In some lands Christians are even forbidden to read the Bible and to assemble with others to study it. Does that overcome them with fear to the extent of forsaking the association with others of the same faith? Not at all. Despite human rulings to the contrary, they abide by the course counseled by the inspired apostle of Christ Jesus: ‘Do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together.’ (Heb. 10:25) Subsequent developments prove that they are taking the right course, for Jehovah protects and blesses them, and even when unjustly apprehended and punished, he gives them fortitude and hope to overcome and outweigh the mental and physical sufferings they may have to undergo.

With such an inspiring array of testimony about the enduring love of fellow Christians, as seen in their valuation of regular association together, is it not appropriate for each one to analyze his own view of weekly meetings of the Christian congregation? There is danger in taking them for granted. There is danger that creature comfort could cause us to shrink from inconveniences, to consider our material wants rather than our spiritual welfare. Does it take denial to us of the right to assemble with fellow Christians to arouse us to fullest appreciation of the privilege? Surely not.

It is obvious that if we desire something keenly enough we will put forth the effort to attain it. Why, even sickly persons, weary ones, aged ones, yes, cripples and blind ones get to meetings of the Christian congregation regularly. Why is this so, in spite of their handicaps? It is because they are convinced of their need of the association and the spiritual strength to be derived from interchange of expression about God’s will. (Rom. 1:12) By all means, then, build up the good habit of healthful association. Be a blessing to fellow Christians, and they will be a blessing to you.

Questions From Readers

● At Matthew 19:24 and Luke 18:25 Jesus Christ compares the difficulty of a rich man’s gaining his way into the kingdom of God to the difficulty a camel would have in trying to get through the eye of a needle. Some Bible dictionaries speak of the “needle’s eye” as possibly being a small gate of a walled Oriental city, and such books sometimes show pictures of small gates. Was Jesus referring to any such gate?​—F. M., U.S.A.

Attempts have been made to explain Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25 as referring to a little gate in one of the large gates of Jerusalem. The explanation has included the thought that, if at night the large gate was closed, this little gate could be opened, and, with difficulty, a camel could fit through it. However, at Luke 18:25 a Greek word is used that specifically refers to a sewing needle, and thus the New World Translation renders the text: “It is easier, in fact, for a camel to get through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God.”

Various authorities on Biblical Greek, such as An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words by W. E. Vine, agree with the rendering in the New World Translation. In Volume 3, pages 106, 107, this work explains that the Greek word found at Luke 18:25 is belone, which is “akin to belos, a dart, denotes a sharp point, hence, a needle.” This work goes on to point out: “The idea of applying ‘the needle’s eye’ to small gates seems to be a modern one; there is no ancient trace of it. Mackie points out (Hastings’ Bib. Dic.) that ‘an attempt is sometimes made to explain the words as a reference