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Gilead GraduationThe Watchtower—1959 | May 1
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Gilead Graduation
THE stimulating spiritual feast that a Gilead graduation provides attracts many dedicated Christians from far and near. With 130 students from fifty-three lands, this thirty-second class proved to be both Gilead’s largest and most colorful.
The outstanding feature of the graduation, which took place February 15, 1959, was the powerful discourse by N. H. Knorr, president of the School as well as of the Watch Tower Society, on the subject “Ordained Ministers—Before God or Before the Nations of the World?” He pointed out that regardless of what worldly nations may think or do, what really matters is having God’s recognition and approval as ministers. Forcefully he developed the theme that every dedicated and baptized Christian is a full-time minister, even though secular work may greatly limit his preaching activity. Such secular work is merely engaged in to pay the expenses of the ministry, as it were.
Among the scriptures he elaborated on was that by Jesus about Christians being the light of the world and a city that cannot be hid and those by Paul: “Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory,” and “whatever it is that you do in word or in work, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Matt. 5:14; 1 Cor. 10:31 Col. 3:17) Christians must be on the watch all the time. Christian living is their vocation, their chief occupation—not a hobby. It was ideal admonition for all 1,924 present.
Preceding Brother Knorr’s remarks, parting words of admonition were given by the Kingdom Farm servant and Gilead’s four instructors First to be heard was John Markus, who emphasized rightly using one’s knowledge and abilities if we would have God’s blessing. Following him Robert Porter stressed that, important as our sacrifices of praise are, obedience is still more important. Next Jack Redford spoke on the need of enthusiasm, joy and love. Maxwell Friend pointed to the need to remember in times of stress the lesson of Ebenezer: ‘Up till now Jehovah has helped with his continued aid this too will pass.’ (1 Sam. 7:12) Brother Schroeder likened the class of missionaries to a great fireworks display that will scatter its light to the four corners of the globe, to the fifty-four countries to which they were assigned. Many telegrams and cablegrams received from all quarters of the earth were read and appreciatively received by all.
After diplomas were distributed, a student read a Resolution on behalf of the class in which its members expressed their “deepest and warmest appreciation” for the training they received while at Gilead and their resolve to perform their dedication vows with “renewed strength and fearless determination.” Then a few closing remarks by Brother Knorr, a song and prayer brought the program to a conclusion.
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Extending and Peopling our Spiritual ParadiseThe Watchtower—1959 | May 1
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Extending and Peopling our Spiritual Paradise
SOME twenty-five hundred years ago Nebuchadnezzar built a paradise along the Euphrates in the heart of the city of Babylon for the pleasure of his wife. It consisted of five terraces, each raised fifty feet higher than the previous one for a total of 250 feet. ‘The terraces were exquisite gardens with the rarest and most beautiful plants. There were flowering fountains and tame animals disported at ease.’ It was known as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Jehovah God himself is the greatest of all constructors of paradises, spiritual and literal past, present and future, for those whom he loves. His paradises are far more beautiful, are far larger and far more enduring. All of his gardens are distinguished by their beauty, peace, happiness, pure worship and life-giving fruits.a—Gen. 2:8, 9.
The first, of course, was the one planted eastward in Eden for the benefit of Adam and his offspring. They were to extend it until it eventually filled the whole earth. However, because of Adam’s rebellion that Paradise was destroyed at the Deluge.
Another Paradise mentioned in the Scriptures is that one to which Jesus referred in his dying promise to the friendly evildoer that was staked alongside him. That will be a literal Paradise and will cover the whole earth, in keeping with God’s original purpose regarding the earth.
The early Christian congregation from the time of Pentecost on enjoyed a paradise-like condition of spiritual prosperity. It was a foretaste of the heavenly Paradise that the conquerors will receive by means of the first resurrection.—Rev. 2:7.
Because of apostasy after the death of the apostles that spiritual paradise on earth ceased to exist until 1919. After the kingdom of God had been established in the heavens and Satan and his demons cast out, Jehovah delivered the faithful remnant of anointed Christians from their captivity to modern Babylon, in 1919. Their spiritual prosperity has kept on in creasing, a striking demonstration of it being the Divine Will International Assembly.
Today we see the New World society fulfilling Ezekiel 36:10 in that it is being peopled by increasing numbers, its cities are being inhabited and its waste places are being built. Let all of us who are enjoying these blessings share in further extending and peopling our spiritual paradise by aiding others to an appreciation of these marvelous expressions of Jehovah’s love for his creatures.
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