reason for the “superior authorities,” to which we are still subject, to use their “sword” against us.

46, 47. (a) For how long will we continue subject to the “existing authorities,” and how? (b) Thus what does our conscientious subjection help us to maintain, as in the case of the prophet Daniel?

⁴⁶ In obedience to Romans, chapter thirteen, we will continue subject to the “existing authorities” until they are destroyed in the coming universal war of Armageddon. We will subject ourselves to them regardless of whichever political party holds the power of office or whichever political group may force itself into office.

⁴⁷ In this way our conscientious subjection of ourselves to the “existing authorities” helps us to maintain our Christian neutrality toward the political campaigns and battles of all the nations of this world. We are like the prophet Daniel, who did not oppose but subjected himself to the Medo-Persian conquerors Darius and Cyrus after they overthrew wicked Babylon.—Dan. 5:26 to 6:5.

48. (a) So, as Christian neutrals, in what things will we take no part? (b) In God’s new world, what difficulties will there not be for those lovingly subjecting themselves?

⁴⁸ As Christian neutrals we will take no part in rebellions, mobs, anarchy or other public disorder. Even at the coming battle of Armageddon we will not lift a hand against the “existing authorities” to hasten their destruction. We will let God, the Source of all authority, take away the control from the “existing authorities” and completely replace them with the rightful kingdom of his Son Jesus Christ. (2 Chron. 20:15-17; Dan. 2:44) Then, in God’s new world, there will be no difficulties whatever between Christian conscience and subjection to the King Jesus Christ, for “angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.” (1 Pet. 3:22) Everlasting blessings will rain down from heaven upon all men on the paradise earth who lovingly subject themselves to the King according to God’s will and in support of his perfect arrangement.

Hypnotism and Spiritism

✔ Is hypnotism spiritism? Yes, for the one who submits to hypnotism is under the control and influence of another person. (Deut. 18:11) This controlling influence is apparently a human, but it puts its victim under a spell; it can lead to a hypnotized person’s producing spiritistic phenomena. For instance, the French psychologist Richet experimented with subjects whom he had previously hypnotized. He claimed that, while in this state, they were often able to identify playing cards even though they were enclosed within opaque envelopes. Thus a number of hypnotized persons have given evidence of ESP or extrasensory perception. A more recent series of tests was made by a British extrasensory perceiver, to see whether other persons could develop ESP. Writing in his autobiography Clock Without Hands, he said:

“I found that when I hypnotised some people they seemed to be able to ‘borrow’ my E.S.P. faculty. . . . Strangely enough I found I could get no E.S.P. myself . . . when I was actually conducting my experiments. . . . The results suggest that either I was able to transfer my E.S.P. ability to other people, or I was able to remove in them some barrier which repressed . . . psychic powers. . . . My own experiments seem to indicate that hypnotism may be a means of developing the psi faculty.”

The true Christian who is dedicated to God for the doing of his divine will will not surrender control of his power of reason and his will to another human, much less undergo the risk of allowing demon powers to move in on a hypnotized mind. No, the Christian does not seek ESP, and hypnotism’s link to such spiritistic practices further exposes it as something not for Christians.