1, 2. Why does the promise of Isaiah 65:16, 17 help us to hold on?
"DON'T GIVE UP!" That was the exciting title of the 2017 regional assembly. The program taught us how we can endure the hardships we face. Four years have passed, and here we continue, enduring life in this system.
What problems have we had recently? We may be suffering due to the death of a family member or friend, a serious illness, old age, a natural disaster, violence, persecution, or the COVID-19 pandemic. Do we hope that the day will come when all this is behind us? We will never think about these things again and they will never happen again (read Isaiah 65:16, 17).
3. What should we do now, and why?
Life in this world is not easy, and we may face even greater difficulties in the future (Matt. 24:21). So we must continue to strengthen our endurance. Jesus explained why we should do this by saying, "By your endurance you will save your life" (Luke 21:19). Something that will help us is to think about how others face trials similar to ours with stamina.
4. Why can we say that Jehovah is the best example of endurance?
Who is the best example of endurance? Jehovah. If this answer takes us by surprise, let's think about the following. This world is full of problems because the Devil controls it. Jehovah can end this system right now, but he is waiting for a certain day to do so (Rom. 9:22). While that moment comes, he keeps holding on. Let's look at nine things that Jehovah has chosen to endure.
WHAT THINGS HAS JEHOVAH DECIDED TO ENDURE?
ILLUSTRATION:
The serpent looks at Eve, who is about to eat the forbidden fruit.
5. How has God's name been dishonored, and how does that make you feel?
The dishonor of his name. Jehovah loves his name and wants everyone to respect him (Isa. 42: 8). But, for some 6,000 years, his good name has been stained (Ps. 74:10, 18, 23). It all started in the garden of Eden when the Devil (which means "slanderer") accused God of denying Adam and Eve something they needed to be happy (Gen. 3: 1-5). Since then, Jehovah has been falsely accused of denying human beings what they really need. Jesus was concerned that his Father's name would be increasingly dishonored. Therefore, he taught his disciples to say in prayer: "Our Father who art in heaven, may your name be hallowed" (Matt. 6: 9).
ILLUSTRATION:
Eve gives Adam the forbidden fruit.
6. Why has Jehovah allowed so much time to pass to resolve the question of his sovereignty?
The opposition to their sovereignty. Jehovah is the only one who has the right to rule the heavens and the earth, and he is the best ruler there is (Rev. 4:11). But the Devil has tried to trick angels and human beings into thinking that God does not have that right. The sovereignty issue is not something that can be resolved overnight. With wisdom, the Creator has allowed humanity to rule itself for a long time, to make it clear that if it does not take it into account it is doomed to failure (Jer. 10:23). Thanks to the patience of God, this question will be resolved once and for all. It will be proven that he is the best ruler and that only his Kingdom can bring true peace and security to Earth.
ILLUSTRATION:
Satan in heaven surrounded by evil angels.
7. Who has rebelled against Jehovah, and what will he do to them?
The rebellion of some of his children. Jehovah made angels and human beings perfect. But the rebellious angel called Satan (which means "opponent") made Adam and Eve, who were also perfect, turn against Jehovah. Other angels and other human beings also rebelled (Jude 6). In time, even some members of the nation of Israel, who were God's chosen people, rejected him and began to worship false gods (Isa. 63: 8, 10). Rightly, Jehovah felt betrayed. But he has continued to hold on, and will continue to do so until the day comes when he takes out all the rebels. What a relief it will be for his loyal servants, who along with him continue to endure the wickedness of this world.
ILLUSTRATION:
Satan in heaven accusing Job before Jehovah. Job is sitting on the ground and his whole body is covered in ulcers.
8, 9. What lies are told about Jehovah, and how do we respond to them?
The constant lies of the Devil. When Satan accused faithful Job, he implied that all of God's loyal servants serve him out of sheer selfishness (Job 1: 8-11; 2: 3-5). The Devil has upheld those accusations to this day (Rev. 12:10). We can prove Satan to be a liar by enduring hardships and staying loyal to Jehovah out of love. And, just like Job, Jehovah will bless our endurance. --Jas. 5:11.
Satan uses the leaders of false religions to say that Jehovah is cruel and guilty of suffering in the world. And when a child dies, some even say that God took him away because he needed another little angel in heaven. What a way to insult Jehovah! But we know the truth. So when we suffer a serious illness or lose a loved one, we never blame God. On the contrary, we have faith that one day he will remedy our sufferings. We can tell anyone who will listen that Jehovah is a God of love. Thus Jehovah can respond to the one who challenges him (Prov. 27:11).
ILLUSTRATION:
A woman in a hospital bed with an IV in her arm and an oxygen tube in her nose.
10. What does Psalm 22:23, 24 teach us about Jehovah?
The suffering of his beloved servants. Jehovah is a compassionate God. That's why it hurts him to see us suffer, whether it's because of persecution, illness, or our imperfections. --Read Psalm 22:23, 24. He feels our pain. He wants to end it, and he will (compare Exodus 3: 7, 8; Isaiah 63: 9). The day will come when he will fulfill this promise: “Every tear will dry from their eyes, and death will no longer exist, nor will there be any more sadness or weeping or pain” (Rev. 21: 4).
ILLUSTRATION:
In a cemetery, a married couple cries and looks at a coffin that is inside a grave.
11. How does Jehovah feel about his loyal servants who have died?
The death of his friends. How does Jehovah feel about the faithful men and women who have died? He is looking forward to seeing you again (Job 14:15). Can we imagine how much he misses his friend Abraham? (James 2:23). Or to Moses, to whom he was speaking “face to face”? (Ex. 33:11). And how you want to hear again David and other psalmists sing their beautiful praises to you! (Ps. 104: 33). Although these friends of his are sleeping in death, he has not forgotten them (Isa. 49:15). Jehovah remembers every detail of his personality, “because from his point of view they are all alive” (Luke 20:38, note). One day, he will bring them back to life and again accept their sincere prayers and delight in their worship. Are these ideas not comforting to those of us who have lost a loved one?
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images showing different types of oppression: 1. A soldier rides in a tank and other soldiers follow him on foot. 2. Police officers take away a couple of Witnesses in handcuffs.
12. What particular distress does Jehovah have in these wicked last days?
The harm that the wicked do to other people. When the rebellion broke out in the garden of Eden, Jehovah knew that things would get worse before they could be resolved. He hates the wickedness, injustice, and violence that we see today. He has always cared especially for the most vulnerable; for example, those who are weak and unable to defend themselves, such as orphans and widows (Zech. 7: 9, 10). Above all, he is distressed to see his faithful servants being oppressed and imprisoned. Those who are putting up with him can have this assurance: Jehovah loves you all.
ILLUSTRATION:
People drinking and having fun in a nightclub.
13. What moral corruption does Jehovah see in the human family, and what will he do about it?
The moral corruption of the human family. Human beings were made in the image of God, but Satan loves to corrupt us. In the days of Noah, when “Jehovah saw the wickedness of man increase,” “he felt regret for having created man on earth; his heart was wounded ”(Gen. 6: 5, 6, note 11). Has the world improved since then? Of course not. The Devil likes to see that all sorts of immoral sexual acts have become so common, whether between people of the same or different sex (Eph. 4:18, 19). And he is especially happy when a servant of Jehovah sins. When Jehovah's patience runs out, it will show how much he abhors all kinds of sexual immorality.
ILLUSTRATION:
An industrial complex that pollutes the environment. A bird covered in oil.
14. What is man doing to the Earth and to the animals?
The destruction of the planet that he created. Apart from the fact that “man has dominated man for his own evil,” he is not caring for the Earth or the animals, as Jehovah wanted him to do (Eccl. 8: 9; Gen. 1:28). Some scientists say that humans could drive a million species to extinction in the coming years. * No wonder they are so worried! That is why we are so grateful for Jehovah's promise that he will “destroy those who are destroying the earth” and that he will turn this planet into a paradise (Rev. 11:18; Isa. 35: 1).
WHAT WE LEARN FROM JEHOVAH'S ENDURANCE
15, 16. What should prompt us to endure with Jehovah? Explain it with an example.
Consider all the troubles that our heavenly Father has endured for thousands of years (see the box “What Jehovah Is Enduring”). Jehovah could end this wicked world at any moment. But how much your patience has benefited us! Let's think about the following example. Let's imagine that future parents are told that their baby will be born with serious physical problems and will have a short and complicated life. Although parents know that they will face many difficulties, they welcome it warmly. For love, they put up with any problems in order to give their child the best possible quality of life.
Similarly, all of us descendants of Adam and Eve are born imperfect. Still, Jehovah loves us and cares for us. --1 John 4:19. But unlike the parents in the example, Jehovah can do something for us. He has already set the day to end all the suffering of his children (Matt. 24:36). Shouldn't his love prompt us to hang on with him for as long as it takes?
What Jehovah is Enduring
1. The dishonor of his name
2. Opposition to their sovereignty
3. The rebellion of some of his children
4. The constant lies of the Devil
5. The suffering of his beloved servants
6. The death of his friends
7. The harm that the wicked do to other people
8. The moral corruption of the human family
9. Destruction of the planet he created
17. Why do you encourage us to put up with what Hebrews 12: 2, 3 says about Jesus?
Jehovah is the best example of endurance. And Jesus imitated him perfectly. When on earth, Jesus endured hostile words, humiliation, and the torture stake for us (read Hebrews 12: 2, 3). Without a doubt, the example of his Father helped him to endure. It can strengthen us too.
18. How does 2 Peter 3: 9 help us understand what is being accomplished through Jehovah's patience?
(Read 2 Peter 3: 9). Jehovah knows the best time to end this evil world. Thanks to your patience, there is now a great crowd of millions of people who serve and praise you. All of them are grateful that Jehovah has endured long enough for them to be born, learn to love him and dedicate their lives to him. When millions of us receive the reward for enduring to the end, it will be clear that Jehovah was right in making the decision to endure.
19. What should we be determined to do, and what will be the reward?
Jehovah's example teaches us to endure with joy, as he continues to be the “happy God” despite all the pain and suffering that Satan has caused. --1 Tim. 1:11. We too can maintain joy as we patiently wait for Jehovah to sanctify his name, vindicate his sovereignty, and end all evil and our troubles. Let us be determined to endure and to seek comfort in the idea that our heavenly Father is also holding out. If we do, these words will be fulfilled in each one of us: “Happy is the man who continues to endure during the trial, because, when approved, he will receive the crown of life that Jehovah promised to those who continue to love him” (Jas. 1:12).
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
What impresses you about Jehovah's endurance?
The patience of restraining himself from ending once and for all so many slanders that have been said about him and they continue to accuse him of so much evil as if he were responsible. And see how his creation has become so corrupted. You want to bring your beloved servants back to life and watch them enjoy themselves.
How did his Father's example of endurance help Jesus?
For love of us he endured so many humiliations and mistreatment and without a doubt it must hurt him to see and hear all the accusations they make against his Father.
Why are you determined to hold on?
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