● What might one of Jehovah’s witnesses do when he is accosted by a robber who demands his money?

He might calmly try to reason with him and identify himself as a Christian minister. If that fails, he would show appreciation of the value of his life if he did not endanger his life in an endeavor to hold onto the money.—Pp. 346, 347.

● Why should a Christian woman resist even to the death an attempted rape?

Because it is an attempt on her virtue, and to consent to it is to consent to fornication. It is a matter of integrity to Jehovah’s laws.—P. 347.

● How did Jehonadab prove that his heart was upright and united with Jehu?

He rode in Jehu’s chariot and showed publicly that he was giving his active support to Jehovah’s anointed one.—P. 358.

● What did the Most Holy and the curtain that divided it off from the Holy in Israel’s tabernacle for worship picture?

The Most Holy represented the heavenly place of God’s presence, and the curtain pictured Christ’s perfect flesh.—P. 367.

● Why is covetousness idolatry?

Because it causes one to make an idol of oneself, and one’s selfish cravings become the uppermost thing in one’s life.—P. 388.

● What evidence is there that Jehovah has shown his approval of the priesthood of Christ and his underpriests?

He has channeled through them a tremendous flow of spiritual provisions. He has also blessed the anointed on earth and protected them in the face of global opposition and hatred.—P. 406.

● What fear do the Scriptures recommend?

The proper and beneficial fear of displeasing Jehovah.—P. 435.

● On what basis will mankind in general be judged during the 1,000-year judgment day?

On the basis of their heart condition, evident in their obedience to God’s will at that time, and not according to whether they previously had an opportunity to learn and do that will or not.—Pp. 453, 454.

● What is zeal?

It is a passionate ardor for a cause, an intense eagerness in promoting some end. It is also referred to as earnestness, enthusiasm, devotion and fervor.—P. 458.

● How can one become zealous for Jehovah?

By regularly studying his Word, keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah and watching one’s associations.—Pp. 468, 469.

● In what three ways does loose conduct harm a person?

It damages his relations with his Creator. It causes friction with his neighbor and it even directly causes emotional and spiritual, if not also physical, injury to himself.—P. 476.

Questions From Readers

● If, as stated at John 18:31, the Jews in Jesus’ time did not have the authority to execute lawbreakers, how could they stone Stephen to death?—H. H., U.S.A.

The degree of authority of the Jews at that time as to capital punishment is somewhat uncertain. Many scholars believe that forty years before the destruction of the Temple (70 C.E.), or about 30 C.E., the Jews ceased to pronounce capital or death sentences. This would seem to be in line with the comments made by the members of the Sanhedrin when they delivered Jesus up to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. We read: “Pilate said to them: ‘Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews said to him: ‘It is not lawful for us to kill anyone.’”—John 18:31.

It may be, though, that the Romans allowed the Jewish authorities the right to execute violators of religious law, but not violators of political law. According to Jewish historian Josephus, the Roman general Titus acknowledged that the Romans granted the Jews permission to kill defilers of the Temple. (Wars of the Jews, Book VI, chap. II, par. 4) Even if this indicated a general policy, it would not affect what we read in John 18:31.

The Jewish religious leaders were murderers, willing to slay an innocent man to accomplish their ends. Thus they plotted Jesus’ death. (John 8:44; 11:48-53) But a problem arose. They were afraid that acting against Jesus would