then ye shall be trodden down by it. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation when he shall make you to understand doctrine. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” (Isa. 28:17-20, margin) “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”—Jer. 23:28, 29; Isa. 62:10; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12.

43. Aside from throwing down modern Baalism, what else is accomplished by the truth? and how should Christ’s followers declare such truth?

⁴³ The truth as to the pagan origin and Baal-like qualities of Christendom’s religious doctrines frees the mind of the hearer from them, overturns them, upsets them from any Christian standing they once had in the person’s mind. But Bible truth does more than root out, pull down, throw down and destroy, as shown by Jeremiah’s commission: “I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (Jer. 1:10) As Gideon built up true worship after downing Baalism, so today the anointed remnant plant and build up correct teaching after clearing out the doctrinal rubbish of the supposed Christianized paganisms. In performing this service Christ’s followers should shun foolish speculations and quarrelings, and be meek and gentle and persuasive, that the learner may recover the mental freedom snatched from him by Satan. “Avoid foolish, crude speculations; you know they only lead to quarrels, and a slave of the Lord must not quarrel, but treat everyone kindly; he must be persuasive and unresentful, correcting his opponents with gentleness; for God may possibly let them repent and acknowledge the truth, and they may yet return to their senses and escape from the toils of the Devil, who has caught them to make them do his will.”—2 Tim. 2:23-26, An Amer. Trans.

44. Why have Jehovah’s witnesses been mentally freed? and how are they equipped to fulfill that purpose?

⁴⁴ It is for such godly combat in the interests of liberation that Jehovah’s witnesses themselves have been mentally freed. The truth that has freed them must be used to free others, as shown by the parable of the pounds. (Luke 19:11-27; Matt. 5:14-16) They fight as soldiers of Christ, enduring hardness, separate from worldly entanglements. (2 Tim. 2:2-4) Armed not with carnal weapons but with Bible truth, they can overthrow the mental prison-houses and strongholds, and any argument or obstacle raised by the visible jailers can be smashed, and minds once captive to Satan become bound in obedience to Christ and God. “Though I do live an earthly life, I am not carrying on an earthly war, for the weapons I use are not earthly ones, but divinely strong for destroying fortresses. I destroy arguments and every obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, and I take captive every thought and make it obey Christ.”—2 Cor. 10:3-5, An Amer. Trans.

45. What questions remain for settlement in the next issue?

⁴⁵ When we turn back to the ancient prophetic drama involving Gideon and his little band of three hundred, when we follow them into battle against the enemy that spread over the valley of Jezreel like locusts for number, will we find prefigured there the Christian warfare that uses no carnal weapons? Will the outcome of the battle in the days of the judges match the results of Christian combat in these last days of Satan’s world? For the facts in answer please see our next issue.

A Completely New World for This Globe

A NEW WORLD! Who can create such a thing? What will it be like? According to whose ideas will it be made? Will it suit everybody that lives? Will it endure forever? The right answer, backed by authority that cannot be questioned, comforts those who mourn because of the present wicked conditions, and quiets all fears of the future that is shrouded in darkness and uncertainty. It fills the hearts of righteous persons with hope. Receiving that authoritative information, such ones are put at ease with the assurance that the new world will be absolutely perfect and will completely satisfy their heart’s desire and more than fulfill their highest expectations.

Now is the time for all lovers of righteousness and truth to take courage and rejoice. It is a time for all who would live under a rule of justice and peace to examine the facts in the light of that incoming new world and to learn the truth and then be guided by it. The difficulties in the way and the cost of time and study on your part are not to be compared with the rewards you receive in knowledge, understanding, peace, joy and hope of life. The time is short. Those who do not inform themselves and who do not now choose the new world which the true Higher Powers will shortly establish will never live to enter into its blessings and glories. It is for those who desire it and prepare for it. None will be forced into it against their will and choice.

The new world means more than the nations realize. It calls for more than they can muster. The bald fact is that they do not want it. For that reason the promised new world of lasting peace should not be confused with the so-called “new order” or “new world order” that was held up and widely advertised a few years ago by the political and religious dictators as a lure to the people. The righteous new