a “great crowd,” which no man can number; yes, ‘the little one will become a thousand,’ all amid boundless spiritual prosperity. (Rev. 7:9, NW; Isa. 60:22; 66:14; Mic. 5:2-9, AS) That then future time has now arrived, in our day. For us now these things and more are actually taking place. Ours is the indescribable privilege of engaging in productive witnessing to the praise of the great God Jehovah, the chief Producer of all.—Psalm 149; Isaiah 12, AS.

Productive Witnessing

“The way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air.”—1 Cor. 9:26, NW.

 1. Why is it right and proper for Jehovah’s witnesses to be productive today?

TO PLEASE Jehovah today his witnesses must be productive, even as were his witnesses of old. To his disciples Jesus, the perfect Example, said: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and follow me continually.” (Matt. 16:24, NW) Jesus’ apostle Peter did that; hence he was able to write: “In Fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Pet. 2:21, NW) Not only do we have Jesus as a model but now he is invisibly present, directing the work of productive witnessing. Therefore those who are witnesses today must show good results in the ministry.—John 4:36; 1 Cor. 3:8; Gal. 6:9, 10, NW.

 2. Why may it be said that the “good news” carries with it the factor of productivity?

² The fact that A.D. 1914 the permanent kingdom of Jehovah was established with Christ Jesus on its heavenly throne is good news indeed. This good news carries with it the factor of productivity, for those who hear are privileged and obligated to pass on what they hear to others. Notice how this is stated at Revelation’s last chapter: “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.”—Rev. 22:17, NW.

 3. What petition did Jesus say his followers should make, and what has been the result?

³ Jesus likened our day to harvesttime, when there is much work to be done but not much time in which to do it. He said: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:37, 38, NW) Today Jehovah, the Master of the harvest, has answered this prayer of his anointed witnesses, the ones commissioned by him to