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1, 2. (a) What have some governments done against Jehovah's servants, and how have our brothers reacted?
The governments of at least 30 countries or territories have restricted or banned our work and imprisoned our brothers and sisters. However, they have reacted with courage, joy, smiles, and unwavering devotion, because they know that Jehovah is pleased with them for keeping their integrity.
1, 2. b) Why can we be happy even when we are persecuted? (Comment on the cover photos, too.)
Even if we are persecuted we can be happy, because we have a clear conscience, since reading and studying the Bible, telling others about our beliefs, attending meetings with our fellow Christians and staying neutral by not participating in political affairs is not a bad thing. .
Hence, our brothers in the image show joy despite being imprisoned. They, like us, know that our integrity makes Jehovah happy and as Matthew 5: 10,12 says, when the time comes, he will reward us greatly.
ILLUSTRATION
These brothers that we see in the image know what they are exposed to in these countries and territories where our work is restricted or prohibited. However, they willingly offer their service to Jehovah. Therefore, Jehovah examines hearts, sees the integrity of his servants, and rejoices in him. Since he has them in mind it is to reward them greatly at the right time as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 29:17.
Some of our brave brothers and sisters who have been or are imprisoned for being loyal to Jehovah's Sovereignty. (See paragraphs 1 and 2).
AN EXAMPLE FOR US
3. According to Acts 4:19, 20, what did the apostles do in the face of persecution, and why?
On several occasions the judges of the Jewish supreme court ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, but Peter and John, speaking in the name of all the apostles, responded with courage, and told them that they would not obey them, but goodbye. And they claimed that they would not stop talking about Jesus.
4. As shown at Acts 5:27-29, what example did the apostles set for all true Christians, and how can we follow it?
The apostles set an excellent example for all true Christians of saying goodbye as a ruler, rather than to men, since after they beat him for his integrity they walked out of court feeling worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus, and they kept preaching. We follow the example when we preach despite opposition, persecution and the restriction or prohibition of our work.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. The apostles Peter and John speak before the Sanhedrin. 2. In court, a brother speaks before the judge.
Peter and John set a good example for Christians today who have to defend their faith in court. (See paragraphs 3 and 4).
5. What questions do we have to answer?
We must answer: How did your decision to obey God rather than man fit in with the Biblical command to submit to “higher authorities”? . And how can we be “obedient to governments and authorities”, as the apostle Paul said, and at the same time be upright in the eyes of God, who is our supreme ruler?
“THE SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES”
6. (a) Who are the “higher authorities” mentioned at Romans 13:1, and what obligation do we have to them?
The higher authorities mentioned In Romans 13:1 refers to human rulers who have power and authority over other people, and Christians have an obligation to obey them.
6. b) What is the truth about all human rulers?
The truth about all human rulers and politicians is that they have limited authority, only Jehovah's authority allows them to maintain public order, enforce laws and even defend his people.
7. In what situations should we not obey human rulers, and what do they have to know?
Christians should not obey human rulers when their laws contradict Jehovah's laws. That is, when they ask us to do something that Jehovah forbids or when they ask us to stop doing something that Jehovah commands. For example, when we are asked to join the armed forces of a country we cannot obey, nor when we are prohibited from preaching and meeting.
8. What is the difference between superior and supreme, and what does this matter?
The word "Superior" conveys the idea that something is better, greater or that it is above something else, but that does not mean that it is really so. On the other hand, the word "Supreme" does convey the idea that something is better, greater or that it is above everything. Hence, human governments in the Bible are called the "superior authorities" and Jehovah the "Supreme."
THE SUPREME
9. What did the prophet Daniel see in visions?
The Prophet Daniel had visions that made it clear to you that Jehovah is above all other authorities. On the one hand, he saw four huge beasts representing world powers from the past to the present such as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the United Kingdom-United States power that she currently rules. But above them all, he saw Jehovah seated in the heavenly court
10. According to Daniel 7:13, 14, 27, to whom does Jehovah give authority on earth, and what does this tell us about him?
Daniel sees that Jehovah removes all authority from human governments and gives it to Jesus Christ and the 144,000 Anointed Ones. With this, Jehovah tells us that he is the supreme, because only he has the authority to do something like that.
11. What else did Daniel write that shows that Jehovah is far above the nations?
The Prophet Daniel wrote that Jehovah, The God of heaven “Removes Kings and sets up Kings”, And he also added that “The most high is ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that he gives it to whomever he wants”.
12. Give an example of how Jehovah removed kings in the past. (See drawing).
Jehovah has shown many times that he is far above the "higher authorities" by removing Kings in the past. For example, when the Babylonian king Belshazzar held a banquet and challenged "The Lord of Heaven" praising God is made of silver and gold, Jehovah humiliated him for being arrogant. And that same night, Belsasar was assassinated and his kingdom was given to the Medes and the Persians in the figure of King Darius as illustrated in the image. Another example is when Jehovah something in the red sea Pharaoh of Egypt who had enslaved his people and time after time refused to set him free. In this way, Jehovah demonstrated not only his power, but also his absolute authority.
Another example is when Jehovah something in the red sea The Pharaoh of Egypt who had enslaved his people and time after time refused to set them free. In this way, Jehovah demonstrated not only his power, but also his absolute authority.
There is also the example of King Herod Agrippa I, from Palestine, who killed the Apostle James and then imprisoned the Apostle Peter with the intention of eliminating him, but Jehovah prevented him from doing so by making Herod sick and dying there, thus demonstrating that Jehovah is the Supreme.
ILLUSTRATION
King Belshazzar and his guests look in amazement at what is written on the wall.
Jehovah took the kingdom from Belshazzar and gave it to the Medes and Persians. (See paragraph 12).
13. Give an example of how Jehovah defeated entire coalitions of rulers.
Jehovah fought for the Israelites and helped them break an alliance of 31 Canaanite Kings and conquer a large part of the Promised Land. Similarly, he dealt a fatal blow to King Ben-Hadad and 32 other Syrians who went to fight Israel.
14, 15. (a) What did King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darius say about Jehovah's sovereignty?
Nebuchadnezzar praised the Most High and recognized that Jehovah's dominion is eternal. He also added that there is no one who can stop him from acting. As soon as King Darius gave the order that every corner of his Kingdom people should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel, because he is a living God who remained forever.
14, 15. (b) What did a psalm writer say about Jehovah and his nation?
The writer of Psalms 33:10,12 Said that Jehovah had caused the evil projects of the Nations to fail and has thwarted the plans of the peoples. He also added that, instead, the nation that he has chosen as his property is happy.
THE FINAL SHOWDOWN
ILLUSTRATION
Jehovah's heavenly armies on white horses attack armed men on earth.
The coalition of nations will be no match for Jehovah's heavenly armies. (See paragraphs 16 and 17).
16. What can we be sure of, and why? (See drawing).
We can be sure that Jehovah will save his faithful servants during the great tribulation when the coalition or group of Nations, the Bible calls Gog of Magog, launches its savage attack against them. And although this collection is made up of 193 members of the United Nations, it will not be a match for the Supreme and his heavenly armies, as we can see in the image for this paragraph.
In Ezekiel 38:14-16 Jehovah promises that the nations will know him, when he makes us come against his people to sanctify himself before their eyes through Gog, and in verse 23 he adds: They will have to know that I am Jehovah. This means that Jehovah will rescue the people from him, but before wiping this coalition out of existence, he will let them know that he is Jehovah, the Supreme.
In Psalm 46:10 Jehovah tells everyone to worship him and recognize his right to rule the earth. Therefore, no one will be able to deny his power and authority and consequently, everyone who wants to live forever will have to recognize this fact.
17. What awaits the kings of the Earth, and what will happen to those who are upright?
Revelation 16 14 16 says that Gog's attack will unleash the final confrontation of Armageddon, in which Jehovah will destroy "The kings of all the inhabited Earth" but, those who are upright will survive and continue to live on earth.
LET US CONTINUE TO BE INTEGRATED
18. What have many true Christians been willing to do, and why? (Daniel 3:28).
Throughout history, many Christians have been willing to risk their freedom and even their lives to maintain their integrity and fidelity to the Supreme. In Daniel 3:28 we see an example of this, when the Prophet Daniel preferred to disobey an order from Israel and risk his life rather than serve other gods and with this he demonstrated his faithfulness and love for Jehovah.
19. On what basis will Jehovah judge his servants, and what should we do now?
Jehovah to judge his servant will be based on the righteousness and integrity that they have shown with their way of living. Therefore, those who have remained loyal regardless of their circumstances and have always ruled in their law may feel as happy as the writer of Psalm 119: 1, who surely passed these words on his personal experience.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
What example did the apostles leave us?
They left us a great example, because they obeyed God as ruler before any men, proof of this is that at that time, if men ordered them to do something that went against the laws of Jehovah, they did not they obeyed in no way, since they obeyed Jehovah above all else.
On what does our obedience to “higher authorities” depend?
We must obey the authorities depending on what they order us to do, since if it is something that goes against Jehovah's rules, we will not obey in any way, because Jehovah's rules are more important to us than the rules of this world.
How has Jehovah shown that he is Supreme?
On many occasions, Jehovah has shown us that he is supreme, since he can remove and install Kings. Proof of this is that Jehovah has the authority to remove the authority of governments and if he wishes to give it to whoever he believes is a better ruler, that is why he has given the authority to Jesus Christ.
Throughout history, Jehovah has also shown that he has the power and ability to defeat entire coalitions, which gives us certainty that we are talking about a Supreme and incomparable being.
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