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Divine Education Bears Good FruitThe Watchtower—1950 | April 1
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Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”—John 15:2, 3, 8.
21. How does the practical use of his education benefit him?
21 Peace that passes human understanding is his now because he is at peace with God, in harmony with God, doing God’s will, sharing in God’s vindication. He proves that he has wisdom and understanding by obeying the commands to preach. (Ps. 111:10) By using the divine education in field service, by repeating Bible truths at the doors of the people, he fixes them in his mind and prevents them from slipping his memory when needed. Continued study refills the imperfect mind that lets the truth waters escape as if from a leaky vessel. (Heb. 2:1; margin) Diligent use of his mental faculties in study exercises and strengthens them till they can digest not only the milk but the strong meat of God’s Word, and the strength gained thereby equips him to withstand persecution and other satanic snares that abound in this world. He advances to perfection of maturity, as the scripture counsels: “Full-grown men have a right to solid food, for their faculties are trained by practice to distinguish right and wrong. Let us therefore leave elementary Christian teaching alone and advance toward maturity.”—Heb. 5:14; 6:1, An Amer. Trans.
22. To what large privilege of service may he advance?
22 Perhaps as this Christian continues his course in divine education and bears more and more good fruit he may advance to the very mature ministry of full-time service, known to Jehovah’s witnesses today as pioneering.
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More and More Pioneers of Good NewsThe Watchtower—1950 | April 1
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More and More Pioneers of Good News
This article makes searching examination of full-time ministry service as a career. It considers some of the pioneer’s problems, the requirements, and how to stick to this service. It calls notice to how children may share in pioneering. Because of the service theme, the article will be studied at the service meeting instead of the “Watchtower” study. By the regular “Watchtower” study method, each company should consider it during the last three service meetings in April. Use no more than 30 minutes of each meeting for the study, and at the first meeting consider paragraphs 1-10; at the second, 11-21; at the third, 22-31
1. Where is humanity now plunging? How can man halt from the plunge?
THIRTY-SIX years have gone by since God established his kingdom in heaven for mankind’s benefit. The “day of Jehovah” beginning A.D. 1914 is far spent and the accomplished end of this world is at hand. The human family is facing the greatest slaughter since the days of Noah. After the storm of Armageddon has passed there will not be enough living to bury the dead. (Jer. 25:33) Carrion-eating birds of prey and wild beasts of the field and forest will be summoned to a feast of human flesh. (Jer. 34:20) The invisible demon forces can no doubt see Jehovah’s Chief Executioner, Christ Jesus, closing in on them. Frantically their desperate and turbulent influence moves upon the kings of the earth to drive them like stampeding cattle to their doom. (Rev. 16:14-16) That is why the rulers of the earth are confused and frustrated, with each nation dashing against another like the roaring sea pounding its rocky shores; men’s hearts failing them for fear of what they see coming upon the earth. As the end draws ever closer, the pressure of the demons increases; earth’s rulers become more desperate and arrogant, resulting in more and more oppression to the sea of humanity. Only by a knowledge of God’s kingdom and with complete reliance upon it can man stop his headlong rush down to the Dead Sea of Armageddon.
2. How does God show concern for the oppressed and uninformed?
2 Jehovah has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; how much less in the death of the oppressed and uninformed! In this class there are many meek and teachable ones who sigh and cry because of the abominations committed in the land. Even though the future may look dark and hopeless for many, there is, however, a way of escape. Down through the ages Jehovah has always shown concern for the oppressed. In olden times he sent his prophets to sound warnings and point out the way of relief and to leave a written record for future generations. Now in this “time of the end” do you think God would leave this world to its doom without sounding a warning and pointing out a way of escape? To be sure, He would not do it and has not done it!
3. Why does the Society exist? What special calls does it issue?
3 Today Jehovah God has a modern, efficient, working organization of ministers who are completely devoted to him and governed by his spirit. God’s spirit directed them in organizing their legal corporation, known as the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, as an instrument to facilitate the sounding of a world-wide warning before the accomplished end. The Watch Tower Society classes Jehovah’s active ministers or witnesses in two groups: the group preaching only part-time and the other class on more of a full-time basis, preaching at least one hundred hours a month. This latter class the Society refers to as “pioneer ministers”. From time to time special letters showing the urgent need for more to enter pioneer service are sent to all companies of Jehovah’s witnesses. The reason for continual
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