Sunday, December 11 The Kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering fish of every kind.—Matt. 13:47. Jesus likened the preaching of the Kingdom message to all mankind to the lowering of a large dragnet into the sea. Just as such a net indiscriminately catches large numbers of “fish of every kind,” our preaching work attracts millions of people of [...]
Thursday, December 8 Take your stand against him, firm in the faith.—1 Pet. 5:9. To do that, we need to prepare our mind and heart, to train ourselves now to do what is right. We do not know what our spiritual warfare may involve in the future. Therefore, would it not be wise to do some significant training during a time of relative peace? Paul wrote to the [...]
Sunday, December 4 In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.—2 Cor. 6:3. In today’s crime-filled world, many householders are suspicious of strangers. We should avoid adding to such suspicion. For example, suppose we approach a house and knock on the front door. If no one answers, we could be tempted to look through the window [...]
Saturday, December 3 Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of judgment by him has arrived.—Rev. 14:7. Now is the time to declare that message. We must warn our neighbors to get out of Babylon the Great, so that they do not “receive part of her plagues.” The “other sheep” join anointed Christians in begging those who are alienated from God to “become reconciled” [...]
Thursday, December 1 “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah.—Isa. 43:10. The Israelites worshipped their God, Jehovah, whereas the other nations worshipped their own deities. At the time of the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah compared the world situation to that of a court trial. He challenged the gods of the nations to produce witnesses to confirm their divinity. The gods of the nations were unable to produce any evidence of [...]
Wednesday, November 30 He will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.—Matt. 25:33. Today, we have a clear understanding of the illustration of the sheep and the goats. Regarding the identity of those mentioned, Jesus is “the Son of man,” the King. Those referred to as “my brothers” are spirit-anointed men and women, who will rule with Christ from heaven. “The sheep” [...]
Tuesday, November 29 Do not be afraid. I will help you.—Isa. 41:13. Jehovah purposed that his people proclaim the good news on an unprecedented scale in our day, and nothing can prevent him from accomplishing that purpose. Just as he delivered the ancient nation of Israel from Babylon, Jehovah has rescued his present-day servants from “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion. He has taught [...]
Saturday, November 26 Many peoples will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob.”—Isa. 2:3. The flocking of many humans to worship Jehovah with his people in this time of the end was foretold by two ancient prophets. Isaiah prophesied the above. Likewise, the prophet Zechariah foretold that “many peoples and mighty nations will [...]
Friday, November 25 We are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God.—2 Cor. 10:5. We need to be vigilant in guarding against attacks on our spirituality. Has the world’s view of material pursuits made inroads into our lives? The things we love are usually evident by our thoughts and actions. Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” To [...]
Thursday, November 24 Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned.—Rom. 5:12. The first to die was faithful Abel. Then Adam’s other offspring grew old and died. Did they inherit sin as well as death? The apostle Paul answers: “Through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners.” Sin and [...]
Daily commentary on examining the Scriptures.