world filled with works of the flesh and then die forever, or do you want everlasting life in a world filled with the fine fruitage of God’s spirit? Right now, when this seventh and last plague is being poured out, the time is fast being reduced during which there is an opening for one to receive salvation from the earthquake and the unusually great rain of hailstones. Act quickly to escape the final crash. Even though you may look upon a religion, a government or an institution or ideology as age-lasting, forsake it now for the only lasting thing, God’s kingdom by Christ.

Why So Much to Do?

NO QUESTION about it, today the Christian witnesses of Jehovah have much to do. There is reading and studying of the Bible and Bible literature. There are five weekly meetings of the congregation to prepare for and attend. There are all the various features of the Christian field ministry, preaching from house to house, making return visits and conducting Bible studies in the homes of the people. There is also the need to assist their Christian brothers, as well as preparing for parts on the various programs, and so forth. And those who are servants in the congregations have still more duties to discharge.

Much to do? No doubt about it! But have you ever considered the fact that in having much to do Christian ministers are not altogether unique? Such professional men as general practitioners, the GP’s, often have much to do. A conscientious general practitioner may devote as much as seventy hours or more a week to his profession, all because of the demands made upon him by his patients. And, additionally, he has much reading to do so as to keep up with progress made in medicine.

If the conscientious medical practitioner has reason to be busy, has much to do, Jehovah’s Christian ministers have even more reason to be busy. How so? Because theirs is a far more important work, that of spiritual healing, which leads to everlasting life, and, what is more, everybody is in need of the kind of healing that they offer. However, their work requires much time and patience because they must first show the people how sadly they are in need of spiritual healing and how serious spiritual sickness is, for most persons are not conscious of their spiritual plight.

THE URGENCY OF OUR TIMES

Another reason for such ministers being so busy, having so much to do, is that there is so little time left in which to do spiritual healing. We are, indeed, living in urgent times. Jesus likened our urgent times to the days of Noah, and we know that Noah had much to do, caring for his household, preaching, building the ark, gathering the animals and storing away a year’s supply of food for all. (Gen. 6:13–7:5; Matt. 24:37-39) And remember Gideon and his band that put the Midianites to flight? They had an urgent task before them if they were to clinch the victory, and so we read of their being “tired but keeping up the pursuit.”​—Judg. 8:4.

As Christians we are in a spiritual warfare, opposing the forces that cause spiritual sickness. It keeps us busy and at times we get tired; but we keep up the pursuit, as it were. We keep on going because we know that lives are involved.

Jesus said on one occasion: “We must work the works of him that sent me while