Daily text and picture for Tuesday, July 18. JULY 2017

[Queen Esther]

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.—Jas. 4:8.

As much as we look forward to the Paradise ahead, the primary blessings in the new world will be spiritual. How deeply satisfying it will be to know that Jehovah’s name has been sanctified and his sovereignty vindicated! (Matt. 6:9, 10) We will be thrilled to see Jehovah’s original purpose for mankind and the earth being fulfilled. And just think how much easier it will be to draw closer to Jehovah as we approach, and finally reach, perfection! (Ps. 73:28) These blessings can be ours, for Jesus assures us that “with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:25, 26) But if we expect to live in that new world—and to keep living beyond Christ’s Thousand Year Reign—we must act now to “get a firm hold” on everlasting life. (1 Tim. 6:19) We must live in expectation of the end of this wicked world, and we need to take positive steps right now to prepare for life in the new world. w15 8/15 3:2, 3

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dt/r1/lp-e/2017/7/18