Questions From Readers

● At Daniel 11:20 reference is made to “one who is causing an exacter to pass through” the land. In “Your Will Be Done on Earth,” page 249, paragraph 57, this is applied to the issuing of a decree of registration mentioned at Luke 2:1-7. But is there not a difference between the two words? How can the issuing of a registration decree be termed an exaction?—W. B., U.S.A.

The word “exactor” has reference to exacting tribute or tax and is used in this sense, for instance, at 2 Kings 23:35, which refers to King Jehoiakim’s taxing Judah in order to pay tribute to Egypt’s Pharaoh Nechoh. This signification, however, does not debar the word “exactor” from being applied to the agent whom Caesar Augustus sent throughout the land at the time that Jesus was about to be born. It is true that some translations refer to what Caesar Augustus there decreed as an enrollment of the world, whereas the New World Translation speaks of it as a registration, but we must remember that this enrollment or this registration was not merely for the purpose of finding out how many people there were in the Roman Empire, or in a province of the Roman Empire. It had an ulterior motive, and as the book, “Your Will Be Done on Earth,” shows, that ulterior motive could be the exaction of men for the army or the exaction of taxes. This exaction would be determined and administered according to the number of people enrolled or registered in any one district or province of the empire. So the end result is the same although the Hebrew word in Daniel 11:20 may be different from the Greek word in Luke 2:1-7.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

September will complete the three-month campaign during which Jehovah’s witnesses are offering to all persons who show interest in the Word of God the Bible-study book “Your Will Be Done on Earth,” along with another book and two booklets, for $1. Special effort should be made to reach those living in areas previously unworked during this campaign.

ANNUAL MEETING AT PITTSBURGH

On Saturday, October 1, 1960, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, the annual meeting of the members of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania will be held at the Society’s office located at 4100 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Notice of the annual meeting will be sent to all the members. So that the letters of notice will reach the members shortly after September 1, all should be certain that the secretary’s office has their present addresses.

Proxies will accompany the notice of meeting. Each member should complete and return his proxy promptly whether he is going to be at the meeting personally or not and should do so so that the proxies will reach the office of the secretary of the Society not later than September 15.

YOUR PART IN A NEW WORLD

“New heavens and a new earth!” That is one of the wonderful promises of the Bible. Do you know what it means? Its fulfillment will involve, in one way or another, every living creature. To be sure of your part, be informed! Send for and read the two hard-bound books “New Heavens and a New Earth” and “Your Will Be Done on Earth.” They total 768 pages of vital Bible instruction and counsel. Send $1 at once and receive free two timely booklets also.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

October 2: Choosing the Right Form of Worship. Page 529.

October 9: Awake Worshipers in the Time of the End. Page 535.