● What accounts for the change in rendering of Ephesians 5:13 in the New World Translation, from the 1950 edition, which said: “Everything that makes manifest is light,” to the 1961 edition, which reads: “Everything that is being made manifest is light”?—R.

12. Who make up the true light-bearing organization today?

¹² It can confidently be said that the new world society of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the true, light-bearing organization today.

At Proverbs 4:18 (AS) it states: “The path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

While the light is still dim the broad outline of an object may be visible but the details of it are not always distinct, and as the light increases these details may be seen with more clarity and a corrected view is obtained.

The 1 Joh 2 verses 7, 8 in question read: “Beloved ones, I am writing you, not a new commandment, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning.

Again, I am writing you a new commandment, a fact that is true in his case and in yours, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.”​—1 John 2:7, 8.

8, 9. What steps toward qualification as a minister precede removal of “the veil of unbelief”?

⁸ No one can be adequately qualified to be a minister of God in his new covenant unless, like Saul, he has the light from God through Christ shine upon him, repents of his sinful course, accepts God’s mercy, calls upon God’s name as the Forgiver of sins to have his sins washed away in the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice and gets baptized in water and thus shows faith and makes a public confession of that faith.

3. To get the right viewpoint of John 3:16, how are we helped by a comparison with John 1:1-13, NW?

³ Note that John’s comments at John 1:1-13 run parallel to those of Jesus at John 3:16-21 (NW), to show this: The true light came into the world that people of all kinds might exercise faith in his name.

It was open to the people to accept the light and for the world to be saved.

We left New York by train for Miami, Florida, there to take a plane to our foreign assignment.

After New York it seemed pretty small.

Thrilling New Light

Do these not point the finger of scorn at Jehovah’s witnesses, and say, “You are a new religion”?

It should now be of interest to examine their claims in the light of history and of Bible truth.

We have a choice with regard to the education we put first in our lives, whether old-world or new-world education.

But if we put Kingdom interests first, as Jesus advised, then we will study the Scriptures and keep up with the advancing understanding of the truth as its light gets brighter and brighter.

⁹ Jesus’ shed blood validates the new covenant.

Jesus is not a party to the new covenant.

In order not to slip back into that darkness, they had to cultivate heart attitudes that belong to the light.

Paul said: “You should put away the old personality which conforms to your former course of conduct and which is being corrupted according to his deceptive desires; but . . . you should be made new in the force actuating your mind, and should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.”​—Ephesians 4:18, 22-24.

Proverbs 4:18 tells us that “the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.”

This Scriptural principle has made it advisable to publish a new songbook, for with the ever-increasing light there are new truths, new themes, clearer understanding and change of emphasis.

It was at this assembly, as at an earlier assembly in June in London, England, that new light was thrown on the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.

Jewish writers say these lamps made a brilliant light that could be seen a considerable distance.

They pictured the spiritual light from God’s temple.

In the future, anointed Christians will reflect divine light in an even greater way.

When they finish their earthly course, they will become part of “New Jerusalem,” or Christ’s bride of 144,000 fellow kings and priests.​—Rev. 14:1; 21:1, 2, 24; 22:3-5.

1, 2. By contrasts, how can we increase our appreciation of light, both as a necessity and as a source of delight?

LIGHT and darkness constitute one of the greatest contrasts.

If in broad daylight you were walking through open country new to you, you would feel quite confident.

In the ancient tabernacle and temple at Jerusalem there were oil-burning lamps in the Holy compartment, but Jehovah’s Shekinah light was miraculously there in the Most Holy to provide light.

20. How was the so-called “only light there is” blown out, and so what is there to say regarding Christendom’s churches in connection with the League of Nations?

²⁰ Later, an American organizationc that advocated the League of Nations came out with the slogan: “In a world so dark as this, why blow out the only light there is?”

But in 1939 the Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler blew out that “only light,” and the League of Nations disappeared in the abysmal darkness of World War II.

4, 5. In view of Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10 why may we ask how this song could be new, and yet where are new things not limited?

⁴ But how can this song be new?

We may ask this question when we remember that a wise ruler of thousands of years ago said: “That which has come to be, that is what will come to be; and that which has been done, that is what will be done; and so there is nothing new under the sun.

Full of spiritual instruction, counsel, new light of truth and demonstrations as to the ministry and practical New World living was the 1953 eight-day program.

Jehovah God not only made natural light and provided man with eyes with which to see natural things, but he has also made provision whereby man can see spiritual light and discern spiritual things by means of the ‘eyes of the heart’. (Eph. 1:18)

This treasure sparked new interest in ancient manuscripts.

Before long other Bible treasures came to light.

³ The words of Isaiah’s prophecy began to have fulfillment: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee.

And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

For the general guidance of all Kingdom publishers in their field activities the new service booklet of 64 pages on “Preaching Together in Unity” was released on January 1, 1955.

To increase the publication of literature, especially the magazines, in the spring of the year the Watchtower Society began building its new thirteen-story factory across the street from its present nine-story factory in Brooklyn.

The beginning of the rule of undeserved kindness resembles the dawning light of a new day.

3. In what way were the Jews put to the test by Jesus’ teaching?

³ As the man Jesus Christ, God’s Son was “the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

He taught the people “many things with illustrations”​—new things. (Mark 4:2)

The apostle Paul called this new Christian nation “the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16)

Respecting the purpose of their calling, Peter wrote: “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

⁸ This Word of God is like a bright light shining in a dark place.

“Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway.” (Ps. 119:105)