This ‘beating their fellow slaves’ in a verbal way would be because they wanted to dominate or exercise power over others. They desired a high position so that they would be looked up to. But they could not achieve their ambition. Christ would not let any such disloyal ones have domination over or break up his congregation and stop the work it is doing. Instead, on inspection, Christ would "cut asunder" such ones, cutting such individuals off from the "faithful and discreet slave" class
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JoinedPosts by Rooster
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Are Jehovah's Witnesses....
by Honesty invictims of an evil group of men masquerading as the voice of god?
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EACH ONE MUST WATCH HIMSELF
by Rooster ineach one must watch himself.
shortly after jesus resurrection and ascension to heaven he formed the christian congregation, on pentecost day of the year 33 c.e.
there the "faithful and discreet slave" class, with jesus apostles taking the lead, began to feed the individuals in gods newly formed household of faith with spiritual food.
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EACH ONE MUST WATCH HIMSELF
Shortly after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven he formed the Christian congregation, on Pentecost day of the year 33 C.E. There the "faithful and discreet slave" class, with Jesus’ apostles taking the lead, began to feed the individuals in God’s newly formed ‘household of faith’ with spiritual food. (Acts 2:1, 14, 46, 47) This "slave" class, the spirit-anointed Christian congregation, would remain loyal right down to the time of Christ’s coming to destroy the present wicked system of things.—Matt. 28:18-20.
Nevertheless, Jesus gave a warning to them with respect to loyalty. Why? Well, as a class, God’s congregation would remain faithful. The Bible shows that the foreordained number of 144,000 would be completed. That number would eventually be "sealed" as faithful. (Rev. 7:1-8; 14:1-5) Thus ‘all [spiritual] Israel [or, the Israel of God] would be saved.’ (Rom. 11:26; compare Galatians 6:16.) But as to individuals who would make up that body, or that "slave" class, each one was to be tried, tested and required to prove his integrity and loyalty. "He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved," Jesus said.—Matt. 24:13; Jas. 1:3; Rev. 14:12.
Accordingly, after speaking of the "faithful and discreet slave" that would be loyal till his coming, Jesus went on to say: "But if that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards [literally, the (ones) getting drunk], the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, and will punish him with the greatest severity (literally, he will cut asunder him] and will assign him his part with the hypocrites."—Matt. 24:48-51; Luke 12:45, 46, Kingdom Interlinear Translation.
We note that Jesus did not say that the "faithful and discreet slave" would turn disloyal. But, as to the individual members of that "slave" class, Jesus merely indicated the possibility that not all would be loyal, just as one of the twelve, Judas, after a right start, had turned out bad. Jehovah God will have only loyal, tested ones as inheritors of the Kingdom. (2 Pet. 1:10, 11) Jesus therefore warned each one of his spirit-begotten, anointed followers to watch himself. He said to all his disciples: "Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man."—Luke 21:36.
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The LETTER Posted at all Kingdom Halls
by Apostate Kate in.
i know someone here must know about the letter and there is a thread somewhere.
can someone link me to that thread either in pm or here on the new letter posted in all the kingdom halls about them admitting they are not inspired etc ... thank you!
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3 True, the loyalty of one may impress and influence others, but it is exhibited, not for that purpose, but because of one’s allegiance. Nor must one person’s loyalty be the controlling factor to force others to the same conclusion. However, where a group are all of the same opinion and determination from personal conviction, and all voluntarily united, then such is a loyal company. Today Jehovah’s witnesses are the only group of people holding true to God’s law, his rule of action. They are loyal to the highest authorities in the universe, Jehovah and Christ Jesus, and faithfully adhere to the theocratic government, giving unswerving allegiance to it and to its King. Also these witnesses recognize the arrangement Jehovah has established by creating the "faithful and discreet slave", now having the complete responsibility over all the Master’s goods and possessions on earth. They acknowledge readily and willingly the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as the legal servant of the "faithful and discreet slave", and are loyal to it, also to the truth and to their brothers in the faith. Loyalty is known only when it is demonstrated, and it is actually revealed when there is trouble, adversity and temptation. Once it is manifested, however, confidence in the loyal one results.
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Service Meeting week of December 26, 2005
by TheListener insong 85.
10 min: local announcements.. 15 min: local needs.. 20 min: new features of awake!
mention the adjustments to awake!
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Your Service Meetings
WEEK
STARTING JANUARY 11Theme: Showing Appreciation for God’s Revelations. Song 26.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.15
min: Reasons for Vacation Pioneering. Questions and answers on insert "Enjoy the Privilege of Vacation Pioneering." (Where appropriate one question may cover more than one paragraph. For instance, the question "Why do many vacation pioneer?" may be used to cover several paragraphs, giving opportunity for many comments.) Cover insert from beginning down to the heading "A Fine Time to Vacation Pioneer." Last paragraph before this heading can be read in conclusion. Congregation servant: Encourage the brothers to read this material before coming to meeting.15
min: "Show Appreciation for God’s Revelations." Before beginning discussion of "Kingdom Ministry" article, ask audience where they feel they can obtain new subscriptions. Call on several publishers, to get as many suggestions as possible. Also, ask the publishers what "The Watchtower" has done for them and their family. Entertain several comments. Then suggest that they may want to mention some of these benefits when offering subscriptions to others.After getting number of comments on the above questions, cover by questions and answers the points in the article "Show Appreciation for God’s Revelations."
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min: "A Warning from Ancient Rome." Audience discussion.(25 min.) Remind congregation what went on in Rome. For example: From October 22, 1969, "Awake!," page 9, read first two sentences under heading "Lovers of Money." Then, ask congregation what parallels we see in the old system of things today.
Read first sentence under heading "Without Self-Control" on page 10. Then ask congregation what parallels we see in this old system of things today. Make reference to fact that the Romans were "A Brutal People." Ask for parallels today.
(40 min.) Review upbuilding Scriptural counsel. Read Gal. 6:7, 8 and encourage congregation to keep separate from unchristian practices of this system. Ask congregation to refer to scriptures that counsel against love of money and dishonesty. Ask also for comments on the advantages that come to Christians from following this counsel of God’s Word.
Similarly, ask for scriptures that counsel against immorality and brutality. Then, ask the congregation for benefits that come to them from following such counsel. Draw out the congregation. Encourage the brothers to express themselves.
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min: Concluding comments. Consider "New Peaks in November!", local congregation report and "Question Box." Song 82. -
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Do you have a biblical name?
by ButtLight inor know of people that do?
i wonder how many out there have named their kids from names from the bible.
two of my kids are on the list, but it wasnt done on purpose.
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Revelation—Its Grand Climax is in Hand!
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denying that I was baptized seems to have worked!
by mkr32208 ina few weeks ago i was told that i would be having a jc on such and such a date... i declined to attend but send a note via my mother that said;.
as i was never baptized you need to leave me alone.
baptized persons who have not associated for some time.
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Once a person becomes one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, is he always counted as such?
No, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not like religions who hold, ‘Once a member, always a member.’ A small percentage of individuals choose to disassociate themselves from the Christian congregation or are expelled because they are unrepentant wrongdoers.
On one occasion many disciples turned away from Jesus and "would no longer walk with him." (John 6:66) The Bible also explains that if a Christian unrepentantly practices gross sin, the congregation is to ‘remove the wicked man from among themselves’ and ‘quit mixing in company with him.’—1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
Thus, today, if a Christian falls into a course of sin, a committee of spiritually qualified elders meets with him. They want to see if he is repentant and can be readjusted. (Galatians 6:1) If not, the elders obey the Bible’s direction to disfellowship the sinner so that the congregation will be "free from ferment."—1 Corinthians 5:7.
Or, as mentioned in John 6:66, occasionally a Witness on his own initiative will decide to leave the way of truth. He may even make known his decision after the committee begins to look into his wrongdoing. He may inform them in writing, or state before witnesses, that he wants to disassociate himself from the congregation and not be known as a Witness. Then it will no longer be necessary for the elders to continue their investigation. However, the elders would then make a brief announcement of his disassociation so that the congregation will know that he "went out from us." (1 John 2:19) They then will adhere to the inspired injunction ‘not to receive such a one into their homes or say a greeting to him, so as not to become sharers in his wicked works.’—2 John 10, 11.
Hence, people are not compelled to remain a part of the devil's congregation. But the vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses have the attitude of the apostles who voluntarily stuck by Jesus, receiving his spiritual help and enjoying the warm fellowship of God’s congregation.—Luke 22:28
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When kingdom come
by Jake99 inchrist will have been among this world, and yet not of this world, under a veil of secrecy, in a world of hypocricy.
a child like no other, in a bubble, with a suit of armor, direct from the mountain and born in its peaks.
rich beyond belief from the start, as if armed for bear, in the body of a lion in a world of lesser men.
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"WE WILL GO WITH YOU PEOPLE"
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Concerning this, the prophet Zechariah, at the time of the rebuilding of Jehovah’s temple in ancient Jerusalem, was inspired by God to write: "This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘It will yet be that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will come; and the inhabitants of one city will certainly go to those of another, saying: "Let us earnestly go to soften the face of Jehovah and to seek Jehovah of armies. I myself will go also." And many peoples and mighty nations will actually come to seek Jehovah of armies in Jerusalem and to soften the face of Jehovah.’ This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a man who is a Jew, saying: "We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people."’"—Zechariah 8:20-23.
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The limited fulfillment that this prophecy had in connection with the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, starting in the days of Zerubbabel, pointed forward to a far grander fulfillment in our day. In connection with what people? Surely it would not be reasonable for those who "seek Jehovah" to turn to people who superstitiously refuse even to pronounce God’s name, as do the natural Jews who cling to their traditional worship. Nor to Christendom, which imitates the Jewish custom of avoiding the use of the divine name. It is not to earthly Jerusalem that people in our day are turning to worship Jehovah. As Jesus foretold, God abandoned his temple there, and it was destroyed in 70 C.E., never to be rebuilt down to this day. This indicates to any reasonable person that God is not with non-Christian Israel.—Matthew 23:37, 38; compare 1 Kings 9:8, 9.
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The "Jerusalem" that today represents Jehovah is described at Hebrews 12:22 as "a city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem." Even as ancient Jerusalem was a visible symbol of Jehovah’s rulership, the "heavenly Jerusalem" is God’s Messianic Kingdom in which Jesus Christ was enthroned as King at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914. (1 Chronicles 29:23; Luke 21:24) That government has representatives here on earth, those who are loyally proclaiming it as the only sure hope of mankind. The first ones to announce that the Kingdom had been established in 1914 were the remaining ones of the "little flock." These are "the Israel of God," spiritually speaking. They are the spiritual ‘Jews’ concerning whom Zechariah prophesied. (Luke 12:32; Galatians 6:16; Romans 2:28, 29) Since 1931, because of their love for God and their appreciation of the responsibility to make known that Jehovah is the true and Almighty God, they have adopted the name Jehovah’s Witnesses.—Isaiah 43:10-12.
HOW
IDENTIFIED?6
As a result of the fact that these spiritual Jews have faithfully fulfilled their responsibility as Jehovah’s Witnesses, millions of sincere persons around the globe have been helped to "seek Jehovah." They have come to realize that Jehovah is truly with these people who bear his name. What convinces them of this? Many things, among which these are prominent:
(1) The beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are all based on the Bible—not simply on isolated texts but on the entire Word of God. Instead of teaching things that are of their own originality, Jehovah’s Witnesses answer questions by pointing out what the Bible says. They honor Jehovah by letting him speak. (Compare John 7:16-18.)
(2) The Bible states that God himself would take out of the nations "a people for his name." (Acts 15:14) They personally would call upon his name and would exert themselves to make it known in all the earth. (Isaiah 12:4, 5) Worldwide, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the people who are significantly associated with God’s personal name, Jehovah.
(3) Jehovah’s Witnesses have an abundance of satisfying spiritual food. What they learn from the Scriptures and the effect that this has on their outlook on life make them a happy people, in contrast to the world in general. This is what Jehovah said would be true of his servants. (Isaiah 65:13, 14; compare Matthew 4:4.)
(4) Jehovah’s Witnesses use God’s Word to set their standard of conduct and to guide their decisions in everyday affairs of life—in their families, at work, in school, in choice of recreation, in identifying practices to be shunned, in determining the most worthwhile activities in which to engage. Jehovah promised that ‘he himself would make straight the paths’ of those doing this. (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
(5) The oversight of the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses is patterned after that of the first-century congregation of God, in which elders were examples to the flock and fellow workers for the Kingdom of God instead of being an exalted clergy class. (1 Peter 5:2, 3; 2 Corinthians 1:24)
(6) Jehovah’s Witnesses are not involved in the political affairs of the world but are doing the work that the Bible sets out for true Christians, namely, preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom in all the world for a witness before the end comes. (Matthew 24:14; compare John 17:16; 18:36.)
(7) Jehovah’s Witnesses really love one another, as Jesus said his true disciples would do. Skin color, tribal origin, economic circumstances, nationality, language—none of these cause one to look down upon the other. Despite human imperfections, they are all truly united as an international brotherhood, and for this they give all credit to God. (John 13:35; compare Acts 10:34, 35.)
(8) Like the early Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern times keep right on serving God in spite of persecution. Trusting in God, they do not retaliate against opposers. As was true in the past, God has proved to be with his servants to deliver them. (Jeremiah 1:8; Isaiah 54:17)
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These are just a few of the reasons why, as foretold, "ten men out of all the languages of the nations" are saying with genuine conviction to the remnant of Kingdom heirs: "We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people." (Zechariah 8:23) The Scriptures use "ten" to represent completeness as to earthly matters, so these "ten men" represent all who are taking up true worship now in company with Christ’s spirit-anointed "brothers." They do not merely associate with the remnant at their meetings but identify themselves as worshipers of their God, Jehovah. They dedicate their lives to him through Jesus Christ and symbolize this by water baptism, thus demonstrating that they want to "become joined to Jehovah." Then they share gladly in the work being done earth wide by his witnesses.—Zechariah 2:11; Isaiah 61:5, 6.EXAMPLES
WORTHY OF IMITATION8
Some who take this action are like the queen of Sheba in the days of Solomon. From far away she "was hearing the report about Solomon in connection with the name of Jehovah." She had never personally spoken with Solomon nor had she been to Jehovah’s temple in Jerusalem. She had some doubts as to whether it could all be as good as she had heard. But she put forth the effort to find out, traveling perhaps 1,400 miles (2,250 km) by camel to do so. She found answers to all of her "perplexing questions" and exclaimed: "Look! I had not been told the half." She could not help but conclude that Jehovah loved his worshipers. (1 Kings 10:1-9) Some who have been prominent in the world have imitated her example today, and many from more humble circumstances have done so. They see evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses look to no man but to Jesus Christ, the Greater Solomon, as their King. The answers they are given from God’s Word satisfy their minds and hearts, and they feel moved to join their voices in blessing Jehovah.—Compare Luke 11:31.9
Others are like Rahab of Jericho, who already was convinced from reports received that the God of Israel was "God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." (Joshua 2:11) When spies from Israel entered the land, she welcomed them, concealed them and endangered her life to protect them. She had faith and gave evidence of it by her works, taking her stand with Jehovah’s people. (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25) She carefully followed the instructions given for her preservation. Rahab also showed loving concern for her father and mother, her brothers and sisters, opening the way for them to be spared if they would obey the requirements for survival. (Joshua 2:12, 13, 18, 19) As a result she and her household were delivered when Jericho and its Baal-worshiping inhabitants were annihilated. (Joshua 6:22, 23) This has powerful significance in our day. It demonstrates that Jehovah will spare persons who are like Rahab. What shows them to be like her? They put faith in Jehovah, identify themselves with the members of spiritual Israel, closely follow the directions given through this channel and earnestly endeavor to help close family members and other relatives to see the wisdom of doing the same.10
Of course, the real attraction, what is drawing people of all nations into association with Jehovah’s Witnesses, is Jehovah God himself. His Word appeals to them. The fruitage of his spirit in the lives of his servants is inviting to them. As they become well acquainted with his qualities and his dealings with mankind, they long for the time when God’s name will be vindicated of all the reproach heaped upon it by Satan and by faithless humans. They themselves endeavor to conduct their affairs in a way that will be pleasing to their Creator and that will move others to glorify him. (1 Peter 2:12) With all their hearts they pray, as Jesus taught his disciples: "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." (Matthew 6:9, 10) And, in harmony with their prayer, they render sacred service to God in full unity with those who give unmistakable evidence that they are the "people for [Jehovah’s] name."[Study
Questions] 1, 2. (a) What does Zechariah 8:23 foretell for our day? (b) Who is the God here referred to, and how does the Bible emphasize his personal name? 3. As foretold at Zechariah 8:20-23, (a) who would seek Jehovah? (b) and by associating with whom? 4. Why does this prophecy not apply to Judaism or to Christendom? 5. How do the Scriptures identify (a) the "Jerusalem" that represents Jehovah today? (b) the "man who is a Jew" concerning whom Zechariah prophesied? 6. (a) What has convinced millions of persons as to the identity of the people that God is with today? (Consider one point at a time; read the scriptures.) (b) Which point(s) have been most impressive to you personally? 7. (a) Who are the "ten men"? (b) How do they give evidence that Jehovah really has become their God? 8. (a) What caused the queen of Sheba to travel to Jerusalem? (b) What did she do when she arrived, and with what outcome? (c) How have there proved to be people like her in our day? (Psalm 2:10-12) 9. (a) In what way was Rahab’s attitude different from that of the queen of Sheba? (b) What was noteworthy about the events leading to the preservation of Rahab and her household? (c) What identifies persons who are like Rahab today?10. (a) As Zechariah’s prophecy shows, what is really attracting people so that they associate with Jehovah’s Witnesses? (b) How can we show, in attitude and in actions, that love for Jehovah is truly what fills our hearts?
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HELP me if you can
by Pistoff ini came upon this letter, and i think it could be posted in laundromats, doctors offices, etc if you feel it is worthy:.
who is knocking at your door?.
most people have either been visited by jehovahs witnesses at one time or another, or know of them.
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Chapter 19
"We
Have Heard That God Is With You People""WE WILL go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people." That is what the Bible foretold that people out of all nations would be saying in our day. (Zechariah 8:23) And who is this God to whom the prophecy of Zechariah refers? We are left in no doubt. In this one relatively small book of the Bible his personal name appears 135 times. It is JEHOVAH!
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He himself said of his personal name, Jehovah: "This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation." (Exodus 3:15) The importance of that name is indicated by the fact that it appears nearly 7,000 times in the complete Hebrew Bible text—far more than the combined total for such titles as Lord and God. As foretold, in these "last days" that name has come to be associated outstandingly with one group of people. -
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DID I MISS THE LATEST "BIG NEWS"?
by juni inwhatever happened to the big news that we were to hear about?
or did it deal with the new blood cards?
i'm confused.
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Chapter 3
How
Long Will the Present System Last?IT IS only natural to want to know how long it will be until the events so vividly described in the Bible and that culminate in Armageddon take place. When will the present wicked system be destroyed? Will we live to see the earth become a place where lovers of righteousness can enjoy complete peace and security?
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Jesus Christ provided remarkable details that answer those questions. He did so when his apostles asked: "What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" With regard to the actual destruction of the present wicked system, Jesus plainly said: "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:3, 36) Yet he did describe in considerable detail the generation that would see "the conclusion [Greek: syn·te´lei·a] of the system of things," the time period leading up to "the end [Greek: te´los]." Read it for yourself in your Bible at Matthew 24:3–25:46, also in the parallel accounts at Mark 13:4-37 and Luke 21:7-36.3
As you read these accounts, you will realize that, only in part, Jesus was describing events leading up to and including the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 C.E. It is evident that he also had something more far-reaching in mind. Why? Because at Matthew 24:21 he speaks of "great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." That calls for much more than the destruction of one city and the people trapped in it. And at Luke 21:31 the events described are said to point to the coming of the long-awaited "kingdom of God." What is the noteworthy "sign" for which Jesus said to watch? -
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Song 32
"From
House to House"(Acts 20:20)
1. From house to house, from door to door,
Jehovah’s Word we spread.
From town to town, from farm to farm,
Jehovah’s sheep are fed.
This good news that God’s Kingdom rules,
As Jesus Christ foretold,
Is being preached throughout the earth
By Christians young and old.
2. From house to house, from door to door,
Salvation we proclaim.
It comes to those who choose to call
Upon Jehovah’s name.
But how can they call on the name
Of One they do not know?
So to their houses and their doors
The sacred name must go.
3. Of course, it’s not at ev’ry door
We find a hearing ear;
At times there is a scolding tongue
And those who will not hear.
’Twas just the same in Jesus’ day;
Not all would hear his word.
He said his sheep would hear his voice;
Hence, we are not deterred.
4. Then let us go from door to door
To spread the Kingdom news.
And to be sheep or to be goats,
We’ll let the people choose.
At least we’ll name Jehovah’s name,
His glorious truth declare.
And as we go from door to door,
We’ll find his sheep are there.