Happy Servants of Jehovah

“Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”​—MATTHEW 5:3.

1. What is true happiness, and what does it reflect?

HAPPINESS is a precious possession of Jehovah’s people. The psalmist David exclaimed: “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!” (Psalm 144:15) Happiness is a feeling of well-being. The deepest happiness​—reaching to the very depths of our being—​comes from the awareness that we are blessed by Jehovah. (Proverbs 10:22) Such happiness reflects a close relationship with our heavenly Father and the knowledge that we are doing his will. (Psalm 112:1; 119:1, 2) Interestingly, Jesus enumerated nine reasons for which we can be counted happy. An examination of these so-called happinesses, or beatitudes, in this and the following article will help us to realize how happy we can be if we faithfully serve “the happy God,” Jehovah.​—1 Timothy 1:11.

Awareness of Our Spiritual Need

2. On what occasion did Jesus speak about happiness, and what was his opening statement?

² In 31 C.E., Jesus delivered one of the most famous discourses of all time. It is called the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The Gospel of Matthew relates: “When [Jesus] saw the crowds he went up into the mountain; and after he sat down his disciples came to him; and he opened his mouth and began teaching them, saying: ‘Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.’” Translated literally, Jesus’ opening words read: “Happy the poor ones (as) to the spirit,” or “Happy are those who are beggars for the spirit.” (Matthew 5:1-3; Kingdom Interlinear; footnote) Today’s English Version reads: “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.”

3. How does a humble disposition contribute to our happiness?

³ In his hillside sermon, Jesus pointed out that a person is far happier if he is aware of being in need spiritually. Humble Christians, fully aware of their sinful condition, beg Jehovah for his forgiveness on the basis of Christ’s ransom sacrifice. (1 John 1:9) They thus find peace of mind and true happiness. “Happy is the one whose revolt is pardoned, whose sin is covered.”​—Psalm 32:1; 119:165.

4. (a) In what ways can we show awareness of our spiritual need and that of others? (b) What adds to our happiness when we are conscious of our spiritual need?

⁴ Awareness of our spiritual need moves us to read the Bible daily, to absorb spiritual food dispensed “at the proper time” by “the faithful and discreet slave,” and to attend Christian meetings regularly. (Matthew 24:45; Psalm 1:1, 2; 119:111; Hebrews 10:25) Love for neighbor makes us aware of the spiritual need of others and prompts us to be zealous in preaching and teaching the good news of the Kingdom. (Mark 13:10; Romans 1:14-16) Sharing Bible truths with others brings us happiness. (Acts 20:20, 35) Our happiness is further deepened when we meditate on the wonderful hope of the Kingdom and the blessings that Kingdom will bring. For the “little flock” of anointed Christians, the Kingdom hope means immortal life in heaven as part of Christ’s Kingdom government. (Luke 12:32; 1 Corinthians 15:50, 54) For the “other sheep,” it means everlasting life on a paradise earth under that Kingdom government.​—John 10:16; Psalm 37:11; Matthew 25:34, 46.

How Mourners Can Be Happy

5. (a) What is meant by the expression “those who mourn”? (b) How are such mourning ones comforted?

⁵ The words of the next happiness that Jesus mentioned seem contradictory. He said: “Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) How can a person mourn and at the same time be happy? To understand the meaning of Jesus’ statement, we need to consider what sort of mourning he is speaking about. The disciple James explains that our own sinful state should be a cause for mourning. He wrote: “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones. Give way to misery and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves in the eyes of Jehovah, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:8-10) Those who are truly saddened over their sinful state are comforted when they learn that their sins can be forgiven if they exercise faith in Christ’s ransom sacrifice and show true repentance by doing Jehovah’s will. (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 7:9, 10) They can thus have a precious relationship with Jehovah and entertain the hope of living forever to serve and praise him. This brings them deep inner happiness.​—Romans 4:7, 8.

6. In what sense do some mourn, and how are they comforted?

⁶ Jesus’ statement also includes those who mourn because of the detestable conditions that prevail in the earth. Jesus applied to himself the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2, which states: “The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, . . . to comfort all the mourning ones.” That commission also applies to anointed Christians yet on earth, who carry it out with the help of their companions, the “other sheep.” All share in the work of symbolically marking the foreheads of “the men that are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done in the midst of it [apostate Jerusalem, picturing Christendom].” (Ezekiel 9:4) Such mourning ones are comforted by the “good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 24:14) They are happy to learn that Satan’s wicked system of things will shortly be replaced with Jehovah’s righteous new world.

Happy Are the Mild-Tempered Ones

7. What is not meant by the term “mild-tempered”?

⁷ Jesus continued his Sermon on the Mount by saying: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) Mildness of temper is sometimes thought to imply weakness of character. However, that is not the case. Explaining the sense of the word translated “mild-tempered,” one Bible scholar wrote: “The supreme characteristic of the man who is [mild of temper] is that he is the man who is under perfect control. It is not a spineless gentleness, a sentimental fondness, a passive quietism. It is a strength under control.” Jesus stated about himself: “I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) Yet, Jesus was courageous in defending righteous principles.​—Matthew 21:12, 13; 23:13-33.

8. To what is mildness of temper closely related, and why do we need this quality in our relationships with others?

⁸ Mildness of temper, then, is closely related to self-control. Indeed, mildness and self-control were listed together by the apostle Paul when he outlined “the fruitage of the spirit.” (Galatians 5:22, 23) Mildness of temper must be cultivated with the help of the holy spirit. It is a Christian quality that makes for peace with outsiders and with those in the congregation. Paul wrote: “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.”​—Colossians 3:12, 13.

9. (a) Why is being mild-tempered not limited to our relationship with other people? (b) How do the mild-tempered ones “inherit the earth”?

⁹ Mildness of temper is, however, not limited to our relationship with other humans. By willingly submitting ourselves to Jehovah’s sovereignty, we demonstrate that we are mild-tempered. The prime example in this regard is Jesus Christ, who while here on earth manifested mildness of temper and complete submission to his Father’s will. (John 5:19, 30) Jesus preeminently inherits the earth, for he is its appointed Ruler. (Psalm 2:6-8; Daniel 7:13, 14) He shares this heritage with 144,000 “joint heirs,” chosen from “among mankind” to “rule as kings over the earth.” (Romans 8:17; Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1, 3, 4; Daniel 7:27) Christ and his associate rulers will govern millions of sheeplike men and women upon whom the prophetic psalm will find its happy fulfillment: “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”​—Psalm 37:11; Matthew 25:33, 34, 46.

Happy Are Those Hungering for Righteousness

10. What is one way in which those who ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’ can be filled?

¹⁰ The next happiness outlined by Jesus when he was speaking on that Galilean hillside was: “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) For Christians, Jehovah sets the standard for righteousness. Hence, those hungering and thirsting for righteousness in effect hunger and thirst for divine guidance. Such ones are keenly aware of their sin and imperfection and long for an acceptable standing before Jehovah. How happy they are when they learn from God’s Word that if they repent and seek forgiveness on the basis of Christ’s ransom sacrifice, they will be in a position to attain a righteous standing before God!​—Acts 2:38; 10:43; 13:38, 39; Romans 5:19.

11, 12. (a) How do anointed Christians attain to righteousness? (b) How do the companions of the anointed have their thirst for righteousness filled?

¹¹ Jesus said that such ones would be happy, since they would “be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, Kingdom Interlinear) Anointed Christians called to “rule as kings” with Christ in heaven are declared “righteous for life.” (Romans 5:1, 9, 16-18) Jehovah begets them, thus adopting them as spiritual sons. They become joint heirs with Christ, called to become kings and priests in his heavenly Kingdom government.​—John 3:3; 1 Peter 2:9.

¹² The companions of the anointed ones are not yet declared righteous for life. However, they have a measure of righteousness credited to them by Jehovah through their faith in Christ’s shed blood. (James 2:22-25; Revelation 7:9, 10) They are accounted righteous as Jehovah’s friends in line for deliverance at the time of “the great tribulation.” (Revelation 7:14) Their thirst for righteousness will be further satisfied when, under the “new heavens,” they become part of the new earth in which “righteousness is to dwell.”​—2 Peter 3:13; Psalm 37:29.

Happy Are the Merciful

13, 14. In what practical ways should we show ourselves to be merciful, and with what benefit to us?

¹³ Continuing his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) In a legal sense, mercy is understood to refer to clemency on the part of a judge who refrains from inflicting on a wrongdoer the full punishment allowed under law. As used in the Bible, however, the original words translated “mercy” refer mostly to an expression of kind consideration or pity that brings relief to those who are disadvantaged. Thus, those who are merciful are actively compassionate. Jesus’ illustration of the neighborly Samaritan provides a fine example of an individual who “acted mercifully” toward a person in need.​—Luke 10:29-37.

¹⁴ To experience the happiness that results from being merciful, we need to engage in positive deeds of kindness toward those in need. (Galatians 6:10) Jesus felt compassion for the people he saw. “He was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. And he started to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34) Jesus realized that mankind’s greatest need was spiritual. We too can show ourselves to be compassionate and merciful by sharing with others what they need most​—the “good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 24:14) We can also offer practical help to older fellow Christians, widows, and orphans and “speak consolingly to the depressed souls.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Proverbs 12:25; James 1:27) Not only will this bring us happiness but it will also make us recipients of Jehovah’s mercy.​—Acts 20:35; James 2:13.

Pure in Heart and Peaceable

15. How can we be pure in heart and peaceable?

¹⁵ Jesus outlined the sixth and seventh happinesses as follows: “Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God. Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’” (Matthew 5:8, 9) A pure heart is one that is not only morally clean but also spiritually untainted and unified in its devotion to Jehovah. (1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 86:11) The original-language word rendered “peaceable” literally means “peacemakers.” The peaceable live in peace with their Christian brothers and, as far as it depends on them, with their neighbors. (Romans 12:17-21) They “seek peace and pursue it.”​—1 Peter 3:11.

16, 17. (a) Why are the anointed called “sons of God,” and how do they “see God”? (b) How do the “other sheep” “see God”? (c) How and when, in the fullest sense, will the “other sheep” become “sons of God”?

¹⁶ To the peaceable who are pure in heart, the promise is made that they “will be called ‘sons of God’” and “will see God.” Anointed Christians are spirit-begotten and are adopted by Jehovah as “sons” while still on earth. (Romans 8:14-17) When they are resurrected to be with Christ in heaven, they serve in Jehovah’s presence and actually see Him.​—1 John 3:1, 2; Revelation 4:9-11.

¹⁷ The peaceable “other sheep” serve Jehovah under the Fine Shepherd, Christ Jesus, who becomes their “Eternal Father.” (John 10:14, 16; Isaiah 9:6) Those who successfully pass the final test after the Millennial Reign of Christ will be adopted as Jehovah’s earthly sons and “have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21; Revelation 20:7, 9) In anticipation of this, they address Jehovah as their Father, since they dedicate their lives to him, recognizing him as their Life-Giver. (Isaiah 64:8) Like Job and Moses of old, they can “see God” with eyes of faith. (Job 42:5; Hebrews 11:27) With ‘the eyes of their heart’ and through accurate knowledge of God, they perceive Jehovah’s wonderful qualities and endeavor to imitate him by doing his will.​—Ephesians 1:18; Romans 1:19, 20; 3 John 11.

18. In line with the first seven happinesses outlined by Jesus, who find true happiness today?

¹⁸ We have seen that those conscious of their spiritual need, those who mourn, the mild-tempered, those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peaceable find true happiness in serving Jehovah. Yet, such ones have always encountered opposition, even persecution. Does this mar their happiness? That question will be considered in the following article.

Persecuted yet Happy

“Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake.”​—MATTHEW 5:11.

1. What assurance did Jesus give his followers regarding happiness and persecution?

WHEN Jesus first sent out his apostles to preach the Kingdom, he warned them that they would encounter opposition. He told them: “You will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name.” (Matthew 10:5-18, 22) Earlier, however, in his Sermon on the Mount, he gave his apostles and others the assurance that such opposition would not necessarily endanger their deep-felt happiness. In fact, Jesus even linked being happy with being persecuted as Christians! How could persecution bring happiness?

Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

2. According to Jesus and the apostle Peter, what kind of suffering brings happiness?

² The eighth happiness that Jesus stated is: “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:10) Suffering in itself is not meritorious. The apostle Peter wrote: “What merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being slapped, you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with God.” He further stated: “However, let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a busybody in other people’s matters. But if he suffers as a Christian, let him not feel shame, but let him keep on glorifying God in this name.” (1 Peter 2:20; 4:15, 16) According to Jesus’ words, suffering brings happiness when it is endured for righteousness’ sake.

3. (a) What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake? (b) What effect did persecution have on the early Christians?

³ True righteousness is measured by conformity to God’s will and his commands. Suffering for righteousness’ sake, therefore, means suffering because one resists pressure to violate God’s standards or requirements. The apostles were persecuted by the Jewish leaders because of refusing to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-29, 40) Did this undermine their joy or halt their preaching? Far from it! “[They] went their way from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of his name. And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.” (Acts 5:41, 42) This persecution brought them joy and renewed their zeal in the preaching work. Later, the early Christians were persecuted by the Romans because of refusing to practice emperor worship.

4. What are some reasons for the persecution of Christians?

⁴ In modern times, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been persecuted because they refuse to stop preaching “this good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 24:14) When their Christian meetings are banned, they are willing to suffer rather than stop gathering together as the Bible commands. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) They have been persecuted because of their Christian neutrality or their refusal to misuse blood. (John 17:14; Acts 15:28, 29) Nevertheless, this stand for righteousness brings God’s people today much inner peace and happiness.​—1 Peter 3:14.

Reproached for the Sake of Christ

5. For what basic reason are Jehovah’s people persecuted today?

⁵ The ninth happiness that Jesus considered in his Sermon on the Mount also deals with the subject of persecution. He stated: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake.” (Matthew 5:11) The basic reason why Jehovah’s people are persecuted is that they are no part of the present wicked system of things. Jesus told his disciples: “If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.” (John 15:19) Similarly, the apostle Peter stated: “Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.”​—1 Peter 4:4.

6. (a) Why are the remnant and their companions reproached and persecuted? (b) Does such reproach diminish our happiness?

⁶ We have already seen that the early Christians were persecuted because they refused to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Christ commissioned his followers: “You will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The faithful remnant of Christ’s anointed brothers, aided by their loyal companions of the “great crowd,” have zealously carried out that commission. (Revelation 7:9) Therefore, Satan wages war “with the remaining ones of her seed [the seed of the “woman,” the heavenly part of God’s organization], who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus.” (Revelation 12:9, 17) As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we bear witness to Jesus, the now-reigning King of the Kingdom government, which will destroy human governments standing in the way of God’s righteous new world. (Daniel 2:44; 2 Peter 3:13) For this we are reproached and persecuted, but we count ourselves happy to suffer for the name of Christ.​—1 Peter 4:14.

7, 8. What did opposers lyingly say against the early Christians?

⁷ Jesus stated that his followers should consider themselves happy even when people “lyingly say every sort of wicked thing” against them for his sake. (Matthew 5:11) This was certainly true of the early Christians. When the apostle Paul was detained in Rome, about 59-61 C.E., Jewish leaders there said of Christians: “Truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.” (Acts 28:22) Paul and Silas were accused of having “overturned the inhabited earth,” acting “in opposition to the decrees of Caesar.”​—Acts 17:6, 7.

⁸ Writing of Christians at the time of the Roman Empire, historian K. S. Latourette stated: “The accusations varied. Because they refused to participate in pagan ceremonies the Christians were dubbed atheists. Through their abstention from much of the community life​—the pagan festivals, the public amusements . . .​—they were derided as haters of the human race. . . . It was said that both sexes met together at night . . . and that promiscuous intercourse followed. . . . The fact that [the Memorial of Christ’s death] was celebrated only in the presence of believers fed the rumours that Christians regularly sacrificed an infant and consumed its blood and flesh.” In addition, because the early Christians refused to practice emperor worship, they were accused of being enemies of the State.

9. How did the first-century Christians respond to false accusations made against them, and what is the situation today?

⁹ Those false accusations did not prevent the early Christians from carrying out their commission to preach the good news of the Kingdom. In 60-61 C.E., Paul was able to speak of the “good news” that was “bearing fruit and increasing in all the world” and that had been “preached in all creation that is under heaven.” (Colossians 1:5, 6, 23) The same occurs today. Jehovah’s Witnesses are being falsely accused, even as the first-century Christians were. Yet, today the work of preaching the Kingdom message prospers and brings those who share in it much happiness.

Happy to Be Persecuted Like the Prophets

10, 11. (a) How did Jesus end his consideration of the ninth happiness? (b) Why were the prophets persecuted? Give examples.

¹⁰ Jesus ended his consideration of the ninth happiness by saying: “Rejoice . . . , for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.” (Matthew 5:12) The prophets whom Jehovah sent to warn unfaithful Israel were badly received and often persecuted. (Jeremiah 7:25, 26) The apostle Paul testified to this fact, writing: “What more shall I say? For the time will fail me if I go on to relate about . . . the other prophets, who through faith . . . received their trial by mockings and scourgings, indeed, more than that, by bonds and prisons.”​—Hebrews 11:32-38.

¹¹ During the reign of wicked King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, many of Jehovah’s prophets were killed with the sword. (1 Kings 18:4, 13; 19:10) The prophet Jeremiah was put into stocks and later thrown into a miry cistern. (Jeremiah 20:1, 2; 38:6) The prophet Daniel was cast into the lions’ den. (Daniel 6:16, 17) All these pre-Christian prophets were persecuted because they defended the pure worship of Jehovah. Many prophets were persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus called the scribes and the Pharisees “sons of those who murdered the prophets.”​—Matthew 23:31.

12. Why do we as Jehovah’s Witnesses count it a privilege to be persecuted like the prophets of old?

¹² Today, we as Jehovah’s Witnesses are often persecuted because we are zealous in preaching the good news of the Kingdom. Our enemies accuse us of “aggressive proselytizing,” but we know that faithful worshipers of Jehovah before us faced similar criticism. (Jeremiah 11:21; 20:8, 11) We count it a privilege to suffer for the same reason that the faithful prophets of old suffered. The disciple James wrote: “Brothers, take as a pattern of the suffering of evil and the exercising of patience the prophets, who spoke in the name of Jehovah. Look! We pronounce happy those who have endured.”​—James 5:10, 11.

Profound Reasons for Being Happy

13. (a) Why are we not discouraged by persecution? (b) What enables us to stand firm, and what does this prove?

¹³ Far from being discouraged by persecution, we are comforted by the thought that we are following in the footsteps of the prophets, the early Christians, and Christ Jesus himself. (1 Peter 2:21) We draw deep satisfaction from the Scriptures, such as the following words of the apostle Peter: “Beloved ones, do not be puzzled at the burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial, as though a strange thing were befalling you. If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, even the spirit of God, is resting upon you.” (1 Peter 4:12, 14) We know from experience that we are able to stand firm under persecution only because Jehovah’s spirit rests upon us and strengthens us. The support of the holy spirit is proof that Jehovah’s blessing is upon us, and this brings us great happiness.​—Psalm 5:12; Philippians 1:27-29.

14. What reasons do we have to rejoice at being persecuted for righteousness’ sake?

¹⁴ Another reason why opposition and persecution for righteousness’ sake makes us happy is that it proves that we are living as true Christians with godly devotion. The apostle Paul wrote: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) We are supremely happy at the thought that our keeping integrity under trial provides a further answer to Satan’s challenge that all of Jehovah’s creatures serve Him out of selfish interest. (Job 1:9-11; 2:3, 4) We rejoice that we have a share, be it ever so small, in the vindication of Jehovah’s righteous sovereignty.​—Proverbs 27:11.

Leap for Joy at the Reward

15, 16. (a) What reason did Jesus give for us to “rejoice and leap for joy”? (b) What reward is stored up in the heavens for anointed Christians, and how will their “other sheep” companions also be rewarded?

¹⁵ Jesus gave an added reason for joy at being maligned and persecuted like the prophets of old. Toward the end of the ninth happiness, he stated: “Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens.” (Matthew 5:12) The apostle Paul wrote: “The wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Yes, the ‘great reward’ is life, and it is not a wage that we can earn. It is a free gift. Jesus said that the reward is “in the heavens” because it comes from Jehovah.

¹⁶ The anointed receive “the crown of life,” that is, in their case, immortal life with Christ in heaven. (James 1:12, 17) Those with an earthly hope, the “other sheep,” look forward to inheriting everlasting life in an earthly paradise. (John 10:16; Revelation 21:3-5) For both classes, the “reward” is unearned. Both the anointed and the “other sheep” receive their reward by Jehovah’s “surpassing undeserved kindness,” which moved the apostle Paul to say: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable free gift.”​—2 Corinthians 9:14, 15.

17. Why can we be happy when persecuted and figuratively “leap for joy”?

¹⁷ To Christians, some of whom were soon to be cruelly persecuted by Emperor Nero, the apostle Paul wrote: “Let us exult while in tribulations, since we know that tribulation produces endurance; endurance, in turn, an approved condition; the approved condition, in turn, hope, and the hope does not lead to disappointment.” He also said: “Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation.” (Romans 5:3-5; 12:12) Whether our hope is heavenly or earthly, our reward for faithfulness under trial is immeasurably greater than anything we deserve. Our joy at the prospect of living forever to serve and praise our loving Father, Jehovah, under our King Jesus Christ is unbounded. We figuratively “leap for joy.”

18. What can be expected of the nations as the end draws near, and what will Jehovah do?

¹⁸ In some lands, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been and still are persecuted. In his prophecy about the conclusion of the system of things, Jesus warned true Christians: “You will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name.” (Matthew 24:9) As we near the end, Satan will cause the nations to manifest their hatred against Jehovah’s people. (Ezekiel 38:10-12, 14-16) This will signal Jehovah’s time to act. “I shall certainly magnify myself and sanctify myself and make myself known before the eyes of many nations; and they will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezekiel 38:23) Jehovah will thus sanctify his great name and deliver his people from persecution. Therefore, “happy is the man that keeps on enduring.”​—James 1:12.

19. While awaiting the great “day of Jehovah,” what should we do?

¹⁹ As that great “day of Jehovah” draws ever nearer, let us rejoice because we are “counted worthy to be dishonored” for Jesus’ name. (2 Peter 3:10-13; Acts 5:41) Like the early Christians, may we continue “without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ” and his Kingdom government while awaiting our reward in Jehovah’s righteous new world.​—Acts 5:42; James 5:11.