenty to do in the work of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) Although we encounter problems, our joy in doing Jehovah’s will spurs us on.​—Nehemiah 8:10.

2. What contributes to the joy we experience in the figurative harvest work?

² As Christians, we are engaged in a figurative harvest work. Jesus Christ likened the gathering of individuals for everlasting life to a harvest. (John 4:35-38) Since we are participating in such harvesting activity, it will be encouraging to examine the joy of the early Christian harvest workers. We will review three factors that contribute to the joy we experience in today’s harvest work. These are (1) our message of hope, (2) the success of our search, and (3) our peace-making attitude as harvest workers.

Sent Forth as Harvest Workers

3. In what respect did Jesus’ early followers experience joy?

³ How the lives of early harvest workers​—particularly Jesus’ 11 faithful apostles—​changed on the day in 33 C.E. when they went to a mountain in Galilee to meet the resurrected Christ! (Matthew 28:16) “Upward of five hundred brothers” may have been present on that occasion. (1 Corinthians 15:6) The commission Jesus gave them rang in their ears. He told them: “Go . . . 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.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) Despite bitter persecution, they experienced much joy in the harvest work as they saw congregations of Christ’s followers being established in one place after another. In time, ‘the good news was being preached to all creation under heaven.’​—Colossians 1:23; Acts 1:8; 16:5.

4. Under what circumstances were Christ’s disciples sent forth?

⁴ At an earlier point in his ministry in Galilee, Jesus had summoned the 12 apostles and had sent them forth especially to declare: “The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” (Matthew 10:1-7) He himself had “set out on a tour of all the [Galilean] cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity.” Jesus felt pity for the crowds “because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35, 36) Deeply moved, he then told his disciples: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest [Jehovah God] to send out workers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37, 38) Jesus’ assessment of the need for harvest workers was the same in Judea when only six months of his earthly ministry remained. (Luke 10:2) On both occasions, he sent his followers forth as harvest workers.​—Matthew 10:5; Luke 10:3.

Our Message of Hope

5. What kind of message do we declare?

⁵ As Jehovah’s present-day servants, we joyfully respond to the call for harvest workers. One factor that contributes greatly to our joy is that we take a message of hope to the downhearted and depressed. Like Jesus’ first-century disciples, what a privilege we have to declare the good news​—a real message of hope—​to those “skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd”!

6. In what activity did the apostles engage in the first century?

⁶ By the middle of the first century, the apostle Paul was busy preaching the good news. And his harvesting work was surely effective, for in writing to Christians in Corinth in about 55 C.E., he said: “I make known to you, brothers, the good news which I declared to you, which you also received, in which you also stand.” (1 Corinthians 15:1) The apostles and other early Christians were industrious harvest workers. Although the Bible does not tell us how many apostles lived through the momentous events ending in Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E., we do know that the apostle John was still preaching some 25 years later.​—Revelation 1:9.

7, 8. What message of hope have Jehovah’s servants been declaring with more urgency now than ever?

⁷ Then came centuries of dominance by Christendom’s clergy, the apostate “man of lawlessness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) Toward the end of the 19th century, however, those who sought to pattern their lives on primitive Christianity took up the message of hope, heralding the Kingdom. In fact, since its first issue (July 1879), the title of this journal has included the words “Herald of Christ’s Presence,” “Herald of Christ’s Kingdom,” or “Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.”

⁸ God’s heavenly Kingdom was established in the hands of Jesus Christ in 1914, and we are now proclaiming the message of hope with more urgency than ever before. Why? Because among the blessings of Kingdom rule is the imminent end of the present wicked system. (Daniel 2:44) What better message could there be? And what greater joy could we have than to share in announcing the Kingdom before the “great tribulation” strikes?​—Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:10.

A Successful Search

9. What instruction did Jesus give his disciples, and how did people react to the Kingdom message?

⁹ Another factor that contributes to our joy as harvest workers is the success of our search for those who become disciples and join us in the harvest work. Back in 31-32 C.E., Jesus instructed his disciples: “Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving.” (Matthew 10:11) Not all individuals were deserving, as shown by their reaction to the Kingdom message. Nevertheless, Jesus’ disciples zealously preached the good news wherever people happened to be.

10. How did Paul pursue his search for deserving ones?

¹⁰ After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the search for deserving ones continued with vigor. Paul reasoned with the Jews in their synagogue and with people on hand in the marketplace in Athens. When he gave a witness on the Areopagus in that Greek city, “some men joined themselves to him and became believers, among whom also were Dionysius, a judge of the court of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, and others besides them.” Wherever Paul went, he was also exemplary in preaching “publicly and from house to house.”​—Acts 17:17, 34; 20:20.

11. What methods for carrying out the ministry were used years ago?

¹¹ During the closing decades of the 19th century, anointed Christians boldly engaged in the search for deserving ones. In an article entitled “Anointed to Preach,” Zion’s Watch Tower of July/​August 1881 said: “The preaching of the good news . . . is going on ‘to the meek’​—those willing and able to hear, in order to develop from among them the body of Christ, the joint heirs.” God’s harvest workers often met people as these were leaving church services and gave them tracts containing Scriptural messages designed to evoke a favorable response in deserving ones. After a reappraisal of the effectiveness of this method of witnessing, the Watch Tower of May 15, 1903, urged harvest workers to distribute the tracts “from house to house, on Sunday forenoons.”

12. How have we increased the effectiveness of our preaching work? Illustrate.

¹² In recent years, we have expanded our ministry by contacting people at places other than their homes. This has proved very effective in lands where economic conditions and the pursuit of leisure activities take people away from their homes at times when we normally call. When a Witness in England and her companion observed visitors leaving regularly by bus after enjoying a day at the coast, they summoned up courage to board the buses and present copies of The Watchtower and Awake! to the passengers. In one month, they distributed 229 copies. They report: “We have no fear of sea-front witnessing, business territory, or any other challenge we may come up against because we know that Jehovah is always with us.” They established a magazine route, started a Bible study, and both of them have shared in the auxiliary pioneer service.

13. What adjustment in our ministry is now called for in some places?

¹³ As the search for deserving ones continues, a careful reappraisal of our ministry may be called for in some places. Though many Witnesses have customarily engaged in preaching from house to house on Sunday mornings, in certain areas they find that early visits to people’s homes are less effective because the occupants may be resting. By adjusting their schedule, many Witnesses now pursue the search later in the day, perhaps following Christian meetings. And this search has indeed proved fruitful. Last year the number of Kingdom proclaimers worldwide rose by 2.3 percent. This honors the Master of the harvest and brings joy to our hearts.

Maintain Peace in the Harvest Work

14. With what attitude do we present our message, and why?

¹⁴ Another reason for our joy relates to the peace-making attitude we display in the harvest work. “When you are entering into the house,” Jesus said, “greet the household; and if the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it.” (Matthew 10:12, 13) The Hebrew greeting and the corresponding term in Biblical Greek both convey the thought ‘May it go well with you.’ This sentiment guides our approach to people when we preach the good news. Our hope is that they will respond favorably to the Kingdom message. For those who do, there is the prospect of reconciliation with God as they repent of their sins, turn around, and do his will. In turn, peace with God leads to everlasting life.​—John 17:3; Acts 3:19; 13:38, 48; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

15. How can we maintain a peaceful attitude when we encounter an unfavorable reaction in our preaching work?

¹⁵ How can we maintain our peace when the reaction we encounter is unfavorable? Jesus directed: “If [the house] is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you.” (Matthew 10:13) Luke’s account about the sending out of 70 disciples includes Jesus’ statement: “If a friend of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if there is not, it will turn back to you.” (Luke 10:6) When we approach people with the good news, we appropriately do so with a pleasant disposition and in a manner that is peaceable. An apathetic response, a complaint, or an unkind remark by a householder only serves to allow our peaceful message to ‘return to us.’ But none of this robs us of peace, a fruit of Jehovah’s holy spirit.​—Galatians 5:22, 23.

A Fine Goal for Harvest Workers

16, 17. (a) What is our goal when making return visits? (b) How can we help those who have Bible questions?

¹⁶ As harvest workers we are delighted to have a part in the gathering of people for everlasting life. And what joy we experience when a person to whom we preach responds favorably, wants to learn more, and proves to be “a friend of peace”! Perhaps he has many Bible questions and we find it impossible to answer all of them during one visit. Since a prolonged stay on the first visit may be inappropriate, what can be done? We can have a goal like the one recommended some 60 years ago.

¹⁷ “All of Jehovah’s witnesses should be prepared to conduct model studies in the Bible.” That statement appeared in the third in a series of Model Study instruction booklets published from 1937 to 1941. It went on to say: “All [Kingdom] publishers should be diligent in assisting in every way possible the people of good-will showing interest in the Kingdom message. Back-calls [return visits] should be made on these persons, answering various questions . . . , and then begin a model study . . . as soon as you possibly can.” Yes, our goal on return visits is to start a home Bible study and conduct it regularly.a A friendly attitude and loving concern for the interested person prompt us to prepare well and conduct the study effectively.

18. How can we help new ones to become disciples of Jesus Christ?

¹⁸ With the help of the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life and such brochures as What Does God Require of Us?, we can conduct effective home Bible studies and can thus share in assisting newly interested ones to become disciples. As we seek to imitate the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, likely such Bible students will also learn from our peaceful, joyful manner, our sincerity, and our respect for Jehovah’s standards and guidelines. When we help new ones with answers to their questions, let us also do what we can to teach them how they can answer those who question them. (2 Timothy 2:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:21) As figurative harvest workers, surely we can be joyful that an average of 4,766,631 home Bible studies were conducted worldwide this past service year. We are especially joyful if we personally are among the harvest workers who have a share in home Bible study activity.

Keep On Rejoicing in the Harvest

19. Why were there good reasons for joy in the harvest during Jesus’ ministry and shortly thereafter?

¹⁹ There were good reasons for joy in the harvest during Jesus’ ministry and shortly thereafter. Many then responded favorably to the good news. Rejoicing was particularly great at Pentecost 33 C.E., for some 3,000 then accepted Peter’s direction, received Jehovah’s holy spirit, and became part of God’s nation of spiritual Israel. Indeed, their numbers kept on increasing, and joy abounded as “Jehovah continued to join to them daily those being saved.”​—Acts 2:37-41, 46, 47; Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 2:9.

20. What brings us abundant joy in our harvest work?

²⁰ At that time, Isaiah’s prophecy was proving true: “You [Jehovah] have made the nation populous; for it you have made the rejoicing great. They have rejoiced before you as with the rejoicing in the harvesttime, as those who are joyful when they divide up the spoil.” (Isaiah 9:3) Although we now see that ‘populous nation’ of anointed ones virtually complete, our joy is abundant as we observe the number of other harvest workers growing year by year.​—Psalm 4:7; Zechariah 8:23; John 10:16.

21. What will we discuss in the following article?

²¹ We certainly have sound reasons to keep on rejoicing in the harvest work. Our message of hope, our search for deserving ones, and our peace-making attitude​—all of these factors bring us joy as harvest workers. Yet, they prompt an adverse reaction from many. The apostle John experienced this. He was imprisoned on the island of Patmos “for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus.” (Revelation 1:9) How, then, can we maintain our joy when faced with persecution and opposition? What will help us to cope with the hardening attitude of many to whom we now preach? Our next article offers Scriptural help in answering these questions.

[Footnote]

Press On in the Harvest Work!

“Those sowing seed with tears will reap even with a joyful cry.”​—PSALM 126:5.

1. Why “beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers” today?

AFTER Jesus Christ’s third preaching tour of Galilee, he told his disciples: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) The situation was the same in Judea. (Luke 10:2) Since that was true nearly 2,000 years ago, what is the case today? Well, during the last service year, over 6,000,000 Witnesses of Jehovah pressed on in the figurative harvest work among the world’s 6,000,000,000 people, many of whom are “skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.” So Jesus’ exhortation to “beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest” is as valid now as it was centuries ago.​—Matthew 9:36, 38.

2. What brings us to the attention of the people?

² Jehovah God, the Master of the harvest, has answered the plea to send out more workers. And what a joy it is to share in this God-directed harvest work! Though we are few in number compared with the nations, our zealous share in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making activity brings us to the world’s attention. In many lands we are frequently mentioned in the media. The ring of a doorbell in a television drama may elicit the comment that Jehovah’s Witnesses are at the door. Yes, our Christian activity as figurative harvest workers is well-known in the 21st century.

3. (a) How do we know that notice was taken of first-century Kingdom-preaching activity? (b) Why can we say that the angels support our ministry?

³ The world also noted first-century Kingdom-preaching activities and persecuted proclaimers of the good news. Thus, the apostle Paul wrote: “It seems to me that God has put us the apostles last on exhibition as men appointed to death, because we [the apostles] have become a theatrical spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.” (1 Corinthians 4:9) Similarly, our perseverance as Kingdom proclaimers despite persecution brings us to the world’s attention and is of importance to the angels. Says Revelation 14:6: “I [the apostle John] 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.” Yes, we have angelic support in our ministry​—our harvest work!​—Hebrews 1:13, 14.

“Objects of Hatred”

4, 5. (a) What warning did Jesus give his disciples? (b) Why are God’s present-day servants “objects of hatred”?

⁴ When Jesus’ apostles were sent forth as harvest workers, they heeded his instruction to be “cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.” Jesus added: “Be on your guard against men; for they will deliver you up to local courts, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Why, you will be haled before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. . . . And you will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.”​—Matthew 10:16-22.

⁵ We are “objects of hatred” today because “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” Satan the Devil, who is the chief enemy of God and His people. (1 John 5:19) Our enemies observe our spiritual prosperity but refuse to attribute it to Jehovah. Opposers see our happy, smiling faces as we joyfully share in the harvest work. They marvel at our unity! In fact, they may grudgingly acknowledge it when they travel to another land and find that Jehovah’s Witnesses there are doing the very same work as that observed in their homeland. Of course, we know that in due time Jehovah, our backer and the source of our unity, will be made known even to our enemies.​—Ezekiel 38:10-12, 23.

6. What assurance do we have as we engage in the harvest work, but what question arises?

⁶ The Master of the harvest has given his Son, Jesus Christ, “all authority . . . in heaven and on the earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Jehovah thus uses Jesus to direct the harvest work through the heavenly angels and the anointed “faithful and discreet slave” here on the earth. (Matthew 24:45-47; Revelation 14:6, 7) But how can we cope with enemy opposition and yet maintain our joy as we press on in the harvest work?

7. What disposition should we endeavor to maintain when opposed or persecuted?

⁷ When we face opposition or even outright persecution, let us seek God’s help so that we can maintain a disposition like that of Paul. He wrote: “When being reviled, we bless; when being persecuted, we bear up; when being defamed, we entreat.” (1 Corinthians 4:12, 13) This spirit, coupled with our tactful public ministry, sometimes changes the attitude of our opposers.

8. What reassurance do you derive from Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 10:28?

⁸ Not even the threat of death dampens our zeal as harvest workers. We fearlessly proclaim the Kingdom message as openly as possible. And we draw encouraging reassurance from Jesus’ words: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” (Matthew 10:28) We know that our heavenly Father is the Giver of life. He rewards those who maintain integrity to him and faithfully press on in the harvest work.

A Lifesaving Message

9. How did some respond to Ezekiel’s words, and how is a similar thing happening today?

⁹ When the prophet Ezekiel boldly declared Jehovah’s messages to the “rebellious nations”​—the kingdoms of Israel and Judah—​some individuals were pleased to hear what he had to say. (Ezekiel 2:3) “Look!” said Jehovah, “you are to them like a song of sensuous loves, like one with a pretty voice and playing a stringed instrument well.” (Ezekiel 33:32) Although they liked Ezekiel’s words, they failed to act on them. What is happening today? When the anointed remnant and their companions courageously declare Jehovah’s messages, some like to hear about Kingdom blessings, but they do not respond appreciatively, become disciples, and join in the harvest work.

10, 11. In the first half of the 20th century, what was done to publicize our lifesaving message, and with what results?

¹⁰ On the other hand, many have responded favorably to the harvest work and have shared in declaring God’s messages. During a series of Christian conventions from 1922 to 1928, for instance, judgment messages on Satan’s wicked system of things rang out clearly. Radio stations broadcast these denunciations presented at those assemblies. Thereafter, God’s people distributed printed copies of these by the millions.

¹¹ In the late 1930’s, another form of witnessing activity opened up​—information marches. At first, Jehovah’s people wore placards that announced public talks. Later, they carried placards with such slogans as “Religion is a snare and a racket” and “Serve God and Christ the King.” When they marched through the streets, they attracted the attention of passersby. ‘This did much to bring Jehovah’s Witnesses into the limelight and to embolden them,’ commented a brother who regularly shared in this work on the busy streets of London, England.

12. In addition to God’s judgment messages, what have we featured in our ministry, and who are now united in preaching the good news?

¹² As we declare God’s judgment messages, we also feature the positive aspects of the Kingdom message. Our bold witnessing on the world stage helps us search out deserving ones. (Matthew 10:11) Most of the final members of the anointed class responded to the clarion harvest call during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Then, at a convention in 1935, came the wonderful news of a blessed future for “a great crowd” of “other sheep” on a paradise earth. (Revelation 7:9; John 10:16) They have heeded God’s judgment messages and have become united with the anointed ones in preaching the lifesaving good news.

13, 14. (a) What comfort can be drawn from Psalm 126:5, 6? (b) If we continue to sow and water, what will happen?

¹³ Of great comfort to God’s harvest workers, and especially to those who suffer persecution, are the words of Psalm 126:5, 6: “Those sowing seed with tears will reap even with a joyful cry. The one that without fail goes forth, even weeping, carrying along a bagful of seed, will without fail come in with a joyful cry, carrying along his sheaves.” The psalmist’s words about sowing and reaping illustrate Jehovah’s care for and blessing on the remnant that returned from captivity in ancient Babylon. They were very happy at their release, but they may have wept when sowing seed in the desolate ground that had not been worked during their 70-year exile. However, those who went ahead with their sowing and construction activities enjoyed fruitage and satisfaction from their labor.

¹⁴ We may shed tears when under trial or when we or our fellow believers are suffering for righteousness’ sake. (1 Peter 3:14) In our harvest work, we may at first have a hard time because we seemingly have nothing to show for our efforts in the ministry. But if we continue to sow and water, God will make things grow, often beyond our expectations. (1 Corinthians 3:6) This is well illustrated by the results of our distribution of Bibles and Scriptural publications.

15. Give an example of the usefulness of Christian publications in the harvest work.

¹⁵ Consider the example of a man named Jim. When his mother died, he found among her possessions a copy of the book Life​—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation?a He read it with interest. In a discussion with a Witness who approached him on the street, Jim agreed to a return visit, and this led to a Bible study. Jim made rapid spiritual progress, dedicated himself to Jehovah, and was baptized. He told other members of his family about what he had learned. As a result, his sister and brother became Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Jim later enjoyed the privilege of serving as a full-time volunteer at Bethel in London.

Persecuted yet Joyful

16. (a) Why has success been experienced in the harvest work? (b) What warning did Jesus give regarding the effect of the good news, but with what attitude do we approach people?

¹⁶ Why has there been such success in the harvest work? Because anointed Christians and their companions have heeded Jesus’ instructions: “What I tell you in the darkness, say in the light; and what you hear whispered, preach from the housetops.” (Matthew 10:27) However, we can expect hardships, for Jesus warned: “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death.” Jesus further said: “Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:21, 34) Jesus did not deliberately set out to divide families. But the good news sometimes had that effect. The same is true of God’s servants today. When we visit families, it is not our intention to introduce a divisive factor. It is our desire that everyone embrace the good news. Therefore, we try to approach all members of a family in a kind, sympathetic way that makes our message appealing to those “rightly disposed for everlasting life.”​—Acts 13:48.

17. How are those who uphold God’s sovereignty set apart, and what is one example of this?

¹⁷ The Kingdom message has set apart those who uphold God’s sovereignty. For instance, consider how our fellow worshipers stood out as different because they ‘paid Caesar’s things to Caesar but God’s things to God’ in the days of National Socialism in Germany. (Luke 20:25) In contrast with religious leaders and nominal Christians associated with the churches of Christendom, Jehovah’s servants stood firm, refusing to violate Bible principles. (Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 4:10; John 17:16) Professor Christine King, author of the book The Nazi State and the New Religions, observed: “Only against the Witnesses was the [Nazi] government unsuccessful, for although they had killed thousands, the work went on and in May 1945 the Jehovah’s Witness movement was still alive, whilst National Socialism was not.”

18. What attitude do Jehovah’s people manifest despite persecution?

¹⁸ Significant indeed is the attitude manifested by Jehovah’s people when they are faced with persecution. While secular authorities may be impressed by our faith, they express amazement at the absence of ill-will or rancor on our part. For instance, Witness survivors of the Holocaust frequently express joy and contentment as they look back on their experiences. They know that Jehovah gave them “power beyond what is normal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) Anointed ones among us have the assurance that their “names have been inscribed in the heavens.” (Luke 10:20) Their endurance produces a hope that does not lead to disappointment, and faithful harvest workers with earthly prospects have a similar conviction.​—Romans 5:4, 5.

Persevere in the Harvest Work

19. What effective methods have been used in the Christian ministry?

¹⁹ How much longer Jehovah will allow us to engage in the figurative harvest work remains to be seen. In the meantime, we should bear in mind that harvesters have specific methods for doing their work. Similarly, we can be sure that our faithfulness in using the tried and tested ways of preaching will prove effective. Paul told fellow Christians: “I entreat you, . . . become imitators of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:16) When Paul met with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, he reminded them that he had not held back from teaching them “publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:20, 21) Paul’s companion Timothy had learned what the apostle’s methods were and could therefore acquaint the Corinthians with these. (1 Corinthians 4:17) God blessed Paul’s teaching methods, even as he will bless our perseverance in preaching the good news publicly from house to house, on return visits, on home Bible studies, and anywhere that people can be found.​—Acts 17:17.

20. How did Jesus indicate that an abundant spiritual harvest was at hand, and how has this proved true in recent years?

²⁰ After witnessing to a Samaritan woman near Sychar in 30 C.E., Jesus spoke of the spiritual harvest. He told his disciples: “Lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting. Already the reaper is receiving wages and gathering fruit for everlasting life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together.” (John 4:34-36) Perhaps Jesus had already seen the effect of his encounter with the Samaritan woman, for many were putting faith in him on account of her testimony. (John 4:39) In recent years, various countries have lifted restrictions on Jehovah’s Witnesses or have granted them legal recognition, thus opening up new fields for harvesting. The result is that an abundant spiritual harvest is in progress. In fact, throughout the world, rich blessings are being experienced as we joyfully continue to engage in the spiritual harvest.

21. Why do we have reason to press on as joyful harvest workers?

²¹ When crops are ripe and ready for harvesting, workers must act with urgency. They must labor without delay. Today, we need to work industriously and with a sense of urgency because we are living in “the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:4) Yes, we encounter trials, but there is a greater harvest of Jehovah’s worshipers than ever before. This is therefore a day of rejoicing. (Isaiah 9:3) As joyful workers, then, let us press on in the harvest work!

[Footnote]