as a strong incentive not to misuse God’s provision, either by overeating or by being wasteful, taking more food than one could reasonably eat. Then, too, a person is less likely to be needlessly ‘picky’ about food. His grateful attitude will cause even those of lesser means to welcome him into their home. Simple as the meal may be, they can be comfortable and need not fear that things really will not be up to his standards.

Surely there are good reasons to eat and drink to God’s glory. The person who does this refrains from heavy eating and drinking and preserves his dignity. By appealing to the consciences of others, he avoids stumbling them. Above all, by acting in harmony with God’s “word” and partaking of food with thanks, he can find real satisfaction in knowing that this course leads to lasting blessings.

Faith in God Rewarded by Preservation

TODAY we stand on the threshold of a great era for the earth. Though the astronauts viewed the earth from space as a jewel unique in the solar system, its history since shortly after man appeared on the scene about 6,000 years ago has been one of pollution, corruption and gradual ruination. But all evidences point to an end to the system of things now running earth’s affairs. The Bible prophecies point out that there is indeed an end, and that it is not an end by man’s hand, but by God’s.

Then the earth will be freed, cleansed from the defilement it has undergone, and will enter into a glorious thousand-year period of rehabilitation and beautification. Just ahead, however, are momentous, yet strenuous, times. But the human race will not be blotted out. Many will fail to exercise faith in God’s promise to provide survival, yet anyone who really desires to do so can now seize the opportunity.

To survive these dangerous times takes faith in God​—faith actually to accept what he says and then to conform to it. The apostle Peter wrote: “If the righteous man is being saved with difficulty, where will the ungodly man and the sinner make a showing?” Then he advised Christians to “keep on commending their souls to a faithful Creator while they are doing good.”​—1 Pet. 4:18, 19.

What is just ahead? The Bible shows that soon the political governments will turn against false religion, including the religious organizations of Christendom and their leaders, and will devastate it. In the previous issue of this magazine this development of matters was discussed in connection with Re chapters seventeen and eighteen of the Bible book of Revelation. Therein we are shown how false religion will fall. Those truly serving God will not be caught in this destruction, but will stand out as God’s representatives, as no