way and be sated with their own devices.”—Prov. 1:24-26, 28-31, RS.

There simply can be no lasting peace without recognizing God’s “Prince of Peace” and lining up with God’s principles of justice and love. Those who do so gain peace: “Great peace have those who love thy law.” “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever.”—Isa. 9:6; Ps. 119:165; Isa. 32:17.

Regarding an apostate nation of Israel in his day, Jeremiah was specifically commanded: “As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I do not hear you.” Because her doom was sealed it would have been futile for Jeremiah to pray for his nation, and the same holds true today. It being described as Babylon in the Scriptures, God has doomed Christendom to destruction, and so those who understand Jehovah’s purposes did not join with President Eisenhower and the World Council of Churches during January 18 to 25 in praying for world peace. Instead, they sounded Jehovah’s warning: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.”—Jer. 7:16, RS; Rev. 18:4, NW.

The headlines of the New York Times on January 26, the day after the week of prayer, said, “House votes 409-3 to back Eisenhower on Formosa”; and the first paragraph read, “WASHINGTON, Jan. 25—The House of Representatives voted 409 to 3 today to back President Eisenhower in any military action to safeguard Formosa from the Communists.” Apparently they figure their prayers would not help.

Judgment Day—Just a Joke?

People in Noah’s day thought it was a joke. Citizens of Sodom in Lots day thought it was a joke. Jesus indicated that people today would think it a joke. Where do you stand?

MOST churchgoers make only a feeble attempt, if any, to explain the “judgment day.” They usually speak of it with a joke or some weird phrase such as “doomsday,” “the day the earth ends” or “the day when time will be no more.” Even the clergy seldom offer a more intelligent explanation. To them certain questions are a jigsaw puzzle that they cannot fit together to make a correct, comprehensive picture: What is the judgment day? When is it? Who does the judging? What is the result? Are we in a judgment day now?

The judgment day sounds like a joke to many people because they have been blinded by false religion. They have been taught that the literal earth will come to an end. Indeed, this is an absurd teaching. For God’s own Word confidently declares: “The earth abideth for ever.” So when the clergy teach that the earth will end, people cannot help laughing, because it is so unreasonable and so unscriptural.—Eccl. 1:4.

There is no doubt that a judgment day has been decreed by Almighty God. Says