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Questions From ReadersThe Watchtower—1951 | November 15
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To view the rebellion of angels as being in Noah’s day instead of Eden is more reasonable. In Eden Satan had just started his rebellious course. God had accepted the challenge, and given the promise of the Seed. The issue was new. It was not so likely that angels would jump in immediately to join the unproved rebel Satan. They would wait to watch developments. In Noah’s day fifteen centuries had gone by, and Satan had turned aside all men but three, Abel, Enoch and Noah. If he could do this by himself, how completely successful would he be with a host of angels to help him! And where was the promised Seed? Had not fifteen centuries elapsed, with no sign of it? So Satan could argue, arguments he would not have at the outset in Eden. He could argue that if the sons of God would join him, materialize for a time or permanently, a super race of giants could be produced to dominate and rule over man, and under them the last holdouts for Jehovah could be whipped into line or destroyed.
But the Flood upset the scheme and forced the materialized angels to dematerialize. These former sons of God could not return to Jehovah’s service had they wanted to; they remained with their chosen master, Satan, and became his demon hordes. They were now imprisoned in dense darkness, alienated from God, in the dark as to his purposes, with a dark end ahead of them, all of which is well pictured by Tartarus. (See 2 Peter 2:4, NW, and appendix note thereon.) It was to these spirits imprisoned in Tartarus that Jesus preached.
Why? To give the demons a chance to repent? Hardly. No angel died as their ransom, even if they were in circumstances permitting ransoming. Moreover, it is hardly consistent to say that perfect Adam and Eve will have no second chance, and then turn around and say that disobedient angels, who were perfect and far higher and smarter and more powerful than man, and who had even seen and associated with Jehovah God, could abandon their God-given assignments and join Satan and yet later have a chance to repent unto salvation. Why, then, preach to the demons?
Preaching does not always mean for purposes of repentance and salvation. We take the wine cup of Jehovah’s wrath to the nations, not for their conversion but as a warning of the death awaiting them. It is an announcement of doom and of Jehovah’s ultimate triumph. We will continue to preach after Armageddon has started, not that more will then repent and be saved but that all will know Jehovah’s purposes of vengeance are being carried out. (See the June 1, 1951, Watchtower, page 351, second question and answer.) Similarly Jesus preached to the demons. So the invisible part of Satan’s world, as well as the visible, get a witness against them, not only by Christians’ being a spectacle to men and angels (including the fallen ones, the demons), but by Jesus himself preaching to them of their final end.
Please see also pages 69-73, 76, 81, 152, 153 in What Has Religion Done for Mankind?
● Verses 4 and 5 of Proverbs 26 seem to express contradicting thoughts. What is the explanation?—T. L., North Carolina.
According to Moffatt’s version these verses Pr 26:4, 5 read: “Never answer a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him: answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagines he is wise.” Or, according to Fenton’s translation: “Answer no fool, like his folly, lest you make yourself like to himself. Reply to a fool as his folly requires, lest he seem to be wise in his own eyes.” The key to properly relating these instructions that seemingly conflict is found in the warning sounded in each case. It is the difference in the warnings that fixes the meanings to be attached to the instructions given relative to answering fools.
If you answer a fool according to his folly, in the sense of answering in harmony with his folly or according to it, you put yourself in agreement with the fool. The fool’s reasonings and deductions are unsound, and your answer should not be in accord with the fool’s views. The fool may show folly in the undignified or contentious manner in which he argues, showing desire for only fruitless strifes of words, which Christians are commanded to shun. So you would not answer according to the folly of the fool by siding in with his foolish views or by adopting his foolish and degrading methods of argument. Why not? “Lest you become like him.” But you can answer the fool without making yourself like him, and this Pr 26 verse 5 advises, “lest he imagines he is wise.” If you did not answer the fool’s folly and allowed it to go unchallenged and unrefuted, the fool would certainly become wise in his own conceited viewpoint. To prevent this you would answer according to his folly in the sense of answering on the basis of his foolish contentions, analyzing them, exposing how ridiculous and absurd and unworthy of acceptance they are when viewed rationally. Thus you may be able to show that the fool’s own arguments and false principles lead to conclusions far different from what he contends. His own folly may be used against him in a turning of the tables, if his folly is wisely caught up and analyzed and used against the fool’s false position. So doing, you “reply to a fool as his folly requires” and forestall his becoming “wise in his own eyes”.
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AnnouncementsThe Watchtower—1951 | November 15
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Announcements
“PRAISE JEHOVAH AS KING” TESTIMONY PERIOD
“Praise Jah, you people.” (Rev. 19:6, NW) In obedience to this compelling exhortation hundreds of thousands in 1951 have raised their voices in a mighty song of praise to the universal sovereign, Jehovah God. Other thousands are catching up the joyful words and joining in the chorus that lauds their Creator as King. What of you? Do you believe the Bible? the evidences of our day which prove Jehovah reigns, and a new world is at the doors? Perhaps, then, the desire to praise the Most High exists within your heart, too. You can use your faculties to “Praise Jehovah as King” during December, when that theme will be sounded in a special way world-wide. The Bible message extolling God’s greatness will be presented to the public in the form of the book entitled “What Has Religion Done for Mankind?” and a 32-page booklet, on a contribution of 50c. Literature for distribution may be obtained from a company of Jehovah’s witnesses, or from the Watchtower, 117 Adams St., Brooklyn 1, N. Y. Write us for information regarding a nearby company of Jehovah’s witnesses, or as to how you may have a further share.
THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL
“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4) In fulfillment of this prophecy many thousands are truly ‘running to and fro’ through the pages of God’s Word. For them, knowledge is indeed on the increase, knowledge of a most vital sort, rewarding the learners with peace, joy, freedom and the sure prospect of living forever in God’s new world. Contributing remarkably to the widespread increase of Bible knowledge are the numerous theocratic ministry schools conducted by congregations of Jehovah’s witnesses. At present a chapter-by-chapter analytical study of the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures is under way, this outstanding translation being critically compared with other Bible translations. Supplementary textbooks studied in the school treat such topics as Bible languages and manuscripts, Bible dictionaries and concordances and their use, proof of Bible’s authenticity, Bible doctrines, and religions—past and present. Other subjects needful for ministers and Bible students, such as composition and public speaking, are given ample attention. The publishers are happy to extend to the readers of this magazine an invitation to attend a theocratic ministry school and share in the increase of right knowledge. The school is held once each week, without cost. Feel free to write us for the location of the school nearest you.
1952 YEARBOOK AND CALENDAR
“Which is the true religion?” How often has that question been asked! The 1952 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses will furnish overwhelming evidence showing God’s blessing upon the people bearing his name. Though a wicked world bans them, drives them underground, threatens imprisonment, torture and death, Jehovah’s witnesses in 116 lands fearlessly press on, refusing to compromise with enemy forces, but insisting on obedience to God and Christ. You will thrill to their amazing experiences, learn of marvelous increases, and come to appreciate that here indeed is the one organization of true peace, love and unity; this by reading the inspiring and revealing 1952 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Available on a contribution of 50c. Also released at this time is the attractive colorful 1952 calendar, containing the yeartext and appropriate Scriptural citations. Obtainable for 25c; 5 for $1.00, sent to one address. Companies, pioneers and groups are encouraged to combine their orders and send them in through the appointed servant.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES
Week of December 16: Baptism for Salvation and Fire Baptism, ¶1-18.
Week of December 23: Baptism for Salvation and Fire Baptism, ¶19-35.
Week of December 30: Request to God for a Good Conscience.
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