to know, but every day we can live in the consciousness that it is near. We can live lives that harmonize with our steadfast hope of soon entering the glorious new things which Jehovah God will create. No more living for the old world for us!

19. What sort of persons does Peter say we ought to be?

¹⁹ The apostle Peter looked forward to this new world, and he tried to live worthy’ of entering it. And especially for the benefit of us living at this world climax he wrote telling us how he tried to live and how we ought to live. After describing the world-wide flood of Noah’s time and then the thieflike arrival of Jehovah’s destructive day upon the Devil’s heavens and earth, Peter wrote: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt. But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. Hence, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace. Furthermore, consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.”—2 Pet. 3:11-15, NW.

20. What does living that way mean for us at the world’s end? So what will we do?

²⁰ As we are expecting to enter the new world in which righteousness is to dwell, then let us live in righteousness. We know the Lord God’s day is coming for the destruction of all those who are spotted and blemished with this world and not at peace with God. He will approve only those whom he finds spotless, unblemished and in peace. These he will preserve through the world’s end. And if we daily do our utmost to be found finally, at that last day of this world, in a spotless, unblemished and peaceful condition, what else could this mean but that we will win his approval and protection and will survive the fiery end into the bright new world with its glories? What a wonderful possibility! What an opportunity of all opportunities! By the undeserved kindness from on high, we will avail ourselves of it by faithfully taking in the knowledge of the true God and of Jesus Christ, for “this means everlasting life”.—John 17:3, NW.

Clergyman Notes Faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses

One of Jehovah’s witnesses preaching from door to door in Arkansas met a householder who said, “I wish all you Jehovah’s witnesses could have heard our pastor yesterday. He gave a wonderful sermon on faith.” Then this person quoted the clergyman as saying: “I don’t know how you feel about it, but in my estimation there is only one organization on this earth that really has faith in what they believe, and that is the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses. Would you [pointing to congregation] have the faith and courage to stand on the street corner and put forth your views and be laughed at, scorned, mocked, arrested, beaten and put in prison and still continue to do it? Would you have the faith and courage to stand there in the snow, rain and heat and not become discouraged? Would you have the faith and courage to ring door bell after door bell and receive in return doors slammed in your face and still continue in your belief? I don’t believe you can say that you have that kind of faith. If our church had the kind of faith that this group of Jehovah’s witnesses have, we’d have a tremendous organization.”