Education for Entering ParadiseWould you like to live in Paradise? If your answer is 'Yes,' you will be thrilled to know that when Jesus spoke of today's troubled system and "the sign" of its approaching destruction, he added, "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." Some, at least, of the generation that saw the "beginning of pangs of distress" in 1914 will live to see Paradise restored on earth. ( Matthew 24:3-8 , 34 ) However, it is a sad fact that most people today are on the broad road that leads to destruction. ( Matthew 7:13, 14 ) There is little time left for them to change. How thankful you can be that Jehovah has provided warning in time! Because Jehovah wants you to have life, he will help you to take the right steps.— 2 Peter 3:9 ; Ezekiel 18:23 . Your urgent need now is accurate knowledge. ( 1 Timothy 2:4 ; John 17:3 ) Where can you get this? Can it be found in just any religion? Some people say all religions lead to the same goal, just as all paths on a mountain lead to the summit. How mistaken they are! In order to find the right path, mountaineers use maps, and they hire guides. Likewise, there is only the one religion of truth that will lead to everlasting life, and guidance is needed to find it.— Acts 8:26-31 . This brochure has been provided by Jehovah's Witnesses to help you. It has already helped you to understand some basic Bible truths, has it not? No doubt you have confirmed for yourself that each point is based on God's inspired Word. Now, to progress toward your goal, you must continue to learn. Just as a proper secular education is necessary to fit a person for a place in everyday society, so a proper Bible education is necessary to equip one for entering the society that will survive to live in the Paradise earth. ( 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ) Satan may try to distract you by causing close associates to oppose you or by tempting you into selfish materialistic or immoral ways. Do not give in to Satan. Your safety and the whole future of you and your family depend on your studying the Bible further.— Matthew 10:36 ; 1 John 2:15-17 . Besides continuing your present Bible study, there is another way to learn. People in your neighborhood who are interested in Bible education regularly attend the local Kingdom Hall meetings. All who attend are there to take in instruction from the Bible and are sincerely trying to become better people. They readily welcome newcomers, saying, "Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah [his place of worship] . . . and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths." ( Isaiah 2:3 ) Good reasons for attending Bible meetings are explained in Hebrews 10:24, 25 , which reads: "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near." As you associate with Jehovah's organization, you will find the atmosphere very different from that of temples and churches. There is no soliciting of money, no backbiting or quarreling, and no discrimination because of family background or financial standing. The most outstanding quality among Jehovah's Witnesses is love. First, they love Jehovah, and second, they love other people. These are marks of true Christians. ( Matthew 22:37-39 ; John 13:35 ) You should attend their meetings and confirm this for yourself. No doubt you will be impressed by their unity. There are more than three million Witnesses worldwide in over 200 lands. Yet, Witnesses throughout the earth follow the same programs at their meetings. And because of simultaneous printing in many languages, at their weekly meetings most of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the world study the same Scriptural subjects within a few hours of one another. The unity of Jehovah's organization is a modern-day miracle in this divided world. As you associate regularly with Jehovah's people, you will need to clothe yourself with "the new personality" and cultivate the fruitage of God's spirit—"love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control." ( Colossians 3:10 , 12-14 ; Galatians 5:22, 23 ) This will bring you deep contentment. You may have problems to overcome from time to time because you live in a corrupt world and also because of your own imperfections. But Jehovah will help you. His Word assures those who are sincerely trying to please him: "Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." ( Philippians 4:6, 7 ) You will be drawn by Jehovah's love, so that you will want to serve him. Jehovah's Witnesses will be happy to show you how you can dedicate your life to this loving God and become one of his privileged witnesses. ( Psalm 104:33 ; Luke 9:23 ) Yes, it is a privilege. Just think! As a worshiper of Jehovah, you can reach out for the goal of everlasting life in a paradise here on earth.— Zephaniah 2:3 ; Isaiah 25:6 , 8 . Continue, then, to study and to grow in love and appreciation of Jehovah God, his Son, and the heavenly government of righteousness. In describing the government of God and the blessings it will shower on mankind, the Bible prophecy says: "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them." "God himself," who is exalted so far above the selfish, ruinous man-rule of this day, will be very close as a kind Father to all those who love and worship him in that new system. Indeed, there will be only the one religion, the true worship of Jehovah God, and his worshipers will enjoy the intimate relationship of children to the Father. What a loving Father he will show himself to be! "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."— Revelation 21:3, 4 . Thus the great miracle of establishing a paradise earth under a perfect heavenly government will have been accomplished. It is as certain as the fact that the sun will rise and set tomorrow. For the promises of Jehovah God, Creator of heaven and earth, are ever "faithful and true." He it is who declares from his throne in heaven: "Look! I am making all things new."— Revelation 21:5 . |
