Loyal love to God and his Kingdom Heir also requires us to be on guard against temptations to become materialistic, or to rebel against theocratic rule in the local congregation or to grow lax in conduct. It further requires of us that we stand firm in the faith so as to successfully resist the efforts of opposers to slow us down or to make us prove disloyal to our God and King.

Today Christendom, although having taken Christ’s name, is not expressing loyal love to God and his Kingdom Heir. Instead of remaining neutral, it has taken sides in the East-West struggle for world domination, sharing in this world’s materialism and militarism. It will therefore perish with this old world at Armageddon.

The test is on. To go counter to the whole world is not easy. To do so with success we must lean heavily on Jehovah’s loyal love. For our assurance he has caused to be recorded twenty-six times in Psalm 136 alone that “his loyal love is to time indefinite.” (Margin) But we must do our part, for as we read elsewhere: “All the paths of Jehovah are loyal love and truthfulness for those observing his covenant and his reminders.”—Ps. 25:10, margin.

Questions From Readers

● When Jesus said, as recorded at Matthew 5:5, “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth,” of whom was he speaking?—H. S., U.S.A.

Jesus here applied the expression “mild-tempered” or “meek” to his disciples of that time who were in line for the heavenly kingdom. He was the chief meek one among them and their example. Hebrews 1:1, 2 and Heb 2:5, 6 show that Jesus inherits the earth or takes over the possession of it. His disciples were made his joint heirs in the Kingdom and enter into this inheritance or possession of the earth with him. Hence Matthew 5:5 does not strictly apply to the “other sheep.” However, it has been quoted in connection with them and properly so because they must be meek or mild-tempered ones in imitation of Jesus Christ, and it is only because of being such that they will be allowed to live on the earth in the new world. They do not take over possession of the earth any more than Adam did in the garden of Eden, but Matthew 5:5 can nevertheless be given a general application in that they hold the earth in trust for the chief Heir, the Lord Jesus Christ. To this extent they enter into an inheritance. They enjoy the realm of the King. As Jesus said in the parable of the sheep and goats: “Come, you who have my Father’s blessing, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the world’s foundation.” (Matt. 25:34) So it is not wrong to use this scripture in a general sense in speaking of the blessings that await the “other sheep” in the new world.

● Is it right for Christians to invite others to their home or to accept an invitation to the home of another person for a meal on a worldly holiday?—G. B., U.S.A.

There is nothing Scripturally wrong with Christians’ enjoying a meal in their own home or as guests in the homes of friends or relatives on any day of the year. It may be that on such a worldly holiday is the only time when several are free from their jobs at once so they can take time to enjoy a meal with their friends. Of course, to meet together specifically for the purpose of celebrating the worldly holiday and eating a meal in recognition of it would not be Scriptural or Christian. While it is true that some make a religion on certain days out of actions that would be ordinary on other days, it is not necessary for us, on the other hand, to make a religion out of avoiding on certain days of the year what we would ordinarily do on other days.

In this connection it is good to keep in mind the counsel found in the Scriptures: “Food will not commend us to God; if we do not eat, we do not fall short, and, if we eat, we have no credit to ourselves. But keep watching that this authority of yours does not somehow become a stumblingblock to those who are weak.” “Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory.”—1 Cor. 8:8, 9; 10:31.