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Chapter 1: Introduction
Samuel F. Herd
As we saw in Part 1, it took great faith for the Bible Students to break free from the
darkness brought on by centuries of false religious practices. Yet their challenges were
far from over. Jesus directed his followers to make disciples of people of all the
nations. Thus a huge work lay ahead of the Bible Students, and the time in which to
do it would be limited. There would be many opposers. Their understanding of the
Scriptures would continue to grow. And their faith would be refined. As we will see in
Part 2, the Bible Students were about to experience what it would really mean to let the
light shine.
Narrator
By 1922, the Bible Students were making remarkable progress. This small group had
voiced their determination to advertise the King and his Kingdom to the very ends of
the earth. To spread this good news, the Bible Students adopted the principal method
found in Gods Wordfrom house to house.
John E. Barr
I remember my mother and father talking about how the witness work was so
emphasized then, about the need to visit the people in their homes. And that was the
very best way of contacting people. That was understood by some before but not by
the rank and file of the brothers.
Narrator
House-to-house preaching quickly became their trademark. [Sister: Good morning, we
have an important message wed like to share with you.] But the Bible Students used a
variety of methods to get their message out. [Brother: shall be preached in the whole
world for a testimony] For instance, within two years of the start of commercial
broadcasting, J. F. Rutherford delivered his first of many radio discourses. [radio
playing: which says, the love of money is the root of all evil. The evil is not in the
material wealth itself] In 1922, the Bible Students broke ground on their own radio
station, WBBR, New York Citys first noncommercial radio station.
Vernon C. Wisegarver
It was one excellent way of reaching a lot of people. We have brothers who are in the
truth today, some old timers, that their first contact with the Kingdom message was on
WBBR.
Narrator
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By the 1930s, the Bible Students were using over 400 stations to broadcast their
message on six continents. Another tool for broadcasting was the sound car.
Richard E. Abrahamson
It was a paneled truck and we had in there a transcription machine powered by an
extra car battery. And we would usually drive the sound car outside of a village and
then play a musical record; and then with a microphone, make an announcement that
we were going to play a Bible talk on this or that subject.
George M. Couch
The first time I ever heard the truth was from a sound car. And one Sunday afternoon,
after dinner, my father-in-law and I went for a walk up the side of one of the hills, and
all at once I heard someone preaching. Finally, I located it on the opposite side of the
town, and I thought to myself, My thats clever. They could preach to the whole town.
Narrator
This led to yet another method of advertisinguse of the portable phonograph.
John Wischuk
Youd open the lid, push the lever, put down the needle, and Brother Rutherford would
start to speak! [phonograph playing: It is often said that religion is a snare and a racket.
And why? Religion had its origin with Satan who employed religion to reproach
Jehovah, the almighty God.] Well, if they didnt kick you off the porch, theyd get quite a
messagefour and a half minutes. [Brother: Maam, I have something that I would
really like for you to hear.]
Narrator
Later years would see the development of still more methods of advertising the
Kingdomplacards and information marches.
John E. Barr
Of all the different phases of the work, I think that was a highlight in my life. I loved it!
You felt that you were in a big army. Lots behind you and in front of you. It was great! I
always enjoyed those information marches.
Narrator
Regardless of the methods used, these Christians were determined to declare Gods
name and purpose to as many people as possible. For 50 years this group of
evangelizers referred to themselves simply as Bible Students. But as their
understanding of the Scriptures increased, it seemed a different name would be more
appropriate.
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Chapter 2: You Are My Witnesses

John E. Barr
We were always just called the Bible Students and Brother Russell kind of encouraged
that. He said we didnt want to be known by any distinctive name but just Bible
Students, and I appreciated his viewpoint on that. The trouble was that people began
to call us Russellites and Rutherfordites. Not only that but the term Christian itself
became a misnomer. Many people said they were Christians and they didnt have any
idea as to what a Christian meant.
Narrator
Their identity would be considered at a seven-day convention held in Columbus, Ohio,
in 1931. Attendees received programs with the puzzling letters JW on the cover.
Speaking on Isaiah 43:10, J. F. Rutherford presented a resolution.
Rutherford (reenactment)
We have great love for Brother Charles T. Russell, and we gladly acknowledge that the
Lord used him and greatly blessed his work. Yet we cannot consent to be called by the
name Russellites. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and the International
Bible Students Association are merely names of corporations. We are servants of
Jehovah God commissioned to do a work in his name. Henceforth, may it be known
that we are Jehovahs Witnesses!
Narrator
Early editions of Zions Watch Tower reveal that the Bible Students had already
known Gods name. But now, their new designation would remind these Christians that
knowledge brings responsibility to bear witness.
Anthony Morris III
It just identified us. And it was far more than a label, though. You represent the Most
High God, Jehovah. So you have to get out in this preaching work and you also have
to have conduct that supports the fact that you do worship this true God.
Geoffrey W. Jackson
So at that particular time we went from being a vague group of persons who were
joined together by a common interest in studying the Scriptures to being a Scriptural
identity that we could stand up and be proud of.
Narrator
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Most of those associated with Jehovahs Witnesses prior to the 1930s felt yearnings for
heavenly life. Yet the Photo-Drama of Creation had also drawn attention to Bible
teachings of a paradise earth. What was the significance of such teachings? At a
landmark convention in 1935, Rutherford would explain that the great multitude, of
Revelation chapter 7 is an earthly class with earthly hopes. This understanding gave
fresh significance to the preaching work.
Geoffrey W. Jackson
Understanding that there would be a great crowd from all sorts of nations and
languages put a tremendous responsibility on the brothers. Instead of focusing just on
gathering the remaining ones of the anointed, now all of a sudden theres this massive
task of getting the message out to others who would then join us and help us with the
preaching work.
Narrator
Jehovahs Witnesses would continue to find new ways to let their light shine. But one
aspect of their message would not always be well received.
Chapter 3: No Part of the World
Narrator
Jehovahs Witnesses were proclaiming that the solution to the worlds problems rests
with Gods government. On the other hand, the churches repeatedly voiced support for
human governments. Jehovahs Witnesses felt a responsibility to make people aware
of the position being taken by their religious leaders. In 1938, more than 10,000 people
jammed into Londons Royal Albert Hall to hear a pointed lecture by Joseph
Rutherford, while millions more heard this stinging message by radio. Always
outspoken, Rutherford invited his listeners to Face the Facts.
Rutherford (reenactment)
The dictator of the totalitarian rule of Germany has entered into an alliance with the
pope. The indisputable facts are that the Roman Catholic hierarchy has stooped wholly
to political methods to gain control of the world.
Narrator
Rutherford pointed to the churchs role in the rise of Adolph Hitler, its alliances with
Fascist regimes, and its push in many nations to make Catholicism the state religion.
When World War II erupted in 1939, nearly every organized religion sent its members
into the battle. French and American Catholics killed German and Italian Catholics.
British and American Protestants killed German Protestants. Jehovahs Witnesses
wanted to make it clear that they were no part of this controversy. The Watchtower of
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November 1, 1939, reasoned, How could a person who is devoted to Gods Kingdom
favour one side or the other in a conflict between factions of the world?
Theodore Jaracz
It defined what neutrality meant. Were not pacifists. Jehovah is not a pacifist, neither is
his Son, Jesus Christ. And when it comes to being in support of some cause, we were
100% in support of the Kingdom. And so we could not engage in any of the worlds
controversies or share in their war efforts.
Narrator
This stand would lead to their persecution by dictatorships and democracies around
the world.
John E. Barr
This is something that is so fundamental to Jehovahs people. They are absolutely no
part of the world. They are absolutely no part of the world. They must be strictly neutral
when it comes to any conflict between the nations. Theres no other people that are
entirely neutral with regard to the world, but Jehovahs people are.
Narrator
Professed Christians who were not neutralsome who even gave voice to the
teachings of Adolph Hitlerwere exposed by Jehovahs Witnesses. Their magazine,
Consolation, drew attention to side-by-side comparisons of speeches aired in the
United States by Catholic radio priest Charles Coughlin and those written by Hitlers
chief propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels. The wording was practically identical.
Coughlins Nazi loyalties were repeatedly uncovered in the pages of Consolation. But
Coughlin didnt appreciate that sort of publicity. His supporters stormed New Yorks
Madison Square Garden and ranted during a speech delivered by Rutherford entitled
Government and Peace.
Joseph Rutherford (reenactment)
The Puritans fled from religious persecution in Europe and settled in New England with
the hope that they might worship God, free from religious and political interference.
John Wischuk
Rutherford is speaking and the Coughlinites start saying, Heil, Hitler! Viva Franco! Kill
that damn Rutherford! Then they started throwing things down on stage. Well, Brother
Rutherford realized what was happening and he said: Note today the Nazis and
Catholics whod like to break up this meeting, but by Gods grace cannot do it! [actual
recording]
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Narrator
If Coughlins goal was to discourage Jehovahs Witnesses, then he failed utterly! The
Witnesses continued to denounce religious meddling in political affairs, and they took
no sides in World War II. And soon, they would boldly proclaim a Bible prophecy that
pointed to the outcome of that war.
Chapter 4: Taught By Jehovah
Narrator
The year was 1941. Having taken the lead for 25 momentous years, J. F. Rutherford
had become seriously ill and was about to make his final public appearance. On
January 8, 1942, Joseph Rutherford died. At that time, 51 nations had restricted
Jehovahs Witnesses. The second World War was raging. Some felt that these events
could lead directly into Armageddon. In spite of this, in 1942, Nathan H. Knorrthe
one next appointed to take the lead among Jehovahs Witnessesspoke at a
convention about a Bible prophecy that indicated that significant events had to occur
first.
Knorr (reenactment)
This international war is not the battle of the great day of God Almighty. Before
Armageddon comes, the Scriptures show, a peace must come.
John Wischuk
There was no peace on the horizon, and yet we said, PeaceCan It Last?
Narrator
Knorr centered attention on Revelation 17:8, which indicates that a figurative wild beast
would come into existence, would cease to exist, but then would come back to life.
Knorr then drew his listeners attention to the defunct League of Nations.
Knorr (reenactment)
The League is in effect in a state of suspended animation and needs to be revived if it
is ever to live again. It has gone into the abyss of inaction and ineffectiveness. It is
not. Will the League remain in the pit? Again the Word of God gives answer: The
association of worldly nations will rise again. That association did rise again three
years later as the United Nations.

Anthony Morris III

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They didnt know it was going to be called the United Nations, and we dont make that
claim. But they knew it was coming out.
Geoffrey W. Jackson
So that would indicate that there would be a time of peace after World War II.
George M. Couch
When we went back as pioneers after that convention, we saw that we need to go
down and study with the people, educate them in the Scriptures, and introduce them to
the organization.
Narrator
And based largely upon their understanding of that Bible prophecy, in that very year,
1942, Jehovahs Witnesses made plans to expand their preaching work.
Theodore Jaracz
Rather than thinking, Well, were going to stop this work, no, there was a field opening
up, and there was a window of opportunity for us to give a tremendous witness. How
long it would last? None of us knew. [Knorr: 1 Peter chapter 3, verse 15 says]
Narrator
To prepare Jehovahs Witnesses for this new field of activity, Knorr and his staff
designed The Watchtower Bible College of Gilead, which would train full-time ministers
for missionary service. [brother: that is in you, yet with meekness and fear.] They
also conceived the Course in Theocratic Ministry, which would equip individual
ministers to share their beliefs. [Instructor: Thank you, Brother Robinson. That was an
excellent example.]
M. Stephen Lett
They could speak from the heart. They could go to their Bibles, share these scriptures.
So they would have that kind of training now to represent Jehovah in a much more
powerful way.
Narrator
This education did more than help Witnesses to overcome fear of public speaking. It
strengthened their congregations and it prepared them to give a bold witness in an
even greater setting.
Chapter 5: They Will Deliver You Up to Local Courts
Geoffrey W. Jackson
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Jehovahs Witnesses try to obey the government and the laws of the land in every
aspect of life. But the one aspect of life that they realize that the governments cannot
control is our worship of God. If the government says you cannot preach the message,
it doesnt take much research in the Bible to see that the apostles had the same
command given to them, and they gave very clear answers when they say, we obey
God as ruler rather than men.
Narrator
Jesus had forewarned his disciples: Men will deliver you up to local courts. While
preaching from house to house, Newton Cantwell and his sons were arrested for
conducting their ministry without the approval of the state. The Witnesses challenged
the conviction.
Philip Brumley
Not defiant, but simply peacefully saying, No, Jehovah has commanded us to do this,
and were not going to ask a human for permission to do that which Jehovah has
commanded us to do.

Narrator
After a two-year battle, the court decided in favor of Jehovahs Witnesses. But just two
weeks after the Cantwell decision, the United States Supreme Court would decide
another case involving Jehovahs Witnesses and the national flag.
Geoffrey W. Jackson
Although we respect totally the nation and what the flag represents, to make an act of
devotion or worship to a flag is in the same category to us as worshipping an idol.
Narrator
Thousands of Witness school children were expelled because they would not salute
among them William and Lillian Gobitas. The Witnesses challenged the expulsion in
court.
Lillian Gobitas Klose
Then when the time came for the trial, that was very frightening. [bailiff: Raise your
right hand; put your left hand on the Bible. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? boy: I do.] Bill was the first
one to go on stand. They asked him, Why dont you salute the flag? And he brought
out Exodus 20. [boy: Thou shalt not make] Then when it was my turn, they asked the
same, and I said, The Bible is clear at 1 John 5:21 where it says, Little children, keep
yourselves from idols.
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Narrator
Although the lower courts decided in favor of Jehovahs Witnesses, [judge: Courts
adjourned!] the school board fought back and appealed to the Supreme Court. On
June 3, 1940, the Supreme Court ruled 8 to 1 against Jehovahs Witnessesa ruling
that would rock the country. Within days of the Gobitis decision, the Kingdom Hall in
Kennebunk, Maine, was torched. In Illinois, a mob attacked Witnesses as they were
preaching, turning over their cars and destroying their literature. In Winnsboro, Texas,
Witness Oscar Pillars was attacked by a mob that was determined to make him salute
the flag.
Oscar L. Pillars
They brought me to, and by now they had the flag there and they wanted me to salute
that. They would hold up my hand in this fashion, and Id let my hand drop and, of
course, that made them very angry.
Narrator
The mob threw the rope over a pipe and then pulled Pillars up. He woke up in jail and
near death.
Oscar L. Pillars
The next thing I knew was a doctor was bringing me to. The marshal said, and this put
great courage back into me, the marshal said, He is the most stubborn devil Ive ever
seen in my life. So I knew then that I had not compromised.
Philip Brumley
Some were tarred and feathered, others were run out of town, several were castrated.
And this was not just from one or two communities, but literally from Maine to
California, from Washington to Georgia.
Narrator
In Opelika, Alabama, Witness Thelma Jones and later her husband, Rosco, were
arrested and unjustly convicted of selling books without a license. The U.S. Supreme
Court upheld their conviction 5 to 4.
Philip Brumley
The Supreme Court ruled that the state, in this case the city of Opelika, had the right to
impose a fee and a permit for the so-called privilege of talking to ones neighbor.
Narrator
Yet, in the defeat, there lay a glimmer of hope. [brother: Dont worry, Rosco, to
Jehovah belongs the battle.] Dissenting Justices Douglas, Murphy, and Black stated
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that the Jones case and the earlier Gobitis flag-salute case were wrongly decided.
Jehovahs Witnesses saw their opportunity. They forged ahead with a new flag-salute
case. [brother: Well, Brother Covington, it looks like were ready to go to trial.] West
Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette. In the Barnette case, the Court reversed
itself, overturning the decision in Gobitis. The Court ruled that the school board has no
right to deny education to children of Jehovahs Witnesses who refuse to salute the
flag. In that one year, 1943, the United States Supreme Court rendered 21 decisions
favorable to Jehovahs Witnesses. Meanwhile, Witnesses in the province of Quebec,
Canada, were being arrested regularly, sometimes twice a day. Quebecs head of
State, Premier Maurice Duplessis, made it his personal ambition to silence Jehovahs
Witnesses. But his efforts backfired. After a 12-year battle, the Canadian Supreme
Court convicted Duplessis for his harassment of Jehovahs Witnesses. The
condemnation of the premier of a province, was unprecedented in Canadian history,
and it was hailed as a landmark for individual freedom. Legal battles were not limited to
North America. In Greece, some 20,000 arrests were carried out against Jehovahs
Witnesses. Over a period of 48 years, Minos Kokkinakis was arrested more than 60
times for preaching. He spent years in prison and in exile.
Minos Kokkinakis (translated)
If I was keeping a book, how could I write it, one, two, three, five, ten, many times I was
in prison and exile. That was a whole life50 years! They sentenced us deliberately
and premeditated.
Narrator
Finally in 1993, the European Court of Human Rights upheld the right of a Greek
citizen to teach his religious beliefs to others and ruled that Greece had violated the
freedom of Minos Kokkinakis. To date, Jehovahs Witnesses have won over 200
favorable decisions in the highest courts on earth.
Philip Brumley
Burning deep within the hearts of Jehovahs Witnesses is the desire to show Jehovah
how much we love him. As secular authorities attempt to impede our effort, then with
that same degree of zeal we work to protect our witnessing activities.
Lillian Gobitas Klose
To know that if you put your trust in Jehovah he will help you through it no matter what.
Oscar L. Pillars
The wonderful thing about persecution, if I can call it that, is that it demandsit
DEMANDS a firm decision.
Minos Kokkinakis (translated)
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Jehovah is a powerful fighter. Who can fight with him?

Theodore Jaracz
No matter how much opposition we may face or what form or shape it may take, our
trust in Jehovah will never let us down. Hes backing us up.
Chapter 6: Making the Truth Manifest
Throughout the legal battles and persecution, Jehovahs Witnesses were experiencing
amazing growth. The School of Gilead was making an impact. In the first ten years of
its operation, over 2,000 missionaries had been trained and dispatched. And the
number of Jehovahs Witnesses quadrupled. In Africa, in just 11 years after the start of
the Gilead School, the number of Jehovahs Witnesses increased by 800%. The
message took hold in the Orient as well. When Gilead missionaries arrived in Japan in
1949, there were fewer than ten native Witnesses. But in less than 50 years, that
number would multiply to over 200,000.
M. Stephen Lett
Most definitely its not the result of human efforts but its the result of Jehovahs spirit.
Its true he uses humans, he blesses their efforts, but its God who makes it grow.
Narrator
Worldwide, Jehovahs Witnesses were preaching in 143 countries. The work was
expanding on every continent. The Witnesses were growing, not just in number, but in
understanding. Since the days of C. T. Russell, Jehovahs Witnesses had been using
Bible translations accepted in the various lands in which they preached. [sister: The
kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of] But there were a number of problems:
antiquated language, the presence of spurious texts, [brother preaching: The LORD
said to my Lord] and the fact that most translators had replaced the name of God,
Jehovah, with titles such as Lord or God. [brother preaching: The Lord will send forth
the scepter of thy power]
Geoffrey W. Jackson
Its just as if youre reading a letter about a personal friend, someone you love, and
their names not in there. It just talks about the man or the person.
Gerrit Lsch
And so the need was seen to have a translation where the name Jehovah is mentioned
everywhere where it used to be in the original writing.
Narrator
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In 1946 Jehovahs Witnesses began work on a new translation of the Bible. The
Egyptian papyri, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other recent archeological findings, helped
make possible the full restoration of Gods name. The results of years of painstaking
labor began to be revealed in 1950.
Knorr (reenactment)
By Jehovahs undeserved kindness, I have the extreme pleasure of releasing to the
international Theocracys Increase Assembly of Jehovahs Witnesses the New World
Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. The New World Translation is the first to
render the divine name consistently from Matthew to Revelation 237 times.
Narrator
Restoring Gods name to places where it had been removed didnt always set well with
the critics.
Knorr (reenactment)
But you cant do that! said one of the critics. The committee, in its foreword of 29
pages, shows how it can be done on valid grounds, and it does it!
Anthony Morris III
This was a group of spirit-begotten men under the influence, now not inspired, but
under the influence of holy spirit, love, respect, and reverence for the Author And they
gave us this translation. So when you study this you feed on the mind of God.
Narrator
After World War II, nations were beginning to recover economically, but not spiritually
or morally. Jehovahs Witnesses took steps to make sure their conduct was in harmony
with the standard set forth in the Bible. Since 1945, Jehovahs Witnesses have upheld
the Bibles command to abstain from blood. In the 1950s, though many were
adopting a more tolerant view of sex outside of marriage, Jehovahs Witnesses held
that such conduct should be shunned. And it was pointed out about that time that one
could not be qualified to have a responsibility in the congregation if they hadnt a clean
standing before God. Well, I remember some brothers were saying, Oh, thatll never
work. Well never have enough congregation overseers to do the job. But Brother
Knorr and the other responsible brothers determined that we were going to maintain
Bible standards regardless of the consequences.
Narrator
Since 1952, Jehovahs Witnesses have adhered to the Bible teaching that those who
practice conduct condemned by God should be disfellowshipped. Then in 1973,
although many considered the use of tobacco to be a personal choice, Jehovahs
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Witnesses rejected it outright as a form of drug abuse. They were willing to uphold
these Scriptural standards, even if it didnt win them any popularity.
M. Stephen Lett
Sure you could relax the standard and you could perhaps attract a lot more people. But
Jehovahs never been primarily interested in numbers. But hes interested in quality of
his worshippers. Only eight survived the flood; shows you Jehovahs thinking on
numbers.
Anthony Morris III
We will stick with the Scriptures, well never water it down. A little leaven ferments the
whole lump. This is clean. And when people come to the Kingdom Hall we want them
to feel confident that this is clean, not just physically, but most importantly spiritually
clean.
Chapter 7: I Myself, Jehovah, Shall Speed It Up
Narrator
For years, organizational matters were largely in the hands of the president of the
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. But in the 1970s, a concerted
effort was made to align the organization more closely with the pattern in the Bible.
Gerrit Lsch
And so if there was no number one in the first century among the apostles, why should
there be a number one today? But the pattern of the first century is a collective
direction of the organization.
Narrator
This collective direction is given by a group of men who serve as the Governing Body
of Jehovahs Witnesses.
Anthony Morris III
Theres a wisdom in a multitude of counselors. When we all see it, in agreement, were
very convinced this is the direction Jehovah wants us to go. You cant do that if youre
alone.
Narrator
This adjustment has enabled Jehovahs Witnesses to do their work more effectively.
They are building houses of worship faster than ever before. They are publishing Bible
literature in more than 500 languages in either printed or electronic form. Jehovahs
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Witnesses are convinced that this system of things is deep into its last days. And the
Governing Body is intent on reaching as many people as possible with the knowledge
of God.
M. Stephen Lett
We want to continue to oversee and give impetus to the preaching work because this
has to be done before the end comes, Mark 13:10, in all the nations the good news
has to be preached first.
Anthony Morris III
We just need all the help that you can possibly muster up to get out there and preach
and teach the good news of the Kingdom and have that urgency about it because it is
so urgent.
Guy H. Pierce
Jesus said that we can have more confidence in the fulfillment of the Bible than the sun
coming up. So with that kind of faith, we can do the work thats involved. We just pour
ourselves into that.
Theodore Jaracz
It would be impossible for humans to do what Jehovah accomplished. We have to give
him full credit for things that have transpired. And we also realize that weve got a work
to complete.
Geoffrey W. Jackson
So keeping our brothers and sisters focused on what Jehovah wants us to do at this
particular time, seeing how close the end is, that is our main focus. And giving full
support to the brotherhood as they continue to show their love for Jehovah to preach
that good news in all the inhabited earth.
David H. Splane
What I see in the modern history of Jehovahs Witnesses: Here is a people who were
hungry for the truth, who were humble and who wanted to do Jehovahs will. They
have deep love for God and a desire to see Jehovahs name sanctified to the ends of
the earth.
Narrator
What started as a small group of sincere Bible Students has grown into millions of
preachers throughout the earth. What began with little international or ethnic diversity
has grown into a worldwide brotherhood united in the worship of the one true God,
Jehovah! Bible education is still the means by which they receive the light. They
understand that what they learn from the Bible today will strengthen their faith for the
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days ahead. Those who accept the light become disciples. As true disciples, Jehovahs
Witnesses have had to accept hardship. But no hardship can diminish their joy. Their
perseverance through all manner of tribulations is evidence that their faith is not
misplaced and that the God they worship is real! Thus with living faith and joyful hearts
Jehovahs Witnesses will continue to let the light shine.

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