Isaiah 24-28
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)
Isa 26:15—How can we help as Jehovah extends“all the borders of the land”? (w15 7/15 11 _18)
18 It is an honor to be allowed by Jehovah to contribute to the beauty of our spiritual paradise. We do that by zealously preaching the Kingdom good news and making more disciples. Each time we help a person progress to Christian dedication, we have worked to extend the borders of the spiritual paradise.—Isa. 26:15; 54:2.
Isa 26:20—What appears to be linked to the foretold“inner rooms”? (w13 3/15 23 _15-16)
15 As Satan’s world nears its end, its “pangs of distress” will get worse. (Matt. 24:7,8) Things will definitely get worse during the great tribulation. Infrastructures will collapse, and people will fear for their very lives. (Hab. 3:16,17) Out of sheer desperation, they will, as it were, seek refuge “in the caves and in the rock-masses of the mountains.” (Rev. 6:15-17) But neither literal caves nor mountainlike political and commercial organizations will afford any protection.
16 Jehovah’s people, however, will continue to enjoy the safety of their “real dwelling,” Jehovah God. Like the prophet Habakkuk, they “will exult in Jehovah himself.” They “will be joyful in the God of [their] salvation.” (Hab. 3:18) In what ways will Jehovah prove to be “a real dwelling” during that tumultuous time? We will have to wait and see. But of this we can be sure: Like the Israelites at the time of the Exodus, the “great crowd” will remain organized, ever alert to divine direction. (Rev. 7:9; read Exodus 13:18.) That direction will come theocratically, probably by means of the congregation arrangement. Indeed, the many thousands of congregations around the world appear to be linked to the protective “interior rooms” foretold at Isaiah 26:20. (Read.) Do you value the congregation meetings? Do you act promptly on the direction Jehovah provides through the congregation arrangement?—Heb. 13:17.
What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?
*** w16 January p. 13 par. 5 Be Compelled by God’s “Indescribable Free Gift” ***
5 Yet, what Jehovah has given us through Christ is far greater than the gift described in this example. (1Pet. 3:18) Consider why. Because of inherited sin, we are all facing the death penalty. (Rom. 5:12) Lovingly, Jehovah arranged for Jesus to come to the earth and “taste death for everyone.” (Heb. 2:9) Not only did Jehovah save our present life but he laid the basis for wiping out the cause of death forever. (Isa. 25:7,8; 1Cor. 15:22,26) All who exercise faith in Jesus will receive everlasting life in peace and happiness as earthly subjects of God’s Kingdom by Christ or, for the anointed, as corulers in that Kingdom. (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 5:9,10)
*** w16 March p. 22 par. 19 Jehovah Guides His People in the Way of Life ***
19 New directions were needed by the nation of Israel under Moses and later by the Christian congregation under “the law of the Christ.” Likewise, the Bible informs us that scrolls will be opened to give us directions in new world living. (Read Revelation 20:12.) These scrolls will most likely set forth Jehovah’s requirements for mankind at that time. By studying these, all people, including resurrected ones, will be able to know God’s will for them. These scrolls will surely give us further insight into Jehovah’s mind. Guided by an ever-increasing understanding of God’s inspired Word along with what will be revealed in the new scrolls, inhabitants of the earthly Paradise will certainly treat their fellow man with love, respect, and dignity. (Isa. 26:9) Imagine the educational program that will be carried out under the direction of the King, Jesus Christ!
*** w16 May p. 24 par. 4 Benefit Fully From Jehovah’s Provisions ***
4 In addition to publications for Jehovah’s Witnesses in general, we receive Bible-based material that appeals to specific groups. Some material is especially designed to help young people; other material assists their parents. Much of the material in print and on our website is prepared with the non-Witness public in mind. Such an abundance of spiritual food reminds us that Jehovah has kept his promise to “make for all the peoples a banquet of rich dishes.”—Isa. 25:6.
*** w15 1/15 p. 12 par. 14 Give Thanks to Jehovah and Be Blessed ***
14 Throughout history, Jehovah’s people have rejoiced in their blessings. For example, after being delivered from Pharaoh and his armies at the Red Sea, the Israelites expressed their joy in songs of praise and thanksgiving. (Ex. 15:1-21) Today, among our most treasured blessings is our sure hope of deliverance from everything that causes us pain and distress. (Ps. 37:9-11; Isa. 25:8; 33:24) Imagine how we will feel when Jehovah crushes all his enemies and welcomes us into a new world of peace and righteousness. What a day for thanksgiving that will be!—Rev. 20:1-3; 21:3,4.
*** w15 5/15 p. 22 par. 15 They “Saw” the Things Promised ***
15 On the other hand, as Christians we are encouraged by visualizing our hope, whether it is heavenly or earthly. Can you see yourself enjoying the things that God has promised? Contemplating what you may do as God fulfills his promises undoubtedly brings joy to your heart. Perhaps you “see” yourself living on earth forever. Think about cooperating with others in making this globe into a paradise. Your neighbors love Jehovah, even as you do. You are healthy, energetic, and have a bright outlook. Those supervising the work of restoration make life a pleasure because they genuinely care about you. And you are happy using your talents and skills because everything you do is benefiting others and honoring God. For example, you are helping newly resurrected ones to come to know Jehovah. (John 17:3; Acts 24:15) No, this is not a dreamworld. This appealing mental picture is based on Scriptural truths about the future.—Isa. 11:9; 25:8; 33:24; 35:5-7; 65:22.
*** w15 6/15 p. 4 par. 4 Christ—The Power of God ***
4 Jesus miraculously provided a large amount of fine wine, enough for a sizable group. Do you see what this miracle teaches us? That Jesus would willingly perform such a marvelous deed assures us that people’s feelings are important to him and to his Father. Neither Father nor Son is stingy. Now imagine how Jehovah will use his power generously in the new world to provide a rich banquet “for all the peoples” earth wide.—Read Isaiah 25:6.
*** w15 10/15 p. 4 pars. 1-2 Do You See God’s Hand in Your Life? ***
MANY people think that there is little connection between what they are doing and what God is doing. In fact, some believe that God has little interest in what is happening to humans. After Super Typhoon Haiyan wreaked destruction on the central Philippines in November2013, the mayor of one large city said: “God must have been somewhere else.”
2 Other people act as if God cannot see what they are doing. (Isa. 26:10, 11; 3John11) They are like those whom the apostle Paul described when he said: “They did not see fit to acknowledge God.” Such people “were filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and badness.”—Rom. 1:28,29.
*** w14 8/15 p. 4 Are You Receiving “Food at the Proper Time”? ***
In addition to producing publications, Jehovah’s organization prepares Bible-based outlines for talks that are delivered at our meetings, assemblies, and conventions. Do you enjoy the discourses, dramas, demonstrations, and interviews that are presented at those gatherings? Jehovah certainly provides us with a spiritual banquet!—Isa. 25:6.
What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?
*** w16 January p. 9 par. 8 Be Determined to “Let Your Brotherly Love Continue”! ***
8 Soon the destructive winds of the greatest tribulation of all time will be released. (Mark 13:19; Rev. 7:1-3) Then, we will do well to heed this inspired counsel: “Go, my people, enter your inner rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment until the wrath has passed by.” (Isa. 26:20) These “inner rooms” may refer to our congregations. That is where we come together as brothers and sisters to worship Jehovah. But it is not enough for us to meet together regularly. Paul reminded the Hebrew Christians that they should use such occasions to incite one another “to love and fine works.” (Heb. 10:24,25) We need to develop our brotherly love now, for it will help us during whatever tests and trials we may face in the future.
*** w15 5/1 p. 16 Bible Questions Answered ***
What is Judgment Day?
In Bible times, God used judges to save his people from injustice. (Judges 2:18) The Bible describes the future Judgment Day as a happy time when Jehovah, the Judge of all the earth, will save mankind from injustice.—Read Psalm 96:12, 13; Isaiah 26:9.
God has appointed Jesus to grant justice to both the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42; 17:31) Many people have died without knowing God. During Judgment Day, Jesus will bring such people back to life so that they might know and love the true God.—Read Acts 24:15.
*** w15 12/1 pp. 12-13 Was Peter the First Pope? ***
How did Peter himself understand Jesus’ words? Growing up an Israelite, Peter would have been familiar with various Hebrew prophecies speaking of a “stone” or a “cornerstone.” (Isaiah 8:13, 14; 28:16; Zechariah 3:9) When he quoted one of them in a letter to his fellow believers, Peter explained that the prophesied “cornerstone” was the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Peter used the Greek term pe’tra (the same word found in Jesus’ statement at Matthew 16:18) for Christ alone.—1Peter 2:4-8.
*** w14 3/1 p. 16 Bible Questions Answered ***
How does Jesus’ death benefit us?
When God created humans, he intended for them to live forever on earth without ever suffering sickness or death. However, the first man, Adam, disobeyed the Creator and lost the prospect of living forever. As descendants of Adam, we inherited death from him. (Romans 5:8, 12; 6:23) The true God, Jehovah, sent his Son, Jesus, to the earth to die and redeem what Adam had lost.—Read John 3:16.
Jesus’ death makes forgiveness of our sins and life without end possible for us. The Bible gives us a picture of what life on earth will be like when we are no longer afflicted by aging, disease, and death.—Read Isaiah 25:8; 33:24; Revelation 21:4,5.
*** w12 9/1 p. 17 What Will Happen on Judgment Day? ***
3. What will Judgment Day accomplish?
Those who died without ever having come to know Jehovah God and serve him will have the opportunity to change and do good. If they do so, their resurrection will turn out to be “a resurrection of life.” Some of the resurrected ones, however, will not want to learn Jehovah’s ways. Theirs will turn out to be “a resurrection of judgment.”—Read John 5:28, 29; Isaiah 26:10; 65:20.
By the end of the thousand-year-long Day of Judgment, Jehovah will have restored obedient mankind to its original perfect condition. (1Corinthians 15:24-28) What a marvelous prospect that is for all obedient ones! In a final test, God will release from the abyss Satan the Devil, who will have been confined there for a thousand years. Satan will again try to turn people away from Jehovah, but those who reject Satan will enjoy life on earth forever.—Read Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 20:7-9.
*** w12 10/1 p. 8 Corruption Will End! ***
For faithful people, God will do something truly marvelous. In the coming new world, he will eventually remove all traces of sin, progressively raising faithful mankind to perfection and a righteous standing. (Isaiah 26:9; 2Peter 3:13) Never again will the influence of sin cause anyone to act corruptly. Under the rule of God’s Kingdom, faithful humans “will be set free from enslavement to corruption.”—Romans 8:20-22.
*** w12 10/1 p. 16 Can You Live Forever? ***
2. Can we really live forever?
Jehovah lives forever. He does not die. He is the Source of life, so he can give everlasting life to others. (Psalm 36:9; Habakkuk 1:12) Furthermore, he has promised to grant everlasting life to those who obey him. He will reverse the process of aging.—Read Job 33:24, 25; Isaiah 25:8; 33:24.
Jesus demonstrated by his powerful works that we can trust God’s promise of everlasting life in perfect health. Jesus cured many types of diseases and even resurrected people who had died.—Read Luke 7:11-15, 18, 19,22.
*** w11 4/1 p. 17 What Is God’s Purpose for the Earth? ***
4. When will suffering end?
During the 1,000 years, Jesus will rule from heaven over the earth and restore it to a paradise. Also, he will cancel the sins of those who love God. Jesus will thus eliminate sickness, aging, and death.—Read Isaiah 11:9; 25:8; 33:24; 35:1.
When will God destroy evil on earth? Jesus gave a “sign” to indicate when the end is near. Present world conditions threaten man’s survival and show that we now live in “the conclusion of the system of things.”—Read Matthew 24:3, 7-14, 21, 22; 2Timothy 3:1-5.
*** w10 1/1 p. 19 Can the Dead Help the Living? ***
Jesus helped many while he was alive, but he knew that he would have to die. Did he expect that he would still be able to help people during his time in the grave? No. He compared his own impending death to a nighttime when work would be impossible. (John 9:4) Jesus well knew that when humans cease to live, they are “impotent in death.”—Isaiah 26:14.