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A World Without StrangersThe Watchtower—1961 | April 1
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religion—the worship of the true God Jehovah. Therefore, all nationalistic and religious barriers will fall. “All your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant.” “The earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea,” prophesied Isaiah.—Isa. 54:13; 11:9.
Knowledge of Jehovah will make the difference. It will draw all men together into a oneness never before experienced. It has already united the antitypical “stranger” with the remnant of spiritual Israel in bonds of love and affection. It has moved them “to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.” As a people they have vowed not to lift up sword, nation against nation, neither to “learn war any more.” Therefore, their peace is abundant.—Isa. 2:3, 4.
Another factor that will contribute toward eliminating the modern meaning of stranger is the fact that “death will be no more.” (Rev. 21:4) With death out of the way, there will be ample time for people to get acquainted with one another. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16; 10:28.
But if no one dies, will not the earth become overpopulated in a short time? No. God’s war of Armageddon, which will put an end to this wicked world, will depopulate the earth considerably. The Bible says that “very few mortal men” will survive that battle. (Isa. 24:6; Rev. 16:14, 16) The few survivors, however, will marry and bring forth children. There will also be a resurrection of “both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) When the earth will have been suitably populated, most likely then childbearing will cease. The earth’s inhabitants will busy themselves with the peaceful pursuits of making this earth a paradise for all eternity.
In the new earth that the prophets and the apostles foretold, mankind will be brought to perfection of mind and body. With perfect minds the human family will be able to retain in memory the names of all their brothers and sisters whom they will meet. Each will be interested in the other and will seek the welfare of the other. In time the one who lives the farthest away will become known. He will no longer be a stranger. The human family under the direction of their “Father for eternity” will prosper in peace and happiness, for such is God’s unalterable purpose toward this earth.—Isa. 9:6; Ps. 72:1-8.
The earth, therefore, is due for a change. There is no doubt whatsoever that the change will come. Its coming is not dependent on the vision and unselfishness of men, but on the wisdom and power of God. As persons abound in the new earth of his making, it will become clear that God and not man is the Guardian of the human race. “Look! the tent of God is with humankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them,” is the inspired promise. The only question remaining is, Will we be there to enjoy it? Whether we will or not depends upon our relationship with the God who has vowed to make “all things new.”—Rev. 21:3-5.
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Psychologist Scoffs at SinThe Watchtower—1961 | April 1
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Psychologist Scoffs at Sin
“There is no place whatever for the concept of sin in psychotherapy and to introduce this concept is pernicious.” So said a noted psychotherapist in New York. Nevertheless, the truth remains: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”—Rom. 3:23.
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