しかし,聖書の真理に関するエホバの証人の知識を広げ続ける必要性についてはどうでしょうか。1984年,真摯な聖書研究のために,参照資料付き改訂版「新世界訳聖書」(英文)が発行されました。この聖書には,広範な欄外参照資料と脚注と付録資料が載せられています。4年後の1988年には,エホバの民は,啓示の書のすべての節に関する最新の注解を載せた「啓示の書―その壮大な最高潮は近い!」,および2巻からなる“Insight on the Scriptures”(「聖書に対する洞察」)という聖書事典を受け取り,胸を躍らせました。そして1991年には,イエス・キリストの生涯と教えを詳しく考察した,「これまでに生存した最も偉大な人」という美しいさし絵入りの本が発行されました。
Genuine hope is like a bright light. It helps us to see beyond present trials and to face the future with courage and joy. Only Jehovah can give us a sure hope, which he does by means of his inspired Word. (2 Tim. 3:16) In fact, the words “hope,” “hoped,” and “hoping” appear over 160 times in the Bible and refer both to the eager and sure expectation of something good and to the object of that expectation. When faced with trials and hardships, Jesus looked beyond the present and hoped in Jehovah. “For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2) Because he was keenly focused on the prospect of vindicating Jehovah’s sovereignty and sanctifying His name, Jesus never deviated from his course of obedience to God, no matter what it cost him. w06 10/1 3:1, 2
The morning stars joyfully cried out together, and all the sons of God began shouting in applause.—Job 38:7.
The angel foremost in power and authority—the chief angel—is named Michael the archangel. (Jude 9) He is none other than Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 4:16) Countless ages ago when Jehovah purposed to be a Creator, the very first of his creations was this angelic Son. (Rev. 3:14) Later, through this firstborn Son, Jehovah created all other spirit creatures, of whom our text for today speaks. (Col. 1:15-17) They came into existence long before humans. “God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace,” states 1 Corinthians 14:33. Accordingly, Jehovah has his spirit sons organized into three basic categories: (1) seraphs, who serve as attendants at God’s throne, declare his holiness, and keep his people spiritually clean; (2) cherubs, who uphold Jehovah’s majesty; and (3) other angels who carry out his will.—Ps. 103:20; Isa. 6:1-3; Ezek. 10:3-5; Dan. 7:10. w07 3/15 1:4, 5