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Part 3—Germany1974 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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PREPARATION FOR DIVINE VICTORY
With firm conviction that the time is immediately ahead of us when God will be victorious over all his enemies, Jehovah’s witnesses planned a series of international assemblies for 1973 featuring the theme “Divine Victory.” Two of these assemblies were held in Germany, with delegates present from at least seventy-five lands. On the final day, when the discourse “Divine Victory—Its Meaning for Distressed Humanity” was delivered at the Rhine Stadium in Düsseldorf, there were 67,950 in the audience. For the same talk at the five-day assembly in Olympia Park in Munich, there were 78,792 on hand. A total attendance of 146,742!
It was in Munich fifty years earlier that Hitler had made a bid for power in his “Beer Hall putsch.” Now he and his Nazi regime are gone, but Jehovah’s witnesses, in ever-increasing numbers, continue to point confidently to the triumph of God’s kingdom.
It was also in Munich that athletes from many lands had competed in the Olympic Games in 1972. The event was called a “Peace Festival,” but, as the world looks back, what many recall most vividly is the bloodshed that took place, reflecting the world’s nationalistic strife. Calling this to mind, a reporter wrote in the Münchner Anzeiger: “As I stood on the empty tier of the stadium one day before the beginning of the ‘Divine Victory’ assembly and was impressed by the willingness of helpers working here (altogether there were 7,000) I automatically had to think of September 5, 1972. At that time violence and murder slipped into the grounds. In these days it is the faithful, who, according to their conviction, try to arouse that which is good and noble in their fellowman.” Jehovah’s witnesses were not there in Olympia Park to compete, each one trying to prove that he or his nation was better than the others. Rather, they “walk in the name of Jehovah” the “God who gives peace.” Love for him is what brought them from many nations to this assembly, and it is that same love that moves them unitedly to magnify God’s name and to look forward to the day when it will be vindicated of all reproach.—Mic. 4:5; Rom. 15:33.
It was emphasized at these assemblies that it is vital for each one to ‘keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah,’ the “day” when God will execute judgment on the wicked and reward his servants, the “day” of divine victory. (2 Pet. 3:11, 12) They were reminded that, in imitation of Jesus Christ, they must individually prove themselves victors over the world if they are to enjoy divine favor when that “day of Jehovah” arrives. (John 16:33) They must not allow themselves to be cast into the mold of the world, doing things in its way, nor may they allow personal indifference or fear of the world’s reaction to cause them to hold back from doing the will of God.
Jehovah’s witnesses did not leave the assembly feeling that this is a time to slow down in their preaching, since the Divine Victory is now so near. To the contrary, they were encouraged to make full use of the remaining time, and they were supplied with equipment with which to work. A program was outlined for intensive international distribution of a tract bearing the headline “Is Time Running Out for Mankind?” They were provided with a new book bearing the stirring title “God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached.” They also received the book True Peace and Security—From What Source?. which focuses attention on the great issue of universal sovereignty, an issue that confronts every intelligent creature. Already they are sharing this information with other people. Regardless of what conditions may develop in this troubled world before the end comes, Jehovah’s witnesses have made it their resolve to press on in their God-given work, preaching the good news of His kingdom.
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Part 3—Germany1974 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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[Picture on page 250]
“Divine Victory” assembly in Düsseldorf (above) was attended by 67,950; the one in Munich (below), by 78,792
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