OCTOBER 8, 1966
%* pf **f _
THE REASON FOR THIS MAGAZINE
News sources that are oble to keep you awake to the vital issues of our times must be unfettered by censorship and selfish interests. "Awake!" has no fetters. It recognizes facts, faces facts, is free to publish facts. It is not bound by political ties; it is unham- pered by traditional creeds. This magazine keeps itself free, that it may speak freely to you. But it does not abuse its freedom. It maintains integrity to truth.
The viewpoint of "Awake!" is not narrow, but is international. "Awake!" has its own correspondents in scores of nations. Its articles are read in many lands, in many languages, by millions of persons.
In every issue "Awake!" presents vital topics on which you should be informed. It features penetrating articles on social conditions and offers sound counsel for meeting the problems of everyday life. Current news from every continent passes in quick review. Attention is focused on activities in the fields of government and commerce about which you should know. Straightforward discussions of religious issues alert you to matters of vital concern. Customs and people in many lands, the marvels of creation, practical sciences and points of human interest are all embraced in its coverage. "Awake!" pro- vides wholesome, instructive reading for every member of the family.
"Awake!" pledges itself to righteous principles, to exposing hidden foes and subtle dangers, to championing freedom for all, to comforting mourners and strengthening those disheartened by the failures of 0 delinquent world, reflecting sure hope for the establish- ment of God's righteous new order in this generation.
Get acquainted with "Awake!" Keep awake by reading "Awake!"
Published Semimonthly by WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC. 117 Adams Street Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201, U.S.A.
N. H. Knosk, President Giant Suiter, Secretary
Average printing each issue: 4,475,000
Five cents a copy
Yearly subscription rates Offices for semimonthly editions
Amerita, U.S., 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 $1 Australia, 11 Beresford Ed., StrathfieM, N.S.W. $1
Canada, 150 Bridgelsnr] Ave., Toronto 19, Ont. $1
England, Watch Tower House,
The Ridgeway, London N.W. t 7/6
New Zealand, 621 New North Bfl., Auckland S.W. 1 7/- South Africa, Private Bag 2, P.O. Elands' ontein , T?l. FOc
(Monthly editions cost half (!ie above rates.) Remittances for subscriptions should be sent to the office In your country. Otherwise send your remittance to Brooklyn. Notice, of expiration Is sent at least two Issues before subscription expires.
Now published in 26 languages
Semimonthly — Afrikaans, Cebuano, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Iloko, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Zulu.
Monthly — Chinese, CInyanja, HUlgaynon, Malayalam, Polish, Tamil, Ukrainian.
|
CHANGES OF ADDRESS should |
reach is thirty days |
|
before your moving date. Give |
us your old and new |
|
address (if possible, your old |
address lahjll. Write |
|
Watchtower, 117 Adams Street, |
Brooklyn, New Vork |
|
11201, U.S.A. |
Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. Printed in U.S.A.
The BiMe translation regularly used in "Awafee!" Is the Row world Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 1961 edition. Whco other translations are used, this is clearly marked.
CONTENTS
A Question That Needs Answering 3
Man Created Free 4
Is God to Blame for Man's Wrongs? 7
Who Is Principally Responsible? 10
Why Has Wickedness Been Permitted
for So Long? 13
How Much Longer Will It Be? 17
What God Has Been Doing
on Our Behalf 21
What God Will Do for Man in Paradise 23 What You Should Do Now 26
"Your Word Is Truth" Why, Then, Does God Permit Wickedness? 28
Watching the World 30
Volume XLVII
"If is already the hour lor you to awake.'
ns 13:11
Brooklyn, N.Y., October 8, 1966
Number 19
A Question That Needs Answering
T3E history of the human family is not a particularly pleasant one. It is filled with the record of man's inhumanity to man. Over and over again individual or collective acts of wickedness have plunged large segments of humankind into bru- tality and bloodshed. As man's inventive- ness has progressed, so has his capacity to cause grief.
In all this record of wickedness, the innocent, decent people all too often suf- fer. They are frequently victims of vio- lence, perhaps losing homes, loved ones, or their own lives. You may or may not have experienced these things personally. Yet mental suffering due to injustices, unkindness and disloyalty may produce even greater misery, and you are not likely to have escaped such.
Thinking men and women throughout the ages have wondered why it is this way. Sooner or later they ask the all-important question: "If there is a God, why does he permit all this wickedness?" Because of not having found the answer to this critical question, many have abandoned belief in God. In fact, today some are even saying that "God is dead."
Philosophers and religious leaders throughout the ages have pondered the problem. Yet, their accumulated ideas are conflicting. As the book Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers (1945 edition,
OCTOBER 8, 1966
page 296) describes it, "One philosopher will offer his solution and many will hail it as the answer. But it will not be long before another philosopher will discover and point to errors in his patterns, will reveal gaps and distortions, and will pro- pose a somewhat different solution, one which seems to him more nearly perfect."
And why is this? Because, as the same book comments, even a great philosopher "does not fashion a perfect picture. Only a God who knows all experiences of all men and can detect the finest relations can weave a perfect pattern. No philoso- pher, however great, is such a God."
The fundamental truth of that cannot be denied. No man, of himself, however v/ise, can answer the question as to why God permits wickedness. But God can. And he does!
Consider this for a moment: If you wanted to know the views of someone, would it not be best to let him express himself instead of listening to hearsay about him? Then, since it is God who permits wickedness, it would only be fair and right to listen to his explanation as to why he has allowed wickedness to exist.
To begin with, let us examine the mat- ter of how man was created. This will aid us in determining how wickedness could ever arise within the human family in the first place.
8
WOULD you like someone to dic- tate your every move in life? Would you appreciate it if someone scheduled your every living minute and then forced you never to deviate from that course by even a hair's breadth? Or do you prefer to have the freedom to choose what kind of work you will do, where you will live, what you will eat and what you will wear?
The answers to those questions are obvious. No balanced human wants to lose complete control of his life. This can be seen even on a national scale where peo- ple are dominated by harsh, dictatorial governments. These oppressive govern- ments stifle happiness and initiative. They also cause such pressures of resentment to build up that often an outbreak is made for freedom.
created a bad thing? No, it was a good thing. The Bible is ex- plicit in informing us that all the things God created were good. It states: "God saw everything that he had made and, look! it was very good." (Gen. 1:31) Cen- turies later the man Moses stated of the Creator: "Perfect is his activity." — Deut. 32:4.
Freedom, a Marvelous Gift
The desire for freedom is no accident. The Bible tells us that, in addition to life, God gave Adam, his first human creation, a most precious gift. That marvelous gift was free moral agency. Man was not to be a human robot, an automaton. He was endowed with the ability to choose, and that is an ability that we all use each day. —Josh. 24:15; Gen. 1:1, 26-28.
If God had purposed that humans be merely automatons, machinelike, he would not have equipped them with intellectual powers, powers of perception, judgment, decision and reason. As a robot, man would no more have need for such mental faculties than would a piece of machinery or a vegetable.
Was the freedom with which man was
What Human Perfection Means
God created the first man and woman perfect, that is, complete, without a de- fect in their physical organism. But did this perfection mean that they could do nothing but good? No, for while perfect, complete in their mental and physical fac- ulties, they still had freedom of choice. If they were compelled to do what was good, then it could not be said that they were truly free to choose.
In addition, Adam was still a man, an earthling, made of flesh and blood. He was perfect, it is true, but perfect in his limited sphere as a human. For instance, man could not live in outer space without oxygen, for he was not a spirit creature. Nor could he stay underwater indefinitely without special equipment, for he was not
AWAKE!
a sea creature. Also, he must always eat food and drink liquids to stay alive. But these and other human limitations did not mean he was less than perfect. He was still perfect, but within the limits of humankind.
Nor did his perfection mean he knew everything. He would have to learn many things. All learning did not come auto- matically with perfection. In fact, even of Jesus Christ, God's Son, who as a man was also perfect, we read: "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience." So under God's direction Adam could learn many things as time progressed. He could also come to appreciate more fully why God is the only one worthy of his worship, and that serving God is, without excep- tion, the right and best thing to do. He could see how wonderful God is, what a marvelous gift his free moral agency was, and, of his own free will, could want to serve such a God. — Heb. 5:8.
But if Adam was perfect, how was it possible for him to go wrong, to sin? Remember, he was a free moral agent. He could choose to ignore vital facts of a question, or to arrive at a decision based on one-sided testimony. He could also meditate long enough on what was wrong to have this motivate him to wrong ac- tion, as the Bible says: "Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin." Adam's perfection would not immunize him from error if he deliberately refused to ponder well both sides of a matter, or if he continued to entertain desires that were in opposition to God's law. His per- fection did not mean he was infallible. — Jas. 1:14, 15.
That the creature's individual will and choice, rather than perfection, are the determining factors readily becomes evi- dent. If we were to insist that a perfect
OCTOBER 8, 1966
man could not take a wrong course where a moral issue was involved, should we not also logically argue that an imperfect creature could not take a right course where such moral issue was involved? Yet today some imperfect creatures do take a right course on moral issues involving obe- dience to God, even choosing to suffer persecution rather than change from such a course; while at the same time others deliberately engage in doing what they know is wrong. Thus not all wrong ac- tions can be excused by human imper- fection. The deciding factors are the in- dividual's will and choice. In the same way, it was not human perfection alone that would guarantee right action by the first man, but, rather, his own will and choice motivated by love for his God and for what is right.
God's Guidance Vital
For his own protection, man needed God's guidance and direction. He was not to be free from God and His regulations. The reason why is so vital, so fundamen- tal, that unless man appreciated its sig- nificance, he would come into grave difficulty. It is this: Man was not made to govern independently of God. In fact, he could not live without God.
God did not give man the right or the ability to govern without Him, because it was never purposed that man be in- dependent from God, his Creator. Free- dom was to be relative, maintained within proper limits, limits that would work for man's good and contribute to his happi- ness. That is why God inspired his proph- et Jeremiah to write: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. Correct me, O Jehovah." It also explains why the Bible counsels: "Trust in Jeho- vah with all your heart and do not lean
upon your own understanding." — Jer. 10: 23, 24; Prov. 3:5.
So while man was perfect as a physical organism, he must have the guidance of his God and Creator to live life success- fully and manage his affairs properly. If he ever stopped accepting divine guidance and direction, his mind and intellect, though perfect, would no more resist de- terioration than would his perfect body if he deprived it of organic food. Man's positive dependence on spiritual food was not in the least less vital than his depen- dence on material food, a fact declared both in the Mosaic law and by God's own Son. (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4) If man were to refuse to accept the guidance of Al- mighty God over his life, then chaos would result in the human ranks, as has happened.
How was God's guidance expressed? By His regularly communicating with the hu- man creation, as the first and second chapters of Genesis show. Their Maker would direct them by talking with them and by giving them his laws, laws that would work for their own welfare.
Hence, man's freedom was to be regu- lated by wise, just and loving laws, laws that would result in the happiness of the entire human family. These laws were to serve as a constant reminder that the wel- fare of men was ever dependent upon obe- dience to their Creator. Because free mor- al agents could deviate in their thinking and go in a way that would be hurtful to themselves, they would forever need their Creator to lead them in the paths of right knowledge and happiness.
If man were to stop trusting in God and start trusting in his own wisdom alone, then he would lose his happiness. Has this occurred? Well, what do we see on earth? Do we see the entire human family of free moral agents united in a bond of love, happy and thrilled with each day of life?
Or, instead, do we see earth filled with suffering, divided, perplexed, confused and unhappy people? The judgment of history and of our own time is that the latter is true. Man has lost genuine happiness, and the reason why is that he has abandoned the guidance of God.
The Wrong Choice
With the freedom to choose, our first parents, Adam and his wife Eve, chose to turn their backs on God. Why, Eve even believed that by departing from God's law she and her husband would become God- like! So they broke God's plainly stated regulation and turned aside from his di- rection. This was nothing less than out- right rebellion against Almighty God. —Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:1-6.
However, choosing to rebel against God would mean that they would now have to get along without the blessing and guid- ance of God. That is what they chose, and that is what God granted them. But man's rejection of God as his governor meant that the Creator would no longer sustain him in perfection. Outside God's care, the human organism would begin to break down, until eventually death over- took it. God said: "In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return." He having turned to sin, his body was bound to degenerate. The close relation between the emotional state and the physical state, as relates to human health, is, medically, scientifically, and Scripturally, undeniable. Compare Genesis 44:22, 29-34; Proverbs 3:7, 8; 4:20-22; 13:12; 14:30; 15:30; 16:24; 17:22.
It is evident, then, that the Bible's ex- planation of matters fits the facts. Man was created perfect, but this did not mean that, as a free moral agent, he could not choose to sin.
6
AWAKE!
<9
■ ■ * 7 '
>■? <
THE calamity that came upon Adam and Eve was their own fault. God had clearly warned them of the result if they failed to obey his righteous law; yet they chose a course of lawlessness toward God. But what about all the wickedness com- mitted in the thousands of years since then? Whose fault is that? Is it God's?
The Bible shows that the blame for wickedness lies in two places; one is with man himself. Let us examine his respon- sibility first.
When a person commits a crime, who is apprehended? Would it be right to put the innocent victim on trial and convict him and let the criminal go free? No, it is the criminal who is responsible for the crime he committed. We cannot hold the innocent one responsible for a crime he did not commit. In like manner, we must not hold God responsible for crimes he did not commit. We must put the blame where it belongs, on the criminals.
Remember that, although Adam's off- spring, born in sin, were not perfect, they were still free moral agents. They were
free to choose to do right or wrong, just as you are to this day. Though by nature they would commit many errors, yet when they chose to do wrong, it would be their own fault. That is why the Bible, at Deu- teronomy 32:5, says: "They have acted ruinously on their own part; they are not [God's] children, the defect is their own." True, many innocent people who try to do good are victimized by the wicked deeds of others. But here again, the in- nocent must appreciate that it is the wick- ed criminal who is responsible for their hurt, not God. Furthermore, God is not oblivious to their plight, and we will later see how he has taken action to deliver them from their unfortunate circumstanc- es, and to erase any hurt they have un- justly received.
Tendency to Shift Blame
So, then, much of the wickedness per- petrated for the past thousands of years can be traced to man's own doing. He cannot shift the responsibility for his own wrongdoing onto God, although this is what many try to do. Why, even Adam, when called to account for his transgres- sion, tried to avoid responsibility by say- ing the cause for his dereliction was "the woman whom you [God] gave to be with me." Since God gave him the woman who later induced him to rebel, Adam selfishly reasoned that, not only the woman, but God himself must bear responsibility for his wrong action. However, it was not God who did the wrong. And the Bible assures us that "Adam was not deceived." He was competent to make a choice. His wrongdoing was his own fault. — Gen. 3: 12; 1 Tim. 2:14.
Throughout history humans have been plagued by a tendency similar to Adam's, to blame God for the evil that befalls them. In the case of some, they follow the dictates of their own will and violate
OCTOBER 8, 1966
God's laws. When they are apprehended for their lawlessness, they may feel that God is at fault for not preventing the out- come. But why did they break God's law?
While there can be no doubt that some persons are genuinely perplexed and are seeking to know the reason for God's per- mission of wickedness, the sincerity of many others who strongly criticize God is open to question. Are they really honest in their insistence that God is at fault because he did not forcibly prevent man's deviation from righteousness at its very inception? Where, then, is the proof that they as individuals personally desire strict- er control by God or where is the proof that even a sizable majority of mankind at any time has manifested a desire that God use his power to inhibit their wrong ways or block them in their wrong pur- suits? If they do not want this for them- selves, why should we believe they really would want it for our first parents? Are they not like the person who heartily cheers law enforcement but reacts resent- fully when a traffic policeman approaches him?— Ezek. 18:29-32.
When entire nations behave criminally, can they blame God if disaster befalls them? If they cast out God's command- ments, can they blame God for their suf- fering? When human governments fail be- cause they are not doing God's will, they are to blame for the unhappiness they bring upon the people.
Sickness and Disease
But what about all the suffering that comes from sickness and disease? Even persons who try to do good get sick, through no fault of their own. And an infant can get some illness and be maimed for life, or even die. Certainly it was no fault of the infant.
In regard to all such sickness, disease and pain, we must put the blame where
it belongs, on the rebellion of Adam and Eve. Note what Romans 5:12 says: "Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men." Also, Job 14:4 declares: "Who can produce some- one clean out of someone unclean?" — Ps. 51:5; Luke 5:18-25.
If, as an example, certain human par- ents ignore the divine law and live im- morally, and so contract venereal disease, whose fault is it if their children are born physically or mentally impaired? It is the fault of such "unclean" parents.
So, too, our first parents became "un- clean," imperfect, prone to sickness, and finally death. They could only pass on to their offspring what they themselves had: imperfection, sickness and liability to death. That is why we all suffer from ill- ness and disease today.
False Religion Shares Blame
The traditional religions have often at- tributed to God the calamities that man experiences. Many of earth's population are taught that poverty, filth and igno- rance are God's will for them. Religious tradition tells hundreds of millions in some countries that a cow is more sacred than a man, and that, even though the man may be starving, the cow cannot be used for food. But God's Word says it can. (Gen. 9:3; 1 Cor. 10:25) Thus, religions that are not based on God's Word increase man's difficulties, while, at the same time, saying that such difficulties are the will of God.
Other millions learn from different sys- tems of religious tradition that it is God's will for a few political and religious rulers to dominate, while the rest of the popu- lation must render them unquestioned obedience, even if it means sacrificing their lives in unrighteous warfare. The people attribute the resulting carnage to
AWAKE!
God, since their religion teaches them it is God's will for them to kill. But God's Word does not so teach. — Acts 5:27-29; Jer. 2:34.
No, God is not to blame for the hurt and injustice resulting from man's own wrongdoing, even if it is religious, even if it is claimed that this is from God. Religious systems instituted fiendish in- quisitions during the "dark ages," caus- ing the torture of men and women. But where does God authorize such horrible crimes? Nowhere! For example, in regard to the pagan practice in ancient Israel of burning children to false gods, Jehovah stated: "They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart." When God condemns what men do, he can hardly be charged with the blame for it. — Jer. 7:31.
Wrongs committed in the name of re- ligion are especially disgusting to God. As Jesus said to the religious leaders in his day: "Woe to you, scribes and Phari- sees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly in- deed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men's bones and of every sort, of uncleanness. In that way you also, out- wardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."— Matt. 23:27, 28.
The lawless deeds of false religion can- not be blamed on God, for he does not sanction religious hypocrisy and cruelty. The mere fact that a religious movement claims a long history of hundreds of years should not be allowed to blind us to the truth. If it is operating contrary to the clearly expressed will of God in his Word, then the hurt they cause is strictly of their own making.
Proper Attitude
It is not the course of wisdom for in- nocent victims of wicked deeds to blame God instead of those guilty. There are thousands of men and women who desire to do good and who share the troubles produced by wicked men, but who pa- tiently wait upon God for the realization of all the good promises he has made. They know that God has tolerated wicked- ness and wicked people for a reason, but that when his time limit is up the wicked ones will be called to account. The pa- tient, righteously disposed ones will then benefit. The Bible counsels: "Do not show yourself heated up because of the evil- doers . . . Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take pos- session of the earth. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it." — Ps. 37:1, 34.
How refreshing it is to know that throughout the centuries, and especially today, there are men and women who, despite their endurance of trouble and op- pression, do not blame God! Instead, they declare as did the apostle Paul: "What shall we say, then? Is there injustice with God? Never may that become so!" — Rom. 9:14.
This attitude is the right one. We must not accuse God of acts of which he is not guilty. It is not God who passed imper- fection on to us, but our first human par- ents. So, too, when men today, of their own free will, do wrong, they are to blame, not God.
However, it was previously stated that the blame for wickedness lies in two places. We have discussed the responsi- bility of man for his own freewill acts of wrongdoing. But who else is respon- sible for the wickedness that has prevailed on earth for so long?
OCTOBER 8, 1966
."a3T3r*&>
WHEN criminals operate behind a well-planned organizational setup, with numerous fronts that appear to be quite law-abiding, it is difficult for the man in the street to penetrate the decep- tion or believe that the unseen master schemers even exist.
The principal wicked ones whose crim- inal actions and policies have helped bring untold miseries upon the human family also work behind the scenes. But we do not have to be in ignorance of them, be- cause God has exposed their workings so that all who desire can know of them for their own information and protection.
Origin of the Principal Wicked One
God helps us to identify the principal wicked one, the cunning, behind-the- scenes criminal responsible for Eve's vio- lating God's clearly stated law. Who was this tempter of Adam's wife Eve? Who induced her to rebel against her righteous Creator? Who started wickedness in the universe?
The one mainly responsible for wicked- ness is an invisible wicked one. His in- visibility should not make you doubt his
existence. The very existence of germs as disease-causing factors was once doubted. Though beyond the range of the naked eye, time and research established their existence. Today the precise cause of can- cer is still unknown, but scientists do not simply shrug their shoulders and say, "Cancer is caused by cancer." They are certain that a causative factor exists. So, too, wickedness is not just caused by wick- edness. It had a start, and its spread and plaguelike proportions also indicate an ac- tive infecting source.
When did this invisible one first make himself evident? In the third chapter of Genesis we read of a serpent's speaking to the first woman Eve, and speaking in direct opposition to Jehovah God. God had said that disobedience to his laws would mean death. Now the serpent said the opposite: "You positively will not die." In fact, the serpent went on to tell Eve: "Your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God." Eve be- lieved this wicked, lying speech and dis- obeyed God. Then she induced her hus- band to join her in rebellion. — Gen. 3:4, 5.
But who actually instilled the idea of rebellion in the mind of Eve? Was it a mere reptile, a snake that has no speech organs? No, there must have been some- one behind the serpent making it appear as if the snake were talking. We know that a skilled ventriloquist can make it appear as if an animal or even a dummy is talking, when this is not the case at all. How much more could a superhuman invisible intelligent creature do so! The Bible, at Revelation 12:9, identifies that powerful spirit creature, speaking of him as "the original serpent." He is clearly identified as being Satan the Devil!
Here, then, is man's hated enemy and the one mainly responsible for all wicked- ness throughout the earth today!
10
AWAKE!
Succumbed to Wrong Desire
Obviously, the God 'whose activity is perfect' would not deliberately create a wicked one. (Deut. 32:4) He would not create intelligent creatures with whom he could not associate. Such would be con- trary to reason. — Ps. 5:4-6; 15:1, 2.
When God created that invisible spirit, as he did many others, that creature was perfect. He was complete, without defect as a spirit creation, though, like Adam, not infallible. This particular creature ap- parently was interested in Adam and Eve and the Bible shows that he got in touch with them.— Job 38:7; Gen. 3:1-15.
But how could a perfect creature of high intelligence turn to wickedness, since that spirit creature had no tempter, as did the woman Eve? The Bible answers that it was by the entertaining of a wrong idea. There is nothing wrong in itself with seeing the possibilities in a certain situa- tion. For example, a person in someone else's home may see a watch lying on a table. The possibility of his picking that watch up and putting it in his pocket is evident, but he may not even consider it; or, if the idea does suggest itself, he may immediately dismiss it. But if he retains the idea and allows it to develop and grow, then the process of wrongdoing has been initiated and he may well commit the act of wickedness it suggests.
So, too, with the perfect spirit creature. The possibility of using the human pair for his own purpose rather than that in- dicated by God was mere, and he not only considered it but also failed to dismiss it from his mind, and it led to sin. — Jas. 1: 14, 15; 1 Tim. 3:6.
The fact that God granted a generous measure of intellectual freedom does not make him responsible for everything a creature does. Does any creature need to view freedom as a license to do wrong? Do you feel that it entitles you to rob
or to kill your neighbor, or vice versa? Freedom is a wonderful thing, but it should not be perverted. The Bible says: "Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for moral badness, but as slaves of God."— 1 Pet. 2:16.
The Ones Principally Responsible
Responsibility for world wickedness, then, rests primarily with Satan the Devil, He is the one to blame, as the Bible ex- plicitly shows at 1 John 5:19: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." But the Devil is not the only in- visible wicked one. The Holy Scriptures also make clear that Christians "have a fight, not against blood and flesh, but against . . . the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12) So other wicked spirits, demons, are also respon- sible for oppressive wickedness. — Rev. 12:9.
But why did angels of God turn them- selves into demons? Again it was a mat- ter of wrong desire. The Bible informs us that a minority of angels left their as- signed duties due to improper desire and then came under the leadership of their fellow rebel, the Devil. (Gen. 6:2; 2 Pet. 2:4, 5; Jude 6) Together, they have caused all manner of woes for men, women and children. What oppression has come upon mankind because of the Devil and his de- mons! The Bible tells us, for instance, that Jesus Christ "went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil." (Acts 10:38) Yes, the Devil was the one mainly responsible for their unhappy plight. So, too, dishonesty, cheat- ing, deception, lying and terrible crimes of violence have been perpetrated and wars instigated throughout the earth because of the Devil and demons! (John 8:44; Heb. 2:14) They are the ones principally re- sponsible for wickedness on earth!
OCTOBER 8, 1966
11
Responsibility for Present Woes
The Bible foretold that there would be a vast increase in every kind of crime in our day. And the reason for this is shown clearly by the Bible to be that Satan and his demons have been cast right down to the vicinity of the earth: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." —Rev. 12:12.
Other prophecies concerning the time in which we live, such as at Second Tim- othy chapter 3, and Matthew chapter 24, tell of the vast wickedness we now see on every hand. This has come about be- cause demon-inspired men have permitted their minds to be led into the course of wrongdoing. Knowing that they have "a short period of time," the great criminal Satan and his demon hordes are viciously trying to drag down with them as many humans as they can overreach and coerce into rebelling against God.
A principal means of doing this on a mass scale is wicked governments that have the power to hurt millions at a time. In fact, the Holy Bible fittingly speaks of human governments under the symbol of injurious and destructive wild beasts. (Dan. 8:1-8, 20-25) As noted in the thir- teenth chapter of Revelation, Satan him- self has been the one who has empowered these ruling authorities. He is the "god of this system of things." (2 Cor. 4:4) He it is who has instigated their oppres- sive rule, their horrible wars, and their persecutions of God-fearing persons. He has caused these governments to take to themselves rights and powers that only God can safely exercise. He has promoted all the blasphemies against God that those national sovereignties have uttered. Thus, when we see nations at one another's throats today, it is not because God is their ruler. It is because they are part
of Satan's organization. — Luke 4:5-8. So the terrible woes of wickedness we see at the present time are not from Al- mighty God. They are mainly caused by mankind's great enemies, Satan the Devil and his hordes of demon angels.
Influence over Man Not Unlimited- While the self-made Satan the Devil induced Adam and Eve to join in his wicked rebellion against God's authority, we must remember that he could not com- pel them to do wrong. Adam and Eve were not so weak and incompetent that they were unable to resist. The Bible says: "Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you." Our first parents were completely capable of telling this lying spirit creature that they would not go along with him. Centuries later the perfect man Jesus proved that this could be done, for he said to Satan: "Go away, Satan! For it is written, 'It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.'" — Jas. 4:7; Matt. 4:10.
Had Adam and Eve said to Satan what Jesus did, the human family would not find itself plagued with such wickedness today. Hence, while Satan was the chief culprit, responsible for the eventual death of Adam and Eve, they were also respon- sible, for they could have turned aside his wrong suggestions. But they did not. What they did caused all their offspring, including us, to inherit imperfection, which brought with it sickness and death. — Heb. 2:14.
Yes, Satan and his demons are the ones principally responsible for past and pres- ent wickedness. But the fact that all this chaos has gone on for such a long time causes thinking persons to wonder why. Why has God permitted wickedness for so long? Why has it gone on for nearly 6,000 years now?
12
AWAKE!
ALMOST six thousand years of human history have pro- duced a long rec- ord of suffering, tears and death. The sympathetic mind cannot but feel for the tormented generations of the past, as well as for our own.
Why has all this been permitted for so long? God's Word gives the definite and sat- isfying answers. It tells us of the various issues involved that needed settling. It shows us, too, that in God's unsurpassed wisdom he is following a course that will work out for the greatest good to all creation.
Are you sincerely interested in learn- ing why God has permitted wickedness for so long? Then appreciate that there are a number of interrelated reasons, and that only a full explanation truly satis- fies. If your own reputation were at stake, would you feel that others were fair if they demanded an explanation but then walked away almost as soon as you started to talk? Of course not! So, then, let's con- sider carefully what the Bible says about why God has permitted wickedness for so long.— Prov. 18:13.
Not an Issue of Superior Force
When rebellion broke out in Eden, God did not delay in taking action. The third chapter of Genesis shows that God prompt- ly called to account all who were involved and passed sentence on them in harmony with his righteous law. (Gen. 3:8-19) However, God did not immediately carry out the death penalty against Adam and
OCTOBER 8, 1966
Jengt
Eve, but, with a view to the future bless- ing of their then-unborn offspring, allowed them to produce children. (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:8) How grateful we should be that he did so!
In passing judgment on that rebel spirit creature who had made a Devil out of him- self by lying against God, Jehovah stated in symbolic language his purpose for the future. (Gen. 3:15) The Devil would not be immediately destroyed but would be allowed to exist for a time period that God himself determined, in order to settle for all time the issues that had been raised there in Eden.
Had the issue been simply one of supe- rior power, it could have been settled by a fight to the finish right then. But there is no evidence that Satan challenged God's strength. Rather, the account in Genesis shows that it was a moral issue. He dis- puted God's truthfulness, and, as revealed later in the Bible, he called into question the integrity of all God's creatures toward God's universal sovereignty. (Gen. 3:1-5; Job 1:7-12) The settling of such an issue in a satisfying way would require time.
A Set Time
As we look back on the history of God's dealings with mankind revealed in the Bi- ble, it is clear that, though God did not
13
in Eden tell those who were in rebellion against him how long he would tolerate wickedness, he himself set a time limit. Centuries later he indicated that to his prophet Daniel in a message through one of His holy angels. At that time, long be- fore the start of our Common Era, he said concerning the end of this wicked system: "The end is yet for the time appointed." ■—Dan. 11:27.
Nearly six thousand years from Adam's rebellion until our day may seem like an extremely long period of time when viewed from the standpoint of humans who live only about seventy years. But, remember, it is God who set the time, so it is his viewpoint that counts. Concerning his con- cept of time, the Bible tells us at Psalm 90:4: "A thousand years are in your eyes but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch during the night." A year is a long time to a child who has lived only five years, but to a man who is sixty it is comparatively short. Likewise, to God, who lives for eternity, a thousand years is like a day! From his standpoint, his tolera- tion of wickedness has not yet lasted six full days.
Certainly that has been no injustice to us. It is because of God's long-suffering that we have had opportunity to live at all, because all of us are descendants of Adam. And even under imperfect condi- tions life is cherished; yes, even in sickness we cling to it. But the fact that God did not cut short his long-suffering at some earlier time, but has allowed it to continue until our day, affords opportunity for more than a brief existence for us under imper- fect conditions.
To help us appreciate this, the apostle Peter wrote: "Jehovah is not slow respect- ing his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you be- cause he does not desire any to be de- stroyed but desires all to attain to repen-
14
tance. Furthermore, consider the patience of our Lord as salvation." (2 Pet. 3:9, 15) So it becomes evident that God's long- suffering has worked for our blessing, not our harm. Something else has been accom- plished, too, and it is likewise for our bene- fit.
Would the Way of Rebellion
Produce Good Results?
During the past six thousand years the Devil and men alienated from God have had full opportunity to work out their wicked schemes. By his course of action Satan set himself up as a rival ruler, chal- lenging God's rulership. By inducing men to serve him, he has become their ruler and their god. For that reason he is called in the Bible "the ruler of this world" and "the god of this system of things." (John 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4) It is not just a few particularly wicked persons who come un- der his control; rather, the Bible says that "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) Also, by inducing other angels to follow his rebel- lious course he became "ruler of the de- mons. "—Matt. 9:34.
Would this way of rebellion prove suc- cessful? Would rulership that endeavored to ignore God ever bring lasting benefits to anyone? True, God could have wiped out the rebellion at its start, but that would not have satisfactorily settled mat- ters. Therefore, God has permitted a full measure of time for Satan to build up his organization, and for men to arrive at their peak of military might, material prosperity and scientific achievement. In this way God has enabled all intelligent creation to see the consequences of re- bellion.
What is the result? What has nearly six thousand years of rule by the Devil and men alienated from God shown? Has the
AWAKE!
course of rebellion against God brought lasting happiness?
When the honest person ponders past history and the present tragic state of af- fairs in the world, he must realize how devoid of genuine progress the record is. All kinds of government have been tried, but still man lacks security and enduring happiness. Can one speak of true progress when the arrow has been replaced by the atomic bomb, and when the world now staggers on the brink of another global war? What kind of progress is it when men send rockets to the moon but cannot live together in peace on earth? What good is it for man to build homes equipped with every convenience, only to have a family torn apart by divorce and delin- quency? Are riots in the streets, destruc- tion of property and life, and widespread lawlessness, something to be proud of? Not at all! But they are the fruitage of rule that endeavors to ignore God.
Surely God's long permission of rebel- lion and its resulting wickedness prove to all reasonable men that satisfactory rule of earth's affairs is impossible apart from God. The long time that has elapsed has proved rebellious men and angels a dismal failure, that Satan has no right to rule anywhere, and that men surely were not created with the ability to direct their af- fairs apart from God. Now, with the rec- ord of six thousand years of failure, never can it be said that the Creator did not allow sufficient time for rebels to experi- ment. Never can anyone rightfully claim: 'They did not get a chance.' Nor can any- one say: 'If only they had had more time.' The allotted time has been ample to prove their failure. The way of rebellion has proved to be an absolute disaster! But God will not allow them to wreck this earth. Instead, for the benefit of decent people, he will "bring to ruin those ruin- ing the earth." — Rev. 11:18.
OCTOBER 8, 1966
Legal Precedent Established
In thus allowing the Devil and rebel- lious men time to carry their schemes to their limit, God has taken a long-range view of matters. Should the situation ever arise at any future time that any free moral agent abuses his freedom of choice and calls into question God's way of doing- things, would it be necessary for God to grant him time to make good his theories or charges? Would God allow wickedness to exist again for thousands of additional years? Absolutely not!
Having on this occasion allowed rebels to continue for their allotted time of six thousand years, God will have established a legal precedent that can be applied any- where in the universe and throughout all eternity. It will already have been amply proved that nothing that is out of har- mony with Jehovah God can prosper. God will then be fully justified before all in- telligent creatures in swiftly crushing any rebel. "The wicked ones he will annihi- late."—Ps. 145:20; Rom. 3:4.
Satan Proved a Liar
In the days of the Oriental patriarch Job, about the sixteenth century B.C.E., it was made unmistakably clear that man's integrity toward God was at issue, in ad- dition to the matter of rulership. Jehovah said that there was no one like Job in the earth, yet the Devil sneered: "Is it for nothing that Job has feared God? Have not you yourself put up a hedge about him and about his house and about everything that he has all around? The work of his hands you have blessed, and his livestock itself has spread abroad in the earth. But, for a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch everything he has and see whether he will not curse you to your very face." (Job 1:6-12) Yes, Satan challenged that he could turn all men away from God, even the one of whom
15
God would say "there is no one like him in the earth."
Already Satan had been trying to prove his boast since Eden. Adam failed God, but men of faith such as Abel, Enoch and Noah proved faithful to God. They served God out of love, not for material gain. Job too declared: "Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity." (Job 27:5) Yet Satan, his mind warped by proud ambition, refused to slow down in his in- sane course. When the perfect man Jesus was on earth, Satan endeavored to bribe him to commit just one act that would be a breach of integrity to God. (Matt. 4:9-11) Even when slapped around by soldier guards and then nailed to a stake to die, Jesus held fast. The Devil used his agents to put Jesus to death, but he could not induce him to break his integrity to God. (Phil. 2:8) His maintaining integrity as a perfect human proved that Adam could have done it too.
Satan has continued to bring pressure on those who are followers of Christ. (Luke 22:31) Clear on down to our day he has 'waged war' with those "who ob- serve the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus." (Rev. 12:17) These have been joined by "a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues," who, though living at a time of "great tribulation," give heartfelt thanks and praise to Jeho- vah God and to his Son. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 14) They appreciate the moral issue at stake and even under the most adverse circumstances are glad to have a part in contributing to the overwhelming evidence that God's way is right, that his creatures endowed with free moral agency are able to maintain integrity to him, and that they do so out of love.
God's Name and Power Proclaimed
Because of his great love for mankind, God will bring an end to wickedness. At his set time, he will end the rebellion of man and the Devil. The display of power he will unleash, and the good it will ac- complish, will be the talk of ages to come!
On a universal scale it will happen as it did in ancient Egypt when God told a haughty ruler: "For this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth." (Ex. 9:16) When God smashed the proud Egyptians and all their military might, the news of it spread far and wide. Years later, a person living in distant Jericho said: "We have heard how Jehovah dried up the waters of the Red Sea from be- fore you when you came out of Egypt, . . . Jehovah your God is God in the heav- ens above and on the earth beneath." —Josh. 2:9-11.
Throughout the universe will that be said when God crushes wickedness. For all eternity men and angels will recount what God did to rid the universe of wicked- ness and how he brought blessings to all who love and serve him. His name will be proclaimed throughout heaven and earth when he settles accounts with Sa- tan, his demons, and wicked people on earth. Then "they will have to know that [he is] Jehovah."— Ezek. 38:23.
Proved for all time will be the fact that the way of rebellion against God does not work for the good of anyone. Satan will be proved to be the most monstrous liar of all time, and no god to follow. A legal precedent will have been established once and for all time for the benefit of men and angels.
But when will God thus act to wipe out wickedness? How much longer will it be?
16
AWAKE.'
ALL honest-hearted men and women every- where keenly desire to know when God will bring an end to wickedness. How much longer will it be?
The disciples of Jesus Christ were keenly inter- ested in this too. They pointedly asked Jesus: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" Since his second presence was to be invisible, heavenly, Je- sus gave them visible signs that would combine to mark the period of the "time of the end," known also as the "last days." Per- sons living when these events occurred could know that they were living in the "last days." —Matt. 24:3; Dan. 11:40; 2 Tim. 3:1.
However, what Jesus prophesied did not occur in his day on earth, or even for hun- dreds of years afterward, nor did the end come. But Jesus realized that many cen- turies would pass before he would come again, this time in Kingdom power, and bring an end to wickedness. During all this time he knew that men would fight many wars. That is why, before giving the vis- ible evidences that would mark his second presence, he explained: "You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet." Certainly such wars did occur during the nineteen hundred years down to our day. —Matt. 24:6.
"Time of the End" Begins
Next, Jesus began enumerating the
OCTOBER 8, 1966
world-shaking events that would mark his invisible second presence and the fact that mankind had en- tered the "time of the end." Have we in this generation seen what Jesus said to S^i"* ■•* look for? Yes, we have!
**■"'" - First, Jesus said: "Na- tion will rise against nation and kingdom against king- dom." Has this prophecy seen fulfillment? By all means! In our generation the world has been involved in a war that saw the mo- bilizing of entire nations and kingdoms in such a way that it stood out as different from any preced- ing war. In recognition of the fact that the war of 1914-1918 was different from any previous one in human history, historians called it The Great War or The World War. It was the first war of its kind in history. — Matt. 24:7, 8.
Indicating the tremendous change that the first world war made in human his- tory, the New York Times Magazine of August 1, 1954, said: "The first war . . . closed a long era of general peace and be- gan a new age of violence in which the second war is simply an episode. Since 1914 the world has had a new character . . . Thus the first World War marks a turning point in modern history." This generation alone has experienced the ful- fillment of this part of the sign Jesus gave. Jesus included other features to look for, too, saying: "There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after anoth- er pestilences and food shortages." (Luke 21:11) How true has this description of events been since 1914! What an increase
17
we have experienced in these calamities! Major earthquakes have become reg- ular occurrences. On March 6, 1960, the New York Times reported: "Ten or more major earthquakes shake the earth every year. The smallest of them releases about a thousand times more energy than an atomic bomb of the type that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki." Peru, Morocco, Algeria, Japan, Chile, Iran, Colombia, Libya, Yugoslavia, India, Alaska and nu- merous other places have suffered severe- ly from earthquakes in just the past few years.
And what about pestilences? Following World War I the Spanish influenza alone took about 20,000,000 lives. And of food shortages a report in Look magazine of June 11, 1946, observed: "A fourth of the world is starving today. Tomorrow will even be worse. Famine over most of the world now is more terrible than most of us can imagine. . . . There are now more people hunting desperately for food than at any other time in history." And, be- cause of the population explosion that has taken place since 1946, the Director Gen- eral of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported in 1964 that half of the world's population was then suffering from hunger or malnutri- tion. Since then the situation has not improved.
All the other features of the sign Jesus gave have also found fulfillment since 1914. For a certainty then, 1914 marked the beginning of the last days! This be- ginning coincided with Satan's ouster from heaven by the enthroned King Jesus Christ. Speaking of this unparalleled time of distress, the Bible says: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." —Rev. 12:12.
We are in this "short period" of woe
18
right now! Satan, knowing his time is limited, turns his fury upon all. In every field of endeavor he influences leaders and common man alike to acts of selfish- ness and violence, and all the world is in confusion. Anyone who reads a newspaper or listens to the news can see the ful- fillment of Bible prophecy in our day. Of this time the Bible foretold: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of them- selves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to par- ents, unthankful, disloyal, having no nat- ural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, head- strong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, hav- ing a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; . . . wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse." —2 Tim. 3:1-13.
When? This Generation!
So it was to our generation that Jesus referred when he added the key thought: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." (Matt. 24:34) The generation that saw the be- ginning of woes in 1914 would also see the end of Satan and his entire wicked system of things. Some who were alive then would still be alive when "the end" comes.
It is to be carefully noted that the youngest of those who saw with under- standing the developing sign of the end of this system of things from its start in 1914 are now well over sixty years of age! In fact, the greater part of the adult gen- eration that experienced the start of the "last days" has already passed away in death. The generation to which they be- longed is now well along toward its com- plete passing away.
AWAKE.'
The time left, then, is definitely limited, and it is very short. Note, too, that Jesus pointedly said "this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." So we should not look for the passing away of all members of that gen- eration. The end of this wicked system of things will come before all members could pass away.
"Times of the Nations"
Bible chronology also verifies that the "last days" began in 1914. One prophecy based on chronology has to do with what Jesus mentioned when he stated that "Je- rusalem will be trampled on by the na- tions, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled." (Luke 21:24) What Jesus referred to was a definite period of time when God would have no repre- sentative government in the earth. The last such was ancient Israel, with its capi- tal in Jerusalem.
In the year 607 B.C.E. Jerusalem was trampled on by the Babylonians. Daniel 4:16 notes that "seven times" would pass. At the end of those "times" God would set up his heavenly government, his King- dom, under Christ "in the midst of [his] enemies."— Ps. 110:2.
Those "seven times," according to the Bible timetable, would be a period of 2,520 years, beginning its count from 607 B.C.E. This reckoning of time brings us to the year 1914.* And that is no accident! It harmonizes completely with the visible sign Jesus gave, which we have seen ful- filled since 1914.
6,000 Years Completed in 1975
There is another chronological indica- tion that we are rapidly nearing the clos- ing time for this wicked system of things. It is the fact that shortly, according to reliable Bible chronology, 6,000 years of
* For details, see "Your Will Be Done on Earth," Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, pages 94-103.
OCTOBER 8, 1966
human history will come to an end.
The Bible shows that when God began to shape the earth for human habitation, he worked for six "days," or time periods. From the indications in God's Word, each was apparently 7,000 years in length. Then, Genesis 2:2 states, Jehovah "pro- ceeded to rest on the seventh day from all his work that he had made." This seventh day, God's rest day, has pro- gressed nearly 6,000 years, and there is still the 1,000-year reign of Christ to go before its end. (Rev. 20:3, 7) This seventh 1,000-year period of human existence could well be likened to a great sabbath day, pictured by the sabbath day God commanded ancient Israel to keep after working for six days. (Ex. 20:8-10; 2 Pet. 3:8) After six thousand years of toil and bondage to sin, sickness, death and Sa- tan, mankind is due to enjoy a rest and is in dire need of a rest. (Heb. 4:1-11) Hence, the fact that we are nearing the end of the first 6,000 years of man's exis- tence is of great significance.
Does God's rest day parallel the time man has been on earth since his creation? Apparently so. From the most reliable investigations of Bible chronology, har- monizing with many accepted dates of secular history, we find that Adam was created in the autumn of the year 4026 B.C.E. Sometime in that same year Eve could well have been created, directly after which God's rest day commenced. In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of God's rest day come to an end? The year 1975.* This is worthy of no- tice, particularly in view of the fact that the "last days" began in 1914, and that the physical facts of our day in fulfillment of prophecy mark this as the last generation of this wicked world. So we can expect
8 See the book Life Everlasting — in Freedom of the Sons of God, Watch Tcwer Bible and Tract Society, pages 29-35.
19
the immediate future to be filled with thrilling events for those who rest their faith in God and his promises. It means that within relatively few years we will witness the fulfillment of the remaining prophecies that have to do with the "time of the end."
Which prophecies are yet to be fulfilled? According to the Bible book of Daniel, the "king of the north" (the ruling factors of [" totalitarianism, par- ticularly world com- munism) and the "king of the south" J (the ruling factors of ! democracy, particu- — ™— — =.—
larly the Anglo-American combine) are to climax their struggle for world domination, resulting in considerable agitation and substantial loss, particularly for the "king of the south." (Dan. 11:40-43) The Bible also foretells that God's servants will be the focus of a final all-out attack by Sa- tan and his entire organization of demons and earthlings. (Ezek. 38:1-16) Addition- ally, that great empire of false religion, called in the Bible "Babylon the great," is to experience God's adverse judgment when it is ripped to pieces. (Rev. 18:2, 8) After that the other elements of Satan's system will go down in destruction, his commercial and political systems, both of which have contributed heavily toward the suffering of mankind. Finally, Satan and his demons will be abyssed. — Rev. 19:19-21; 16:16; 20:1-3.
End Near
What cataclysmic times are fast ap- proaching! A climax in man's history is at the door! How vital, then, for each one who loves life to take note of these evi- dences of history that point to the near end of this wicked system!
COMW& IN THE NEXT ISSUE » What Remedy for a World Torn with Violence?
a The Battle Against Mind-twisting LSD „ When Speech Becomes Pleasurable, a Earth's Giant Seesaw — the Monsoon.
Of course, as to the precise day and hour of the end, Jesus noted that knowl- edge of this was in the province of his heavenly Father alone. (Matt. 24:36) But when a brief period of years at the most separates us from the great windup of this old system, the vital thing is to stay spiritually awake. — Luke 21:34-36.
So how much longer will it be? The answer is: 'Not long, for the end of wick- edness is near.' Not much longer will Je- hovah God tolerate the wicked system of things that has con- tinually reproached his name and often blamed him for its fail- ures. Not much longer will he permit false religious systems and godless poli- ticians to deceive the people and run things to suit their selfish inclinations. Not much longer will the Almighty permit Satan and his demons to stay active at the earth. To escape the threshing that God will inflict upon this wicked system of things it is vital that we quickly heed his word of warning given through the prophet Zephaniah: "Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." (Zeph. 2:3) And as we do so let us put our trust and confidence in our Great Creator, for he is not merely the Thrower Down of enemies. He is also the Builder Up of those who look to him for direction.
In fact, he has from ancient times been doing things on behalf of all those who would eventually receive the gift of life at his hands. He has been showing love for us long before we could ever begin to demonstrate love for him. Let us note what he has been doing in our behalf during the long period of wicked rule on earth.
20
AWAKE.'
THE rule of rebellious men
dragging the human family steadily downward these many centuries. On the other hand, Jehovah has been taking posi- tive steps to uplift and save mankind!
Our Creator has not callously ignored the suf- ferings of honest-hearted persons. Rather, during all the centuries of wickedness, he has been making loving provisions to release humans from the grip of sin and death.
The Ransom
As a result of his rebellion, Adam lost the right to perfect life and eventually died. His descendants inherited sin and death. But God has provided a way to restore life to deserving ones of Adam's offspring, while at the same time uphold- ing His own law.
How? By a ransom, by having a human creature with the right to perfect life sur- render it so that his right could be ap- plied on behalf of others. This would pro- ceed in harmony with a legal principle that God himself later embodied in the Mosaic law — "life for life." This would provide relief, not for the willful sinner Adam, but for his offspring, who, through no choice of their own, suffered the ef- fects of his wrong. — Deut. 19:21, Rev. Stan. Ver.
But is this not an awkward, roundabout way of going about it? Could not God merely have decreed to free Adam's off- spring from the effects of Adam's sin? No, not without going contrary to his own laws. And nothing causes greater disre- spect for law and contributes more to a breakdown of law observance than for high officials to sidestep the law. The high-
Z?&$m
&
er the official, the greater the damage. So the highest offi- cial, Jehovah, set the exam- ple for all creation by upholding his law. By providing a ransom, | God acknowledges the f claims of his own jus- tice in sentencing Ad- am to death, and the laws of inheritance by which we inherit sin as Adam's offspring. At the same time he makes provision for relieving deserving ones.
Since the life that Adam lost was a perfect one, only a perfect human could provide the ransom. But no natural off- spring of Adam could do so, for all were born imperfect. — Ps. 49:7.
Shortly after man's rebellion, God be- gan giving clues regarding the one he would use to free mankind from sin and death. Through the inspired prophets he revealed much information about this coming Ransomer. Then, nineteen cen- turies ago, God transferred the life of his only-begotten spirit Son to the womb of a Jewish virgin. God's Son was thus born without Adam's imperfection.
When he reached maturity, this Son of God, Jesus Christ, maintained integrity to his Father under the severest test that Satan could bring upon him, death upon a torture stake. He willingly laid down his right to the perfect human life he had as one who kept all of God's laws. Jesus could then offer the value of that life to God to redeem what Adam lost — life, perfect hu- man life. Jesus thus "gave himself a cor- responding ransom for all." — 1 Tim. 2:6. What a wonderful thing God has done for man! He offered his dearest creation so that humans could receive everlasting
OCTOBER 8, 1966
21
life! As the Bible puts it: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only- begotten Son, in order that everyone exer- cising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." — John 3:16.
The Kingdom
In addition to providing a ransom, God has been making preparations for a heav- enly government that will carry out his purpose to make earth a paradise home for righteous people. Knowing that man was not made to govern independently from him, God began developing this gov- ernment to administer man's affairs in righteousness.
Jehovah inspired the recording of many prophecies about the ruler of that govern- ment, and what he would accomplish. When Jesus Christ came to earth he ful- filled all the many prophecies about that king-to-be. Hence, he proved to be, not on- ly the Ransomer, but also the future ruler in the heavenly government over man- kind. And what ruler ever accomplished in a lifetime as much good as Jesus did in his brief ministry? He even healed the sick and raised the dead. No wonder God- fearing persons could look forward to his heavenly rule over mankind!
A kingdom, or government, also has administrators. Will any others share with Jesus in ruling over earth? Yes. The eve- ning before his death Jesus promised his close earthly associates: "I am coming again and will receive you home to my- self." Those who join Jesus in heaven be- come with him "a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will rule as kings over the earth." Together with Jesus, this limited number make up the heavenly government that will bring eternal bless- ings to humankind.— John 14:2, 3; Rev. 5:10; 14:1-3; 20:6.
So down through the ages, Jehovah God has laid all the necessary groundwork for
the everlasting happiness of the human family. And now, in our day, he has taken a direct hand in earth's affairs!
Kingdom Established in Heaven
All the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that God's heavenly kingdom under Christ began to rule in 1914, coinciding with the beginning of the "time of the end." The first act of the Kingdom was to cast Satan and his demons out of heaven down to the vicinity of the earth.— Ps. 110:1, 2; Rev. 12:7-12.
Since that time God has caused to be carried out a worldwide preaching work in fulfillment of the prophecy at -Matthew 24:14. As a result, many thousands of persons from all nations are being liber- ated from bondage to Satan's organiza- tion, particularly the false religious part.
These persons acknowledge themselves loyal subjects of the heavenly kingdom and are demonstrating the effectiveness of that government. Under its direction they have learned to become law-abiding, moral and upright, persons of integrity. They no longer war against one another. The rioting, hatred, crime and hypocrisy that disrupt this world have ceased to be problems within the ranks of the more than one million witnesses of Jehovah, subjects of God's now-ruling heavenly government. — Isa. 2:4.
The United Nations, with its more than a hundred member nations, has not been able to accomplish what God's kingdom has accomplished among its subjects in nearly two hundred lands today! Why is this so? Because, "unless Jehovah himself builds the house, it is to no avail that its builders have worked hard on it." — Ps. 127:1.
Yes, God's government is the only right way, and it is working marvelously now! But what God has done so far is only the beginning. Much more will come shortly!
22
AWAKE!
HOW different will be the future, when God brings an end to wickedness! In- stead of sorrow, sickness and death, there will be happiness, vibrant health and ever- lasting life! The nightmare of the past will be gone forever. The joy at that time will far outweigh all the agony man has ever experienced. All this God will do for man in paradise. As Psalm 145:16 says: "You are opening your hand and satis- fying the desire of every living thing."
Could anyone else make such a promise and then keap it? Be assured that when God promises such things he fulfills them for a certainty. Without fail, earth will be transformed into a paradise of pleasure for man's eternal delight! — Isa. 55:11.
The Wicked Removed
All this will be made possible by the removal of the wicked at the end of this system of things. No more will there be murder, rape and robbery, or any other
OCTOBER 8, 1966
crime. Think of it! No more wickedness! No more will righ- teously disposed persons have to suffer at the hands of wicked ones. As Proverbs 10:30 prom- ises: "As for the righteous one, to time indefinite he will not be caused to stagger; but as for the wicked ones, they will not keep residing on the earth."
With wicked humans and wicked demons gone, righteous- ness will prevail earth-wide. Un- der the benevolent administra- tion of God's kingdom, earth's inhabitants will no more learn what is bad. On the contrary, "righteousness is what the in- habitants of the productive land will certainly learn." — Isa. 26:9; Acts 17:31. Not only will those promoting wickedness be removed but there will also be a rolling back of all the accompanying effects and the resultant evils of the origi- nal rebellion and its introduction of wick- edness.
Health Restored
Yes, God will also eliminate the great unhappiness brought to humans by poor health. How many lives have been taken by cancer, heart trouble and other dis- eases! Thousands, yes, millions of others have suffered by being crippled, blind or deaf. Even if you enjoy a measure of health, the distressing reality in this sys- tem is that as you grow old, your eyes dim, your teeth decay, your hearing dulls, your skin wrinkles, your internal organs break down, until finally death claims another victim.
However, these distressing things that we inherited from our first parents will soon be a thing of the past! How can we
23
be sure? Do you remember what Jesus Christ demonstrated regarding health while he was on earth? The Bible relates: "Great crowds approached him, having along with them people that were lame, maimed, blind, dumb, and many other- wise, and they fairly threw them at his feet, and he cured them; so that the crowd felt amazement as they saw the dumb speaking and the lame walking and the blind seeing."— Matt. 15:30, 31.
Imagine the overwhelming happiness that will come in God's new order as all human ills are eliminated, not just in one small area, but earth-wide! The Creator's promise is: "No resident will say: 'I am sick.' " "At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness." — Isa. 33:24; 35:5, 6.
Will it not be thrilling to wake up each morning to a new day and realize that you are healthier than you were the day before? And will it not be gratifying for elderly persons to know that thes^ will be more youthful as each twenty-four-hour period passes, until they gradually reach the perfection of body and mind that Adam and Eve originally enjoyed?
Persons who enjoy that kind of health and happiness will not want to die, for life then will be a real blessing. And they will not have to die! Why not? Because even death will be done away with, since mankind will no longer be in the grip of inherited sin. Jesus Christ "must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing." We also read: "He will actually swallow up death forever." Thus will God's promises concerning ever- lasting life be realized, for we are told: "The gift God gives is everlasting life by
Christ Jesus our Lord." — 1 Cor. 15:25, 26; Isa. 25:8; Rom. 6:23.
Summing up the benefits that will flow to the human family in paradise, the last book of the Bible says: "And [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourn- ing nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away." — Rev. 21:3, 4.
Bringing Back Dead Ones
But what of all those who are in the graves? What of your dear ones who have already died, such as a mother or father, perhaps even a young child?
Keep in mind that, while on earth, Je- sus not only cured the sick and maimed, but also brought back dead persons from the sleep of death to demonstrate the wonderful power of resurrection God had given him. Perhaps you recall the occa- sion when Jesus came to the house of a man whose twelve-year-old daughter had died. Addressing himself to the dead girl, Jesus declared: "Maiden, I say to you, Get up!" What was the result? The Bible tells us: "And immediately the maiden rose and began walking." How did the people that saw this marvelous miracle react? "At once they were beside them- selves with great ecstasy." They were overjoyed. Their happiness could hardly be contained! — Mark 5:41, 42.
In paradise Jesus will use this God- given power to raise the dead, because "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) How great will be the joy earth-wide when group after group of dead persons comes back to join their loved ones! No longer will there be obituary columns to bring sadness. Instead, there may well be just the opposite: announce- ments of newly resurrected ones to bring joy to those who have loved them.
24
AWAKE!
Perfect Peace
Peace in all areas of life will be realized. Wars will be a thing of the past, for di- visive national interests will disappear. "They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war any more." (Mic. 4:3) This may sound astonishing in view of the growing international crisis today, but note the Bible's promise: "Come, you people, be- hold the activities of Jehovah, how he has set astonishing events on the earth. He is making wars to cease to the ex- tremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire." — Ps. 46:8, 9.
Peace will also be restored between man and beast. In this regard God declares: "For them I shall certainly conclude a covenant in that day in connection with the wild beast of the field and with the flying creature of the heavens and the creeping thing of the ground, and . . . I will make them lie down in security." — Hos. 2:18.
Just how great the restored peace be- tween man and beast will be can be noted in this prophecy: "The wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together; and a mere little hoy will be leader over them." Never again will these animals be a threat to man, as "even the lion will eat straw just like the bull." — Isa. 11:6-9.
Earth Transformed
And what of the earth itself? It will be transformed into a luxuriant paradise. That is why Jesus could promise the evil- doer that was executed with him: "You will be with me in Paradise." — Luke 23:43.
Under the direction of God's kingdom,
earth will produce plenty of good things to eat, so that hunger will never again stalk millions. "There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow." "The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our God, will bless us." "The tree of the field must give its fruitage, and the land itself will give its yield, and they will actually prove to be on their soil in security."— Ps. 72:16; 67:6; Ezek. 34:27.
No more will there be slums or over- crowded dwellings. Never again will people live in fear because their neighborhood is overrun with crime and rioting. "They will certainly build houses and have oc- cupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occu- pancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating." "They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble."— Isa. 65:21, 22; Mic. 4:4.
All these things, and more, God will do for man in paradise. It is why the Bible can say: "The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abun- dance of peace. . . . The righteous them- selves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." — Ps. 37:11, 29.
That is how God will more than com- pensate for the wickedness people have suffered during their lifetime, particular- ly the innocent. Throughout eternity God will shower down blessings on mankind, so that any hurt they have received in the past will fade to a dim memory, if they remember it at all. — Isa. 65:17.
Surely you want to live in that marvel- ous earthly paradise. But to live at that time and enjoy all those benefits, what must you do now?
OCTOBER 8, 1966
25
ARE you appreciative when someone gives you something of great value? Do you not try in some way to express that appreciation? Undoubtedly you do, for it is a natural response.
Really, when you stop to consider it, has anyone given us more than our lov- ing Creator? Think of it! "God sent forth his only-begotten Son into the world that we might gain life through him." And what glorious prospects that has provided — an eternity of happiness in an earth- wide paradise! Truly, we have every rea- son to show God our appreciation, both in words and in deeds. — 1 John 4:9.
But how? What can we give God in return for his goodness to us? As the Creator of heaven and earth, he owns everything, so there is no material thing we can give him. However, there is some- thing we have that he will accept: our devotion, our love, our obedience. As free moral agents we can choose to give these to whomever we wish.— Ps. 50:10-15.
Take God's Side
In these "last days" you have a grand opportunity to show love for the God who has made so many provisions for your benefit. You can make God's heart glad by upholding his side of the issue regard- ing man's integrity. How? By being firm in applying Bible principles in your home and everywhere else, and doing it even when confronted with wicked deeds. By proving yourself unwavering in your de- votion to Jehovah God and to his kingdom, rather than to the schemes of men for running the world. God's invitation is: "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice,
that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me." Satan, Je- hovah's chief adversary, is the one taunting him. His endeavor is to break down the integrity of anyone who worships Jehovah. By your faithful course, share in proving that Satan is a liar and that God is true.— Prov. 27:11.
When Satan tried to turn that ancient man of faith Job away from God, deluging him with troubles, how did he react? We read: "In all this Job did not sin with his lips." What a delight to see a man like that! Such a resister of the Devil brings pleasure to God's heart.— Job 2:10.
You can be like him. And if you are, what can you expect from God? Note what happened in Job's case after the matter of his integrity was settled: "As for Jehovah, he blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning." That can be your happy lot, too, if you choose to serve God and uphold his righteousness. —Job 42:12.
Take In Knowledge
In order to uphold God's side of mat- ters and make his heart glad, you must first learn what he v/ants you to do. You cannot obey God if you do not know his requirements. Where will you get the knowledge to obey God and resist Satan and his wicked crowd? The answer is: "By keeping on guard according to [God's] word." (Ps. 119:9) Yes, it is God's Word, the Holy Bible, that provides the knowl- edge you need of his purposes and re- quirements.
However, having a Bible in your home, and taking in the knowledge it contains, are two different things. If you do not gain an accurate understanding of it and apply it, it will not affect your life for good. It is like having the most delicious and nutritious food in your refrigerator.
26
AWAKE!
If you never eat it, it will do you no good whatsoever. In the same way, the Bible must be used, digested, to equip you to do the will of God.
True, study of the Bible requires time and effort. But so does anything worth while in life. And could there be anything more worth while than working toward everlasting life? Is there anything greater than doing the will of God and making his heart glad?
But do you find the Bible difficult to understand by yourself? Do not think it strange. God knows that assistance is re- quired to understand the deeper things of his Word. The Bible itself tells us about a high court official who had difficulty understanding God's Word. A servant of God, Philip, noted him reading aloud from the Scriptures and asked him: "Do you actually know what you are reading?" The official answered: "Really, how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?" He did not think if beneath his dignity to ask for help. You, too, will want to have his mental attitude. — Acts 8:30, 31.
Ask for assistance in learning the truths contained in the Bible. Ask Jehovah's wit- nesses to study the Bible with you free of charge. They will consider it a privilege.
Disassociate from Wicked System
Another thing you should do now to show your appreciation for God's loving provisions is to disassociate yourself from this wicked system of things. God's Word warns: "Do you not know that the friend- ship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God." One way to avoid being a friend of the world is to "abstain from every form of wickedness." When con- fronted with wrongdoing, say as did the man of God who wrote: "Get away from me, you evildoers, that I may observe the
commandments of my God." — Jas. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:22; Ps. 119:115.
Disassociating yourself from this wicked system also means abandoning the false religions that are part of this world. The Bible sharply warns: "Get out of her [the world empire of false religion], my peo- ple, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to re- ceive part of her plagues." Hence, you must analyze your religion to see if what it teaches and practices is in harmony with God's requirements. "Make sure of all things," the Bible urges. Do not assume that your religion must be right, for the Word of God clearly shows that most re- ligions are wrong. — Rev. 18:4; 1 Thess. 5:21; Matt. 7:13, 14, 21-23.
Not only should you abandon false re- ligion, but you will want to associate with those who practice true religion, with those who put Jehovah God first in their lives and prove it by being his witnesses. This will work for your upbuilding and protection, particularly as the end draws near. It is "in the congregation of loyal ones" that you will be able to do as Psalm 111:1 declares: "I shall laud Jehovah with all my heart in the intimate group of upright ones and the assembly." — Ps. 149: 1; Heb. 10:25.
Act Now!
This wicked system is fast approaching its end. That is why it is urgent for you to learn God's will and then do it, for Je- hovah "is guarding the souls of his loyal ones; out of the hand of the wicked ones he delivers them."— Ps. 97:10.
Do not put off lining yourself up on God's side. Act now, for his day for exe- cuting the wicked is near. Do not let it catch you unprepared! Instead, let your attitude be like that of the psalmist when he said: "Make me understand, that I may keep living." — Ps. 119:144.
OCTOBER 8, 1966
27
'&(&2*v!S££-^Eq
Why, Then, Does God '. * »; Permit Wickedness? - -
WE* '
IT CANNOT be avoided. No matter where you may look, wickedness exists, and people are suffering and dying. Throughout the ages thinking persons have wondered why this is so. How did wickedness get started? Why has God per- mitted it to continue for so long? Will he tolerate wickedness indefinitely? Or will he end it soon? It is likely that you have asked these very questions.
To understand how wickedness began, it is vital to know how man was created. He was not made a robot, without free- dom of choice, but was given the grand gift of free moral agency. — Josh. 24:15.
But was not the first man made per- fect? Yes, at Deuteronomy 32:4 the Bible states: "The works of God are perfect." (Catholic Douay Version) However, that did not mean man knew everything or could do everything, but he was perfect in that he was without a defect in his physical organism. For instance, man could not live in outer space without oxygen, or live underwater indefinitely without special equipment. He was perfect, but within the limits of mankind. — Gen. 1:31.
Just as man was created with the need of oxygen to breathe, so he was also made with the need of God's guidance. He was not made to govern independently of God. Why not locate your own copy of the Bible and turn in it to Jeremiah 10:23. If it is the Authorised or King James Version, you will notice there how a humble ser-
28
vant of God expresses the need of God's direction: "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Though not created with the ability to govern suc- cessfully without God's guidance, man was a free moral agent and could choose to ignore what God said and meditate on wrong thoughts. That is what the first human pair did, and, as a result, sin, wickedness and death were introduced into the world. — Jas. 1:13-15; Gen. 2:17; 3:6.
Who was to blame for this? Certainly not God. When humans choose to ignore God's laws and do wrong, they are re- sponsible for the consequences. That is why the Bible, at Deuteronomy 32:5 says: "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation." (AV) Adam and Eve by their own wrong choice brought sin and death upon them- selves. And since all humankind were born from their degenerating bodies, the sick- ness and death we all experience were inherited from them. — Job 14:4; Rom. 5:12.
Man, however, is not alone in respon- sibility for wickedness. Someone else is even more to blame. He is the invisible spirit creature who, in contradiction of what God said would be the penalty for disobedience, enticed Eve to disobey, say- ing: "You positively will not die."— Gen. 3:1-4; Rev. 12:9.
But what caused this perfect spirit crea- ture to rebel against God, and then in- duce the first human pair to join in the rebellion? As with man, it was due to entertaining, continually, improper de- sires. At James 1:14, 15 the Bible ex- plains: "Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has
AWAKE!
been accomplished, brings forth death." The improper desires of this perfect spirit were, in time, translated into improper actions. He came to be known as the Devil and Satan. — John 8:44.
Yet, why has God permitted Satan and wickedness to continue for so long? For several reasons. By his rebellion Satan the Devil challenged God's rulership and at the same time raised an issue as to whether any humans would remain true to their Creator-Ruler under test. Also, who spoke the truth there in Eden as to the result of disobedience? Was it God or Satan? Furthermore, could rebellious crea- tures attain to lasting blessings and hap- piness while ignoring God's rulership? Time would be required to settle these issues, and God allowed such time. So no intelligent creatures could ever rightly ac- cuse God of not giving the rebels oppor- tunity to work out their own purposes. And what has the record of nearly 6,000 years proved? It has proved God to be right when he said: "There exists a way that is upright before a man, but the ways of death are the end of it afterward." — Prov. 16:25.
But how much longer will God tolerate wickedness? Jesus' disciples also wanted to know, and so they asked him about it. In answer Jesus gave many visible evi- dences that would mark the "time of the end" of this wicked system. These includ- ed worldwide war, famines, pestilences, widespread earthquakes and an increase of lawlessness. Are not these the things that are reported on almost daily in the news? Yes, indeed; and historians report that they are the characteristics of the generation that began with the first world war in 1914. But why such an increase of woe in our time? The Bible explains: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time." —Matt. 24:7, 12, 34; Rev. 12:12, AV.
This means that very soon now all the wicked will be destroyed by God! (Ps. 145: 20) After that, God's heavenly govern- ment will shower down upon its earthly subjects blessings beyond compare. Per- fect health, boundless vigor and freedom from the onslaughts of old age and death will be realized. (Isa. 35:5, 6) Even dead ones will be resurrected to enjoy these blessings. (Acts 24:15) Perfect peace and happiness will be enjoyed by all who live in that restored paradise. — Ps. 37:11, 29.
What should you do in view of the wonderful things God will do in your be- half? Why, show appreciation! How? First, by learning about God and his re- quirements. This means regularly study- ing his Word. (John 17:3) Then separate yourself from this wicked system that is doomed to destruction. Find out whether the religion you practice is really in har- mony with God's Word, for, to please God, you must abandon any false religion that is part of this wicked world. Do God's will, and in this way add your testimony to the fact that Satan is a liar and is in- capable of turning all men from serving Jehovah.— Prov. 27:11.
Can you answer these questions? For answers,
read the erfide above. (1 ) What questions do people raise concerning the permission of wickedness? (2) Was the first man a robot or did God give him freedom of choice? (3) In what sense was he perfect? (4) How is man's need for God's guidance expressed in the Bible? (5) Why is God not to blame for the sin of our first parents, and for our present imperfections? (6) Who is even more to blame for wickedness than man? (7) How was it possible for a perfect spirit creature to become the Devi!? (8) Why has God permitted wickedness to continue for so long? (9) Is the end of wickedness near? (10) What blessings will God's kingdom bring to mankind? (11) How can we show our ap- preciation for what God has done for us?
OCTOBER S, 1966
29
Era of Lawlessness # David Lawrence, in U.S. News & World Report for August 29, said editorially: "Historians some day will write that the United States in the 1930s experienced an era of anarchy unparalleled in a free country governed origi- nally by a written Constitution and once dedicated to the principle of law and order. We are today on the verge of a complete breakdown of our governmental structure." Fed- eral and state governments, he said, face severe financial crises. He went on to say that city governments appear to be unable to protect human life; they are plagued by street demonstrations and criminal violence. "Even clergymen, who are supposed to preach doctrines of human love and conciliation, have joined the mob," he pointed out. What does it mean? Jesus Christ long ago foretold that this "increasing of lawlessness" would mark the last days of this wicked system of things. —Matt. 24:12.
Suicide KIse
#> Saigonese know that these are critical times hard to deal with, as the Christian apostle Paul long ago foretold for our day, at 2 Timothy 3:1. In Sai- gon, South Vietnam, the rate of suicide and attempted sui-
30
cide is almost 50 percent high- er this year than last, it was reported on August 27. "Many of these are young people whose psychology has been de- formed, somehow, by the war," said Lieut. Col. Nguyen Van Luan.
$139,000,000,000 for Anns #> A published United Press International report stated that "the cost of the global arms race has reached stag- gering dimensions — more than $130 billion a year. This is more than the $125 billion being spent annually in the world on public health and education." The arms' race amounts to $40 for every man, woman and child in the world. Readiness for war seems to have become the principal con- cern of humankind. Two world wars, the first of their kind in human history, have al- ready marked this generation. Jesus foretold this for the "conclusion of the system of things."— Matt. 24:3, 7.
Earthquake Jolts Turkey
<$> Eastern Turkey was struck by a devastating earthquake on August 20. The unofficial death toll passed the 2,000 mark the next day. There were estimates that the final toll might top 5,000. Hundreds of villages were reduced to rub- ble. "Great earthquakes" were a sign foretold for our day.
(Luke 21:11) In Turkey official statistics put the quake toll for the twentieth century so far at more than 40,000 dead. The world's most catastrophic- earthquake of modern times was in China in 1920, when 180,000 people died. Three years later a quake razed Tokyo, killing 143,000.
Food Shortage
■#> At the 1966 annual meeting of the American Institute of Biological Sciences, a group of scientists agreed, on August 15, that man was multiplying faster than the food supply and that a catastrophe was in sight. Dr. Harrison Brown of California Institute of Tech- nology stated that the world population would be at least 4,300.000,000 by 1980, if no major disaster strikes before that time; but food produc- tion is not keeping pace. The Bible writer Luke long ago re- corded under divine inspira- tion that unprecedented "food shortages" would be part of the composite sign that, not only is the present selfish system on its way out, but also "the kingdom of God is near."— Luke 21:11, 31.
Dishonest Employees <§> Former president of the Canadian Institute of Char- tered Accountants, Derek Lu- kin, said that there has been an enormous increase in the last few years in thievery among trusted employees. He pointed out that apparently honest and trustworthy em- ployees have embezzled or de- frauded $150,000000 from Ca- nadian businesses. "Lovers of money," "disloyal" — that is what the Bible, at 2 Timothy 3:1, 2, said would characterize ungodly men in the "last days."
"Devil in Us"
<$> In a special report to the New York Times, August 24, a correspondent in southeast Asia stated that "from the terraced rice fields of Central
AWAKE!
Java to the exquisite island of Bali, from the rubber plan- tations of Sumatra to the fish- ing villages of remote Timor, the Indonesian people are troubled by the heritage of violence bequeathed by the staggering mass slaughter of Communists," which followed the abortive Communist-sup- ported bid for greater power in Jakarta last September 30. It has been estimated that 400,000 were killed. "There is a devil in us and when it gets loose, we can run amok en masse," one of Indonesia's most distinguished writers said. Yes, the Bible agrees that there is "a devil" in back of the world's violence. "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." (Rev. 12:12) And why? Because God's king- dom has been established in the heavens and will soon put out of action both the Devil
and persons who choose to manifest his spirit.
•There Will Be Pestilences'
# The dreaded sleeping sick- ness called encephalitis has taken 384 lives so far this year in Japan and 399 in South Korea.
In South Vietnam a plague, known as the Black Death in the Middle Ages, is spreading throughout the country. The spread of the disease has been described as "very, very serious."
Heart disease and cancer re- main foremost among the kill- ers in spite of medical re- search, and venereal disease has reached epidemic propor- tions in many large cities. Yes, pestilences, too, were foretold as part of the "sign." — Luke 21:11.
Preaching Though Persecuted <§> In nearly two hundred lands around the earth Jeho- vah's witnesses are preaching
the good news that God's king- dom has been established. For this they are persecuted, as Jesus foretold. (Matt. 24:9) Recently Greece's Orthodox primate, Archbishop Chrysos- tomos, said: "The Greek Or- thodox Church regards the members of [Jehovah's wit- nesses] as enemy No. 1." He went on to say: "We have repeatedly appealed to the authorities to intervene and prosecute or arrest those of them who engage in prosely- tism." But they continue to preach. In Greece today there are 10,668 of Jehovah's wit- nesses active in preaching about God's kingdom. World wide there are over a million, and they have been devoting over 14,000,000 hours each month to their preaching work. As Jesus foretold for these "last days," this good news of the Kingdom estab- lished in the heavens is being preached in all the world for a witness. — Matt. 24:14.
E WW m • m the book 'fe Everlasting — in Freedom of the Sons of
This valuable Bible handbook was released this summer at the "God's Sons of Liberty" District Assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses. Its 416 pages are full of counsel and instruction for everyday living in harmony with the will of God. The book highlights man's desire for freedom and sets out clearly from God's Word the one way in v/hich freedom is certain for our generation. Send for your copy now. Only 50c.
WATCHTOWER
I 1 7 ADAMS ST.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. 1 1 201
Please send me the new book Life Everlasting— in Freedom of the Sons of God. I am enclosing 50c.
Name - ,
City
OCTOBER 8, 19S6
Street and Number or Route and Box .
State , Zone or Code .
m i$&w, G6wt 6&ne?
The Bible itself says: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) But the Bible also records the account of a man who was reading the Bible himself and who was asked if he understood what he was reading. He answered: "Real- ly, how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?" Then he en- treated this one who approached him to "sit down with him." Read the ac- count at Acts 8:26-39. So, Bible knowledge is most valuable, but you need help to acquire it. How, then, can you study at home?
Free Home Bible-Study Service
Jehovah's witnesses will be happy to study the Bible with you free in your
own home. Accepting this service does not make you a member of any organization, nor does it in any way obligate you to become such. What course you take when you learn what the Bible says is for you to decide. We will be glad to use your own Bi- ble, or, if you do not have one, and prefer, we will be glad to supply an easy-to-read modern translation. The one conducting the study does not do all the talking; rather, he guides you to information that will answer your questions and encourages you to ex- press yourself on it. This service in- volves one hour each week at a time that is mutually convenient. We urge you to study as a family, but our service is provided for individuals as well. And, remember, it is absolutely free and without obligation. Have you ever wanted to understand the Bible better? Mail the coupon be- low and have this desire fulfilled.
WATCHTOWIR 117 ADAMS ST. BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11201
I am interested in your free home Bible-study service. The best time for someone to call would
I understand this does not obligate me in any way.
be on a
(day of week)
at-
(tlme of day)
Name City ..
Street and Number or Route and Box
State Zone or Code .
In: AUSTRALIA address 11 Beresford Rd., Strathfield, N.S.W. ENGLAND: The Ridgeway, London N.W. 7. CANADA: ISO Bridgeland Ave., Toronto 19, Ont. SO. AFRICA: Private Bag 2, P.O. Elandsfontein, Transvaal.
32
AWAKE J
1AWUSSNESS
kfarfdbediftimaP
THE REASON FOR THIS MAGAZINE
News sources that are able to keep you awake to the vital issues of our times must be unfettered by censorship and selfish interests. "Awake!" has no fetters. It recognizes facts, faces facts, is free to publish facts. It is not bound by political ties; it is unham- pered by traditional creeds. This magazine keeps itself free, that it may speak freely to you. But it does not abuse its freedom. It maintains integrity to truth.
The viewpoint of "Awake!" is not narrow, but is international. "Awake!" has its own correspondents in scores of nations. Its articles are read in many lands, in many languages, by millions of persons.
In every issue "Awake!" presents vital topics on which you should be informed. It features penetrating articles on social conditions and offers sound counsel for meeting the problems of everyday life. Current news from every continent passes in quick review. Attention is focused on activities in the fields of government and commerce about which you should know. Straightforward discussions of religious issues alert you to matters of vital concern. Customs and people in many lands, the marvels of creation, practical sciences and points of human interest are all embraced in its coverage. "Awake!" pro- vides wholesome, instructive reading for every member of the family.
"Awake!" pledges itself to righteous principles, to exposing hidden foes and subtle dangers, to championing freedom for all, to comforting mourners and strengthening those disheartened by the failures of a delinquent world, reflecting sure hope for the establish- ment of God's righteous new order in this generation.
Get acquainted with "Awake!" Keep awake by reading "Awake!"
Published Semimonthly by WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OP NEW YORK, INC. 117 Adams Street Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201, U.S.A.
N. H. Knorr, President Grant Sbitee, Secretary
Average printing each issue: 4,850,000
Five cents a copy
Yearly subscription rates
Offices for semimonthly editions
America, U.S., 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 $1 Australia, 11 Beresford ltd., Strathfleld, N.S.W. SI
Canada, 150 Bridgeland Ave., Toronto 19, Out 11
England, Watch Tower House,
The Eidgeway, London N.ff. 7 7/6
Mew Zealand, 621 New North Rd., Auckland S.W. 3 90e South Africa, Private Bag 2, P.O. Elandsfontein, M. 70c
(Monthly editions cost half the above rates.) Remittances for subscriptions should be sent to the office in your country. Otherwise send your remittance to Brooklyn. Notice of expiration is sent at least two issues before subscription expires.
Now published in 26 languages
Semimonthly — Afrikaans, Cetraano, Danish, Dutch, English,
Finnish, French, Qerman, Greek, Iloko, Italian, Japanese.
Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog,
Zulu.
Monthly — Chinese, Ctayanja, Hlligajnon, Malayalam, Polish,
Tamil, Ukrainian.
|
CHANGES SF AD0BESS should |
reach as thirty days |
|
before your mwlni date. Give |
is your old and new |
|
address (If possible, your old |
address label). Write |
|
Watchtower, 117 Adams Street, |
Brooklyn. New York |
|
11201, U.S.A. |
Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. Printed in U.S.A.
The Bible translation regularly esed In "Awake!" Is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 1961 edition. When other translations are tied, this Is dearly market.
CONTENTS
Do You Want a New Order Free from Lawlessness?
Flood of Lawlessness Engulfing the Earth
How Do They Explain It?
The Real Causes of Today's Lawlessness 14
Protect Yourself from Lawlessness
God's Word Reforms Lawbreakers
"Your Word Is Truth"
Why Do the Wicked Prosper?
Watching the World
20 26
27 29
^""""^ "it is already the hour for you to awake." 0h
— Romans 13:11 V^'
Volume XLIX
Brooklyn, N.V.. January 8, 1968
Number 1
WHAT would it mean to you if the world were free from lawless- ness?
It would mean that you could step out of your home and never worry about locking a door. You could visit any neigh- borhood without being afraid. You could sit in any park late at night. You could talk to any stranger without fear. You would never have to be concerned about the safety of your home or your loved ones.
No doubt you, as most persons, want the world to be free from lawlessness. Cer- tainly it would be a wonderful thing to live in a new order where nothing would ever mar your happiness or jeopardize your freedom, possessions, life or loved ones.
Will there ever be such a system of things? Will all the energies and wealth now lost due to lawlessness ever be chan- neled into constructive work? Will it ever be possible for everybody to enjoy life under such secure conditions?
Judging from today's news everywhere, it would be simple to conclude that an or- der free from lawlessness can never be a reality.
However, do not dismiss the possibility of living in a new order that is free from
JANUARY 8, 1968
FREE FROM LAWLESSNESS?
lawlessness. Why not? Because such an order will come without fail, and soon!
Within this generation the world will be rid of all lawbreakers! Yes, you will then be able to forget about locking your door. You will then feel free to visit anywhere and talk to anyone. You will never again have to worry about the security of your home or loved ones. And the world will be free from things that drive many to law- lessness, such as poverty, prejudice and injustice.
Because a new order that will be free from lawlessness is nearing a reality, we invite you carefully to consider the articles that begin on the following page. First, these articles will examine the trend in lawlessness today. Then they will analyze the reasons authorities give as to why such lawlessness exists in our time. Next they will discuss the more important caus- es for this lawlessness and when and how that lawlessness will positively end. This issue will also give information on how you
3
can protect yourself from lawlessness now.
First of all, then, let us examine the
extent of lawlessness in our time, in this
generation, in this year. Just what is go-
ing on in this regard throughout the world? How widespread is lawlessness to- day? What damage to life and property is involved? What are the facts?
use 01
AUTHORITIES agree on this central fact: There is a raging flood of law- less activity all over the world. And it is fast increasing. In many areas it is out of control. Your personal safety is being jeopardized as never before!
This epidemic of crime is not confined to one type of society. Not only the under- developed countries suffer from it. Even in the most prosperous lands there is an enormous increase of lawlessness.
Worldwide Breakdown
The recently retired head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, G. B. McClellan,
4
stated that the whole world was going through a "major interna- tional breakdown in respect for law and order." He noted: "Public an- tagonism toward the police is reaching epidemic proportions all over the world, not only in those countries which we are wont to re- fer to as underdeveloped countries, but in countries which have been and are regarded as some of the most highly civilized in the world." Similarly, prominent British at- torney Lord Shawcross made this observation:
"Almost everywhere, including Soviet Russia, there appears to be an increase in crime, and partic- ularly, alas, in juvenile crime
"Why is it that there is this increase in crime, when we were all entitled, perhaps, to think that the unexampled prosperity which we enjoy now, the better education, the rather better housing conditions, and so on, would conduce to the opposite result? I wish I knew the answer."
One part of the increase of lawlessness that particularly bothers authorities is the increase of violent crimes. In England, J. Bell, writing in Crime in Our Tims, said: "The most striking feature of crime today is the increase in violence." The au- thor added: "There are criminals in this country [England] today who appear to have reached extremes of depravity and savagery not seen before the last war, at least in such numbers."
The same conclusion was reached in an exhaustive study of crime by a special Crime Commission in the United States. Undertaken at the President's direction
AWAKE!
and publishing its findings in the report The Challenge of Crime in a Free So- ciety, the Commission said: "The overall rate for violent crimes . . . now stands at its highest point."
Greater Worry
However, there is another trend that experts agree is cause for even greater worry: The fantastic rise in lawlessness among young people. Of this the book The Psychology of Crime said:
"It is alarming that today adolescents are committing the same types of criminal activ- ities as adults, whereas in former times the type of crime changed as the person grew older. For example, young people used to be involved in more youthful types of crime, such as pranks or petty stealing, but today they are committing the same vicious crimes as adult criminals — murder, robbery, rape, burglary, vandalism, and automobile thefts, not to mention such minor crimes as purse snatching, petty thievery, destruction of property, and disorderly conduct
"Not only have the types of crimes changed, but there has been a tremendous and disturbing increase in the number of crimes carried out by young people today. . . . The increase of juvenile delinquency is not restricted to the United States. It has occurred in many countries throughout the world."
Corroborating this, American writer R. Tunley, in Kids, Crime and Chaos, noted the astonishing juvenile crime in various countries, such as Sweden, and then re- ported:
"Turning from Sweden to Japan, the trav- eler finds conditions almost as astonishing. In this Oriental country, before World War II children were said to be among the most obedient and law-abiding of any nation on earth. Obviously, things have changed. . . .
"The ratio of crimes committed by Japa- nese youngsters when compared with adults is out of all proportion to ours, showing juveniles acting far more lawlessly, com- pared with their elders, than ours do Take
one category — violent sex. In our own coun- try, juveniles account for 19 percent of the
total rapes. In Japan, they're in the majority — 52 percent
"What interested me particularly was that in many countries abroad, even those with low rates, there was a new and alarming pattern of misbehavior
"The fact is, of course, that juvenile mis- behavior is a world-wide phenomenon . . . Even in Russia... I found considerable evi- dence of juvenile delinquency.''
Outracing the Population "Explosion"
Crime is rising far more rapidly than the population in most lands. This flood of crime prompted a Federal judge in the United States to say:
"Society's problem with those who will not obey law has never loomed so large in our national life as it does today.
"People murder others in this country at the rate of more than one for every hour of the day.
"There are more than 140 crimes of theft every hour; assault and violence and rape grow comparably. "The murder rate is 10,000 humans lives a
100%-
90-
80-
__CRIIWE INCREASE
During the years 1960-1966
crime in the U.S.A. increased
at a rate seven times that
of population growth.
70-
JANUARY 8, 1968
year, which is higher than the death rate in our current military operations in Vietnam which inspire such emotional and violent public demonstrations.
"And the growth rate of crime is now far greater than the growth in our population."
Just how much greater than population growth is this surge of crimes? In the United States during 1966 there were 3,243,370 major crimes — murder, rape, robbery, assault, larceny, auto theft and burglary. This was an increase of more than 11 percent over the previous year. The population increased less that li per- cent during that same time. Grouping the years from 1960 to 1966 together, we find that the United States population in- creased 9 percent, but serious crimes, 62 percent! That means lawlessness increased seven times as fast as population!
Since population growth is referred to as an "explosion," a crime rate seven times as explosive is a catastrophe. And during the first six months of 1967 major crimes skyrocketed 17 percent above the same period the previous year. This is at a rate of about ten to fifteen times the population growth!
Nor is the increase of lawlessness con- fined to just the "ghetto" areas of large cities. True, a greater proportion of crime does occur in these areas, but in the past few years the rate of increase in the sub- urbs has been greater.
Rioting Spreads
Lawlessness must also include the hurt to life and property resulting from riot- ing, for whatever reason. Such violence has brought great distress to large num- bers of people and has increased greatly in the last few years.
During the summer of 1967 riots took place in more than 120 cities of the United States. At least 117 persons were killed. Thousands were injured. Property damage was over $1,000,000,000.
The rioting was described as "anarchy," "rebellion," and even as "guerrilla war- fare." Police and national guardsmen were hard pressed to maintain order. In- deed, in Detroit, thousands of regular ar- my troops had to be dispatched by the American government to quell the rioting. In that city alone at least 41 persons were killed, 2,000 injured, 5,000 made homeless. Property damage was estimated at 500 million dollars! Life magazine stated:
"When the burning, looting and killing were over, parts of Detroit had the bombed- out, jagged look of European cities in World
War II An estimated 387 buildings were
destroyed, 2,700 businesses and stores looted."
One resident exclaimed: "Hell isn't when you die. Hell is right here when you're living."
Commenting on the riot, the Los An- geles Times of July 30, 1967, reported:
"What happened in Detroit last week was not a race riot After the first two days it was not a riot at all. It became the highest development so far of the new anarchy which takes over our collapsing urban civilization from time to time."
Rioting is not confined to the United States. Riots have occurred in many other parts of the globe recently. This past sum- mer in Japan thousands of rioters repeat- edly clashed with police. The New York Times of August 19, 1967, reported:
"Japan has a problem of mass violence among the underprivileged minorities in the big-city slums The fray last night fol- lowed the pattern of similar outbreaks on many sultry nights in the past summers. The roving mobs hurled rocks at a police substa- tion, stoned shops and private homes, broke windows in buildings and cars, . . . and beat any policeman who could be seized."
The situation all over the world is not much different. As Time magazine of July 28, 1967, stated:
"Violence is so universal and elusive that sociology and psychology can only approxi- mate a complex truth. Comparisons with other countries are illuminating but hardly
AWAKE!
conclusive. The U.S. has certainly experienced nothing like the massacre of 400,000 Communists in Indonesia; nor have Watts or Newark ap- proached the lethal fury of an Indian or an Arab mob."
People Are Afraid
More and more peo- ple are realizing just how much lawlessness there is. One consistent reaction has been fear. Of the situation in the United States, one official said: "American cities are burning. You have more and more crime. Citizens are terrified." Of this fear Time said:
"Fear of the darkened city streets has become a fact of urban life. The memories of bizarre multiple murders linger in the mind — 13 people dead in Austin [Texas] from a sniper's rifle, eight nurses in Chicago killed by a demented drifter. The recollection of the Kennedy assassination remains part of the scene."
Almost daily the news tells of similar
JANUARY 8, 1968
horrible acts. A farmer in Minnesota kills his wife, sets fire to his home, killing their four children. He wounds himself to make it ap- pear as though it was committed by outsiders, but later confesses. A Canadian family of nine — mother, father, seven children — are slaughtered by a murderer. The only survivor, a four-year-old daughter, hid under the blankets. Such crimes, repeated over and over, drive fear deep into the heart of people.
In the report of the President's Crime Commission, it was found that 43 percent of those interviewed said they now stayed off the streets at night because of their fear of crime. And 35 percent said they no longer spoke to any strangers because of this same fear. The report added:
"Fear of strangers has greatly impover- ished the lives of many Americans, especially those who live in high-crime neighborhoods in large cities. People stay behind the locked doors of their homes rather than risk walk- ing in the streets at night. Poor people spend money on taxis because they are afraid to walk or use public transportation. Sociable people are afraid to talk to those they do not know. . . .
"When fear of crime becomes fear of the stranger the social order is further damaged. As the level of sociability and mutual trust is reduced, streets and public places can in- deed become more dangerous The re- ported incidents of bystanders indifferent to cries for help are the logical consequence of a reduced sociability, mutual distrust and with- drawal."
What is additionally frightening is that there are far more crimes committed than are ever reported. For example, burglaries occur about three times as often as they are reported, rapes even more often. In some areas, only one-tenth of certain crimes are ever reported to police!
Who Are the Lawless?
Who are these lawless elements that cause such fear? Are they all sinister, mentally deranged types? Are they all professional criminals? The Crime Com- mission's report stated:
"Many Americans take comfort in the view that crime is the vice of a handful of people. This view is inaccurate. In the United States today, one boy in six is referred to the juve- nile court. A Commission survey shows that in 1965 two million Americans were received in prisons or juvenile training schools, or placed on probation. Another Commission study suggests that about 40 percent of all male children now living in the United States will be arrested for a nontrafflc offense during their lives."
Hence, more and more "ordinary" citi- zens are committing lawless acts. Through- out the world millions of persons regarded as decent "next-door-neighbor" types are being apprehended for vicious crimes.
Of course, to these must be added pro-
8
fessional criminals, those who make a ca- reer of lawlessness. The "take" of orga- nized crime runs into thousands of millions of dollars each year. Involved in this are thousands of criminals who work in orga- nizations as complex as large corporations. They supply such illegal goods and services as gambling, narcotics, prostitution and other forms of vice. Estimates of the mon- ey made from illegal gambling alone run up to $50,000,000,000 a year in just the United States!
To cope with all this crime, "profession- al" and "nonprofessional," what is re- quired? In the United States there are some 420,000 law-enforcement people working in about 40,000 separate agencies. They spend more than $2,500,000,000 of the public's tax money trying to stem the tide. Yet, the tide of lawlessness advances relentlessly.
Toward More Lawlessness
The hard facts are that never before in history has there been such a tremendous surge in lawlessness world wide. And every indication is that this increase will continue.
Three years ago, when the situation was not as bad as it is today, an editorial in the New York Times of February 18, 1965, stated:
"It is a frightening but inescapable thought that the world has drifted apart and become more fragmented since April 1963, when Pope John made his notable appeal for 'a community of peoples based on truth, justice, love and freedom.' . . .
"Throughout history different elements operated at different times to provide an anchor, an amalgam, a source of unity for societies. There were family bonds, great monarchs, great empires, the world's great religions and, in modern times, political ideologies. Today none of these factors seems strong enough to hold societies in check or to unite nations and peoples in peace.
"This is an era that has lost its bearings,
AWAKE!
that wanders in a wilderness crying with rage and striking out in its pain."
Why has all this happened? Why is the
world being flooded by this rising tide of lawlessness at this particular time in history?
WHAT puzzles authorities is this: Why such increased lawlessness now, in our time?
The lawlessness of human society can be likened to a sickness. For every sick- ness there is a cause. There are several basic, root causes for today's increasing lawlessness. Ignoring these root causes would be like your refusing to eat and then wondering why you are undernourished and hungry! Yet, these underlying causes usually are ignored by most well-meaning criminologists today!
Instead of dealing with the primary causes, most of those who deal with law- lessness observe only the surface issues. We may compare this to viewing that small portion of an iceberg visible above the waterline. The more important and larger part is not as apparent, being be- low the waterline. So too with lawlessness. The more important causes lie beneath the surface.
However, since the apparent, above the surface, reasons are what authorities usu- ally give, it would be well to note what these are first. Then we can examine the far more important causes that are not so apparent.
JANUARY 8, 1968
Rapid Deterioration Begins
There has always been crime in man's history. However, authorities agree that there came a time when a definite turn for the worse was made. It was a time that contributed greatly to the rampage of law- lessness now in progress. British historian H. R. Trevor-Roper tells of that key event:
"It is instructive to compare the first World War with the second . . . the first war marked a far greater change in history. It closed a long era of general peace and began a new age of violence in which the second war is simply an episode. Since 1914 the world has had a new character: a character of inter- national anarchy."
Never before had the entire world plunged into total war. Millions of the flower of mankind were taught how to hate and kill on an unprecedented scale. They were pulled away from their families and brutalized in the trenches, on battle- fields. Their morality suffered a stagger- ing blow. Many of these men came home from war cynical. They viewed their lead- ers, politicians and clergymen as untrust- worthy, selfish, even dishonest and hypo- critical. Hence, their thinking was never again quite the same. When they married and had children, their children reflected the partial breakdown of morality that they had suffered.
9
Poor home environment a key factor in delinquency
These children then grew up to be the soldiers of World War II and were also brutalized in vicious warfare. In turn, some of their children fought later wars.
Can anyone really expect that nations, particularly the youngest, most energetic and impressionable of its citizens, can be subjected to one, two, three and four such shocking experiences as mankind has lived through since 1914 and not suffer the con- sequences? You reap what you sow. The hatred, killing, plunder and chaos sown by nations since 1914 have produced a har- vest of progressively demoralized people. The human family is reeling from these staggering blows to its mentality and mo- rality, for few things are as immoral, as lawless, as debasing to human morality as the mass murder and anarchy perpetrated in the name of war.
Breakdown in Home
This individual breakdown greatly af- fected the home. Fathers who had par- ticipated in this global anarchy would
10
generally not be in the same condition as had been their own fathers to give children training in morality.
Commenting on this, an eminent criminologist, Pro- fessor S. Glueck of H a r v a r d Law School, stated:
"Parental atti- tudes toward disci- plining their young have changed quite rapidly. In the home and outside, the trend has been steadily toward more permissiveness — that is, placing fewer restraints and limits on behavior.
'Ifs not a new trend, really. Today's parents themselves are the products of some- what permissive parents of the time before the second World War."
Does anyone really imagine that such horrible deeds committed in war could lead the world to improved morality in the home, to parents' encouraging children to be more lawful? On the contrary, as the nations spewed out hate, prejudice, injus- tice and violence internationally, more and more individuals imitated these lawless characteristics locally.
The effect this has had on young minds has been enormous. The Crime Commis- sion noted:
"One way of looking at delinquency is in the context of the 'teenage culture' that has developed in America since the end of the second World War. ... On the whole it is a rebellious, oppositional society, dedicated to the proposition that the grownup world is a sham. ...
"It may be a short step from distrusting authority to taking the law into one's own
AWAKE!
hands, from sell-absorption to contempt for the rights of others, . . . from feelings of rebellion to acts of destruction."
When the older generation, especially the rulers of the world, takes young ones to task for their lawlessness, they must ask themselves: From whom have the young learned such lawlessness? If the young are disillusioned with the world, can those who have made it so corrupt and violent excuse themselves from blame?
The lack of security among nations is reflected by a similar lack in the family unit. Children are not as needful of ma- terial security as they are of emotional security. When their emotional security is damaged, the likelihood of their turning to lawlessness is increased. In The Psychol- ogy of Crime, author D. Abrahamsen said:
"The most significant finding was that those families which produced criminals showed a greater prevalence of unhealthy emotional conditions among the family mem- bers— that is, family tension — than did the families of the nondelinquent group. This
Crime rates are higher in cities, particularly in slums
family tension, manifested mainly through hostility, hatred, resentment, nagging, bick- ering, or psychosomatic disorders, engen- dered and maintained emotional disturbances in both children and parents alike."
Also significant was the finding that there are twice as many delinquents from broken homes as from the general popu- lation. On the other hand, where the fa- ther was strong, took a good lead, was affectionate and loving with his children, the delinquency rate was lower. Of this the Crime Commission reported:
"The strong influence of the father over his son, for good or for ill, is also very significant. When father-son and mother-son relationships are compared, the father-son re- lationships appear more de- terminative in whether or not delinquent behav- ior develops. . . .
JANUARY 8, 1968
"Perhaps the most important factor in the lives of many boys who become delinquent is their failure to win the affection of their fathers."
So authorities maintain that the way to prevent lawlessness in future adults is by good parental care and training of chil- dren. But this ability has been severely undermined by the damage done to the mentality and morality of parents, partic- ularly the male, by the climate of anarchy in the world since 1914.
The Industrial Age
Rapid industrialization has also con- tributed to lawlessness. When large indus- tries came into being, people left rural areas and came where the factories were, into the cities.
By their packing into cities, the more relaxed and emotionally healthy way of life in the country was lost. In time, great sections of cities deteriorated and became horribly congested slums. Such close prox- imity of people had a detrimental effect. As the Crime Commission's report stated:
"Delinquents are concentrated dispropor- tionately in the cities, and particularly in the larger cities. . . .
"When so many people are living and moving in so small a space, the probability of collisions can only increase. Crowding has a harmful effect on study habits, atti- tudes toward sex, parents' ability to meet needs of individual children; clearly, crowd- ing intensifies the fatigue and irritability that contribute to erratic or irrational discipline."
Interestingly, the rate of crime per hun- dred thousand population in the cities was found to be over 1,800. The rate for the suburbs was about 1,200. The rural rate, however, was only a little over 600! So for each 100,000 population, the crime rate in the city was three times that of the rural areas! Clearly, the farther man has gotten away from an agricultural society, the worse his situation has become.
City life, and then the later trend
toward suburban living, helped to separate the father from his family. In farm life there were better chances to develop roots, to make the family a closely knit unit. But in the cities, the father is usually gone all day. Often both parents work, sometimes one at a night job. And in suburbs fathers leave early in the morning and return late at night The book The Psychology of Crime notes:
"A parent's frequent absence from home often leads to the most subtle forms of family tension. In many families today the father plays only a perfunctory role, mostly that of a provider, without taking an emo- tional part in his family's life frequently
little attention is paid to him. Consciously or unconsciously his wife and children feel his absence in that they miss a man upon whom they can depend for guidance, leadership, and understanding."
Material Prosperity
Another reason authorities advance for the spread of lawlessness is material pros- perity. Since World War n quite a few nations have had boom times, producing more goods than ever before. In Kids, Crime and Chaos, the author states:
"Progress, I found, was recognized as a major factor in delinquency in almost every country I visited. ...
"In West Germany, which has lived through an extraordinary phase of prosper- ity in recent years, people have come to realize, sadly, that a boom carries a built-in train of delinquents
"The United Nations, following a London : conference on the subject in 1960, summed up their findings in a report which said, somewhat grudgingly: 'The existing data suggest that the improvement of living con- ditions^— what is called a better standard of living — does not necessarily . . . reduce juve- nile delinquency.' "
The flood of material goods is adver- tised everywhere. Most persons become de- sirous of these goods. Those who do not have the money to buy them often resort to theft to get what they want, as evi-
12
AWAKE!
denced by the fantastic rise in burglaries, larceny and auto theft.
In other instances husbands must work long hours, perhaps holding two jobs, just to support this higher standard of living. Everything is subordinated to acquiring material goods. Often the mother works too. The effect on children, as noted pre- viously, is disastrous because not only will they not get the attention needed, but by their parents' example they are taught to be greedy for material things. Greed and high principles are not companions.
Permissive Environment
The permissive environment of today, whether in education, in television, in mov- ies or in literature, has also contributed heavily to the increase of lawlessness, ex- perts agree.
There has been widespread acceptance of philosopher Sigmund Freud's idea that much in the individual that is suppressed should be released. Many have gone be- yond this and have taught that there should be no suppression of human desires at all. The concept of freedom with respon- sibility has been largely replaced by the unhealthy concept of freedom without limit.
Such a permissive environment has played havoc with right principles and morality. Of the ef- fect this permissive- ness has had on chil- dren, Crime in Our Time says:
"In an environ- ment where moral standards in all di- rections have been lowered, and reli- gious standards are almost nonexistent, can we wonder that
JANUARY 8, 1968
school children have sexual relations with one another and the number of illegitimate births among very young girls has increased, as also has the amount of venereal disease in adolescents?"
Permissiveness has saturated the enter- tainment and publishing fields. Many of the movies, television programs, books and magazines now released would never have been tolerated by either the censors or general public years ago. Today, however, sexual immorality, perversion, murder and mayhem are steady diets for the viewer and reader. As Time magazine of July 28, 1967, said:
"In the movies and on television, murder and torture seem to be turning Americans [and other nationalities] into parlor sadists. A recent trend on the stage is the 'theater of cruelty,' and a growing number of books delve into the pornography of violence." Concerning this trend, reviewer Bosley Crowther wrote in the New York Times of July 9, 1967:
"Something is happening in the movies that has me alarmed and disturbed. Movie- makers and movie-goers are agreeing that killing is fun. Not just old-fashioned, out- right killing, either, the kind that is quickly and cleanly done by honorable law-enforcers or acceptable competitors in crime. This is killing of a gross and bloody nature, often massive and excessive, done by characters
13
whose murderous motivations are morbid, degenerate and cold. This is killing of the sort that social misfits and sexual perverts are most likely to do. And the eerie thing is that movie-goers are gleefully lapping it up. ...
"The passion for this sort of thing is not exclusive to audiences in the United States. . . . [these films] seem to me as socially decadent and dangerous as LSD."
A person's physical health is determined to a great degree by what he eats. A per- son's mental health is determined to a great degree by what he exposes his mind to. By being exposed to such mental rub- bish the minds of millions are being dis- torted away from what is wholesome. And together with all the other reasons given, this debasing mental food gives an addi- tional push to lawlessness.
These and a few other reasons are most often given by authorities to account for increased lawlessness today. Summing up
some of these reasons, the President's Crime Commission said:
"Crime flourishes ... in city slums, those neighborhoods where overcrowding, econom- ic deprivation, social disruption and racial dis- crimination are endemic. Crime flourishes in conditions of affluence, when there is much desire for material goods and many oppor- tunities to acquire them illegally. Crime flourishes when there are many restless, relatively footloose young people in the population. Crime flourishes when standards of morality are changing rapidly.
"Finally, to the extent that the agencies of law enforcement and justice, and such community institutions as schools, churches and social service agencies, do not do their jobs effectively, they fail to prevent crime."
All these are apparent reasons for law- lessness. But they are only the top part of the "iceberg"! There are more fundamen- tal causes for the flood of lawlessness now taking place! What are they?
The REAL CAUSES
Today's Lawlessness
ALL the foregoing explanations for law- lessness given by authorities are use- ful and important. However, they do not really explain why all these things happen in the first place.
Why have concepts of morality loos- ened? Why does man seem bent on law- lessness? Why is this generation plagued by more lawlessness than ever before? Why did World War I mark a turning point? Why are the proposed remedies failing?
14
Let us go below the surface, to the main part of the "iceberg," the part that is not so apparent to authorities.
Fundamental Laws
The root causes of lawlessness are so important that to ignore them is to put our life and future in peril. These root causes may be compared to fundamental laws that govern the earth and man.
For example, if you throw a rock from a cliff, which way will the rock travel?
AWAKE!
Down, of course. Why? Because the law of gravity acts upon it. Even if you throw it upward, it will go only a short way be- fore it plunges downward. It always goes down, in harmony with the law of gravity. If you stop eating, what will eventually happen to you? Of course, you will get weak and die. It is a law of life that man must take in food to stay alive. If he does not, then his body will, without fail, begin to break down and eventually collapse.
Human Behavior
There is also a law that governs human behavior. Whether authorities recognize it or not, this law is in operation and is just as binding as the law of gravity, as man's need for food.
What is this law governing human be- havior? The Bible writer Jeremiah put it this way: "To earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jer. 10:23) Later, Jesus Christ said: "Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Je- hovah's mouth." — Matt. 4:4.
What is the meaning of such state- ments? This: Man needs to feed his mind on God's Word in order to succeed. Man was never created with the ability or right to govern his affairs successfully by him- self, apart from God! Very simply, God did not make humans with that capacity.
This fundamental precept meant that man must always look to a superior guide to direct his steps in the right way. Then he would be successful. From where would this guidance come? Jeremiah added: "Correct me, O Jehovah." (Jer. 10:24) He recognized that man must depend on his Creator for guidance. Any guide other than this would, in time, fail, and man's affairs would positively slide downward in disorder, just as the rock thrown from a cliff goes downward.
History has verified this. Mankind has tried every idea in human relations that one can imagine. All types of philosophies, political creeds and religions have been adopted. Today he is employing what he believes to be the best. Yet, the human family has never before been in such a mess! The reason why is that man has abandoned the only true guide, God and his wisdom, and has substituted for it hu- man wisdom.
Some do recognize this basic fact. For instance, one of the members of the Presi- dent's Crime Commission stated in the report:
"Thorough as the Commission's studies have been and comprehensive as its valuable recommendations are, its report seems defi- cient to me in that it neglects to recognize godlessness as a basic cause of crime."
The basic cause of crime is that man- kind has abandoned God. The human fam- ily has done so for a long, long time. Ex- cept for a small minority, people in general do not seriously consult the rec- ord God has inspired for their guidance, the Holy Scriptures.-— 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 1 Thess. 2:13.
Even the religions of this world have abandoned that guide. They frequently downgrade the Bible in order to advocate their own opinions. As a result they are divided, conflicting and bewildered. They are no more able to offer people the real solutions for their problems than any oth- er worldly agency, because they have fall- en into the same trap. They do not really listen to God's clearly expressed will. As God's Word states: "Look! They have re- jected the very word of Jehovah, and what wisdom do they have?" (Jer. 8:9) So it can be said that for all practical purposes the clergy today are just as godless as the rest of the world.
JANUARY 8, 1968
15
Just as surely as a rock
travels downward due to
gravity, so the course of
mankind alienated from God
has been one of degeneration.
i & f i S *
There can be no harmony, no unity, no success in regulating human affairs with- out taking into consideration what God has to say, and then doing what he says. Surely the inventor of a machine knows best how it should operate. If one ignores the specifications for operating it, the machine breaks down. The Creator of man, Jehovah God, knows for a certainty how human society should operate. But our first forefathers, Adam and Eve, and the overwhelming majority of mankind since then, have ignored God's regulations. That is why for nearly 6,000 years hu- man relations have been degenerating, go- ing downward, like a body without food, like a rock hurtling downhill. That is why this system of things is now floundering, gasping, dying!
When people ignored the fact that they were not designed to function independent- ly from God, and as a result did what they thought was right instead of what God
says is right, the re- sult was as God foresaw: "There ^ exists a way that is
upright before a man, but the ways of death are the end of it afterward." (Prov. 16:25) What has happened to man's ef- forts is as Psalm 127:1 said it would be: "Unless Jehovah himself builds the house, it is to no avail that its builders have worked hard on it."
A Second Cause
There is a second main cause for law- lessness. It has to do with something we all inherit. When our first parents, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God, they took themselves outside of God's perfect care. On their own, independent from God, they found that their minds and bodies began to degenerate because God no longer sus- tained them in perfection. Finally, death overtook them. (Gen. 3:1-19) They could thus pass on to their children, born after their rebellion, only what they themselves had, imperfection of mind and body, just as God's Word states: "Who can produce
16
AWAKE!
someone clean out of someone unclean? There is not one." — Job 14:4.
Every person born from human parents is thus born with a terrible affliction, a handicap — inherited imperfection. We all inherit a tendency toward doing what is wrong. (Ps. 51:5) That is why the Bible, at Romans 5:12, says: "Through one man [Adam] sin [lawlessness] entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men." — Compare 1 John 3:4.
Because of this inherited imperfection, "the inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up." (Gen. 8:21) And Proverbs 22:15 adds: "Foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy." That is why children do not automatically do what is right, but tend toward being bad and need correction.
Hence, we must recognize that man is born, not inclined toward doing good, but inclined toward doing bad. At birth a hu- man is not like a young tree that auto- matically grows upright. He is more like a loose vine that will drop over unless it is tied to a strong, upright stake. Such a strong upright is God's Word. It sup- plies the right laws and principles that can guide us in an upright course. As the inspired psalmist said to God: "Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway." (Ps. 119:105) When these high principles are applied early in life, there is a strong likelihood that a person will grow up to be law abiding. That is why Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a boy ac- cording to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it."
A Third Cause
There is still another basic cause, a third one, for the vast increase of lawless- ness that has taken place since 1914.
Man's rebellion in the garden of Eden
was instigated by a rebellious heavenly son of God who" also seduced other spirit sons to join him. He wanted rulership in place of God. Jesus Christ called this spirit rebel "the ruler of this world." (John 12: 31) In fact, this invisible spirit creature who became Satan the Devil offered; Jesus rulership over "all the kingdoms of the earth if Jesus would join in rebelling against God. The Bible account tells us:
"So he [Satan] brought him [Jesus] up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time; and the Devil said to him: 'I will give you all this authority and the glory of them, because it has been delivered to me, and to whomever I wish I give it. You, therefore, if you do an act of worship before me, it will all be yours.'" — Luke 4:5-7.
Jesus refused this offer. Yet, he did not deny that the Devil is the invisible ruler of all the kingdoms of mankind! Jesus knew that God permitted this for a time just as he permitted human rebellion for a time. This time period, now almost 6,000 years, among other things, has demon- strated to all creation how disastrous has been the rule of spirit creatures and men alienated from God.
The "ruler of this world" had a smash- ing defeat administered to him not long ago. How so? The Bible states:
"Down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. . . . "Woe for the earth . . . because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." —Rev. 12:7-9, 12. This accounts for the particular intensi- ty of lawlessness since 1914. Why? Be- cause Bible prophecies and the events in fulfillment of them show that the end of the Gentile Times in 1914 led to a war in heaven that resulted in the ouster of Sa- tan and his demons from the heavens down to earth. That ousting of Satan was
JANUARY 8, 1968
17
an initial step that God took to rid the entire universe of lawlessness. Satan and his demons, chief promoters of lawless- ness, know that their doom is sealed. They know that in a very short time now they and all lawless elements on earth will be destroyed. That is why their wrath is be- ing felt on an increased scale since their ouster from heaven. Since they will not be allowed to rule much longer, they want to ruin.
So, quite unknowingly, the remark of The Sun of Clearwater, Florida, on June 6, 1960, was appropriate when it stated:
"For 30 years the opening of a new decade has been like opening a can of devils."
"The Increasing of Lawlessness"
a Feature of "Last Days"
The end of the Gentile Times in 1914, followed by the casting of Satan and his demons to earth, began the "last days" for this system of things. God's time limit for allowing human and demon rule entered its final phase. The flood of lawlessness now in progress is a direct evidence that we live near the end of this lawless system of things.
Jesus himself foretold that one feature of these "last days" would be "the increas-
ing of lawlessness." (Matt. 24:12) He also foretold that this generation would see "great tribulation such as has not oc- curred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." — Matt. 24:21.
Thus since 1914, Satan's being cast down to earth, plus the already long plunge downward by humankind alienated from God, began a terrifying period of lawlessness. The apostle Paul accurately described this time in these words:
"In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self- assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, with- out love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, . . . wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse."— 2 Tim. 3:14, 13.
Historians, statesmen, educators and others recognize that something cata- strophic has been taking place since 1914. Note the remarks of Mr. Justice Jackson in late 1946 when he gave his final testi- mony at the trial of Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg, Germany. Mr. Jackson said, as recorded in Tyranny on Trial:
AW A KE !
"It is common to think of our own time as standing at the apex of civilization,... the reality is that in the long perspective of history the present century will not hold an admirable position . . . These twtKscore years in the twentieth Century will be re- corded in the book of years as one of the most bloody in all annals. Two World Wars have left a legacy of dead which number more than all the armies engaged in any war that made ancient or medieval history. No half-century ever witnessed slaughter on such a scale, such cruelties and inhumanities, such wholesale deportations of peoples into slavery, such annihilations of minorities. . . . If we cannot eliminate the causes to prevent the repetition of these barbaric events, it is not an irresponsible prophecy to say that this twentieth century may yet suc- ceed in bringing the doom of civilization."
The causes have not been eliminated! It is impossible for man himself to eliminate them! That is why the world continues its downward plunge just as surely as the rock thrown from the cliff, just as surely as the body denied food! It is simply be- yond man to remedy the causes. Only God can, and will.
End Near
What all of this means is that we are fast approaching the end of this lawless system of things. There remain very few years before Jehovah God exercises his right to take over all control of earth's affairs and eliminate lawlessness. — Jer. 25:31-33.
Until God acts shortly, men and demons will continue to be more vicious, more de- graded and more immoral as this system speeds to its end. (2 Tim. 3:13) It is just as a former United States Secretary of State noted in the June 13, 1960, issue of U.S. News & World Report. He declared that our time is "a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence," and warned:
"I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in 15 years from today,
JANUARY 8, 1968
this world is going to be too dangerous to live in."
Fifteen years from 1960 brings us to 1975. He predicted that by 1975 this world would be too dangerous! Interest- ingly, this date is also the one indicated by the most reliable Bible research as marking the end of 6,000 years of rebel- lion of men and demons against God.
We can be confident that soon, now, Almighty God, Jehovah, for a certainty will bring this lawless system of things to an end. He will rid the world of lawless- ness by smashing the hopeless rule of men and demons. God guarantees:
"In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite."— Dan. 2:44.
Think of it! God himself will rule the earth by means of a heavenly kingdom! No more will the governing of peoples be left up to humans! The superior wisdom of God will then guide all mankind.
Do you long to live in a system of things free from lawlessness? If you do, then you will look with keen anticipation to the end of this lawless system of things. You will long to see the fulfillment of the psalm that promises: "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it." — Ps. 37:10, 34.
While that will mean the end of all law- lessness, it will not mean the end of all people. Those who are now looking to God for guidance will survive into that lawful new system. They have confidence that God-fearing men will live on a restored paradise earth forever. As the loving Cre- ator promises: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." — 1 John 2:17.
19
IN THIS time when "the world is passing away" the rampage of crime will continue to grow in in- tensity. As Jesus foretold, the im- mediate future will bring an "in- creasing of lawlessness" until God brings this system of things to its end.— 1 John 2:17; Matt. 24:12.
Between now and the end of this lawless system, how can you pro- tect yourself and your loved ones? What can you do to avoid being victimized by lawless persons?
Surprisingly to many, one of the main ways to avoid being victimized by an act of crime is to control your-, self!
Self -Control
What does self-control have to do with being victimized by a crime? Note what the President's Crime Commission re- vealed:
"Many crimes are 'caused' by their victims. Often the victim of an assault is the person who started the fight, or the victim of an automobile theft is a person who left his , keys in his car, or the victim of a loan shark is a person who lost his rent money at the race track, or the victim of a confidence man is a person who thought he could get rich quick."
This is particularly true of crimes in- volving bodily harm, such as murder and assault. In the report Criminal Homicides in Baltimore the following was noted: "Almost one-third of the homicides were precipitated by actions of the victims, with non-white victims f our times as likely to precipitate their own deaths as whites. An important correlation appeared between alcohol and victim-precipated cases."
Almost one out of every three murders is caused by the victim's provoking the killer! And frequently the provoker is un- der the influence of alcohol. This reveals that a lack of self-control on the victim's part is often responsible for his difficulty. And in most cases the killer was someone
Protect Yourself
from
that the victim knew — a relative, close friend or an acquaintance. Only 12 per- cent of the murders analyzed were com- mitted by total strangers.
It was also found that two-thirds of rape victims were attacked by men whom they knew. And only 19 percent of all men and women who were victims of bodily assault were not acquainted with their as- sailants. Unwise acts, a lack of self- control, on the part of the victim pro- voked, or triggered, many of these attacks. As the New York Times Magazine of June 18, 1967, commented:
"Although there is always some danger in any city of being robbed, perhaps injured on the street, and a considerable danger of being burglarized, what people have to fear most from crime is in themselves: their own carelessness or bravado; their attitudes to- ward their families and friends, toward the people they work for or who work for them; their appetites for drugs and liquor and sex; their own eccentricities; their own perver- sities; their own passions."
The self-control that is needed is a prod- uct of God's spirit, available to those who follow his guidance. (Gal. 5:22, 23) You can develop self-control even if you do not
20
AW A KE !
practice it at present. It is an essential link in avoiding trouble.
Putting It into Practice
You can put self-control into practice in many ways. For example, you may be rid- ing public transportation, a bus or a sub- way that is crowded. Someone jostles you, perhaps making a nasty remark also. What should be your reaction? Should you get rough, or insult the jostler back? Far from avoiding trou- ble, that would more likely provoke it. It could plant the seed of violence in someone who is not being restrained by godly principles.
Wherever you are, at work, during recreation, while traveling, when shopping, when dealing with neigh- bors, friends or rel- atives, it does not pay to give an of- fender 'a dose of his own medicine. ' God's Word accu- rately states: "A word causing pain makes anger to come up." (Prov. 15:1) This is why so many victims have themselves to blame. They provoked their assailant. On the oth- er hand, that same proverb counsels: "An answer, when mild, turns away rage." However, if, in spite of your using a mild answer, the other person continues to be belligerent, what should you do? God's Word wisely tells us: "Before the quarrel has burst forth, take your leave." — Prov. 17:14.
if someone jostles you, will you let yourself get drawn into a fight?
Some may consider it brave, or smart, to ignore such godly counsel. For example, there were two couples who were walking on a New York street. Several young men made uncomplimentary remarks. The hus- bands reacted swiftly and pummeled the young men. It seemed they had won a victory. But minutes later the youths re- turned with the rest of their gang. The husbands were brutally beaten, and one was killed. What a price to pay for bravado! How much better it would have been to ignore the remarks and to 'take their leave.'
Another Bible principle that can save you from diffi- culty is recorded at Proverbs 26:17. It says: "As one grab- bing hold of the ears of a dog is any- one passing by that is becoming furious at the quarrel that is not his." When riots flare in or near your neighbor- hood, do you want to see what is going on and voice your opinion? Do you take to the streets and add your voice to the confusion? The Bible advises that the best thing to do is not to 'grab hold of it.' Let it alone. Do not get near it even out of curiosity. There are no winners in riots, only losers. Retire indoors or to a safe place until the danger has run its course.
Not Inviting Trouble
To avoid trouble it is also wise to avoid visiting places that have reputations of
JANUARY 8, 1968
21
being haunts for criminals, prostitutes or homosexuals. A person may think there is no danger in just touring such places and 'seeing the sights.' But what business does a person wanting to avoid lawless- ness have there? The danger of being a victim of lawlessness increases by going where it abounds.
Nor should we invite difficulty by in- sisting that we have a right to sit in any section of a park at any hour. Certain places in parks, in- deed, some entire parks, are dan- gerous after dark. It is not the course of practical wisdom to insist on your right and thus take the risk of being robbed or assaulted.
If you are a woman or young girl, are you fearful of being molested or at- tacked? There are sev- eral things you can do to minimize the danger. One, of course, is to avoid traveling unaccom- panied down dark streets or sparsely traveled areas that are considered unsafe. Also, what about the way you dress? Do you wear suggestive, re- vealing clothing? Do you think it is fashionable to wear the latest mini- skirts? Remember, those clothing styles have been fashioned by people who do not have godly principles in mind. If a woman or a young girl wears very short dresses and tight, revealing clothing, how can she object to being treated like a loose woman, since that is often the way prostitutes dress? By dressing like loose women, one makes herself a target for sexual molesting.
Similarly, do not invite criminal activity 22
Do you dress in a way that invites trouble?
by leaving the keys in your car, or flash- ing large amounts of money in public, or overdressing, such as with a showy dis- play of jewelry. There are persons who can be instigated to commit a crime and who will commit a crime if the opportuni- ty is presented. They will take your car
if the keys are there, but might not otherwise. They will follow you if you display large amounts of money, but might not otherwise. If you overdress and wear much jewel- ry in public, you may attract thieves who would leave the more unpre- tentious person alone.
Even Christian minis- ters who call on people to teach them the truths of the Bible do not in- vite trouble. They exer- cise caution by not trav- eling alone in dangerous places, particularly at night. They use wisdom acquired from God's Word, which states: "Two are better than one . . . For if one of them should fall, the other one can raise his partner up. But how will it be with just the one who falls when there is not another to raise him up?"— Eccl. 4:9, 10.
Another precaution, particularly in high crime areas, can be the owning of a dog. Although some burglars will kill the dog to commit their act of burglary, still even
AW A KM!
moral suggestions, she will not do it. She is being asked to break God's law, so she will resort to screaming or anything else to pro- tect herself, even if the criminal does use violence. (Deut. 22:23-27) In such situations, the person guided by God's laws can find protection by ap- pealing to Jehovah God in prayer, calling on his name out loud, so that the assailant can hear it. The Bible shows there is protection for one who respects and uses the name of God: "The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous runs and is given protection." — Prov. 18:10.
Will you struggle to keep your money, and perhaps lose your life?
a small dog will often make enough dis- turbance to discourage most intruders.
When Confronted by Lawless Persons
However, some persons bent on crime will let nothing stop them.
Hence, if you should be confronted by a person who thrusts a gun or knife at you and demands your money, what should you do? Rather than endanger your life, give the money to him! Your life is worth far more than any material pos- session you have. The principle here is somewhat the same as when Jesus said: "Do not resist him that is wicked ... If a person wants to go to court with you and get possession of your inner garment, let your outer garment also go to him." —Matt. 5:39, 40.
Some have tried to be 'heroic' and have struggled with holdup men. But many have lost their lives as the lawless person, infuriated, pulls the trigger of his gun, or lashes out with his knife.
Yet, in the case of a Christian wom- an, if a man demands she submit to im-
JANUARY 8, 1968
Protect Your Children
Mothers and fathers, know where your children are. It is not wise to- day, even for convenience, to let your chil- dren go alone in certain neighborhoods. It is best for someone to accompany them. Another point to consider is this: With whom do your children associate? In this regard you would do well to note what the book Kids, Crime and Chaos states:
"F. M. Thrasher, in his intensive study of a boys club in New York City, came up with the distressing news that boys who were members of the club had a larger number of delinquencies than boys in the same neigh- borhood who were not members. Even more distressing was the fact that, while 18 per- cent of the boys studied were delinquent when they first joined the club, after they had participated for a while in the club's activities, the delinquency figure rose to 28 percent.
"Equally shattering was the revelation, not long ago, that among all the boys studied in a Pennsylvania reformatory, 35 percent were members of the Boy Scouts.
"It is not surprising, therefore, that in a recent pamphlet, the Children's Bureau stated: 'Research indicates that providing additional recreation facilities in an area usually does not bring about significant changes in the volume of juvenile delin- quency.'"
23
What this points up is the Biblical prin- ciple that it is not the job of outside agencies or clubs to train children cor- rectly. It is the God-given responsibility of the parents. It is also their responsibili- ty to provide wholesome recreation for the entire family and not to push their children off into clubs, parties or gangs where they are not supervised by their parents.
Should you let even the churches of Christendom take over the training of your children, to teach them godly prin- ciples? No, for these churches do not prac- tice those principles. The Los Angeles Times this year declared:
"The ministers and the priests who claimed leadership may have had it for an hour on Sundays, but not for much longer.
"It is a rare church in the modern strug- gling city which has any real influence over
the conduct of its members To the poor,
the churches are as distant and as selfish as the politicians and the businessmen."
The churches have so little influence for good because they have abandoned God's laws. They have compromised them for their own interests. They water down the Word of God, calling it myth and legend, or discard it altogether. They are not doing God's will. During wartime, they support both sides of the conflict, even blessing weapons of destruction, yet God's Word clearly says: "A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all." (2 Tim. 2:24) These churches often instigate others to vio- lence, although protesting that they are against it. For example, recently four prominent civil rights leaders stated:
"Killing, arson, looting are criminal acts and should be dealt with as such. Equally guilty are those who incite, provoke and call specifically for such action." — U.S. News & World Report, August 7, 1967, page 11.
24
Yet, just a few days later, one of the four, a prominent religious leader, a cler- gyman, "said today he planned to 'dis- locate' Northern cities with massive but nonviolent demonstrations of civil disobe- dience."— The New York Times, August 16, 1967, page 1.
Such massive demonstrations of disobe- dience easily lead to violence and have of- ten done so.
No, you will not help your children by letting the churches of this world take over their training. The most important reason why this is so is that, very simply, God has abandoned these churches'. He is not with them. Of such God's Word states: "They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, be- cause they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort." Jesus Christ similarly said: "Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord . . . ' And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you . . . you workers of law- lessness."—Titus 1:16; Matt. 7:21-23.
Key to Success
The key to success in avoiding lawless- ness for yourself and your children is the wisdom that comes only from God. No psychologist, sociologist, or any other hu- man agency, however well meaning, can think as God thinks. Therefore the right solutions to problems regarding lawless- ness must come from God. These he has had recorded in his Word, the Bible.
The first step necessary is for you to begin taking in knowledge of what God considers right. As Proverbs 3:5, 6 urges: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." What about your children? God's Word counsels: "Fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them
AWAKE!
up in the discipline and authoritative ad- vice of Jehovah." — Eph. 6:4.
"But," you may ask, "isn't this just theory?" No, it is not just theory. It is practiced daily by hundreds of thousands of persons all over the world. These are seriously studying the Bible. They thus lis- ten to God's voice. Then they do what God says to do. They teach their children to do likewise. They associate with others who do the same. In this way, they coun- teract Satanic pressures and the tendency humans have toward lawlessness. That is why Jehovah's witnesses, who are Bible lovers, are known world wide for being law abiding, peaceful. That is why there is ho problem among them of increasing lawlessness. You and your children can share their lawful ways and security by coming into association with them.
No, you will not convert the world to lawful ways by your studying the Bible and learning its high principles. But you will be building a lawful and peaceful home. Your household does not have to be a copy of the lawless world outside. Built on the right foundation of God's
Word, your family circle will stand firm under the lawless pressures of today.
By your doing God's will, you can look forward to a new system of things where there will be no more lawlessness. Even if you tried to find a lawless person then, you would not be able to do so! Regarding lawless ones God promises: "You will cer- tainly give attention to his place, and he will not be."— Ps. 37:10.
That will mean the end of jails, the end of police forces, the end of armies, the end of weapons of destruction. It will also mean the end of man rule and demon rule that has brought such sadness and pain to the human family.
What a relief it will be to live in that new system of things, where you will never again have to lock your door or fear for the safety of your loved ones!
Soon, the lawful new system will be a reality. In the meantime, the best pro- tection against lawlessness is to put your trust in the Creator, Jehovah God. As the Bible promises: "Jehovah is guarding all those loving him, but all the wicked ones he will annihilate."— Ps. 145:20.
JANUARY 8, 1968
25
God's Word Reforms Lawbreakers
ARTICLES IN THE NEXT ISSUE
• Why Many Men Shun Religion.
• A New Kind of Furnace — the Nuclear Reactor.
• What Is Femininity?
OVER two years ago, a young couple with two children living in London, England, came in contact with Jehovah's witnesses. A Bible study was started with them. As they studied the promises of the Bible and saw that lawlessness would end, and learned about the incoming new order, they desired to dedicate their lives to God. However, both of them had been violat- ing the law for some time. They were guilty of many acts of stealing. But by their study of God's purposes and require- ments they both became convinced that
they must settle
their debt with the law of the land. They saw the need to "pay back, therefore, Cae- sar's things to Cae- sar, but God's things to God." (Matt. 22:
21) They wanted to have a good con- science toward both God and man. — 1 Pet. 3:21.
The young wife confessed four crimes and her husband confessed almost forty, involving property valued at more than £8,500 ($20,400). Since the husband had three previous convictions, he expected to get a heavy prison sentence. But his wife was prepared to stand by him and care for their two young children while he was in prison.
What was the result? In the newspaper, The Mercury, of June 15, 1967, under the headline "Why a Housewife Confessed," the following was related:
"The police couldn't catch housewife C —
M — . She had committed four crimes but
changed her job and her address so often
that she couldn't be traced. "Then Mrs. M — started reading the Bible
. . . and later walked into a police station
26
where she confessed to the four offences.
"With her husband, she had decided to become a Jehovah's Witness. And Mrs. M — , a mother of two young children, felt that the only way to *wipe the slate clean' was to go to the police.
" 'She came purely voluntarily/ a police officer told Greenwich Court . . .
"The magistrate said he would give her credit for confessing to the police and placed her on probation for a year."
What of her husband? The Mercury of July 13, 1967, under the headline, "The 'Converted' Raider Confesses All His Crimes," said the following:
"A man went to the police and confessed to thefts amounting to thousands of pounds, because he wanted to be a Jehovah's Wit-
ness.
"And at Woolwich
court last week, 24- year-old F — M pleaded guilty . . .
"Two years ago M — started studying the Bible. Last year he wanted to be baptised into the Jehovah's Witness faith, . . .
"M — 's wife said: 'There has been a tre- mendous change in my husband during the last two years. His Bible studies have brought a great change to his life.' ...
"M — , who had three findings of guilt and three previous convictions, was placed on probation for two years." This outcome was unexpected, but it delighted the couple. It is to the credit of the court that they recognized a sincere desire to turn away from a lawless course. Now that this family has learned to live by the guide that God has provided, they find great peace of mind and security. With accurate knowledge of what God re- quires they are able to live with a clear conscience before God and man. They can confidently look forward to the future. —Acts 24:16.
AWAKE!
HAVE you ever wondered about the seeming injustices of life? Those who have no time for God and little concern for fellowmen seem to prosper and live in comparative luxury, while those who love God and strive to live in harmony with his righteous principles often find their way beset by obstacles and hardships. In- deed, there are those who go so far as to assert that the wicked get away with it and that the honest man cannot get along in this world.— Mai. 3:14, 15.
2 This state of affairs cannot help but be puzzling to sincere and honest persons until they are convinced of its basic cause as revealed in the Bible. Would you like to get your Bible? Then look up the text at 1 John 5:19; there it is written: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." Does not that explain a lot of things as to the prosperity of the wicked?
3 So, while Jehovah God is the Sover- eign Ruler of the whole universe, includ- ing this planet, he is not the one who has organized and is responsible for the ac- tions of the nations of this world. The in- visible wicked one who is responsible for all mankind's woes is clearly identified in the Bible as "the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth." — Rev. 12:9; Matt. 13:38, 39.
4 The global system whereby Satan the Devil keeps in line all the nations of the
world is likened to a wild beast, for it is heartless and brutish in its manner of exercising authority over humans. Note what the apostle John saw in his inspired vision: "The dragon gave the beast its power and its throne and great authority. . . . authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation." (Rev. 13:2, 7; compare Daniel 7:19, 20, 23, 24.) No nation can claim to be exempt from the ruling influence of this global political arrangement.
5 And since Satan controls all the na- tions, it is evident that he has it in his power to enrich materially those who yield themselves readily to his anti-God cam- paign. True, God protects those who love and serve him, but he does not guarantee them material prosperity in Satan's sys- tem of things. He does guarantee spiritual prosperity and the necessities of life. As the psalmist so confidently expresses it: "A young man I used to be, I have also grown old, and yet I have not seen any- one righteous left entirely, nor his off- spring looking for bread." — Ps. 37:25.
6 Now we can better grasp the words of Jesus Christ to his disciples: "If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you." (John 15:19) Sufficient reason, is it not, for this world to try to deny material prosperity to the followers of Christ?
7 Nevertheless, Christians should never envy worldlings their temporary prosperi- ty, for their own prospects, if they con- tinue faithful, far outweigh any prosperity this world can give. (Prov. 2:21, 22) This is because the world of unbelievers itself is but a vain and temporary thing, for John the apostle writes: "Everything in the world — the desire of the flesh and the
JANUARY 8, 1968
27
desire of the eyes and the showy display of one's means of life — does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." — 1 John 2:15-17.
8 Happily the passing away of this pres- ent wicked world will not be much longer delayed. The Bible, in fact, foretells the sudden action that will put the wicked ruler of this world out of action: "I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon . . . And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, that he might not mislead the nations any more until the thousand years were ended." (Rev. 20:1-3) Thus, in symbolic fashion, is de- scribed how the wicked activity by "the god of this system of things" will come to an end. — 2 Cor. 4:4; see also John 12:31.
"That desirable event is to come soon, according to all the indications of Bible chronology and the facts of today. Mean- time, however, while Satan still rules this system of things, those who are servants of God are under test. (Rev. 2:10; 12:17) Will they go on serving the true God in spite of the hatred, the persecution, the discriminations and other hardships brought to bear upon them? Will they give out and capitulate to this present wicked system of things and its god just to gain the temporary enjoyment of the worldly material rewards?
10 King David of Israel, himself a man who showed willingness to suffer for his worship of the true God, outlined the right attitude when he wrote: "Better is the little of the righteous one than the abun- dance of the many wicked ones. For the very arms of the wicked ones will be broken, but Jehovah will be supporting the
righteous ones. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."— Ps. 37:16, 17, 29.
11 The wicked are indeed prospering to- day, and have been prospering during the long centuries during which Jehovah God has not interfered with world rule by Sa- tan. But now a drastic change must come. An everlasting, happy and peaceful life will be the reward of those who subject themselves to the will of God, whereas the wicked will be blotted out. So wise persons will heed and find great comfort in these inspired words of the Bible: "Do not be envious of those doing unrighteous- ness. And just a- little while longer, "and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."— Ps. 37:1, 10, 11; also read Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.
%lmi you answer these sju.ssj'ito.jj? *aj j c .„ s ;.„
read the sr?k?& cL; . ( 1 ) Why do some persons assert that an honest man cannot get along in this world? (2) How does what the Bible says at 1 John 5: 19 help us to understand why the wicked prosper? (3) Who has organized and now controls and misleads the nations? (4) In view of Revelation 13: 7, why can no nation claim to be free from the influence of Satan's global rule? (5) What does God guarantee for those who serve him amid Satan's system of things? (6) Why are Jesus' true followers hated by all the nations of this world? (7) What will be the future of this wicked world? (8) How does the Bible give assurance that Satan's wicked activity will soon come to an end? (9) Meantime, what kind of tests come upon those who choose to serve God, and who is responsible for these tests? (10) How did King David rightly view the temporary prosperity of the wicked? (11) What assurance does Jehovah give as to the future of the wicked and of those who maintain faith in him?
28
AWAKE!
_Tcmii. ,w
W@®iy®
British Devalue Pound
<§> Britain, on November 18, devalued the pound sterling by 14.3 percent, from $2.80 to $2.40. The move was made in an attempt to lower the cost of British goods in foreign countries in the hope that ex- ports would rise. In Britain de- valuation means higher prices for every consumer, especially for imported goods.
Homosexuality Defended
<^ In view of what the Bible says at Romans 1:27-32 about homosexuality, that it is wicked in God's eyes and "that those practicing such things are deserving of death," the pronouncements of clergymen who claim to serve God but who publicly condone such im- moral practices are shocking. On November 28 ninety Epis- copalian priests in New York state and vicinity classified ho- mosexual acts between con- senting adults as "morally neu- tral" and declared that in some cases such acts may even be a good thing. Canon Walter D. Dennis, of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, said: "A homosexual relation- ship between two consenting adults should be judged by the same criteria as a heterosexual marriage — that is, whether it is intended to foster a perma- nent relationship of love." But is that what God says? God
JANUARY 8, 1968
calls it a base perversion that will ultimately bring death.
Crimes Increasing-
<$> Police Commissioner How- ard R. Leary of the New York police department said, on No- vember 22, that 1967 showed an "abnormal bulge" in re- ported crimes of violence — murder, felonious assault and robbery. Statistics made available showed a 13-percent increase in murders and a 15- percent increase in felonious assaults. In robberies, there were 25,653 complaints during the first nine months of 1967, compared with 15,208 for the corresponding period of 1966. Youth crimes are high. Arrests of juveniles — persons under 16 years of age — for robbery are up 43 percent for the nine months, it was reported. The New York Times, on Novem- ber 29, stated editorially: "The increased number of crimes in the streets is both statist!- cal and actual. Things look worse on paper and they are also worse in fact. . . . New Yorkers can sense hostility roaming the streets. . . . People are afraid to venture out after dark."
Flash Floods
<$> West central Portugal was struck by torrential rains and swirling floods the weekend of November 26. The death toll from the weekend floods rose
to 427, the Interior Ministry announced. An area of 350 square miles near Lisbon was reported flooded. Many died when houses collapsed under the deluge and other people drowned in flooded lowland areas.
Criminals Hold Upper Hand
<§> Brooklyn Borough Presi- dent Abe Stark in a plea for more police painted a grim word picture of crime in New York streets. "Death, robbery and assault are no longer news," Stark said. "Terror stalks the citizens in the streets." "Here in Brooklyn, business, social and religious activities that are normally conducted in evening hours are grinding to a halt. Our people are convinced crime and crimi- nals have gained the upper- hand." People reveal that they are desperate and afraid for their lives.
"As Acceptable as Whole Blood"
<§> JAMA Medical News for October 23 says: "The use of Ringer's lactate solution has become as acceptable as whole blood in shock and surgery pa- tients. But the key questions of why it is effective and how much of the fluid to use remain controversial."
"Fed Up" with Lawlessness <^ Richard B. Morris, presi- dent of the National Associa- tion of Real Estate Boards, told the organization's conven- tion on November 14 that the people of America are fed up with lawlessness. "We have had enough of the downgrad- ing of law and custom, we have had our fill of the deni- gration of the police, of flag- burning, of sniping, of looting and of a supersoft attitude toward the criminal. We have had altogether too much of the courts, low and high, taking the shackles off the criminal and putting them on the offi- cers of the law. . . . Fundamen- tal to all our problem-solving must be the re-establishment
29
of law and order. ... No nation which permitted a continual drift Into lawlessness, such as we have witnessed this past summer, has ever endured."
Pope in the U.N. <#> A published Associated Press dispatch, dated Novem- ber 11, stated that a Vatican official hinted that Pope Paul might ask United Nations membership for the Holy See. A member of the Vatican state secretariat told a news con- ference: "In principle nothing prevents the Holy See from participating in the UN in the future as a member state." His remarks were immediately taken as a trial balloon. The Vatican has had observer sta- tus at the U.N. since April 1964. The Vatican representative said that the decision rested solely with the pope and that the pope would have to decide, which implied that the pope was considering the matter.
In Parochial Schools <$> Warren Hinckle, a promi- nent lay Catholic, In Novem- ber's Ramparts Magazine, founded by lay Catholics, re- portedly tells of his own expe- rience in parochial schools, where "one gained the impres- sion that reading the Bible might not be a good idea be- cause it was filled with danger- ous passages that only the Church could properly inter- pret for you. . . . All I learned about Jews was that Christ had kicked them out of the temple for money-changing (nobody, nun or priest, made much about Christ being a Jew, too). Adjectives like 'per- fidious' were applied to them in the prayers we had to mem- orize. A course in anti-commu- nism was required," writes Hinckle of his Catholic college training. "I found my experi- ence to be typical of other dis- illusioned or disenfranchised Catholics who have gone through Catholic schools. It is therefore no wonder that there is a revolt going on in the Catholic Church in America."
30
Church in Politics ^> A published report from Rio de Janeiro says that the extreme left wing of Brazilian politics, which was all but obliterated by a military revolt in 1964, now shows sporadic signs of life. Some of its most active elements reportedly are looking to Rome and the Ro- man Catholic Church for help. The account says: "The most articulate voices demanding social reform in Brazil today are raised by Catholic priests, and the only activists risking bloodshed in the streets are members of a student organi- zation which has its roots in the church. . . . Only in the church, and in the student movement it spawned, is there any really organized protest against the government and the military men who chart its course." Is it any wonder that the political element resents religious meddling?
Results of Drinking:
<§> Americans alone drink about 215,000,000 gallons of alcoholic beverages a year. No- body knows for certain how many Americans take a drink occasionally. But the number of alcoholics, people who re- peatedly drink too much, now is estimated at 4 to 5 million, about 4 percent of the adult American population. Many claim this estimate is low. Re- cent evidence from eight states indicates that anywhere from 47 to 87 percent of the drivers involved in fatal accidents had been drinking. In 1965, auto- mobiles took 49,000 lives, caused 1,800,000 disabling in- juries and cost about $8,900,- 000,000 in property damage, wage losses, medical expenses and insurance. The Bible ad- vises moderation, and obvious- ly for good reasons.
Former Priests
# According to Time for No- vember 24, in the past 18 months an estimated 400 priests have left the Roman
Catholic Church in the United States. Time says: "For most of them, the transition to secu- lar life is a traumatic experi- ence. Unless a cleric enjoys private means, he is usually broke; unless he has close rela- tives, he has no place to stay. . . . Some are so inexperienced in the ways of the world that they show up for job inter- views wearing sports shirts. A few are alcoholics. Many suf- fer from psychological prob- lems." These former priests generally prefer to remain anonymous, because many peo- ple still remain suspicious of them. As one priest said: "I don't go around telling every- one that I used to be a priest."
What Value Religion? <$> An Iowa State University professor, Dr. Richard J. Van Iten, associate professor of philosophy, wrote in a high school newspaper what he thought about religion. He said: Religion is "the rotten residue of generations past." "There is little in it (religion) of value." "Whatever its intrin- sic value, our religion . . . reeks of the pungent sickening odor of man," Dr. Van Iten wrote. Other excerpts from his guest editorial: "We (the older gen- eration) have tried religion. Too frequently it has tried us. We have nothing to pass on to you (the younger genera- tion)— except whatever you are foolish enough to receive. This includes religion ... Be religious— if you will. But, for man's sake, do not look to us for help. Those who cannot help themselves too often in- sist on helping others." Much of what the professor says is true, but he fails to differen- tiate the true religion from the false. As a result he shares with the failing religions In undermining the spiritual and moral values of others and throws a greater load on par- ents who seek to give proper guidance to their children.
AWAKE!
The "New Morality" # At the 87th annual meeting of the West Virginia Council of Churches held in Parkers- burg, one of the principal speakers, Dr. Joseph Fletcher, an Episcopal seminary profes- sor, told assembled churchmen such things as: "Unmarried love would be infinitely supe- rior to married unlove"; that he had "no doubt about the divinity of Jesus" but some- times he has "trouble believing in the divinity of God." If you are wondering why the low moral tone in the world today, perhaps you can see the clergy- man's words as a contributing reason.
Violence in Society
^ Recent civil rights demon- strations have spilled over into violence. And one alarming
word from the recent Wash- ington march is that "demon- strations are all over . . . from now on, it's la bombe plas- tique." A group of delegates to the U.S. Conference on Church and Society asserted, on Octo- ber 24, that violence is "an in- herent fact in our society" and urged churches to identify with victims of violence. Mo- tion pictures and television are alive with violence. One movie is proudly advertised as "dirty — a combination of lust, impo- tency, vulgarity, nudity, neuro- sis, brutality, voyeurism, hatred and insanity that culmi- nates in murder." Without a doubt we are witnessing the fruitage of a decadent society as this system of things speeds to its end at God's war of Ar- mageddon.
Catholic Revolt
^ The Washington Merry-Go- Round by Drew Pearson re- veals a real revolt within the Catholic church in America. This revolt has "found priests rebelling against the hierarchy at Catholic University in Wash- ington, Father William Dubay calling Cardinal Mclntyre of Los Angeles a bigot." Dubay, now suspended, urged that the church give up its tax-exempt status. "If the Church's $44 bil- lion of tax-free property were taxed at normal rates," the priest pleaded, "enormous fed- eral benefits could go to the poor." Of the 180,000 nuns in the United States, The Ladies' Home Journal estimates that, in 1966, 3,600 cast off their robes in revolt against Church conservatism.
JANUARY 8, 1968
31
Is time running out for this generation? What witf the rWs bring?
OCTOBER 8, I960
THE REASON FOR THIS MAGAZINE
News sources that are able to keep you awake to the vital issues of our times must be unfettered by censorship and selfish interests. "Awake!" has no fetters. It recognizes facts, faces facts, is free to publish facts. It is not bound by political ties; it is unham- pered by traditional creeds. This magazine keeps it|elf free, that it may speak freely to you. But it does not >abuse its freedom. It maintains integrity to truth.
The viewpoint of "Awake!" is not narrow, but is international. "Awake!" has its own correspondents in scores of nations. Its articles are read in many lands, in many languages, by millions of persons.
In every issue "Awake!" presents vital topics on which you should be informed. It features penetrating articles on social conditions and offers sound counsel for meeting the problems of everyday life. Current news from every continent passes in quick review. Attention is focused on activities in the fields of government and commerce about which you should know. Straightforward discussions of religious issues alert you to matters of vital concern. Customs and people in many lands, the marvels of creation, practical sciences and points of human interest are all embraced in its coverage. "Awake!" pro- vides wholesome, instructive reading for every member of the family.
"Awake!" pledges itself to righteous principles, to exposing hidden foes and subtle dangers, to championing freedom for all, to comforting mourners and strengthening those disheartened by the failures of a delinquent world, reflecting sure hope for the establish- ment of God's righteous new order in this generation.
Get acquainted with "Awake!" Keep awake by reading "Awake!"
Published Semimonthly by WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC. 117 Adams Street Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201, U.S.A.
N. H. Knoee, President Grant Suiter, Secretary
Average printing each issue: 5,150,000
Five cents a copy
Yearly subscription rates Offices tor semimonthly editions
America, U.S., 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 $1 Australia, 11 Beresford Bd., Stratbfleld, N.S.W. 2135 SI Canada, 150 Bridgeland kit., Toronto 19, Ont. $1
England, Watch Tower House,
The Bidgeway, London N.W. 7 8/6
New Zealand, 621 New North Bd., Auckland 3 90c
South Africa, Prftate Bag 2, P.O. Elandsfontein, Tyl. !0c
(Monthly editions cost half the above rates.) Remittances for subscriptions should be sent to the office in your country. Otherwise send your remittance to Brooklyn. Notice of expiration is sent at least two issues before subscription expires.
Now published in 26 languages
Semimonthly — Afrikaans, Cebuano, Danish, Dutch, .English,
Finnish, French, German, Greek, Iloko, Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog,
Zulu.
Monthly—Chinese, Onyanja, Hillgaynon, Malayalam, Polish,
Tamil, Ukrainian.
CHANGES OF ADDRESS should reach us thirty days before your moving date. Give ds your old and new address (if possible, your old address label). Write Watchtower, 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, U.S.A.
Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. Printed in U.S.A.
The Bible translation regularly used in "Awake!" is