all to see and check for themselves. Additionally, each forward step can be seen to be under the direction of the Bible’s Author, who said: “My word . . . will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it. For with rejoicing you people will go forth, and with peace you will be brought in . . . the very trees of the field will all clap their hands. Instead of the thicket of thorns the juniper tree will come up. Instead of the stinging nettle the myrtle tree will come up. And it must become for Jehovah something famous, a sign to time indefinite that will not be cut off.”​—Isa. 55:10-13.

20. How is the invitation to share in this paradise expressed at Psalm 1:1-3?

²⁰ What a grand and inviting description of a spiritual paradise! And you are invited to have a personal share in that paradise if you stick closely to God’s Word. As it says at Psalm 1:1-3: “Happy is the man . . . [whose] delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.” What happens to that man? “He will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water, that gives its own fruit in its season and the foliage of which does not wither [remaining ever fruitful and ever green], and everything he does will succeed.”

21, 22. (a) How do the scriptures at Matthew 25:34 and Revelation 22:17-20 enlarge on this invitation? (b) What personal and positive commitment can we make in response to this invitation?

²¹ The way into the spiritual paradise is still open! The invitation to enter and enjoy it is still sounding out world wide! As expressed by the king in Jesus’ parable: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (Matt. 25:34) In fact, the Holy Scriptures, God’s Word, concludes with this invitation: “And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: ‘Come!’ And let anyone hearing say: ‘Come!’ And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.” As a last word, John, in vision, hears Christ Jesus say: “He that bears witness of these things says, ‘Yes; I am coming quickly.’” Then John eagerly responds: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”​—Rev. 22:17-20.

²² Why not make a positive commitment and take refuge under the incorruptible “kingdom of the heavens”? With such an oft-repeated and pressing invitation, will you not eagerly respond? Will you not come?

Separateness from the World Can Be Lifesaving

“The world has hated them,” Jesus Christ said of his followers, “because they are no part of the world.” (John 17:14) By keeping themselves separate from the world​—its politics, ways and attitudes—​true Christians often become objects of ridicule and outright hatred. But such separateness may also serve as a protection in times of political upheaval.

A man living in a South American university city found this to be true in his case. He was very active at the university in directing political activities. Then, his casual interest in the Scriptures, sparked by a conversation with one of Jehovah’s witnesses, developed into a serious study of the Bible. Learning the Christian view of noninvolvement in politics, he gradually withdrew from his circle of friends and their ideologies.

His former friends and political associates scoffed and ridiculed what they termed his “newfound ignorance.” Time and again he explained his Bible-based stand to them. Then, in the early part of the 1970’s, a sudden turn of events in the political scene brought a change of attitude toward the ideologies that this man had once supported. His former associates were either exiled, imprisoned or killed. How happy he is to be alive and free today because of having taken his stand as a disciple of Jesus Christ!