● How does a person gain by being a dedicated, baptized disciple of Jesus Christ?

Such an individual has the satisfaction of knowing that he is doing what is approved by Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. As a Christian, he also gains brothers, sisters, mothers and children in a spiritual sense.​—5/1 p. 14.

● What is Babylon the Great, and why heed the call to “get out of her”?

Babylon the Great is the world empire of false religion, and getting out of her is the only way of avoiding destruction with her at the coming “great tribulation.” (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 18:4) ‘Getting out’ is urgent as it will be impossible to get out of Babylon the Great after her former political lovers turn upon her. (Rev. 17:15-18)​—5/15 pp. 17, 18.

● Why can we, as Jehovah’s people, expect him to listen to our prayers?

He is the “Hearer of prayer” and commands us to pray. (Ps. 65:2; Rom. 12:12) Also, we can confidently approach Jehovah in prayer because his name is involved, he knows our limitations and wants to help us, and he will hear our prayers on the basis of our being integrity-keepers.​—6/1 pp. 17, 18.

● In the Christian congregation, is it possible for there to be an environment that is not conducive to proper Christian growth?

Yes, there may be an environment or association that is not most helpful spiritually. For example, some who recently symbolized their dedication to God may tend to bring a measure of worldliness into the congregation. So we should exercise care in our associations because, like soil, the environment in which the seeds of our personal traits are buried and nourished can make us a poor variety of what was intended when we began sowing as Christians.​—6/15 pp. 19, 20.

● Will the new covenant come to an end?

Yes, the new covenant mediated by Christ Jesus will end when it fulfills its purpose of producing 144,000 spiritual sons of God. This will be when all such anointed ones are resurrected to immortal heavenly life. However, people living on earth will benefit from the new covenant everlastingly. This is because the 144,000 will then share with Christ in his millennial kingdom over the earth and in administering his ransom sacrifice, as mankind is restored to perfection with eternal life in view.​—7/1 p. 31.

● Who are the “other sheep” of John 10:16?

Since it is stated that the “other sheep” do not belong to “this fold,” they are not spiritual Israelites, heirs of the Abrahamic promise with heavenly prospects. Rather, they are an earthly class, and will be made up ultimately of all those who attain to everlasting life on earth, and for whom the “fine shepherd,” Jesus Christ also surrendered his soul. (John 10:14)​—7/15 pp. 26-28.

● As Christians, what should we do if disturbing doubts start troubling us?

We should examine our motives to see if our doubts are genuine or indicate such things as a lack of endurance or of faith in God’s power to forgive. Also, we should keep a positive attitude and remember all that Jehovah God has done for us through Jesus Christ as well as all we have learned about God’s purposes and promises through the spiritual food provided by means of the “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45-47)​—8/1 pp. 14, 15.

Questions From Readers

● At Colossians 3:23 Christians are counseled to serve their masters “whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men.” Does this mean that secular work done as to Jehovah is part of our sacred service?

The Greek word la·treiʹa, translated “sacred service” in the New World Translation, refers to dedicated worship or service to God. (Rom. 12:1) Jesus himself showed that it involves giving one’s primary allegiance to Jehovah. (Matt. 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8) It is service directed toward advancing the interests of Jehovah’s kingdom.

In ancient times, God’s dedicated nation of Israel rendered “sacred service” in obedience to the requirements of the Law covenant, in order to become to Jehovah “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Ex. 19:5, 6) This service provided types and shadows of realities to appear later under the New Covenant arrangement, in connection with God’s kingdom by Christ Jesus. (Heb. 8:5; 9:9, 14) Thus anointed Christians are told: “Seeing that we are to receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us continue to have undeserved kindness, through which we may acceptably render God sacred service with godly fear and awe.” (Heb. 12:28) Their companions, the “great crowd,” who look forward to everlasting life on earth, must likewise show godly fear as they perform their assigned “sacred service” in the earthly courtyard of Jehovah’s temple.​—Rev. 7:9, 15.

Does this “sacred service” mean simply ‘living a good life,’ being a fine example in raising and providing for one’s family, keeping the house clean, applying oneself at school, and so forth? Hardly, for the Israelites did such things over and above the sacred service that Jehovah commanded them to perform. (Ex. 7:16; 12:25, 26 [la·treiʹa, Greek Septuagint Version]) And though the Sabbath law required them to ‘render service, and do all their work six days,’ certain sacred services were carried on even during the seventh day, such as at festivals and in giving instruction in the synagogues.​—Ex. 13:5, 6; 20:9; Acts 13:14, 15; 18:4.

Today, there are people who live clean, moral lives, but who have no interest at all in God or his purposes. Surely their lives cannot be described as “sacred service.” Obviously, this has to do specifically with service to God, done out of appreciation for sacred things​—something out of the ordinary that calls for the sacrifice of time and energy. It is different from secular work or everyday living, though with Christians this also should be done “for God’s glory.”​—1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 1:9.

Outstandingly, in this time preceding the “great tribulation” our “sacred service” requires obedience to Jesus’ commands to preach and to teach “this good news of the kingdom,” warning the people and making disciples. (Matt. 24:14, 21; 28:19, 20) It also embraces our assembling for worship, our family studies of the Bible and discussions of the text for each day. It extends to special service in the pioneer and missionary fields, and at Bethel homes operated for supplying spiritual food and providing good organization for the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It includes the services performed by traveling and congregational overseers and ministerial servants, as they care for the spiritual interests of their brothers. (Deut. 31:12, 13; 6:4-9; Eph. 6:4; Acts 1:8; 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3; 1 Tim. 3:1, 12, 13) This “sacred service” of all of God’s organized people is rendered from dedicated hearts, and with the help of Jehovah’s spirit and his holy angels. (Phil. 3:3; Acts 27:23) If we by such service ‘keep on seeking first the kingdom and [God’s] righteousness,’ Jehovah will see to it that the daily necessities of life are “added” to us.​—Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:31.

Our “sacred service” must be modeled after the kind of service that Jesus did on earth. (1 Pet. 2:21-23) It is performed out of love for God and love for neighbor, the kind of self-sacrificing love in which Jesus set the example. (Mark 12:30, 31; John 13:34; 15:13) This service places emphasis on our public preaching, for we are told: “Let us always [through Jesus] offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” At the same time, we must “not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others”​—no, not as mere charitable works, but from the heart in behalf of fellow worshipers. Thus when our brothers are in need, suffer calamity or are in distress, we will render loving assistance, so that all may be encouraged to hold fast the public declaration of their hope without wavering. “With such sacrifices God is well pleased.”​—Heb. 10:23-25; 13:15, 16; Rom. 10:10-15; Jas. 1:27.

Do you have to readjust your viewpoint on “sacred service”? If so, may you do so in the spirit expressed at Second Corinthians 13:11: “Finally, brothers, continue to rejoice, to be readjusted, to be comforted, to think in agreement, to live peaceably; and the God of love and of peace will be with you.”

God Does Not Torment Souls

Religions have long taught that the souls of the wicked are tormented in a fiery hell. But the Bible does not teach that. Learn what hell is and what the Bible says about the condition of the dead. Read the chapters “What Happens to Us When We Die” and “God Does Not Torment Souls” in Good News​—to Make You Happy. Receive this valuable 192-page, hard-covered book, postpaid, by sending only 50 cents (U.S.) to Watchtower, 117 Adams St., Brooklyn, N.Y., 11201.