18. (a) Joel 2:32 tells of what fine provision? (b) In what various ways is the word “house” used in the Bible?

¹⁸ Finally, in a prophecy now being fulfilled, preceding the “great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah,” we read: “And it must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will prove to be the escaped ones, just as Jehovah has said, and in among the survivors, whom Jehovah is calling.” (Joel 2:31, 32) What a fine, reassuring provision! But where will you find this Mount Zion and Jerusalem to which you can escape?

19. Where today can we find God’s “house” and “city”?

¹⁹ In ancient Israel, Zion, or Jerusalem, became the center of worship, with its temple, housing the ark of the covenant, representing Jehovah’s presence. Similarly with the Christian congregation, spiritual Israel, it is spoken of as approaching “Mount Zion and a city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem.” (Heb. 12:22; Rev. 21:2) Today, there is a remnant of this spiritual temple class, this remnant forming the nucleus of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, and around this nucleus a beneficial and effective building work in a spiritual sense is in progress. It is carried on by the power of God’s spirit, in full harmony with God’s Word in every respect, under the skillful direction of the Head of the Christian congregation, Christ Jesus. You are warmly invited to share with Jehovah’s witnesses in this fine building program, attending and sharing in their meetings, also sharing in all the activities of their preaching and teaching work. You will not only receive skillful direction, but will be helped to acquire skillful direction and become increasingly adequate for the work of Bible education, along with the “escaped ones.”