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Servant’s Care of the Master’s GoodsThe Watchtower—1950 | August 1
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praised forever and ever, and to have part now in vindicating it before all the world. That joy knows no limits. Then there is the destruction of this evil world, removing evildoers for all time. Oh, that the day might even be hastened! It cannot come quickly enough. Then the Devil, his demons, his rulers of darkness, will be gone. Does not even this prospect bring abounding joy to your heart? And there is still more to follow.
18. How can we begin to enter into the joy of our Lord?
18 Can you not begin to enter into the “joy of thy Lord”? Yes, it is possible, and that to the extent of your faithful service. This joy is not given to the slackers, murmurers and idlers, but only to those who are ever alert, awake and seeking to increase at all times. The greater the service and approval, the more we enter into the joy. All the joys of Kingdom service, belonging to the King, we may enter into, and the immediate future holds many more. This is our day of prosperity. Let us rejoice and be glad that now we are in it. (Ps. 118:23-29) Be joyful in the King of the new world. There has never been a time like this in the history of man, and there will never be such a time again. Share the King’s service now, and share the King’s joy. Now is the time to work hard and work with a will. The work is joyful and will continue so, bringing its increase in talents (Kingdom interests). The promise has been made, “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”—Ps. 16:11, Am. Stan. Ver.
19. What future rewards are in store for those who increase their talents?
19 Then everlasting blessings in the glorious new world. “And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” “For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Isa. 35:10 and Rev. 7:17, Am. Stan. Ver.) No time now to slack the hand, but be busy in the Kingdom service, improving, increasing, always expanding your talents (Kingdom interests). The time is short. All loyal, faithful servants of God, enter fully into your present service. Greater responsibilities, which may require all the strength we have, lie ahead, but the rewards are also great. Therefore let all be sober, be vigilant, be energetic. Foes will come up against us, but Jehovah will push them back, so that we can get ahead with his precious work. Watch the “faithful and wise servant” and receive with meekness and gratitude the counsel and instructions issued. Keep away from the tables of those opposed. Watch well your present interests in the Kingdom. Do not spare yourself, but increase more and more, and you will be conscious of the Lord’s approval and those sweet, delightful, satisfying words of approval by the Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Our eternal existence depends upon faithful performance of duty.
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God’s GovernmentThe Watchtower—1950 | August 1
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God’s Government
THE government of Jehovah God is of paramount importance to all who are seeking the way to life. By and through his government or kingdom Jehovah will vindicate his name and establish lasting peace in the universe, and never again shall affliction rise up. (Nah. 1:9) In all periods of time honest men have desired such a government and have had some vague knowledge of its coming. Now God’s kingdom or government is here, and every person of good-will toward God will be anxious to learn about that government. The government of Jehovah God is a Theocracy because under the immediate direction and administration of Almighty God. It is a righteous government because all of Jehovah’s ways are right and righteous. Jehovah is supreme; and all who have a part in his government must be in full accord with him and joyfully obey his commandments.
Following the rebellion in Eden the first ray of hope set before man was God’s promise to establish a righteous government on earth. Abel had faith and hope in that coming government. Likewise Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and a few others desired that government and by faith looked forward to it. (Heb. 11:1-16) With the descendants of Abraham God set up a typical Theocracy. He used the Israelites to make prophetic pictures of his coming real Theocratic government. Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Samuel were representatives on the earth of God’s Theocratic government. When the Jews requested a man for king they displeased God, and concerning this it is written: “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.”—1 Sam. 8:7, 8.
Demon religion, brought in by the Devil, was the reason for the Jews’ rejecting God as King. They wanted to be like other people. Because of Saul’s unfaithfulness he was rejected by the Lord. God then made David king over Israel; and David was a type foreshadowing Christ Jesus, the Beloved of Jehovah, and who is the world’s real and true King under Jehovah, the “king of eternity”.—Jer. 10:10, margin.
The last typical king of Israel was Zedekiah, the unfaithful and wicked one. He was overthrown, and God declared
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