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Fearless at the World’s EndThe Watchtower—1950 | March 15
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vain or that we shall be disappointed, for the apostle says: “Tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts.” Rom. 5:3-5, Am. Stan. Ver.
10. Therefore from what study must we draw strength, and why?
10 Our strength must therefore be drawn from a study of the Scriptures, for here we learn who is the source of strength. Did not the Almighty make strength? He created it. The more we learn of Jehovah, and how he supplies his power, the better enabled we shall be to become recipients of it. To know Jehovah is to trust him. Our Lord Jesus is the perfect example of complete confidence, knowing no fear of man, of the world, or of the Devil. The truth gives freedom of mind, of speech and of self. “Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”—John 8:31, 32, Am. Stan. Ver.
11. How must truth be received, and why?
11 Truth must be received in meekness. “Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (Jas. 1:21, Am. Stan. Ver.) The Lord Jesus was meek. Likewise “the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth”. (Num. 12:3, Am. Stan. Ver.) Meekness and fear of the Lord are essential qualities of the Christian, and Jehovah has graciously provided for our private and collective study so that we may attain growth in these qualifications. By meekness will instruction come, and the faithful disciple will always be found waiting on the Lord and seeking His will. Then at all times the conscience will be void of offense toward the Lord when supplicating him for help and strength to do his work. Lack of meekness will often result in one’s going ahead and trying to accomplish something in his own strength.
12, 13. How can we encourage and aid one another in the faith?
12 By our associating for fellowship, study and service, we are able to encourage and aid each other in the faith. “Then they that feared the Lord spoke every one with his neighbour: and the Lord gave ear, and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that fear the Lord, and think on his name. And they shall be my special possession, saith the Lord of hosts, in the day that I do judgment: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his son that serveth him.” (Mal. 3:16, 17, Douay) Speaking every one with his neighbor cannot be accomplished by remaining at home or by only reading the Scriptures. To accomplish this it must of necessity mean meeting one with another and discussing the Lord’s Word and those works which pertain to the honor of his holy name. It means talking to one’s neighbors, and telling them the truth. With such actions the Lord is so well pleased that he commanded a record to be made: “But meanwhile those who worshipped the Eternal talked to each other, and the Eternal heeded them and heard them; before him lies a record of his worshippers who adhere to him. ‘And I will claim them,’ the Lord of hosts declares, ‘as my own prized possession, on the day when I take action; I will spare them, as a man spares the son who works in his service.’”—Mal. 3:16, 17, Moff.
13 Then the apostle Paul declared: “By observing one another, let us arouse ourselves to rival one another’s love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together as some do, but let us encourage one another, all the more as you can see that the great Day is coming nearer.” Jesus said, “For wherever two or three are gathered as my followers, I am there among them.” (Heb. 10:24, 25; Matt. 18:20, An Amer. Trans.) It is so that we can understand the good purposes of the great Jehovah, and grasp for ourselves an understanding of the righteous new world and its King, for there must be a personal acceptance and conviction of these truths. To have complete trust and implicit confidence we must make these truths our own, a part of ourselves, so to speak, and then we shall be able to obey the injunction, “Stand your ground, then, with the belt of truth around your waist.” The truth is truly our armor from God to enable us to withstand the onslaughts of the evil one and his demons in these last days.—Eph. 6:11-14, An Amer. Trans.
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The Way to Remain Fearless to the Final EndThe Watchtower—1950 | March 15
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The Way to Remain Fearless to the Final End
1. What does talking together to know the truth mean or require?
OBVIOUSLY talking together to know the truth will embrace attending Bible studies regularly, being present and sharing to the extent possible in the service meetings and ministry school meetings, making sure we are present at the circuit assemblies and other assemblies arranged by the Lord’s organization. All these provisions are made to learn the truth and so grow “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”. As each servant increases in knowledge he will desire to make it available to others. So then, there is the publishing of the good news, talking to those outside the companies, the people in general, yes, going from house
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