WHAT
DOES
THE
BIBLE
Really TEACH?
THIS
BOOK IS THE PROPERTY OF
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2005
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of
Pennsylvania
All Rights Reserved
PUBLISHERS
Watchtower
Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
2009 Printing
This publication is not for sale. It is provided
as part of a worldwide Bible
educational work supported by
voluntary donations.
Unless otherwise
indicated, Scripture quotations
are from the modern-language
New
World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
What Does the Bible Really Teach?
English ( bh-E)
Made in the United States of America
CHAPTER PAGE
Is This What God
Purposed?.. 3
1. What Is the
Truth About God?.... 8
2. The
Bible—A Book From God............................
18
3.
What
Is God's Purpose for the Earth? ................ 27
4.
Who
Is Jesus Christ? ...................................... 37
5.
The Ransom—God's Greatest Gift ..................... 47
6.
Where
Are the Dead? ...................................... 57
7. Real Hope for Your Loved Ones Who
Have Died .. 66
8.
What
Is God's Kingdom?................................... 76
9. Are We Living in
"the Last Days"? ..................... 86
10. Spirit Creatures—How They Affect Us................ 96
11.
Why
Does God Allow Suffering? ..................... 106
12. Living
in a Way That Pleases God....................
115
13.
A
Godly View of Life.......................... 125
14.
How
to Make Your Family Life Happy .............. 134
15. Worship That God Approves ........................... 144
16.
Take
Your Stand for True Worship .................. 154
17.
Draw Close to
God in Prayer...........................
164
18. Baptism
and Your Relationship With God ........ 174
19. Remain
in God's Love .................................... 184
Is This What.
God Purposed?
READ any newspaper.
Look at television, or listen to the radio. There are
so many stories of crime, war, and
terrorism! Think about your own troubles.
Perhaps illness or the death of a
loved one is causing you great distress.
You may feel like the good man Job,
who said that he was "drenched with
misery."—Job 10:15, The
Holy Bible in the Language of
Today.
Ask yourself:
n Is this what God
purposed for me and for the rest of
mankind?
n Where can I find help
to cope with my problems?
·
Is there any hope that we will ever see peace on the earth?
The Bible provides
satisfying answers to these questions.
BENEFIT
FROM WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
Do not quickly
dismiss what is presented on the preceding pages as mere wishful thinking. God has promised to
bring these things about, and the Bible explains how he will do so.
But the Bible does
more than
that. It provides the key to your enjoying a truly satisfying life even now. Think for a moment about your own
anxieties
and troubles. They may include money matters, family problems, loss of health, or the death
of a loved one. The Bible can help you to deal with
problems today, and it can provide
relief by answering
such questions as these:
n Why do we suffer?
n How can we cope with
life's anxieties?
n How can we make our
family life happier?
n What happens to us
when we die?
n Will we ever see our
dead loved ones again?
n
How can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the
future?
Is This What God
Purposed? 7
The fact that you are reading this book shows that you would like to find out what the Bible teaches.
This book will help you. Notice that
the paragraphs have corresponding
questions at the bottom of the page. Millions have enjoyed using the question-and-answer method when discussing the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses.
We hope you will too. May you have
God's blessing as you now enjoy the
thrilling and satisfying experience of learning
what the Bible really
teaches!
GET
TO KNOW YOUR BIBLE
THERE are 66 books and letters that make up the Bible. These are divided into chapters and verses for
easy reference. When scriptures are cited in this publication, the
first number after the name indicates the
chapter of the Bible book or letter, and the next refers to the verse.
For example, the citation "2 Timothy
3:16" means the second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16.
You
will quickly become familiar with the Bible by looking
up the scriptures cited in this publication. Also, why not start
a program of daily Bible reading? By reading three to five
chapters a day, you can read the entire Bible in a year.
What Is the Truth
About God?
Does God really care about you?
What is God like? Does he have a name?
Is it possible to get close to God?
HAVE you ever noticed
the way children ask questions? Many
start asking as soon as they learn to speak. With wide, eager eyes, they look up at you and ask such
things as: Why is the sky blue? What
are the stars made of? Who taught the
birds to sing? You may try hard to answer, but it is not always easy. Even your best answer may lead to yet another question: Why? [i]
[ii]
2
Children are not the only ones who ask
questions. As we grow up, we keep asking. We do this in order to find our way, to learn of dangers that we need to avoid, or to satisfy our curiosity. But many people seem to stop asking questions, especially the most important ones. At least, they stop searching for the answers.
3 Think about the
question •,\
on the cover of this book, the questions raised in the preface,
1, 2. Why is it often good to ask questions? 3. Why do many stop trying to find answers to the questions that matter most?
or those at the beginning of this chapter. These are some of the most important questions you can ask.
Yet, many people have given up
trying to find the answers. Why? Does
the Bible have the answers? Some feel that its answers are too hard to understand. Others worry that asking questions could lead to shame or
embarrassment. And some decide that
such questions are best left to religious
leaders and teachers. What about you?
4 Very
likely you are interested in getting answers to life's big questions. No doubt you sometimes wonder: 'What is the
purpose of life? Is this life all there is? What is God really like?' It is good to ask such questions, and it is important that you do not give up until you
find satisfying, reliable answers.
The famous teacher Jesus Christ said:
"Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and
it will be opened to
you."—Matthew 7:7.
5 If you
"keep on seeking" for answers to the important questions, you will find that the search can be
very rewarding. (Proverbs 2:1-5)
Despite what other people may have
told you, there are answers,
and you can find them —in the Bible. The answers are not too hard to understand.
Better yet, they bring hope and joy. And they can help you to live a satisfying life right now. To
begin, let us consider a question
that has troubled many people.
IS
GOD UNCARING AND HARDHEARTED?
6 Many people think that the answer to that question is yes. 'If God
cared,' they reason, 'would not the world be
4, 5. What are some of
the most important questions we can ask in life, and why should we seek the
answers?
6. Why do many people think that God is uncaring
when it comes to human suffering?
a very different
place?' We look around and see a world full
of war, hatred, and misery. And as individuals, we get sick, we suffer, we lose loved ones in death.
Thus, many say, 'If God cared about us and our problems, would he not prevent such things from happening?'
Worse yet, religious teachers sometimes lead
people to think that God is
hardhearted. How so? When tragedy strikes,
they say that it is God's will. In effect, such teachers blame God for the bad things that happen. Is
that the truth about God? What does
the Bible really teach? James 1:13
answers: "When under trial, let no one say: 'I am being tried by God.' For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone."
So God is never the source of the
wickedness you see in the world around
you. (Job 34:10-12) Granted, he does allow bad things to happen. But there is a big difference between allowing something to happen and causing it.
8 For example, think about a wise and loving father
with a grown son who is still living at home with his parents. When the son
becomes rebellious and decides to
leave home, his father does not stop him. The son pursues a bad way of life and gets into trouble.
Is the father the cause of his son's problems? No. (Luke 15:11-13) Similarly, God has not stopped humans when they
have chosen to pursue a bad course,
but he is not the cause of the problems that have resulted. Surely, then, it
would be unfair to blame God for all
the troubles of mankind.
7. (a) How have religious teachers led many to think
that God is hardhearted? (b) What
does the Bible really teach about the trials we may suffer?
8,
9. (a) How might you illustrate the difference between allowing wickedness to
exist and causing it? (b) Why would it be unfair for us to find fault with
God's decision to allow mankind to pursue a wayward course?
9 God has good reasons for allowing mankind to follow a bad course. As our wise and powerful
Creator, he does not have to explain his reasons to us. Out of love, however, God does this. You will learn more about
these reasons in Chapter 11. But
rest assured that God is not responsible
for the problems we face. On the contrary, he gives us the only hope for a solution!—Isaiah 33:2.
10
Furthermore, God is holy. (Isaiah 6:3) This means that he is pure and clean. There is no trace of
badness in him. So we can trust him
completely. That is more than we can
say for humans, who sometimes become corrupt. Even the most honest human in authority often does not have the power to undo the damage that bad
people do. But God is all-powerful.
He can and will undo all the effects
that wickedness has had on mankind. When God acts, he will do so in a way that will end evil forever! —Psalm 37:9-11.
HOW DOES GOD FEEL
ABOUT
INJUSTICES WE FACE?
11 In
the meantime, how does God feel about what is going on in the world and in your life? Well, the Bible teaches that God is "a lover of
justice." (Psalm 37:28) So he
cares deeply about what is right and what is wrong. He hates all kinds of injustice. The Bible says
that God "felt hurt at his
heart" when badness filled the world in times past. (Genesis 6:5, 6) God
has not changed. (Malachi 3:6) He
still hates to see the suffering that is taking place worldwide. And God hates to see people suffer. "He cares for you," the Bible says.-1 Peter 5:7.
10. Why can we trust that
God will undo all the effects of wickedness?
11. (a) How does God feel
about injustice? (b) How does God feel about
your suffering?
1 2 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
12 How can we be sure
that God hates to see suffering? Here is further proof. The Bible teaches that man was made in the image
of God. (Genesis 1:26) We thus have good qualities because God has good. qualities. For example, does it
bother you to see innocent people suffer? If you care about such injustices, be
assured that God feels even more strongly about them.
13 One of the best
things about humans is our abili‑
ty to
love. That also reflects God. The Bible teaches that
"God is love." (1 John 4:8) We love because God loves.
Would
love move you to end the suffering and the in‑
justice
you see in the world? If you had the power to do
that,
would you do it? Of course you
would!
You can be just as sure that
God
will end suffering and injustice.
The
promises mentioned in the pref‑
ace of
this book are not mere dreams
or
idle hopes. God's promises are
sure
to come true! In order to put
faith
in such promises, though, you
need to know more about the God who has made them.
GOD
WANTS YOU TO KNOW
WHO HE IS
14 If you want
someone to get to know you, what might you do? Would you not tell
the person your
12, 13. (a) Why do we have good qualities such
as love, and how does love affect our view of the
world? (b) Why can you be sure that God will really do something about world problems?
14. What is God's name, and why should we use it?
name? Does God have a
name? Many religions answer that his
name is "God" or "Lord," but those are not personal names. They are titles, just as
"king" and "president"
are titles. The Bible teaches that God has many titles. "God" and "Lord" are among them. However,
the Bible also teaches that God has a
personal name: Jehovah. Psalm 83:18
says: "You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth." If your Bible translation does not contain that name, you
may want to consult the Appendix on
pages 195-7 of this book to learn why that is so. The truth is that
God's name
14 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
appears thousands of times in ancient Bible
manuscripts. So Jehovah wants you to
know his name and to use it. In a sense, he is using the Bible to introduce
himself to you.
15 God gave himself a name that is full of meaning.
His name, Jehovah, means that God
can fulfill any promise he makes and
can carry out any purpose he has in mind.* God's name is unique, one of a kind. It belongs only to him. In a number of ways, Jehovah is unique. How is that
so?
16 We saw that Psalm 83:18 said of Jehovah: "You alone
* There is more information on the meaning and the
pronunciation of God's name in the Appendix on pages 195-7.
15. What does the name Jehovah mean?
16, 17. What may we learn about Jehovah from the following
titles: (a) "the Almighty"? (b) "King of
eternity"? (c) "Creator"?
are the Most High." Similarly, Jehovah alone is referred to as "the Almighty." Revelation 15:3 says: "Great and ☺
1) having absolute
power over all *Almighty God*
2) a. relatively unlimited in power *an almighty board of directors*
b. having or regarded
as having great power or importance *the
almighty dollar*
wonderful are your
works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of
eternity." The title "the Almighty" teaches us that Jehovah is
the most powerful being there is. His power is unmatched; it is supreme. And the
title "King of eternity" reminds us that Jehovah is unique
in another sense. He alone has always existed. Psalm 90:2 says: "Even from time
indefinite to time indefinite [or, forever] you are God." That thought inspires awe, does
it not?
Jehovah is also unique in that he alone is the Creator. Revelation 4:11 reads: "You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to
receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of
your
will they existed and were created." Everything that you can think
of—from the invisible spirit creatures in heaven to the stars that fill the night sky to the fruit
that grows
on the trees to the fish that swim in the oceans and rivers—all of it
exists because Jehovah is the Creator!
CAN YOU BE CLOSE TO JEHOVAH?
18 Reading about Jehovah's awe-inspiring qualities makes some people
feel a little uneasy. They fear that God is too high for them, that they could never get close
to
him or even matter to such a lofty God. But is this idea correct? The
Bible teaches just the opposite. It says of Jehovah: "In fact, he is not far off from each
one of us." (Acts 17:27) The Bible even urges us: "Draw close to God, and he will draw
close to you."—James 4:8.
16 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
19 How can you draw close to God [iii] [iv]? To begin with, continue doing what you are doing now—learning about
God. Jesus said: "This means everlasting life, their taking in
knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the
one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) Yes, the Bible teaches that learning about Jehovah
and Jesus leads to "everlasting life[v]
[vi] "! As already noted, "God is love." (1 John 4:16) Jehovah also has many
other beautiful and appealing
qualities. For example, the Bible says that Jehovah is "a God merciful and
gracious, slow to anger and abundant
in loving-kindness and truth." (Exodus 34:6) He is "good and ready to forgive." (Psalm 86:5) God is patient. (2 Peter 3:9) He is loyal.
(Revelation 15:4) As you read more in the Bible, you will see how Jehovah has shown that he has these and many other
appealing qualities.
20 True,
you cannot see God because he is an invisible spirit. (John 1:18; 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17) By learning about him through the pages of the Bible, however,
you can come to know him as a
person. As the psalmist said, you
can "behold the pleasantness of Jehovah." (Psalm 27:4; Romans 1:20) The more you learn about
Jehovah, the more real he will become
to you and the more reason you will
have to love him and feel close to him.
21 You will come to understand why the Bible teaches us to think of Jehovah as our Father. (Matthew
6:9) Not only does our life come from
him but he wants the best life
possible for us—just as any loving father would want for his children. (Psalm 36:9) The Bible also teaches
19. (a) How can we begin to draw close to God, and with
what benefit? (b) What qualities of
God are most appealing to you?
20-22. (a) Does our inability to see God prevent
us from getting close to him?
Explain. (b) What may some well-meaning people urge you to do, but what should you do?
that humans can become
Jehovah's friends. (James 2: 23)
Imagine—you can become a friend of the Creator of the universe!
22 As you learn
more from the Bible, you may find that some
well-meaning people will urge you to stop such studies. They may worry that you
will change your beliefs. But do not let anyone stop you from forming the best friendship you can ever have.
23 Of
course, there will be things that you do not understand at first. It can be a little humbling to ask for help, but do not hold back because of
embarrassment. Jesus said that it is
good to be humble, like a little child. (Matthew 18:2-4) And children, as we know, ask a lot of questions. God wants you to find the answers. The
Bible praises some who were eager to
learn about God. They checked carefully in the Scriptures to make sure
that what they were learning was the truth.
Acts 17:11[vii] [viii] .
24 The
best way to learn about Jehovah is to examine the Bible. It is different from any other book. In what way? The next chapter will consider that subject.
23, 24. (a) Why should you continue to ask questions about
what you
are learning? (b) What is the subject of the next chapter?
WHAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES n
God cares about you personally.-1 Peter 5:7. n God's personal
name is Jehovah. —Psalm 83:18. n Jehovah invites
you to draw close to him. —James 4:8. n
Jehovah is loving,
kind,
and merciful. —Exodus 34:6; 1 John 4:8, 16. |
The Bible
—A Book From God
In what ways is the Bible different
from any other book?
How can the Bible help you cope with
personal problems?
Why can you trust the prophecies
recorded in the Bible?
CAN you recall a
time when you received a fine gift from a dear friend? Likely, the experience was not only
exciting but also heartwarming. After all, a gift tells you something about the
giver—that he or she values your friendship. No doubt you expressed gratitude
for your friend's thoughtful gift.
2 The Bible is a gift from God, one for
which we can be truly grateful. This unique book reveals things that we could never
find out otherwise. For example, it tells us about the creation of the starry heavens, the earth, and the first man
and woman. The Bible contains reliable principles to help us cope with life's problems and anxieties. It
explains how God will fulfill his purpose and bring about better conditions on the
earth. What an exciting gift the Bible is!
3 The Bible is also a heartwarming gift, for it reveals
1, 2. In what ways is the Bible an exciting gift from God?
3. What does the
provision of the Bible tell us about Jehovah, and why is this heartwarming?
The "New
World Translation of the Holy
Scriptures" is available in many languages
something about the Giver, Jehovah God. The fact
that he has provided such a book is
proof that he wants us to get to
know him well. Indeed, the Bible can help you to draw close to Jehovah.
4 If you have a copy of the Bible, you are far
from alone. In whole or in part, the
Bible has been published in more than
2,300 languages and thus is available to more than 90 percent of the world's population. On the average, more than a million Bibles are
distributed each week! Billions of copies
of either the whole Bible or part of
it have been produced. Surely, there is no other book like the Bible.
5
Furthermore, the Bible "is inspired of God." (2 Timothy 3:16) In what way? The Bible itself answers:
"Men spoke from God as they were
borne along by holy spirit." (2
Peter 1:21) To illustrate: A businessman might have a secretary write a letter. That letter contains the
4.
What impresses you about the distribution of the Bible?
5.
In what way is the Bible "inspired
of God"?
20 What
Does the Bible Really Teach?
businessman's thoughts and instructions. Hence, it
is really his letter, not the
secretary's. In a similar way, the Bible contains God's message, not that of
the men who wrote it down. Thus, the
entire Bible truthfully is "the word
of God."-1 Thessalonians 2:13.
HARMONIOUS
AND ACCURATE
6 The Bible was written over a 1,600-year period.
Its writers lived at different times
and came from many walks of life.
Some were farmers, fishermen, and shepherds.
Others were prophets, judges, and kings. The Gospel writer Luke was a doctor. Despite the varied backgrounds of its writers, the Bible is harmonious from
beginning to end.*
7 The first book of the Bible tells us how
mankind's problems began. The last
book shows that the whole earth will
become a paradise, or garden. All the material in the Bible covers thousands of years of history and relates in some way to the unfolding of God's
purpose. The harmony of the Bible is
impressive, but that is what we would
expect of a book from God.
8 The
Bible is scientifically accurate. It even contains information that was far ahead of its time. For
example, the book of Leviticus
contained laws for ancient Israel on quarantine
and hygiene when surrounding nations knew nothing about such matters. At a time when there were
*
Although some people say that certain parts of the Bible contradict
other parts of it, such claims are unfounded. See chapter 7 of the
book The Bible—God's
Word or Man's? published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
6, 7. Why is the harmony of the material in the Bible particularly noteworthy?
8. Give examples showing that the Bible is
scientifically accurate.
wrong ideas about the
shape of the earth, the Bible referred
to it as a circle, or sphere. (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible accurately said that the earth 'hangs on
nothing.' (Job 26:7) Of course, the
Bible is not a science textbook. But when it touches on scientific matters, it
is accurate. Is this not what we
would expect of a book from God?
9 The
Bible is also historically accurate and reliable. Its accounts are specific. They include not only the
names but also the ancestry of
individuals.* In contrast to secular historians, who often do not mention the
defeats of their own people, Bible
writers were honest, even recording
their own failings and those of their nation. In the Bible book of Numbers, for instance, the writer
Moses admits his own serious error
for which he was severely reproved.
(Numbers 20:2-12) Such honesty is rare in other historical accounts but is found in the Bible because it is a book from God.
A
BOOK OF PRACTICAL WISDOM
10 Because the Bible is inspired of God, it is
"beneficial for teaching, for
reproving, for setting things straight" (2 Timothy 3:16) Yes, the Bible is a practical book. It reflects a keen understanding of human nature. No
wonder, for its Author, Jehovah
God, is the Creator! He understands
our thinking and emotions better than we do. Furthermore, Jehovah knows what we need in order to be happy. He also knows what pathways we
should avoid.
* For example, note the detailed ancestral line of Jesus
set out at Luke 3:23-38.
9.
(a) In what ways does
the Bible show itself to be historically accurate and reliable? (b) What does
the honesty of its writers tell you about
the Bible?
10. Why is it not
surprising that the Bible is a practical book?
11 Consider Jesus' speech called the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters 5 to 7. In
this masterpiece of teaching, Jesus
spoke on a number of topics, including
the way to find true happiness, how to settle disputes, how to pray, and how to have the proper view
11, 12. (a) What topics did Jesus discuss in his Sermon on the Mount? (b) What other practical matters are considered in the Bible, and why is
its counsel timeless?
of material things.
Jesus' words are just as powerful and practical
today as they were when he spoke them.
12 Some
Bible principles deal with family life, work habits, and relationships with
others. The Bible's principles apply
to all people, and its counsel is always beneficial. The wisdom found in the Bible is summarized by God's words through the prophet Isaiah:
"I, Jehovah, am your God, the
One teaching you to benefit yourself." —Isaiah 48:17.
A
BOOK OF PROPHECY
13 The
Bible contains numerous prophecies, many of which have already been fulfilled. Consider an example. Through the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the
eighth century B.C.E., Jehovah
foretold that the city of Babylon would be destroyed. (Isaiah 13:19; 14:22, 23)
Details were given to show just how this
would happen. Invading armies would
dry up Babylon's river and march into the city without a battle. That is not
all. Isaiah's prophecy even named the
king who would conquer Babylon—Cyrus.—Isaiah
44:27-45:2.
14 Some
200 years later—on the night of October 5/6, 539 B.C.E.—an army encamped near Babylon. Who was its commander? A Persian king named Cyrus. The
stage was thus set for the fulfillment of an amazing prophecy. But would the army of Cyrus invade Babylon
without a battle, as foretold?
15 The
Babylonians were holding a festival that night and felt secure behind their massive city walls. Meanwhile, Cyrus cleverly diverted the water of the
river that
13. What details did
Jehovah inspire the prophet Isaiah to record regarding Babylon?
14, 15. How were some details of Isaiah's prophecy
about Babylon fulfilled?
24 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
flowed through the city. Soon the water was shallow
enough for his men to cross the
riverbed and approach the walls of
the city. But how would Cyrus' army get past Babylon's walls? For some reason, on that night the doors to the city were carelessly left open!
16 Regarding Babylon, it was foretold: "She will
never be inhabited, nor will she
reside for generation after generation.
And there the Arab will not pitch his tent, and no shepherds will let their flocks lie down there." (Isaiah 13:20) This prophecy did more than predict a
city's fall. It showed that Babylon
would be desolated permanently. You
can see evidence of the fulfillment of these words. The uninhabited site of ancient Babylon—about 50
miles south of Baghdad, Iraq—is
proof that what Jehovah spoke through
Isaiah has been fulfilled: "I will sweep her with the broom of annihilation."—Isaiah 14:22,
23.*
* For more information on Bible prophecy, see pages 27-9
of the brochure A Book for All People, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
16. (a)
What did Isaiah foretell about the final outcome of Babylon? (b) How was
Isaiah's prophecy about Babylon's desolation fulfilled?
The Bible—A Book From God 25
17
Considering how the Bible is a book of reliable prophecy is faith strengthening, is it not? After all, if Jehovah God has fulfilled his past promises, we
have every reason to be confident
that he will also fulfill his promise
of a paradise earth. (Numbers 23:19) Indeed, we have "hope of the everlasting life which God, who
cannot lie, promised before times
long lasting."—Titus 1:2.*
"THE
WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE"
18 From what we
have considered in this chapter, it is clear that the Bible is truly a unique
book. Yet, its value extends far
beyond its internal harmony, scientific and
* The destruction of Babylon is just one example
of fulfilled Bible prophecy. Other
examples include the destruction of Tyre and Nineveh. (Ezekiel 26:1-5;
Zephaniah 2:13-15) Also, Daniel's prophecy foretold a succession of world
empires that would come into power after
Babylon. These included Medo-Persia and Greece. (Daniel 8:5-7, 20-22) See the Appendix, pages 199-201, for a
discussion of the many Messianic
prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
17. How is the
fulfillment of Bible prophecy faith strengthening?
18. What powerful statement does the Christian apostle Paul
make about "the word of God"?
26 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
historical accuracy,
practical wisdom, and reliable prophecy.
The Christian apostle Paul wrote: "The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the
dividing of soul and spirit, and of
joints and their marrow, and is able
to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart." —Hebrews 4:12.
19
Reading God's "word," or message, in the Bible can change our life. It can help us to examine
ourselves as never before. We may claim to love God, but how we react to what his inspired Word, the Bible,
teaches will reveal our true
thoughts, even the very intentions of the heart.
20 The
Bible truly is a book from God. It is a book that is to be read, studied, and loved. Show your gratitude for this divine gift by continuing to peer
into its contents. As you do so, you
will gain a deep appreciation of
God's purpose for mankind. Just what that purpose is and how it will be realized will be discussed in
the following chapter.
19, 20. (a) How can the Bible help you to examine yourself? (b) How can you show your gratitude for God's unique gift, the Bible?
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES n
The Bible is inspired of God
and thus is accurate and reliable.-2 Timothy 3:16. n
The information found in God's
Word is n
God's promises found in the
Bible are certain to be fulfilled.—Numbers 23:19. |
CHAPTER
THREE ●
What
Is God's Purpose
for the Earth?
What is God's purpose for mankind?
How has God been challenged?
What will life on earth be like in the future?
GOD'S purpose for the earth is really wonderful.
Jehovah wants the earth to be filled
with happy, healthy people. The Bible
says that "God planted a garden in Eden" and that he "made to grow . . . every tree
desirable to one's sight and good
for food." After God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, He put them in that lovely home and told them: "Be fruitful and become
many and fill the earth and subdue it." (Genesis 1:28; 2:8, 9, 15) So it was God's purpose that humans have children,
extend the boundaries of that garden
home earth wide, and take care of the
animals.
2 Do you think that Jehovah God's purpose for
people to live in an earthly
paradise will ever be realized? "I have even spoken it," God declares, "I shall also do it." (Isaiah 46:9-11; 55:11) Yes, what God purposes he will
surely do! He says that he "did
not create [the earth] simply for nothing"
but "formed it even to be inhabited." (Isaiah 45:18) What kind of people did God want to live
on the earth? And for how long did
he want them to live here?
1.
What is God's purpose for the earth?
2.
(a) How do we know that God's
purpose for the earth will be fulfilled? (b) What does the Bible
say about humans living forever?
28 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
1
The Bible answers:
"The righteous themselves
will possess the earth[ix] [x], and they will reside forever upon
it."—Psalm 37: 29; Revelation 21:3, 4.
3
Obviously, this has not happened yet. People now get sick and die; they even fight and kill one
another. Something went wrong.
Surely, however, God did not purpose that
the earth should be as we see it today! What happened? Why has God's purpose not been fulfilled? No history book written by man can tell us because
the trouble started in heaven.
THE ORIGIN OF AN
ENEMY
4 The
first book of the Bible tells of an opposer of God who showed up in the garden of Eden. He is
described as "the serpent," but he was not a mere animal. The last book of the Bible identifies him as
"the one called Devil and Satan,
who is misleading the entire inhabited earth."
He is also called "the original serpent."
(Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9) This
powerful angel, or invisible spirit creature, used a serpent to speak to Eve,
even as a skilled person can make it
seem that his voice is coming from a
nearby doll or dummy. That spirit person had no doubt been present when God prepared the earth for humans.—Job 38:4, 7.
Since all of
Jehovah's creations are perfect, however, who made this "Devil," this "Satan"?
Put simply, one of the powerful spirit sons of God turned himself into
the Devil. How was this possible? Well, today a person who was once decent and
honest may become a thief. How
3. What sad conditions
now exist on earth, and what questions does this raise?
4, 5. (a) Who
actually spoke to Eve by means of a serpent? (b) How might a formerly decent, honest person become a
thief?
What
Is God's Purpose for the Earth? 29
does that happen? The
person may allow a wrong desire to
develop in his heart. If he keeps thinking about it, that wrong
desire may become very strong. Then if the opportunity presents itself, he may
act upon the bad desire that he has been thinking about.—James 1:13-15.
6 This
happened in the case of Satan the Devil. He apparently heard God tell Adam and Eve to have children and to fill the earth with their offspring.
(Genesis 1: 27, 28) 'Why, all these
humans could worship me rather than
God!' Satan evidently thought. So a wrong desire built up in his heart. Eventually, he took action to deceive Eve by telling her lies about God. (Genesis
3:1-5) He thus became a
"Devil," which means "Slanderer." At the same time, he became "Satan," which means
"Opposer."
7 By
using lies and trickery, Satan the Devil caused Adam and Eve to disobey God. (Genesis 2:17; 3:6) As a result, they eventually died, as God had said
they would if they disobeyed.
(Genesis 3:17-19) Since Adam became imperfect
when he sinned, all his offspring inherited sin from him. (Romans 5:12) The situation might be illustrated with a pan used for baking bread. If the
pan has a dent in it, what happens to
each loaf of bread made in the pan?
Each loaf has a dent, or an imperfection, in it. Similarly, each human has inherited a "dent" of imperfection from Adam. That is why all humans grow
old and die.—Romans 3:23.
8 When
Satan led Adam and Eve into sinning against God, he was really leading a rebellion. He was challenging Jehovah's
way of ruling. In effect, Satan was saying:
6.
How did a powerful
spirit son of God become Satan the Devil?
7.
(a) Why did Adam and Eve die? (b) Why do all of
Adam's offspring grow old and die?
8,
9. (a) What challenge did Satan evidently make? (b) Why did God not destroy the rebels immediately?
30 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
'God is a bad
ruler. He tells lies and holds back good things from his subjects. Humans do not need to have God ruling over them. They can decide for
themselves what is good and what is
bad. And they will be better off
under my rulership.' How would God handle such an insulting challenge? Some think that God should simply have put the rebels to death. But would that
have
How
could Satan have offered
Jesus all the kingdoms of the world
if he did not own them?
What Is God's Purpose for the Earth? 31
answered Satan's
challenge? Would it have proved that God's way of ruling is right?
9 Jehovah's perfect sense of justice would not
allow him to put the rebels to death
right away. He decided that time
was needed to answer Satan's challenge in a satisfying way and to prove that the Devil is a liar. So God determined that he would permit humans to
rule themselves for some time under
Satan's influence. Why Jehovah did
that and why he has allowed so much time to pass before settling these issues will be discussed in Chapter 11 of this book. Now, though, it is good
to think about this: Were Adam and
Eve right to believe Satan, who had
never done anything good for them? Was it
right for them to believe that Jehovah, who had given them everything they had, is a cruel liar? What
would you have done?
10 It is good to think about these questions
because each of us faces similar
issues today. Yes, you have the
opportunity to support Jehovah's side in answer to Satan's challenge. You can
accept Jehovah as your Ruler and
help to show that Satan is a liar. (Psalm 73:28; Proverbs 27:11) Sadly, only a
few among the billions of people in
this world make such a choice. This raises an important question, Does the Bible really teach that
Satan rules this world?
WHO RULES THIS WORLD?
11 Jesus never doubted that Satan is the ruler of this world. In some
miraculous way, Satan once showed Jesus
10. How can you
support Jehovah's side in answer to Satan's challenge?
11,
12. (a) How does a temptation of Jesus reveal that Satan is the ruler of this world? (b) What else proves that
Satan is the ruler of this world?
32 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
"all the
kingdoms of the world and their glory" Satan then promised Jesus: "All these things I
will give you if you fall down and do
an act of worship to me." (Matthew 4:8, 9; Luke 4:5, 6) Think about this. Would that offer have been a temptation to
Jesus if Satan was not the ruler of
these kingdoms? Jesus did not deny that all these worldly governments were Satan's. Surely, Jesus
would have done that if Satan was
not the power behind them.
12 Of course, Jehovah is the Almighty God, the
Creator of the marvelous universe.
(Revelation 4:11) Yet, nowhere does
the Bible say that either Jehovah God or Jesus Christ is ruler of this world. In fact, Jesus specifically referred to
Satan as "the ruler of this world." (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) The
Bible even refers to Satan the Devil as "the god of this system of things." (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4) Regarding this opposer, or Satan, the Christian
apostle John wrote: "The whole
world is lying in the power of the wicked
one."-1 John 5:19.
HOW
SATAN'S WORLD WILL BE REMOVED
13 With each passing year, the world is becoming
more and more dangerous. It is
overrun with warring armies, dishonest
politicians, hypocritical religious leaders, and hardened criminals. The world as a whole is beyond reform. The Bible reveals that the time is near
when God will eliminate the wicked
world during his war of Armageddon.
This will make way for a righteous new world. —Revelation 16:14-16.
14 Jehovah God selected Jesus Christ to be Ruler of
His heavenly Kingdom, or government.
Long ago, the Bible
13. Why is there a need
for a new world?
14. Whom has God selected
to be Ruler of His Kingdom, and how was this foretold?
What
Is God's Purpose for the Earth? 33
foretold: "Unto
us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called . . . Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and
peace there shall be no end."
(Isaiah 9:6, 7, King James Version) Regarding this government, Jesus taught his followers to pray: "Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in
heaven, also upon earth."
(Matthew 6:10) As we will see later in this
book, God's Kingdom will soon remove all the governments of this world, and it itself will replace all of them. (Daniel 2:44) Then God's Kingdom will usher
in an earthly paradise.
A
NEW WORLD IS AT HAND! _ 33-36
15 The
Bible assures us: "There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to
[God's] promise, and in these
righteousness is to dwell." (2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah 65:17) Sometimes when the Bible speaks of "the earth," it means the people who
live on the earth. (Genesis 11:1) So
the righteous "new earth" is a society of people who receive God's approval.
16
Jesus promised that in the coming new world, those approved by God would receive the gift of
"everlasting life." (Mark
10:30) Please open your Bible to John 3:16 and 17:3, and read what Jesus said we must do to receive everlasting life. Now consider from the Bible the
blessings that will be enjoyed by those who qualify for that wonderful gift from God in the coming earthly
Paradise.
17 Wickedness, warfare, crime, and violence
will be gone.
15. What is the "new
earth"?
16. What is a priceless
gift from God to those whom he approves, and what must we do to receive it?
17,
18. How can we be sure that there will be peace and security everywhere on earth?
"The wicked one
will be no more . . . But the meek ones
themselves will possess the earth." (Psalm 37:10, 11) Peace will exist because 'God will make wars
cease to the ends of the earth.'
(Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:4) Then "the righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more" —and that means
forever! —Psalm 72:7.
18 Jehovah's worshipers will live in security. As long as the Israelites in Bible times obeyed God, they lived in security. (Leviticus 25:18, 19) How wonderful
it will be to enjoy similar security
in Paradise!—Isaiah 32:18; Micah 4:4.
19 Food shortages will not exist. "There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth," sang the
psalmist "On the top of the
mountains there will be an overflow."
(Psalm 72:16) Jehovah God will bless his righteous ones, and "the earth
itself will certainly give its produce." —Psalm 67:6.
20 The whole earth will become a paradise. Lovely new homes and gardens will occupy land that had once been ruined by sinful humans. (Isaiah 65:21-24;
Revelation 11: 18) As time passes,
parts of the earth already subdued will
expand until the whole globe is as beautiful and productive as the garden of Eden. And God will never fail to 'open his hand and satisfy the desire of every
living thing.'—Psalm 145:16.
21 There will be peace between humans and animals. Wild and domestic animals will feed together. Even
a little child will have nothing to
fear from animals that are now
dangerous.—Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25.
19.
Why do we know that food will be abundant in God's new world?
20.
Why can we be sure
that the whole earth will become a paradise? 21. What shows that peace will exist between humans and animals?
36 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
22 Sickness will vanish. As Ruler of God's heavenly Kingdom, Jesus will do healing on a far grander
scale than when he was on earth.
(Matthew 9:35; Mark 1:40- 42; John
5:5-9) Then "no resident will say: 'I am sick.' " —Isaiah 33:24; 35:5, 6.
23 Dead loved ones will be restored to life with the prospect of never dying. All
those sleeping in death who are in God's memory will be brought back to life. In fact, "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."—Acts 24:15; John 5: 28, 29.
24 What
a marvelous future awaits those who choose to learn about our Grand Creator, Jehovah God, and to serve him! It was to the coming Paradise on
earth that Jesus pointed when he
promised the evildoer who died
alongside him: "You will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43) It is vital that we learn more about
Jesus Christ, through whom all these
blessings will be made possible.
22.
What will happen to sickness?
23.
Why will the resurrection bring joy to our hearts? 24.
How do you feel about living in Paradise on earth?
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES n God's purpose to make the earth a paradise will be fulfilled.—Isaiah 45:18; 55:11. n Satan now rules this world.—John 12:31; 1 John 5:19. n In the coming new world, God will bestow many blessings on mankind.—Psalm 37:10, 11, 29. |
Who Is Jesus Christ?
What is Jesus' special role?
Where did he come from?
What kind of person was he?
ATHERE are many famous
people in the world. Some are well-known
in their own community, city, or country. Others are known worldwide. However, just knowing the name of someone famous does not mean that you
truly know
him. It does not mean that you
know details about his background
and what he is really like as a person.
2
People around the world have heard something about Jesus Christ, even though he lived on earth some 2,000 years ago. Yet, many are confused about who
Jesus really was. Some say that he
was merely a good man. Others claim
that he was nothing more than a prophet. Still others believe that Jesus is God and should be worshiped. Should he?
3 It is
important for you to know the truth about Jesus. Why? Because the Bible says: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only
true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3)
Yes, knowing the truth about Jehovah God and about Jesus Christ can lead to
everlasting life on a paradise
earth. (John 14:6)
Furthermore, Jesus sets the best
1, 2. (a) Why does
knowing about someone famous not mean that you truly know him? (b) What confusion is there about Jesus?
3. Why is it important
for you to know the truth about Jesus?
example of how to live and how to treat others. (John
13:34, 35)
In the first chapter of this book, we discussed the truth about God. Now let us consider
what the Bible really teaches about Jesus Christ. THE
PROMISED MESSIAH 4 Long before
Jesus was born, the Bible foretold the coming of the one whom God would
send as the Messiah, or Christ. The titles "Messiah"
(from a Hebrew word) and "Christ" (from a Greek word)
both mean Anointed One." This promised One would be anointed,
that is, appointed by God to a special 4. What do the titles "Messiah" and "Christ"
mean?
position. In later
chapters of this book, we will learn more
about the Messiah's important place in the fulfillment of God's promises. We
will also learn about the blessings
that Jesus can bring us even now. Before Jesus was born, however, many no doubt wondered, 'Who will prove to be the Messiah?'
5 In
the first century C.E., the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth were fully convinced that he was the
foretold Messiah. (John 1:41)
One of the disciples, a man named Simon Peter, openly said to Jesus: "You
are the Christ." (Matthew
16:16) How, though, could those disciples —and how can we—be sure that Jesus really is the promised Messiah?
6 The
prophets of God who lived before Jesus foretold many details about the Messiah. These details would help others to identify him. We might illustrate
things this way: Suppose you were
asked to go to a busy bus depot or a
train station or an airport to pick up someone you had never met before. Would it not help if someone gave you a few details about him? Similarly, by
means of the Bible prophets, Jehovah
gave a rather detailed description
of what the Messiah would do and what he would experience. The fulfillment of these many prophecies would help faithful ones to identify him
clearly.
7
Consider just two examples. First, over 700 years in advance, the prophet Micah foretold that the promised One would be born in Bethlehem, a small town in the land of Judah. (Micah 5:2)
Where was Jesus
5.
Of what were the
disciples of Jesus fully convinced regarding him?
6.
Illustrate how Jehovah has helped faithful ones
to identify the Messiah.
7.
What are two of the prophecies that were fulfilled in connection with Jesus?
actually born? Why, in that very town! (Matthew
2:1, 3-9) Second, many centuries in advance, the prophecy recorded at Daniel
9:25 pointed to the very year when the Messiah was to appear-29 C.E.* The fulfillment of these and other prophecies proves that Jesus was
the promised Messiah.
8 Further
proof that Jesus was the Messiah became clear near the end of 29 C.E. That is the year when Jesus went to John the Baptizer to be baptized in
the Jordan River. Jehovah had promised John a sign so that he could identify the Messiah. John saw that sign at
Jesus' baptism. The Bible says that
this is what happened: "After being
baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God's spirit coming upon
him. Look! Also, there was a voice
from the heavens that said: 'This is
my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved." (Matthew
3:16, 17) After seeing and hearing what happened, John had no doubt that Jesus was sent by.
God. (John 1:32-34)
At the moment when God's spirit, or active
force, was poured out upon him that day, Jesus became the Messiah, or Christ, the one appointed to be Leader and King.—Isaiah
55:4.
9 The
fulfillment of Bible prophecy and Jehovah God's own testimony plainly show that Jesus was the promised Messiah. But the Bible answers two other
important questions about Jesus
Christ: Where did he come from, and
what kind of person was he?
* For an explanation of Daniel's prophecy fulfilled in connection with Jesus, see the Appendix, pages 197-9.
1
WHERE DID JESUS COME FROM?
3
10 The Bible teaches that Jesus lived in heaven before he
came to earth[xi]
[xii]. Micah
prophesied that the Messiah would be
born in Bethlehem and also said that His origin was "from early times."
(Micah 5:2) [xiii]
[xiv] On many occasions, Jesus himself said that he lived in heaven before
being born as a human. (John 3:13;
6:38, 62; 17:4, 5) As a spirit creature
in heaven, Jesus had a special relationship with Jehovah.
11 Jesus
is Jehovah's most precious Son—and for good reason. He is called "the firstborn
●
of all creation," for he was
God's first creation.* (Colossians 1:15) There is something else that makes this Son special. He is
the "only-begotten
Son." (John 3:16)
This means that Jesus is the only one directly created by God. Jesus is also the only one whom God used when He created all other things. (Colossians 1:16) Then, too, Jesus is
called "the Word." (John 1:14)
This tells us that he spoke for God, no
doubt delivering messages and instructions to the Father's other sons, both spirit and human.
4
12 Is the firstborn Son equal to God, as some believe?
That is not what the Bible teaches. As we noted in the preceding paragraph,
the Son was created. Obviously, then, he had a beginning, whereas Jehovah God has no
beginning or end. (Psalm
90:2) The only-begotten Son never even
considered [xv]
[xvi]
* Jehovah is called a Father because he is the Creator. (Isaiah 64:8) Since Jesus was created by God, he is called God's Son. For similar
reasons, other spirit creatures and even the man Adam are called sons of God.—Job 1:6; Luke 3:38.
10.
What does the Bible
teach about Jesus' existence before he came to earth?
11.
How does the Bible show that Jesus is Jehovah's
most precious Son?
12. How do we know
that the firstborn Son is not equal to God?
42 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
trying to be equal to his Father.
The Bible clearly teaches that the
Father is greater than the Son. (John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 11:3)
Jehovah
alone is "God Almighty." (Genesis
17:1) Therefore, he has no equal.*
13
Jehovah and his firstborn Son enjoyed close association for billions of
years—long before the starry heavens and
the earth were created. How they must have loved each other! (John 3:35;
14:31) This dear Son was just like
his Father. That is why the Bible refers to the Son as "the image of the
invisible God." (Colossians
1:15) Yes, even as a
human son may closely resemble his father in various ways, this heavenly Son reflected his Father's qualities and personality.
2
14 Jehovah's only-begotten Son willingly left heaven
and came down to earth to live as a human[xvii]
[xviii]. But you may wonder, 'How was it possible for a spirit
creature to be born as a human?' To
accomplish this, Jehovah performed a
miracle. He transferred the life of his firstborn Son from heaven to the womb
of a Jewish virgin named Mary. No
human father was involved. Mary thus gave
birth to a perfect son and named him Jesus.—Luke 1:30-35.
WHAT KIND OF PERSON WAS JESUS?
15 What Jesus said and did while on earth helps us to get to know him
well. More than that, through Jesus we
* For further proof that the firstborn Son is not equal to God, see the Appendix, pages 201-4.
13. What does the Bible
mean when it refers to the Son as "the image of the invisible God"?
14. How did Jehovah's
only-begotten Son come to be born as a human?
15. Why can we say that
through Jesus we come to know Jehovah better?
come to know Jehovah
better. Why is this the case? Recall
that this Son is a perfect reflection of his Father. That is why Jesus told one of his disciples: "He
that has seen me has seen the Father
also." (John 14:9) The four Bible books
known as the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—tell us much about the life, activity, and personal qualities of Jesus Christ.
16 was
was well-known as "Teacher." (John 1:38; 13:
13) What did he
teach? Primarily, his message was "the good news of the kingdom"—that is, God's Kingdom, the heavenly government that will rule over the
entire earth and will bring endless
blessings to obedient humans. (Matthew
4:23) Whose message was this? Jesus himself said: "What I teach is not
mine, but belongs to him that sent
me," namely, Jehovah. (John 7:16) Jesus knew that his Father wants humans to hear about the good
news of the Kingdom. In Chapter 8,
we will learn more about God's
Kingdom and what it will accomplish.
17 Where did Jesus do his teaching? Everywhere he found people—in the countryside as well as in
cities, in villages, in
marketplaces, and in their homes. Jesus did not expect people to come to him. He went to them. (Mark 6:56; Luke 19:5, 6) Why did Jesus go to
such lengths and spend so much of
his time preaching and teaching?
Because doing so was God's will for him. Jesus always did his Father's will. (John 8:28, 29) But there was another reason why he preached. He felt
compassion for the crowds of people
who came out to see him. (Matthew 9:35,
36) They were neglected by their religious leaders,
16.
What was Jesus'
primary message, and where did his teachings come from?
17.
Where did Jesus do his teaching, and why did he go
to great lengths to teach others?
who should have been teaching
them the truth about God and his
purposes. Jesus knew how much the people needed to hear the Kingdom message.
18 Jesus was a man of tender warmth and deep
feelings. Others thus found him to be
approachable and kind. Even children
felt at ease with him. (Mark 10:13-16) Jesus was impartial. He hated corruption and injustice. (Matthew 21:12, 13) At a time when women received
little respect and had few
privileges, he treated them with dignity.
(John 4:9, 27) Jesus was genuinely humble. On one occasion, he washed the feet of his apostles, a
service usually performed by a
lowly servant.
19 Jesus was sensitive to the needs of others. This
was especially evident when, under
the power of God's spirit, he
performed miracles of healing. (Matthew 14:14)
18.
What qualities of Jesus do you find most appealing?
19.
What example shows that Jesus was sensitive to the needs
of others?
For example, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and
said: "If you just want to, you
can make me clean." Jesus personally
felt this man's pain and suffering. Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the man, saying: "I want to. Be made clean." And
the sick man was healed! (Mark
1:40-42) Can you imagine how that man must
have felt?
FAITHFUL TO THE END
5
20 Jesus set the finest example of loyal obedience to God.
He remained faithful[xix]
[xx] to his heavenly
Father under all kinds of
circumstances and despite all types of opposition and suffering. Jesus firmly and successfully resisted Satan's temptations. (Matthew 4:1-11) At one time,
some of Jesus' own relatives did not
put faith in him, even saying that he was "out of his mind." (Mark
3:21) But Jesus did not let them
influence him; he kept right on doing
God's work. Despite
insults and abuse, Jesus maintained self-control,
never trying to harm his opposers.-1 Peter 2:21-23.
21 Jesus remained faithful until death—a cruel and painful death at the hands of his enemies.
(Philippians 2:8) Consider what he
endured on the last day of his life as a human. He was arrested, accused by false
witnesses, convicted by corrupt
judges, laughed at by mobs, and tortured
by soldiers. Nailed to a stake, he took his last breath, crying out: "It has been accomplished!" (John 19: 30) However, on the third day after Jesus died,
his heavenly Father resurrected him back
to spirit life[xxi]
[xxii]. (1 Peter
3:18) A few weeks later, he returned to heaven. There, he "sat down at the right hand of God"
and waited to receive kingly power.—Hebrews 10:12, 13.
22 What did Jesus accomplish by remaining faithful until death? Jesus' death actually opens to us the
opportunity for eternal life on a
paradise earth, in harmony with
Jehovah's original purpose. How Jesus' death makes that possible will be discussed in the next
chapter.
22. What did Jesus accomplish by remaining faithful
until death?
WHAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES n Fulfilled prophecy and God's own testimony prove that Jesus is the Messiah, or Christ. —Matthew 16:16. n Jesus lived in heaven as a spirit creature long before he came to earth.—John 3:13. n Jesus was a teacher, a man of tender warmth, and an example of perfect obedience to God.—Matthew 9:35, 36. |
The Ransom
—God's Greatest Gift
What is the ransom?
How was it provided?
What
can it mean for you?
How
can you show that you
appreciate it?
WHAT is the greatest gift you have ever received?
A gift does not have to be expensive
to be important. After all, the true
value of a gift is not necessarily measured in terms of money. Rather, when a gift brings you happiness or fills a
real need in your life, it has great value to you personally.
2 Of the
many gifts you could ever hope to receive, there is one that stands out above all others. It is a gift from God to mankind. Jehovah has given us
many things, but his greatest gift to us is the ransom sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 20:28) As
we will see in this chapter, the
ransom is the most valuable gift you could possibly receive, for it can bring
you untold happiness and can fill
your most important needs. The ransom
is really the greatest expression of Jehovah's love for you.
1, 2. (a) When does a gift have great value to you
personally? (b) Why can it be said that
the ransom is the most valuable gift you could
ever receive?
WHAT IS THE RANSOM?
3 Put simply, the ransom is Jehovah's means to deliver, or save, humankind from sin and death[xxiii]
[xxiv]. (Ephesians 1:7) To grasp the meaning of this Bible teaching,
we need to think back to what
happened in the garden of Eden. Only
if we understand what Adam lost when he sinned can we appreciate why the ransom
is such a valuable gift to us.
4 When he created Adam, Jehovah gave him something truly precious—perfect human life. Consider
what that meant for Adam. Made with
a perfect body and mind, he would
never get sick, grow old, or die. As a perfect
human, he had a special relationship with Jehovah. The Bible says that Adam was a "son of God." (Luke 3:38) So Adam enjoyed a close relationship with
Jehovah God, like that of a son
with a loving father. Jehovah communicated
with his earthly son, giving Adam satisfying assignments of work and letting him know what was expected of him.—Genesis 1:28-30; 2:16, 17.
Adam was made
"in God's image." (Genesis 1:27) That did not mean that Adam resembled God in appearance. As we learned in Chapter 1 of this book,
Jehovah is an invisible spirit. (John 4:24) So Jehovah does not have a body of flesh and blood. Being made in
God's image meant that Adam was created with qualities like those of God, including love, wisdom, justice, and
power. Adam was like his Father in
another important way in that he
possessed free will. Hence, Adam was not like
3.
What is the ransom,
and what do we need to understand in order to appreciate this valuable gift?
4.
What did
perfect human life mean for Adam?
5. What does the Bible mean when it says that
Adam was made "in God's
image"?
The Ransom—God's
Greatest Gift 49
a machine that can
perform only what it is designed or
programmed to do. Instead, he could make personal decisions, choosing between
right and wrong. If he had chosen to
obey God, he would have lived forever in Paradise on earth.
6
Clearly, then, when Adam disobeyed God and was condemned to death, he paid a very high price. His sin cost him his perfect human life with all its
blessings. (Genesis 3:17-19) Sadly,
Adam lost this precious life not only for himself but also for his future
offspring. God's Word says:
"Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned."
(Romans 5:12) Yes, all of us have
inherited sin from Adam. Hence, the Bible
says that he "sold" himself and his offspring into slavery to sin and death. (Romans 7:14) There was
no hope for Adam or Eve because they
willfully chose to disobey God. But
what about their offspring, including us?
Jehovah came to mankind's rescue by means of the ransom. What is a ransom? The idea of a ransom
basically involves two things.
First, a ransom is the price paid to bring
about a release or to buy something back. It might be compared to the price
paid for the release of a prisoner
of war. Second, a ransom is the price that covers, or pays, the cost of something. It is similar to the
price paid to cover the damages
caused by an injury. For example, if
a person causes an accident, he would have to pay an amount that fully corresponds to, or equals, the
value of what was damaged.
6. When Adam disobeyed
God, what did he lose, and how were his offspring affected?
7, 8. A ransom
basically involves what two things?
8 How would it be possible to cover the enormous
loss that Adam inflicted on all of us
and to release us from slavery to sin
and death? Let us consider the ransom that Jehovah provided and what this can mean for you.
HOW
JEHOVAH PROVIDED
THE
RANSOM
9 Since a
perfect human life was lost, no imperfect human life could ever buy it back. (Psalm 49:7, 8) What was needed was a
ransom equal in value to what was lost.
This is in harmony with the principle of perfect justice found in God's Word, which says: "Soul
will be for soul." (Deuteronomy
19:21) So, what would cover the value
of the perfect human soul, or life, that Adam lost? Another perfect human life was the "corresponding ransom[xxv]
[xxvi]" that was
required. 1 Timothy 2:6.
10 How
did Jehovah provide the ransom? He sent one of his perfect spirit sons to the earth. But Jehovah did not send just any spirit creature. He sent the one
most precious to him, his
only-begotten Son. (1 John 4:9, 10) Willingly,
this Son left his heavenly home. (Philippians 2:7) As we learned in the preceding chapter of this book, Jehovah performed a miracle when he transferred the life
of this Son to the womb of Mary[xxvii]
[xxviii]. By means of God's holy
spirit, Jesus was born as a perfect human and was not under the penalty of sin. Luke 1:35.
11 How could one man serve as a ransom for many, in
fact, millions of humans? Well, how
did humans numbering into the
millions come to be sinners in the first place? Recall that by sinning, Adam lost the precious
9.
What
sort of ransom was required?
10.
How did Jehovah provide the
ransom?
11.
How could one man serve as a ransom for millions?
The Ransom—God's Greatest Gift 51
possession of perfect
human life. Hence, he could not pass
it on to his offspring. Instead, he could pass on only sin and death. Jesus, whom the Bible calls
"the last Adam," had a
perfect human life, and he never sinned. (1 Corinthians 15:45) In a sense, Jesus stepped into Adam's place in order to save us. By sacrificing,
or giving up, his perfect life in
flawless obedience to God, Jesus paid
the price for Adam's sin. Jesus thus brought hope to Adam's offspring.—Romans 5:19; 1 Corinthians
15: 21, 22.
12 The Bible describes in detail the suffering that
Jesus endured before his death. He
experienced harsh whipping, cruel
impalement, and an agonizing death on a torture stake. (John 19:1, 16-18, 30; Appendix, pages 204-6) Why was it necessary for Jesus to
suffer so much? In a later chapter of
this book, we will see that Satan has
questioned whether Jehovah has any human servants who would remain
faithful under trial. By enduring
faithfully in spite of great suffering, Jesus gave the best possible answer to Satan's challenge. Jesus proved that a perfect man possessing free will
could keep perfect integrity to God
no matter what the Devil did. Jehovah must have rejoiced greatly over the
faithfulness of his dear
Son!—Proverbs 27:11.
13 How was the ransom paid? On the 14th day of the Jewish month Nisan
in 33 C.E., God allowed his perfect and sinless Son to be executed. Jesus thus sacrificed
his perfect
human life "once for all time." (Hebrews 10:10) On the third day
after Jesus died, Jehovah raised him back to
spirit life.[xxix] [xxx] In heaven, Jesus
presented to God the value of his perfect human life sacrificed as a ransom in
The
Ransom—God's Greatest Gift 53
exchange for Adam's
offspring. (Hebrews 9:24) Jehovah accepted
the value of Jesus' sacrifice as the ransom needed to deliver mankind from slavery to sin and death. —Romans 3:23, 24.
WHAT THE RANSOM CAN
MEAN FOR YOU
14 Despite our sinful condition, we can enjoy
priceless blessings because of the ransom. Let us consider some of the present and future benefits of this greatest
gift from God.
15 The forgiveness of sins. Because of inherited imperfection, we have a real struggle to do what is
right. All of us sin either in word or in deed. But by means of Jesus' ransom sacrifice, we can receive "the
forgiveness of our sins."
(Colossians 1:13, 14) To gain that forgiveness, however, we must be truly repentant. We must also humbly
appeal to Jehovah, asking his forgiveness on the
basis of our faith in the ransom sacrifice of his Son. —1 John 1:8, 9.
16 A clean conscience before God. A guilty conscience can easily lead to hopelessness and make us feel worthless. Through the forgiveness made possible by
the ransom, though, Jehovah kindly
enables us to worship him with a clean
conscience despite our imperfection.
(Hebrews 9:13, 14) This makes it possible for us to have freeness of speech with Jehovah. Therefore, we can freely approach him in prayer. (Hebrews
4:14- 16) Maintaining a clean
conscience gives peace of mind, promotes
self-respect, and contributes to happiness.
14, 15. To receive
"the forgiveness of our sins," what must we do? 16. What enables us to worship God with a clean
conscience, and what is the value of
such a conscience?
Getting
to know
more about Jehovah
is one way to show
that you appreciate
his gift of the
ransom
17 The hope of
everlasting life on a paradise earth. "The wages sin pays is
death," says Romans 6.23 The same verse adds: "But the gift God gives
is everlasting life by Christ Jesus
our Lord." In Chapter 3 of this book, we discussed the blessings of the coming earthly Paradise. (Revelation 21:3, 4) All those future blessings,
including life everlasting in
perfect health, are made possible because
Jesus died for us. To receive those blessings, we need to show that we appreciate the gift of the
ransom.
HOW
CAN YOU SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION?
18
Why should we be deeply grateful to
Jehovah for the ransom? Well, a gift
is especially precious when it involves
a sacrifice of time, effort, or expense on the part of the giver. Our heart is touched when we see
that a gift is an expression of the
giver's genuine love for us. The ransom
is the most precious of all gifts, for God made the greatest sacrifice ever in providing it. "God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten
Son,"
17.
What
blessings are made possible because Jesus died for us?
18.
Why should we be grateful to
Jehovah for the provision of the ransom?
The Ransom—God's
Greatest Gift SS
says John 3:16. The ransom is the most outstanding
evidence of Jehovah's love for us.
It is also proof of Jesus' love, for
he willingly gave his life in our behalf. (John 15: 13) The gift of the ransom
should therefore convince us that
Jehovah and his Son love us as individuals.—Galatians 2:20.
19 How, then, can you demonstrate that you appreciate God's gift of the ransom? To begin with, get to know more about the Great Giver, Jehovah. (John 17:3) A study of the Bible with the aid of this publication will help you to do that.
As you grow in knowledge of Jehovah, your love for him will deepen. In turn, that love will make you want to please him.-1 John 5:3.
20 Exercise faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice. Jesus himself said: "He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life." (John 3:36) How can we exercise faith
in Jesus? Such faith is not shown by
words alone. "Faith without works
is dead," says James 2:26. Yes, true faith is proved by "works," that is, by our actions. One
way to show that we have faith in
Jesus is by doing our best to imitate
him not just in what we say but also in what we do. —John 13:15.
21 Attend the annual observance
of the Lord's Evening Meal. On
the evening of Nisan 14, 33 C.E., Jesus introduced a special observance that the Bible calls "the Lord's evening meal." (1 Corinthians 11:20;
Matthew 26:26-28) This observance is
also called the Memorial of Christ's
death. Jesus instituted it to help his apostles and
19, 20. In what ways can you show that you appreciate God's gift of the
ransom?
21, 22. (a) Why should we attend
the annual observance of the Lord's Evening Meal? (b) What
will be explained in Chapters 6 and 7?
56 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
all true
Christians after them to bear in mind that by means of his death as a perfect
human, he gave his soul, or life, as a ransom. Regarding this observance, Jesus commanded:
"Keep doing this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19)
Observing the Memorial reminds us of the great love shown by both Jehovah and Jesus in connection with the
ransom. We can show our appreciation for the ransom by being present at the yearly observance of the Memorial of
Jesus' death.*
22 Jehovah's provision of the ransom is indeed an invaluable gift. (2
Corinthians 9:14, 15) This priceless gift can benefit even those who have died. Chapters 6 and 7 will explain how.
* For more information about the meaning of the Lord's
Evening Meal, see the Appendix, pages 206-8.
WHAT THE
BIBLE TEACHES n The ransom is
Jehovah's means to deliver human
kind from sin and death. —Ephesians 1:7. n Jehovah provided
the,
ransom by sending his only-begotten Son to earth to die for us. —1
John 4:9, 10. n By means of the
ransom, we gain the forgiveness
of sins, a clean conscience, and the
hope of everlasting life.-1 John 1:8, 9. n We show that we
appreciate the ransom by getting to
know more about Jehovah, by exercising faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice, and by attending the Lord's Evening Meal. —John 3:16. |
CHAPTER SIX ●
What happens to us when we die?
Why do we die?
Would it be comforting to know
the truth about death?
THESE are questions that people have thought
about for thousands of years. They
are important questions. No matter
who we are or where we live, the answers concern each one of us.
2 In the preceding chapter, we discussed how the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ opened the way to
everlasting life. We also learned that the Bible foretells a time when "death will be no more."
(Revelation 21:4) Meanwhile, we all
die. "The living are conscious that they will die," said wise King Solomon. (Ecclesiastes
9:5) We try to live as long as possible. Still, we wonder what will happen to
us when we die.
3 When
our loved ones die, we mourn. And we may ask: 'What has happened to them? Are they suffering? Are they watching over us? Can we help them? Will
we ever see them again?' The world's
religions offer differing answers to these questions. Some teach that if you
live a good life, you will go to
heaven but if you live a bad life, you
will burn in a place of torment. Other religions teach that at death, people
pass on to the spirit realm to be with
their ancestors. Still other religions teach that
the dead go to an underworld to be
judged and are then reincarnated, or
reborn in another body.
4 Such
religious teachings all share one basic idea—that some part of us
survives the death of the physical body. According to almost every religion, past and
present, we somehow live on forever
with the ability to see, hear, and think.
Yet, how can that be? Our senses,
along with our thoughts, are all linked to the workings of our brain. At death, the brain stops working. Our memories,
feelings, and senses do not continue
to function independently in some
mysterious way. They do not survive the destruction of our brain.
WHAT
REALLY HAPPENS AT DEATH?
5 What
happens at death is no mystery to Jehovah, the Creator of the brain. He knows
the truth, and in his Word, the
Bible, he explains the condition of the dead. Its clear teaching is this: When a person dies,
he ceases to exist.[xxxi] [xxxii] Death is the opposite of life. The
dead do not see or hear or think. Not even one part of us survives the death of
the body. We do not possess an immortal soul or spirit.*
6 After
Solomon observed that the living know that they will die, he wrote: "As for the dead, they are conscious
of nothing at all.[xxxiii] [xxxiv] " He then enlarged on that basic truth by saying that the dead can neither love
nor hate and that "there is no
work nor devising nor knowledge nor
wisdom in [the grave]." (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10) Similarly, Psalm
146:4 says that when a man dies, "his
* For a discussion of the words "soul" and
"spirit," please see the Appendix, pages
208-11 (Skip).
Where Are the Dead?
thoughts do perish." We are mortal and do not survive the death of our body. The life we enjoy is like the flame of a candle. When
the flame is put out, it does not go anywhere.
It is simply gone.
WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT DEATH
7 Jesus
Christ spoke about the condition of
the dead. He did so with regard to Lazarus,
a man whom he knew well and who had
died. Jesus told his disciples: "Lazarus
our friend has gone to rest." The disciples
thought that Jesus meant that Lazarus
was resting in sleep, recovering from
an illness. They were wrong. Jesus
explained. "Lazarus has died." (John 11:11-14) Notice that Jesus compared death
to rest and sleep Lazarus was neither
in heaven nor in a burning hell. He was not meeting angels or ancestors. Lazarus was not being reborn
as another human. He was at rest in
death, as though in a deep sleep
without dreams. Other scriptures also compare death to sleep. For example, when the disciple Stephen was stoned to death, the Bible says that he
"fell asleep." (Acts 7:60)
Similarly, the apostle Paul wrote about some in his day who had "fallen
asleep" in death.-1 Corinthians
15:6.
8 Was it God's original purpose for people to die? Not at all! Jehovah
made man to live forever on earth. As we learned earlier in this book, God placed the first human couple in a
delightful paradise. He blessed them with
60 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
perfect
health. Jehovah wanted only good for them. Does any loving parent want his children to suffer the pain of old age and death? Of course not! Jehovah
loved his children and wanted them
to enjoy endless happiness on earth.
Concerning humans, the Bible says: "Time indefinite [Jehovah] has put in their heart."
(Ecclesiastes 3:11) God created us
with the desire to live forever. And he has opened the way for that desire to be fulfilled.
WHY HUMANS DIE
9 Why,
then, do humans die? To find the answer, we must consider what happened when there was only one man and one woman on earth. The Bible explains:
"Jehovah God made to grow out
of the ground every tree desirable to
one's sight and good for food." (Genesis 2:9) However, there was one restriction. Jehovah told
Adam: "From every tree of the
garden you may eat to satisfaction.
But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die." (Genesis 2:16,
17) This command was not difficult
to obey. There were many other trees
from which Adam and Eve could eat. But they now received a special opportunity to show their gratitude to the One who had given them everything,
including perfect life. Their
obedience would also show that they respected the authority of their heavenly
Father and that they wanted his
loving direction.
10 Sadly, the first human couple chose to disobey
Jehovah. Speaking through a serpent,
Satan asked Eve: "Is it really
so that God said you must not eat from every tree of the garden?" Eve replied: "Of the
fruit of the trees of the garden we
may eat. But as for eating of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said, `You must
not eat from it, no, you must not touch it that you do not die.' "—Genesis
3:1-3.
"You positively
will not die," said Satan. "God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like
God, knowing good and bad."
(Genesis 3:4, 5) Satan wanted
9. What restriction
did Jehovah place upon Adam, and why was this command not difficult to obey?
10, 11. (a) How did
the first human couple come to disobey God? (b) Why was the disobedience of Adam and Eve a serious matter?
62 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
Eve to believe that she would benefit by eating
the forbidden fruit. According to
him, she could decide for herself what
was right and what was wrong; she could do what she wanted. Satan also charged that Jehovah had lied about the consequences of eating the fruit. Eve
believed Satan. So she picked some
of the fruit and ate it. She then
gave some to her husband, and he too ate some of it. They did not act in ignorance. They knew that they were doing exactly what God had told them not to do. By eating the fruit, they deliberately disobeyed a
simple and reasonable command. They
showed contempt for their heavenly
Father and his authority. Such disrespect for their loving Creator was
inexcusable!
12 To illustrate: How would you feel if you raised
and cared for a son or a daughter
who then disobeyed you in a way that
showed that he or she had no respect or love for you? That would cause you much heartache. Imagine, then, how hurt Jehovah must have felt when both Adam and Eve took a course of opposition to him.
13
Jehovah had no reason to sustain disobedient Adam and Eve forever. They died, just as he had said
they would. Adam
and Eve ceased to exist. They did not pass on to the spirit realm. We know this because of
what Jehovah said to Adam after
confronting him with his disobedience.
God said: "You [will] return to the ground, for out of it you were taken.
For dust you are and to dust you will
return." (Genesis 3:19) God had made Adam from the dust of the ground. (Genesis 2:7) Before that,
Adam did not exist. Therefore, when
Jehovah said that Adam would return
to the dust, He meant that Adam would return to a state
of nonexistence.
Adam would be as lifeless as the dust
from which he was made.
" Adam and Eve could have been alive today,
but they died because they chose to
disobey God and thus sinned. The
reason we die is that Adam's sinful condition as well as death was passed on to all of his descendants. (Romans 5:12)
That sin is like a terrible inherited disease from which no one can escape. Its consequence, death, is a curse. Death
is an enemy, not a friend. (1 Corinthians 15:26) How grateful we can be that Jehovah provided the ransom to rescue us from this dreadful enemy!
12. What may help us to
understand how Jehovah felt when Adam and
Eve took a course of opposition to him?
13. What did Jehovah say
would happen to Adam at death, and what does this mean?
14. Why do we die?
KNOWING THE TRUTH
ABOUT DEATH IS BENEFICIAL
15 What the Bible teaches
about the condition of the dead is comforting[xxxv]
[xxxvi]. As we have seen, the
dead do not suffer pain or
heartache. There is no reason to be afraid of them, for they cannot harm us. They do not need our help, and they
cannot help us. We cannot speak with them, and they cannot speak with us. Many
religious leaders falsely claim that
they can help those who have died,
and people who believe such leaders give them money. But knowing the truth protects us from being deceived by those
who teach such lies.
16 Does
your religion agree with what the Bible teaches about
the dead[xxxvii]
[xxxviii]? Most do not. Why?
Because their teachings have been
influenced by Satan. He uses false religion to get people to believe that after their body dies, they will continue to live in the spirit realm. This
is a lie that Satan combines with
other lies to turn people away from Jehovah
God. How so?
17 As
noted earlier, some religions teach that if a person lives a bad life ,after
death he will go to a place of fiery torment to suffer
forever. This teaching
dishonors God[xxxix]
[xl]. Jehovah is a
God of love and would never make people suffer in this way. (1 John 4:8) How would you feel about a man who punished a disobedient child by holding
his hands in a fire? Would you respect such a man? In fact, would you even want to get to know him? Definitely
not! You would likely think that he was very cruel. Yet, Satan wants us to believe that Jehovah tortures people
in fire forever for countless
billions of years!
15. Why is it comforting to know the truth about death?
16. Who has influenced the
teachings of many religions, and in what way?
17. Why does the
teaching of eternal torment dishonor Jehovah?
18 Satan also uses some religions to teach that after death people become spirits who must be
respected and honored by the living.
According to this teaching, the
spirits of the dead can become powerful friends or terrible enemies. Many people believe this lie.
They fear the dead and give them
honor and worship. In contrast, the
Bible teaches that the dead are sleeping and that we should worship only the true God, Jehovah, our Creator and
Provider.—Revelation 4:11.
19 Knowing
the truth about the dead protects you from being misled by religious lies. It also
helps you to understand other Bible
teachings. For example, when you realize
that people do not pass on to the spirit realm at death, the promise of everlasting life on a
paradise earth takes on real meaning
for you.
20 Long
ago, the righteous man Job raised this question: "If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?" (Job 14:14) Can a lifeless person who is sleeping in
death be brought back to life? What
the Bible teaches about this is deeply
comforting, as the next chapter will show.
18. Worship of the dead is based on what religious lie?
19. Knowing the truth
about death helps us to understand what other Bible teaching?
20.
What question will we consider in the next chapter?
WHAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES n The dead do not
see or hear or think. —Ecclesiastes 9:5. n The dead are at
rest; they do not suffer. —John 11:11. n
We die because we inherited sin from Adam. —Romans 5:12. |
CHAPTER SEVEN
Real Hope for Your Loved
Ones
Who
Have Died
How do we know that the resurrection
will really happen?
How does Jehovah feel about resurrecting
the dead?
Who will be
resurrected?
IMAGINE that you
are running away from a vicious enemy. He is much stronger and faster than you are. You know that he is
merciless because you have seen him kill some of your friends. No matter how hard you try to outrun him, he keeps
getting closer. There seems to be no hope. Suddenly, though, a rescuer appears at your side. He is far more
powerful than your enemy, and he promises to help you. How relieved that makes you feel!
2 In a sense, you are being pursued by
such an enemy. All of us are. As we learned in the preceding chapter, the Bible calls death
an enemy. None of us can outrun it or fight it off. Most of us have seen this enemy claim the lives of people
dear to us. But Jehovah is far more powerful than death. He is the loving Rescuer who has already
shown
that he can defeat this enemy. And he promises to destroy this enemy, death, once
and for all. The Bible teaches: "As the last enemy, death is to be brought
to nothing." (1 Corinthians 15:26) That is good news!
1-3. What enemy pursues all of us, and why will
considering what the Bible teaches
bring us some relief?
Real
Hope for Your Loved Ones Who Have Died 67
Let us take a brief
look at how the enemy death affects
us when it strikes. Doing this will help us to appreciate something that will make us happy. You see, Jehovah promises that the dead will live again.
(Isaiah 26: 19) They will be brought back to life. That is the hope of the resurrection.
WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES
4 Have you lost a loved one in death? The pain,
the grief, and the feelings of
helplessness can seem unbearable.
At such times, we need to go to God's Word for comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) The Bible helps us to understand how Jehovah and Jesus feel about death.
Jesus, who perfectly reflected his
Father, knew the pain of losing someone in death. (John 14:9) When he
was in Jerusalem, Jesus used to visit
Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and
Martha, who lived in the nearby town of Bethany. They became close friends. The Bible says: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." (John
11:5) As we learned in the preceding
chapter, though, Lazarus died.
How did Jesus feel
about losing his friend? The account
tells us that Jesus joined Lazarus' relatives and friends as they grieved over this loss. Seeing
them, Jesus was deeply moved. He
"groaned in the spirit and became troubled."
Then, the account says, "Jesus gave way to tears." (John 11:33, 35) Did Jesus' grief mean that he had no
hope? Not at all. In fact, Jesus knew that something wonderful was about to happen. (John 11:3, 4)
Still, he felt the pain and sorrow
that death brings.
6 In a way, Jesus' grief is encouraging to us. It teaches
4. (a) Why does
Jesus' reaction to the death of a loved one teach us about Jehovah's feelings? (b) Jesus developed
what special friendship?
5,
6. (a) How did Jesus respond when he was with Lazarus' grieving family and friends? (b) Why is Jesus' grief
encouraging to us?
68 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
us that Jesus and
his Father, Jehovah, hate death. But Jehovah God is able to fight and overcome that enemy! Let us see what
God enabled Jesus to do.
"LAZARUS, COME
ON OUT!"
7 Lazarus
had been buried in a cave, and Jesus asked that the stone sealing its entrance be taken away. Martha objected because after four days, Lazarus'
body must have begun to decay. (John
11:39) From a human standpoint, what
hope was there?
8 The
stone was rolled away, and Jesus cried out with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come on out!" What happened? "The man that had been dead came out."
(John 11:43, 44) Can you imagine the
joy of the people there? Whether
Lazarus was their brother, relative, friend, or neighbor, they knew that he had
died. Yet, here he was—the same dear
man—standing among them again. That must have seemed too good to be true. Many no doubt embraced Lazarus joyfully. What a victory over death!
9 Jesus
did not claim to perform this amazing miracle on his own. In his prayer just before calling out to Lazarus, he made it clear that Jehovah was the Source
of the resurrection. (John 11:41,
42) This was not the only time that Jehovah used his power in this way. The
resurrection of Lazarus is just one
of nine miracles of this kind recorded in God's Word.* To read and study these
accounts is a
* The other accounts are found at 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:3237;
13:20, 21; Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 7:11-17; 8:40-56; Acts 9:36-42; and 20:7-12.
7, 8. Why might the case of Lazarus have seemed hopeless to human onlookers, but what did Jesus do?
9, 10. (a) How did Jesus reveal the Source of his power
to resurrect Lazarus? (b) What are some of the benefits of reading the
Bible's resurrection accounts?
70 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
delight. They teach us that God is not partial,
for the resurrected ones include
young and old, male and female, Israelite
and non-Israelite. And what joy is described in these passages! For example,
when Jesus raised a young girl from the dead, her parents "were beside
themselves with great ecstasy."
(Mark 5:42) Yes, Jehovah had given them
a cause for joy that they would never forget.
1° Of
course, those resurrected by Jesus eventually died again. Does this mean that it was pointless to
resurrect them? Not at all. These
Bible accounts confirm important
truths and give us hope.
LEARNING FROM THE RESURRECTION ACCOUNTS
11 The Bible teaches that the dead "are
conscious of nothing at all."
They are not alive and have no conscious existence anywhere. The account of Lazarus confirms this. Upon returning to life, did Lazarus thrill
people with descriptions of heaven?
Or did he terrify them with horrible
tales about a burning hell? No. The Bible contains no such words from Lazarus. During the four days that he was dead, he had been "conscious of
nothing at all." (Ecclesiastes
9:5) Lazarus had simply been sleeping in
death.—John 11:11.
12 The
account of Lazarus also teaches us that the resurrection is a reality, not a mere myth. Jesus
raised Lazarus in front of a crowd
of eyewitnesses. Even the religious leaders,
who hated Jesus, did not deny this miracle. Rather, they said: "What are we to do, because this man [Jesus] performs many signs?" (John 11:47) Many
people went to see the resurrected
man. As a result, even more of them
11. How does the account of Lazarus' resurrection help to confirm the truth
recorded at Ecclesiastes 9:5?
12. Why can we be sure that the resurrection of Lazarus really happened?
put faith in Jesus.
They saw in Lazarus living proof that Jesus
was sent by God. This evidence was so powerful that some of the hardhearted Jewish religious leaders
planned to kill both Jesus and
Lazarus. John 11:53; 12:9-11.
13 Is it unrealistic to accept the resurrection as a
fact? No, for Jesus taught that
someday "all those in the memorial
tombs" will be resurrected. (John 5:28) Jehovah is the Creator of
all life. Should it be hard to believe that
he can re-create life? Of course, much would depend on Jehovah's memory. Can he remember our dead
loved ones? Countless trillions of
stars fill the universe, yet God gives
the name of each one! (Isaiah 40:26) So Jehovah God
can remember[xli]
[xlii] our dead loved ones
in every detail, and he is ready to restore them to life.
14 How, though, does Jehovah feel about resurrecting the dead? The Bible teaches that he is eager to
raise the dead. The faithful man Job
asked: "If an able-bodied man dies
can he live again?" Job was speaking about waiting in the grave until the time came for God to
remember him. He said to Jehovah:
"You will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a
yearning."—Job 14:13-15.
15 Just think! Jehovah actually yearns to bring the
dead back to life. Is it not
heartwarming to learn that Jehovah feels
that way? But what about this future resurrection? Who will be resurrected, and where?
"ALL
THOSE IN THE MEMORIAL TOMBS"
16 The Bible's
resurrection accounts teach us much
13. What basis do we
have for believing that Jehovah really can resurrect the dead?
14, 15. As illustrated
by what Job said, how does Jehovah feel about bringing the dead back to life?
16. The dead will be resurrected to live in what
kind of conditions?
72 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
about the resurrection to come. People who were
restored to life right here on earth
were reunited with their loved ones.
The future resurrection will be similar—but much better. As we learned in Chapter 3, God's purpose is that the whole
earth be made into a paradise. So the dead will not be raised to life in a world filled with war, crime, and sickness. They will have an opportunity to live
forever on this earth in peaceful
and happy conditions.
17 Who
will be resurrected? Jesus said that "all those
in the memorial tombs will hear his
[Jesus'] voice and come out."
(John 5:28, 29) Similarly, Revelation 20:13 says: "The sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades gave up those dead in them."
"Hades" refers to the
common grave of mankind. (See the Appendix, pages 212-13.) This collective grave will be emptied. All those billions who rest there will live again. The
apostle Paul said: "There is
going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) What does that mean?
18
"The righteous" include many of the people we read about in the Bible who lived before Jesus came to
the earth. You might think of Noah,
Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Ruth, Esther,
and many others. Some of these men and women
of faith are discussed in the 1 lth chapter of Hebrews. But "the righteous" also include
Jehovah's servants who die in our
time. Thanks to the resurrection hope, we may be freed from any dread of dying.—Hebrews 2:15.
19 What about all the people who did not serve or
obey Jehovah because they never knew about
him[xliii] [xliv]? These bil‑
17. How extensive will the resurrection be?
18.
Who are included among "the righteous"
who are to be resurrected, and how
may this hope affect you personally?
19.
Who are "the unrighteous," and what opportunity does Jehovah kindly give them?
lions of "unrighteous"
ones will not be forgotten. They too
will be resurrected and given time to learn about the true God and to serve him. During a period of a
thousand years, the dead will be
resurrected and given an opportunity
to join faithful humans on earth in serving Jehovah. It will be a wonderful time. This period is what
the Bible refers to as Judgment Day.*
20 Does this mean that every human who ever lived will
be resurrected? No. The Bible says that some of the dead are in "Gehenna." (Luke 12:5) Gehenna got its name from a garbage dump located outside of
ancient Jerusalem. Dead bodies and
garbage were burned there. The dead
whose bodies were thrown there were considered by the Jews to be unworthy of a burial and a resurrection. So Gehenna is a fitting symbol of
everlasting destruction. Although
Jesus will have a role in judging
the living and the dead, Jehovah is the final Judge. (Acts 10:42) He will never resurrect those whom he judges to be
wicked and unwilling to change.
THE
HEAVENLY RESURRECTION
21 The Bible also refers to another kind of
resurrection[xlv] [xlvi], one to life as a spirit creature in heaven. Only
one example of this type of
resurrection is recorded in the Bible, that
of Jesus Christ.
22
After Jesus was put to death as a human, Jehovah did not allow His faithful Son
to remain in the grave. (Psalm 16:10;
Acts 13:34, 35) God resurrected Jesus, but not as a human. The apostle Peter explains that Christ was
"put
* For more information
on Judgment Day and the basis for judgment,
please see the Appendix, pages 213-15.
20. What is Gehenna,
and who go there?
21, 22. (a) What other
kind of resurrection is there? (b) Who was the first ever to receive a resurrection to spirit life?
74 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
to death in the
flesh, but . . . made alive in the spirit." (1 Peter 3:18) This truly was a great miracle. Jesus was alive again as a mighty spirit person! (1
Corinthians 15: 3-6) Jesus was the
first ever to receive this glorious type of resurrection. (John 3:13) But he would not be the last.
23
Knowing that he would soon return to heaven, Jesus told his faithful followers that he would
"prepare a place" for them
there. (John 14:2) Jesus referred to those going to heaven as his "little flock." (Luke 12:32) How many are to be in this relatively small group of faithful
Christians? According to Revelation
14:1, the apostle John says: "I saw,
and, look! the Lamb [Jesus Christ] standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his
Father written on their
foreheads."
24
These 144,000
Christians, including Jesus' faithful apostles,
are raised to life in heaven. When does their resurrection take place? The apostle Paul wrote that
it would occur during the time of
Christ's presence. (1 Corinthians 15:23) As you will learn in Chapter 9, we
are now living in that time. So
those few remaining ones of the 144,000
who die in our day are instantly resurrected to life in heaven[xlvii]
[xlviii]. (1
Corinthians 15:51-55) The vast majority of mankind, however, have the prospect of being resurrected in the future to life in Paradise on earth.
25 Yes,
Jehovah really will defeat our enemy death, and it will be gone forever! (Isaiah 25:8) Yet, you may wonder, 'What will those resurrected to heaven do there?'
They will form part of a marvelous
Kingdom government in heaven. We
will learn more about that government in the next chapter.
23, 24. Who make up
Jesus' "little flock," and how many will they number?
25. What will be
considered in the next chapter?
Real Hope for Your
Loved Ones Who Have Died 75
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES n The Bible's
resurrection accounts give us a sure
hope. John 11:39-44. n Jehovah is eager
to bring the dead back to life.—Job
14:13-15. n All of those in the
common grave of man‑ |
CHAPTER EIGHT ●
What Is God's
Kingdom?
What does the Bible tell us about
the Kingdom of God?
What will God's Kingdom do?
When will the Kingdom cause God's will
to be done on earth?
MILLIONS
of people worldwide are familiar with the prayer that many call the Our Father, or the Lord's Prayer. Both
expressions refer to a famous prayer given as a model by Jesus Christ himself.
It is a very meaningful prayer, and a consideration of its first three
petitions will help you to learn more about what the Bible really teaches.
2 At the beginning
of this model prayer, Jesus instructed his hearers: "You must pray, then, this way: 'Our
Father
in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take
place, as in heaven, also
upon earth." (Matthew 6:9-13) What is the
significance of these three petitions?
3 We have already
learned a lot about God's name, Jehovah. And to some extent we have discussed God's will—what he has
done and will yet do for mankind. To what, though, was Jesus referring when he told us to pray:
"Let your kingdom come"? What is God's
1.
What famous prayer
will now be examined?
2.
What were three of the things that Jesus taught
his disciples to pray for?
3. What do we need to
know about God's Kingdom?
Kingdom? How will
its coming sanctify God's name, or make
it holy? And how is the coming of the Kingdom related to the doing of God's
will?
4 God's Kingdom is a government established
by Jehovah God with a King chosen
by God. Who is the King of God's
Kingdom? Jesus Christ. Jesus as King is greater than all human rulers and is called "the King of those who rule as kings and Lord of those who rule as
lords." (1
Timothy 6:15) He has the power to do far more good than any human ruler, even the
best among them.
From where will God's Kingdom rule? Well, where is Jesus[xlix]
[l]? You will remember
learning that he was put to death on
a torture stake, and then he was resurrected. Shortly thereafter, he ascended to heaven. (Acts 2:33) Hence, that is where God's Kingdom is—in heaven.
That is why the Bible calls it a
"heavenly kingdom." (2 Timothy 4:18) Although God's Kingdom is in heaven, it will rule over the earth.—Revelation 11:15.
6 What makes Jesus an outstanding King[li] [lii]? For one thing, he will never die. Comparing Jesus with
human kings, the Bible calls him
"the one alone having immortality,
who dwells in unapproachable light." (1 Timothy 6:16) This means that all the good that Jesus does
will last. And he will do great and good
things.
Consider this Bible prophecy about Jesus:
"Upon him the spirit of Jehovah
must settle down, the spirit of wisdom
and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of mightiness, the spirit of knowledge and of the
fear of
4.
What
is God's Kingdom, and who is its King?
5.
From where does God's Kingdom rule, and over what? 6, 7. What makes Jesus an outstanding King?
78 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
Jehovah; and there will be enjoyment by him in the
fear of Jehovah. And he will not
judge by any mere appearance to his
eyes, nor reprove simply according to the thing heard by his ears. And with righteousness he must judge the lowly ones, and with uprightness he must
give reproof in behalf of the meek
ones of the earth." (Isaiah 11:2-4)
Those words show that Jesus was to be a righteous and compassionate King over people on earth.
Would you want to have a ruler like
that?
8 Here is another truth about God's Kingdom: Jesus
will not rule alone. He will have
corulers. For example, the apostle
Paul told Timothy: "If we go on enduring, we shall also rule together as kings." (2 Timothy 2:12) Yes, Paul, Timothy, and other faithful ones who have
been selected by God will rule
together with Jesus in the heavenly
Kingdom. How many will have that privilege?
9 As pointed out in Chapter 7 of this book, the
apostle John was given a vision in
which he saw "the Lamb [Jesus Christ] standing upon the Mount Zion [his royal position in heaven], and
with him a hundred and forty- four
thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads." Who are those 144,000? John himself tells us: "These are the
ones that keep following the Lamb no
matter where he goes. These were bought
from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb." (Revelation 14:1, 4) Yes,
they are faithful followers of
Jesus Christ specially chosen to rule in heaven with him. After being raised out of death to heavenly life, "they are to rule as kings over
the earth" along with Jesus. (Revelation 5:10) Since
the days of the apos‑
8.
Who will rule with Jesus?
9.
How many will rule with Jesus,
and when did God start to choose them?
tles, God has been
selecting faithful Christians in order to
complete the number 144,000.
10 To arrange for Jesus and the 144,000 to rule
mankind is very loving. For one
thing, Jesus knows what it is like to be a human and to suffer[liii] [liv]. Paul said that Jesus
is "not one who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one
who has been tested in all respects like ourselves, but without sin." (Hebrews 4:15; 5:8) His corulers too have suffered and endured as humans. In addition, they have struggled with
imperfection and coped with all kinds of sickness. Surely, they will understand the problems that humans
face!
WHAT
WILL GOD'S KINGDOM DO?
11 When Jesus said that his disciples should pray for God's Kingdom to
come, he also said that they should pray
for God's will to be done "as in heaven, also upon earth." God is in heaven, and his will has
always been done there by the faithful angels. In Chapter 3 of this book, however, we learned that a wicked angel
stopped doing God's will and caused
Adam and Eve to sin. In Chapter 10,
we will learn more about what the Bible teaches regarding that wicked angel, whom we know as Satan the Devil. Satan and the angelic spirit
creatures who chose to follow
him—called demons—were allowed to
stay in heaven for a while. Hence, not all in heaven were then doing God's will. That was to change when God's Kingdom would begin to rule. The newly enthroned King, Jesus Christ, was to wage war on Satan. —Revelation 12:7-9.
10.
Why is it a loving
arrangement for Jesus and the 144,000 to rule over mankind?
11.
Why did Jesus say that his disciples should pray
for God's will to be done in heaven?
12 The
following prophetic words describe what would happen: "I heard a loud voice in heaven say: Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and
the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers [Satan] has
been hurled down, who accuses them
day and night before our God!"
(Revelation 12:10) Did you
notice two very important events
described in that Bible verse? First, God's Kingdom under Jesus Christ begins
to rule. Second, Satan is cast out of
heaven down to the earth.
13 What have been the results of those two events?
Regarding what happened in heaven,
we read: "On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them!" (Revelation 12:12) Yes, the faithful
angels in heaven rejoice because,
with Satan and his demons gone, everyone
in heaven is faithful to Jehovah God. There is complete, unbroken peace and harmony there. God's will is being done in heaven.
14 What, though, about the earth? The Bible says: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because
the Devil has come down to you,
having great anger, knowing he has a
short period of time." (Revelation 12:12) Satan is angry about being cast out of heaven and having just a
short time left. In his anger he
causes distress, or "woe," on earth. We will learn more about that "woe" in the next
chapter. But with that in mind, we could ask, How can the Kingdom cause God's
will to be done on earth?
15 Well, remember what God's will is for the earth.
You learned about it in Chapter 3. In
Eden, God showed that
12.
What
two important events are described at Revelation 12:10?
13.
What has been the result of
Satan's being cast out of heaven?
14.
What has happened because Satan
has been cast down to the earth?
15.
What is God's will for the earth?
his will is for this
earth to be a paradise filled with an undying,
righteous human race. Satan caused Adam and Eve to sin, and that affected the fulfillment of God's will for the earth but did not change it. Jehovah
still purposes that "the
righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon
it." (Psalm 37:29) And God's
Kingdom will accomplish that. In what way?
16 Consider the prophecy found at Daniel 2:44.
There we read: "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought
to ruin. And the kingdom itself will
not be passed on to any other people.
It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand
to times indefinite." What does
this tell us about God's Kingdom?
17 First, it tells us that God's Kingdom was to be
established "in the days of
those kings," or while other kingdoms
still existed. Second, it tells us that the Kingdom will last forever. It will not be conquered and be replaced by some other government. Third, we see
that there will be war between God's
Kingdom and the kingdoms of this
world. God's Kingdom will be victorious. In the end, it will be the only government over mankind. Then humans will enjoy the best rulership they
have ever known.
18 The Bible has much to say about that final war between God's Kingdom and the governments of this world. For example, it teaches that as the end
approaches, wicked spirits will
spread lies to deceive "the kings of the entire inhabited earth." For what purpose? "To gather them [the kings] together to the war of the
great day
16, 17. What does
Daniel 2:44 tell us about God's Kingdom?
18. What is the name
of the final war between God's Kingdom and the governments of this world?
82 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
of God the
Almighty." The kings of the earth will be gathered together to "the place that is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon." (Revelation 16:14, 16) Because
of what is said in those two verses,
the final conflict between human
governments and God's Kingdom is called the battle of Har-Magedon, or Armageddon.
19 What will God's Kingdom achieve by means of Armageddon? Think again about what God's will is
for the earth. Jehovah God purposed
that the earth be filled with a
righteous, perfect human race serving him in Paradise. What prevents that from happening right now? First, we are sinful, and we get sick and die. We
learned in Chapter 5, however, that
Jesus died for us so that we can live
forever. Likely you remember the words recorded in the Gospel of John: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that
everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."—John 3:16.
20
Another problem is that many people do wicked things. They lie, cheat, and commit immorality. They do not want to
do God's will. People who do wicked things will be destroyed
during God's war of Armageddon[lv] [lvi]. (Psalm 37:10) Yet another reason why God's will
is not being done on earth is that
governments do not encourage people
to do it. Many governments have been weak, cruel, or corrupt. The Bible frankly says: "Man has dominated man to his injury." Ecclesiastes 8:9.
21 After Armageddon, mankind will be under just one government, God's Kingdom. That Kingdom will do
God's will and bring wonderful blessings. For example,
19, 20. What prevents
God's will from being done on earth right now?
21. How will the
Kingdom cause God's will to be done on earth?
84 What Daes the Bible Really Mach?
it will remove Satan
and his demons. (Revelation 20:1-3) The power of Jesus' sacrifice will be
applied so that faithful humans will
no longer get sick and die. Instead, under Kingdom rule they will be able to live forever. (Revelation 22:1-3) The earth will be made into a paradise[lvii] [lviii]. Thus the Kingdom will cause God's will to be done on
earth and will sanctify God's name.
What does this mean? It means that eventually under God's Kingdom everyone alive will honor Jehovah's name.
WHEN DOES GOD'S
KINGDOM ACT?
22 When
Jesus told his followers to pray, "Let your kingdom come," it was clear that the Kingdom had
not come at that time. Did it come
when Jesus ascended to heaven? No, because both Peter and
Paul said that after Jesus was resurrected,
the prophecy at Psalm 110:1 was fulfilled in him: "The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord
is: 'Sit at my right hand until I
place your enemies as a stool for your feet."
(Acts 2:32-34; Hebrews 10:12, 13) There was a waiting period.
23 For how long? During the 19th
century, sincere Bible students calculated that the
waiting
period would[lix] [lx]
22.
Why do we know that
God's Kingdom did not come when Jesus was
on earth or immediately after he was resurrected?
23.
(a) When did God's Kingdom begin to rule? (b)
What will be discussed in the next chapter?
Under
Kingdom rule, God's will is going to be
done on earth as it is in heaven
What Is God's
Kingdom? 85
end in
1914.
(Regarding this date, see the Appendix, pages 215-18.) World events that began in
1914 confirm that the calculation of these sincere Bible students was correct. The
fulfillment of Bible prophecy shows that in 1914, Christ
became King and God's heavenly Kingdom began to rule. Hence, we are
living in the "short period of time" that Satan has left. (Revelation 12:12; Psalm
110:2) We can also say
with certainty[lxi] [lxii]that soon God's
Kingdom will
act to cause God's will to be done on earth. Do you find this to be
wonderful news? Do you believe that it is true? The next chapter will help you
to see that the Bible really does teach these things.
CHAPTER NINE
Are We Living
in "the Last Days"?[lxiii] [lxiv]
What events in our time were foretold
in the Bible?
What does God's Word say people would be like
in "the last days"?
Regarding "the last days," what good
things
does the Bible foretell?
HAVE you watched
the news on television and wondered, 'What is this world coming to?' Tragic things happen so suddenly
and unexpectedly that no human can predict what tomorrow will bring. (James 4:14) However,
Jehovah knows what the future holds. (Isaiah 46:10) Long ago his Word,
the Bible, foretold not only the bad things happening in our day but also the wonderful things that will
occur in the near future.
2 Jesus Christ spoke about the Kingdom of God, which will bring an end
to wickedness and make the earth a paradise. (Luke 4:43) People wanted to know when the Kingdom would come.
In fact, Jesus' disciples asked him: "What will be the sign of your presence and of the
conclusion
of the system of things?" (Matthew 24:3) In reply Jesus told them
that only Jehovah God knew exactly when the end of this system of things would come. (Matthew 24:36) But
Jesus did foretell things that would take
Are
We Living in "the Last Days"? 87
place on earth just
before the Kingdom would bring true peace and security to mankind. What he
foretold is now taking place!
3
Before we examine the evidence that we are living in "the conclusion of the system of
things," let us briefly consider
a war that no human could possibly have observed. It took place in the invisible spirit realm, and its outcome affects us.
A WAR IN HEAVEN
4 The
preceding chapter in this book explained that Jesus Christ became King in heaven in the year 1914. (Daniel 7:13, 14)
Soon after he received Kingdom power,
Jesus took action. "War broke out in heaven," says the Bible. "Michael [another name for Jesus] and
his angels battled with the dragon
[Satan the Devil], and the dragon
and its angels battled." Satan and his wicked angels, the demons, lost that war and were cast out of
heaven to the earth. God's faithful
spirit sons rejoiced that Satan and
his demons were gone. Humans, however, would experience no such joy. Instead, the Bible foretold: "Woe for the earth . . . because the Devil has come
down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."—Revelation 12:7, 9, 12.
5 Please notice what would result from the war in
heaven. In his fury, Satan would
bring woe, or trouble, upon those on earth. As you will see, we are now living
in that time of woe. But it will be
relatively brief—only "a short
* For information showing that Michael is another name for Jesus Christ, see the Appendix, pages 218-19.
4, 5. (a) What took
place in heaven soon after Jesus was enthroned as King? (b) According to Revelation 12:12, what was to be the result of the war in heaven?
88
period of time." Even Satan realizes that. The Bible refers to this period as "the
last days." (2 Timothy 3:1) How
glad we can be that God will soon do
away with the Devil's influence over
the earth! Let us consider some of
the things foretold in the Bible
that are happening
right now[lxv] [lxvi]. These prove that we are living in the last days and that God's Kingdom will soon bring everlasting blessings to those who love Jehovah. First, let us examine four features of the sign that Jesus said would mark the time in which we live.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
OF THE LAST DAYS
6 "Nation will
rise against nation
and
kingdom against kingdom." (Mat‑
thew 24:7) Millions of people have
been killed in wars during the past
century. One British historian
wrote:
"The 20th century was the most
murderous in recorded history . . .
It was a century of almost unbroken
war[lxvii] [lxviii], with few and brief
periods
without organised armed con‑
flict somewhere." A report from
the
Worldwatch Institute states:
"Three
times as many people fell victim to
war in [the 20th] century as in all
89
the wars from the first century AD to 1899." More than 100 million people have died as a result of wars since 1914. Even if we know the sorrow of losing one loved
one in warfare, we can only imagine
such misery and pain multiplied millions of
times over.
7 "There will be food shortages." (Matthew 24:7) Researchers say that food production has increased greatly during the past 30 years. Nevertheless, food shortages continue
because many people do not have enough money
to buy food or land on which to raise crops. In developing countries, well over a billion people have to live on an income of a dollar or less a day. The majority of these suffer from chronic hunger. The World Health Organization
estimates that malnutrition plays a
major role in the deaths of more than
five million children each year.
8 "There will be great earthquakes." (Luke 21:11) According to the U.S. Geological Survey, since 1990 alone an average of 17 earthquakes per year have been powerful enough to damage buildings and crack the ground.
8, 9. What shows that Jesus' prophecies about earthquakes and pestilences have come true?
90
And on an average, earthquakes strong enough to cause total destruction of buildings have occurred yearly. Another source states: "Earthquakes have claimed hundreds of
thousands of lives in the last 100 years and improvements in technology have only slightly reduced the death
toll."
9 "There will be . . . pestilences." (Luke 21:11) Despite medical advances, old and new diseases plague mankind. One report says that 20 well-known diseases—including tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera—have become more common in recent decades, and some types of disease are
increasingly difficult to cure by
means of drugs. In fact, at least 30
new diseases have appeared. Some of
them have no known cure and are
fatal.
PEOPLE
OF THE LAST DAYS
10
Aside from identifying certain world
developments, the Bible foretold that
the last days would be marked by a
change in human society. The apostle
Paul described what people in
general would be like. At 2 Timothy
3:1-5, we read: "In the last days
critical times hard to deal with
10. What traits
foretold at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 do you see in
people today?
I a.
...,_
.,,,,,• .„, ”
91
will be
here." In part, Paul said that people would be
n lovers of themselves
n lovers ofmoney
n disobedient to parents
n disloyal
n having no natural affection
n without self-control
n fierce
n
lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God
n
having a form of godly devotion
but proving false to its power
11 Have people become like that in your community? No doubt they have. There are
people everywhere who have bad traits. This shows that God will soon act, for the Bible says: "When
the wicked ones sprout as the vegetation and all the
practicers of what is hurtful blossom forth, it is that they may be annihilated forever."—Psalm
92:7.
POSITIVE
DEVELOPMENTS!
12 The last days are indeed filled with woe, just as the
Bible foretold.
11. How does Psalm 92:7 describe what will happen to the wicked ones?
12,
13. How has "true knowledge" become abundant in this "time of the end"?
92 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
In this troubled world, however, there are
positive developments among the
worshipers of Jehovah.
13 "The true knowledge will become abundant," the Bible
book of Daniel foretold. When would that happen? During "the time of the end." (Daniel 12:4) Especially since 1914, Jehovah has helped those who truly
desire to serve him to grow in
understanding of the Bible. They have
grown in appreciation of precious truths about God's name and purpose, the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the condition of the dead, and the
resurrection. Moreover, worshipers
of Jehovah have learned how to live
their lives in a way that benefits them and brings praise to God. They have
also gained a clearer
understanding[lxix] [lxx] of the role of
God's Kingdom and how it will set
matters straight on the earth. What do they do with this knowledge? That question brings us to yet
another prophecy that is being
fulfilled in these last days.
14 "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth," said Jesus Christ in his prophecy about "the conclusion of the system of
things." (Matthew 24:3, 14)
Throughout the earth, the good news of the
Kingdom—what the Kingdom is, what it will do, and how we can receive its blessings—is being
preached in over 230 lands and in
more than 400 languages. Millions of
Jehovah's Witnesses zealously preach the Kingdom good news. They come from "all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues." (Revelation 7:9) The
Witnesses conduct free home Bible
studies with millions of people who
want to know what the Bible really teaches. What an impressive fulfillment of prophecy, especially
since Jesus foretold that true
Christians would be "objects of hatred by all people" !—Luke 21:17.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
15 Since so many Bible prophecies are being
fulfilled today, do you not agree
that we are living in the last days? After
the good news is preached to Jehovah's satisfaction, "the end" is certain to come. (Matthew
24:14) "The end" means the
time when God will get rid of wickedness on earth. To destroy all who willfully oppose Him, Jehovah will use Jesus and powerful angels. (2
Thessalonians 1: 6-9) Satan and his
demons will no longer mislead the nations.
After that, God's Kingdom will shower blessings upon all who submit to its righteous rulership.—Revelation 20:1-3; 21:3-5.
16 Since the end of Satan's system is near, we need
to ask ourselves, 'What should I be
doing?' It is wise to continue to
learn more about Jehovah and his requirements for us. (John 17:3) Be a serious student of the Bible[lxxi]
[lxxii]. Make it your habit to associate regularly with others
who seek to do Jehovah's will. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Take in the abundant knowledge that Jehovah God has made
available to people worldwide, and
make necessary changes in your life
so that you may enjoy God's favor.—James 4:8.
17 Jesus foretold that most people would ignore the
evidence that we are living in the
last days. The destruction of the wicked will come suddenly and unexpectedly.
Like a thief in the night, it will
catch most people by surprise. (1
Thessalonians 5:2) Jesus warned: "As the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man
will be. For as they were in those
days before the flood, eating
15.
(a) Do you believe
that we are living in the last days, and why? (b) What will "the end" mean for those who oppose Jehovah and
for those who submit to the
rulership of God's Kingdom?
16.
What would it be wise for you to do?
17.
Why will the destruction of the wicked catch most people by surprise?
and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark;
and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will
be." —Matthew 24:37-39.
18 Hence, Jesus
told his listeners: "Pay attention to yourselves
that your hearts never become weighed down with
overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the
face of all the earth. Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing [with approval] before the Son of man." (Luke 21:34-36)
It is wise to take Jesus' words to heart. Why? Because those having the approval of Jehovah God and "the Son of man," Jesus Christ, have the prospect of surviving[lxxiii] [lxxiv] the end of Satan's system of things and of living forever in the marvelous new world[lxxv] [lxxvi] that is
so close at hand! John 3:16; 2 Peter
3:13.
18. What warning by Jesus should we take to heart?
WHAT THE BIBLE
TEACHES n The last days are marked by wars, food shortages,
earthquakes, and pestilences. —Matthew 24:7;
Luke 21:11. n In the last days,
many love themselves, money, and
pleasures but do not love God. —2
Timothy 3:1-5. n During these last
days, the good news of the Kingdom
is being preached worldwide. —Matthew
24:14. |
Spirit Creatures
—How They Affect Us
Do angels help people?
How have wicked spirits influenced humans?
Do we need to fear wicked spirits?
GETTING to know a
person usually involves learning something about his family. Similarly, getting to know
Jehovah God includes becoming better acquainted with his angelic
family. The Bible calls the angels "sons of God." (Job 38:7) So, what is
their place in God's purpose? Have they played a role in human history? Do angels affect
your life? If so, how?
2 The Bible refers to angels hundreds of times. Let us consider a few of
these references to learn more about angels. Where did angels come from? Colossians 1:16 says: "By means of
him [Jesus Christ] all other things were created in the heavens and upon the earth." Hence,
all the
spirit creatures called angels were individually created by Jehovah God
through his firstborn Son. How many angels are there? The Bible indicates that hundreds of millions of angels
were created, and all of them are powerful.—Psalm 103:20.*
* Regarding righteous angels, Revelation 5:11 says:
"The number of them was
myriads of myriads," or "ten thousand times tens of thousands." (Footnote) So the Bible does indicate
that hundreds of millions of
angels were created.
1. Why should we want to
learn about angels?
2. Where did angels come
from, and how many are there?
Spirit Creatures—How They Affect Us 97
3 God's Word, the Bible, tells us that when the
earth was founded, "all the
sons of God began shouting in applause."
(Job 38:4-7) Angels thus existed long before humans were created, even before the creation of the earth. This Bible passage also shows that angels
have feelings, for it says that they
"joyfully cried out together." Note that "all the
sons of God" rejoiced together. At that time, all the angels were part of a united family
serving Jehovah God.
ANGELIC SUPPORT AND
PROTECTION
4 Ever since they witnessed the creation of the
first humans, faithful spirit
creatures have shown keen interest in
the growing human family and in the outworking of God's purpose. (Proverbs 8:30, 31; 1 Peter 1:11,
12) With the passing of time, however,
the angels observed that most of the
human family turned away from serving their
loving Creator. No doubt this saddened the faithful angels. On the other hand, whenever even one
human returns to Jehovah, "joy
arises among the angels." (Luke 15:10)
Since angels have such deep concern for the welfare of those who serve God, it is no wonder that Jehovah has repeatedly used angels to strengthen and
protect his faithful servants on
earth. (Hebrews 1:7, 14) Consider some
examples.
5 Two
angels helped the righteous man Lot and his daughters to survive the destruction of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by leading them out of
that area. (Genesis 19:15, 16)
Centuries later, the prophet Daniel
was thrown into a lions' pit, but he escaped harm and
3.
What does Job 38:4-7 tell us about angels?
4.
How does the Bible
show that faithful angels are interested in human activities?
5. What examples of angelic support do we find in the Bible?
98 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
said: "My own
God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions." (Daniel 6:22) In the first century C.E., an angel freed the apostle Peter from prison. (Acts
12:6-11) Moreover, angels supported
Jesus at the start of his earthly ministry.
(Mark 1:13) And shortly before Jesus' death, an angel appeared to Jesus and "strengthened him." (Luke 22:43)
What a comfort that must have been for Jesus at those very important times in his life!
6 Today,
angels no longer appear visibly to God's people on earth. Although invisible to human eyes, God's powerful angels still protect his people,
especially from anything spiritually
harmful. The Bible says: "The angel of Jehovah is camping all around those fearing him, and he rescues
them." (Psalm 34:7) Why should those words be of great comfort to us? Because there are dangerous wicked spirit creatures who want to destroy us!
Who are they? Where do they come
from? How are they trying to harm us?
To find out, let us briefly consider something that happened at the start of human history.
SPIRIT
CREATURES WHO ARE OUR ENEMIES[lxxvii] [lxxviii]
7 As we
learned in Chapter 3 of this book, one of the angels developed a desire to rule over others and thus turned against God. Later this angel became known
as Satan the Devil. (Revelation
12:9) During the 16 centuries after he deceived Eve, Satan succeeded in turning
away from God nearly all humans except a few faithful ones, such as Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Hebrews 11:4, 5, 7.
8 In Noah's day,
other angels rebelled against Jehovah.
6.
(a) How do angels
protect God's people today? (b) What questions will we now consider?
7.
To what extent did Satan succeed in turning people
away from God?
8. (a) How did some
angels become demons? (b) To survive the Flood of Noah's day, what did the demons have to do?
Spirit
Creatures—How They Affect Us 99
They left their place in God's heavenly family,
came down to the earth, and took on
fleshly bodies. Why? We read at
Genesis 6:2: "The sons of the true God began to notice the daughters of men, that they were good-
looking; and they went taking wives
for themselves, tamely, all whom
they chose." But Jehovah God did not allow the actions of these angels and the resulting cori uption of mankind to go on. He brought upon the
earth a global flood that swept away
all wicked humans and preserved only
his faithful servants. (Genesis 7:17, 23)
Thus, the rebellious angels, or demons, were forced to abandon their fleshly bodies and return to
heaven as
"My own God sent his angel and
shut the mouth of the lions."
—Daniel 6:22
100 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
spirit creatures. They put themselves on the side
of the Devil, who became "the
ruler of the demons."—Matthew 9:34.
9 When
the disobedient angels returned to heaven, they were treated as outcasts, like their ruler, Satan. (2 Peter 2:4) Although they are now unable to take on
human bodies, they still exercise a
very bad influence over humans. In
fact, with the help of these demons, Satan "is misleading the entire inhabited earth."
(Revelation 12:9; 1 John 5:19) How?
Mainly, the demons use methods designed
to mislead people. (2 Corinthians 2:11) Let us consider some of these methods.
HOW
DEMONS MISLEAD
10 To mislead people, the demons use spiritism. The
practice of spiritism is involvement
with the demons, both in a direct
way and through a human medium. The Bible
condemns spiritism and warns us to keep free from everything connected with it. (Galatians 5:19-21)
Spiritism does for the demons what
bait does for fishermen. A fisherman
uses a variety of baits to catch various kinds of fish. Similarly, wicked spirits use different
forms of spiritism to bring all
sorts of people under their influence.
11 One type of bait used by the demons is divination. What is divination? It is an attempt to find out
about the future or about something
unknown. Some forms of divination
are astrology, the use of tarot cards, crystal gazing, palmistry, and the search for mysterious omens, or signs, in
dreams. Although many people think that practicing divination is harmless, the Bible shows that
9. (a) What happened to
the demons when they returned to heaven?
(b) We will consider what with regard to the demons?
10. What is spiritism?
11. What is
divination, and why should we avoid it?
The demons use various means to deceive people
fortune-tellers and wicked spirits work together.
For instance, Acts 16:16-18 mentions
"a demon of divination" that
enabled a girl to practice "the art of prediction." But she lost this ability when the demon was cast
out of her.
12 Another way that the demons mislead people is by
encouraging them to inquire of the
dead. People grieving over the
death of a loved one are often deceived by wrong ideas about those who have died. A spirit medium may give special information or may speak in a
voice that seems to be that of a
dead person. As a result, many people
become convinced that the dead are really alive and that contacting them will help the living to
endure their grief. But any such
"comfort" is really false as well as dangerous. Why? Because the demons can imitate the
voice of a dead person and give a spirit medium information about the one who died. (1 Samuel 28:3-19)
Moreover, as
12. Why is it dangerous to try to communicate with the dead?
we learned in Chapter
6, the dead have ceased to exist.
(Psalm 115:17) So "anyone who inquires of the dead" has been misled by wicked spirits and is acting
contrary to the will of God.
(Deuteronomy 18:10, 11; Isaiah 8:19) Therefore,
be careful to reject this dangerous bait used by the demons.
13 Wicked spirits not only mislead people but also frighten them. Today, Satan and his demons know
that they have only "a short
period of time" left before they are
put out of action, and they are now more vicious than ever. (Revelation 12:12, 17) Even so, thousands
of people who once lived in daily dread of such wicked spirits have been able to break free. How did they do this?
What can a person do even if he is already involved in spiritism?
HOW TO RESIST WICKED
SPIRITS
14 The Bible tells us both how to resist wicked
spirits and how to break free from them. Consider the example of the first-century Christians in the
city of Ephesus. Some of them practiced spiritism before becoming Christians. When they decided to break free from
spiritism, what did they do? The
Bible says: "Quite a number of
those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them up before
everybody." (Acts 19:19) By
destroying their books on magic, those new Christians set an example for those
who wish to resist wicked spirits
today. People who want to serve Jehovah need to get rid of everything related to spiritism. That includes books, magazines, movies, posters, and
music recordings that encourage the
practice of spiritism and make it
seem appealing and exciting. Included, too, are
13. What have many who
once feared the demons been able to do?
14. Like the first-century
Christians in Ephesus, how can we break free from wicked spirits?
104 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
amulets or other
items worn for protection against evil. —1 Corinthians 10:21.
15 Some years after the Christians in Ephesus
destroyed their books on magic, the
apostle Paul wrote them: "We have a wrestling . . . against the wicked spirit
forces." (Ephesians 6:12) The
demons had not given up. They were still trying to gain an advantage. So, what
else did those Christians need to do?
"Above all things," said Paul,
"take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the wicked one's
[Satan's] burning missiles."
(Ephesians 6:16) The stronger our shield of faith, the greater our resistance to wicked spirit forces will
be.—Matthew 17:20.
16 How, then, can we strengthen our faith? By studying the Bible. The firmness of a wall depends very
much on the strength of its foundation. In the same way, the firmness of our faith depends greatly on the
strength of its base, which is
accurate knowledge of God's Word, the Bible.
If we read and study the Bible daily, our faith will become strong. Like a strong wall, such faith
will shield us from the influence of
wicked spirits.-1 John 5:5.
17 What
other step did those Christians in Ephesus need to take? They needed further protection because they were living in a city filled with demonism.
So Paul told them: "With every
form of prayer and supplication . .
. carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit." (Ephesians 6:18) Since we too live in a world full of
demonism, earnestly praying to
Jehovah for his protection is essential
in resisting wicked spirits. Of course, we need to use Jehovah's name in our prayers. (Proverbs 18:10)
Hence,
15. To resist wicked
spirit forces, what do we need to do?
16. How can we strengthen
our faith?
17. What step is
necessary in order to resist wicked spirits?
Spirit Creatures—How They Affect Us 105
we should keep on praying to God to "deliver
us from the wicked one," Satan
the Devil. (Matthew 6:13) Jehovah will
answer such earnest prayers.—Psalm 145:19.
18 Wicked spirits are dangerous, but we need not
live in fear of them if we oppose the
Devil and draw close to God by doing His will. (James 4:7, 8) The power of wicked spirits is limited. They were punished in
Noah's day, and they face their final
judgment in the future. (Jude 6) Remember,
too, that we have the protection of Jehovah's powerful angels. (2 Kings 6:15-17) Those angels are deeply interested in seeing us succeed in resisting
wicked spirits. The righteous angels
are cheering us on, so to speak. Let
us therefore stay close to Jehovah and his family of faithful spirit creatures. May we also avoid every kind of spiritism and always apply the counsel of
God's Word. (1 Peter 5:6, 7; 2 Peter
2:9) Then we can be sure of victory
in our fight against wicked spirit creatures.
19 But why has God tolerated evil spirits and the
wickedness that has caused people
so much suffering? That question will
be answered in the next chapter.
18, 19. (a)
Why can we be sure of victory in our fight against wicked spirit creatures? (b) What question will be answered in the next chapter?
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES n Faithful angels come to the aid of those n Satan and his
demons are misleading people and turning them away from God. —Revelation 12:9. n
If you do God's will and oppose the Devil, |
Why
Does God Allow
Suffering?
Has God caused the suffering in the
world?
What issue was raised in the garden of Eden?
How
will God undo the effects of
human
suffering?
AFTER a terrible
battle in one war-torn land, the thousands
of civilian women and children who had been
killed were buried in a mass grave surrounded by markers. Each marker bore this inscription: "Why?" Sometimes that is the most painful question of
all. People ask it sadly when war,
disaster, disease, or crime takes their
innocent loved ones, destroys their home, or brings them untold suffering in other ways. They want to
know why such tragedies befall them.
2 Why does God allow suffering? If
Jehovah God is all- powerful, loving, wise, and just, why is the world so
full of
hatred and injustice? Have you ever wondered about these things
yourself?
3 Is it wrong to
ask why God allows suffering? Some worry that asking such a question means that they do not
have enough faith or that they are showing disrespect for God. When reading
the Bible, however, you will find that faithful, God-fearing people had similar questions. For
1, 2. What
kind of suffering do people face today, leading many to ask what questions?
3, 4. (a)
What shows that it is not wrong to ask why God allows suffering? (b) How does Jehovah feel about wickedness and
suffering?
Jehovah will end
all suffering
example, the prophet
Habakkuk asked Jehovah: "Why is it
that you make me see what is hurtful, and you keep looking upon mere trouble? And why are despoiling
and violence in front of me, and why
does quarreling occur, and why is
strife carried?"—Habakkuk 1:3.
Did Jehovah scold the faithful prophet Habakkuk
for asking such questions? No.
Instead, God included Habakkuk's
sincere words in the inspired Bible record. God also helped him to get a
clearer understanding of matters and
to gain greater faith. Jehovah wants to do the same for you. Remember, the Bible teaches that
"he cares for you." (1
Peter 5:7) God hates wickedness and the suffering it causes far more than any human does. (Isaiah 55: 8, 9) Why, then, is there so much suffering in the world[lxxix] [lxxx] ?
WHY SO MUCH SUFFERING?
5 People
of various religions have gone to their religious leaders and teachers to ask why there is so much suffering. Often, the response is that suffering
is God's will and that he long ago determined everything that
5. What reasons are sometimes offered to explain human
suffering, but what does the Bible teach?
would ever happen,
including tragic events. Many are told
that God's ways are mysterious or that he brings death upon people—even children—so that he can have them in heaven with him. As you have learned,
though, Jehovah God never causes what
is bad. The Bible says: "Far be
it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly!"—Job 34:10.
6 Do
you know why people make the mistake of blaming God for all the suffering in
the world? In many cases, they blame
Almighty God because they think that he is the real ruler of this world. They
do not know a simple but important truth that the Bible teaches. You learned that truth in Chapter 3 of this book. The real ruler of this
world is Satan the Devil[lxxxi]
[lxxxii].
The Bible clearly
states: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) When you think about it, does that not make sense? This
world reflects the personality of
the invisible spirit creature who is
"misleading the entire inhabited earth." (Revelation 12:9) Satan is hateful, deceptive, and cruel. So
the world, under his influence, is
full of hatred, deceit, and cruelty. That is one reason why there is so much
suffering.
8 A second reason why there is so much suffering
is that, as discussed in Chapter 3, mankind has been imperfect and sinful ever since the rebellion in
the garden of Eden. Sinful humans
tend to struggle for dominance, and
this results in wars, oppression, and suffering. (Ecclesiastes 4:1; 8:9) A third reason for suffering is
"time and
6. Why do many people
make the mistake of blaming God for the suffering in the world?
7, 8. (a) How does the world reflect
the personality of its ruler? (b) How have
human imperfection and "time and unforeseen occurrence" contributed to suffering?
Why Does God Allow Suffering? 109
unforeseen
occurrence." (Ecclesiastes 9:11) In a world without Jehovah as a protective Ruler, people may suffer because they happen to be in the wrong place
at the wrong time.
9 It is
comforting for us to know that God does not cause suffering. He is not responsible for the wars, the crimes, the oppression, or even the natural
disasters that cause people to
suffer. Still, we need to know, Why does Jehovah allow all this suffering? If he is the Almighty, he has the
power to stop it. Why, then, does he hold back? The loving God that we have come to know must have a good reason.-1 John 4:8.
A
VITAL ISSUE IS RAISED
1° To find
out why God allows suffering, we need to think back to the time when
suffering began. When Satan led Adam and Eve
into disobeying Jehovah, an important question was raised. Satan did not call
into question Jehovah's power. Even
Satan knows that there is no limit to
Jehovah's power. Rather, Satan questioned Jehovah's right to rule. By calling God a liar who withholds
good from his subjects, Satan charged that Jehovah is a bad ruler. (Genesis 3:2-5) Satan implied that
mankind would be better off without God's rulership. This was an attack on Jehovah's sovereignty, his right to rule.
11 Adam and Eve rebelled against Jehovah. In
effect, they said: "We do not
need Jehovah as our Ruler. We can decide
for ourselves what is right and what is wrong." How could Jehovah settle that issue? How could he
teach
9.
Why can we be sure
that Jehovah has a good reason for allowing suffering to continue?
10. What did Satan call
into question, and how?
11. Why did Jehovah
not just destroy the rebels in Eden?
Is the
student more qualified than the teacher?
all intelligent creatures that the rebels were
wrong and that his way truly is best?
Someone might say that God should
simply have destroyed the rebels and made a fresh start. But Jehovah had stated his purpose to fill
the earth with the offspring of Adam
and Eve, and he wanted them to live
in an earthly paradise. (Genesis 1:28) Jehovah always fulfills his purposes. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Besides
that, getting rid of the rebels in Eden would not have answered the question that had been raised regarding
Jehovah's right to rule.
12 Let
us consider an illustration. Imagine that a teacher is telling his students how to solve a
difficult problem. A clever but rebellious student claims that the teacher's way of solving the problem is wrong. Implying that
the teacher is not capable, this
rebel insists that he knows a much
better way to solve the problem. Some students think that he is right, and they also become rebellious.
12, 13. Illustrate why Jehovah has allowed Satan to become the ruler of this world and why God has permitted humans to govern themselves.
Why Does God Allow Suffering? 111
What should the
teacher do? If he throws the rebels out of the class, what will be the effect on the other students? Will they not believe that their fellow
student and those who joined him are
right? All the other students in the class might lose respect for the teacher,
thinking that he is afraid of being
proved wrong. But suppose that the teacher
allows the rebel to show the class how he would solve
the problem.
13 Jehovah has done something similar to what the teacher does. Remember that the rebels in Eden
were not the only ones involved. Millions of angels were watching. (Job 38:7; Daniel 7:10) How Jehovah handled the
rebellion would greatly affect all
those angels and eventually all intelligent creation. So, what has Jehovah
done? He has allowed Satan to show
how he would rule mankind. God has
also allowed humans to govern themselves under Satan's guidance.
14 The teacher in our illustration knows that the rebel and the students on
his side are wrong. But he also knows that allowing them the opportunity to try to prove their point will benefit
the whole class. When the rebels fail, all honest students will see that the
teacher is the only one qualified to lead the class. They will understand why
the
teacher thereafter removes any rebels from the class. Similarly, Jehovah
knows that all honesthearted humans and angels will benefit from seeing that Satan and his
fellow
rebels have failed and that humans cannot govern themselves. Like Jeremiah of old, they
will learn this vital truth: "I well know, 0 Jehovah, that to earthling
man his
way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to
direct his step."—Jeremiah 10:23.
WHY SO LONG?
15 Why, though, has Jehovah allowed suffering to go on for so long? And why does he not prevent bad
things from happening? Well,
consider two things that the teacher
in our illustration would not do.
First, he would not stop the rebel
student from presenting his case. Second,
the teacher would not help the rebel to make his case. Similarly, consider two things that Jehovah has determined not to do. First, he has not stopped Satan and those who side with him from trying to prove that
they are right. Allowing time to pass
has thus been necessary. In the thousands
of years of human history, mankind has
been able to try every form of self-rule, or human government. Mankind has made some advances in science and other fields, but injustice, poverty,
crime, and war have grown ever worse.
Human rule has now been shown to be
a failure.
16 Second, Jehovah has not helped Satan to rule this
world. If God were to prevent horrible crimes, for instance, would he not, in effect, be supporting
the case of the rebels? Would God not
be making people think that perhaps
humans can govern themselves
without disastrous results? If
Jehovah were to act in that way, he would become party to a lie. However, "it is impossible for God to lie."—Hebrews 6:18.
17 What, though, about all the harm that has been done during the long rebellion against God? We do
well to remember that Jehovah is
almighty. Therefore, he can and will
undo the effects of mankind's suffering. As we
15, 16. (a) Why has Jehovah allowed suffering to continue for so long? (b) Why has Jehovah not prevented such things as horrible crimes?
17, 18. What will Jehovah do about all the harm that has resulted from
the rule of humans and the influence of Satan?
Why Does God Allow Suffering? 113
have already learned, the ruining of our planet
will be undone by the turning of the earth into Paradise. The effects of sin will be removed through faith in
Jesus' ransom sacrifice, and the
effects of death will be reversed by
means of the resurrection. God will thus use Jesus "to break up the works of the Devil." (1 John
3:8) Jehovah will bring all of this
about at just the right time. We can be
glad that he has not acted sooner, for his patience has given us the opportunity to learn the truth and to
serve him. (2 Peter 3:9, 10)
Meanwhile, God has been actively seeking
sincere worshipers and helping them to endure any suffering that may come upon them in this troubled world.—John
4:23; 1 Corinthians 10:13.
18 Some
might wonder, Could all this suffering have been prevented if God had created Adam and Eve in such a way that they could not rebel? To answer that question, you need to remember a precious gift that Jehovah
has given you.
HOW
WILL YOU USE THE GIFT FROM GOD?
19 As was
noted in Chapter 5, humans were created with free will. Do you realize what a precious gift that is? God has made countless animals, and these are driven largely by instinct. (Proverbs 30:24) Man has made some robots that can be programmed to follow every
command. Would we be happy if God had
made us like that? No, we are glad
19. What precious gift has Jehovah given us, and why should we value it?
God will help you to
endure suffering
to have the
freedom to make choices about what kind of person to become, what course of life to pursue, what
friendships
to form, and so on. We love to have a measure of freedom, and that is what God wants
us to enjoy.
20 Jehovah is not
interested in service performed under compulsion. (2 Corinthians 9:7) To illustrate: What would please a
parent more—a child's saying "I love you" because he is told
to say it or his saying it freely from the heart? So the question is, How will you use the free will that Jehovah has given you? Satan, Adam, and Eve made the worst possible
use of free will. They rejected Jehovah God. What will you do?
21 You have the opportunity to put the marvelous gift of free will to
the best possible use. You can join the millions who have taken a stand on
Jehovah's side. They make God rejoice because they take an active part in
proving
Satan a liar and a miserable failure as a ruler. (Proverbs 27:11) You too can
do that by choosing the right course of life. This will be explained in the next chapter.
20, 21. How may we use the gift of free will in the best
possible way, and why should we want to do
so?
WHAT THE BIBLE
TEACHES n God does not
cause the bad conditions in the world.—Job 34:10. n By calling God a
liar and saying that He withholds good from His subjects, Satan questioned
Jehovah's right to rule. —Genesis 3:2-5. n Jehovah will use
his Son, the Ruler of the Messianic Kingdom, to end all human suffering and to
undo its effects.-1 John 3:8. |
Living in a Way That
Pleases
God
How can you become God's friend?
In what way does Satan's challenge involve you?
What conduct displeases Jehovah?
How can you live in a way that pleases God?
WHAT
kind of person would you choose as a friend[lxxxiii]
[lxxxiv]? Very likely you would want
the company of someone who shares
your views, interests, and values. And you would be drawn to one who has fine qualities, such as honesty and kindness.
2 Throughout history, God has chosen certain
humans to be his close friends. For
example, Jehovah called Abraham his
friend. (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23) God referred to David as "a man agreeable to my heart" because he was the kind of person Jehovah loves. (Acts 13:22)
And Jehovah viewed the prophet
Daniel as "someone very desirable."—Daniel
9:23.
3 Why did Jehovah consider Abraham, David, and Daniel to be his friends? Well, he told Abraham:
"You have listened to my
voice." (Genesis 22:18) So Jehovah draws close to those who humbly do what he asks of them. "Obey my voice," he told the
Israelites, "and I will become
your God, and you yourselves will become my
1, 2. Give some examples of humans whom Jehovah viewed as his close
friends.
3. Why does Jehovah choose certain humans to be his friends?
116 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
people."
(Jeremiah 7:23) If you obey Jehovah, you too can become his friend!
JEHOVAH STRENGTHENS HIS FRIENDS
4 Think
about what friendship with God means. The Bible says that Jehovah is looking for opportunities "to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart
is complete toward him." (2
Chronicles 16:9) How can Jehovah show
his strength in your behalf? One way is brought out at Psalm 32:8, where we read: "I [Jehovah]
shall make you have insight and
instruct you in the way you should go. I
will give advice with my eye upon you."
5 What
a touching expression of Jehovah's care! He will give you needed direction and watch over you as you apply it. God wants to
help you get through your trials and tests. (Psalm 55:22) So if you serve
Jehovah with a complete heart, you
can be as confident as the psalmist who said: "I have placed Jehovah in front of me constantly. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be made
to totter." (Psalm 16:8; 63:8)
Yes, Jehovah can help you to live in a way
that pleases him. But, as you know, there is an enemy of God who would like to keep you from doing this.
SATAN'S CHALLENGE
6 Chapter 11 of this book explained how Satan the Devil challenged God's sovereignty. Satan charged
God with lying and implied that
Jehovah was unfair in not letting
Adam and Eve decide for themselves what was right and what was wrong. After Adam and Eve sinned and as the earth began to be filled with their
offspring, Satan questioned the
motive of all humans. "People do not serve God because they love him," Satan charged. "Give
Living in a Way
That Pleases God 117
me a chance, and I
can turn anyone against God." The account of the man named
Job shows that this is what Satan
believed. Who was Job, and how was he involved with Satan's challenge?
7 Job
lived about 3,600 years ago. He was a good man, for Jehovah said: "There is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and
turning aside from bad." (Job
1:8) Job was pleasing to God.
8 Satan
questioned Job's motive for serving God. The Devil said to Jehovah: "Have not you yourself put up a hedge about
[Job] and about his house and about everything that he has all around? The
work of his hands you have blessed, and his livestock itself has spread abroad
in the earth. But, for a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch everything he has and see whether he
will not curse you to your very
face."—Job 1:10, 11.
9 Satan
thus argued that Job served God just for what he got in return. The Devil also charged that if Job was tested, he would turn against God. How did
Jehovah respond to Satan's
challenge? Since the issue involved Job's motive, Jehovah allowed Satan to test Job. In this way, Job's love for God—or lack of it—would be clearly
shown.
JOB IS TESTED
1° Satan
soon tested Job in a number of ways. Some of Job's animals were stolen, and others were killed. Most of his servants were slaughtered. This brought
economic hardship. Further tragedy
struck when Job's ten children died
in a storm. Despite these terrible events, however, "Job did not sin or ascribe anything
improper to God." —Job 1:22.
7, 8. (a) What made Job outstanding among humans of that
time? (b) How did Satan call Job's
motive into question?
9.
How did Jehovah respond to Satan's challenge, and
why?
10. What trials befell Job, and how did he react?
11 Satan did not give up. He must have thought that
although Job could endure the loss of his possessions, servants, and children, he would turn against God
if he became sick. Jehovah let Satan
strike Job with a disgusting,
painful disease. But even this did not cause Job to lose faith in God. Rather, he firmly said:
"Until I expire
I shall not take away
my integrity!" Job 27:5.
12 was
was not aware that Satan was the cause of his
troubles. Not knowing the details about the
Devil's challenge of Jehovah's
sovereignty, Job feared that God was the
source of his problems (Job 6:4; 16:11-14) Still, he kept his integrity to Jehovah. And Satan's claim
that Job served God for selfish
reasons was proved false by Job's faithful
course!
13 Job's
faithfulness provided Jehovah with a forceful reply to Satan's insulting challenge. Job truly was Jehovah's friend, and God rewarded him for his
faithful course.—Job 42:12-17.
HOW
YOU ARE INVOLVED
14 The
issue of integrity to God that was raised by Satan was not directed against Job alone. You too are
involved. This is clearly shown at
Proverbs 27:11, where Jehovah's Word says:
"Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting
me." These words, written
hundreds of years after Job's death, show
that Satan was still taunting God and accusing His servants. When we live in a way that pleases
Jehovah, we
11.
(a) What second
accusation did Satan make concerning Job, and how did Jehovah respond? (b) How did Job react to his painful disease?
12.
How did Job answer the Devil's challenge?
13.
What happened because Job was faithful to God?
14,
15. Why can we say that Satan's challenge involving Job applies to all humans?
120 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
actually help to give an answer to Satan's false
charges, and in that way we make
God's heart rejoice. How do you feel
about that? Would it not be wonderful to have a part in answering the Devil's lying claims, even if it
means making certain changes in your life?
15
Notice that Satan said: "Everything that a man has he
will give in behalf of his soul." (Job 2:4) By saying "a man," Satan made it clear that
his charge applied not just to Job but to all humans. That is a very important point. Satan has called into question your integrity to God. The Devil would like to see you disobey God and abandon a righteous course when difficulties
arise. How might Satan try to
accomplish this?
16 As
discussed in Chapter 10, Satan uses various methods to try to turn people away from God. On the one hand, he attacks "like a roaring lion,
seeking to devour someone." (1
Peter 5:8) Thus Satan's influence may be seen when friends, relatives, or others oppose your efforts to study the Bible and apply what you
learn.* (John 15:19, 20) On the
other hand, Satan "keeps transforming
himself into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) The Devil can use subtle means to mislead
you and lure you away from a godly way of life. He can also use discouragement, perhaps causing you to
feel that you are not good enough to
please God. (Proverbs 24:10) Whether
Satan is acting like "a roaring lion" or posing as "an angel of light," his challenge
remains the same: He
* This does not mean that those who oppose you are personally controlled by Satan. But Satan is the god of this system of things, and the whole world is in his power. (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19) So
we can expect that living a godly life will be an unpopular course, and some will oppose you.
Living in a Way
That Pleases God 121
says that when you
are faced with trials or temptations, you
will stop serving God. How can you answer his challenge and prove your integrity to God, as Job
did?
OBEYING JEHOVAH'S COMMANDMENTS
17 You
can answer Satan's challenge by living in a way that pleases God. What does this involve? The Bible answers: "You must love Jehovah your God with
all your heart and all your soul and
all your vital force." (Deuteronomy
6:5) As your love for God grows, you will be filled with a desire to do what he requires of you. "This is what the love of God means,"
wrote the apostle John, "that
we observe his commandments." If you love Jehovah with your whole heart, you will find that "his commandments are not burdensome."-1 John 5:3.
18 What
are Jehovah's commandments? Some of them involve conduct that we must avoid. For example, note the box on
page 122, entitled "Shun What Jehovah Hates."
There you will find listed conduct that the Bible dearly condemns. At first glance, some practices
that are listed might not seem so
bad. But after meditating on the
cited scriptures, you will likely see the wisdom of Jehovah's laws. Making changes in your conduct may
be the greatest challenge you have
ever faced. Yet, living in a way that pleases God brings great satisfaction and
happiness. (Isaiah 48:17, 18) And
it is something that is within your
reach. How do we know that?
19
Jehovah never asks more of us than we can do. (Deuteronomy 30:11-14) He knows our potential and our limitations better than we do. (Psalm 103:14)
Moreover,
17. What is the main
reason to obey Jehovah's commandments?
18, 19. (a) What are
some of Jehovah's commandments? (See box on page 122.) (b) How do we know that God is not asking too much of
us?
122 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
Jehovah can give us
the strength to obey him. The apostle Paul wrote: "God is faithful, and he will not
let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he
will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it." (1
Corinthians 10:13) To help you endure, Jehovah can even supply you with "power beyond
what is normal." (2 Corinthians 4:7) After enduring many trials, Paul could say: "For
all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me."—Philippians
4:13.
SHUN WHAT JEHOVAH HATES
Manslaughter.—Exodus 20: 13; 21:22, 23.
Sexual immorality. —Leviticus 20:10,13, 15,
16; Romans 1:24, 26, 27, 32; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10.
Spiritism.—IDeuteronomy 18: 9-13; 1.
Corinthians 10:21, 22; Galatians
5:20, 21.
Idolatry.
—1 Corinthians 10:14.
Drunkenness.
—1 Corinthians 5:11.
Stealing.—Leviticus 6:2, 4; Ephesians 4:28.
Lying.—Proverbs
6:16, 19; Colossians 3:9; Revelation
22:15.
Greed.-1
Corinthians 5:11.
Violence.—Psalm 11:5; Proverbs 22:24, 25; Malachi 2:16; Galatians 5:20.
Improper speech. —Leviticus 19:16; Ephesians
5:4; Colossians 3:8.
Misuse
of blood.
—Genesis 9:4; Acts 15:20,
28, 29.
Refusal to provide for one's family.-1 Timothy 5:8.
Participation in wars or
political
controversies of this world.—Isaiah 2:4; John 6:15; 17:16.
Use of tobacco or so-called recreational drugs.—Mark 15:23;
2 Corinthians 7.1.
Living in a Way That Pleases God 123
DEVELOPING
GODLY QUALITIES
20 Of course, more is involved in pleasing Jehovah
than avoiding things that he hates. You
also need to love what he loves.
(Romans 12:9) Do you not feel drawn to those who share your views, interests, and values? Jehovah does too. So learn to love the things that Jehovah
holds dear. Some of these are described at Psalm 15:1-5, where we read about those whom God considers his
friends.
20. What godly qualities should you develop, and why are these important?
Jehovah's friends
display what the Bible calls "the fruitage of the spirit." It includes
such qualities as "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness,
self-control."—Galatians 5:22, 23.
21- Reading and
studying the Bible regularly will help you to develop godly qualities. And learning what God requires will
help you to harmonize your thoughts with God's thinking. (Isaiah 30:20, 21) The more you strengthen your
love for Jehovah, the greater will be your desire to live in a way that pleases
God.
22 Effort is required
to live in a way that pleases Jehovah. The Bible likens changing your life to
stripping off your old personality and clothing yourself with a new one. (Colossians
3:9, 10) But regarding Jehovah's commandments, the psalmist wrote: "In the keeping of
them there
is a large reward." (Psalm 19:11) You too will find that living in a
way that pleases God is richly rewarding. By so doing, you will give an answer to Satan's
challenge and make Jehovah's heart rejoice!
21.
What will help you to
develop godly qualities?
22.
What will you accomplish if you live in a way
that pleases God?
WHAT THE BIBLE
TEACHES n You can become
God's friend by obeying him.—James 2:23. n Satan has challenged the integrity of all hu‑ n We must shun practices that displease God.-1
Corinthians 6:9, 10. · We can please
Jehovah by hating what he hates and loving what he loves.—Romans 12:9. |
A Godly View of Life
How does God view life?
How does God view abortion?
How do we show respect for life?
"JEHOVAH is in truth God," said the
prophet Jeremiah. "He is the
living God." (Jeremiah 10:10) Furthermore, Jehovah God is the Creator of all living things. Heavenly creatures said to him: "You created all things[lxxxv]
[lxxxvi], and because of your will
they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11) In a song of praise to God, King David said: "With you is the source of life."
(Psalm 36:9) Life, then, is a gift
from God.
2 Jehovah also sustains our lives. (Acts 17:28) He
provides the food we eat, the water
we drink, the air we breathe, and the
land we live on. (Acts 14:15-17) Jehovah
has done this in a way that makes life enjoyable. But to enjoy life to the full, we need to learn God's
laws and obey them.—Isaiah 48:17, 18.
SHOWING
RESPECT FOR LIFE
3 God wants us to have respect for life—both our
own and that of others. Back in the
days of Adam and Eve, for example,
their son Cain became very angry with his
younger brother Abel. Jehovah warned Cain that his anger could lead him to serious sin. Cain ignored
that
1.
Who created all living things?
2.
What does God do to sustain our lives? 3. How did God view the murder of Abel?
WE
SHOW RESPECT FOR LIFE
n
by not taking the life
of an unborn child
n by giving up unclean habits
n by rooting out
of our heart
any
hatred for our
fellowman
warning. He
'assaulted Abel his brother and killed him.' (Genesis 4:3-8) Jehovah punished Cain for murdering his brother.—Genesis
4:9-11.
4
Thousands of years later, Jehovah gave the people of Israel laws to help them
to serve him acceptably. Because these
laws were given through the prophet Moses, they are sometimes called the Mosaic
Law. Part of the Mosaic Law said: "You must not murder."
(Deuteronomy 5: 17) This showed the
Israelites that God values human life and
that people must value the lives of others.
5 What
about the life of an unborn child? Well, according to the Mosaic Law, causing the death of a baby in its mother's womb was wrong. Yes, even such a life is
precious to Jehovah. (Exodus 21:22,
23; Psalm 127:3) This means that
abortion is wrong.
6 Having
respect for life includes having the right view of fellow humans. The Bible says: "Everyone who hates his brother is a manslayer, and you know that no
man- slayer has everlasting life
remaining in him." (1 John 3: 15)
If we want everlasting life, we need to root out of our heart any hatred for our fellowman, because hatred
is the root cause of most violence.
(1 John 3:11, 12) It is vital that
we learn to love one another.
7 What about showing respect for our own life? People
normally do not want to die, but some risk death for the sake of pleasure. For example, many use tobacco, chew betel nut, or take drugs for recreational
purposes. Such substances harm the
body and often kill the users. A
person who makes it a practice to use these substances
4.
In the Mosaic Law,
how did God stress the proper view of life?
5.
How should we view abortion?
6.
Why should we not hate our fellowman?
7.
What are some practices that show a disrespect for
life?
does not view life as
sacred. These practices are unclean in
God's eyes. (Romans 6:19; 12:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1) To serve God acceptably, we have to give up such
practices. Although doing so might
be very hard, Jehovah can give us
the needed help. And he appreciates the effort we make to treat our life as a precious gift from
him.
8 If we
have respect for life, we will keep in mind the need to be safety conscious. We
will not be careless and will not
take risks just for pleasure or excitement. We will avoid reckless driving and violent or dangerous
sports. (Psalm 11:5) God's law for
ancient Israel stated: "In case you
build a new house [with a flat roof], you must also make a parapet [or, low wall] for your roof, that
you may not place bloodguilt upon
your house because someone falling
might fall from it." (Deuteronomy 22:8) In harmony with the principle set out in that law, keep
such things as stairs in good
condition in your home so that someone does
not trip, fall, and get badly hurt. If you own a car, make sure that it is safe to drive. Do not let
either your home or your car be a danger to you or to others.
9 What
about the life of an animal? That too is sacred to the Creator. God permits the killing of animals to obtain food and clothing or to protect people from
danger. (Genesis 3:21; 9:3; Exodus
21:28) However, being cruel to animals
or killing them just for sport is wrong and shows utter disregard for the
sacredness of life.—Proverbs 12:10.
SHOWING
RESPECT FOR BLOOD
1° After Cain killed his brother Abel, Jehovah told Cain: "Your
brother's blood is crying out to me from
8.
Why should we keep in
mind the need to be safety conscious?
9.
If we have respect for life, how will we treat
animals?
10. How has God shown that there is a link between
life and blood?
the ground."
(Genesis 4:10) When God spoke of Abel's blood, he was speaking of Abel's life. Cain had taken Abel's life, and now Cain would have to be
punished. It was as if Abel's blood,
or life, were crying out to Jehovah
for justice. The connection between life and blood was again shown after the
Flood of Noah's day. Before the
Flood, humans ate only fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. After the Flood, Jehovah told Noah and his
sons: "Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in
the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to you." However, God set
this restriction: "Only flesh with its soul [or, life]—its blood—you must not eat." (Genesis 1:29; 9:3, 4) Clearly, Jehovah links very closely
the life and the blood of a creature.
11 We show respect for blood by not eating it. In
the Law that Jehovah gave the
Israelites, he commanded: "As for
any man . . . who in hunting catches a wild beast or a fowl that may be eaten, he must in that case
pour its blood out and cover it with
dust. . . . I said to the sons of Israel:
'You must not
eat the blood of any sort of flesh[lxxxvii]
[lxxxviii]." (Leviticus 17:13, 14)
God's command not to eat animal blood, first given to Noah some 800 years
earlier, was still in force.
Jehovah's view was clear: His servants could eat animal meat but not the blood. They were to pour the blood on the
ground—in effect, returning the creature's life to God.
12 A similar command rests upon Christians. The apostles and other men taking the lead among
Jesus' followers in the first
century met together to decide what commands
had to be obeyed by all in the Christian
11. What use of blood has
God forbidden since the days of Noah?
12. What command regarding
blood was given by holy spirit in the first century and still applies today?
130 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
congregation. They
came to this conclusion: "The holy spirit and we ourselves have favored
adding no further burden to you,
except these necessary things, to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled [leaving the blood in
the meat] and from
fornication." (Acts 15:28, 29; 21:25) So we must 'keep abstaining from blood.' In God's eyes, our doing that is as important as our avoiding
idolatry and sexual immorality.
13 Does the command to abstain from blood include blood transfusions? Yes. To illustrate: Suppose a
doctor were to tell you to abstain
from alcoholic beverages. Would that
simply mean that you should not drink alcohol but that you could have it injected into your veins? Of course not! Likewise, abstaining from blood
means not taking it into our bodies
at all. So the command to abstain from blood means that we would not allow anyone to transfuse blood into our veins.
14 What if a Christian is badly injured or is in
need of major surgery? Suppose
doctors say that he must have a blood
transfusion or he will die. Of course, the Christian would not want to die. In an effort to preserve God's precious gift of life, he would accept other kinds
of treatment that do not involve
the misuse of blood. Hence, he would
seek such medical attention if that is available and would accept a variety of alternatives to blood.
15 Would a Christian break God's law just to stay
alive a little longer in this system
of things? Jesus said: "Whoever
wants to save his soul [or, life] will lose it; but
13. Illustrate why
the command to abstain from blood includes blood transfusions.
14,
15. If doctors say that a Christian must have a blood transfusion, how would he react, and why?
A Godly View of Life
whoever loses his soul for my sake will find
it." (Matthew 16:25) We do not
want to die. But if we tried to save our
present life by breaking God's law,
we would be in danger of losing everlasting
life. We are wise, then, to put our
trust in the rightness of God's law,
with full confidence that if we die from any cause, our Life-Giver will remember us in the resurrection and restore to us the precious gift of life.—John 5:28, 29; Hebrews 11:6.
16 Today, faithful servants of God firmly resolve to
follow his direction regarding
blood. They will not eat it in any
form. Nor will they accept blood for
medical reasons.* They are sure that
the Creator of blood knows what is best for them. Do you believe that he does?
THE
ONLY PROPER
USE OF BLOOD
17 The Mosaic Law emphasized
the one proper use of blood. Regarding the worship required of the ancient Israelites, Jehovah commanded: "The soul [or, life] of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the
* For information on alternatives to blood transfusion, see pages 13-17 of the brochure How Can Blood Save Your Life? published by Jehovah's
Witnesses.
16. What
do God's servants firmly resolve regarding blood?
17.
In ancient
Israel, what was the one use of blood that was acceptable to Jehovah God?
132 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
altar for you to
make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement." (Leviticus
17:11) When
the Israelites sinned, they could obtain forgiveness by offering an animal and having
some of its blood put on the altar at the tabernacle or later at God's
temple. The
only proper use of blood was in such sacrifices.
18 True Christians are not under the Mosaic Law and
therefore do not offer animal sacrifices and put the blood of animals on an
altar. (Hebrews 10:1) However, the use of blood on the altar in the days of ancient Israel
pointed
forward to the precious sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ. As we
learned in Chapter 5 of this book, Jesus gave his human life for us by letting his blood be shed
18. What benefits and blessings can we gain from the shedding of Jesus' blood?
How can you show regard for life and blood?
as a sacrifice. Then he ascended to heaven and once for all time offered the value of his shed blood to God. (Hebrews 9:11,
12) That laid the basis for the forgiveness of our sins
and opened the way for us to gain everlasting life. (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16)
How extremely important that use of blood has proved to be! (1 Peter 1:18,
19) Only by means of faith in the merit of Jesus' shed blood
can we gain salvation.
19 We can be so grateful to
Jehovah God for the loving provision of life! And should that not motivate us
to tell others about the opportunity to gain everlasting life on the basis of faith in Jesus' sacrifice? Godly concern for the lives of fellow humans will move us to do this with eagerness and
zeal. (Ezekiel 3:17-21) If we diligently fulfill this responsibility, we will
be able to say, as did the apostle Paul: "I am
clean from the blood of all men, for I have not held
back from telling you all the counsel of God." (Acts
20:26, 27) Telling people about God and his purposes is a fine way to show that
we have the highest regard for life and blood.
19. What must we do in order to be "clean from the
blood of all men"?
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES n Life is a gift from God.—Psalm 36:9; Revelation
4:11. n Abortion is wrong, since the life of an unborn
child is precious in God's eyes. —Exodus
21:22, 23; Psalm 127:3. n We show respect for life by not endangering it and by not eating blood. —Deuteronomy 5:17; Acts 15:28, 29. |
How to Make
Your Family Life Happy
What is needed to be a good husband?
How can a woman succeed as a wife?
What is involved in being a fine
parent?
How
can children help to make
family life happy?
JEHOVAH GOD wants
your family life to be happy. His Word, the Bible, provides guidelines for each family
member, describing the role that God wants each one to play. When family
members fulfill their roles in harmony with God's counsel, the results are very satisfying.
Jesus said:
"Happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!"—Luke
11:28.
2 Family happiness
depends mainly on our recognizing that the family originates with Jehovah, the one
Jesus called
"Our Father." (Matthew 6:9) Every family on earth exists because of
our heavenly Father—and he certainly knows what makes families happy. (Ephesians 3:14, 15) So, what does the
Bible teach about the role of each family
member?
DIVINE
ORIGIN OF HUMAN FAMILY
3 Jehovah created the first humans, Adam and Eve,
1. What is the key to a happy family life?
2.
Family happiness depends on our recognizing what?
3. How does the Bible describe the start of the
human family, and why do we know that
what it says is true?
and brought them
together as husband and wife. He put them
in a beautiful earthly paradise home—the garden of Eden—and told them to have children. "Be
fruitful and become many and fill the
earth," said Jehovah. (Genesis
1:26-28; 2:18, 21-24) This is not just a story or a myth, for Jesus showed that what Genesis says about the
start of family life is true.
(Matthew 19:4, 5) Although we face many problems and life now is not as God
purposed it to be, let us see why
happiness within the family is possible.
4 Each
member of the family can help to make family life happy by imitating God in showing love. (Ephesians 5:1, 2) How, though, can we imitate God, since we
cannot even see him? We can learn
how Jehovah acts because he sent his firstborn Son from heaven to the earth.
(John 1:14, 18) When on earth, this
Son, Jesus Christ, imitated his
heavenly Father so well that seeing and listening to Jesus
was just like being with Jehovah[lxxxix]
[xc] and hearing Him. (John 14:9) Therefore, by
learning about the love that Jesus
showed and following his example, each one of us can help to make family life happier.
A MODEL FOR HUSBANDS
5 The
Bible says that husbands should treat their wives in the same way that Jesus treats his disciples.
Consider this Bible direction:
"Husbands, continue loving your wives,
just
as the Christ also loved the congregation and delivered up himself
for it . . . In this way husbands
ought to be loving their wives as
their own bodies. He who loves his
wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own
4. (a) How can each
member of the family contribute to its happiness? (b) Why is studying the life of Jesus so important to family happiness?
5, 6. (a) How does the
way Jesus treats the congregation set an example for husbands? (b) What must be done to get forgiveness of sins?
136 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
flesh; but he
feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the
congregation."—Ephesians 5:23, 25-29.
6 Jesus'
love for his congregation of disciples sets a perfect example for husbands. Jesus "loved them
to the end," sacrificing his
life for them, even though they were far from perfect. (John 13:1; 15:13) Similarly, husbands are urged: "Keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them." (Colossians 3:19) What will help a husband to apply such counsel, especially if his wife
at times fails to act with
discretion? He should remember his own mistakes
and what he must do to receive God's forgiveness. What is that? He must forgive those who sin against him, and that includes his wife. Of course, she
should do the same. (Matthew 6:12, 14, 15) Do you see why some have said that a successful marriage is the union
of two good forgivers?
Husbands also do well
to note that Jesus always showed
consideration for his disciples. He took into account their limitations and physical needs. When they were tired, for example, he said: "Come, you
yourselves, privately into a lonely
place and rest up a bit." (Mark 6:3032) Wives too deserve thoughtful consideration. The Bible describes them as "a weaker vessel" to
whom husbands are commanded to
assign "honor." Why? Because both husbands and wives share equally
in "the undeserved favor of life."
(1 Peter 3:7) Husbands should remember that it is faithfulness, not whether a person is male or
female, that makes one precious to
God.—Psalm 101:6.
8 The
Bible says that a husband "who loves his wife loves himself." This is because a man and his
wife "are
7.
What did Jesus take
into account, setting what example for husbands?
8.
(a) How is it that a husband "who loves his
wife loves himself"? (b) Being "one flesh" means what for a
husband and his wife?
no longer two, but one flesh,"
as Jesus pointed out. (Matthew 19:6)
So they must limit their sexual interests to each other. (Proverbs 5:15-21; Hebrews 13:4) They can
do this if they show unselfish
concern for each other's needs. (1 Corinthians
7:3-5) Noteworthy is the reminder: "No man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it." Husbands need to love their wives as they do
themselves, remembering that they
are accountable to their own head, Jesus Christ.—Ephesians 5:29; 1 Corinthians
11:3.
9 The apostle Paul spoke of the 'tender affection
that Christ Jesus has.' (Philippians
1:8) Jesus' tenderness was a refreshing
quality, one that was appealing to women who became his disciples. (John 20:1, 11-13, 16) And wives yearn for tender affection from their husbands.
AN
EXAMPLE FOR WIVES
io A family is an organization, and to operate smoothly, it needs a head. Even Jesus has One he submits to
as his Head. "The head of the
Christ is God," just as "the head of a woman is the man." (1 Corinthians 11:3) Jesus' submission to God's headship is a fine example, since
all of us have a head to whom we must
submit.
Imperfect men make
mistakes and often fall far short of
being ideal family heads. So, what should a wife do? She should not belittle what her husband does or
try to take over his headship. A wife
does well to remember that in God's
view, a quiet and mild spirit is of great value. (1 Peter 3:4) By displaying such a spirit, she will find it easier to demonstrate godly subjection, even
under trying
9.
What quality of Jesus is mentioned at Philippians 1:8, and why should husbands display this quality toward their wives?
10. How does
Jesus provide an example for wives?
11. What attitude is a wife to have toward her husband, and what may be
the effect of her conduct?
138 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
circumstances.
Furthermore, the Bible says: "The wife should have deep respect for her husband." (Ephesians 5: 33) But what if he does not accept Christ as his
Head? The Bible urges wives:
"Be in subjection to your own husbands,
in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct
of their wives, because of having
been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep
respect."-1 Peter 3:1, 2.
12
Whether her husband is a fellow believer or not, a wife is not showing disrespect if she tactfully
expresses an opinion that differs
from his. Her viewpoint may be
correct, and the whole family could benefit if he listened to her. Although Abraham did not agree when
his wife, Sarah, recommended a
practical solution to a certain household problem, God told him: "Listen
to her voice." (Genesis 21:9-12)
Of course, when a husband makes a final decision that does not conflict with
God's law, his wife shows her
subjection by supporting it.—Acts 5:29; Ephesians 5:24.
13 In
fulfilling her role, a wife can do much in caring for the family. For example, the Bible shows that
married women are "to love their
husbands, to love their children, to
be sound in mind, chaste, workers at home, good, subjecting themselves to their
own husbands." (Titus 2: 4, 5)
A wife and mother who acts in this way will gain the lasting love and respect of her family. (Proverbs 31: 10, 28) Since marriage is a union of imperfect
individuals, however, some extreme circumstances may result in separation or divorce. The Bible allows for
separation under
12. Why is it not wrong
for a wife to express her opinions respectfully?
13.
(a) What does Titus 2:4, 5 urge married women to
do? (b) What does the Bible say
about separation and divorce?
What
fine example did Sarah provide for wives?
certain circumstances. Yet, separation must not be
taken lightly, for the Bible
counsels: "A wife should not depart from her husband; . . . and a husband should not leave his wife." (1 Corinthians 7:10, 11) And only
fornication by one of the marriage
mates provides Scriptural grounds for divorce.—Matthew
19:9.
A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR PARENTS
14 Jesus set a perfect example for parents in the
way he treated children. When others
tried to prevent the little ones
from approaching Jesus, he said: "Let the young children come to me; do not try to stop them."
The Bible says that he then
"took the children into his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands upon them." (Mark 10:13-16) Since Jesus took time for little ones,
should you not do the same for your
own sons and daughters? They need,
not small bits of your time, but large amounts of it. You need to take time to teach them, for that
is what Jehovah instructs parents to
do.—Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
14. How did
Jesus treat children, and what do children need from parents?
140 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
15 As this world
becomes ever more wicked, children need parents who will protect them from people who seek
to harm them, such as sexual predators. Consider how Jesus protected his
disciples, whom he affectionately called "little children." When he was arrested and
would soon be killed, Jesus made a way for them to escape. (John 13: 33; 18:7-9) As a
parent, you need to be alert to the Devil's attempts to harm your little ones. You
need to give them advance warning.* (1 Peter 5:8) Never before has the
* Help in protecting children is found in chapter 32 of
the book Learn From the Great Teacher, published
by Jehovah's Witnesses.
15. What can parents do
to protect their children?
What
can parents learn from the way
that Jesus treated children?
How
to Make Your Family Life Happy 141
threat to their
physical, spiritual, and moral safety been greater.
16 On the
night before Jesus died, his disciples argued about who was greater among them. Rather than become angry with them, Jesus lovingly continued to
appeal to them by word and example.
(Luke 22:24-27; John 13:3-8) If you
are a parent, can you see how you might follow Jesus' example in the way you correct your
children? True, they need
discipline, but it should be given to "the proper degree" and never
in anger. You would not want to speak thoughtlessly
"as with the stabs of a sword." (Jeremiah 30: 11; Proverbs 12:18) Discipline should be
delivered in such a way that your
child will later see how appropriate it was. —Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:9-11.
A MODEL FOR CHILDREN
17 Can
children learn from Jesus? Yes, they can! By his own example, Jesus showed how children should obey their
parents. "Just as the Father taught me," he said,
"I speak." He added: "I always do
the things pleasing to him."
(John 8:28, 29) Jesus was obedient to his heavenly Father, and the Bible tells children to obey
their parents. (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Although Jesus was a perfect child, he obeyed his human parents, Joseph and
Mary, who were imperfect. That surely
contributed to the happiness of every
member of Jesus' family!—Luke 2:4, 5, 51, 52.
18 Can
children see ways that they can be more like Jesus and make their parents happy? True, young ones may sometimes find it hard to obey their parents,
but
16.
What can parents
learn from the way that Jesus handled his disciples' imperfections?
17.
In what ways did Jesus set a perfect example for
children? 18. Why did Jesus always
obey his heavenly Father, and who is happy when children obey their parents today?
142 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
that is what God wants children to do. (Proverbs
1:8; 6: 20) Jesus always obeyed his
heavenly Father, even under difficult
circumstances. Once, when it was God's will that Jesus do something especially hard, Jesus said: "Remove this cup [a certain requirement] from me."
Nevertheless, Jesus did what God
asked, because he realized that his Father
knew best. (Luke 22:42) By learning to be obedient, children will make their
parents and their heavenly Father very
happy.*—Proverbs 23:22-25.
19 The
Devil tempted Jesus, and we can be sure that he will also tempt young ones to do what is wrong. (Matthew 4:1-10) Satan the Devil uses peer pressure, which
can be hard to resist. How vital it
is, then, that children not keep company with wrongdoers! (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Jacob's daughter Dinah kept company
with those who did not worship
Jehovah, and this led to a lot of trouble. (Genesis 34:1, 2) Think of how the family could be hurt if
one of its members were to become
involved in sexual immorality!
—Proverbs 17:21,
25.
THE KEY TO FAMILY
HAPPINESS
20 Family problems are
easier to cope with when Bible counsel is applied. In fact, applying such
counsel is the key to family happiness. So
husbands, love your wife, and treat her as Jesus treats his
congregation. Wives, submit to the headship
of your husband, and follow the example
of the capable wife described at Proverbs 31:10-31. Parents, train your children. (Proverbs 22:6)
Fathers, 'preside over your
household in a fine manner.' (1 Timothy 3: 4, 5; 5:8) And children, obey your parents. (Colossians 3: 20) None in the family are perfect, for all make
mistakes. So be humble, asking one another for forgiveness.
21 Truly, the Bible contains a wealth of valuable counsel and instruction regarding family life. Moreover, it
teaches us about God's new world and an earthly paradise filled with happy people who worship Jehovah. (Revelation 21: 3, 4) What wonderful prospects lie ahead! Even now, we can
enjoy happy family life by applying God's instructions found in his Word, the Bible.
20. To enjoy happy family
life, what must each family member do?
21. What wonderful
prospects lie ahead, and how can we enjoy happy family life now?
WHAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES n Husbands need to
love their wives as their own
bodies.—Ephesians 5:25-29. n Wives should love
their family and respect their
husbands.—Titus 2:4, 5. n Parents need to
love, teach, and protect n Children need to obey their parents. —Ephesians 6:1-3. |
Worship That God
Approves
Are all religions pleasing to God?
How can we identify the true religion?
Who are God's true worshipers[xci] [xcii] on earth today?
JEHOVAH GOD deeply
cares for us and wants us to benefit from his loving direction. If we worship him in the right way, we will
be happy and will avoid many problems in life. We will also have his blessing and his
help. (Isaiah
48:17) There are, however, hundreds of religions that claim to teach the truth about
God. Yet, they differ greatly in their teachings about who God is and what he expects of us.
2 How can you know the right way to worship Jehovah? You do not
have to study and compare the teachings of all the many religions. You need only learn what the Bible really teaches about true worship[xciii] [xciv].
To illustrate: In many lands, there is a problem with counterfeit money. If you were
given the job of picking out such false money, how would you go about it? By memorizing every kind of
counterfeit? No. Your time would be better spent if you studied real money. After you knew what real money looked
like, you could recognize a counterfeit Similarly, when we learn how to
identify the true religion, we can recognize those religions that are false.
1.
How will we benefit
if we worship God in the right way?
2.
How can we learn the right way to worship Jehovah,
and what illustration helps us to
understand this?
Worship That God
Approves 145
3 It is
important that we worship Jehovah in the way that he approves. Many people believe that all religions are pleasing to God, but the Bible does not teach
that. It is not even enough just to
claim to be a Christian. Jesus
said: "Not everyone saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one
doing the will of my Father who is
in the heavens will." To have
God's approval, therefore, we must learn what God requires of us and do it.
Jesus called those who do not do God's
will "workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23) Like counterfeit money, false religion has no real
value. Even worse, such religion is
actually harmful.
4 Jehovah
gives everyone on earth the opportunity to gain
everlasting life[xcv] [xcvi]. To have eternal life in Paradise, however, we must worship God properly and live now in a way that is acceptable to him. Sadly, many refuse
to do so. That is why Jesus said:
"Go in through the narrow gate;
because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped
the road leading off into life, and
few are the ones finding it."
(Matthew 7:13, 14) True religion leads to everlasting life. False religion leads to destruction.
Jehovah does not want any human to
be destroyed, and that is why he is giving
people everywhere an opportunity to learn about him. (2 Peter 3:9) Really, then, the way we worship God means either life or death for us.
HOW
TO IDENTIFY THE TRUE RELIGION
5 How can 'the road to life' be found? Jesus said that
3.
According to Jesus,
what must we do if we want to have God's approval?
4.
What do Jesus' words concerning the two roads
mean, and where does each road lead?
5. How can we
recognize those who practice the true religion?
the true religion would be evident in the lives of
the people who practice it.
"By their fruits you will recognize them," he said. "Every good
tree produces fine fruit." (Matthew
7:16, 17) In other words, those who practice the true religion would be recognized by their beliefs and their conduct. Although they are not perfect and
they make mistakes, true worshipers as a group seek to do God's will. Let us
consider six features that identify those who practice true religion.
6 God's servants base their teachings on the Bible[xcvii]
[xcviii]. The Bible
itself says: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for
setting things straight, for disciplining
in righteousness, that the man [or
woman] of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) To his fellow Christians, the apostle Paul wrote:
"When you received God's word,
which you heard from us, you accepted
it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God." (1 Thessalonians
2:13) Hence, beliefs and practices
of the true religion are not based on human
views or tradition. They originate in God's inspired Word, the Bible.
7 Jesus Christ set the proper example by basing his
teachings on God's Word. In prayer to
his heavenly Father, he said:
"Your word is truth." (John 17:17) Jesus believed the Word of God, and everything he taught
harmonized with the Scriptures.
Jesus often said: "It is written."
(Matthew 4:4, 7, 10) Then Jesus would quote a scripture Similarly, God's people today do
not teach their own ideas[xcix] [c]. They believe that the Bible is God's Word, and they base their teachings firmly on what it says.
148 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
8 Those who practice the true religion worship only Jehovah and make his name
known[ci]
[cii]. Jesus declared: "It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to
him alone you must render sacred
service." (Matthew 4:10) Thus, God's
servants worship no one other than Jehovah. This worship includes letting people know what the name of the true God is and what he is like.
Psalm 83:18 states: "You, whose
name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most
High over all the earth." Jesus set the pattern in helping others to get
to know God, as he said in prayer: "I
have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world." (John 17:6) Similarly, true worshipers today teach others about God's name, his
purposes, and his qualities.
9 God's people show
genuine, unselfish love for one another[ciii]
[civ]. Jesus said: "By this all will know that you
are my disciples, if you have love
among yourselves." (John 13: 35)
The early Christians had such love for one another. Godly love overcomes racial, social, and national
barriers and draws people together
in an unbreakable bond of true
brotherhood. (Colossians 3:14) Members of false religions do not have such a loving brotherhood. How do we know that? They kill one another because of
national or ethnic differences. True
Christians do not take up weapons to
kill their Christian brothers or anyone else. The Bible states: "The children of God and the children of
the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God,
neither does he who does not love his brother. . . . We should have love for one another; not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and
slaughtered his brother."-1
John 3:10-12; 4:20, 21.
Worship
That God Approves 149
10 Of course,
genuine love means more than not killing others. True Christians unselfishly use their time, energy, and resources to help and encourage one
another. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) They
help one another in times of distress, and they deal honestly with others. In
fact, they apply in their lives the
Bible counsel to "work what is good
toward all."—Galatians 6:10.
11 True Christians accept Jesus Christ as God's means of salvation[cv] [cvi]. The Bible says: "There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under
heaven that has been given among men
by which we must get saved."
(Acts 4:12) As we saw in Chapter 5, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for obedient humans. (Matthew
20:28) In addition, Jesus is God's
appointed King in the heavenly
Kingdom that will rule the entire earth. And God requires that we obey Jesus and apply his teachings if we want everlasting life. That is why the Bible
states: "He that exercises faith
in the Son has everlasting life; he that disobeys the Son will not see life."—John 3:36.
12 ≠True worshipers are no part of the world[cvii] [cviii] . When on trial before the Roman ruler Pilate, Jesus
said: "My kingdom is no part
of this world." (John 18:36) No matter what country they live in, Jesus'
true followers are subjects of his
heavenly Kingdom and thus maintain strict neutrality in the world's political affairs. They take no part in its conflicts. However, Jehovah's
worshipers do not interfere with what
others choose to do about joining a
political party, running for office, or voting. And while God's true worshipers are neutral regarding
politics, they are law-abiding. Why?
Because God's Word commands them to
"be in subjection" to the governmental
11.
Why is
it important to accept Jesus Christ as God's means of salvation?
12.
What does being no part of the
world involve?
150 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
"superior authorities." (Romans 13:1) Where
there is a conflict between what God requires and
what a political system requires, true
worshipers follow the example of the
apostles, who said: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men."—Acts 5:29; Mark 12:17.
13 Jesus' true followers preach that God's Kingdom is
13. How do Jesus' true followers view God's Kingdom, and
therefore, what action do they take?
By
serving Jehovah with his people,
you will gain far more than you could ever lose
Worship That God
Approves 151
mankind's
only hope[cix] [cx]. Jesus foretold: "This
good news of the
kingdom will be preached in all
the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) Instead of encouraging
people to look to human rulers to solve their problems, true followers of Jesus Christ proclaim God's heavenly
Kingdom as the only hope for
mankind. (Psalm 146:3) Jesus taught
us to pray for that perfect government when he said: "Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." (Matthew 6:10)
God's Word foretold that this
heavenly Kingdom "will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms [now
existing], and it itself will stand
to times indefinite."—Daniel 2:44.
14 On the
basis of what we have just considered, ask yourself: 'What religious group bases all its teachings on the Bible and makes known Jehovah's name?
What group practices godly love,
exercises faith in Jesus, is no
part of the world, and proclaims that God's Kingdom is the only real hope for mankind? Of all the religious groups on earth, which one meets all
these requirements?' The facts
clearly show that it is Jehovah's Witnesses.—Isaiah
43:10-12.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
15 Simply
believing in God is not enough to please him. After all, the Bible says that even the demons believe that God exists. (James 2:19) Obviously,
though, they do not do God's will and do not have his approval. To be approved by God, not only must we believe
in his existence but we must also do
his will. We must also break free
from false religion and embrace true worship.
14. What religious group
do you believe meets the requirements for true worship?
15. What does God require
in addition to believing that he exists?
152 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
16 The apostle Paul showed that
we must not take part in false worship. He
wrote: " `Get
out from among them,[cxi] [cxii] and separate
yourselves,' says Jehovah, 'and quit touching
the unclean thing'; 'and I will take you in." (2 Corinthians 6:17; Isaiah 52:11) True Christians
therefore avoid anything that is connected with false worship.
17 The Bible shows that all the many forms of false
religion are part of "Babylon the Great."* (Revelation 17:5) That name calls to mind the ancient city of
Babylon, where false religion started
up after the Flood of Noah's day.
Many teachings and practices now common in false religion originated long ago in Babylon. For example, the Babylonians worshiped trinities, or triads, of
gods. Today, the central doctrine of
many religions is the Trinity. But the
Bible dearly teaches that there is only one true God[cxiii]
[cxiv], Jehovah, and that Jesus
Christ is his Son. (John 17:3) The Babylonians
also believed that humans have an immortal soul that survives the body after death and can suffer in a place of torment. Today, belief in the immortal
soul or spirit that can suffer in
hellfire is taught by most religions.
18
Since ancient Babylonian worship spread throughout the earth, modern Babylon the Great can properly be identified as the world empire of false religion.
And God has foretold that this empire
of false religion will come to a
sudden end. (Revelation 18:8) Do you see why it is vital that you separate yourself from every part of
Babylon the Great? Jehovah God wants
you to "get out of her" quickly while there is still time.—Revelation 18:4.
* For more
information about why Babylon the Great represents the world empire of false religion, see the Appendix,
pages 219-20.
16. What should be done about taking part in false
religion?
17, 18.
What is "Babylon the Great," and why is it urgent to "get out of
her"?
Worship That God
Approves 153
19 As a result of your decision to quit practicing
false religion, some may choose to stop associating with you. By serving Jehovah with his people, however, you
will gain far more than you could
ever lose. Like Jesus' early disciples
who left other things to follow him, you will come to have many spiritual brothers and sisters. You
will become part of a large worldwide
family of millions of true Christians,
who show you genuine love. And you will have the wonderful hope of everlasting life "in the coming
system of things[cxv] [cxvi]." (Mark 10:28-30) Perhaps in time, those who abandoned you because of your beliefs will look into what the Bible teaches and become
worshipers of Jehovah.
20 The Bible teaches that God will soon bring an
end to this wicked system of things
and will replace it with a righteous
new world under the rulership of his Kingdom. (2 Peter 3:9, 13) What a marvelous world that will be! And in that righteous new system, there will be
only one religion, one true form of
worship. Is it not the course of wisdom
for you to take the necessary steps to come into association with true worshipers right now?
19.
What will you gain by serving Jehovah?
20.
What does the future hold for those who practice the true
religion?
WHAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES n There is only one
true religion —Matthew 7:13, 14. n True religion is
identified by its teachings and
practices.—Matthew 7:16, 17. n Jehovah's
Witnesses practice the worship that
God approves.—Isaiah 43:10. |
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Take Your Stand for
True
Worship
What does the Bible teach about
the use of images?
What view do Christians take of
religious holidays?
How can you explain your beliefs to others
without offending them?
SUPPOSE you found
out that your whole neighborhood has been contaminated. Someone has secretly been dumping poisonous
waste in the area, and now the situation is life threatening. What would you
do? No doubt, you would move away if you could. But after doing that, you would still
face this serious question, 'Have I been poisoned?'
2 A similar situation arises with regard to false
religion. The Bible teaches that such worship is contaminated with unclean
teachings and practices. (2 Corinthians 6: 17) That is why it is important for
you to get out of "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false
religion. (Revelation 18:2, 4) Have you done this? If so, you are to be commended. But
more is involved than just separating yourself or resigning from a false religion.
Afterward, you must ask yourself, 'Do any traces of false worship remain in me?'
Consider some examples.
IMAGES AND ANCESTOR
WORSHIP
3 Some have had images or shrines in
their home for years. Is that true of you? If so, you might feel that it is strange or
wrong to pray to God without such a visible aid. You may even feel attached to some of these items. But God is
the one who says how he should be worshiped, and the Bible teaches that he does not want us to use images.
(Exodus 20:4, 5; Psalm 115:4-8; Isaiah 42:8; 1 John 5:21) So you can take a stand for true worship by destroying
any items you own that are connected with
false worship. By all means, come to view them
as Jehovah does—as something "detestable."—Deuteronomy 27:15.
4 Ancestor worship also is common in many false
3.
(a) What does the Bible say about the use of images, and
why might God's view be difficult for some to accept? (b)
What should you do with any items you own
that are connected with false worship?
4.
(a) How do we
know that ancestor worship is futile? (b) Why did Jehovah forbid his people to engage in any form of
spiritism?
156 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
religions. Before
learning Bible truth, some believed that the dead are conscious in an invisible realm and that they can help or harm the living. Perhaps you
used to go to great lengths to
appease your dead ancestors. But as you
learned in Chapter 6 of this book, the dead have no conscious existence anywhere. Thus, attempts to communicate with them are of no use. Any messages
that seem to come from a dead loved
one really originate with the demons.
Therefore, Jehovah forbade the Israelites to try to talk with the dead or to participate in any other form of spiritism.—Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
5 If
the use of images or the practice of ancestor worship was part of your former way of worship, what
can you do? Read and ponder over
Bible passages that show you how God views these things. Pray to Jehovah daily about your desire to take a stand for true
worship, and ask him to help you to
think as he does.—Isaiah 55:9.
CHRISTMAS—NOT CELEBRATED
BY EARLY CHRISTIANS
6 A
person's worship could be contaminated by false religion as it relates to popular holidays[cxvii]
[cxviii]. Consider Christmas, for example. Christmas supposedly commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, and nearly every
religion that claims to be Christian
celebrates it. Yet, there is no evidence
that the first-century disciples of Jesus observed such a holiday. The book Sacred Origins of
Profound Things states:
"For two centuries after Christ's birth, no one knew, and few people cared, exactly when he was born."
5. What can you do if
the use of images or the practice of ancestor worship was in your religious
past?
6,
7. (a) Christmas supposedly commemorates what, and did Jesus' first-century followers observe it? (b) What were
birthday celebrations associated
with during the time of Jesus' early disciples?
7 Even if Jesus' disciples had known the exact date
of his birth, they would not have
celebrated it. Why? Because, as The World Book
Encyclopedia says, the early Christians "considered the celebration of
anyone's birth[cxix] [cxx] to be a pagan custom." The only birthday
observances mentioned in the Bible
are those of two rulers who did not worship
Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20; Mark 6:21) Birthday celebrations were also held in honor of pagan deities. For example, on May 24 the Romans
celebrated the birthday of the
goddess Diana. On the following day,
they observed the birthday of their sun-god, Apollo. Hence, birthday celebrations were associated with
paganism, not with Christianity.
8 There
is another reason why first-century Christians would not have celebrated Jesus' birthday. His disciples likely knew that birthday celebrations were
connected with superstition. For
instance, many Greeks and Romans of
ancient times believed that a spirit attended the birth of each human and protected that one
throughout life. "This spirit
had a mystic relation with the god on whose
birthday the individual was born," says the book The Lore of
Birthdays. Jehovah certainly
would not be pleased with any
observance that would link Jesus with superstition.
(Isaiah 65:11, 12) So how did Christmas come to be celebrated by many people?
THE
ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS
9 It was
not until several hundred years after Jesus lived on the earth that people began to commemorate his birth
on December 25[cxxi] [cxxii]. But that was not the
date of Jesus'
8.
Explain
the connection between birthday celebrations and superstition.
9.
How did December 25 come to be
regarded as the day to celebrate Jesus' birth?
158 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
birth, for it evidently took place in October.* So why was
December 25 chosen[cxxiii]
[cxxiv]? Some who later claimed to be
Christian likely "wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the 'birthday of the
unconquered sun." (The New
Encyclopcedia Britannica) In winter, when the sun seemed weakest, pagans held
ceremonies to get this source of
warmth and light to come back from
its distant travels. December 25 was thought to be the day that the sun began its return. In an effort to convert pagans, religious leaders adopted this
festival and tried to make it seem
"Christian."'
10 The
pagan roots of Christmas have long been recognized. Because of its unscriptural origin, Christmas was banned in England and in some of the American colonies during the 17th century. Anyone who even stayed home from work on Christmas day had to pay a penalty. Soon, though, the old customs were back, and some new ones were added. Christmas once again became a big holiday, and that is what it still is in many lands. Because of the connections that Christmas has with false religion, however,
*
See the Appendix, pages 221-2.
"The
Saturnalia also played a part in the choice of December 25. This festival honoring the Roman god of
agriculture took place on December 17-24.
Feasting, merrymaking, and gift-giving
took place during the Saturnalia.
10. In times past, why did some people not celebrate
Christmas?
Take
Your Stand for Dye Worship 159
those who want to
please God do not celebrate it or any other
holiday that has its roots in pagan worship[cxxv] [cxxvi].*
DO
ORIGINS REALLY MATTER?
11 Some agree that such holidays as Christmas have pagan origins but still feel that it is not wrong
to celebrate them. After all, most
people are not thinking about false worship
when they observe holidays. These occasions also
give families opportunities to draw close together[cxxvii]
[cxxviii]. Is this how you feel? If so, likely it is love of family, not love of false religion, that makes taking a stand for
true worship seem difficult. Be
assured that Jehovah, the one who originated
the family, wants you to have a good relationship with your relatives. (Ephesians 3:14, 15) But you can strengthen such bonds in ways that God approves.
Regarding the matter that should be
our chief concern, the apostle Paul
wrote: "Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the
Lord."—Ephesians 5:10.
12 Maybe you feel that the origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated today. Do
origins really matter? Yes! To
illustrate: Suppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you
pick up that candy and eat it? Of
course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places. To take a stand
for true worship, we need to have a
viewpoint like that of the prophet
Isaiah, who told true worshipers: "Touch nothing unclean."—Isaiah 52:11.
* For a discussion of
how true Christians view other popular holidays, see the Appendix, pages 222-3.
11.
Why do some people
celebrate holidays, but what should be our chief concern?
12.
Illustrate why we should avoid customs and
celebrations that have bad origins.
DISCERNMENT
IN DEALING WITH OTHERS
13
Challenges may arise when you choose not to participate in holidays. For example, fellow employees may wonder why you do not engage in certain holiday
activities where you work. What if
you are offered a Christmas gift?
Would it be wrong to accept it? What if your marriage mate does not share your beliefs? How can you make sure that your children do not feel
deprived because of not celebrating holidays?
14 Good
judgment is needed to discern how to handle each situation. If a holiday greeting is casually extended, you could simply thank the well-wisher. But
suppose you are dealing with someone
you see or work with regularly. In
that case, you might choose to say more. In all cases, be tactful. The Bible advises: "Let your
utterance be always with
graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one." (Colossians 4:6) Be
careful not to show disrespect for others. Instead, tactfully explain your position. Make clear that you are not
against gift-giving and gatherings but prefer to participate in these activities at a different time.
15 What
if someone wants to give you a gift? Much depends upon the circumstances. The giver might say: "I know that
you do not celebrate the holiday. Still, I want you to have this." You may decide that accepting the gift under those circumstances is not the same as
taking part in the holiday. Of
course, if the giver is not familiar with your beliefs, you could mention that
you do not observe the holiday. This
would help to explain why you accept a gift
but do not give one on that occasion. On the other
13. What challenges
may arise when you do not participate in holidays?
14, 15. What could
you do if a holiday greeting is extended to you or if someone wants to give you a gift?
Take Your Stand for True Worship 161
hand, it would be wise not to accept a gift if it
is given with the clear intention
of showing that you do not stick to
your beliefs or that you would compromise for the sake of material gain.
WHAT ABOUT FAMILY
MEMBERS?
16 What if family members do not share your
beliefs? Again, be tactful. There is
no need to make an issue of every
custom or celebration that your relatives choose to observe. Instead, respect their right to their
views, just as you want them to
respect your right to yours. (Matthew 7:12)
Avoid any actions that would make you a participant in the holiday. Still, be reasonable when it comes to matters that do not amount to actual
celebration. Of course, you should
always act in a way that will leave you with a good conscience.-1 Timothy 1:18, 19.
17 What can you do so that your children do not feel
deprived because of not celebrating
unscriptural holidays? Much depends on what you do at other times of the year. Some parents set aside times to give
presents to their children. One of the
best gifts you can give your children
is your time and loving attention.
PRACTICE
TRUE WORSHIP
18 To please God, you must reject false worship and take a stand for true worship. What does this
include? The Bible states: "Let
us consider one another to incite
to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom,
but
16.
How can you be tactful when handling matters related to holidays?
17.
How can you help your children
not to feel deprived because they see that others are celebrating
holidays?
18. How can attending Christian meetings help you to take a stand for true worship?
encouraging one
another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
Christian
meetings are happy occasions for you to worship God in the way that he approves.
(Psalm 22:22; 122:1) At such meetings, there is "an interchange of
encouragement" among faithful Christians.—Romans 1:12.
19 Another way that you can take a stand for true worship is to speak
to others about the things you have learned from studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses. Many people
truly are "sighing and groaning" over the wickedness that is taking place
in the world today. (Ezekiel 9:4) Perhaps you know some people who feel that way. Why not
speak to them about your Bible-based hope for the future? As you associate with true
Christians and speak to others about the marvelous Bible truths you have learned, you
will find that any desire for the customs of false worship that may have remained in your heart will
gradually disappear. Be assured that you will be very happy and will receive many
blessings if you take your stand for true worship.—Malachi 3:10.
19. Why is it important that you speak to others about the things you have learned from the Bible?
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES n Neither images
nor ancestor worship have any place in true worship.—Exodus 20:4, 5; Deuteronomy
18:10-12. n It is wrong to
take part in celebrations that have pagan origins.—Ephesians 5:10. n
True Christians should be tactful when they explain
their beliefs to others. —Colossians 4:6. |
Draw Close to God
in Prayer
Why should we pray to God?
What must we do to be heard by God?
How does God answer our prayers?
COMPARED with the
vast universe, the earth is very small. In fact, to Jehovah, "the Maker of heaven and
earth,"
the nations of mankind are like a tiny drop of water from a bucket.
(Psalm 115:15; Isaiah 40:15) Yet, the Bible says: "Jehovah is near to all
those calling upon him, to all those who call upon him in trueness. The desire
of those
fearing him he will perform, and their cry for help he will hear."
(Psalm 145:18, 19) Just think of what that means! The almighty Creator is near
to us and will hear us if we "call upon him in trueness." What a
privilege we have to approach
God in prayer[cxxix] [cxxx]!
2 If we want Jehovah to listen to our
prayers, however, we must pray to him in the way that he approves. How can we do this
unless we understand what the Bible teaches about prayer? It is vital for us to know what
the Scriptures
say on this subject, for prayer helps us to draw closer to Jehovah.
WHY PRAY TO JEHOVAH?
3 One important reason why we should pray to Jeho‑
1, 2. Why should we view prayer as a great privilege, and why do we need to know what the Bible teaches about it?
3.
What is one important reason why we should pray to Jehovah?
vah is that he invites us to do so. His Word
encourages us: "Do not be
anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with
thanksgiving let your petitions be
made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4: 6, 7) Surely we would
not want to ignore such a kind provision
made for us by the Supreme Ruler of the universe!
4
Another reason to pray is that regularly praying to Jehovah is a way to strengthen our relationship
with him. True friends do not
communicate only when they need something.
Rather, good friends are interested in each other, and their friendship becomes stronger as they freely express their thoughts, concerns, and
feelings. In some respects, the
situation is similar when it comes to our relationship with Jehovah God. With
the help of this book, you have
learned much about what the Bible teaches regarding Jehovah, his personality, and his purposes. You
4. How
does regular prayer to Jehovah strengthen our relationship with him?
have come to know him
as a real person. Prayer gives you the opportunity to express your thoughts and
innermost feelings to your heavenly
Father. As you do, you draw closer to
Jehovah.—James 4:8.
WHAT REQUIREMENTS MUST WE MEET?
5 Does
Jehovah listen to all prayers? Consider what he told rebellious Israelites in the days of the prophet Isaiah: "Even though you make many prayers,
I am not listening; with bloodshed
your very hands have become filled."
(Isaiah 1:15) So certain actions can cause God not to listen to our prayers.
For our prayers to be favorably heard by God, therefore, we must meet some
basic requirements.
6 A
primary requirement is that we exercise faith. (Mark 11:24) The apostle Paul wrote: "Without faith it is impossible to please [God] well, for he that
approaches God must believe that he
is and that he becomes the rewarder
of those earnestly seeking him." (Hebrews 11:6) Having true faith is more than merely knowing
that God exists and that he hears and
answers prayers. Faith is proved by
our actions. We must give clear evidence that we have faith by the way we live every day. James 2:26.
Jehovah also requires that those who approach him
in prayer do so with humility and sincerity. Do we not have reason to be humble when speaking to
Jehovah? When people have the
opportunity to speak to a king or a president,
they usually do so respectfully, acknowledging
5. What
shows that Jehovah does not listen to all prayers?
6.
In order for God to listen
to our prayers, what is a primary requirement, and
how can we meet it?
7. (a) Why should we be respectful when
speaking to Jehovah in prayer? (b) When
praying to God, how can we show humility and sincerity?
the ruler's high
position. How much more so should we be
respectful when approaching Jehovah! (Psalm 138:6) After all, he is "God Almighty."
(Genesis 17:1) When we pray to God,
the manner in which we approach him should
show that we humbly recognize our position before him. Such humility will also move us to pray from our heart in sincerity, avoiding routine,
repetitive prayers.—Matthew 6:7, 8.
8 Another
requirement for being heard by God is that we act in harmony with our prayers. Jehovah expects us to do all that is within our power to work at
what we pray for. For example, if we pray, "Give us today our bread for this day," we must work hard at whatever
available job we are able to
perform. (Matthew 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 3: 10) If we pray for help in overcoming a fleshly weakness, we must be careful to avoid circumstances and
situations that could lead us into
temptation. (Colossians 3:5) In addition
to these basic requirements, there are questions about prayer that we need to have answered.
ANSWERING SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT PRAYER
9 To whom should we pray? Jesus taught his followers to pray to "our Father in the heavens."
(Matthew 6:9) Our prayers, then,
must be directed only to Jehovah God. However,
Jehovah requires that we acknowledge the position of his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As we learned in Chapter 5, Jesus was sent to the earth to serve
as a ransom to redeem us from sin and
death[cxxxi]
[cxxxii]. (John 3:16; Romans 5:12) He
is the appointed High Priest and Judge. (John 5:22; Hebrews 6:20) Hence, the Scriptures direct us to offer our prayers through Jesus. He himself
said: "I am
8.
How can we act in
harmony with what we pray for?
9.
To whom
should we pray, and through whom?
168 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
the way and the truth
and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me." (John 14:6) For our prayers to be heard, we must pray
only to Jehovah through his
Son.
10 Must we assume a
special position or posture when praying? No. Jehovah does not require any specific position, either of
the hands or of the whole body. The Bible
teaches that it is acceptable to pray in a wide variety of positions. These include sitting, bowing,
kneeling, and standing. (1 Chronicles
17:16; Nehemiah 8:6; Daniel 6:10;
Mark 11:25) What is truly important is, not some special posture that can be
seen by others, but the right heart
attitude. In fact, during our daily activities or when we are faced with an emergency, we may offer
a silent prayer wherever we are.
Jehovah hears such prayers even
though they may go completely unnoticed by those around us.—Nehemiah 2:1-6.
11 What may we pray for? The Bible explains: "No matter what it is
that we ask according to his will, he [Jehovah]
hears us." (1 John 5:14) So we may pray for anything that is in
harmony with God's will. Is it his will
that we pray about personal concerns? By all means! Praying to Jehovah can be much like talking to a
close friend. We may speak openly,
'pouring out our heart' to God. (Psalm 62:8) It is proper for us to ask for
holy spirit, for it will help us to do what is right. (Luke 11:13) We can also ask for guidance in making wise
decisions and for strength in coping
with difficulties. (James 1:5) When we
sin, we should ask for forgiveness on the basis of Christ's sacrifice. (Ephesians 1:3, 7) Of course,
personal
10.
Why is no specific position or posture required when we pray?
11.
What are some
personal concerns that are proper subjects of prayer?
matters should not be
the only subjects of our prayers. We
should broaden out our prayers to include other people—family members as well as fellow
worshipers.—Acts 12:5; Colossians
4:12.
12 Matters relating to Jehovah God should be given first importance in our prayers. We certainly have
reason to express heartfelt praise
and thanks to him for all his goodness.
(1 Chronicles 29:10-13) Jesus gave the model prayer, recorded at Matthew 6:9-13, in which he taught us to pray that God's name be sanctified, that
is, treated as sacred, or holy.
That God's Kingdom come and that his
will be done on the earth as it is in heaven are mentioned next. Only after covering these important
matters relating to Jehovah did
Jesus give attention to personal concerns.
When we likewise give God the most important place in our prayers, we show that we are interested in more than
just our own welfare
13 How long should our prayers be? The Bible does not place any limit on how long private or public prayers should be. They may range from a brief prayer before a meal to a long private prayer in which we
pour out our heart to Jehovah. (1
Samuel 1:12, 15) However, Jesus
condemned self-righteous individuals who made long, showy prayers before others. (Luke 20:46, 47) Such prayers do not impress Jehovah. What is
important is that we pray from our
heart. Hence, the length of
acceptable prayers may vary according to needs and circumstances.
12.
How may we give
matters concerning our. heavenly Father first importance in our prayers?
13.
What do the Scriptures indicate about the length
of acceptable prayers?
170 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
14 How often should we pray? The Bible encourages us to "pray continually," to "persevere
in prayer," and to "pray incessantly." (Matthew 26:41; Romans
12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Of
course, these statements do not mean that we must be praying to Jehovah every moment of the day. Rather, the Bible is urging us to pray regularly,
continually thanking Jehovah for
his goodness to us and looking to him
for guidance, comfort, and strength. Is it not comforting to know that Jehovah puts no limit on how
long or how often we can talk to him in prayer? If we truly appreciate the privilege of prayer, we will find
many opportunities to pray to our
heavenly Father.
is Why should we say "Amen" at the end of a
prayer? The word
"amen" means "surely," or "so be it." Scriptural
examples show that it is appropriate to say "Amen" at the close of
personal and public prayers. (1 Chronicles 16:36; Psalm 41:13) By saying "Amen" at the end of our own prayer, we affirm that our expressions were
made with sincerity. When we say "Amen"—either silently or out loud—at the end of someone's public prayer,
we indicate that we are in
agreement with the thoughts that were expressed.-1 Corinthians 14:16.
HOW GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS
16 Does Jehovah really answer prayers? Yes, indeed!
We have a firm basis to be confident
that the "Hearer of prayer"
answers sincere prayers offered by millions of humans. (Psalm 65:2) Jehovah's answer to our
prayers may come in a variety of
ways.
14.
What does the Bible mean
when it encourages us to "pray continually," and what is comforting about this?
15.
Why should we say "Amen" at the end of
personal and public prayers?
16. What confidence
can we have regarding prayer?
Draw Close to God in Prayer 171
17 Jehovah uses his angels and his earthly servants to answer prayers.
(Hebrews 1:13, 14) There have been many experiences of individuals who prayed
to God for help to understand the Bible and were soon thereafter contacted by one
of Jehovah's servants. Such experiences give evidence of angelic direction of the Kingdom- preaching work.
(Revelation 14:6) To answer our prayers offered
in a time of real need, Jehovah may motivate
17. Why can it be said that God uses his angels and his
earthly servants to answer our prayers?
In response to
our prayers, Jehovah
can motivate a Christian to come to our aid
a Christian to come
to our
aid.—Proverbs 12: 25; James 2:16.
18 Jehovah God also uses his holy spirit and his Word, the Bible, to answer the prayers of his servants. He may answer our prayers for help to cope with trials by giv‑
ing us guidance and strength by means of his holy
spirit. (2 Corinthians 4:7) Often the
answer to our prayers for direction comes from the Bible, where Jehovah gives
us help in making wise decisions.
Helpful scriptures may be found
during our personal Bible study and as we read Christian publications, such as this book. Scriptural points that we need to consider may be brought to
our attention by what is said at a
Christian meeting or through the comments
of a concerned elder in the congregation. —Galatians 6:1.
19 If Jehovah seems to delay in answering our prayers, this is never because he is not able to answer
them. Rather, we must remember that
Jehovah answers prayers according to his will and in his due time. He
knows our needs and how to care for them
far better than we do. Often he allows us to 'keep on asking, seeking, and
18. How does Jehovah use
his holy spirit and his Word to answer the
prayers of his servants?
19. What should we keep in
mind if our prayers sometimes seem to go unanswered?
173
knocking.' (Luke 11:5-10) Such perseverance shows God that our desire is very deep and that our faith is genuine. Furthermore, Jehovah may answer our prayers in a way that is not obvious to us. For example, he may answer our prayer regarding a particular trial, not by removing the difficulty, but by giving us the strength to endure it.—Philippians 4:13.
20 How thankful we can
be that the Creator of this vast universe is
close to all who call upon him properly in prayer!
(Psalm 145:18) May we take full advantage of the precious privilege of prayer. If we do, we will have the joyous prospect of drawing ever closer to Jehovah, the Hearer of prayer.
20. Why should we take full advantage of the precious
privilege of prayer?
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES n Regularly praying
to Jehovah helps us to draw closer
to him. James 4:8. n For our prayers to
be heard by God, we must pray in
faith and with humility and sincerity.—Mark
11:24. n We must pray only
to Jehovah through his Son.—Matthew
6:9; John 14:6. n Jehovah, the
"Hearer of prayer," uses his angels, his earthly servants, his holy spirit, and his Word to answer prayers. —Psalm 65:2. |
Baptism
and Your Relationship With God 175
Messiah[cxxxiii] [cxxxiv]. Touched to the
heart by what he had learned from the
Scriptures, the Ethiopian man took action. He showed that he wanted to be baptized!—Acts 8:26-36.
2 If you
have carefully studied the earlier chapters of this book with one of Jehovah's Witnesses, you may feel ready to ask, 'What prevents me from getting baptized?' By now you have learned about the Bible's promise
of everlasting life in Paradise.
(Luke 23:43; Revelation 21: 3, 4) You
have also learned about the true condition of the dead and the resurrection hope. (Ecclesiastes 9:5; John 5:28, 29) You have probably been associating
with Jehovah's Witnesses at their
congregation meetings and have seen
for yourself how they practice the true religion. (John 13:35) Most important, you have likely begun to develop a personal relationship with Jehovah
God.
3 How can
you show that you want to serve God? Jesus told his followers: "Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing
them." (Matthew 28:19) Jesus
himself set the example by being
baptized in water. He was not sprinkled with water, and he did not just have some water poured over his head. (Matthew 3:16)
The word "baptize" comes
from a Greek term meaning "dip." Christian baptism therefore means being fully dipped, or immersed, in water.
Water baptism is a requirement[cxxxv] [cxxxvi] for all who want to have a relationship with Jehovah God. Baptism
publicly indicates your desire to
serve God. It shows that you are delighted
to do Jehovah's will. (Psalm 40:7, 8) To qualify for baptism, however, you must
take definite steps.
2.
Why should you think seriously about baptism?
3.
(a) What command did Jesus give his followers? (b) How is water baptism performed?
4. What does water baptism indicate?
KNOWLEDGE
AND FAITH NEEDED
5 You
have already begun to take the first step. How? By taking in knowledge
of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ,
perhaps by means of a systematic
study of the Bible. (John 17:3)[cxxxvii]
[cxxxviii] But there is more to learn. Christians want to be "filled with the accurate knowledge of
[God's] will." (Colossians
1:9) Attending the congregation meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses is a big help in this regard. It is ≠important
to attend such meetings[cxxxix]
[cxl]. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Regular
meeting attendance will help you increase your knowledge of God.
6 Of
course, you do not need to know everything in the Bible in order to qualify for baptism. The Ethiopian court official had some knowledge, but he needed help to understand
certain parts of the Scriptures[cxli] [cxlii]. (Acts 8:30, 31) Likewise, you still have much to learn. In fact, you will never stop learning about God. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Before you can be baptized, however,
you need to know and accept at least
the basic Bible teachings. (Hebrews 5:12) Such teachings include the truth about the condition of the dead and the importance of God's name and
his Kingdom.
Knowledge alone is not enough, though, for
"without faith it is impossible
to please [God] well." (Hebrews 11:6)
The Bible tells us that when some people in the ancient city of Corinth heard the Christian
message, they "began to believe
and be baptized." (Acts 18:8) In a similar way, a study of the Bible should fill you with faith that
5.
(a) What is the first
step in qualifying for baptism? (b) Why are Christian meetings important?
6.
How much Bible knowledge must you have in order
to qualify for baptism?
7. What effect should
a study of the Bible have on you?
Baptism and Your Relationship With God 177
it is the inspired Word of God[cxliii] [cxliv] . Bible study should help you to have faith in God's promises and in the
saving power of Jesus'
sacrifice.—Joshua 23:14; Acts 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
SHARING BIBLE TRUTH
WITH OTHERS
8 As faith grows in your heart, you will find it
hard to keep what you have learned to
yourself. (Jeremiah 20:9) You will be
strongly motivated to speak to others about God and his purposes.-2 Corinthians
4:13.
9 You might begin to share Bible truth with others by tactfully speaking about it to your relatives,
friends, neighbors, and workmates.
In time, you will want to share in
the organized preaching work of Jehovah's Witnesses. At that point, feel free to talk things over with the Witness who is teaching you the Bible. If it
appears that you qualify for the public ministry[cxlv] [cxlvi], arrangements will be made
for you and your teacher to meet with two of the congregation elders.
10 This will enable you to get better acquainted
with some Christian elders, who
shepherd the flock of God. (Acts
20:28; 1 Peter 5:2, 3) If these elders see that you understand and believe basic Bible teachings, are
living in harmony with God's
principles, and truly want to be one of
Jehovah's Witnesses, they will let you know that you qualify to share in the public ministry as an
unbaptized publisher of the good
news.
11 On the other
hand, you may need to make some
8. What will move you to share with others what you have learned? 9, 10. (a) With whom might you begin sharing Bible truth? (b) What should you do if you want to share in the organized preaching work of Jehovah's Witnesses?
11. What changes might some have to make before they
qualify for the public ministry?
178 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
changes in your
life-style and habits in order to qualify for the public ministry. This may include stopping some practices that
have been kept secret from others. Hence, before you ask about becoming an unbaptized publisher, you need to be free of serious sins, such as
sexual immorality, drunkenness, and
drug abuse.-1 Corinthians 6:9, 10;
Galatians 5:19-21.
REPENTANCE
AND CONVERSION
12 Some
other steps must be taken before you qualify for baptism. The apostle Peter said: "Repent . . . and turn around
so as to get your sins blotted out." (Acts 3:19) To repent
is to feel sincere regret[cxlvii]
[cxlviii] over something you have done. Repentance is
dearly fitting if a person has lived an
immoral life, but it is also necessary even if one has lived a relatively clean life morally. Why?
Because all humans are sinners and need God's forgiveness. (Romans 3:23; 5:12)
Before studying the Bible, you did not know what God's will was. So how could you have lived in full harmony with his will? Therefore, repentance is
necessary.
13
Repentance must be followed by conversion, or
'turning around.' You must do more
than feel regret. You need to reject
your former way of life and be firmly determined that you will do what is right from now on. Repentance and conversion are steps that you must
take before being baptized.
MAKING A PERSONAL
DEDICATION
14 There is another important step to take before being baptized. You must
dedicate
yourself
to Jehovah God.
12. Why is repentance necessary?
13. What is conversion?
14. What important
step must you take before being baptized?
Baptism and Your
Relationship With God 179
15 When you dedicate yourself to Jehovah God in earnest prayer, you promise to give him your exclusive devotion forever. (Deuteronomy 6:15) Why,
though, would someone want to do
that? Well, suppose a man has begun
to court a woman. The more he learns about her and sees that she has fine qualities, the more he finds himself drawn to her. In time, it is natural that
he would ask her to marry him. True, getting married will mean taking on
additional responsibilities. But love will move him to take that important
step.
16 When you come to know and love Jehovah, you are moved to serve him without holding anything back
or setting any limits in worshiping him. Anyone who wants to follow God's Son,
Jesus Christ, has to "disown himself." (Mark 8:34) We disown
ourselves by making sure that
personal desires and goals do not stand in the way of our complete obedience to God. Before you can be
baptized, then, doing Jehovah God's will must be your main purpose in life.-1 Peter 4:2.
OVERCOMING
FEAR OF FAILURE
17 Some hold back from making a dedication to Jehovah because they are somewhat afraid of taking
such a serious step. They may fear being accountable to God as a dedicated Christian. Being afraid that they may
fail and disappoint Jehovah, they
think that it is best not to make a
dedication to him.
is As you learn to love Jehovah, you will be
moved to make a dedication to him and
to do your best to live up to it. (Ecclesiastes 5:4) After making a dedication,
surely
15, 16. What does it
mean to dedicate yourself to God, and what moves a person to do this?
17. Why might some hold
back from making a dedication to God?
18. What can move you to
make a dedication to Jehovah?
•
Acquiring
accurate
knowledge of God's Word
is an important step toward
qualifying for baptism
Faith
should move you
to share what you believe
with others
you will want to
"walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him." (Colossians 1:10) Because
of your love
for God, you will not think it is too hard to do his will. No doubt you
will agree with the apostle John, who wrote: "This is what the love of God means, that we
observe
his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome."-1 John 5:3.
19 You do not have to be perfect to make a dedication to God. Jehovah knows
your limitations and never expects you to do more than you are able to do. (Psalm 103:14)
He wants you to succeed and will support and help you.
19. Why do you not need to fear making a dedication to
God?
Baptism and Your
Relationship With God 181
(Isaiah 41:10) You can be sure that if you trust in Jehovah with all your heart, he "will make your paths straight." —Proverbs 3:5, 6.
SYMBOLIZING
YOUR DEDICATION
BY
GETTING BAPTIZED
20 Thinking about the things we have just discussed may help you to make a personal dedication to Jehovah in prayer. Everyone who really loves God must also 'make
20. Why can dedication to Jehovah not remain a private
matter?
182 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
public declaration
for salvation.' (Romans 10:10) How do you go about doing that?
21 Let
the coordinator of the body of elders of your congregation know that you want to get baptized. He
will arrange for some elders to
review with you a number of questions
that cover the Bible's basic teachings. If these elders agree that you qualify, they will tell you that you can be baptized at the next opportunity.* A talk
reviewing the meaning of baptism is
usually given on such occasions. The
speaker then invites all baptism candidates
to answer two simple questions as one way to make a verbal "public declaration" of their
faith.
22 It
is the baptism itself that publicly identifies you as a person who has made a dedication to God and is
now one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Baptism candidates are fully immersed
in water to show publicly that they have made a dedication to Jehovah.
THE MEANING OF YOUR
BAPTISM
23 Jesus
said that his disciples would be baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
holy spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
This means that a baptism candidate
recognizes the authority of Jehovah God and of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 83:18; Matthew 28:18) He also recognizes the function and activity of God's holy
spirit, or active force.—Galatians
5:22, 23; 2 Peter 1:21.
24 However, baptism is not a mere bath. It is a symbol
* Baptisms are a regular feature of annual assemblies and conventions held by Jehovah's Witnesses.
21, 22. How can you
make "public declaration" of your faith?
23.
What does it mean to be baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit"?
24,
25. (a) What does baptism symbolize? (b) What question needs to be answered?
of something very
important. Going beneath the water symbolizes that you have died to your former life
course. Being
raised up out of the water indicates that you are now alive to do the
will of God. Remember, too, that you have made a dedication to Jehovah God himself, not to a work, a cause,
other humans, or an organization. Your dedication and baptism are the beginning
of a very close friendship with God—an intimate relationship with him. —Psalm 25:14.
25 Baptism does not guarantee salvation[cxlix] [cl].
The apostle Paul wrote: "Keep working
out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)
Baptism is only a beginning. The question is, How can you remain in God's love? Our final chapter will
provide the answer.
WHAT THE BIBLE
TEACHES n Christian baptism
involves complete immersion in
water, not just sprinkling. —Matthew
3:16. n Steps leading to
baptism begin with taking in
knowledge and showing faith followed
by repentance, conversion, and the
dedicating of oneself to God. —John
17:3; Acts 3:19; 18:8. n To make a
dedication to Jehovah, you must disown yourself, even as people disowned
themselves to follow Jesus. —Mark 8:34. n Baptism symbolizes
dying to one's former way of life and becoming alive to do God's will.--1 Peter 4:2. |
Remain
in God's Love
What does it mean to love God? How can we remain in God's
love?
How
will Jehovah reward those who
remain in his love?
PICTURE yourself
walking along a road on a stormy day.
The sky becomes darker. lightning
starts to flash, thunder booms, then
rain falls in torrents. You hurry along,
desperately looking for a refuge. There,
by the roadside, you see a shelter. It is
sturdy, dry, and inviting. How you value that safe place!
2 We
are living in stormy times. World conditions
are going from bad to worse. But
there is a secure shelter, a refuge that can keep us safe from permanent harm. What is it? Note what the Bible teaches: "I will say to Jehovah: 'You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God, in whom I will trust.' "—Psalm 91:2.
3 Imagine that! Jehovah, the Creator and Sovereign of the universe, can be our protective refuge. He can keep us safe, for he is far more powerful than anyone or anything that may come against us. Even
1, 2. Where can we find a safe refuge today? 3. How can we make Jehovah our refuge?
if we are harmed, Jehovah can undo all the bad
effects. How can we make Jehovah our
refuge? We need to trust in him. Furthermore,
God's Word urges us: "Keep yourselves
in God's love." (Jude 21) Yes, we need to remain in God's love, maintaining a loving bond with our
heavenly Father. Then we may rest
assured that he is our refuge. But
how can we form such a bond?
RECOGNIZE
AND RESPOND TO GOD'S LOVE
4 To
remain in God's love, we need to appreciate how Jehovah has shown his love for us. Think of some of the Bible teachings you have learned with the aid
of this book. As the Creator,
Jehovah has given us the earth as our
delightful home. He has filled it with abundant food and water, natural resources, fascinating animal
life, and beautiful scenery. As the
Author of the Bible, God has revealed his name and his qualities to us.
Moreover, his Word reveals that he sent his own beloved
Son[cli] [clii] to the earth,
allowing Jesus to suffer and die for us. (John 3:16) And what does that gift mean for us? It gives us
hope for a wonderful future.
5 Our hope for the future also depends on something
else that God has done. Jehovah has established a heavenly government, the Messianic Kingdom. It will
soon bring an end to all suffering and will make the earth a paradise. Just think! We can live there in peace
and happiness forever. (Psalm 37:29)[cliii]
[cliv] Meanwhile, God has
given us guidance on how to live in
the best way possible right now. He
has also given us the gift of prayer, an open line of communication with him. These are just a few
of the ways that Jehovah has shown
love for mankind in general and for
you as an individual.
What Does the Bible
Really Teach?
6 The vital question for you to consider is
this: How will
I
respond to Jehovah's love? Many will
say, "Well, I need to love
Jehovah in return." Is that how
you feel? Jesus said that this
command is the greatest of all: "You must love Jehovah your God with your
whole heart and with your whole soul
and with your whole mind."
(Matthew 22:37) You certainly have many reasons to love Jehovah God. But is feeling that you have such love all that is involved in
loving Jehovah with your whole heart,
soul, and mind?
7 As
described in the Bible, love for God is much more than a feeling. In fact, although the feeling of
love for Jehovah is essential, that feeling is just the beginning of real love for him. An apple seed is essential to
the development of a fruit-bearing
apple tree. If you wanted an apple, however, would you be content if someone
merely handed you an apple seed?
Hardly! Similarly, a feeling of love
for Jehovah God is only a start. The Bible teaches: "This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are
not burdensome." (1 John 5:3) To
be genuine, love for God must bear
fine fruit. It must be expressed in actions. —Matthew 7:16-20.
8 We
show our love for God when we observe his commandments and apply his principles. It is not too hard to do so. Far from being burdensome, Jehovah's
laws are designed to help us live a
good, happy, satisfying life.
6.
How might you respond
to the love that Jehovah has shown you?
7.
Is there more to loving God than simply
experiencing a feeling? Explain.
8, 9. How can we
express our love and appreciation for God?
(Isaiah 48:17, 18)
By living in harmony with Jehovah's guidance,
we show our heavenly Father that we truly appreciate all that he has done for us. Sadly, too few in today's world
show such appreciation. We do not want to
be unappreciative, like some people who lived when Jesus was on earth. Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one turned
back to thank him. (Luke 17:12-17) Surely we would want to be like the grateful one, not the ungrateful nine!
9 What, then, are Jehovah's commandments that we need to observe? We have discussed a number of
them-in this book, but let us review a few. Observing
God's commandments will help us to
remain in God's love.
DRAW EVER CLOSER TO JEHOVAH
10 Learning about Jehovah is a vital step in drawing closer to him. It is a process that should never
10. Explain why it is important to continue taking in knowledge about Jehovah God.
Like a fire, your love
for Jehovah needs fuel in order to keep burning
188 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
stop. If you were outside on a very cold night
warming yourself by a fire, would you let the flames dwindle and then die out? No. You would keep adding fuel to
keep the fire burning bright and hot.
Your very life might be at stake! As
wood fuels a fire, so "the very knowledge of God" keeps our love for Jehovah strong.—Proverbs 2:1-5.
11 Jesus wanted his followers to keep their love for
Jehovah and for His precious Word of truth alive and burning brightly. After his resurrection, Jesus taught two of
his disciples[clv] [clvi] about some of the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures that were fulfilled in him. What was
the effect? They later said:
"Were not our hearts burning as he was speaking to us on the road, as he was fully opening up the Scriptures to us?"—Luke 24:32.
12 When you first learned what the Bible really
teaches, did you find that your
heart began to burn with joy, zeal,
and love for God? No doubt you did. Many have felt the same way. The challenge
now is to keep that intense love
alive and to help it grow. We do not want to follow the trend of today's world. Jesus foretold: "The love of the greater number will cool off."
(Matthew 24:12) How can you prevent
your love for Jehovah and for Bible truths
from cooling off?
13 Keep
taking in knowledge of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. (John 17:3) Meditate, or think deeply, on what you learn from God's Word, asking yourself: 'What
does, this teach me about Jehovah
God? What further reason does it give
me to love him with my whole heart, mind, and soul?' (1 Timothy 4:15) Such
meditation will keep your love for
Jehovah burning brightly.
11. What effect did Jesus' teaching have on his followers?
12, 13. (a) Among the majority of mankind today, what has happened to love for God and for the Bible? (b) How can we prevent our love from
cooling off?
14
Another way to keep your love for Jehovah burning brightly is to pray regularly. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) In Chapter 17 of this book, we learned that prayer
is a precious gift from God. Just as
human relationships thrive on
regular, open communication, so our relationship with Jehovah stays warm and alive when we pray to him regularly. It is vital that we never let our
prayers become mechanical—mere
routine words that we repeat over and over
without real feeling or meaning. We need to speak to Jehovah as a child would talk to a beloved
father. We want to speak with respect, of course, but openly, honestly, and from the heart. (Psalm 62:8) Yes, personal
Bible study and heartfelt prayer are
vital aspects of our worship, and
they help us to remain in God's love.
FIND JOY IN YOUR WORSHIP
15 Personal Bible study and prayer are acts of
worship that we may carry out in
private. Now, however, let us consider
an aspect of worship that we carry out publicly: speaking to others about our beliefs. Have you already shared some Bible truths with others? If so, you
have enjoyed a wonderful privilege.
(Luke 1:74) When we share the truths
we have learned about Jehovah God, we are taking up a very important assignment
given to all true Christians—that of preaching the good news of God's Kingdom.—Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.
16 The apostle Paul viewed his ministry as something
precious, calling it a treasure. (2
Corinthians 4:7) Talking to people about Jehovah God and his purposes is the best work you could do. It is service to the
best Master, and it brings the best
benefits possible. By engaging
14. How can prayer
help us to keep our love for Jehovah alive?
15,
16. Why may we rightly view the Kingdom-preaching work as a privilege and a treasure?
for him. And Jehovah
appreciates your efforts. (Hebrews 6:10)
Staying busy in such work helps you to remain in God's love.-1 Corinthians 15:58.
17 It is important to remember that the Kingdom- preaching work is urgent. The Bible says:
"Preach the word, be at it
urgently." (2 Timothy 4:2) Why is doing this so urgent today? God's Word tells us: "The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a
hurrying of it very much." (Zephaniah
1:14) Yes, the time is coming quickly
when Jehovah will
bring this whole system of things to its end[clvii] [clviii]. People need to be warned! They need to know that now is the time to choose Jehovah as their Sovereign. The end "will not be
late."—Habakkuk 2:3.
18 Jehovah wants us to worship him publicly in association with true Christians. That is why his
Word says: "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works,
not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one
another, and all the more so as you
behold the day drawing near."
(Hebrews 10:24, 25) When we gather with fellow believers at Christian meetings, we have a wonderful opportunity to praise and worship our beloved God.
We also build one another up and
encourage one another.
19 As we associate with other worshipers of Jehovah, we strengthen the bonds of love and friendship in
the congregation. It is important
that we look for the good in one
another, as Jehovah looks for the good in us. Do not expect perfection from your fellow believers.
Remember that all are at different
stages of spiritual growth and that
17. Why is the Christian
ministry urgent today?
18. Why should we worship
Jehovah publicly in association with true Christians?
19.
How can we work to strengthen the bonds of love in the Christian congregation?
192
What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
every one of us makes
mistakes. (Colossians 3:13) Seek to
build close friendships with those who love Jehovah intensely, and you will find yourself growing
spiritually. Yes, worshiping Jehovah
with your spiritual brothers and sisters
will help you to remain in God's love. How does Jehovah reward those who worship him faithfully and
thus remain in his love?
REACH
OUT FOR "THE REAL LIFE"
20
Jehovah rewards his faithful servants with life, but life of what kind? Well, are you really living
now? Most of us would say that the
answer is obvious. After all, we breathe,
we eat, and we drink. Surely we must be living. And in our happier moments, we may even say, "Now this is really living!"
However, the Bible indicates that in an
important sense, no human today is really living.
21 God's
Word urges us to "get a firm hold on the real life[clix] [clx]." (1 Timothy 6:19) Those words indicate that "the real life" is something we hope to attain in
the future. Yes, when we are perfect,
we will be alive in the fullest sense
of the word, for we will be living as God originally intended us to live. When we are living on a
paradise earth in complete health,
peace, and happiness, we will at last
enjoy "the real life"—everlasting life. (1 Timothy 6: 12) Is that not a wonderful hope?
22 How can we "get a firm hold on the real
life"? In the same context,
Paul urged Christians "to work at good" and "to be rich in fine works." (1
Timothy 6:18) Clearly, then, much
depends on how we apply the truths we have
learned from the Bible. But did Paul mean that we earn "the real
life" by performing good works? No, for such marvelous prospects really depend on our receiving
20, 21.
What is "the real life," and why is it a wonderful hope? 22. How can
you "get a firm hold on the real life"?
"undeserved
kindness" from God. (Romans 5:15) However, Jehovah delights in rewarding
those who serve him faithfully. He wants to see you live "the real
life." Such a happy, peaceful, everlasting life lies ahead for those
who remain
in God's love.
23 Each of us does well to ask himself, 'Am I worshiping God in the way he
has set out in the Bible?' If we make sure, day by day, that the answer is yes, then we are on the right path. We
can be confident that Jehovah is our refuge. He will keep his faithful people safe through the
last
troubled days of this old system of things. Jehovah will also deliver
us into the glorious new system of things now near. How thrilled we will be to see that time! And how delighted we
will be that we made the right choices during these last days! If you make such choices now, you will enjoy
"the real life," life as Jehovah God meant it to be,
throughout all eternity!
23. Why is it essential to remain in God's love?
WHAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES n We show genuine
love for God by observing his
commandments and applying his principles.-1
John 5:3. n Studying God's
Word, praying to Jehovah in a
heartfelt way, teaching others about him,
and worshiping him at Christian meetings
will help us to remain in God's love. —Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20; John 17:3; 1 Thessalonians 5.17; Hebrews 10:24, 25. n Those who remain in God's love have the hope of enjoying "the real life."-1
Timothy 6:12, 19; Jude 21. |
TOPIC PAGE
1). The
Divine Name—Its Use and Its Meaning ......... 195
2). How
Daniel's Prophecy Foretells the Messiah's Arrival 197
3)... Jesus
Christ—The Promised Messiah ................................... 199
4). The
Truth About the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 201
5)... Why
True Christians Do Not Use the Cross in Worship . . . .. 204
6) The Lord's Evening Meal
—An Observance That
Honors God .......................... 206
6). "Soul"
and "Spirit"—What Do These Terms Really Mean? 208
7). What
Are Sheol and Hades? ............................... 212
8)... Judgment
Day—What Is It?................................................... 213
9)... 1914—A
Significant Year in Bible Prophecy...........................
215
10) Who
Is Michael the Archangel? .......................... 218
11) Identifying
"Babylon the Great" ........................... 219
12). Was
Jesus Born in December?...............................................
221
13) Should
We Celebrate Holidays? ........................... 222
195
The
Divine Name
—Its Use and Its Meaning
IN YOUR copy of the
Bible, how is Psalm 83:18 translated? The
New World
Translation of the Holy Scriptures renders
this verse: "That people may
know that you, whose name is Jehovah,
you alone are the Most High over all the earth." A number of other Bible translations give similar
renderings. However, many
translations leave out the name Jehovah, replacing it with such titles as "Lord" or
"Eternal." What belongs in this verse? A title or the name Jehovah?
This verse speaks
about a name. In the original Hebrew in which much of the Bible was written, a unique personal name appears here. It is spelled 771711 (YHWH) in Hebrew letters. In English, the common rendering of that name is "Jehovah." Does that
name occur in
only one Bible verse? God's name in
No. It appears
in the original text of the Hebrew letters
Hebrew Scriptures
nearly 7,000 times!
How important is God's name? Consider the model
prayer that Jesus Christ gave. It
begins this way: "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified." (Matthew 6:9) Later, Jesus prayed to God: "Father, glorify your
name." In response, God spoke from heaven, saying: "I both glorified
it and will glorify it again."
(John 12:28) Clearly, God's name is of
the utmost importance. Why, then, have some translators left this name out of their translations of the
Bible and replaced it with titles?
There seem to be two main reasons. First, many
claim that the name should not be
used because the original way to pronounce
it is unknown today. Ancient Hebrew was written without vowels. Therefore, no one today can say for sure exactly how people of Bible times pronounced YHWH.
However, should this prevent us
from using God's name? In Bible times,
the name Jesus may have been pronounced Yeshua or
196 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
possibly Yehoshua—no
one can say for certain. Yet, people the
world over today use different forms of the name Jesus, pronouncing it in the way that is common in their
language. They do not hesitate to
use the name just because they do not know
its first-century pronunciation. Similarly, if you were to travel to a foreign land, you might well find that
your own name sounds quite different
in another tongue. Hence, uncertainty
about the ancient pronunciation of God's name is no reason for not using it.
A second reason often given for omitting God's
name from the Bible involves a
long-standing tradition of the Jews. Many
of them hold that God's name should never be pronounced. This belief is evidently based on a misapplication of a Bible
law that states: "You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for
Jehovah will not leave the one
unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way."—Exodus 20:7.
This law forbids the misuse of God's name. But
does it forbid the respectful use
of his name? Not at all. The writers of
the Hebrew Bible (the "Old Testament") were all faithful men who lived by the Law that God gave to the
ancient Israelites. Yet, they made frequent use of God's name. For instance, they included it in many psalms that were sung out
loud by crowds of worshipers.
Jehovah God even instructed his worshipers
to call upon his name, and faithful ones obeyed. (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21) Hence, Christians today do not hesitate
to use God's name respectfully, as
Jesus surely did. John 17:26.
In replacing God's name with titles, Bible
translators make a serious mistake.
They make God seem remote and impersonal,
whereas the Bible urges humans to cultivate "intimacy with Jehovah." (Psalm 25:14) Think of
an intimate friend of yours. How
close would you really be if you never learned
your friend's name? Similarly, when people are kept in ignorance about God's name, Jehovah, how can
they become truly close to God?
Furthermore, when people do not use
God's name, they also lack knowledge of its wonderful meaning. What does the divine name mean?
God himself explained
the meaning of his name to his
faithful servant Moses. When Moses asked about God's name, Jehovah replied:
"I shall prove to be what I shall prove to be." (Exodus 3:14) Rotherham's translation renders those words: "I Will Become whatsoever I
please." So Jehovah can become
whatever is needed in order to fulfill his purposes.
Suppose that you could become whatever you wanted
to become? What would you do for
your friends? If one of them became
seriously ill, you could become a skilled doctor and perform a cure. If another
suffered a financial loss, you could
become a wealthy benefactor and come to his rescue. The truth is, though, that you are limited in what
you can become. All of us are. As you study the Bible, you will be amazed to see how Jehovah becomes whatever is needed in order to fulfill his promises. And it pleases him to use
his power in behalf of those who love
him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) These beautiful facets of Jehovah's personality are
lost to those who do not know his
name.
Clearly, the name Jehovah belongs in the Bible.
Knowing its meaning and using it freely in our worship are powerful aids in drawing closer to our heavenly Father,
Jehovah.*
" For more information on God's name, its meaning,
and reasons why it should be used in worship, see the
brochure The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
How
Daniel's Prophecy Foretells
the Messiah's Arrival
THE prophet Daniel
lived more than 500 years before the birth
of Jesus. Nevertheless, Jehovah revealed to Daniel information that would make it possible to pinpoint
the time when Jesus would be anointed, or appointed, as the Messiah, or Christ. Daniel was told: "You should know
and have the insight that from the
going forth of the word to restore and
198 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
to rebuild
Jerusalem until Messiah the Leader, there will be seven weeks, also sixty-two weeks."—Daniel 9:25.
To determine the time of the Messiah's arrival,
first we need to learn the starting
point of the period leading to the Messiah.
According to the prophecy, it is "from the going forth of the word to restore and to rebuild
Jerusalem." When did this "going forth of the word" take
place? According to the Bible writer
Nehemiah, the word went forth to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem "in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king." (Nehemiah 2:1, 5-8) Historians
confirm that
Appendix
199
the year 474 B.C.E.
was Artaxerxes' first full year as ruler. Therefore, the 20th year of his rule was 455 B.C.E. Now we have the starting point for Daniel's Messianic
prophecy, that is, 455 B.C.E.
Daniel indicates how
long the time period leading to the arrival
of "Messiah the Leader" would last. The prophecy mentions "seven weeks, also sixty-two
weeks"—a total of 69 weeks. How
long is this period of time? Several Bible translations note that these are, not weeks of seven
days, but weeks of years. That is,
each week represents seven years. This concept of weeks of years, or seven-year units, was familiar to Jews of ancient times. For instance, they observed
a Sabbath year every seventh year. (Exodus 23:10, 11) Therefore, the prophetic 69 weeks amount to 69 units of 7 years
each, or a total of 483 years.
Now all we must do is count. If we count from 455
B.C.E., 483 years takes us to the
year 29 C.E. That was exactly the year when Jesus was baptized and
became the Messiah!* (Luke 3:1, 2, 21, 22)
Is that not a remarkable fulfillment of Bible prophecy?
* From 455 B.C.E. to 1 B.C.E. is 454 years. From 1 B.C.E. to 1 C.E. is one year (there was no zero year). And from 1 C.E. to 29 C.E. is 28
years. Adding these three figures gives us the
total of 483 years. Jesus was "cut off" in death in 33 C.E., during
the 70th week of years. (Daniel 9:24, 26) See Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy! chapter 11, and Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, pages 899-901. Both are published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Jesus Christ
—The Promised Messiah
TO HELP us identify
the Messiah, Jehovah God inspired many
Bible prophets to provide details about the birth, the ministry, and the death of this promised
Deliverer. All these Bible prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
They
PROPHECIES REGARDING
THE MESSIAH
EVENT
Born of the tribe of
Judah Born of a virgin
Descended from King David Declared
by Jehovah to be his Son Not believed in
Entered Jerusalem riding an ass Betrayed by a close associate Betrayed for 30 silver pieces Silent before his accusers
Lots cast for his garments Reviled while on the stake None of his bones broken Buried
with the rich
Raised before corruption Exalted
to God's right hand
PROPHECY Genesis
49:10 Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:7 Psalm
2:7 Isaiah 53:1 Zechariah 9:9 Psalm
41:9 Zechariah 11:12 Isaiah 53:7 Psalm 22:18 Psalm 22:7, 8 Psalm 34:20 Isaiah 53:9 Psalm 16:10 Psalm
110:1
FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:23-33 Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 1:1, 6-17 Matthew 3:17 John 12:37, 38 Matthew
21:1-9 John 13:18, 21-30 Matthew
26:14-16 Matthew 27:11-14 Matthew 27:35 Matthew 27:39-43 John 19:33, 36 Matthew
27:57-60 Acts 2:24, 27
Acts 7:56
are amazingly accurate and detailed. To illustrate this, let us consider a few prophecies that foretold events related to the Messiah's birth and childhood.
The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. (Isaiah 9:7) Jesus was indeed born in David's line.—Matthew 1:1, 6-17.
Appendix 201
Micah, another prophet of God, foretold that this
child would eventually become a ruler
and that he would be born in
"Bethlehem Ephrathah." (Micah 5:2) At the time of Jesus' birth, there were two towns in Israel that were
named Bethlehem. One was situated
near Nazareth in the northern region of
the country, and the other, near Jerusalem in Judah. Bethlehem near Jerusalem was formerly called
Ephrathah. Jesus was born in that
town, exactly as the prophecy foretold! —Matthew 2:1.
Another Bible prophecy foretold that the Son of
God would be called "out of
Egypt." The child Jesus was taken into Egypt. He was brought back after the death of Herod, thus fulfilling the prophecy.—Hosea 11:1; Matthew
2:15.
In the chart on page 200, the scriptures listed
under the heading
"Prophecy" contain details concerning the Messiah. Please compare these with the scriptures
listed under the heading
"Fulfillment." Doing so will further strengthen your faith in the truthfulness of God's Word.
While you examine these scriptures, keep in mind
that those of a prophetic nature were
written down hundreds of years
before Jesus' birth. Jesus stated: "All the things written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms
about me must be fulfilled."
(Luke 24:44) As you can verify in your own copy of the Bible, fulfilled they were—in every detail!
The Truth
About the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit
PEOPLE who believe the Trinity teaching say that God consists of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these three persons is said to be equal
to the others, almighty,
and without beginning. According to the Trinity doctrine, therefore, the Father is God, the Son
is God, and the Holy
Spirit is God, yet there is only one God.
202 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
Many who believe the Trinity admit that they are
not able to explain this teaching.
Still, they may feel that it is taught in
the Bible. It is worth noting that the word "Trinity" never occurs in the Bible. But is the idea of a Trinity
found there? To answer this question,
let us look at a scripture that supporters
often cite to uphold the Trinity.
"THE WORD WAS GOD"
John 1:1 states: "In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God." (King James Version) Later in the same chapter, the apostle John
clearly shows that "the
Word" is Jesus. (John 1:14) Since
the Word is called God, however, some
conclude that the Son and the Father
must be part of the same God.
Bear in mind that this part of the Bible was
originally written in Greek. Later,
translators rendered the Greek text into other languages. A number of Bible translators, though, did not use the phrase "the Word was God."
Why not? Based on their knowledge of
Biblical Greek, those translators concluded that the phrase "the Word was God" should be translated differently. How? Here are a few examples:
"The Logos [Word] was
divine." (A New Translation of the Bible) "The Word was a god." (The New Testament in an Improved Version) "The Word was with God and shared his
nature." (The Translator's New Testament) According to these translations, the Word is not God himself.* Instead, because of
his high position among Jehovah's
creatures, the Word is referred to as
"a god." Here the term "god" means "mighty one."
GET MORE FACTS
Most people do not
know Biblical Greek. So how can you know
what the apostle John really meant? Think of this example: A schoolteacher explains a subject to his
students. Afterward, the students
differ on how to understand the ex‑
planation. How can
the students resolve the matter? They could
ask the teacher for more information. No doubt, learning additional facts would help them to
understand the subject better.
Similarly, to grasp the meaning of John 1:1, you can look in the Gospel of John for more information on Jesus'
position. Learning additional facts on this subject will help you to draw the right conclusion.
For instance, consider what John further writes
in chapter 1, verse 18: "No
man has seen [Almighty] God at any time."
However, humans have seen Jesus, the Son, for John says: "The Word [Jesus] was made flesh, and
dwelt among us, and we beheld his
glory." (John 1:14, KJ)
How, then, could the Son be part of Almighty God? John also states
that the Word was "with God."
But how can an individual be with
someone and at the same time be that
person? Moreover, as recorded at
John 17:3, Jesus makes a clear distinction between himself and his heavenly Father. He calls his
Father "the only true God."
And toward the end of his Gospel, John sums up matters by saying: "These have been written down that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of
God." (John 20:31) Notice that
Jesus is called, not God, but the Son of God. This additional information provided in the Gospel of John shows how John 1:1 should be understood.
Jesus, the Word, is "a god"
in the sense that he has a high position but is not the same as Almighty God.
CONFIRM
THE FACTS
Think again about the example of the
schoolteacher and the students.
Imagine that some still have doubts, even after listening to the teacher's additional explanation. What could they do? They could turn to another teacher
for further information on the same
subject. If the second teacher confirms
the explanation of the first one, the doubts of most students may be put to rest. Similarly, if you are
not sure what the Bible writer John
was really saying about the relationship
between Jesus and Almighty God, you could turn to another Bible writer for further information.
Consider what
204 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
was written by Matthew, for example. Regarding
the end of this system of things, he
quotes Jesus as saying: "Concerning
that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the
Father." (Matthew 24: 36) How
do these words confirm that Jesus is not Almighty God?
Jesus says that the Father knows more than the
Son does. If Jesus were part of
Almighty God, however, he would know the
same facts as his Father. So, then, the Son and the Father cannot be equal. Yet, some will say: 'Jesus had
two natures. Here he speaks as a
man.' But even if that were so, what about the holy spirit? If it is part of the same God as the Father, why does Jesus not say that it knows what the Father
knows?
As you continue your Bible studies, you will
become familiar with many more
Bible passages that have a bearing on
this subject. They confirm the truth about the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit.—Psalm 90:2; Acts 7:55;
Colossians 1:15.
Why True
Christians Do Not Use
the Cross in Worship
THE
cross is loved and respected by millions of people. The Encyclopcedia
Britannica calls the cross "the principal symbol of the Christian
religion." Nevertheless, true Christians do not
use the cross in worship. Why not?
An important reason is that Jesus
Christ did not die on a cross. The Greek word generally
translated "cross" is stau•ros'.
It basically means "an upright pale or stake." The Companion Bible points out: "[Stawrosl never
means two pieces
of timber placed across one another at any angle . . . There is
nothing in the Greek of the [New Testament] even to imply two pieces of
timber."
In
several texts, Bible writers use another word for the in‑
strument of Jesus'
death. It is the Greek word xy'lon. (Acts
5: 30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) This word simply
means "timber" or "a stick, club, or tree."
Explaining
why a simple stake was often used for executions,
the book Das Kreuz and die Kreuzigung (The Cross and the
Crucifixion), by Hermann Fulda, states: "Trees were not everywhere
available at the places chosen for public execution. So a simple beam was sunk into the ground. On this the outlaws,
with hands raised upward and often also with their feet, were bound or
nailed."
The most convincing proof of all, however, comes
from God's Word. The apostle Paul says: "Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a
curse instead of us, because it is written: `Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake ["a tree," King James
Version].' " (Galatians
3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. Since such
a means of execution made the
person "a curse," it would not be proper for Christians to decorate their homes with images of
Christ impaled.
There is no evidence that for the first 300 years
after Christ's death, those claiming
to be Christians used the cross in
worship. In the fourth century, however, pagan Emperor Constantine became a convert to apostate
Christianity and promoted the cross
as its symbol. Whatever Constantine's
motives, the cross had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The cross is, in fact,
pagan in origin. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: "The cross is found in both
pre-Christian and non-Christian cultures." Various other authorities have linked
the cross with nature worship and pagan sex rites.
Why, then,
was this pagan symbol promoted? Apparently, to
make it easier for pagans to accept "Christianity." Nevertheless, devotion to any pagan symbol is clearly
condemned by the Bible. (2
Corinthians 6:14-18) The Scriptures also forbid all forms of idolatry. (Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 10:14)
206 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
With very
good reason, therefore, true Christians do not use the cross in worship.*
* For a more detailed discussion of the cross, see pages
89-93 of the book Reasoning From the Scriptures, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Lord's Evening Meal
—An Observance That Honors God
CHRISTIANS are
commanded to observe the Memorial of Christ's
death. This observance is also called "the Lord's evening meal." (1 Corinthians 11:20) What is so
significant about it? When and how
should it be observed?
Jesus Christ instituted this observance on the
night of the Jewish Passover in 33
C.E. The Passover was a celebration held
just once a year, on the 14th day of the Jewish month Nisan. To calculate that date, the Jews evidently
waited for the spring equinox. This
is the day when there are approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The
first observable new
moon nearest to the spring
equinox marked the
beginning of Nisan. Passover came 14
days later, after sunset.
Jesus celebrated the Passover with his apostles, dismissed Judas Iscariot, and then instituted the
Lord's Evening Meal. This meal
replaced the Jewish Passover and
therefore should be observed only
once a year.
The Gospel of
Matthew reports: "Jesus took a loaf and, after saying a blessing, he broke it and, giving it to the disciples, he said: 'Take, eat.
This means my body.'
Also, - • -
he took a cup and, having given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: 'Drink out of it, all of
you; for this means
my "blood of the covenant," which is to be poured out in behalf of
many for forgiveness of sins." —Matthew
26:26-28.
Some believe that Jesus turned the bread into his
literal flesh and the wine into his
blood. However, Jesus' fleshly body
was still intact when he offered this bread. Were Jesus' apostles really eating his literal flesh and
drinking his blood? No, for that
would have been cannibalism and a violation of God's law. (Genesis 9:3, 4; Leviticus 17:10) According to Luke 22:20, Jesus said: "This cup means the new
covenant by virtue of my blood,
which is to be poured out in your behalf." Did that cup literally become "the new covenant"? That would be impossible, since a covenant is an
agreement, not a tangible object.
Hence, both the bread and the wine are only
symbols. The bread symbolizes
Christ's perfect body. Jesus used a loaf of bread left over from the Passover meal. The loaf was made without any
leaven, or yeast. (Exodus 12:8) The Bible uses leaven as a symbol of sin or corruption. The bread therefore represents the perfect body that Jesus
sacrificed. It was free of
sin.—Matthew 16:11, 12; 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 2:1, 2.
The red wine represents Jesus' blood. That blood
makes valid the new covenant. Jesus
said that his blood was poured out
"for forgiveness of sins." Humans can thus become clean in God's eyes and can enter into the new covenant
with Jehovah. (Hebrews 9:14; 10:16,
17) This covenant, or contract,
makes it possible for 144,000 faithful Christians to go to heaven. There they will serve as kings and
priests for the blessing of all
mankind.—Genesis 22:18; Jeremiah 31:31-33; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1-3.
Who should partake of these Memorial emblems?
Logically, only those in the new covenant—that is, those who have the hope of going to heaven—should partake of the
bread and the wine. God's holy
spirit convinces such ones that they have been selected to be heavenly kings.
(Romans 8:
16) They are also in the Kingdom covenant with
Jesus.—Luke 22:29.
What about those who have the hope of living
forever in Paradise on earth? They
obey Jesus' command and attend the Lord's
Evening Meal, but they come as respectful observers, not partakers. Once a year after sundown on Nisan
14, Jehovah's Witnesses observe the
Lord's Evening Meal. Although only a
few thousand worldwide profess to have the heavenly hope, this observance is precious to all
Christians. It is an occasion when
all can reflect upon the superlative love of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
—John 3:16.
"Soul" and "Spirit"
—What Do These Terms
Really Mean?
WHEN you hear the
terms "soul" and "spirit," what comes to your mind? Many believe that these words mean
something invisible and immortal
that exists inside us. They think that
at death this invisible part of a human leaves the body and lives on. Since this belief is so widespread,
many are surprised to learn that it
is not at all what the Bible teaches. What,
then, is the soul, and what is the spirit, according to God's Word?
"SOUL"
AS USED IN THE BIBLE
First, consider the soul. You may remember that
the Bible was originally written mainly in Hebrew and Greek. When writing about the soul, the Bible writers used
the Hebrew word ne'phesh or the Greek word psy.khe'. These two words occur well over 800 times in the Scriptures, and the New World
Translation consistently renders
them "soul." When you
examine the way "soul" or "souls" is used in the Bible, it becomes evident that this word basically refers
to (1) people, (2) animals, or (3)
the life that a person or an animal enjoys.
Let us consider some
scriptures that present these three different senses.
People. "In Noah's days .. . a few people, that is,
eight souls, were carried safely
through the water." (1 Peter 3:20) Here the word "souls" clearly stands for people—Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives. Exodus
16:16 mentions instructions given to the Israelites regarding the gathering of manna. They were told: "Pick up some of it .
. . according to the number of the souls that each of you has in his
tent." So the amount of manna
that was gathered was based upon the number
of people in each family. Some other Biblical examples of the application of "soul" or
"souls" to a person or to people
are found at Genesis 46:18; Joshua 11:11; Acts 27:37; and Romans 13:1.
Animals. In the Bible's creation account, we read:
"God went on to say: 'Let the
waters swarm forth a swarm of living
souls and let flying creatures fly over the earth upon the face of the expanse of the heavens.' And God went
on to say: let the earth put forth living souls according to their kinds, domestic animal and moving animal and wild beast
of the earth according to its kind.'
And it came to be so." (Genesis
1:20, 24) In this passage, fish, domestic animals, and wild beasts are all referred to by the same
word—"souls." Birds and other
animals are called souls at Genesis 9:10; Leviticus 11: 46; and Numbers 31:28.
Life as a person. Sometimes the word "soul" means one's life as a person. Jehovah told Moses: "All
the men who were hunting for your
soul are dead." (Exodus 4:19) What were Moses' enemies hunting for? They
were seeking to take Moses' life.
Earlier, while Rachel was giving birth to her son Benjamin, "her soul was going out (because
she died)." (Genesis 35:16-19) At that moment, Rachel lost her life.
Consider also Jesus' words: "I
am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep." (John 10:11) Jesus gave his soul, or life, in behalf of mankind.
In these Bible passages, the word
"soul" clearly refers to life as a person. You
will find more examples of this sense of
"soul" at 1 Kings 17:17-23;
Matthew 10:39; John 15:13; and Acts 20:10.
A further study of
God's Word will show you that nowhere in
the entire Bible are the terms "immortal" or "everlasting" linked with the word "soul."
Instead, the Scriptures state that a
soul is mortal, meaning that it dies. (Ezekiel 18:4, 20) Therefore, the
Bible calls someone who has died simply a "dead
soul."—Leviticus 21:11.
THE
"SPIRIT" IDENTIFIED
Let us now consider
the Bible's use of the term "spirit."
Some people think that "spirit" is just another word for "soul." However, that is not the case.
The Bible makes clear that
"spirit" and "soul" refer to two different things. How do they
differ?
Bible writers used the Hebrew word ru'ach or
the Greek word pneu'ma when writing
about the "spirit." The Scriptures
themselves indicate the meaning of those words. For instance, Psalm 104:29 states: "If you
[Jehovah] take away their spirit [ru'ach], they
expire, and back to their dust they go."
And James 2:26 notes that "the body without spirit [pneu'ma] is dead." In these verses, then,
"spirit" refers to that which gives life to a body. Without
spirit, the body is dead. Therefore, in the
Bible the word ru'ach is translated not only as "spirit" but also as "force," or life-force.
For example, concerning the Flood in
Noah's day, God said: "I am bringing the deluge of waters upon the
earth to bring to ruin all flesh in which
the force [ru'ach] of life is active from under the
heavens." (Genesis 6:17; 7:15, 22) "Spirit" thus refers to an invisible force (the spark of life) that
animates all living creatures.
The soul and the spirit are not the same. The body needs
the spirit in much the same way as a radio needs electricity—in order to function. To illustrate this
further, think of a portable radio.
When you put batteries in a portable radio and turn it on, the electricity stored in the batteries brings
Appendix 211
the radio to life, so to speak. Without
batteries, however, the radio is
dead. So is another kind of radio when it is unplugged from an electric outlet. Similarly, the spirit is
the force that brings our body to
life. Also, like electricity, the spirit has no feeling and cannot think. It is an impersonal force. But without that spirit, or life-force, our bodies
"expire, and back to their dust
they go," as the psalmist stated.
Speaking about man's death, Ecclesiastes 12:7
states: "The dust [of his body]
returns to the earth just as it happened to be and the spirit itself returns to the true God who gave it." When the spirit, or life-force, leaves the body,
the body dies and returns to where
it came from—the earth. Comparably, the
life-force returns to where it came from—God. (Job 34:14, 15; Psalm 36:9) This does not mean that the
life-force actually travels to heaven. Rather, it means that for someone who dies, any hope of future life rests with Jehovah
God. His life is in God's hands, so
to speak. Only by God's power can the spirit,
or life-force, be given back so that a person may live again.
How comforting it is to know that this is exactly
what God will do for all of those
resting in "the memorial tombs"! (John 5:28, 29) At the time of the resurrection, Jehovah will form a new body for a person sleeping in death
and bring it to life by putting
spirit, or life-force, in it. What a joyful day that will be!
If you would like to learn more about the terms "soul" and "spirit" as used in the Bible, you will find valuable information in the brochure What Happens to Us When We Die? and on pages 37584 of the book Reasoning From the Scriptures, both published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
212
What Are Sheol and Hades? ●
IN ITS original languages, the Bible uses the
Hebrew word she'ohl' and
its Greek equivalent hai'des more
than 70 times. Both words are related to death. Some Bible translations render them as "grave," "hell,"
or "pit." However, in most languages there
are no words that convey the precise sense of these Hebrew and Greek words. The New World Translation therefore uses the words "Sheol" and "Hades." What
do these words really mean? Let us
note how they are used in different Bible
passages.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 states: "There is no work
nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom
in Sheol, the place to which you are going."
Does this mean that Sheol refers to a specific, or individual, grave site where we may have buried a
loved one? No. When the Bible refers
to a specific burial place, or grave, it uses other Hebrew and Greek words, not
she'ohl'
and hordes. (Genesis 23:7-9; Matthew 28:1) Also, the Bible
does not use the word
"Sheol" for a grave where several individuals are buried together,
such as a family grave or a mass grave.—Genesis 49:30, 31.
To what kind of place, then, does
"Sheol" refer? God's Word
indicates that "Sheol," or "Hades," refers to something much more than even a large mass grave. For
instance, Isaiah 5:14 notes that
Sheol is "spacious and has opened its mouth wide beyond bounds." Although Sheol has already swallowed, so to speak, countless dead people, it
always seems to hunger for more.
(Proverbs 30:15, 16) Unlike any literal
burial site, which can hold only a limited number of the dead, "Sheol and the place of
destruction themselves do not get satisfied." (Proverbs 27:20) Sheol never
becomes full. It has no limits. Sheol, or
Hades, is thus not a literal place in a specific
location. Rather, it is
the common grave of dead mankind, the
figurative location where most of mankind sleep in death.
The
Bible teaching of the resurrection helps us to gain
further insight into
the meaning of "Sheol" and "Hades." God's Word associates Sheol and Hades with the
sort of death from which there will
be a resurrection.* (Job 14:13; Acts 2: 31; Revelation 20:13) God's Word also
shows that those in Sheol, or Hades,
include not only those who have served Jehovah
but also many who have not served him. (Genesis 37:35; Psalm 55:15) Therefore, the Bible teaches that there will be "a resurrection of both the
righteous and the unrighteous."—Acts
24:15.
* In contrast, the dead who will not be raised are described as being,
not in Sheol, or Hades, but "in Gehenna." (Matthew 5:30; 10:28;
23:33) Like Sheol and Hades, Gehenna is not a literal place.
Judgment
Day—What Is It?
HOW do you picture
Judgment Day? Many think that one by
one, billions of souls will be brought before the throne of God. There, judgment will be passed upon each
individual. Some will be rewarded
with heavenly bliss, and others will be
condemned to eternal torment. However, the Bible paints quite a different picture of this period of time.
God's Word portrays it, not as a
terrifying time, but as a time of hope and restoration.
At Revelation 20:11, 12, we read the apostle
John's description of Judgment Day:
"I saw a great white throne and the one seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away,
and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was
opened; it is the scroll of life.
And the dead were judged out of those things
written in the scrolls according to their deeds." Who is the Judge
described here?
Jehovah God is the ultimate Judge of mankind.
However, he delegates the actual
work of judging. According to Acts
214 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
17:31, the apostle Paul said that God "has
set a day in which he purposes to
judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed." This appointed Judge is the resurrected Jesus Christ. (John 5:22) When,
though, does Judgment Day begin? How
long does it last?
The book of Revelation shows that Judgment Day
begins after the war of Armageddon, when Satan's system on earth will be destroyed.* (Revelation 16:14, 16;
19:19-20:3) After Armageddon, Satan
and his demons will be imprisoned in an abyss for a thousand years. During that
time, the 144,- 000 heavenly joint
heirs will be judges and will rule "as kings with the Christ for a thousand years."
(Revelation 14:1-3; 20: 1-4; Romans
8:17) Judgment Day is not some hurried event lasting a mere 24 hours. It lasts a thousand years.
During that thousand-year period, Jesus Christ
will "judge the living and the
dead." (2 Timothy 4:1) "The living" will be the "great crowd" that survives
Armageddon. (Revelation 7: 9-17) The apostle John also saw "the dead . . .
standing before the throne" of judgment. As Jesus promised, "those
in the memorial tombs will hear
[Christ's] voice and come out" by
means of a resurrection. (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15) But on what basis will all be judged?
According to the apostle John's vision,
"scrolls were opened," and
"the dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their
deeds." Are these scrolls the
record of people's past deeds? No, the judgment will not focus on what
people did before they died. How do we know
that? The Bible says: "He who has died has been acquitted from his sin." (Romans 6:7) Those
resurrected thus come to life with a
clean slate, so to speak. The scrolls must therefore represent God's further requirements. To live forever, both
Armageddon survivors and resurrected ones will have to obey God's
commandments, including whatever
*
Regarding Armageddon, please see Insight
on the Scriptures, Volume 1,
pages 594-5, 1037-8, and chapter 20 of Worship
the Only True God, both published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Appendix 215
new requirements
Jehovah might reveal during the thousand years. Thus, individuals will be judged on the basis of what they do during Judgment
Day.
Judgment Day will give billions of people their
first opportunity to learn about
God's will and to conform to it. This means
that a large-scale educational work will take place. Indeed,
"righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn." (Isaiah
26:9) However, not all will be
willing to conform to God's will. Isaiah 26:10 says: "Though the wicked one should be shown
favor, he simply will not learn righteousness. In the land of straightforwardness
he will act unjustly and will not see the eminence of Jehovah." These wicked ones will be put to
death permanently during Judgment Day.—Isaiah 65:20.
By the end of Judgment Day, surviving humans will
have "come to life" fully
as perfect humans. (Revelation 20:5) Judgment
Day will thus see the restoration of mankind to its original perfect state. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)
Then a final test will take place.
Satan will be released from his imprisonment and allowed to try to mislead
mankind one last time. (Revelation 20:3, 7-10) Those who resist him will enjoy
the complete fulfillment of the Bible's promise: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will
reside forever upon it." (Psalm
37:29) Yes, Judgment Day will be a blessing to all faithful mankind!
1914—A Significant Year in
Bible
Prophecy
DECADES in advance, Bible students proclaimed that there would be significant developments in 1914. What
were these, and what evidence points
to 1914 as such an important year?
As recorded at Luke 21:24, Jesus said:
"Jerusalem will be trampled on
by the nations, until the appointed times of the
216 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
nations ["the times of the Gentiles," King James
Version] are fulfilled."
Jerusalem had been the capital city of the Jewish nation—the seat of rulership of the line of kings from
the house of King David. (Psalm 48:1, 2) However, these kings
were unique among national leaders. They sat on
"Jehovah's throne" as
representatives of God himself. (1 Chronicles 29: 23) Jerusalem was thus a
symbol of Jehovah's rulership.
How and when, though, did God's rulership begin to be "trampled on by the nations"? This happened in
607 B.C.E. when Jerusalem was conquered by the
Babylonians. "Jehovah's throne" became
vacant, and the line of kings who descended
from David was interrupted. (2 Kings 25:1-26) Would
this 'trampling' go on forever? No, for the prophecy of Ezekiel said regarding Jerusalem's last king,
Zedekiah: "Remove the turban, and lift
off the crown. . . . It will certainly become no
one's until he comes who has the legal right, and I
"SEVEN
TIMES"
Appendix 217
must give it to him." (Ezekiel 21:26, 27)
The one who has "the legal
right" to the Davidic crown is Christ Jesus. (Luke 1:32, 33) So the 'trampling' would end when Jesus became
King.
When would that grand event occur? Jesus showed
that the Gentiles would rule for a
fixed period of time. The account in Daniel
chapter 4 holds the key to knowing how long that period would last. It relates a prophetic dream
experienced by King Nebuchadnezzar of
Babylon. He saw an immense tree that
was chopped down. Its stump could not grow because it was banded with iron and copper. An angel
declared: "Let seven times pass over
it."—Daniel 4:10-16.
In the Bible, trees are sometimes used to
represent ruler- ship. (Ezekiel
17:22-24; 31:2-5) So the chopping down of the symbolic tree represents how God's rulership, as expressed through the kings at Jerusalem, would be
interrupted. However, the vision
served notice that this 'trampling of Jerusalem' would be temporary—a period of "seven times." How long a period is that?
Revelation 12:6, 14 indicates that three and a
half times equal "a thousand
two hundred and sixty days." "Seven times" would therefore last twice as long, or 2,520 days. But the Gentile nations did not stop 'trampling' on
God's ruler- ship a mere 2,520 days
after Jerusalem's fall. Evidently, then, this prophecy covers a much longer period of time. On the basis of Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6, which
speak of "a day for a
year," the "seven times" would cover 2,520 years.
The 2,520 years began in October 607 B.C.E., when
Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians
and the Davidic king was taken off his throne. The period ended in October
1914. At that time, "the
appointed times of the nations" ended, and Jesus Christ was installed as God's heavenly
King.*—Psalm 2:1-6; Daniel 7:13, 14.
* From October 607
B.C.E. to October 1 B.C.E. is 606 years. Since there is no zero year, from October 1 B.C.E. to October
1914 C.E. is 1,914 years. By adding 606 years and 1,914 years, we get 2,520
years. For information on Jerusalem's
fall in 607 B.C.E., see the article "Chronology" in Insight on the
Scriptures, published by
Jehovah's Witnesses.
218 What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
Just as Jesus predicted, his "presence"
as heavenly King has been marked by dramatic world developments—war, famine, earthquakes, pestilences. (Matthew 24:3-8; Luke 21:11)
Such developments bear powerful
testimony to the fact that 1914 indeed
marked the birth of God's heavenly Kingdom and the beginning of "the last days" of this
present wicked system of things.-2
Timothy 3:1-5.
Who Is
Michael the Archangel?
THE spirit creature
called Michael is not mentioned often in the Bible. However, when he is referred to, he is in action. In the book
of Daniel, Michael is battling wicked angels; in the letter of Jude, he is disputing with Satan; and
in Revelation, he is waging war with the Devil and his demons. By defending Jehovah's rulership and fighting God's
enemies, Michael lives up to the
meaning of his name—"Who Is Like God?" But who is Michael?
At times, individuals are known by more than one
name. For example, the patriarch
Jacob is also known as Israel, and the
apostle Peter, as Simon. (Genesis 49:1, 2; Matthew 10:2) Likewise, the Bible indicates that Michael is
another name for Jesus Christ,
before and after his life on earth. Let us consider Scriptural reasons for drawing that conclusion.
Archangel. God's Word refers to Michael "the
archangel." (Jude 9) This term
means "chief angel." Notice that Michael is called the archangel.
This suggests that there is only one such
angel. In fact, the term "archangel" occurs in the Bible only in the
singular, never in the plural. Moreover, Jesus is linked with the office of archangel. Regarding the
resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, 1
Thessalonians 4:16 states: "The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice." Thus the voice of
Jesus is described as
Appendix 219
being that of an archangel. This scripture
therefore suggests that Jesus himself
is the archangel Michael.
Army
Leader. The Bible states that "Michael and his
angels battled with the dragon . . . and its angels."
(Revelation 12:7) Thus, Michael is the Leader of an army of faithful angels. Revelation also describes Jesus as the Leader of an army of faithful angels. (Revelation 19:14-16) And the apostle Paul specifically mentions "the Lord Jesus" and "his powerful
angels." (2 Thessalonians 1:7; Matthew 16:27; 24:31; 1 Peter 3: 22) So the Bible speaks of both Michael and "his angels" and Jesus and "his angels." (Matthew 13:41) Since God's Word
nowhere indicates that there are two armies of faithful angels in heaven—one
headed by Michael and one headed by Jesus—it is logical
to conclude that Michael is none other than Jesus Christ in
his heavenly role.*
* More information showing that the name Michael applies to God's Son is found in Volume 2, pages 393-4, of Insight on the
Scriptures, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Identifying "Babylon the
Great"
THE book of
Revelation contains expressions that are not to be understood literally. (Revelation 1:1) For example, it mentions a woman with the name "Babylon the
Great" written on her forehead.
This woman is said to be sitting on "crowds and nations." (Revelation 17:1, 5, 15) Since no literal woman
could do this, Babylon the Great must be symbolic. So, what does this symbolic harlot represent?
At Revelation 17:18, the same figurative woman is
described as "the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth." The term "city"
indicates an organized group of
people. Since this "great city" has control over "the kings
220 What Does the Bible Really Teach?
of the earth,"
the woman named Babylon the Great must be an influential organization that is international in scope. It can rightly be called a world empire. What kind
of empire? A religious one. Notice
how some related passages in the book of Revelation lead us to this conclusion.
An empire can be political, commercial, or
religious. The woman named Babylon
the Great is not a political empire because
God's Word states that "the kings of the earth," or the political elements of this world,
"committed fornication" with
her. Her fornication refers to the alliances she has made with the rulers of this earth and explains why she
is called "the great
harlot."—Revelation 17:1, 2; James 4:4.
Babylon the Great cannot be a commercial empire because
the "merchants of the
earth," representing the commercial elements, will be mourning her at the time of her destruction. In fact, both kings and merchants are
described as looking at Babylon the
Great from "a distance." (Revelation 18:3, 9, 10, 15-17) Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Babylon the Great is, not a political or a
commercial empire, but a religious
one.
The religious identity of Babylon the Great is
further confirmed by the statement
that she misleads all the nations by means
of her "spiritistic practice." (Revelation 18:23) Since all forms of
spiritism are demon-inspired, it is not surprising that the Bible calls Babylon the Great "a dwelling place of demons." (Revelation 18:2; Deuteronomy
18:10-12) This empire is also described
as being actively opposed to true religion,
persecuting "prophets" and "holy ones." (Revelation 18:24) In fact, Babylon the Great has such deep
hatred for true religion that she
violently persecutes and even murders "the witnesses of Jesus."
(Revelation 17:6) Hence, this woman
named Babylon the Great clearly represents the world empire of false
religion, which includes all religions that stand
in opposition to Jehovah God.
221
Was Jesus Born in December?
THE Bible does not
tell us when Jesus was born. However, it does give us sound reason to conclude that his birth did not take place
in December.
Consider the weather conditions at that time of
the year in Bethlehem, where Jesus
was born. The Jewish month of Chislev
(corresponding to November/December) was a month with cold and rainy weather.
The month after that was Tebeth
(December/January). It saw the lowest temperatures of the year, with occasional snows in the highlands.
Let us see what the Bible tells us about the climate of that region.
The Bible writer
Ezra shows that Chislev was indeed a month
known for cold and rainy weather. After stating that a crowd had gathered in Jerusalem "in the ninth
month [Chis1ev] on the twentieth day of the month," Ezra reports that people were "shivering ... on account of the
showers of rain." Concerning
weather conditions at that time of the year, the congregated people themselves said: "It is the season of
222
What Does the
Bible Really Teach?
showers of rain, and
it is not possible to stand outside." (Ezra 10:9, 13; Jeremiah 36:22) No wonder shepherds living in that part of the world made sure that they and their
flocks were no longer out of doors
at night when December came around!
The Bible reports, however, that shepherds were in
the fields tending their flocks on the night of Jesus' birth. In fact, the Bible writer Luke shows that at that
time, shepherds were "living
out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks" near Bethlehem. (Luke 2:8-12) Notice that the shepherds were actually living out of doors, not just strolling outside during the day. They had their
flocks in the fields at night. Does that description of outdoor living fit the chilly and rainy weather conditions of Bethlehem
in December? No, it does not. So the
circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth
indicate that he was not born in December.*
God's Word tells us precisely when Jesus died, but
it gives little direct indication as
to when he was born. This brings to
mind King Solomon's words: "A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one's
being born." (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
It is not surprising, then, that the Bible provides many details about Jesus' ministry and death but few details about the time of his birth.
For more information, see pages 176-9 of Reasoning From
the Scriptures, published
by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Should We
Celebrate Holidays?
THE Bible is not the
source of popular religious and secular holidays that are celebrated in many
parts of the world today. What,
then, is the origin of such celebrations? If you have access to a library, you will find it interesting
to note what reference books say
about holidays that are popular where you live. Consider a few examples.
Easter. "There is no indication of the observance of
the Easter festival in the New Testament," states The Encyclopcedia Britannica. How
did Easter get started? It is rooted in pagan worship. While this holiday is supposed to commemorate Jesus' resurrection, the customs associated
with the Easter season are not
Christian. For instance, concerning the popular "Easter bunny," The Catholic
Encyclopedia says: "The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an
emblem of fertility."
New Year's Celebrations. The date and customs associated with New
Year's celebrations vary from one country to another. Regarding the origin of this celebration, The World Book Encyclopedia states: "The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year's Day in 46 B.C.
The Romans dedicated this day to
Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings.
The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces—one looking forward and the other looking backward." So New Year's celebrations are
founded on pagan traditions.
Halloween. The Encyclopedia
Americana says: "Elements of
the customs connected with Halloween
can be traced to a Druid [ancient
Celtic priesthood] ceremony in pre-Christian times. The Celts had festivals for
two major gods—a sun god and a god
of the dead . , whose festival was held on November 1, the beginning of
the Celtic New Year. The festival of the
dead was gradually incorporated into Christian ritual."
Other Holidays. It is not possible to discuss all the observances held throughout the world. However,
holidays that exalt humans or human
organizations are not acceptable to Jehovah. (Jeremiah 17:5-7; Acts
10:25, 26) Keep in mind, too, that the
origin of religious celebrations has a bearing on whether they please God or not. (Isaiah 52:11; Revelation 18:4)
The Bible principles mentioned in Chapter 16 of this book will help you to determine how God views participation in holidays of a secular nature.
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++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHAPTER ONE
1) having
absolute power over all *Almighty God*
2) a. relatively unlimited in power *an almighty board of directors*
b. having
or regarded as having great power or importance
*the almighty dollar*
Pantokratoros (3841)
all, every,
Revelation 1:1-8
1 The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants
things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his
angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare
record of the word of God, and of the testimony of
Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is
he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those
things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the
seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which
is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are
before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath
made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion
for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall
see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall
wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,
saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John, who
also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word
of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the
Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a
great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and,
What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are
in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira,
and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And
being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the
midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son
of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps
with a golden girdle.
14 His head and
his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame
of fire;
15 And his feet
like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the
sound of many waters.
16 And he had
in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged
sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I
saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying
unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive
for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the
things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which
shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery
of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden
candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the
seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Herman’s
Notes
John
heard a voice behind him claiming to be the Almighty He turned to
see that the speaker was one like the Son of man, not Jehovah . The speaker further described himself as he
that liveth, was dead is alive again and has the keys of hell and of
death. There we can say with certainty
that according to John, Jesus claimed to be the Almighty also.
God Created The Heavens Alone
Revelation 4:11
●
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to
receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for
thy pleasure they are and were created.
Isaiah 44:24
Thus saith the LORD, thy
redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all
things ; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the
earth by myself;
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man
in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of
the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
CHAPTER THREE
All those sleeping in death who are in God's
memory will be brought back to life.
Acts 24:15 ●
And have hope toward God,
which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the
dead, both of the just and unjust.
John 5: 28, 29.
28 Marvel not
at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall
hear his voice,
29 And shall
come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they
that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Herman’s Notes
There will be a resurrection unto life
or to damnation. If the great crowd is
resurrected is only for their behavior to be analyzed for the next 1000 years,
then that would not qualify as a resurrection unto eternal life, but rather as
a resurrection unto judgment.
CHAPTER FOUR
Micah 5:2 ●
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,
though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting.
Hermans
Notes
goings
forth … from everlasting —The terms
convey the strongest assertion of infinite duration of which the Hebrew
language is capable. This clause shows that the eternal generation of the Son
is meant. Ironically, the NWT says from early times. So the bible says from
everlasting and some people think Jesus had a beginning.
Psalms
90:2
Before the mountains were
brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from
everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Proverbs
8:22-23
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Hermans
Notes
Strictly,
God's attributes are part of Himself. Yet, to the poetical structure of the
whole passage, this commendation of wisdom is entirely consonant. In order of
time all His attributes are coincident and eternal as Himself.
First Born - See
Article ●
Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he
also did predestinate to
the firstborn among many
brethren.
Only Begotten Son See
Article ●
John 3:16
For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
Philippians 2:6 ●
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
John 10:30
I and my Father are one.
Herman’s
Notes
This
is a response to if you be the Christ then tell us plainly. Not only am I the Christ but I and the father
are one.
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 14:28 ●
Ye have heard how I said unto
you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice,
because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
God Almighty
- See The Almighty ●
Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety
years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the
Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
CHAPTER SIX
Resurection
1
the rising of
Christ from the dead, often capitalized
2
the rising again
to life of all the human dead before the final judgment
3
the state of one
risen from the dead
Create
1) to cause to
come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is
not made by ordinary processes.
a) to cause to
come into existence
2. to evolve
from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of artor an invention.
Matt. 26:24, rsv
". . . but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
Hermans Notes
If he had not been born, the betrayer would have -existencebeen nonexistent. But nonexistence was better than the punishment now in store for him. So, Judas' death had to worse than nonplunged him into eternal nonexistence.
****
● Is this True for all entities with brains. For example angels or even better the elect
144,000. If not then that answers your
question of how can this be. The Angels
that left their domain had brains.
Nevertheless, they continued to exist without them.
All
the statements made in this paragraph about human’s brain is also true for
angels’ brain when they take on human form.
Their
senses, along with their thoughts, are all linked to the workings of their
brain. When they cease to have a body,
one could conclude that their brain stop working. One could also conclude that because of this,
their memories, feelings, and senses do not continue to function independently
in some mysterious way. Yet, we know
that they survive the destruction of their brain.
****
Psalms
146:4 ●
His breath goeth forth, he
returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Ecclesiastes 9:5:6, 10
5 For the
living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing , neither have they any more
a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their
love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any
more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
10 Whatsoever
thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device,
nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Herman’s
Notes
Solomon’s
assertion could mean that the dead are unaware of earth’s environment or
anything thing that happens under the sun as expressed in verse 6 or that the
dead know nothing relative to what they ought to know.
As
the sleeping person awakes and rises from his bed, just so, the dead will rise
from their graves at the time of the Lord’s return. Job 14:21-22
The
previous two scripture seem to be the only two scriptures that give any merit
to the belief that death is the complete annihilation of man. Nevertheless, there are a large number of
scriptures that give merit to belief that people never die. This is quite different than dying and then
being resurrected. What it comes down to
what is, do you want to believe. Faith
is partly the hope of things to come despite the lake of scientific evidence . In the mouth of two or three witness shall a
thing be established . This
seems to imply that for a highly controversial thing the minimum would be
three.
Knowing Nothing
1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any man think that he
knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
the text indicates the Hebrew langue there is a euphemism of knowing nothing
relative to what he ought to know.
Furthermore, Solomon like his father David often used poetry.
Job 8:9
(For we are but of yesterday,
and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
Herman’s
Notes
Same
point as above.
John 11:49
And one of them, named
Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing
at all,
Herman’s
Notes
Same
point as above.
1 Timothy 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing,
but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings,
Herman’s
Notes
Same
point as above.
Psalms 6:9
For in death there is no
remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Herman’s
Notes
Refers
back to Ecclesiastes 9:5:6, nobody remembers you after you die.
***
HELL
Job 14:21-22 ●
21 His sons
come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he
perceiveth it not of them.
22 But his
flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
the text indicates that although he is dead his soul morns and somehow his
flesh has pain.
Psalms 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
the text informs us that David is confident that God will not leave his soul in
hell indicating that it is possible for a soul to be left in hell.
At
rare moments the Psalms have glimpses of rescue from Sheol, in terms that
suggest resurrection, or a translation like that of Enoch or Elijah (Ps 16:10 ;
17:15 ; 49:15 ; 73:24 ).
Acts 2:26-31
26 Therefore
did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest
in hope:
27 Because thou
wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see
corruption.
28 Thou hast
made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy
countenance.
29 Men and
brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both
dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore
being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of
the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit
on his throne;
31 He seeing
this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in
hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
in verse 31 distinction between the soul and the body of Jesus. In addition to
not leaving Jesus’ soul in hell his body would not see corruption in the
grave. Furthermore, David was confident
that his soul would not be left in hell just as God didn’t leave Jesus’ soul in
hell. Therefore, David was confident
that he would be resurrected from hell, not from God’s memory.
Matthew 10:38
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Herman’s Notes
Here again a distinction is made between killing the body in the grave and destroying the soul in hell. The text clearly says that it is possible to kill the body but not kill the soul. Rather, the soul is killed at a different time in hell. Therefore, the soul is not the animal principal only and hell is not limited to the tomb.
Luke 16:23
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Herman’s Notes
Here the text suggest that in hell
there is a state of consciences. This
point is not dependent on weather the episode is or is not a parable. It is further indicated that hell is a place
of torment and souls go there before the resurrection because there was still
time for Lazarus’ three brothers to repent and not end up in this place. Likewise, it is clearly indicated that
repentance is the thing that would keep one from this place called hell.
Psalms 139:8-9
8 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
9 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there
Herman’s Notes
Here David is claiming that even if he descends into hell God is there. What he is not saying is if finds himself in a place of none existence, that God is there with hem.
2 Corinthians 4:16
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Herman’s Notes
The inward man is the spirit which is a part of us.
1 Peter 3:4
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Herman’s Notes
The hidden man of the heart is incorruptible. The spirit is incorruptable
Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Herman’s Notes
Your spirit delights, agrees with and believes the word of God. Your body believes the five senses. Jesus said these words that I speak are spirit and life. Spiritual things go with spiritual things. Therefore, the bible says believe with your heart. The soul is the mind, emotions, will, conscience and personality.
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Herman’s Notes
Paul says I keep my body under subjection. Paul refers to himself as being something other than a body. God is a spirit. God created man in his image. Man is a spirit.
John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Herman’s Notes
There is no connection between the spirit and your emotions. Spiritual reality cannot be felt.
John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Acts 23:8
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
****
Christians
Never Die ●
John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Herman’s Notes
Again, present possession of eternal life coupled with the statement that Christians will never perish! Death being annihilation simply cannot make any sense of this verse.
John 11:25 ●
"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die Do you believe this?"
Herman’s Notes
Notice the text states plainly that whoever believes in Christ while he is alive will never die.
John 6:58
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Herman’s Notes
The text makes it clear that Christians wound not die like the Israelites with Moses
*Matthew 22:29, 31-32
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Luke 20:34-38
34 And Jesus
answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in
marriage:
35 But they
which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the
resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can
they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of
God, being the children of the resurrection.
37 Now that the
dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the
God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
38 For he is
not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
Herman's
Notes
Verse
35 and 36 indicates the children of the resurrection have not yet obtained the
resurrection, but have been accounted worthy to receive it. Nevertheless, they can not die anymore nor
marry.
Verse
37 informs us that they are like angels in that they are alive and they can not
die anymore. Moses confirmed this
because at the time of Moses’ although Isaac and Jacob were long since dead
Moses said that God is not the God of a dead Isaac and Jacob. Therefore, Isaac and Jacob are not dead. They were alive for they live unto God.
Alive
does not mean that they existed in a state of suspended animation, soul-sleep
or annihilation. Rather, they are alive
unto God like the burning bush is alive unto Moses.
In
conclusion, the children of the resurrection are not dead, Isaac and Jacob are
not dead and the man’s wife will not be dead while she is waiting on the
resurrection. Therefore, you do greatly
error by referring to them as dead, because you have a misunderstanding of what
death is.
To
God, no human being is dead, or ever will be; but all sustain an abiding
conscious relation to Him. But the "all" here meant "those who
shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world." These sustain a gracious
covenant relation to God, which cannot be dissolved. In this sense our Lord
affirms that for Moses to call the Lord the "God" of His patriarchal
servants if at that moment they had no existence, would be unworthy of Him. He
"would be ashamed to be called their God, if He had not prepared for them
a city" (Hebrew 11:16 ). How precious are these glimpses of the resurrection
state!
Hebrew
11:16
But
now they desire a better country , that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
***
Definition Of Death
●
Genesis 2:16-17
16
And the LORD God
commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17
But of the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day
that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Hermans
Notes
Those
who are spiritually separated from God are to bury those who are physically
separated from their bodies.
Did Adam literally expire in death the
same day he partook of the tree? No, of course not! Therefore we conclude the
word “muwth” in Genesis 2:17 is used as a metaphor, symbolizing something other
than literal death (perhaps spiritual death?).
The Hebrew word for death has both literal and metaphorical applications. The application is determined by the context.
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul
of the son is Mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die (be separated from God).
*Matthew 8:2
But Jesus said unto him,
Follow me; and let the
Herman’s
Notes
Those
who are spiritually separated from God are to bury those who are physically
separated from their bodies.
But she who gives herself to
wanton pleasure is
Herman’s
Notes
A
woman who engages in pre-marital sex, for example, is alive physically, but
separated from God spiritually
Luke 15:24, 32
24 For this my
son was dead,
and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
32 It was meet
that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
***
.Jeremiah 1:5 ●
Before I formed thee in the
belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified
thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Herman’s
Notes
Jeremiah
knew that he existed in Gods’ mind before the foundation of the world. He also understood that he was created from
Gods’ mind. The following is the
definition of creation:
Create
1) to cause to
come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is
not made by ordinary processes.
a) to cause to
come into existence
2. to evolve
from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of artor an invention
Therefore,
to return to the state of his original creation and then come back into
existence would rightfully be defined as creation or re-creation, not
resurrection. To imply that there is a
difference between the memory compartment of the mind and some unknown
compartment, to put it mildly, is nothing short of imposing one’s own
perception on the text.
To
say that the only consequence of sin is non-existence oppose clear
scripture. This is a dangerous position
to take, as it compromises the seriousness of the consequences of sin, and
could easily lead someone into areas of deception
***
Definition Of Seol
7585. s]e&o=l s]e&o4l , sheh-ole', sheh-ole';
From 7592 ; hades or the
world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat ), including its accessories
and inmates.
:--grave, hell, pit.
Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous
into life eternal.
Hermans
Notes
This punishment stands in contrast to
eternal life as the inherent punishment for those who reject Christs salvation,
in that they will be separated from the life of God
Definition Of Punishment - 2851 punishment, torment properly to curtail,
figuratively to chastise or reverse for infliction.
Hebrews 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms,
and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal
judgment.
Matthew 18:8
Wherefore if thy hand or thy
foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee
to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to
be cast into everlasting fire.
Hermans
Notes
To suggest that there is a literal fire
which endures forever seem far fetched, particularly since fire would not
affect a spirit being (we become spirit, like the angels, after we leave the
human body; Matthew 22:29-30). Nevertheless, fire represents one of the most
painful types of injuries to human flesh, and is therefore an appropriate way
of describing the agony of eternal punishment.
The
Greek word púr means, fire (literally or figuratively, specifically,
lightning). Since púr can mean,
lightening perhaps it indicates a swift and powerful beginning to the eternal
punishment, as lightening is quick and powerful.
Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto
them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,
prepared for the devil and his angels:
Hermans
Notes
It is worth mentioning here, that God
condemns wicked man alongside the, devil and his angels. We know the devil, and
his demons, are spirit beings; therefore, there is a valid parallel between the
eternal existence of spirits, and souls; particularly in regards to punishment
for sin.
Mark 3:29
28 Verily I say
unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies
wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that
shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger
of eternal damnation:
Hermans Notes
What happens when
we sin (hamartia) and miss the mark? We can remain in condemnation, and allow
Satan, the accuser, to heap guilt and shame upon us, OR…we can repent of our
transgression, call upon God for mercy, and confess our sins to Him, appealing
to the sacrificial atonement provided by His son Jesus. If we do this, He is
faithful to forgive us, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
●
6 For after
all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to give
relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be
revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 dealing out
retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 These will
pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and
from the glory of His power, (NASB)
Hermans
Notes
This verse is a key to understanding
eternal punishment. Since mankind has been created to live forever, his
existence apart from God will extend for eternity. The wicked, who do not know
God, or believers who refuse to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, must also suffer
an eternal existence apart from the presence of God. The Greek definition of the word
for eternal destruction is as follows:
1)
Destruction - 3639 olethros; from a primary “ollumi” (to
destroy; a prolonged form); ruin, i.e. death, punishment.
Since the Greek
word means ruin in a generic sense, other verses where this word is used must
be consulted to understand its overall application:
1 Corinthians 5:5
I have decided to deliver such a one to
Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day
of the Lord Jesus. (NAS)
1 Thessalonians 5:3
While they are saying, "Peace and
safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs
upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (NAS)
·
1 Timothy 6:9
But those who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men
into ruin and destruction. (NAS)
Leviticus
5:17
"Now
if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to
be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty, and shall bear his
punishment.” NAS
Hermans
Notes
It is clear, from the few verses that use
punishment that it refers to some type of pain, and even a state of spiritual
ruin and bankruptcy. Therefore, we conclude from 2 Thessalonians 1:9 “olethros”
is a reference to the state of eternal ruin suffered by those who do not know
God. A sobering thought indeed.
Romans 2:1-16
1 Therefore
you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you
judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same
things.
2 And we know
that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
3 But do you
suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things
and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you
think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not
knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
5 But because
of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for
yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who WILL
RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:
7 to those who
by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal
life;
8 but to those
who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
9 There will
be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew
first and also of the Greek,
10 but glory
and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the
Greek.
11 For there is
no partiality with God.
12 For all who
have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have
sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;
13 for it is
not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law
will be justified.
14 For when
Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these,
not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they
show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing
witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16 on the day
when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ
Jesus.
Hebrews 10:28-31
28 Anyone who
has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or
three witnesses.
29 How much
severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the
Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he
was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know
Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL
JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”
31 It is a
terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Revelation 6:910
9 When the
Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who
had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which
they had maintained;
10 and they
cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You
refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Hermans
Notes
It
is overwhelming; krino is judgment from God; it is retribution. It has eternal implications, much to the
sorrow of those who do not know God.
Isaiah 38:17-18
17 Behold, for
peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it
from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can
not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
Herman’s Notes
Isaiah is talking about souls being
delivered from hell. He is not talking
about being delivered from the mind of God.
See
Also ●
Daniel
12:2
And many of them that sleep
in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt.
Psalms 88:1
Shall thy wonders be known in
the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
Ezekiel 26:20
When I shall bring thee down
with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set
thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that
go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the
land of the living;
Consequences Of Deception ●
There was a student in the news who murdered many students and himself. He was being bullied by his fellow students. His logic expressed in his suicide letter was the following. His life was a living hell. If he died his ceasing to exist would be better than his current torment. Therefore, in his mind he was going to a better place that would end his torment. Because there was no punishment for sin he decided to kill them as punishment for his torture, and to kill himself to improve his situation. He gave Jehovah credit for his comfort.
Evil men are motivated to pursue the pleasures of their evil deeds when the only consequences, is the lack of a reward in the possible hear after. If this is not true then, oh what needless pain we bear. This would be the ultimate deception of the enemy to promote evil based on our own selfish desires.
***
CHAPTER EIGHT
What
Is God’s Kingdom 1 ●
9 After this
manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this
day our daily bread.
12 And forgive
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Herman’s Notes
Verses 9, 11, 12 and 13 are all in the present. Why would you think that verse 10 is in the
future. Furthermore, verse 10 says as it
is in heaven.
What
Is God’s Kingdom 2 ●
Mark 1:14
And saying, The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
Jesus tells us that the time for the Kingdom Of God is already fulfilled.
Mark 9:1
And he said unto them, Verily
I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not
taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Also Luke 9:27
Herman’s
Notes
Here
Jesus informs us that people who were alive while he walked the earth, would
see the Kingdom Of God Come before they died.
Luke 21:31-32
31 So likewise
ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is
nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say
unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
again Jesus is telling us that this entire generation will not die before this
prophecy of the Kingdom Of Heaven comes to pass.
Luke 10:9
And heal the sick that are
therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
again Jesus is saying that this healing is evidence that the Kingdom Of God is
right on your doorstep.
Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by
the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Also Luke 11:20
Herman’s
Notes
Here
Jesus makes it clear that the evidence that the Kingdom Of God is already is
that Jesus was casting out devils.
Luke 11:18
But if I am casting out
demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
again Jesus is saying that when you see me casting out devils then you know
that the Kingdom Of God has already arrived.
Luke 17:20
20 And when he
was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered
them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither
shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is
within you.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
Jesus is telling us that you won’t see the Kingdom Of God coming. It is not
ushered in with visible signs. It is an
invisible kingdom. It resides in you.
Therefore,
it is not an earthly kingdom made up of men and thrones. Rather it is a way of thinking that has
certain attributes which were already defined as healing, and casting out
demons.
Also,
though not evidenced here, Satans kingdom of this world, is a way of thinking,
which is in opposition to God.
Mark
12:34
And
when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man
after that durst ask him any question .
Luke 19:11
And as they heard these
things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and
because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
1 Corinthians 15:24
Then cometh the end, when he
shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have
put down all rule and all authority and power.
Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the
keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven.
Revelation 21:1-2
1 And I saw a
new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John
saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard
a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God.
1 Timothy 6:15 ●
Which in his times he shall
show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of
lords;
Herman’s
Notes
How
does this say that the Kingdom Of God is a government.
● This question seems to represent an illusion
of alternatives. A better question is
where will Jesus be at that time.
Revelation 21:1-2 ●
1 And I saw a
new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John
saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard
a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God.
Acts 2:33 ●
Therefore being by the right
hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy
Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
2 Timothy 4:18
●
And the Lord shall deliver me
from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom
be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Herman’s
Notes
The
Kingdom Of Heaven is in us. God’s throne
is in heaven. Jesus’ will reign from the
New Jerusalem on earth.
Revelation 4:15
●
And the seventh angel
sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall
reign for ever and ever.
Herman’s
Notes
What
impact does this verse have on the issue of where is Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:10-17
●
10 Therefore I
endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead
with him , we shall also live with him :
12 If we
suffer, we shall also reign with him : if we deny him , he also will deny us:
13 If we
believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these
things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive
not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to
show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun
profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their
word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Herman’s
Notes
A
question that can arise from the exegesis of 2 Timothy 2:10-17 is who is the we
in verse 12? The answer is not that
complicated. It is the same we that was
introduced in verse 10, and further identified in verses 11, 13 and the second
half of 12. It is far more likely that
in these locations, the we is the elect.
How is it that only in the first half of verse 11 we is limited to the
12 apostles. Furthermore, verses 14
through 17, the subjects of the sentences are extractions from the general
population, which is precisely what the elect are.
Revelation
7:1-4, 9-16 ●
1 And after
these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth,
holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the
earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw
another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and
he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the
earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt
not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants
of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard
the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and
forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
9 After this I
beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations,
and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the
Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried
with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the
angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts,
and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying,
Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power,
and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of
the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white
robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said
unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out
of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore
are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple:
and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall
hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them,
nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb
which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto
living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
we see that the 144,000 were all Jewish In addition a huge
number of men in white robes, and angels stood before the throne of God in
heaven .
Revelation 14:1-4
1 And I
looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty
and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard
a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great
thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they
sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and
the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four
thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are
they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they
which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among
men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
we see that the 144,000 were all virgin, Jewish men They were
located on earth at mount Zion .
Revelation 5:10 ●
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Herman’s
Notes
Here
John mentions the 24 elders The 144,000 are not even mentioned here.
Revelation
12:1-11 ●
1 And there
appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon
under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she
being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
[3] And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail
drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and
the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to
devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she
brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and
her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the
woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that
they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there
was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the
dragon fought and his angels,
8 And
prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the
great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were
cast out with him.
10 And I heard
a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the
kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our
brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they
overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and
they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore
rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the
earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,
because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the
dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which
brought forth the man child .
14 And to the
woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the
wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and
half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the
serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might
cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the
earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the
flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Herman’s
Notes
Satan
was cast out of heaven After Satan was cast out of heaven he was
overcome by the blood of the lamb . That is Satan was overcome by Jesus dying on
the cross. We know this because the text
says that when the dragon saw that he was on the earth, he persecuted Jesus or
those who sought after him . This persecution started before the days of
Noah.
Job 1:6-8
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Herman’s
Notes
Satan came along with the other angles to present himself before the Lord. Satan stated that he spent his time going to and fro on the earth. The earth was Satan’s domain as a result of Adam’s surrender. It was unusual for Satan to come into the presence of God. Therefore, the text says that Satan came into the presence of God along with the other angels.
Psalm 110:1 ●
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Herman’s
Notes
The
writer of this article seems to assume the Kingdom of God would come all at
once in its entirety. The scripture says
that God’s Kingdom is in us, and the evidence of its presence is when we see
healing in the earth. Therefore, for
some it has come and for others it has not come.
Hebrews 10:12-14
12 But this
man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the
right hand of God;
13 From
henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one
offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had
received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave
up the ghost.
Luke 10:18 ●
And he said unto them, I
beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Hermans
Notes
Jesus
saw Satan fall before Jesus walked the earth.
Job 1:6-7
6 Now there
was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and
Satan came also among them.
7 And the LORD
said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,
From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Hermans
Notes
Satan
was already kicked out of heaven in Jobs day, but had some access.
The
bible does not specifically say when the fall occurred. What we do know is
Satan fell before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis
3:1-14), because at that time he was roaming to and fro upon the earth.
Revelation 12:5-17
5 And she brought
forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her
child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman
fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they
should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was
war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon
fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed
not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great
dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were
cast out with him.
10 And
I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and
the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our
brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And
they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore
rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the
earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,
because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And
when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman
which brought forth the man child .
14 And
to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the
wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and
half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And
the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he
might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And
the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up
the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Hermans
Notes
Here
when the dragon saw that he was cast out of heaven, he persecuted Mary (v 13)
by use of the flood (v 15). Being that
the flood occurred before 1914, we know that Satan was cast out prior to 1914.
Isaiah 14:15
Yet thou shalt be brought
down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Sheol ●
the abode of the dead in
early Hebrew thought
Hermans
Note
This
article grossly misrepresents this thought.
The article creates a straw-man argument. It then refutes its own
argument. It then follows its refutation
of its own argument with a vaguely supported alternative.
The article
concludes with rather sheol is the figurative common grave of dead mankind, which though not included in the article
is frequently articulated as a place in God’s mind.
Isaiah 14:9-11
– KJV ●
9 Hell from
beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead
for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their
thrones all the kings of the nations.
10 All they
shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become
like unto us?
11 Thy pomp is
brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under
thee, and the worms cover thee.
Isaiah 14:9-11 NLT
9 In the
place of the dead * there is excitement over your arrival. World leaders and
mighty kings long dead are there to see you.
10 With one
voice they all cry out, ‘Now you are as weak as we are!
11 Your
might and power are gone; they were buried with you. All the pleasant music in your
palace has ceased. Now maggots are your sheet and worms your blanket.’
Isaiah 14:9-11 NIV
9 King of
Babylonia, many people in the grave are really excitedabout meeting you when
you go down there.The spirits of the dead get up to welcome you.At one time all
of them were leaders in the world.They were kings over the nations. They get up
from their thrones.
10 All of
them call out to you. They say, You have become weak, just as we are.You have
become like us.’
11 Your
grand show of power has been brought down to the grave. The noise of your harps
has come down here along with your power.
++++++++++
Ezekiel 32:18, 21
KJV
18 Son of man,
wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the
daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them
that go down into the pit.
21 The strong
among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that
help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
Ezekiel 32:18, 21 NIV
21 The mighty
leaders who are already in the grave will talk about Egypt. They will also
speak about the nations that were going to help it. They will say, ‘They have
come down here. They are lying down with those who had not been circumcised.
They are here with those who were killed with swords.’
Ezekiel 32:18, 21
NLT
21 Down in the grave* mighty leaders will mockingly
welcome Egypt and its allies, saying, ‘They have come down; they lie among the
outcasts, all victims of the sword.’
Hermans
Notes
The
descent of Egypt's defeated army and her allies into sheol would be laughed at
by the military men already there. They would observe that she had come down to
lie with the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword. Egypt exulted in
her military prowess, but would be humbled in death, taking her place with
other defeated nations
[ii] I
have to think about things before answering so I will read the material before
the study and come up with my own questions.
● (Give them a
surprised look and say) ●
God has
made all of the billions of people on this earth different and I don’t want to
believe that you want to treat everyone the same way? Some people learn better
by using one process and others learn better using another process! Again I
choose not to believe that it is a common practice to treat everyone alike and
not as individuals?"
[iv] ● One of the biggest problems we have in coming to know Christ as our own
personal Savior is the fact that we do not have a Biblical concept of sin. Often we will say,
"Forgive us of our faults and mistakes." This is quite different from
saying, "Lord, I am proud,
self-centered, self-righteous, tell lies, have anger, jealousy, wrath in my heart. I think impure thoughts and do those
things that are unpleasing to you. Please forgive me and wash my heart
in the blood of Christ." ●
Question #1: What is it in man that separates him from God?
Ephesians 2:12 states
that by nature we are separated from God. What
effect does this have on our relationship to God.
Question
#2: How
this very serious problem is solved?
Jesus
taught that by birth and choice we are children of the Devil and he is our father. John 8:44 states, "You are
from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father." (I
have never known any parents who had to teach their children how to sin!) Since Satan is
our father by nature, then he has authority over us. Acts 26:18 declares: "Turn
them...from the authority of Satan." We know that Satan is very powerful and he is not
going to let us get out from under his control without a struggle. But we read in Matthew 6:9 that some are
able to call God "Father." Since
by nature we are children of the Devil, then it seems quite obvious that there is some transaction necessary to get
us out from under the dominion of Satan
to the place where we can call God "Father." The Bible speaks in
places of people being "born from
above," "born of God," and "born again."
The
question that this generates is:
What
is
the complete process by which we get out from under the dominion of Satan and can now call God
"Father"?
● This
question is at the very crux of the gospel.
●
● (Jehovah's Witnesses are never sure that they are in the
family of God and will not fall back under
Satan's dominion once again. They will say they are trying their best and hope they are on the path that might lead to
everlasting life, but they can never be sure. They constantly quote Matthew
10:22, "But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.") ●
[vi] I
note that John 17:3 is translated rather differently in the New World Translation.
Most translations read, "This is everlasting life." This has a very
clear ring of certainty to it. It indicates that eternal life is something that
can be possessed with assurance in this life. The rendering as written here in
New World Translation, "This means everlasting life," seems to
indicate that it is a process rather than a definite act!
Do you
understand that it is a certainty that you have everlasting life right now
through faith in Jesus Christ, or is it a process that takes time and can only
be certain in the next life?
● (Listen carefully to what they say. It is not possible for
a Jehovah's Witness to obtain everlasting life in the present world. It is
something they might "merit" on the new earth. If they are honest
with you, they will have to tell you it is a "process." If they tell you it is not possible to be
certain now, ask them to explain a few verses to you. Take them to John 10:28:)
●
John 10:28
And I
[Jesus] give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed,
and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
This verse
states that "everlasting life" is something that is given by Jesus
Christ. A person can never work for a gift, for then it is no longer a gift (Romans 6:23). Can you
explain this verse to me.
● (You can point out things, but ask questions to make them
think it through. Also, don't let them go to some other verse but urge them to
explain this verse.) ●
John
5:24: Says:
Most truly
I say to you, He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has
everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from
death to life.
Here Jesus
is saying that a person can have everlasting life in this present world!
- What
does it mean when it says, "He does not come into judgment"?
- What is
this death that this person has passed out of, and what life has this person
entered into?
● (This verse gives the answer to the question above as to
how we can get out from under Satan's dominion and into the family of God.
Don't let them go to another verse to get you off the track. Keep them to this
verse. Remember, you are not out to win an argument at this stage but to plant
thought-provoking seeds of doubt that take time to mature.) ●
Question
#2: I note that there is another difference in the way this verse (John 17:3)
is rendered. In the New World Translation Bible it reads, "Their taking in
knowledge..." Most translations say, "That they may know." To me
there is a big difference between "Taking in knowledge" and
"Knowing." You can read about a person and obtain a lot of facts, but
you really can't "know" a person until you actually meet them and
come into a close association with them. To me the only possible way we can
"Draw close to God" is to know Him in a personal and intimate way.
Do
you think, just knowing a lot of facts about God is adequate, or do you think
we have to be born by His Spirit and have a personal, direct and intimate
relation with Yahweh?
● (Listen carefully to what they have to say at this point.
They won't want to tell you they don't have a direct relationship with God, but
they can't say they really do. If they do say they have a direct relationship,
ask them to explain in complete detail how this happened. Sometimes a Witness
might tell you he or she has a relationship with God but it is not a direct
relationship. The Society teaches that only the Governing Body of the
Watchtower Society has a direct relationship with God, because they are
supposed to be of the "anointed" class and "have God
spirit." But since the Witnesses have a relationship with the Governing
Body as a Witness, then they feel they have an indirect relationship with
Yahweh.) ●
Question
#3: Since this "taking in knowledge" is a "process," how
long does this process ordinarily take?
● (They will usually give you a very indefinite answer and
say that it is up to the individual. You can ask them how long it took them to
acquire this "accurate knowledge.") ●
Question
#4: Does this "taking in knowledge" end when you are baptized, so
that now you are certain that you have everlasting life? Or is baptism more or
less the start of the journey and you have to continue to take in knowledge, so
that maybe sometime in the future you might obtain everlasting life?
● (I am almost certain that the Witness will tell you it is a
"process." It will be difficult for them to give you a
straightforward answer at this juncture, but listen well to what they have to
say.) ●
Question
#5: The Bible does not seem to indicate that coming into a personal
relationship with God is a long process.
For
example, in Luke 23:39-43 it took the thief on the tree next to Jesus just a
very short time to take in enough knowledge to get into paradise.
● (By the way,
do not argue about the fact that the comma in verse 43 is placed after
"today" instead of before "today" like in most Bibles, but
use this passage of Scripture as a way of witnessing and giving the gospel.) ●
This thief
had admitted his own personal sins and that he was dying as a just punishment
for them. He believed that Jesus Christ was perfect and was dying for his sins.
He believed that this dying man, Jesus, was going to rise from the dead and set
up a kingdom. He prayed to Jesus. He confessed his sins and asked for
forgiveness. Then he received a promise that he would be in paradise. Don't you
agree that the process of "taking in knowledge" was very short?
● (Jehovah's Witnesses are not certain that they will make it
onto the new earth. They might fall away.) ●
● (Note: We know that "paradise" means heaven, but
you can get in a good point from the Society's belief that the
"paradise" mentioned in Luke is earthly, while in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 it is heavenly. The new earth of the Watchtower Society is1000 years long.
But the first six or seven hundred years on this earth are not
"paradise" because the Witnesses have to clean up all the debris of
Armageddon and build paradise by sheer manual labor. So this thief had the
amazing promise that he would not have to do any of the "dirty work"
but would be resurrected when all the work had been done! That is really a good
deal!) ●
Question
#6: On the day of Pentecost 3,000 people were saved after hearing just one
sermon from Peter.
In Acts
8:26-40 the Ethiopian eunuch was saved and baptized after a very short
discussion with Philip.
In Acts 10
Cornelius and many of his family and friends took in enough accurate knowledge
after the one sermon by Peter to be baptized.
In Acts
16:25-34 the Philippian jailor took in enough accurate knowledge to be baptized
in not less than 6 hours, from midnight until dawn. Paul's explanation didn't
take very long; to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul's
answer was rather short, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be
saved." What is it that this jailor believed about Jesus? Not just that He
was a good man whose example we should try to follow, but that He shed His blood
upon the tree for the sins of all mankind.
Since the
Bible gives a number of incidents where people were baptized in just a very
short time after hearing the message about Jesus, then doesn't it seem like
this "taking in knowledge" can be a short process?
[viii]
Again, I have to think
about things before answering so I will read the material before the study and
come up with my own questions.
● (If they protest, Give them a
surprised look and say) ●
God has made all of the billions of people on this earth
different and I don’t want to believe that you want to treat everyone the same
way? Some people learn better by using one process and others learn better
using another process! Again I choose not to believe that it is a common
practice to treat everyone alike and not as individuals?"
[x] I am quite impressed by what is written about the beautiful new earth in Chapter 3. I'm
interested in the mechanics of how this new world will come about, so I ask your
patience in answering the many questions I have about this chapter.
Question
#1: This verse limits those who go on this new earth to "the
righteous." Who are the righteous and how does one become righteous? ●
● (To be
"righteous" means to be cleansed from all sin.) ●
● (You are not
going to receive a very clear answer. The Witness has only thought of the words
"reside upon it" and not what the Bible says about getting on it.) ●
Question #2: Would it be okay if we looked at a few Bible verses on this subject to see if you agree with them?
● (While you are going through this
presentation, the Witness might try to get you off the subject by wanting you
to looking at other verses that do not pertain to the subject, but ask him or
her to let you present your material first.) ●
Romans 3:10.
Just as it is written: 'There is not a righteous [man], not even one.
Question #3: Would you agree with this verse?
● (The real problem with Jehovah's
Witnesses is that they do not have a proper understanding of sin. They do not
feel they are "bad" sinners, so they do not need a big Savior. I have
had two Witnesses say to me, "If Jesus Christ is God, then the sacrifice
was too great." Just about everyone will say, "No one is perfect and
we all make mistakes." But this is different from admitting, "I am
proud, self-centered, self-righteous, have anger, jealousy, wrath in my heart,
and have told lies and cheated.") ●
Isaiah 64:6.
But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our
righteousness are like filthy rags" (NKJV).
We see from this verse that we are not able to
produce a righteousness that would be pleasing to God by our own efforts.
Question #4: Would you agree with this?
Question #5:
● (Romans 3:21-30. Read the passage
in their NWT and then ask the following questions.) ●
In Romans 3:21-30, Verse 22 says that this
righteousness comes "through the faith in Jesus Christ." What kind of
faith do we need in Jesus Christ that makes us righteous?
● (We know that this faith is that
Jesus Christ died and shed His blood for our personal sins and rose bodily from
the grave.) ●
● (Depending on how the conversation
goes, you might ask:) ●
Question #6: Many people have faith that Jesus
Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, that He lived a sinless life, that He died
and shed His blood for the personal sins of mankind on the tree! Is this different from the faith that you
have.
● (The Witness might leave you under
the impression that he believes the same, but he does not. The Watchtower
Society teaches that Christ died only for the sins we inherited in Adam. Our
personal sins are something we must take care of. If he or she gives you a
misleading answer you might need to ask him or her to explain their answer more
in detail.) ●
I entered into a discussion with a coligue of mine.
The discussion was about the imputation of sin as discussed in Romans
4:13. The text said "For until the
law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
" Our discussion was whether this
verse was talking about our own personal sins or our sins imputed form
Adam. Nevertheless, the question that
I'm asking now is do you believe Jesus died for the sins imputed from Adam, or
our own personal sins, or both?
Question #7: In verse 24 it announces that this
righteousness is "a free gift." Wouldn't this mean that righteousness
is something that we cannot earn or merit, but something that is given to us by
God?
Question #8: In verses 24, 26 and 28 it speaks about
our "being declared righteous," which would refer to something that
was done for us in the past. What does it mean to be "declared
righteous" through faith in Jesus Christ?
Question #9: Again in verse 30 we note that this
righteousness comes through "faith." Would you say that this is what
you understand?
● Question #10: (Other verses you can
use on righteousness are: Rom 1:17, 4:6,9,11.22; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; Titus
3:5; Heb. 11:7 and 2 Peter 1:1.) ●
Question #11: 1 John 2:29. "If you know that He
is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of
Him" (NKJV). We note from this verse that a person has to be "born of
Him" or "born again" in order to be considered righteous by God.
Would you consider yourself one who has been born again?
● (The Watchtower Society teaches
that only those who are members of the 144,000, known as the
"anointed," are born again. There are very few of these who are
living today. Therefore it is almost certain that the one you are talking to
will not claim to be born again. Also, those who are "born again" are
going to heaven and not going to live on the new earth like the Watchtower
Society says Psalm 37:29 refers to. You can point out that there seems to be a
very obvious contradiction in the teachings of the Watchtower Society. You will
probably not see the Witness saved by going through these verses on
righteousness, but you have planted a lot of good thought-provoking seeds of
doubt.) ●
Question #12: Psalm 37:29 indicates that a person
must be declared righteous in this life before they move into the next. Would
you agree with this?
● (Don't get into an argument. Move
on to the next questions.) ●
[xii] Question
#1 In what form did Jesus Christ exist before He came to this earth? Response:
● (It will
probably be that He existed as "a spirit person.") ●
Question #2: Could you please be a little more specific than
just saying, "He was a spirit person," since all the angels are
"spirit persons"?
Did He have a name that He was identified by?
●(You want to get them to admit that the Society believes that the man Jesus did not have a pre-human existence
but it is Michael the Society is referring to.) ●
Question #3:
● (If they say
it was Michael then you do not need this question, but if they have not identified him use this question.) ●
It seems to me that I heard somewhere
that Jesus Christ was identified as Michael the archangel before He came to
earth!
Is what I have heard correct?
● (At this
point they ought to identify Him as Michael.) ●
On page 42, paragraph 14, we
read, "Jehovah's only-begotten Son willingly left heaven
and came down to earth to live as a human... He transferred the life of his first-born
Son from heaven to the womb of a Jewish virgin named Mary."
Question
#1: By taking this statement literally, I come to the conclusion that Michael,
who is a spirit person, came down and dwelt in the human body that Mary gave him in the form of Jesus. Thus the one
who was born would be both human and
an archangel. He would have a dual personality, the one of Michael and the one of a human. Is this correct?
● (Since the Society teaches that Michael did not actually dwell in Jesus, and he was only a
man, they will not be able to agree with this statement. The Society really teaches
that at the conception or birth of Jesus, Michael willed himself out of existence. You
will probably need to ask some more question to get a little clearer answer but you will probably not get a
"clear-cut" answer.) ●
[xiv] There is a contradiction
recorded on page 41 that I would like to mention and then present a question. In paragraph 10, line 2-4 we
read, "Micah prophesied that the Messiah
would be born in Bethlehem and also said that his origin was 'from early time.' (Micah 5:2)"
This verse reads in the NWT, "And you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, the one too little to get to be among
the thousands of Judah, from you there
will come out to me the one who is to become ruler in Israel, whose origin is from early times, from the days
of time indefinite." In the NKJV
the words "time indefinite"
are rendered "from everlasting."
Go down to paragraph 11, line 5, where we read, "This means that Jesus is the
only one directly created by God." Next go to paragraph 12, line 3,
and it says, "Obviously, then, he had a beginning." So the Watchtower Society teaches that the Son was created and had a beginning, in spite of the fact
that the Bible says that Jesus is "from everlasting." Let me
go back and quote the entire previous sentence. "Obviously, then,
he had a beginning, whereas Jehovah God has
no beginning or end. (Psalm 90:2)" This
verse reads in the NWT, "Before
the mountains themselves were born, or you proceeded to bring forth as with labor pains the earth and the
productive land, even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are
God." In the NKJV the last part of this verse reads, "Even from everlasting to
everlasting, You are God."
Question:
● (After going through what I just wrote
above, you can continue with this question.)
●
We see that exactly the same
words? "from everlasting" or "from time indefinite"
that are used of the Son, Jesus Christ, are also used of the Father. If you go
and check in a Hebrew lexicon you will see that the Hebrew word is the same in
both cases. This being true, then why do you think one thing
from Micah 5:2? that "from everlasting equals from time indefinite"
means that the Son was created and had a beginning? and then in Psalm
90:2, where exactly the same word is used, you think that the Father
had no beginning or end?
● (You need to press the Witness you are
dealing with hard on this point. Ask him or her to go and check if he or she
does not believe you. Micah 5:2 is a very strong verse,
proving Jesus is eternally God.) ●
[xvi] ● (In the
very last sentence on page 41 it states, "The only-begotten Son never even
considered trying to be equal to his Father." You still do not want to go
into detail about the deity of Christ and the Trinity, but there is a point you
can make here and then just move on. Do not let them take you to other verses
like John 14:28 where the Witnesses like to use part of the verse, "The
Father is greater than I am." (What is written just before these words,
"I am going my way to the Father," the Society denies. It teaches
that Jesus went into the grave never to be seen again.) Stick to the point.)
●
Question: I notice what is written here on page 41, "The only-begotten Son never even considered trying to be equal to his Father." I am rather puzzled at this statement. In John 5:23 Jesus said, "In order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him." This verse seems rather plain to me and doesn't need any interpreting. If I am to honor the Son exactly as I honor the Father, then doesn't this make the Son equal with the Father?
[xviii]
● (On page 42, paragraph 14, we read, "Jehovah's only-begotten Son
willingly left heaven and came down to earth to live
as a human... He transferred the life of his first-born Son from heaven to the womb of a Jewish virgin named
Mary.")
●
Question
#1: By taking this statement literally, I come to the conclusion that Michael,
who is a spirit person, came down and dwelt in the human body that Mary gave him in the form of Jesus. Thus the one
who was born would be both human and
an archangel. He would have a dual personality, the one of Michael and the one of a human. Is this correct?
● (Since the Society teaches that Michael did not actually dwell in Jesus, and he was only a
man, they will not be able to agree with this statement. The Society really teaches
that at the conception or birth of Jesus, Michael willed himself out of existence. You
will probably need to ask some more question to get a little clearer answer but you will probably not get a
"clear-cut" answer.) ●
Question #2: If Jesus was not
both divine and human, then what does this book mean when it states,
"He transferred the life of his first-born Son from heaven to the womb
of a Jewish virgin named Mary"?
● (They will probably say that it was just the
"life force" that came down.) ●
Question #3: This "life force" is a new expression to me.
Would you please explain to me what a "life force" is in an angel and
just exactly what part of Michael entered into Jesus if He is not both human
and divine?
● (You will still probably
not receive a clear answer. You might even get some very stupid statement.)
●
Question #4: Maybe it would help me to understand
what this "life force" is if you explain to me how humans have a
"life force" and just what it is.
● (With this question you
should receive the reply that the "life force" in humans is the
breath that keeps the human body alive. If this is the answer you receive,
proceed with this next question.) ●
Question #5: Since Michael was a "spirit
being" without a human body and lungs, it would only be logical that he
could not breathe and thus did not have a "life force"! So how could
something that doesn't exist be transferred into the womb of Mary?
Question #6: Since the Society teaches that Jesus
was not both human and divine, and nothing from Michael was in Jesus, then did
Michael still exist in heaven?
● (At this point they might
tell you that he willed himself out of existence. If you receive this reply,
then ask this next question.) ●
Question #7: If it is true that Michael willed
himself out of existence, then how did he do it? I know of only two possible
ways.
(1) The Father would have had to kill him. But this
would not be a possibility because the Bible says, "The wages of sin is
death (Romans 6:23)" and since Michael was perfect and never sinned, the
Father could not be just and kill Michael!
(2) Michael would have had to kill himself by
committing suicide! I don't think this would be a possibility either because
the Bible teaches that suicide is a sin. Would you please help me solve this
difficult problem?
● (I have used these types of
questions with Jehovah's Witnesses and found them very effective because they
are not the standard questions presented to Witnesses, so they do not have
answers.) ●
Question #8: This is all very confusing and sounds
like a "great mystery." If Michael did will himself out of existence
in some unexplainable way, then he would have been dead and there would be no
"life force" to transfer into the womb of Mary! Please help me out.
Question #9:
● (To make Jesus God at this
stage in your witnessing it is too much for a Witness to accept, but here is a
step towards this goal which you might use. What I state in this question is
what the Watchtower Society believes and teaches, but you don't want to let the
Witness know that you know too much about his or her religion.) ●
I understand that there are some religious groups
who believe that in the days of Noah according to (Genesis 6:2) "the sons
of God" were actually wicked angels who saw "the daughters of
men" and went down and took these women for their wives and lived upon
this earth. But when the flood came and the physical body drowned, the angel
part separated from the body and went back to heaven. Might this be an answer
as to what happened in the case of Jesus and Michael? Michael came down and
dwelt in the man Jesus, but they were separate and did not amalgamate into one?
● (It will be hard for them
to agree with you and also to disagree, but you have planted a seed.) ●
[xx] ●On page 45,
paragraph 20 it states, "Jesus set the finest example of loyal obedience
to God. He remained faithful to his heavenly Father under all kinds of
circumstances." ●
Question: To me, this is a rather strange statement.
1 Timothy 1:15 states, "Faithful and deserving of full acceptance is the
saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am
foremost." The Bible seems to teach that the primary purpose for Jesus
Christ coming to this earth was to die on the tree and shed His blood for the
remission of our sins in order to save us from our sins. Does this statement
suggest that His primary purpose in coming was, to be faithful to the end?
● (You are not so much
desiring an answer as you are in presenting the gospel in your question.)
●
[xxii]
●
(On page 46, paragraph 21, starting from line 8, we read, "However, on the
third day after Jesus died, his heavenly Father resurrected him back to spirit
life (1 Peter 3:18.) A few weeks later, he returned to heaven." This is
probably one of the most deceitful statements made by the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower Society clearly teaches that man does not have a soul that is
separate from the physical body and leaves the body at death. Rather, the
"soul" is the entire person, identical with one's physical body. It
also believes that the "spirit" is the breath or "the life force
that enables that person to be alive. The spirit has no personality, nor can it
do the things a person can do. It cannot think, speak, hear, see or feel."
(Quoted from the 1968 Watchtower book THE TRUTH that leads to ETERNAL LIFE,
page 39.) With this Watchtower definition in mind, then what does it mean when
the book states, "His heavenly Father resurrected him back to spirit
life"? It means that the archangel Michael? who the Society claims willed
himself out of existence when Jesus was conceived or born? was re-created three
days after the death of Jesus. Then he impersonated Jesus in a number of
different bodies, including even the body with the nail and spear scars (John
20:27) that the Society teaches had already gone back to the elements fooling
everyone. Furthermore, Michael in his pre-human existence was only "a god,"
but at his re-creation he became "Mighty God." (In the future, after
the Millennium is over, he will be demoted once again to "a god."
Please don't ask me to explain this.) I asked various Jehovah's Witnesses about
this for eight years before I finally had one explain that this
"resurrection back to spirit life" means that Michael was re-created.
(There are only two places where I have found this written in Watchtower
literature. One is on page 2600 of the reprints of the April 1, 1900 Zion's
Watch Tower. It reads, "By a resurrection—a raising up to life; being
created again, the same identical being, yet more glorious, and exalted even to
'the express image of the Father's person.' (Heb. 1:3)." The other one is
on page 155, paragraph 23, in the 1974 book God's "Eternal Purpose"
Now Triumphing for Man's Good: "He resumed his pre-human name, Michael, so
that again there was a 'Michael the archangel' in heaven." If people
realized this teaching, most would not become Witnesses.
In other places, instead of saying "spirit
life," Watchtower literature says Jesus was resurrected as "a
spirit." The Society takes the word "spirit" from 1 Peter 3:18
"in the spirit," and "a" from 1 Corinthians 15:44 "a
spiritual body," and comes up with the words "a spirit." One of
the few places in the Bible where the expression "a spirit" is used
is in connection with the resurrection of Jesus. It is found in Luke 24:39 when
the disciples saw the resurrected Jesus and thought He was "a
spirit," but Jesus clearly denied this. He said, "For a spirit does
not have flesh and bones as you see I have." The Bible speaks over one
hundred times about the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, but in spite of
this, the Watchtower Society still teaches that Jesus Himself was not
resurrected but it was Michael who was recreated.
Some Witnesses do not understand
what I have just written. Others do, but do not want to tell you this early in
your studies. You might need quite a few of the following questions. If you
have received the desired answer that it was Michael who was re-created then
you can proceed with other questions. But if you just can't get them to tell
you that it was the re-created Michael then you might say, "Just a minute.
It seems like I have heard or read somewhere that the Society teaches that this
"spirit life" or "a spirit" was actually the re-creation of
Michael. Am I correct?" If they deny this, then ask them to do some
research and come up with a clear answer.)●
Question #1: I am rather confused here. What does it
mean "His heavenly father resurrected him back to spirit life"?
● (They will probably tell
you that he was raised as "a spirit.") ●
Question #2: What happened to the physical body of
Jesus?
Question #3: Where does the Bible teach that His
body went back to the elements?
Question #4: The Bible speaks in over one hundred
places about the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Not once
do we have the very words "a spirit" in connection with His
resurrection, except when Jesus Himself denied that He was raised just as
"a spirit" in Luke 24:37-40, so why does the Watchtower Society make
it "a spiritual resurrection"?
Question #5: This book quotes only one verse, 1
Peter 3:18, to try to prove this concept of "a spiritual
resurrection." But this verse does not teach that! It says, "Being
made alive in the spirit." Other Bibles read, "Made alive by the
Spirit"(NKJV, NIV, etc.). In other words, Jesus Christ was raised up by
the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 13:1, "At
the mouth of two witnesses or of three every matter must be established."
Could you please give me three verses where it clearly teaches that Jesus
Christ was raised just as "a spirit"?
● (It is interesting to note
that the Watchtower Society uses this Corinthian verse when it comes to
convicting an accused Witness of child molesting. There are many of these
molesters. If there were anyone else watching, then there would be no molesting!
But you can use back on them this verse that the Society uses.) ●
Question #6: How could something that never died be
resurrected? The Bible in Matthew 27:50 states, "Again Jesus cried out
with a loud voice, and yielded up [his] spirit."
● (In a footnote in the NWT
it says, "He let go of the spirit.") ●
Where did this "spirit" of Jesus go that
"He let go of"?
The answer is found in Ecclesasties12:7: "Then
the dust returns to the earth just as it happened to be and the spirit itself
returns to the [true] God who gave it."
● (The Watchtower Society
teaches that the body goes back to dust at the time of death, thus taking the
first part of this verse to be literal; then why doesn't it take the second
part literally? The spirit does not die.) ●
Since the spirit of Jesus never died, it couldn't
have been resurrected, could it? Please give me something in Jesus that
actually died and was resurrected.
Question #7: I am still very much confused. By just
reading the Bible a person would never come to the conclusion that that it was
a spiritual resurrection of some kind and not a physical resurrection. Look at
John 2:18-22. The sign that Jesus gave to the Jews was that when His body was
destroyed? died on the tree? in three days it would be raised up. It clearly
says that Jesus was not talking about "a temple of stone" but His
physical body. The people who heard Jesus speak these words understood
"the temple" to be Jesus' physical body. Matthew 27:62-63 reads,
"The next day, which was after the Preparation, the chief priests and the
Pharisees gathered together before Pilate, saying: 'Sir, we have called to mind
that that imposter said while yet alive, "After three days I am to be
raised up."" Upon hearing this, Pilate ordered a guard for the tomb
for three days. Doesn't this clearly indicate that Jesus taught His physical
body would be raised?
● (To try and get around this
section in John 2:18-22, the Society teaches that the "temple" was
the spiritual church and that after three days the church began to be established.
However, even this is a contradiction, because the Society teaches that God did
not begin to call out people for His "spiritual temple" until 40 days
latter, at Pentecost, and not three days after his death!) ●
Question #8: Do you understand that "the
spirit" in man is the seat of his or her personality and can think, speak,
hear, see and feel?
● (They will have to say
"No.") ●
Question #9: Since "a spirit" has no
personality and can't think, speak, hear, see or feel, then what was actually resurrected?
The word "resurrect," means that "something that fell down stood
up." Please give me something that lived on this earth that was
resurrected.
Question #10:
● (By this time, if they have
said nothing about Michael being recreated then you can come out and ask:)
●
This is very complicated! It seems to me that
somewhere I heard or read that the Society teaches that it was actually Michael
who was re-created. Is this true or not?
Question #11:
● (If they do say it was
Michael, you can continue by asking this question:) ●
Excuse me, but this is still very confusing. Why
doesn't the Watchtower Society come out and clearly present what it believes?
that when the man Jesus died and was buried, within three days His body was
dissolved back into the elements, since it didn't see corruption, and at this
time Michael was re-created?
Question #12: If it is really true that it was
Michael who was re-created, then it was Michael and not the man Jesus who
appeared to the disciples and others on quite a number of occasions! On
occasions Michael appeared in a physical body just like the one that was on the
tree, because it had nail prints in the hands and feet and a spear wound in the
side (John 20:27). To me this amounts to "fraud," since the archangel
Michael would be impersonating the man Jesus Christ. Wouldn't you agree?
Question #13: In the Bible, angels appeared a number of times in the form of man, but in all of these cases they were identified as angels. If it was really Michael the archangel who appeared for 40 days after the death of Christ, then wouldn't it seem logical that at least in a couple of places where Michael impersonated Jesus he would be identified as an angel?
We read, "Put simply, the ransom is Jehovah's
means to deliver, or save, humankind from sin and death. (Ephesians 1:7)"
● (This verse in the NWT
reads, "By means of him we have the release by ransom through the blood of
that one, yes, the forgiveness of [our] trespasses, according to the riches of
his undeserved kindness.") ●
Question #1: I want to be sure I understand what is
written here, so please help me. This seems to be a rather accurate definition
of the word "ransom" and agrees with what we as Bible-believing
Christians believe. Let me explain. Bible-believing, born-again Christians
believe that by nature we are slaves of Satan. (John 8:44, "You are from
your father the Devil.") We believe that Satan has power over those whom
he controls. (Acts 26:18, "To turn them from darkness to light, and from
the authority of Satan to God." 2 Thessalonians 2:9, "Is according to
the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and
portents.") We believe that we are not only born with a sin nature but
also we sin knowingly, of our own free will and choice, and thus are
responsible for our own personal sins. When we speak of sin we mean, pride,
self-centeredness, self-righteousness, anger, wrath, jealousy, lying, cheating,
gossiping, having an unforgiving spirit, fighting with brothers and sisters,
disobedience to parents, etc. We believe that when a person recognizes his or
her own personal sins? and what an awful offense they are in the sight of God
and repents, confesses his or her own personal sins and believes that Jesus
Christ died on the tree for these sins, then at that moment he or she is taken
out of the dominion of Satan and is transferred into the kingdom of the Son and
becomes part of the family of God.
I noted on page 53, paragraph 15, that Colossians
1:13-14 is referred to. Let us read these verses. "He delivered us from
the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of
his love, by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of
our sins." Is this not what these verses teach? I note that it says
"forgiveness of our sins," which I take to mean our "personal
sins" and not just the sins we inherited from Adam! Wouldn't the verses 1
John 1:8-9, mentioned at the end of this same paragraph, mean what we as Bible-
believing Christians believe? 1 John 1:8-9 reads, "If we make the
statement: 'We have no sin,' we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not
in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." If we have been
cleansed from "all unrighteousness," doesn't that make us stand right
now perfect in the sight of God? Since we have been taken out of the dominion
of Satan and become a child of God (John 1:12, "However, as many as did
receive him, to them he gave authority to become God's children, because they
were exercising faith in his name.") then does that not put us under the
protection of Almighty God as one of His children! (Yes, as children of God we
might sin, but we do not lose our "sonship" but only our
"fellowship.") When we become children of God, by the new birth, we
come under the protection that Jesus promised in John 10:28: "And I
[Jesus] give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be
destroyed, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Is this exactly what you believe as a Jehovah's
Witness? that your past, present and future sins have all been forgiven because
of the ransom provided by Jesus when He shed His blood for sinners upon the
tree?
● (Response: They will
probably be very vague but will answer something like this. We believe that
Christ died for our past sins.) ●
Question #2: What do you mean when you say "Our
past sins"?
● (Response: These are the
sins we inherited in Adam.) ●
Question #3: What does it means for us in the future
that Christ "ransomed" us from the sins we inherited in Adam?
● (Response: It means that
most people will be resurrected and given a new start on the new earth.)
●
Question #4: Since Jesus Christ paid the ransom only
2000 years ago, then what about the people who lived before the time of Christ?
● (Response: Most of them
will be included in the ransom.) ●
Question #5: In other words, it doesn't take any
particular faith in Jesus Christ to benefit from the ransom but it is something
that is unconditional?
● (Response: Yes. That is
right.) ●
Question #6: I thought that the new earth was going
to be a perfect place, but you are now telling me that billions of sinners are
going to be resurrected onto this new earth. How can you have so many sinners
and have a paradise?
● (Response: The Bible
teaches in Romans 6:7 "For he who has died has been acquitted from [his]
sin." that when these people die they pay the wages for their sin? so that
when these people are resurrected they are given a fresh start.) ●
Question #7: What happens to those who become
Jehovah's Witnesses but later on do not prove faithful? by sinning and refusing
to repent? or those who have a falling out with the Society and remain in that
condition? Will these people also profit by the ransom and be resurrected to go
on the new earth when Armageddon occurs?
● (Response: No. These people
have declared themselves unworthy and will be eternally annihilated.) ●
Question #8: So in the cases of those who become
Jehovah's Witnesses, "the ransom" is conditional upon their
relationship with the Watchtower Society, and they will not be included like
the people who knew nothing about Christ before He was born?
● (Response: Apparently, that
seems to be the case.) ●
Question #9: Since I have never been a Witness and
"the ransom" is unconditional for "most other people," then
it would seem best that I do not become a Jehovah's Witness? because I can be
100% sure of going to the new earth. But if I became a Jehovah's Witness there
is the possibility that I could prove unfaithful or decide to walk away, and in
that case I could not go to the new earth. So it seems I have a much better
chance on going onto the new earth than you do as a Witness!
● (Response: It is not
exactly like that. You see, now if a person has a chance to hear the message of
the Watchtower Society and learns how to please Jehovah and does not respond,
he will not be given a chance to go onto the new earth but will be eternally
annihilated at death, or if he is living when Armageddon occurs then he will be
destroyed and so have no chance of going onto the new earth.) ●
Question #10: This is very confusing to me. If I
understand you correctly, from the time of Adam until the Watchtower Society
came on the scene people entered onto the new earth because of "the
ransom" that Jesus Christ provided when He shed His blood upon the tree
and died, but since the Watchtower Society was organized, the unconditional
ransom through Christ was negated and now the Watchtower Society is doing what
Christ used to do! Would I not be correct in saying this?
● (Response: I am not sure of
the answer you will receive, because it would be difficult for them to respond
"Yes" and it would be hard for them to say "No.") ●
Question #11:
● (I know I am repeating
here, but since facts don't sink in too fast when talking to Jehovah's
Witnesses you will have to repeat many times.) ●
I am a Bible-believing Christian. I believe that
Jesus Christ paid "the ransom" by dying on the tree for both the sins
I inherited in Adam and the sins I have willfully committed. I read my Bible
daily so that I can learn what pleases Yahweh and what displeases Him, so that
I can live a life that brings glory to God. I want to obey His commandments. I
believe in practicing holiness and living a righteous life. I believe in being
good to my neighbor. But are you telling me that this not enough to escape
annihilation at death or when Armageddon occurs just because I am not a
Jehovah's Witness?
● (Response: At this juncture
the Witness will probably begin to back off and become rather vague.
It is really hard for me to say,
because God is the final judge and we do not know what the outcome will be.)
●
Question #12: In other words, what you are telling
is that maybe the Watchtower Society is not the only organization that is doing
God's will, but there is the possibility of other religious groups out there
who are pleasing in the sight of Yahweh?
● (Response: At this point
they will probably be very quick to respond) We know that we have "the
truth.") ●
Question #13: Could I ask you a personal question?
How many other religious groups have you investigated in depth on your own
before or after you became a Witness so that you are able to compare them with
the teachings of the Watchtower Society? so that you can say with confidence
you have "the truth"?
● (Response: I know that the
Watchtower Society has "the truth" so I don't need to investigate.)
●
Question #14: But the people in the other religions
would tell me exactly the same thing. I can't understand how you can be so
confident if you have never investigated.
● (Response: I know that I
have the truth and don't need to investigate.) ●
Question #15: The conclusion I have come to after
this conversation concerning "the ransom" is that for almost 6000
years the ransom was unconditional, so that with a few exception just about all
the people who have lived will be resurrected and given a second chance on the
new earth to walk pleasing to Yahweh. But since the Watchtower Society was
organized this unconditional ransom is no longer in effect, and now the only
possibility of entering the new earth and maybe meriting eternal life is
through the good graces of the Watchtower Society. Would this be correct?
● (Response: You will
probably receive a vague answer, but you have planted seeds of doubt.) ●
[xxvi]
Here we read,
"Since a perfect human life was lost, no imperfect human life could ever
buy it back. (Psalm 49:7,8) What was needed was a ransom equal in value to what
was lost." Then in the same paragraph, line 8, it is stated, "another
perfect human life was the 'corresponding ransom' that was required 1 Timothy
2:6." This verse reads, "Who gave himself a corresponding ransom for
all [this is] what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times."
Question #1: I am greatly confused at what is
written here because I have never heard or read of a "corresponding
ransom." "Ransom" yes, but not "a corresponding
ransom." I checked this verse in other Bibles and none of them have the
word "corresponding." If a person is demanding a $100,000 ransom I do
not think the person would object to receiving $200,000 in ransom money instead
of the demanded $100,000. Almost always the person who is paying the ransom is
richer than the one who is demanding it! The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 13:1,
"At the mouth of two witnesses or of three every matter must be
established." On the basis of this verse, could you give me three verses
in the Bible where this concept is clearly presented and able to be
comprehended by the average reader? Also, not just in the New World Translation
but in other Translations.
● (Response: You will not
receive any verses. The purpose of this question is to plant seeds of doubt.)
●
[xxviii]
●
(asked before "What came down from heaven when this life-force was
transferred into the womb of Mary?" You can ask the following question to
re-enforce your previous question.) ●
Question: I am greatly perplexed by what is written
here. It says that the Father "sent one of his perfect spirit sons to
earth." Then continuing it reads, "He transferred the life of this
Son to the womb of Mary" and the outcome was that "Jesus was born as
a perfect human." This doesn't make any sense to me. On one hand the text
says that "the only-begotten Son" was "transferred from heaven
to earth." But this one that came down was an angelic being. Usually if a
person is transferred because of his job from New York to Chicago it is exactly
the same person. Yet you have an angel transferred from heaven to earth but the
end result is that there is nothing of the angel that is left and you end up
with something entirely different? and that is "a perfect human"! I
could see a body being prepared for an angel to live in on this physical world,
but when you start out with "A," an angel, and end up with
"B," a human man, it doesn't make sense. It seems to me that the
angel completely disappeared and something entirely new took its place! In John
16:28 Jesus declared, "I came out from the Father and have come into the
world." Jesus says that once He, the person talking, existed in heaven and
now He is living on earth. I would like to know exactly what was transferred
from heaven at the birth of Jesus and what was this life from heaven that actually
dwelt in Jesus?
● (Response: You probably
still won't receive a clear-cut answer, but keep pressing.) ●
[xxx] Here it reads, "On the
third day after Jesus died, Jehovah raised him back to spirit life."
Question #1: What happened to the physical body of
Jesus Christ after these three days?
● (Response: It apparently
was dissolved, because the Bible says that His body did not see corruption.)
●
Question #2: Will Jesus' physical body be
resurrected like most other people and given a chance to live on the new earth
in the future?
(Response: No. If Jesus did, then
He would be taking back the ransom. I don't understand what the Society means
by this and have never received a good answer.)
Question #3: So Jesus Christ is eternally
annihilated? Response: Yes.
Question #4: This is one of the most astounding and
unjust beliefs that I have ever heard of! Adam and Eve started out perfect, but
they sinned and will be eternally annihilated. After Satan is re-created and
becomes alive for a short time he will be eternally annihilated. Jehovah's
Witnesses who do not prove loyal to the Watchtower Society will be eternally
annihilated when they die or Armageddon occurs. In all these cases, the people
are eternally annihilated because of their own sins. But according to the
Watchtower Society, Jesus Christ is "the greatest man who ever
lived." He was the only one who remained perfectly faithful to Yahweh to
the very end. He never sinned. He died upon that awful torture stake for most
of the wicked sinners upon the earth so that they will have the possibility of
obtaining everlasting life in a beautiful paradise. But Jesus Christ, the
greatest person who ever lived, will never be resurrected? and has received the
same end as an unrepentant Jehovah's Witness! This does not sound like justice to
me! Could you please explain to me why the reward from Yahweh for Jesus Christ
being the most faithful and loyal person who ever lived receives the same end
as the worst of sinners?
[xxxii]
●
(Since the Watchtower Society does not believe in the Biblical teaching that
humans have an eternal soul which separates from the body at the time of
physical death and then exists in heaven or hell, it has to use a lot of
double-talk to try to justify its belief? that man does not possess an eternal
soul, and that when a person dies there is nothing conscious that continues to
exist. The Watchtower Society's false teaching that "hell" is
"the common grave of mankind" is the very foundation for all the rest
of its false teachings. This belief has a domino effect. If man is not
basically sinful (which is what the Society believes) so that the unrepentant
do not deserve any punishment in the hereafter, then man can make himself
acceptable through his own merits by following the instructions of the
Watchtower Society. Thus man does not need a Divine Savior who is very God.
There goes the Deity of Christ! All man needs is a "little help"--so
Jesus as a "perfect man" set an example for us to follow, and His
death gives just about everyone a second chance on the new earth to possibly
merit eternal life. If man is not basically sinful, then he does not need the
Holy Spirit to work sanctification, thus the Holy Spirit is reduced to "an
influence." The Society has a group of men in Brooklyn, NY, at its
headquarters who think they know what the Bible teaches. No need of the Holy
Spirit to lead us into the truth of the Bible.
Many unresolved problems arise out
of its teaching that man does not have a soul that is separate from the human
body at death, and one of these is in what form are the 144,000 when they go to
heaven--since the Society teaches that physical bodies cannot go to heaven. The
Society states that the 144,000 in heaven are "spirit beings." But
since the Society teaches that man is only body and spirit, which is the breath
that keeps the body alive, and nothing continues to exist when the body goes
into the grave, then there is absolutely nothing available for the 144,000 to
exist in heaven. The Society is very evasive and unclear as to what it actually
believes, so you can use questions from this chapter to point up this problem
and hopefully get the Witness to admit this problem and see the contradictory
teachings of the Society.
In this chapter it is best to stick
to some main questions and not spend a lot of time on issues that are not
important.) ●
Here the text says "Our memories, feelings and
senses do not continue to function independently in some mysterious way. They
do not survive the destruction of our brain." Then on the same page,
paragraph 5, beginning with line 4, "When a person dies, he ceases to
exist. Death is the opposite of life. The dead do not see or hear or think. Not
even one part of us survives the death of the body. We do not possess an
immortal soul or spirit." And at the end of paragraph 6, beginning at the
top of page 59, we read, "We are mortal and do not survive the death of
our body. The life we enjoy is like the flame of a candle. When the flame is
put out, it does not go anywhere. It is simply gone."
Question #1: I have heard that the Society teaches
that only 144,000 people are going to heaven. Is this correct?
● (Response:
"Yes.") ●
Question #2: I have also heard that physical bodies
will not be in heaven. Is this correct?
● (Response:
"Yes.") ●
Question #3: I have further heard that you teach
that all the members of the 144,000 who died prior to 1914 were resurrected and
went to heaven at that time. Is this correct?
● (Response:
"Yes.") ●
Question #4: I have heard that, since 1914, those
who claim to be of the 144,000 go directly to heaven at the time of their
physical death. Is this correct?
● (Response:
"Yes.") ●
Question #5: This is all very perplexing and
confusing to me! We have just read that "When a person dies, he ceases to
exist." "The dead do not see or hear or think. Not even one part of
us survives the death of the body." But I understand that the 144,000 are
supposed to live and reign with Christ for 1000 years! They would need to
think! However, since there is nothing that can "think" outside of
the body, and bodies do not go to heaven, then in what form do these 144,000
exist in heaven if these people have died and "cease to exist"? To me
this is an utter impossibility. So please explain to me what went to heaven?
● (Response: They go as
spirit beings.) ●
Question #6: Since nothing in man exists after
death, and there is nothing spiritual in man, then exactly what is this
"spirit being" and where did it come from?
● (Response: They might take
you to 1 Corinthians 15:44 which reads, "It is sown a physical body, it is
raised up a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a
spiritual one." If this is the response, then you can ask these
questions.) ●
Question #7: Are you telling me that in the
resurrection everyone will be changed from a physical body to a spiritual body?
● (Response: It will be hard
for them to say "Yes," since those who are to be resurrected on the
new earth are to have physical bodies. Which of the following questions you use
should depend upon their answer.) ●
Question #8: I don't have the faintest idea of what
you are talking about.
According to what we just read from this book, man
would need a physical body to have a brain in order to think! You have not
given me anything from the Bible that would lead me to this conclusion! Please
give me a more understandable answer.
● (Response: You are not
going to receive much of a one, but your purpose is to try and get them to
think and show them the Society does not have a Biblical answer.) ●
Question #9: What you are telling me does not seem
to harmonize with the Bible! Let's turn and read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. These
verses explain quite clearly what happens when Christ comes back in the clouds
for the believers.
● (Read) ●
In verse 14 it states that when Christ comes back He
will bring people with Him. Then it states that the dead will be resurrected
along with the living who are in Christ, and they will "be caught away in
the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with [the]
Lord." These verses are quite clear. At the return of Christ the dead
physical bodies will be raised, and the living physical bodies who are in
Christ, will meet the Lord in the sky. Would you please explain to me how you
harmonize this and many other scriptures with the teaching that physical bodies
can't go to heaven and nothing can exist outside of a physical body, yet
144,000 go to heaven in an indescribable "spiritual body"?
● (Response: Probably none.)
●
[xxxiv] Page 58, paragraph 6, line two. "As for the dead, they are
conscious of nothing at all." Then Scripture references are given.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 which reads, "For the living are conscious that they
will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do
they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.
Also their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and
they have no portion anymore to time indefinite in anything that has to be done
under the sun."
● (Note: This passage merely
declares that the dead lose their ability to know what is taking place here on
earth. "under the sun", from which they have departed.) ●
And verse 10: "All that your hand finds to do,
do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor
wisdom in Sheol, the place to which you are going." Then it refers to
Psalm 146:4: "His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day
his thoughts do perish" (Emphasis added).
If one is to take these New World Translation
rendered verses literally that when people die they are conscious of
nothing--then the whole section must be taken literally, and in this case it
would mean that when people die they are not only annihilated and conscious of
nothing, but that is the complete end of them. No resurrection. No going onto a
new earth or the 144,000 going to heaven.
● (The Witness needs to be
pressed to see this contradiction.) ●
● (You need to keep in mind what the Watchtower
Society's teachings are at this point. As we have just seen above, the Society
teaches that nothing continues to exist when a person dies. Then, as I pointed
out before, the 144,000 are said to go to heaven as "spirit beings."
It teaches that just about everyone who has lived will be resurrected during
the Millennium and given a second chance to respond to new laws that will be
given at that time. It further teaches that when these people are resurrected
they will be given a "new" body, not a resurrected body similar to
the one they had on earth. In spite of the fact that it teaches that nothing
exists after death, it teaches that the thoughts and the personality of the
person goes into the "memory bank" in God's mind. Thus it still
exists! Then what is stored in the "memory bank" is placed in this
newly created body. But not the memory of all people is stored. The Society
teaches that those who will be resurrected go to "hell = the common
grave"temporary oblivion - but those who will not be resurrected, like
disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses and those who do not respond to the
Watchtower teaching since 1914, go to "Gehenna" which is complete
annihilation and never will be resurrected in the future. However, the Bible
nowhere says that we go "into the memory of God" to await
resurrection.) ●
Question #1: So the Watchtower Society takes the
expression, "As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all"
literally and says that mankind is completely annihilated at death?
● (Response: "Yes.") ●
Question #2: Do youn hold that all that is written
in Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10, and in Psalm 146:4 is to be taken literally?
● (Response: I am not sure how they will
respond, but they should say "Yes." If they do not, then ask them
what parts are to be taken as "literal" and what as
"figurative." Whatever they answer, then ask them how does one
determine what is to be take "literally" and what is to be take
"figuratively"? The following questions presume that they gave you a
"Yes" answer for question #2.) ●
Question #3: For me this creates a real problem. In
Ecclesiastes 9:5 it states that the remembrance of these people has been
"forgotten." Then in Psalm 146:4 it states, "his thoughts have
perished." Since there is nothing in the Bible that states that what was
contained in the brain of a person at death goes into God's memory and these
verses state that the "remembrance" has been "forgotten"
and "perished," then how can you say that what was in the brain
before death remains in the mind of Yahweh?
Question #4: Please note the words in verses 6,
"They have no portion anymore to time indefinite in anything that has to
be done under the sun." If you will turn to Psalm 90:2 we read, "Even
from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God." Other Bibles read,
"Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." So the words
"to time indefinite" mean "everlasting." Therefore, if you
are to take the expression "as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing
at all" and have "perished," then it must mean that at death all
life ceases to exist and there will never be any kind of resurrection in the
future. Could you please tell me how one can take a part of these verses to be
literal, to try to prove one teaching and then completely ignore the rest of
the verses in context and conclude something that is just the opposite of what
is written?
● (Response: It is going to
be very hard for them to give you a good explanation, but you have presented a
very important point. Depending how the conversation goes, you can continue to
pursue the matter.) ●
[xxxvi] Page 64, paragraph 15 reads, "What the Bible teaches about the condition of the dead is comforting."
Question:
● (You can uses this as an
opportunity to explain the gospel and the "blessed hope" of heaven
that we have in Jesus Christ.) ●
For those of us who have come into a personal
relationship with Yahweh through faith in the shed blood of Jesus, which was
provided for the forgiveness of our sins so that we can fellowship with God now
and spend all eternity in heaven with Him, the fact of being nonexisting is not
much of a comfort! I have never read anything in the Bible that we, as
born-again Christians, are to look forward to death and hope to go into an
unconscious state! I read just the opposite. Let's look at 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.
The Apostle Paul had a great longing to leave this life, not to go into the
grave, but to immediately go to heaven (v. 2). He knew that the very moment he
breathed his last he would immediately go to heaven and be in the presence of
the Father and the Son. Also we find the same thing in Philippians 1:21-23.
Paul had a desire to be released from his physical body because he had the
assurance of going immediately to heaven! He stated that going to heaven was
far better than anything this earth could offer. So the Bible teaches,
"Absent from the body, immediately present with the Lord." To me this
is far more comforting than looking forward to being unconscious in the grave!
● (I know that what is taught
in the Bible about the future of the unsaved is not very comforting, but for
the Christian it is very comforting to know that we go to heaven the very
moment we die.) ●
Could you please explain why it would be more
comforting knowing you were going into a cold, damp grave than going to a
perfect heaven where you can eternally worship and adore the Father and the
Son?
[xxxviii]
Page 64, paragraph 16.
"Does your religion agree with what the Bible teaches about the dead? Most
do not. Why? Because their teachings have been influenced by Satan. He uses
false religion to get people to believe that after their body dies, they will
continue to live in the spirit realm. This is a lie that Satan combines with
other lies to turn people away from Jehovah God. How so?" Then in the next
paragraph it goes on to state that the doctrine of hell is not scriptural.
Question: This is a very confusing statement to me.
Why would Satan, who wants people to do evil and have them believe that they
will never be punished for their evil deeds be the one responsible for the
teaching that when man dies he will eternally be punished for his evil deeds?
To me, this would tend to work against Satan. A house divided against itself,
cannot stand. If people really believed that they are going to have to suffer
in the next life for the evil deeds they do in this life, and for ignoring
Yahweh, it seems that this should cause man to repent and live a righteous life
so that he does not have to suffer in the next life! I think it would be more
in character for Satan to tell people that "since God is really a God of
love, they can go on sinning and get away with it--because this loving God
would not think of punishing evil for all eternity"! Could you tell me
what advantage it would be for Satan to "scare" people into thinking
that they will be punished for eternity, which might cause them to break off
being a slave of Satan and instead follow Yahweh, because they didn't want to
suffer in the future?
[xl] Page 64, paragraph 17. "As noted earlier, some religions teach
that if a person lives a bad life, after death he will go to a place of fiery
torment to suffer forever. This teaching dishonors God. Jehovah is a God of
love and would never make people suffer in this way."
Question #1: This statement is quite disturbing. I
don't think America would be basically described as a nation of
"hate." Yet I am so thankful that our government doesn't have this
attitude. I do not think it is dishonoring to the American Government to put a
murderer into prison and make him suffer for the rest of his life! I think this
is only "justice," and "fair" to the rest of the
law-abiding citizens. In fact, I am very glad that those who commit murder and
other crimes are kept off the street so that I can safely move about.
Then why is God unloving if He punishes evil?
● (Response: I am not sure of
what reply you will receive.) ●
Question #2: If I was driving down the highway and
there was a big sign in the road warning that a bridge was out and I should
take another road, but I ignored the sign and then wrecked my car because there
was no bridge, whose fault would it be?
● (Response: Yours, of
course.) ●
Question #3: Since God has warned people about what
will happen if they ignore the salvation that Jesus Christ has provided at such
a great price, if they ignore it and are punished, then why should this be
"dishonoring to God"?
● (Response: You will
probably get a very weak one.) ●
Question #4: This statement is quite disturbing when
we think of Job. Here was a righteous man who tried to honor God in all that he
did. In Job 1:10 it says, "Have not you yourself put up a hedge about him
and about his house and about everything that he has all around?" Satan
could not touch Job without Yahweh's permission. Yet God let Job be severely
tried. He lost his family, health, and possessions. He lost everything he had
in this world except his wife, but she turned against him. If it is so unloving
to punish evil men for their own evil acts, then how do you explain God's
allowing such a righteous man to be so severely tried by Satan just to prove
that Job truly honored God?
● (Response: I don't think
you will receive much of a one.) ●
Question #5: When Paul was converted in Acts 9, God
gave a message to Ananias to give to Paul, and that is found in Acts 9:16,
"For I shall show him plainly how many things he must suffer for my
name." In 2 Corinthians 11:21-33 it describes some of the severe suffering
the loving God let Paul endure and there was no one more faithful than Paul. In
Acts 14:22 Paul gave a promise to the believers that they were going to suffer
when he said, "We must enter into the kingdom of God through many
tribulations." The same thing is repeated in Philippians 1:29 where we
read, "Because to you the privilege was given in behalf of Christ, not
only to put your faith in him, but also to suffer in his behalf." Since
the loving Yahweh permits those who love Him to go through suffering and
trials, then why is it dishonoring to God to let the wicked and ungodly suffer?
Question #6: I think that this books teaching is rather
dishonoring to God since it teaches that most people will be given an equal
chance on the new earth to merit salvation! Let me explain. Here is a person
like Hitler, Stalin, Nero, and many others who lived very wicked lives. They
murdered many innocent people. Then there are other people who tried to live
lives honoring to God and suffered much persecution for their faith. We read
about some of these people in Hebrews 11. Yet, according to some, when they die
they all have paid the wages for their own sins and will be resurrected on the
new earth, and all of them have the same opportunity to maybe merit eternal
life. This just does not seem fair to me! Could you explain to me how a loving
and just God could give the wicked and the righteous the same opportunities
without the wicked ever being punished?
Question #7:
● (It depends upon the Witness you
are talking to and how the conversation has been going to determine if you
should use this question.) ●
I have heard a little about the dis-fellowshipping policy of the Watchtower Society. I understand that for one sin, like smoking a cigarette, or even walking into a church to attend the wedding or funeral of a respected neighbor or coworker, the Society can dis-fellowship this person--which means that he or she will be completely cut off from his or her family, friends, and other Witnesses--which is one of the most severe punishments that can be placed upon a person. Not only that, but the Society feels it can deny a person the chance of resurrection onto the new earth. Why does the Society speak of God as a "loving God" when the Society practices one of the most unloving actions that is possible to be inflicted on a living person?
[xlii]
Page 71, paragraph 13,
lines 8-10. "So Jehovah God can remember our dead loved ones in every
detail, and he is ready to restore them to life."
Question: This statement is in direct conflict with
the verses that this book used in the previous chapter, Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 and
Psalm 146:4, to try to prove that when you are dead you are conscious of
nothing. These verses read, "The remembrance of them has been
forgotten...and already perished." I find no hint in the Bible of the
Watchtower teaching that since the real self is just unconscious, the memory of
the person is kept in the memory bank of God! Since the Society uses the above
verses to try to prove part of what it believes, then why does it ignore what
is clearly stated in the rest of the verses that declare the opposite? That is that their thoughts perishing is from
everlasting to everlasting.
● (I believe in an eternal
soul that is conscious and exists in heaven or hell after death, but I am using
the Watchtower argument to show that its views are not in harmony with the
Bible.)
Response: You probably won't
receive a very clear answer if you receive one at all, but do not move on
quickly until you have gotten the point across in this question.) ●
[xliv]
On page 72, paragraph
19 we read, "What about all the people who did not serve or obey Jehovah
because they never knew about him? These billions of 'unrighteous' ones will
not be forgotten. They too will be resurrected and given time to learn about
the true God and to serve him."
Question: This paragraph states that those who
"never knew about him" will be resurrected and given a second chance.
Could you tell me what will happen to the millions of people who, since the
beginning of the church age, have heard the true gospel and refused it? We know
from the Bible that many have heard and refused the message. All down through
the ages there have been faithful witnesses for Christ. What is going to happen
to the individuals who have heard the truth and refused to believe it?
● (Response: The Society
teaches that all who lived after 1914 have had an opportunity to hear the Watchtower
message, so none of those people will be resurrected. But I have never heard an
explanation to this question! I use it more as a thought-provoking question
than expecting to receive a good answer.) ●
[xlvi]
Page 73-74, paragraphs
21 & 22. "The Bible also refers to another kind of resurrection, one
to life as a spirit creature in heaven. Only one example of this type of
resurrection is recorded in the Bible, that of Jesus Christ. After Jesus was
put to death as human, Jehovah did not allow His faithful Son to remain in the
grave. (Psalm 16:10; Acts 13:34, 35) God resurrected Jesus, but not as a
human....This truly was a great miracle. Jesus was alive again as a mighty
spirit person!"
Question #1: I am apparently missing something here.
Will you help me? I thought that the Society believes that Jesus was "only
a perfect man," and a man is "human." Is this not correct?
● (I have a letter from the Watchtower Society
concerning Jesus and this was the reply and "only a man" was
underlined.) ●
● (Response: You should
receive a "Yes" answer.) ●
Question #2: The word "resurrection" means
"that which fell down stood up again." Thus if Jesus was "only a
human man" and the man Jesus who died was "resurrected," it
would have to be as a human, wouldn't it?
● (Response: At this point
the Witness might begin to see the contradiction and begin to squirm. But keep
on pressing for a "reasonable" answer.) ●
Question #3: Did the human body of Jesus rise up
from the grave?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #4: Then what happened to the body of
Jesus?
● (Response: It went back
into the elements.) ●
Question #5: Didn't we just read in this book that
there is nothing spiritual in man that separates from the body and continues to
exist after death?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #6: Since Jesus was "only human," then would I be not be correct in coming to the conclusion that there would not be anything existing when His body went back into the elements?
● (Response: (It should be
"Yes," but I am not sure.) ●
Question #7: Since the physical body of Jesus Christ died and went back into the gasses and there is nothing in man that can exist outside of the body, then how could Jesus be "alive again"?
● (Response: As I stated
before, the Society actually believes that Michael, who in some unexplained way
willed himself out of existence when Jesus was born, was re-created three days
after the death of Jesus--so it was Michael in heaven and not Jesus. The
Witness you are talking to will probably not tell you this about Michael so you
will have to press him or her until he or she gives you some kind of a
reasonable answer.) ●
Question #8: Since it was really Michael who appeared after the death of Jesus and went to heaven, then why does this book say that Jesus "was alive again" when it really was Michael?
● (This seems very deceptive to me!) ●
[xlviii]
On page 74, paragraph
24, beginning with line 6. "So those few remaining ones of the 144,000 who
die in our day are instantly resurrected to life in heaven."
Question: This statement that members of the 144,000
who are living today go instantly to heaven is in direct contradiction to what
was written in the previous chapter on page 65, paragraph 19, lines 3-5:
"For example, when you realize that people do not pass on to the spirit realm
at death...." As the book talked about before, those who go to heaven do
not do so in physical bodies but as "spirit beings," which would
obviously be "the spirit realm." So in one place it states that
people do not go immediately to the "spirit realm" but go into a
state of unconscious non-existence, and here it states that in this present day
the members of the 144,000 instantly go to heaven the "spirit realm."
How do you solve this very obvious contradiction?
● (Response: Since this is
probably the first time the Witness has been asked this question you probably
won't received a very good answer. If he says that he will look into it be sure
and question him later.) ●
● (The Society believes that
only 144,000 individuals go to heaven. It now teaches that this number began to
be chosen from the day of Pentecost and was filled by 1935, and from that time
on all others will have to go onto the new earth that must be built by manual
labor. We know this teaching is not Biblical. The following questions and
scriptures prove that it would be impossible for any of the 144,000 to be
living today. This is very important because it completely undermines the very
foundation of the Watchtower Society. The Society teaches that only the 144,000
are "anointed" and have "God's spirit," and claims that all
the men on the Governing Body are "anointed" and thus able to be
guided by God's spirit. Since none of the 144,000 could be living today, there
are no "anointed" here; thus the Society has no authority.) ●
Question #1: Is the Watchtower Society based on the
pattern of the New Testament?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #2: Am I correct in coming to the
conclusion that the Society believes only 144,000 go to heaven?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #3: When and how were these selected?
● (Response: The first ones
were chosen on the day of Pentecost and the number was complete in 1935.)
●
Question #4: Has the Society always believed and
taught that only the 144,000 go to heaven?
● (Response: No. The Society
used to teach that the 144,000 were the "bride of Christ," but all
the other believers went to heaven as "guests" of the bride.) ●
Question #5: When did this dramatic change take
place? Response: In 1935.
Question #6: At this time, how long had the
Watchtower Society been in existence?
● (Response: About 55 years.)
●
Question #7: So for fifty-five years the Society
taught that all were going to heaven?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #8: Doesn't the Society claim to be based
on the Bible?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #9: So for fifty-five years the Society
taught that the Bible reveals that all were going to heaven?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #10: After studying the Bible for
fifty-five years, what happened that the leaders changed their minds?
● (Response: They got
"new light" on the subject.) ●
Question #11: You mean that Yahweh spoke to your
leaders directly from heaven and told them they had misinterpreted the Bible
for fifty-five years?
● (Response: It will be hard
for them to say that God spoke directly, and they will probably give you a very
obscure answer.) ●
Question #12: So you are telling me that God allowed
the Society to teach something false for fifty-five years before He corrected
it?
● (Response: I am not sure
what the reply will be. But these are thought-provoking questions.) ●
Question #13: If the Society is based on the Bible,
and the leaders had all studied the Bible in depth, they should have realized
that if only 144,000 go to heaven the total would have been filled very early
in the history of the church. Will you let me show you what the Bible has to
say about the number who became true believers?
● (I am giving you the
references, but go through them one by one with the person you are witnessing
to.) ●
Acts 2:41 "3,000 saved." 2:46-47
"Saved daily." 4:4 "5,000." 9:42; 17:12; & 19:18
"Many." 21:20 "Many myriads."
● (Myriads is "ten of
thousands," thus "many tens of thousands." From this verse alone
the 144,000 would be filled! In the text of the NWT it reads "many
thousands," but in the footnote it has "Myriads; tens of
thousands.") ●
In addition, the Bible refers to the churches in
Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Philippi, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Crete, Pontus, Smyrna,
Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. There would be many
hundreds of thousands of believers among the Gentiles. It is well known that
Christianity spread rapidly all around the Mediterranean Sea. Thus the Bible
proves that if only 144,000 go to heaven, the spaces would have been filled in
the early history of the church. So it is utterly impossible for any of them to
be living today. So why does the Watchtower Society not take into consideration
these Biblical facts?
● (Response: You need to
realize there was a falling away.) ●
Question #14: This is rather strange. It is stated
by very reliable sources (Charles Russell being one of them), that from the
fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. until 100 A.D.
● (when the Watchtower
Society claims the falling away began) ●
there were at least 40,000 martyrs. We know from
Revelation 20:4
● (have the Witness read this
verse) ●
that all the martyrs will go to heaven and reign
with Christ for 1,000 years. Only a portion of the Christians would be of the
number who were killed, so this fact proves that there were far more than
144,000 believers in the early church. So if there really was a falling away,
then there had to be hundreds of thousands of Christians before the falling away
began!
● (The Society teaches that
the "anointed" members of the 144,000 have a special sealing which
makes it very difficult for them to fall away, and thus only a very few would
do so. This should further prove there had to be hundreds of thousands of
believers in the early church.) ●
Haven't the leaders of the Society studied the
proven facts of church history?
● (Response: You probably
won't get one. I have often used this line of reasoning. "if only 144,000
go to heaven, the number would have been filled long ago." It has been
very effective.) ●
Question #15: There is another piece of reliable
evidence (including Charles Russell) that there had to be millions in the early
church. If what the Society claims is true that around 100 A.D. there began to
be a falling away, then how do you explain that between the years 303 and 313
A.D. alone there were at least 860,000 martyrs, and all of these would have
gone to heaven? It is obvious that not all of the Christians would have been
martyrs, so even after a couple of hundred years of "falling away"
there had to be well over a million true Christians! Why does the Society not
recognize these proven facts when it is calculating the numbers for the
144,000?
● (Response: Probably none.)
●
Question #16: When I asked you before if the
Watchtower Society teaches what the early church taught, your reply was
"Yes." But this could not be possible, because though the Society
teaches about the 144,000 the early church itself knew nothing about this
teaching! The number 144,000 does not appear until the Book of Revelation,
which was written around 95 A.D., so the number would already have been filled
and most of the early Christians would have been dead by this time. Thus the
early church never knew that those going to heaven were limited to 144,000!
Contrariwise, the Bible promises in John 3:16 that "everyone exercising
faith" in Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior will go to heaven.
Why tell people that "whosoever" believes will go to heaven if this
is not true and is limited to 144,000? In John 14:2 Jesus stated, "In the
house of my Father there are many abodes. Otherwise I would have told you,
because I am going my way to prepare a place for you." If heaven were
limited to only 144,000, then this would have been the ideal place for Jesus to
express such limitations. Why leave people under the false impression that
"all" who believe would go to heaven, when this was not true?
● (Much of
what is written in this chapter you will not have to discuss in detail because
most Christians believe in a Kingdom in which Christ will rule over the earth
for 1000 years and at the end Satan will be defeated. However, the major
difference between Bible-believing Christians and the Jehovah's Witnesses is
"who" reigns over this Kingdom. Christians believe that it is the
resurrected Christ, who is both man and God, who reigns over the Millennial
Kingdom. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it is Michael the archangel (though
they never clearly state this), who was re-created three days after the death
of Jesus, and that along with 144,000 assistants he will rule over this
Kingdom. But the Society is very deceptive in the way it presents this material,
so you will need to be on your guard and probe deeply to understand what the
Society really believes. A number of the following questions are designed to
uncover this deception and make the Witness think. Maybe the one you are
speaking with is not aware of this deception.) ●
Page 77, paragraph 5. "From where will God's Kingdom rule? Well, where is Jesus? You will remember learning that he was put to death on a torture stake, and then he was resurrected."
Question #1: I am utterly confused by this statement! I have come to the conclusion from reading this book that the Watchtower Society believes that Jesus Christ was "only a human man." It further believes that when Jesus died His body went back into the elements or became gas. It believes that there is nothing spiritual in man that lives on after death. It believes that the human body of Jesus was not resurrected. So from what I understand of the teachings of the Watchtower Society, the answer to the question, "Where is Jesus?" would have to be "He is dead, the body has disintegrated; he will never been seen again." Will you please tell me how Jesus Christ can be both dead and at the same time alive?
Response: (At this point they might tell you that it was Michael who was resurrected, but maybe they will not. If they do not, then ask the following question.)
Question #2: It seems to me that I heard or read somewhere that the Watchtower Society believes that at the birth (or conception) of Jesus, that Michael the Son willed himself out of existence
● (how he did this is never
explained) ●
and then three days after the death of Jesus Michael was re-created--so it is really the archangel Michael who will reign over the Kingdom and not the human Jesus, since he is no longer in existence according to the Watchtower Society. Is this true?
● (Response: If they answer
"Yes," you can ask the following question.) ●
Question #3: Why doesn't the Watchtower Society come out and state this very plainly instead of beating around the bush and giving non-Witnesses the false impression that it really was Jesus?
● (Response: I don't know.)
●
[lii] Page 77, paragraph 6.
"What makes Jesus an outstanding King? For one thing, he will never die.
Comparing Jesus with human kings, the Bible calls him 'the one alone having
immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light.' (1 Timothy 6:16) This means
that all the good that Jesus does will last. And he will do great and good
things."
Question #1: Why does the Watchtower Society say
that Jesus will be "an outstanding King" (using a capital
"K") when Jesus is dead and will never been seen again?
● (Response: I don't know.)
●
Question #2: I feel this paragraph is very
disingenuous. If you do not read it carefully you will miss what is inferred.
This paragraph uses the word "immortality" and would leave one under
the impression that the Society believes that Jesus Himself was
"immortal" when it really has nothing to do with Jesus but is
actually speaking about the works that Jesus accomplished. The Jesus of the
Watchtower Society is not immortal? because He died and ceased to exist. Michael
of the Watchtower Society is not immortal? because he tasted death by
committing suicide. Would you not agree that this is disingenuous?
● (Response: You probably
won't receive one, but hopefully you have made him or her think.) ●
● (Note: I want to point out
that according to the Society, not even the work that Jesus did is
"immortal" and "will last." It claims that Jesus provided a
ransom so that most people would be resurrected and given a second chance on
the new earth, but in 1914 the ransom was canceled and so is no longer in
force. Since that date, Jesus plays no part in man's eternal destiny.) ●
[liv] Page 79, paragraph 10, lines
2-3. "For one thing, Jesus knows what it is like to be human and to
suffer."
Question: I am utterly bewildered at such a
statement. The Watchtower Society does not believe that the human Jesus, who
lived upon this earth, rose from the dead and went to heaven! What is believed
is that it is the archangel Michael who will reign over the Kingdom. Michael
never had an earthly life! He never even saw the suffering that Jesus went
through because he was not conscious of anything during the 331/2 years Jesus
lived upon this earth! Anything the Michael of the knows of the earthly
suffering of Jesus would have to be "secondhand," something that was
told him. How could this book make such a statement that is so obviously false?
● (Response: Probably none.)
●
[lvi] Page 82, paragraph 20. "Another problem is that many people do
wicked things. They lie, cheat, and commit immorality. They do not want to do
God's will. People who do wicked things will be destroyed during God's war of
Armageddon."
Question: All down through the history of mankind
humans have told lies, cheated, and committed immorality, yet it is claimed
that since God is "loving" that most of these wicked people who have
ever lived will be given a second chance on the new earth. What happens to the
"ransom" at the time when Armageddon occurs?
● (Witnesses will not clearly
admit that the ransom has already been canceled in 1914.) ●
Doesn't this make God partial in that He will
destroy the people at the time of Armageddon while giving most other people a second
chance?
● (Response: You will
probably not receive a very good answer.) ●
[lviii]
Comment: Page 84,
paragraph 21, line 8. "The earth will be made into a paradise." I
note from this statement that the Watchtower Society recognizes that the new
earth will not become a paradise overnight by some miracle of Yahweh, nor will
it be something like Jesus said about heaven being built by Him. The new earth
is something that must be built by hard manual labor taking many hundreds of
years.
[lx] Page 84, paragraph 23. "For how long? During the 19th century,
sincere Bible students calculated that the waiting period would end in 1914.
World events that began in 1914 confirm that the calculation of these sincere
Bible students was correct."
Question: This is a very confusing statement! It
seems to me that I heard or read that originally the Watchtower Society taught
that Christ began to reign in 1874 and that in 1914 Christ was actually to come
back to earth and take everyone to heaven. It was not until 1943 that the
Watchtower Society recognized that the "sincere Bible students" had
been greatly mistaken and Christ should not have been expected to come back in
1914, but began to reign in heaven in 1914. Why doesn't this book mention this
mistake?
● (Proof that the Society
taught the 1874 date is documented in: Studies in the Scriptures—The Time Is at
Hand, series 2, 1889, p. 239; Thy Kingdom Come, series 3, 1911, page 234; The
Finished Mystery, series 7, 1917, p. 386; Creation, 1927, p. 312; and Prophecy,
1929, pages 65-66.) ●
[lxii]
Page 85, paragraph 23,
lines 10-11. "We can also say with certainty that soon God's Kingdom will
act to cause God's will to be done on earth."
Question: Will you please help me to understand this
statement? The little I know about the Watchtower Society, it first taught that
Christ would be returning in 1874 to set up this Kingdom. We know that it did
not happen. Then it was to occur in 1914, but this did not happen. So now for
over 130 years the Watchtower Society has been teaching that the Kingdom will
"with certainty soon" be set up! Since the Society had been saying
the same thing for so long and it has not happened, how can it continue to make
such a positive promise?
● (For over one hundred years
the Watchtower Society has been telling people that we are living in "the
last days" and that Armageddon is "just round the corner." But
for some reason we never come to that corner. To most of the following
questions you will not receive a very satisfactory answer. However, the purpose
of the questions is to make the Witness think.) ●
Question: If I remember correctly, for a long time
the Watchtower Society has been telling us that we are living in "the last
days." But nothing has happened yet. Would you please define what
Jehovah's Witnesses mean when they speak about the "last days"?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
[lxvi]
Page 88, paragraph 5,
lines 10-12. "Let us consider some of the things foretold in the Bible
that are happening right now."
Question: It seems that the Watchtower Society has
been using the same list of signs for "the last days" for the past
100 years or more. However, these signs were all visible even before the
destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Since the Watchtower Society has been using
the same list for such a long time, wouldn't this seem to indicate that these
signs are general in nature? Thus they could not specifically indicate the
closeness of the end of the world. Would this not be an accurate conclusion?
● (Response: Probably none.)
●
[lxviii]
Page 88, paragraph 6,
line 5. "One British historian wrote: 'The 20th century was the most
murderous in recorded history.... It was a century of almost unbroken war, with
few and brief periods without organized armed conflict somewhere."
Question: I have a problem with the way quotes are
presented from worldly people in an attempt to prove points. I did some
research and found a quote in the 1968 Watchtower book The Truth that Leads to
Eternal Life on page 9, which reads, "Also, as reported back in 1960, a
former United States Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, declared that our time
is 'a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence.' And he warned: 'I
know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in fifteen years from
today, this world is going to be too dangerous to live in."
At the time this book was written, the Society had
already committed itself in writing stating that 6000 years of the history of
man would end in October 1975 and within months Armageddon would occur. Fifteen
years from 1960 would be 1975. The Society found a quote from a non-Christian
writer that seemed to prove its point that the world would end in 1975 and used
it. We all know this did not happen and that Dean Acheson was wrong. In the
1981 revised edition of The Truth book, since Armageddon did not happen soon
after October 1975, the Society very conveniently dropped the words "in
fifteen years from today" that were so important in the original edition.
It seems that the Watchtower Society will use any quote from any source if it
seems to prove its teachings. Why should I put confidence in this book when the
previous book gave a quote that obviously proved to be false?
● (Response: None.) ●
[lxx] Page 92, paragraph 13, lines
11-13. "They [the Watchtower Society] have also gained a clearer
understanding of the role of God's Kingdom and how it will set matters straight
on the earth."
Question #1: I have a problem with the words,
"clearer understanding." It seems to me that I have heard that the
Society speculated that the Kingdom would appear in 1914, then 1917, 1918,
1925, early 1940's, 1975, "before the 1914 generation would pass
away" (which points to 1994) and then before the end of the 20th century.
Now the teaching is that Armageddon will occur before all of the
"anointed," who are very old, die—so this will have to happen very
soon. How can the Society say it is getting a "clearer understanding"
when it has missed the mark so many times?
● (Response: The Witness
might deny this, but ask him to do a little research.) ●
Question #2: Because of these past predictions for
the end of the world and the coming of the Kingdom, I understand some Witnesses
sold their homes so that they could use the money and have time to go from door
to door full time. Others put off needed operations, and when the "wicked
system" was not destroyed, their condition had deteriorated so much that
an operation could not help them. Many put off getting any higher education
because the Society had "pinpointed" the end of the world. The
Society said that additional studies would be an obvious waste of time. Many of
the Witnesses suffered financially the rest of their lives because of this. But
it doesn't seem to bother the Governing Body that its "speculations,"
which proved false, caused unnecessary hardship for a large number of faithful
Witnesses. Why should I put confidence in what the Society is saying now when
it has been wrong so many times?
● (Response: We are willing
to suffer loss for Jehovah's sake. You can point out that they were not
suffering for Jehovah's sake, but for the mistakes of the fallible men on the
Governing Body.) ●
[lxxii]
Page 94, paragraph 16.
● (You should read it with the
J.W.) ●
Question: This paragraph urges us to "Be a
serious student of the Bible." I am not a Jehovah's Witness, but I read
and study my Bible daily. I am one of the anointed (Romans 8:16) and thus have
the promise found in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit will "guide me into
the truth." I associate regularly with others who seek to do Yahweh's
will. There have been many godly, anointed men and women who have written books
about the Bible and I have the freedom to choose from this large range of books
to read and thereby am able to take advantage of the many good helps that God
has provided. I have made the necessary changes in my life, like working on
inward and outward sins, so that I can enjoy fellowship with the true and
living God on a daily basis. I know many born-again, Bible-believing Christians
who do the same. Is the Watchtower Society saying that the men who write their
magazine and books are more godly and Christlike than any other group in the
world?
● (Response: It will be quite
hard for them to say "Yes," and at the same time you have let them
know there are Christians who take their faith very seriously. To a Jehovah's
Witness there are only two classes of people: the righteous Jehovah's
Witnesses, and then everyone else. who is ungodly and part of false Babylon.
You have informed them in your question that this teaching of the Watchtower
Society is not accurate.) ●
[lxxiv]
Page 95, paragraph 18,
lines 10-15. "Keep awake.... Because those having the approval of Jehovah
God and 'the son of man,' Jesus Christ, have the prospect of surviving the end
of Satan's system of things and of living forever in the marvelous new world
that is so close at hand! John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:13."
Question #1: I read the reference given here, John
3:16, and there seems to be a contradiction between what is written in the
Bible and what is written in this sentence! John 3:16 is very positive and
certain because it states that everyone who is exercising faith in Jesus Christ
as his or her own personal Savior will "have everlasting life." If
you "have" something then you possess it! Since everlasting life is
something that cannot end, then these believers know their future is absolutely
secure right now. But this article uses the word "prospect." Why does
this book say one has only the "prospect" of having everlasting life
and then gives a Bible reference that says just the opposite--that you
"have" everlasting life right now?
● (Response: You see, you
have to "endure to the end.") ●
Question #2: Do you know for certain that you have
everlasting life right at this very moment?
● (Response: I am working
towards that end.) ●
Question #3: That is not what I asked you. I asked if
you are positive that you have everlasting life at this very moment. Do you?
● (Response: (You will
probably receive a vague answer. If they do say "Yes" it is only to
deceive you, because they can't be sure.) ●
Question #4: I am quite confused! I believe that
Jesus Christ died and shed His blood for my sins when He died upon that torture
stake. I know that I have received eternal life at this very moment (1 John
5:13; John 5:24, 10:28, etc.). Since this everlasting life is a very precious
gift, the one who gave it to me (Yahweh) is also protecting it (Jude 24-25;
Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8). But if I became a Jehovah's Witnesses then
I would have to give up all this assurance for just the "prospect"! I
don't see how that would be a very smart move. Would you tell me why I should
give up my assurance for just "a possibility"?
● (Response: You are not so
much interested in his or her answer, but you have been able to present the
true gospel as found in Jesus Christ.) ●
● (Page 95, paragraph 18,
lines 13-14. It speaks here about "living forever in the marvelous new
world." The Watchtower Society teaches that between 20 to 22 billion
people who have lived in the past will gradually be resurrected and given a
second chance on the new earth; and after the awful destruction at Armageddon,
by means of hundreds of years of hard manual labor earth will eventually become
a paradise. The Bible speaks of a resurrection "before" the
Millennium and one "after," but never even hints of people being
gradually resurrected "during" this 1000-year period of time. The
following questions are to point out this contradiction in the Watchtower's
teachings.) ●
Question #1: How are those who have died in the past
going to get onto this new earth?
● (Response: They will be
resurrected.) ●
Question #2: Will this be done all at once or
gradually? Response: Gradually.
Question #3: At this point I am quite confused.
Could we read Revelation 20? (Note particularly verses 4-7, & 12.) This
chapter speaks of a resurrection before the thousand-year reign of Christ and
explains that those taking part in this resurrection "will rule as kings
with Christ for a thousand years." Later this chapter speaks about the
"second resurrection," but this does not take place until after the
"thousand years were ended." The Bible speaks only of a
"first" and "second" resurrection, and they are separated
by 1000 years. The Bible never speaks about or hints at a resurrection during
the Millennium. On what clear Biblical basis can the Watchtower give people the
assurance that people will gradually be resurrected during the thousand-year
reign of Christ (Michael)?
● (Response: The only
explanation of a gradual resurrection I have ever heard was taken from Ezekiel
47:1-5. In verse 2 the water is only "a trickling." In verse 3 it
gets up to the "ankles." Verse 4a, it is up to the "knees."
Then at the end of verse 4b it is up to the "hips." In verse 5 it
becomes "a torrent" that can't be crossed. The Witness you are
talking with might take you to this.) ●
Question #4: I beg your pardon. This is an Old
Testament picture and has absolutely nothing to do with a resurrection, let
alone a gradual one! I would like to know where it is clearly stated in the
Bible so that the Watchtower Society can confidently promise people that those
who died before Armageddon will be resurrected and given a second chance on the
new earth
● (Hebrew Scriptures to a Jehovah's Witness)
●
● (Response: I don't think
you will get one.) ●
● (There is not much in this chapter that needs to be
discussed because Christians also believe in wicked spirits and condemn fortune
telling and spiritism. But there is a difference. Because the Jehovah's
Witnesses have never been born into the family of God they do not have the Holy
Spirit dwelling in them to give them the power to resist Satan and the evil
spirits. Witnesses have a tremendous fear of Satan and demons. They are taught
to believe that demons are just around every corner waiting to possess them,
and if they dare to enter a Christian church Satan is waiting over the entrance
and will pounce on them and they will become "demon possessed."
Witnesses will not buy any clothing, a bust of a musician,
books, etc., at a yard sale because they might have demons connected with them,
and if they took them home these demons could have an evil influence in the
home.) ●
● (In the beliefs of the
Watchtower Society, Satan has a much more important part than God or Jesus
Christ. The Society teaches that the Father has been resting for the past 6000
years and will continue to do so for at least another thousand years. Even
though Christ (actually Michael, according to the Watchtower Society) was
supposed to have begun to reign in 1914, his present rule is only in heaven?
but Satan still has a compete run of this earth. On page 108, paragraph 6,
lines 6-7, we read, "The real ruler of this world is Satan the
Devil." The Society teaches that Satan is in control of everything, even
the weather and anything connected with it, and that he has a free hand to work
out his schemes in any way he wishes. The Watchtower Society teaches that the
history of mankind will only last for 7000 years until the eternal state
occurs. During this time, the Father is resting and has nothing to do with the
earth. Jesus Christ will rule for only 1000 years, but Satan gets to rule
unhindered for 6000 years. Strange teaching indeed!
There is little that needs to be discussed in this chapter. I know I have mentioned the disfellowshipping policy of the Watchtower Society before, but I think it is a good place to bring it up again.) ●
Question #1: I have only a few questions concerning
this chapter, but before I ask them, since this chapter speaks of unnecessary
suffering, I would like to know why the Society adds to this suffering through
its disfellowshipping policy? I don't completely understand this policy, but
from what I have heard, it would fall under the category of suffering that is
written about in this chapter. If I have heard correctly, all disfellowshipped
or disassociated Witnesses, no matter what the offense, receive exactly the
same type of treatment, which I understand is to be completely shunned by all
the Witnesses, even their own family members. To be without a home, money, and
other possessions would be a severe trial, but to be cut off from all your
family and those you considered to be your friends for years and have no one
speak to you or help you in the times of need would be the most severe
punishment that a person could receive in this life! I have heard that there
have been Witnesses who felt that some teaching of the Watchtower Society was
not according to the Bible and spoke out about this. These people were
disfellowshipped for not going along with the Society. Then later on the
Society itself changed to the view of the people who had been disfellowshipped,
but the Watchtower Society never went and apologized to these people and even
if it did so, it could never make up for the years of severe, unnecessary
suffering that it laid upon these people. Could you please explain to me why
all disfellowshipped Witnesses, no matter what the reason, receive the same
cruel, severe punishment of being completely shunned?
● (Response: You will
probably receive some answer that justifies the Society, but hopefully you have
made the person you are talking to think. I know of one former J.W. who left
principally because of this unjust disfellowshipping policy.) ●
Question #2: Civil governments permit different
degrees of punishment according to the offense. Why do you think that human
governments recognize degrees of punishment when the Society does not?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
[lxxxii]
Page 108, paragraph 6,
lines 6-7. "The real ruler of this world is Satan the Devil."
Question: I have a question about this statement.
Satan might be in control of those who have no desire to follow Yahweh's
instructions but he certainly isn't in control of the weather. Let me explain.
● (I will only give the
reference to the verse or verses but read them with the J.W. you are witnessing
to.) ●
Acts 14:17. God is the one who gives rain to grow
food, which gives "good cheer."
Matthew 5:45 says, "...that you may prove
yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun
rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and
unrighteous."
Exodus 13:21-22. It was Yahweh who placed the
"pillar of cloud" and "pillar of fire" for the comfort of
the Children of Israel.
1 Kings 8:35-36. It is Yahweh who shuts up the
heavens and then gives rain at the proper time.
1 Kings 17:1-7, & 14; 18:44-45. These verses
clearly show that it is God who withholds and gives rain.
Would you not agree that the Bible teaches that not
everything is under the control of Satan, but Yahweh Himself is in charge of
running some things in connection with this earth?
● (Those of us who believe
the Bible know He is in complete control.) ●
● (Response: Not sure, but
you want them to begin to question the Watchtower Society.) ●
● (Living in a Way That Pleases God
The advice given in this chapter about living a godly life
is good; however, Witnesses do not live this kind of life. It takes more than
"morality" to be in a right relationship with God. Sometimes a person
is able to make him- or herself moral and look good on the outside in public,
but only God can change the heart through the new birth. Jehovah's Witnesses
have never had this personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Many of them labor
under severe guilt because they know they are not able to live up to the
standards set forth by the Society. But while "mouthing" high moral
standards, Witnesses violate many of the principles set forth by the Society.
For instance, on page 122 it speaks about "sexual
immorality." There is a large problem of child molesting among the
Witnesses. A group of ex-Witnesses has revealed this information.
"Drunkenness." It is a well-known fact that the
second president of the Watchtower Society, Joseph Rutherford, had a very
severe drinking problem and often had to be propped up when he spoke at
conventions because he was so drunk. I once met a 17-year-old boy who had been
brought up in a Jehovah's Witness home. By that age he was a slave to alcohol
and it was his Jehovah's Witness grandfather who introduced him to it. Drinking
is a very severe problem among Witnesses. I know one man who used to serve in
the Brooklyn, NY, headquarters and he said that if a person was not a drunk
when he went there he would be one when he left. Once I went to the home of the
presiding elder of the local Kingdom Hall and he was drunk.
"Stealing." I knew a Witness once who had a little
bit of money. He told me that a number of Witnesses borrowed money from him and
never paid it back. This seems to be quite a common problem among them.
"Lying." There are very few Witnesses that I have
met who will not deliberately lie. In fact, they are taught to lie on certain
occasions. They justify it by calling it "theocratic war strategy."
(Proof of this teaching is found in The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, p. 285, and
June 1, 1960, p. 352. Also, in the Watchtower-produced book Insight on the
Scriptures, vol. 2, p. 245.) Also as we have seen in this book, the Watchtower
Society is very deceptive in the presentation of its teachings. This book never
comes out and says that it was Michael who lived in the pre-existent world;
that when Jesus was born Michael somehow willed himself out of existence; that
when Jesus died that was the end of him; and that three days after the death of
Jesus Michael was re-created. Thus it was Michael who appeared in different
bodies, telling the disciples that he really was Jesus. And in the future it is
not Jesus Christ--who according to them was annihilated forever--who will reign
for 1000 years, but it is really Michael. You will have to ask a vast amount of
questions concerning this, and even then maybe the Witness will never tell you
the truth. The New World Translation of the Bible put out by the Society has
been greatly corrupted and distorted in order to try to prove its own teachings
that are really "lies."
"Greed." Here is another sin they are not lacking
in. Many Witnesses, when they are going through areas where there are very
lavish homes, will pick one out and then express the desire that when
Armageddon comes Jehovah might spare that house so they can live in it.)
●
● (Let me call your attention
to what is written on page 125, paragraph 1, lines 2-5: "Furthermore,
Jehovah God is the creator of all living things. Heavenly creatures said to
him: 'You created all things, and because of your will they existed and were
created.' (Revelation 4:11)" But the Watchtower Society teaches that the
Father Jehovah created only the Son, who is also known as "the Word"
and "Michael," and that the Son created everything else. But since
the New World Translation states that "Jehovah" created everything,
this obviously indicates that the Son also is "Jehovah"!) ●
● (Actually the name
"Yahweh" is used of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but the
Watchtower Society will not admit this.) ●
Question #1: Would you please help me understand
this when it comes to creation? We just read, "Jehovah God is the Creator
of all living things." But in John 1:1-3, where it is speaking about
"the Word" who is "the Son," it states in verse 3 that the
Son is the Creator. "All things came into existence through him [the Son],
and apart from him not even one thing came into existence." Then in John
1:10, where again it refers to the Son as the Creator, we read: "He [the
Son] was in the world, and the world came into existence through him, but the
world did not know him." Then there is the well- known verse in Hebrews
1:2 that clearly proclaims the Son as Creator: "[He] has at the end of
these days spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all
things, and through whom he made the systems of things." Since the Bible
says that "Jehovah" created all things and then states that the
"Son" created all things, then the "Son" must obviously be
"Jehovah"!
● (Response: The Society
teaches that the Father created the Son and then the Son created everything
else.) ●
Question #2: But the Bible does not support this
teaching. In fact, it contradicts this idea. Look at Isaiah 44:24: "This
is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the
belly: 'I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself,
laying out the earth. Who was with me?" Isaiah 37:16: "0 Jehovah of
armies, the God of Israel, sitting upon the cherubs, you alone are the [true]
God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You yourself have made the heavens and
the earth." Isaiah 45:8b: "I myself, Jehovah, have created it."
Isaiah 45:12: "I myself have made the earth and have created even man upon
it, I my own hands have stretched out the heavens, and all the army of them I
have commanded." Isaiah 48:13: "Moreover, my own hand laid the
foundation of the earth, and my own right hand extended out the heavens. I am
calling to them, that they may keep standing together."
● (Here is a list of more
places in the New World Translation Bible where it states that Jehovah created,
making the Son "Jehovah": Zech. 12:1; Psalm 24:1-2; 100:3; 104:1-4;
124:8; 134:3; Jonah 1:4; Isaiah 37:16; 42:5; 43:15 & 21; 44:24; 45:6-9
& 11-12, & 18; 48:13; 51:13 & 16; Jer. 10:10 & 12; 27:5;
32:17-18; 33:2 & 25; Job 38:4; Rev. 4:11; 14:7; Neh. 9:6; Acts 14:15.)
●
I believe that the Witnesses consider the Father to
be Jehovah. If that is the case, then the Father Himself is the one who alone
stretched out the heavens without any help from the Son. How do you solve this
conflict?
● (Response: Since this will
probably the first time the Witness has had this question presented to him or
her, I am not sure of the answer you will receive.) ●
Question #3: As shown in the Bible verses above, the
Son is the Creator of the universe and everything in it. Genesis 1:1 reads,
"In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Then
Ephesians 3:8-9 says, "To me, a man less than the least of all holy ones,
this undeserved kindness was given, that I should declare to the nations the
good news about the unfathomable riches of the Christ and should make men see
how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been
hidden in God, who created all things." Since the Bible says that it is
"God who created all things," and it was the Son who did the
creating, then wouldn't this clearly teach that the "Son" is
"God"?
● (Response: It is almost
certain that the Witness will not agree with you, but you have been able to
plant seeds of doubt.) ●
Question #4: Anyone reading just the NWT Bible on
his or her own without reading any Watchtower literature would easily come to
the conclusion from the scriptures quoted that since the "Son" is the
Creator and "God" created everything, then the "Son" must
be "God"! Likewise, the Bible teaches that "Jehovah" is the
one who created everything "Himself," and since the "Son"
created everything this surely makes the "Son" and
"Jehovah" one and the same! Since the Bible is so clear on this
issue, then why does the Watchtower Society teach something that is so
obviously opposite of what the Bible repeatedly declares?
● (Response: The Witness will
try to justify the Society in some way, but hopefully this question will start
him or her thinking.) ●
● (Here, now, are some
questions on the blood issue.) ●
Question #1: Since this issue of a blood transfusion
comes under the heading of medicine and requires a person to be highly
specialized in this field to make such decisions, I would like to know if there
have ever been any medical doctors on the Governing Body of the Watchtower
Society when such decisions were made?
● (Response: If the person is
honest he or she will have to say "No.") ●
Question #2: Don't you find it hard to put your
confidence in a group of fallible men who have absolutely no medical training,
on such an important issue that is often a matter of life and death, especially
where you have only three words in the Bible, "Abstain from blood"?
● (Response: (You are not as
much interested in the response as you are in planting seeds of doubt.) ●
Question #2: The decision of the apostles and elders
on the issue of blood is found in Acts 15:28-29. In verse 29 we read, "If
you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper." The
four things that these early Christians were to abstain from would have to have
some meaning to them! Since there was no such thing as a blood transfusion,
then there had to be some specific meaning to the people of that time so that
they could obey it like the Bible says they did. Therefore, since the other
three prohibitions were pertinent to that time, then what was the meaning of
this directive by the deciding council that the Christians should "abstain
from blood"?
● (Response: I have never
received a reasonable answer to this question. One Witness did say that God was
"looking a long way down the history of man" and put this in for
those of us living today. That is a "cop out.") ●
Question #3: Could I suggest a probably reason for
this directive to abstain from blood and see what you think?
● (They will need to listen
to you in order to answer.) ●
As you should be aware, in the early church most of
the first believers were Jewish people with all their customs. Then gradually
Gentiles came to trust Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior and were added
to the church. Some of the Jewish believers felt the Gentile converts should
keep the Jewish law (Acts 15:1) with all its ramifications. This was causing a
lot of dissension in the church. The Jewish people were very particular as to
how they killed animals--all the blood was drained out of them for they were forbidden
to "eat blood," and the only way you can eat blood is to partake of
it with meat. Today this process is called "keeping kosher." But the
Gentiles did not observe this practice and were eating meat with blood in it,
and that was an offense to the Jewish believers. Therefore, the injunction to
"abstain from blood" was very clear. Since there were Jewish people
in the area who sold meat that had the blood drained out of it, the Gentile
Christians were to eat this meat and not buy meat that was not properly
drained. Thus the Christians were willing to do this so that they did not cause
any offense to the Jewish people. It had nothing to do with a blood transfusion
since they were not known at that time.
● (This is exactly the same
explanation that Charles Russell published in The Watch Tower, April 15, 1909,
and is found on page 4374 of the reprints.) ●
With your knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures (O.T.)
don't you think this would be the reasonable answer?
● (Response: It will be
difficult for the Witness to answer, but you have explained the true facts to
him or her.) ●
Question #4: Since we are on the subject of the
Jewish people and blood, are you aware of the process that these people go
through so that they can be sure they don't eat any blood that might be left in
the meat?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #5: Jewish people know what
"abstaining from blood" means. They not only buy "kosher"
meat that has been properly killed and the blood drained out, but when they get
home after buying kosher meat they soak it in one solution for 1/2 hour and
then another solution for 1 hour to make sure all the blood is drained out of
the meat. Since there is so much emphasis on "not eating blood" by
the Watchtower Society, are you, as a Jehovah's Witnesses, in the habit of
soaking your meat in order to get all the blood out of it like the Jewish
people do? Also, do Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to order meat in restaurants
like rare steaks, etc., that might have blood in it?
● (Response: (If the one you
are talking to is honest he or she will have to say "No.") ●
Question #6: Why not?
●
(Response: Not sure of the answer.) ●
Question #7: In preparation for our study in this
chapter, I did a little research. I understand that originally Witnesses could
not receive not only "whole" blood but also any "parts of
blood." Is this correct?
● (Response: It should be
"Yes.") ●
Question #8: But now I understand there are certain
parts of blood that can be taken, like (1) albumin, (2) immune globulins, (3)
Factor VIII, (4) Factor IX, and (5) circulating blood. The parts of blood that
must be refused are (1) plasma, (2) red cells, (3) white cells, (4) platelets,
and (5) stored blood. Is what I found out in my research accurate?
● (Response: Probably the one
you are talking to is not aware of these details and will just reply that he is
not sure.) ●
Question #8: In my research, I also learned that
when a Jehovah's Witness mother gives birth to a child with the "RH
negative factor" she is permitted to receive a shot know as
"RHIG." Doctors recommend this shot so that the mother can have
another child safely. However, this shot contains blood and it takes between 38
and 40 pints of blood to harvest enough albumin for one shot. But in order to
recover this albumin, blood most be stored outside of the body which is
forbidden! Can you please explain to me this contradiction?
● (Response: I don't know.)
●
Question #9: Even though Jehovah's Witnesses are
forbidden to receive a blood transfusion, do they ever donate blood to help
other people?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #10: Then where does this blood come from,
like in the case of the "RHIG," that is promoting the health of the
Jehovah's Witnesses?
● (Response: I don't know.)
●
Question #11: Let me understand you! While Jehovah's
Witnesses speak out so strongly against blood transfusions and teach they are
an awful violation of God's law, yet Witnesses, to save their own lives, are
willing to accept certain parts of blood from those whom the Society considers
ungodly, wicked people who make up false Babylon. Why?
● (Response: This will be a
difficult question to answer.) ●
Question #12: I have heard that Jehovah's Witnesses
claim that everything the Society teaches can be proven from the Bible. Would
you please explain to me why the Society first said that no blood could be
received but then certain parts of blood can be received and certain parts must
be refused (while still using the same Bible)? I have never read anything like
this in the Bible, so please show me.
● (Response: There is nothing
in the Bible about this, so of course they cannot show you anything, but you
should hope these questions will cause them to look at blood transfusions in a
different light.) ●
● (The advice given in this
chapter on how to have a happy family life is good. The only trouble is that
Jehovah's Witnesses do not live like what is presented here. A person is
sometimes able to make him- or herself look good on the outside in public by a
lot of his or her own effort, but the inner heart has never been changed by the
new birth that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Because Witnesses have
never had a true conversion, they do not have the Holy Spirit to help them to
overcome sin and give them true victory in their lives. Many Jehovah's
Witnesses labor under severe guilt because they know they are not able to live
up to the standards promulgated by the Society.
But while "mouthing" high
moral standards, the Watchtower Society itself violates the very principles it
sets forth. While saying that husbands and wives should be loving and
understanding, the Society itself is very controlling? with no leeway or love
at all. You either submit to the rules and regulations or you are out and
completely cut off from all your previous contacts! While telling husbands and
wives that they should be faithful to each other, the Society has been very
unfaithful to the Word of God. The more I investigate the New World Translation
of the Bible put out by the Watchtower Society the more I see how it has
deliberately changed the Bible in many, many places to conform to its teachings
and practices. Its many publications are also very deceiving, including this
book.
The Society speaks about "honesty," yet its publications are filled with deception. It will use a portion of an article in an attempt to prove its teachings when it reality, if the whole quote was given, it would say just the opposite of what the Society has tried to make it say. Its publications are full of all kind of lies! I have met very few Jehovah's Witnesses who will not lie to you. In fact, Witnesses are taught to lie on certain occasions. This is called "theocratic war strategy." (Proof of this teaching is found in The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, p. 285, June 1, 1960, p. 352, and Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 345.) ●
Question #1: If words mean anything, and if I have
any degree of understanding, what is written here is exactly what the millions
of born-again, Bible-believing Christians believe. I take it from what is
written here that the Society teaches that the Son of God, who lived in heaven
for thousands of years in the presence of the Father, came down Himself at the
time of the incarnation and actually dwelt within the man Jesus Christ--so that
Jesus was not merely a human being, but also the very Son of God was dwelling
in Him! Thus Jesus was both divine and human. Would this be a correct
conclusion?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #2: Then what does this statement mean,
along with the Bible references that are given?
● (Response: Only the life
force of the Son was put into the womb of Mary.) ●
Question #3: What do you mean when you say "the
life force" was transferred into the womb of Mary? If the life force, the
actual person, was transferred from heaven into the womb of Mary, then wouldn't
the actual divine Son be part of Jesus Christ?
● (Response: No, it is not
like that. Jesus was only a man.) ●
Question #4: Then are you saying that the Son was
still in heaven when the man Jesus was on earth?
● (Response: I am not sure
what the response will be, but I am proceeding with what I imagine he or she
might say. You see, the Son actually willed himself out of existence.) ●
Question #5: How could He do that?
● (Response: I don't know.)
●
Question #6: In other words, you confidently believe
that this mighty force, the Son, who created and sustains the earth, willed
himself out of existence--and you don't know how it happened?
● (Response: I guess so.)
●
Question #7: Let me restate my original question.
Apparently the Society will write something that gives a false impression!
While leaving people under the impression that the Son came down and dwelt in
Jesus, the only way He could manifest the Father, He actually willed Himself
out of existence, and therefore Jesus was not really divine but only a human
and so would not be able to manifest the Father. Wouldn't this conclusion be
correct?
● (Response: It will be
rather hard to answer this question.) ●
Question #8: I am supposed to be taking in
"accurate knowledge" about Yahweh and Jesus Christ, but the
Watchtower Society is not able to write so that one can really understand what
it truly professes. Why doesn't the Society write clearly and state what it
really believes in its publications?
● (Response: Probably none.)
●
● (This chapter talks about
"true worship" and of course implies that only the Jehovah's
Witnesses are serving Yahweh in the proper way. However, even though they may
speak about "worship," the Jehovah's Witnesses do not set aside even
one of their five meetings a week as a worship service. Hence this chapter has
nothing to do with worship but is an attempt to prove that the Watchtower
Society is the only religious group that is actually doing God's will and
pleasing Him.) ●
Question #1: I agree that worshiping the Almighty is
important and that we should worship Him in the proper way. I also realize that
it is proper to worship God every day, but since God has set aside one day of
each week specifically for rest and worship, I think it is important to have a
special worship service each week. Most groups that are based on the Bible
observe this by designating their Sunday morning service to worship. They sing
a number of songs of adoration to Yahweh, and then the message points
worshipers to Christ and the Father and explains how we can glorify them. Do
the Jehovah's Witnesses have one special service set aside each week on Sunday
just for worship?
● (Response: We believe that
we should worship Jehovah at all our meetings.) ●
Question #2: I believe in being in a attitude of
worship at all times, but is there some valid reason why the Watchtower Society
has not set aside a special time for worship of God once a week, since worship
is so important?
● (Response: As I said, we
worship God at all times.) ●
• • • •
Question #1: Before we begin a discussion of this
chapter, I would like to ask you a very important question. Has the Watchtower
Society always taught the same doctrines and had the same practices since its
very beginning?
● (This question will make
them mention some of the many changes that you can use later in your questions
concerning this chapter.) ●
● (Response: No. You see, we
continue to get "new light," so changes have been made.) ●
Question #2: Could you please tell me as many
changes as you can think of that have been made down through the years?
● (Response: Witnesses
usually will mention a number of them. I am not sure what the answer will be,
but they will only admit to a few.) We used to believe that Jesus died on a
"cross" but now we know it was a "torture stake." While not
believing Jesus was God, the Society formerly held that he could be worshiped.
Witnesses used to celebrate birthdays and holidays. We used to believe that not
only the 144,000 went to heaven but also the "great crowd." Etc.)
●
[xciv]
On page 144, paragraph
2, beginning with line 2 we read, "You do not have to study and compare
the teachings of all the many religions. You need only learn what the Bible
really teaches about true worship."
Question #1: Since Jesus promised in John 16:13
("However, when that one arrives, the spirit of truth, he will guide you
into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things
he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things coming.")
that the Holy Spirit would lead us into "the truth," then why
couldn't a person come into "the truth" through the guidance of the
Holy Spirit by just reading the Bible?
● (Response: No. You need
someone to teach you. The Witness you are talking to will most likely take you
to Acts 8:30-31, which reads, "Philip ran alongside [the Ethiopian eunuch]
and heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet, and he said:
Do you actually know what you are
reading?' He said: 'Really, how could I ever do so, unless someone guided
me?") ●
Question #2: So you are telling me that one just
can't read the Bible and come into the truth! Is that correct?
● (Response: That is
correct.) ●
Question #3: Then what are the requirements for one
to become "the teacher"? Response:
● (The answer should be One
needs to be of the "anointed.") ●
Question #4: Do you need to be baptized in order to
become one of the "anointed"? Response: Certainly!
Question #5: Do all people, regardless of whether
they are a Jehovah's Witness or not, if they have been baptized, become one of
the "anointed" and are thus enabled to understand the Bible and
become a teacher?
● (Response: No. Someone who
is a Jehovah's Witness must baptize you. Question #6: Who was the originator of
the Watchtower Society? Response: Charles Russell.) ●
Question #7: So there was not a Jehovah's Witness
organization on the earth when Charles Russell came on the scene?
● (Response: That is right.)
●
Question #8: Since a person must be taught the Bible
by someone with the proper authority, then who taught Charles Russell if there
were no Witnesses to teach him?
● (Response: I am not sure
what it will be.) ●
Question #9: Since there were no Jehovah's Witnesses
when Charles Russell came on the scene to teach him and there were no Witnesses
to baptize Russell, he obviously was never truly baptized. So how did he come
into a proper understanding of the Bible?
● (Response: I am not
sure--but one Witness I dealt was really rocked when I mentioned the fact that
Charles Russell was never baptized as an adult and thus could have no
authority. Nowhere in Watchtower publications does it state that Russell was
ever baptized.) ●
Question #10: How do you explain Galatians 1:11-12,
16b-17 which read, "For I [Paul] put you on notice, brothers, that the
good news which was declared by me as good news is not something human; for
neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught [it], except through
revelation by Jesus Christ.... I did not go at once into conference with flesh
and blood. Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles previous
to me, but I went off into Arabia, and I came back again to Damascus"?
● (Response: (Since this will
be the first time these verses have been pointed out to the Witness you are
addressing, you probably won't receive a clear answer. He or she will try to
justify the Society somehow, but hopefully you have planted some seeds of
doubt.) ●
Question #11: Paul says clearly that he was not
taught by some man but by the ascended Jesus Christ. These verses seem to be
saying something which is directly opposite of what you are telling me that one
must be taught by some other human man. Why can't these verses be taken at face
value?
● (Response: We believe that
someone must teach you.) ●
Question #12: What is the meaning of 1 John 2:27,
which states, "And as for you, the anointing that you received from him
remains in you, and you do not need anyone to be teaching you; but, as the
anointing from him [the Holy Spirit] is teaching you about all things, and is
true and is no lie, and just as it has taught you, remain in union with
him"?
• • • •
Let's examine this paragraph from a different
angle. Paragraph on page 144, paragraph
2, beginning with line 2 we read, "You do not have to study and compare
the teachings of all the many religions. You need only learn what the Bible
really teaches about true worship."
Question #1: To me, this advice sounds rather
dangerous. There are many false religions in the world today and the Bible
states that in the "last days" they will increase, so in our times we
need to be particularly careful! I have never heard of false religionists going
around and stating they are false and urging people not to join them! I know
many groups that claim to be based on "just the Bible," and they will
give you verses to prove it. So with this attitude, a person would likely
believe the promoters of the first religious group that comes around! The
Mormons are gaining many converts, along with the Seventh-day Adventists, just
to mention a few.
I once read a rather important statement. It was,
"If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an
examination."
● (Actually this was taken
from the 1968 Watchtower book The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life, page 13.
But of course, the Watchtower Society can't allow this because people would
find out its false teachings if it were to be investigated.) ●
In fact, the advice of the Watchtower Society seems
to be just opposite of what is stated in 1 John 4:1, where the Bible exhorts
us: "Do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired
expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets
have gone forth into the world."
Why does the Watchtower Society tell people they do
not need to investigate their religion when the Bible strongly tells us to
"test" all religious groups?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
[xcvi]
Page 145, paragraph 4,
lines 1-4 and 10-11. "Jehovah gives everyone on earth the opportunity to
gain everlasting life. To have eternal life in Paradise, however, we must
worship God properly and liv now in a way that is acceptable to him. True religion leads to everlasting
life."
Question #1: As a Jehovah's Witness, do you believe
that you are "worshiping God properly and living in a way that is
acceptable to Him"?
● (Response: You should
receive a "Yes" answer.) ●
Question #2: Eternal life, by its very nature, is
something that will never end. Do you have eternal life right at this very
moment?
● (Response: It should be
"No," as this is something that can only be obtained in the
"next world.") ●
Question #3: I am quite confused. This book states
that by worshiping God properly and living in a way acceptable to Him a person
would "have eternal life." I asked if you were living in the way that
pleases God, and you said "Yes." But when I asked you if you have
everlasting life right now, you said "No." This is obviously a
contradiction! How do you solve this problem?
● (Response: You need to
understand that eternal life is something we might receive at the end of our
life, after living one thousand years in Paradise.) ●
Question #4: Are you certain that you will gain
eternal life because of the time you spend in Paradise?
● (Response: No. I do not
know if I will be faithful to the end.) ●
Question #5: The teaching of the Watchtower Society
is very confusing. The Bible states in a number of places that a person can
have eternal life right now. Look at John 5:24: "Most truly I [Jesus] say
to you, He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has everlasting
life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to
life." (See also John 3:16, 6:40, 10:28.) Here the Bible teaches that when
people recognize their own personal sins, repent, and believe that Jesus Christ
shed His blood for all these sins, turning in genuine faith to Jesus Christ, at
that very moment they receive everlasting life as a free gift. Since the Bible
clearly teaches that eternal life, which can't end, starts in this present
life, why does the Watchtower Society make it a possibility in the future?
● (Response: You need to
realize that you must endure to the end (Matt. 24:13).) ●
Question #6: What do you do with the wonderful promise
that God will keep His children to the very end, as found in Jude 24-25?
"Now to the one who is able to guard you from stumbling and to set you
unblemished in the sight of his glory with great joy, to [the] only God our
Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might and authority
for all past eternity and now and into all eternity. Amen."
● (Response: I just can't
presume, but I have to endure to the end.) ●
[xcviii]
On page 146, paragraph
6, we find the first of six things the Society claims it practices which
"prove" that it is the only religious group whose members worship God
in truth: "God's servants base their teachings on the Bible."
● (Remark:) ●
Just about all of the evangelical Christian groups
and this encompasses millions of Christians who believe in the inspired Word of
God claim that they base their teachings on the Bible, so I don't see this as a
valid claim to truth, especially since in the past the Watchtower Society has
used certain Bible verses to try to prove its doctrines and practices but has
later on changed its teachings to just the opposite, and then finds different verses
to prove this opposite teaching.
[c] Page 146, paragraph 7, lines 7-9. "Similarly, God's people today
do not teach their own ideas. They believe that the Bible is God's Word, and
they base their teachings firmly on what it says."
Question #1: Somewhere I read or heard that the
Watchtower Society claims to be "Theocratic," which means it is led
by God and that the Society claims to be "the faithful and discreet
slave"--basing this on Matthew 24:45. Is what I have heard correct?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #2: Doesn't the claim to be
"Theocratic" mean that God in heaven is watching over the Watchtower
Society and has control over what it practices and believes?
● (Response: The Witness will
almost surely have to say "Yes.") ●
Question #3: In order for a slave to carry out the
orders of his master faithfully, it is only reasonable that the master must
have some way to communicate with the slave so that he can give the slave the
orders that need to be carried out. Would I be correct in presuming this?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #4: If the Society is truly
"Theocratic" and is the "faithful and discreet slave," then
could you tell me how God communicates to the men who are at the head of your
organization?
● (Response: The Society has
claimed that angels bring down instructions that were decided in heaven, but it
never says how these angels speak to the men on the Governing Body of the
Watchtower Society. Since there is no "pat" answer, I am not sure how
the Witness will reply.) ●
Question #5: A little while ago I asked you if the
Society has ever changed its teachings and practices, and you said
"Yes." Some things the Society teaches today are the exact opposite
of what it used to teach, and some of the former teachings are now considered
"pagan." If what we just read, that "God's people today do not
teach their own ideas," is true, then how do you explain the fact that the
Watchtower Society used to teach things that you claim God hates today? It is
very obvious that God would not teach things He hates, so these ideas had to
come from fallible men! What is your explanation for these false teachings in
the past?
● (Response: Here you will
receive another contradiction. You must
realize that even the disciples made mistakes and the men on our Governing Body
are only fallible human men.) ●
Question #6: You previously stated that the Society
is continuing to get "new light," which surely means that there are
still human ideas in the Society that need to be corrected by God. So at this
stage, it obviously is impossible for anyone to determine what teachings and
practices of the Watchtower Society are really from God and what teachings are
from the fallible men on the Governing Body! Wouldn't I be correct in this
conclusion?
● (Response: It will be hard
for them to say "Yes" and hard to say "No.") ●
[cii] Page 148, paragraph 8.
"Those who practice the true religion worship only Jehovah and make his
name known."
Question: Since the Watchtower Society did not use
the false name "Jehovah" exclusively as God's name until after 1931,
wouldn't this mean that before 1931 it did not teach "the true
religion"?
● (Yahweh is the accurate
name for God in Hebrew.) ●
● (Response: It will be hard
to say "Yes" and hard to say "No.") ●
[civ] Page 148, paragraph 9.
"God's people show genuine, unselfish love for one another,"
Question #1: It is very hard for me to understand
how the Watchtower Society can make such a statement. In order for the Society
to claim that the Jehovah's Witnesses are the most loving people (as they do in
some of their other publications) it would have to have something it is
comparing its own people with! Do the men who make the decisions at the head of
the Watchtower Society spend a lot of time going to other church and religious
groups so that they can really get to know what goes on in these many places
and can certify that the Jehovah's Witnesses are more loving than any of these
groups?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #2: Then on what basis do they make such
statements, especially when some of the leaders have been Jehovah's Witnesses
all of their lives and have never been associated with any other groups?
● (Response: I don't know.)
●
[cvi] Page 149, paragraph 11.
"True Christians accept Jesus Christ as God's means of salvation."
Question:
● (The purpose of this
question is to let you explain the true way of salvation, regardless of the
kind of answer you might receive.) ●
It is hard for me to know why the Watchtower Society
claims this as one of the distinctives that proves that the Watchtower Society
is the only true religion! All Christians who believe that the Bible is the
very inspired Word of God, the only grounds for faith and practice, believe
that Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. These Christians have come to
the place where they realized that they were ungodly sinners before the holy
and righteous God of the Bible, but believed that Jesus Christ shed His
precious blood for their sins when He died upon that tree. When they accepted
Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior they repented of their sins with a
real desire to turn away from sin and live a life of purity and holiness. They
are trusting 100% in the blood of Jesus Christ for their salvation. They
faithfully read their Bibles to learn how they should walk pleasing to Yahweh.
What is the difference in a Jehovah's Witness' belief in Jesus Christ and that
of all the millions of born- again Christians?
● (Response: You will
probably receive a very unclear answer that could lead you to think the
Witnesses believe just as other people.) ●
[cviii]
Page 149, paragraph 12.
"True worshipers are no part of the world. When on trial before the Roman
ruler Pilate, Jesus said; 'My kingdom is no part of this world.' (John
18:36)"
Question #1: Would you please help me understand
what in meant here? But first let's look at Romans 14:17, which reads,
"For the kingdom of God does not mean eating and drinking, but [means] righteousness
and peace and joy with holy spirit." If Jesus' kingdom is not of this
world, then it has to be heavenly! But just about every picture I have seen in
the Watchtower publications regarding "the kingdom" depicts people
here on earth eating and drinking. I have never seen one picture showing people
gathering together at a worship service in which they would learn to do
righteousness. Why is the teaching on "the kingdom" by the Watchtower
Society directly opposite to what we read in the Bible?
● (You are not so much
interested in the answer here as in pointing out something the Witness will
remember and think about the next time he or she sees a picture of the new
earth.) ●
● (Response: You see Jesus is
really ruling from heaven over the earth so that is what this means.) ●
Question #2: But what about the "eating and
drinking" part which conflicts with the Bible?
● (Response: Not sure.)
●
[cx] Page 150, paragraph 13.
"Jesus' true followers preach that God's Kingdom is mankind's only
hope."
Question #1: How can the Watchtower Society claim
that this is one of their distinctives since just about every religious group
that claims to be based on the Bible teaches and preaches a kingdom in the
future?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
Question #2: Have the teachings of the Watchtower
Society been exactly the same about "God's Kingdom" from the very
first until this present time?
● (Response: Probably
"Yes." If so, continue with the next question. If they say
"No" and explain that this was not preached until 1935, then go to
question #4.) ●
Question #3: I have heard that until 1935 the
Watchtower Society believed that not only the 144,000 were going to heaven but
also the "great crowd." Therefore, for the first half of its
existence it was not preaching accurately about "God's Kingdom," and
according to what is written in this book its adherents should not be
classified as being "the true worshipers of God"! Wouldn't this be
true?
Question #4: Could you please tell me how it could
be thrilling news in 1935 that Christians could no longer go to heaven? a
perfect place where they worship and praise the Father and Son unceasingly? but
now have to return to the earth and rebuild it by hard manual labor after the
awful destruction of Armageddon, and without any assurance that they might pass
the final test and be able to enjoy what they have worked so hard to build?
[cxii] Page 152, paragraph 16, lines 5-6. "True Christians therefore avoid anything that is connected with false worship."
Question #1: When I asked you if there had been any changes in the teachings and practices of the Watchtower Society from the beginning until now, you said "Yes." Then, when I asked you to name some of the things the Society used to teach and practice you named some things that would be considered "pagan" today, and therefore would be included under "false worship." Why didn't those who were then in the organization have spiritual discernment and leave the organization, like this book is urging people to do?
● (While the Watchtower publications tell people to
leave what it classifies as "false religion," if a Witness were to
see a practice in the Watchtower Society that he or she feels is wrong, that
one is told to "just go along with the teaching or practice and don't say
anything, and if there is truly a mistake then in the future it will be cleared
up"which is just the opposite of what the Society urges other people to
do.) ●
● (Response: We believe that if there is a mistake
Jehovah will eventually point it out and the Society will change.) ●
Question 2: But this is not an answer to my question. Why does the Society urge those in other religions to do one thing and then let the Witnesses do just the opposite?
● (Response (You probably won't get a very good
answer.) ●
[cxiv]
Page 152, paragraph 17,
lines 6-10. "For example, the Babylonians worshiped trinities, or triads,
of gods. Today, the central doctrine of many religions is the Trinity. But the
Bible clearly teaches that there is only one true God, Jehovah, and that Jesus
Christ is his Son. (John 17:3)"
● (Warning: At this stage you
do not want to get into a typical argument about the Trinity, but the following
questions approach it from a different angle--showing the Witness that the
Society does not have an answer as to the relationship of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.) ●
Question #1: The Watchtower Society seems to be
quite dogmatic in what it states here. I see a real problem and would like you
to solve it for me. Would it be okay if I asked you some questions along this
line?
● (Response: Why, of course.)
●
Question #2: Let's read all of John 17:3. "This
means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God,
and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." Since the Bible says
there is only one "true God," then wouldn't you agree that all other
"gods" would have to be "false gods"?
● (Response: I can agree with
that.) ●
Question #2: Let's next turn to John 1:1 in the NWT.
"In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was a god." So now the Watchtower Society has Jehovah God, "the big
God," and the Word, Son who is "a little god." According to my
math, this means the Watchtower Society has two gods, "a big God" and
"a little god." But the Bible teaches there is "only one true
God." So my question is, "Is Jehovah, the big God, the true God, or
is the Word, Son, the little god, the true God?
● (Response: You probably
won't get much of a clear answer, but try to press the Witness for some type of
a reply.) ●
Question #3: Am I correct in understanding that the
Watchtower Society teaches that this "a god" in John 1:1 is a
"created" god?
● (Response:
"Yes.") ●
Question #4: How can this be true, since it is in
direct contradiction to what the Bible clearly declares? Let's turn to and read
Isaiah 43:10:
● (The Watchtower Society
loves to quote the first part of this verse because this is where it derives
its name "Jehovah's Witnesses," but completely ignores the last
part.) ●
'You are my witnesses,' is the utterance of Jehovah,
'even my servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and have faith
in me, and that you may understand that I am the same One. Before me there was
no God formed, and after me there continued to be none." Go on to Isaiah
44:6: "This is what Jehovah has said, the King of Israel and the
Repurchaser of him, Jehovah of armies, 'I am the first and I am the last, and besides
me there is no God." Isaiah 45:5-6: "I am Jehovah, and there is no
one else. With the exception of me there is no God. I shall closely gird you,
although you have not known me, in order that people may know from the rising
of the sun and from its setting that there is none besides me. I am Jehovah,
and there is no one else." Thus the Bible clearly teaches that outside of
Yahweh there is no other God. There was none formed before Him and none created
after Him. Yet the Watchtower Society has another god who was created? How can
the Watchtower Society teach something that is in direct violation of what the
Bible clearly states and yet people believe what the Society teaches?
● (Response: This is probably
the first time he or she has been presented with this truth, so I am not sure
of the response. But continue questioning.) ●
Question #5: But this is not the end of the problem.
When we go to Isaiah 9:6 we read, "For there has been a child born to us,
there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon
his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." This verse clearly points to the Son. So
now we find that the Watchtower Society not only has more than one God, but
also has degrees in rank of this second god, that he is "a god" and
"a Mighty God." How do you solve this complicated problem?
● (Response: I think the
Witness will be quick in giving the typical Witness answer. But He is not the
Almighty God.) ●
Question #6: Now the problem has become even more
complicated. Turn to Isaiah 10:21. Here Jehovah is referred to as "Mighty
God," so the Watchtower Society has two Mighty Gods. How do you solve this
problem?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
Question #7: Would you please explain to me how the
Watchtower Society can justify its belief in only one true God and still have
two gods, a "big God" and a "little god," and also believe
in a created god when the Bible states there never was a created true God and
there is only one true God?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
Question #8: How can you say that the "Mighty
God" in Isaiah 9:6 is not "the Almighty" when the Bible calls
Him Almighty? Turn to Revelation 1:5-8: "And from Jesus Christ, 'the
Faithful Witness,' `The firstborn from the dead,' and 'The ruler of the kings
of the earth.' To him that loves us and that loosed us from our sins by means of
his own blood, and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father,
yes, to him be the glory and the might forever. Amen. Look! He is coming with
the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the
tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen. 'I
[Jesus Christ] am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord, 'the one who is and
who was and who is coming, the Almighty."
● (The NWT uses the word
"Jehovah" here instead of "Lord," to try to confuse the
issue. I have quoted it as it ought to be.) ●
The things written here can only point to Jesus
Christ. If you are still not convinced that the "Alpha and Omega"
means Jesus Christ, let's turn to Revelation 22:12-13: 'Look! I [Jesus Christ]
am coining quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as
his work is. I [Jesus Christ] am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the
last, the beginning and the end." These verses taken together clearly
prove that Jesus Christ is the "Alpha and Omega" and He is called
"the Almighty." Why does the Watchtower Society say that Jesus Christ
is not "the Almighty" when the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus
Christ is "the Almighty"?
● Response: I am not sure,
but you have pointed out a very important truth to the Witness you are dealing
with.) ●
[cxvi]
Page 153, paragraph 19,
lines 8-10. "And you will have the wonderful hope of everlasting life 'in
the coming system of things."
Question #1: Will you please turn to 1 John 5:13
with me. This verse reads, "I write you these things that you may know
that you have life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the Son
of God." Could you please explain to me why the followers of the
Watchtower Society can only be promised the "hope" of everlasting
life in the future when the Bible promises that a born-again Christian can
"know" that he or she has everlasting life at this very moment?
● (Response: You have to
realize that you need to endure to the end.) ●
Question #2: Would I be correct in coming to the
conclusion that you really do not have "faith in the name of the Son of
God" since you do not know that you have everlasting life?
● (Response: He or she will
probably tell you that they do have faith in the Son of God.) ●
Question #3: Since you say that you have "faith
in the name of the Son of God," then why don't you have everlasting life
like the Bible teaches?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
● (To a Jehovah's Witness,
what is written in this chapter touches on what is probably one of the most
important aspects of their religion. The major problem with the Jehovah's
Witnesses, along with all the other cults and religions, is an improper view of
sin. Since Witnesses do not believe that they are "big" sinners
before God, they do not need a mighty Savior in the person of Jesus Christ who
is both God and man. I have had several Jehovah's Witnesses say to me, "If
Jesus Christ is truly God, then the sacrifice was too great." In other
words, they are not such bad sinners, who need this kind of help. It is very
humbling for us to have to admit that we are such ungodly, wicked sinners that
only God Almighty can solve our problem! But when people are off on their
concept of sin, they will be off on all their teachings about God.
To a Jehovah's Witness, sin is
(1) observing birthdays,
(2) celebrating holidays,
(3) taking a blood transfusion,
(4) participating in governments by
voting or working in government or military offices,
( 5) saluting the flag,
(6) not attending all of the five
(boring) Kingdom Hall meetings a week (usually a one-hour meeting on Tuesdays,
plus two one-hour meetings on Thursdays and on Sundays), and
(7) not going door to door at least
ten hours every month spreading the Watchtower propaganda. (Your
"spirituality" is determined by how many meetings you attend, how
many questions you answer at these meetings, and how many magazines you
distribute when you're out in "field service.")
Because of the above
misunderstanding about sin, Witnesses are very determined in condemning
birthdays and holidays in order to openly maintain their own self-
righteousness. They will probably defend the practice of not observing these
customs more strongly, and at a greater sacrifice of their emotions, than they
do the aberrant doctrines of the Watchtower Society.
This is a very divisive chapter
because of its "distinctives," so you can easily get into a heated
debate. It is best not to try to argue them into disobserving or omitting these
things. However, there are a number of questions you can ask that should cause
them to question the Watchtower Society's reason for shunning these civic
practices. For over fifty years of its history, Witnesses actually observed the
very things they condemn so strongly today.
For most born-again Christians the
first part of this chapter about "images and ancestor worship" is not
a problem, so you can skip over that part.
But in order to show forth the
contradictions and inconsistencies in the teachings and practices of the
Watchtower Society, I would like to first give a number of quotes from an
article in the December 22, 1976 Awake magazine, found on pages 12-15, where it
discusses how symbols and practices that had a pagan background have lost their
meanings. Thus when they are observed today the person can have a proper
concept about the practice because the "roots" have been forgotten.
Well, objectors might consider the
heart [? ] to be an idolatrous decoration, having learned that it formerly was
used in non-Christian worship.... What should be a Christian's attitude toward
shapes and designs that have at some time or place been connected with false
religion?... For instance, the Winged Globe or Winged Disk was used in various
forms in Phoenicia, Assyria and other nations. [The Society used this design on
their early books for a number of years.]... Snakes, crosses [for years all the
Watchtower magazines showed the symbol of the cross on the front page, circled
by a crown], stars, birds, flowers...yes, there is an almost endless number of
designs and symbols that have at some time or other been linked with idolatrous
worship. So how can the sincere Christian know what to avoid and what to overlook
as unimportant?... So it is appropriate to avoid decorations that would link a
person with idolatrous worship. On the other hand, just because worshipers at
some time or place might use a certain design, that does not automatically mean
that true worshipers must always shun it. For instance, figures of palm trees,
pomegranates and bulls were incorporated in the design of Jehovah's temple in
Jerusalem. The fact that other religions might take these natural things that
God created and use them as symbols in idol worship did not make it wrong for
true worshipers to use them decoratively. Anyone visiting the temple could tell
that God's people were not worshiping these decorations or venerating them as
sacred symbols.
Many times a design will change in
significance according to location and times. A certain shape may have a
particular meaning to an observer at one time and place, but a different
meaning to an observer elsewhere or in another age.... Those past religious
meanings do not readily come to the mind of most observers today.... A pagan
religious symbol might lose its religious connotation [italics in the article]
.... In yet other places neither of these significances may generally come to
mind.... So the Christian needs to be primarily concerned about what? Not what
a certain symbol or design possibly meant thousands of years ago or how it
might be thought of on the other side of the world, but what it means now to
most people where he lives.
But, as another example, let us
return to the heart-shape. Though this was a religious symbol in ancient
Babylon, does it now have such a meaning where you live? Most likely not....
With so many different designs having been used in false worship, if a person
went to the trouble and took the time he might find an undesirable connection
with almost every design he sees around him. But why do that? [The Watchtower
Society has gone to great lengths to do this very thing to try to prove some
practices "pagan."] Would it not be needlessly upsetting? And is that
the best use of one's time and attention? [I would agree with this, but it is
the very thing the Society has done.]
Paul, however, also showed the
value of concentrating on the things that are of real importance instead of
getting involved in controversy over petty meanings and possible connections
that are not of obvious significance. (1 Cor. 10:25, 26; 2 Tim. 2:14, 23)
However, the Society is not willing
to do this with practices of other Christians which it disagrees with.) ●
Page 156, paragraph 6. "A person's worship
could be contaminated by the false religion as it relates to popular holidays.
Consider Christmas, for example.
Christmas supposedly commemorates the birth of Jesus
Christ, and nearly every religion that claims to be Christian celebrates."
Question #1: I am rather perplexed at what is
written here. This implies that a person's religion is "contaminated"
if its followers observe Christmas and other holidays! Yet I understand (and
maybe the Witness told you this previously when you asked about the changes in
the Watchtower practices) that for the first fifty years of the Society's
history the Witnesses did observe holidays and were even urged to do so. Is
this correct?
● (Response: Yes. But you
see, we received "new light" on the subject.) ●
Question #2: Wouldn't this mean that for fifty years
all of the Witnesses, even the president, were contaminated because of their
celebrating holidays?
● (Response: He or she will
probably give some weak answer to try and get around the implication.)
Response: "Yes.") ●
Question #3: I did a little research into the
observance of Christmas by the Witnesses and came across something interesting
that Charles Russell wrote about observing Christmas day.
● (This is taken from Zion's
Watch Tower, Dec. 15, 1903, page 3290. See also Zion's Watch Tower, Dec. 1,
1904, page 3468. If you have my documentary packet you will find copies
enclosed.) ●
Although we cannot agree that this [December 25] is
the proper day for celebrating the birth of our dear Redeemer, ...nevertheless
since he did not intimate his desire that we should celebrate his birthday it
is quite immaterial upon what day that event, of so great importance to all, is
celebrated. Upon this day, so generally celebrated, we may properly enough join
with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God
and toward the Savior.
Since Charles Russell said it was okay to celebrate
Christmas on December 25, then shouldn't he have to bear some of the
responsibility for "contaminating" the Witnesses for fifty years?
● (Response: They will
probably give you another weak defense for this practice.) ●
Question #4: This is all very confusing to me. I
understand that before 1935 all the Witnesses were of the anointed class, had
God's spirit, and could properly understand the Bible. If the forbidding of the
remembering of the birth of our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is so
plainly condemned, then why didn't some of these thousands of Witnesses come up
with it before?
● (Response: This should be
hard one for them to answer.) ●
Question #5: I have thought long and hard about the
fact that the Witnesses observed Christmas, which is now considered
"pagan," for so many years. There is only one feasible choice out of
three explanations that I can think of. Let me present these three and then you
tell me which one is the correct one. (1) The early Witnesses knowingly
disobeyed the clear injunctions of the Bible and went ahead and observed
Christmas anyway! (See The Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1996, page 19. It says the Witnesses
didn't take a firm stand concerning neutrality--so the same thing might be said
about holidays and birthdays.) (2) The truth that observing Christmas is a
"pagan" practice is hidden so deeply in the Bible that it took fifty
years or more of "deep Bible study" before the Witnesses realized
that holidays and birthdays were really "pagan." (If this is true,
then why don't the leaders of the Watchtower Society have patience now with
those of us who are not quite so smart?) (3) The teaching that the forbidding
of the observance of Christmas, other holidays, and birthdays is "strong
meat," but the early Witnesses were only "babes"thus God was not
able to reveal this truth to them. (See Hebrews 5:11- 14.) Which of these three
possibilities do you think is the correct one?
● (Response: I doubt if you
will receive a clear response, but hopefully you have gotten them to doubt the
wisdom of the Society.) ●
Question #6: As we discussed before, the Watchtower
Society claims to be "Theocratic," which means it is run by God. Also
you have mentioned about this "new light"--that apparently has to
come from God--which enlightens the Society about its false teachings and makes
corrections. But we read here that the observance of holidays
"contaminates" one's faith. Could you please explain to me how a holy
and righteous God who is supposed to continually be giving directions to the
leaders of the Watchtower Society would let them sit around for fifty years
while their faith was being contaminated, during which they were highly
displeasing to Him, without stepping in at the very beginning and correcting
such a false teaching?
● (Response: I don't think
you will receive a reply, but urge them to give you some kind of explanation.)
●
Question #7: If the leaders of the Watchtower
Society changed their minds after fifty years and began teaching just the
opposite of what they formerly did, they have that privilege. But why does the
Society condemn Christians so strongly for remembering the birth of their
wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on a special day when the Witnesses
themselves observed it for so many years?
● (Response: Probably not
much of one. But they might say that we are not directly told to remember the
birth of Christ like we are told to remember His death through the Lord's
Supper. If this has been stated, you can use this next question.) ●
Question #8: The Bible does not instruct me to eat
three meals a day, but doing so isn't wrong. I am not told to sleep 8 hours a
day, but there is nothing evil in doing this. It seems to me that the Jehovah's
Witnesses do a lot of things that are not commanded in the Bible. Could you
please show me in the Bible where we are commanded to attend five meetings
every week and they are to be just about one hour long? Also, where in the
Bible is the meeting place for Christians called a "Kingdom Hall"?
● (Response: (Of course, you
won't receive one.) ●
[cxx] Page 157, paragraph 7, lines
3-7. "The World Book Encyclopedia says, the early Christians 'considered
the celebration of anyone's birthday to be a pagan custom.' The only two
birthday observances mentioned in the Bible are those of two rulers who did not
worship Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20; Mark 6:21)"
Question #1: This book has made a grievous error
when it states, "The only two birthday observances mentioned in the Bible
are those of two rulers who did not worship Jehovah." There is another
important birthday mentioned in the Bible, and that is when Abraham had a
birthday party for Isaac when he was three years old-- and Abraham was a man
who did worship Yahweh. Turn to Genesis 21:8 which reads, "Now the child
kept growing and came to be weaned; and Abraham then prepared a big feast on
the day of Isaac's being weaned."
● (Ask them to look in their
NWT at this verse.) ●
After the word "weaned" you will see a
small letter, and when you look at the reference in the middle column it will
refer you to 1 Samuel 1:22. Go to 1 Samuel 1:22, where it speaks about Hannah
weaning Samuel, and there is a small letter which refers you to 2 Chronicles
31:16, which reads, "Apart from their genealogical enrollment of the males
from three years of age upward, of all those coming to the house of Jehovah as
a daily matter of course, for their service by their obligations according to
their divisions." So using the references in the NWT we come to the
conclusion that a child was weaned at the age of three. (The weaning of
children in many countries, even to this day, is not until the age of three or
four. It was true when I was in Japan.) Thus the Bible says that Abraham had a
party for Isaac "on the day" he was weaned. This was very clearly a
"birthday party." And it was not just "cake and ice cream"
but a "big feast." Could you please tell me how the writers of this
book could leave out such an important birthday party as the one the Patriarch
Abraham gave for his son Isaac?
● (Response: None. Again I
say, the reason for some of these questions is not for the answer you will
receive, but to inform the one you are dealing with that there are many
important facts that the Watchtower Society writers have blatantly disregarded.)
●
Question #2:
It seems to me that I have heard that the Society is against birthdays because,
at both of the references given in this book, something evil happened and that
was that two people were put to death. Is that correct?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #3: Let me understand you clearly. The
reason children cannot have a birthday party with a few of their friends and
enjoy cake and ice cream is because at two birthday parties mentioned in the
Bible something evil happened—namely two men were killed. Is that correct?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #4: Wouldn't you agree that there is a very
strong possibility that there was drinking at both of these parties?
● (Response: I would imagine
so.) ●
Question #5: I understand that as long as Jehovah's
Witnesses drink in moderation they are allowed to drink wine, beer, whiskey,
and other forms of alcohol. Is this correct?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #6: I would like to know why the Watchtower
Society is not consistent with its own reasoning for not celebrating birthdays
when it comes to drinking, especially wine! Please turn to Genesis 9:20-25.
(Read this portion together.) This speaks about Noah drinking wine and becoming
intoxicated. His son Ham saw him in this condition and it caused the Canaanites
to be cursed. So the first evil effect of drinking wine is that a whole group
of people were cursed, not just one person. Next let us look at Genesis
19:30-38. (Read this passage.) Here we find that the two daughters of Lot got
him drunk by drinking wine and then he committed incest with his daughters.
From these acts of incest, two nations were begotten and these two nations have
continually been in conflict with the nation of Israel. So the second sin we
see that was caused by drinking wine was the awful sin of incest resulting in a
conflict that is continuing even today. For my third illustration, turn to 2
Samuel 13:26-29. (Read this story also.) We see that Absalom got his brother
Amnon drunk by drinking wine and had him killed. So the drinking of wine was
the cause of a murder. Many more evils could be pointed out from the effects of
drinking alcohol: it causes 60% of all car accidents in which many innocent
people are killed; makes about 50% of homes dysfunctional; over 10% of the
population are completely enslaved to alcohol; alcohol is one of the leading
causes for wife and child beating; and it often leads to divorce. Also, the
revenue from purchasing beer enables the beer companies to pay for their very
immoral ads.
Because two people got killed at birthday parties
thousands of years ago, and despite the fact that there was another birthday
party that honored Yahweh, the Watchtower Society forbids children to have a
birthday party with cake and ice cream. But from drinking wine, one group of
people were cursed, incest was committed which has caused strife for thousands
of years, and then Amnon was killed--noting only three of the evils mentioned
in the Bible from drinking--yet the Watchtower Society still justifies the
drinking of wine and other alcoholic beverages! Very strange indeed! Could you
please explain to me why the Watchtower Society is so inconsistent?
● (Response: I am almost sure
they will try to justify drinking in some way, but hopefully you have planted
some seeds of doubt.) ●
Question #7: I understand that Jehovah's Witnesses
are able to observe wedding anniversaries. Is this correct?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #8: I do not understand the difference
between celebrating a birthday and celebrating a wedding anniversary! They are
both honoring a person or a couple.
Just as with a birthday where the age is mentioned,
at an anniversary a number of years are specified. The "pagans" also
celebrate anniversaries with drinking and dancing. We are nowhere told in the
Bible that we are to celebrate anniversaries and we have no examples of any
wedding anniversaries being observed in the Bible! So could you explain to me,
logically, the difference between celebrating a birthday and celebrating a
wedding anniversary?
● (Response: The Witness will
try to justify the observances of wedding anniversaries, but keep pressing them
on the point that the "pagans" also have wedding anniversaries as
well as birthdays.) ●
[cxxii]
Page 157, paragraph 9.
"It was not until several hundred years after Jesus lived on the earth
that people began to commemorate his birth on December 25, but that was not the
date of Jesus' birth, for it evidently took place in October.*
● (See the Appendix, pages
221-2.) ●
Question #1: Since the Bible does not give any exact
date for the birth of Christ, how can this publication say so dogmatically that
December 25 "was not the date of Jesus' birth"?
● (Response: The Bible tells
us that there were shepherds out in the fields when Jesus was born, but sheep
and shepherds are not out in the fields in the winter. This is the reason given
in the Appendix.) ●
Question #2: Can you show me very clearly in the
Bible where it states that at no time shepherds and sheep are outside in
December, which is really just the beginning of winter?
● (Response: No, I can't)
●
Question #3: Are you aware of the fact that just
because sheep were out in the open when Jesus was born in no way proves the
event was not in December—despite what this book so dogmatically states?
● (Response: No. Will you
tell me why?) ●
Question #4: Sheep for the temple sacrifices had to
be out in the field all year round so they could be readily available for the
sacrifice, so the fact that they were out in the field is not a valid argument
at all that the birth of Jesus was not in December. (I am aware that the
argument about the sheep not being out in the field is one that is often
repeated by Christians, but I find no valid grounds for this argument.) Have
you ever heard this explanation before?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #5: On what Biblical grounds can this
publication say, "It evidently took place in October"?
● (Response: They will most
likely explain that Jesus died at the age of 33 1/2 and we are given the time
of his death, which was in the spring, so that would put the date of His birth
in October.) ●
Question #6: Where in the Bible does it say that
Jesus died exactly at the age of 33 1/2?
● (Response: It will be
impossible for them to find any place. They might turn to Luke 3:23 where it
says, "Jesus himself, when he commenced [his work], was about thirty years
old." "About" could vary by months, and in this case October and
December are only two months apart. Nor is it ever clearly stated in the Bible
that Jesus ministered for exactly 3 1/2 years. The only way scholars have come
to the conclusion that Jesus ministered 3 1/2 years is by examining the
internal evidence, such as the mention of annual festivals and other events.
The Watchtower Society cannot make a dogmatic statement that his ministry
lasted a full 3 1/2 years and that he began ministering exactly at the age of
thirty.) ●
[cxxiv]
Page 158, paragraph 9,
lines 4-8. "So why was December 25 chosen? Some who later claimed to be
Christian likely 'wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival
marking the "birthday of the unconquered sun."' (The New Encyclopedia
Britannica.)"
Question #1: Have you ever personally read the
account in The New Encyclopedia Britannica?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #2: This article starts out by saying,
"The reason for establishing December 25 as Christmas is somewhat obscure,
but..." Why is the Watchtower Society so dogmatic about the reason for
Christmas being on December 25 when the very quote it uses says, "Somewhat
obscure"?
● (Response: You might
receive some weak answer, but you have pointed out an important fact that you
trust the Witness will notice in the future.) ●
Question #3: Let us say that we have just the Bible.
There are no other books or encyclopedias around. We have not heard anything
from anyone about Christmas. Could you show me by using just the Bible that it
is wrong to remember the birth of Christ on a special day? I am not talking
about all the commercialism and things that have been attached to Christmas,
but just the fact of rejoicing because God sent His Son into the world to
provide a ransom! Also do not quote 2 Corinthians 6:17. It reads,
"'Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,' says
Jehovah, 'and quit touching the unclean thing'; and I will take you in."
You first have to prove from the Bible that remembering the birth of Christ is
"pagan."
● (Response: Of course it
cannot be proven from the Bible that celebrating the birth of Christ is wrong,
nor can they prove it is a "pagan" custom. Don't let them get you
sidetracked until they admit it cannot be proven.) ●
Question #4: (Ask the Witness to read the story of
the birth of Christ with you as found in Luke 2:1-20.) We notice that the
Father became so excited about the birth of His Son, the Savior of the world,
that He sent angels to announce the event. I think this was rather spectacular.
The angels said they were bringing them "good news of a great joy."
Then the shepherds responded to this joyous announcement and went to see the
young child. When they had seen the child, they became so excited that they
told everyone they met about the birth of the Messiah. So we see from the Bible
that there was a lot of rejoicing over the birth of Jesus Christ. Since the
Father rejoiced at the coming of His Son into the world and wanted people to
know about it, then what is wrong with following the example of the Father and
setting aside one day a year (I know we are to be thankful every day--which we
are) to rejoice in the fact that the Father was willing to send His Son into
the world to die for my sins so that I could come into a personal relationship
with Him?
● (Response: None.) ●
Question #5: I have a question for you. John 3:16
reads: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten
Son." Shouldn't the expression "He gave his only-begotten Son"
remind us of the birth of Christ?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●
Question #6: 2 Corinthians 9:15 reads: "Thanks
be to God for his indescribable free gift." I take it that the
"indescribable free gift" which we are to thank the Father for is the
gift of His Son whom He gave in order to provide redemption for mankind!
Doesn't this imply that when we think of the birth of Christ, who is God's
indescribable gift to us, that we should be thankful for this gift?
[cxxvi]
Page 158, paragraph 10,
lines 11-15. "Because of the connection that Christmas has with false
religion, however, those who want to please God do not celebrate it or any
other holiday that has its roots in pagan worship."
Question #1: Do Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate
Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #2: This is rather confusing to me. If I
understand correctly, the Jehovah's Witnesses do not observe Christmas for
three reasons: (1) because we are not sure of the exact date of Christ's birth,
(2) we are not commanded to remember His birth, and (3) because the Society
believes that December 25th was a pagan holiday set aside by the Romans as the
birthday of their sun god. But what about Thanksgiving Day? In the O.T. God
instituted two special annual festivals, the Feast of the First Fruits (Lev.
23:9-14) and the Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering (Lev. 23:33-36) to cause
the people to be thankful for the material blessing He had bestowed upon them.
I know that we are to be thankful every day for God's blessings, but it can't
be against God's will to set aside a special day each year to thank Him for all
His blessings, since this is following a pattern set down in the Bible! Then in
the N.T. we are told in many places that we "should be thankful."
Since Thanksgiving Day in America has absolutely no connection with any false
religious beliefs, has no pagan connections, and the day on which it is
observed has been altered a number of times, and is a time specifically set
aside to give exclusive devotion to the God of the Bible, then I see absolutely
no reason for not observing Thanksgiving Day! I see a "double
standard" here. In order for the Watchtower Society to be consistent with
the reasons it gives for not observing Christmas and in light of the clear
instructions in the Bible to set aside special times to be thankful for the
material blessings we receive from God, then why do the Jehovah's Witnesses not
observe Thanksgiving Day?
● (There is a sneaky way
around this among the Jehovah's Witnesses. A good many of them will have a
feast with turkey and all the trimmings, just like most other people have for
Thanksgiving Day, but will have it earlier in the month of November. I asked one
J.W. for the reasoning behind this and he said, "Turkey is cheap at this
time of the year.") ●
● (Response: Since this is
probably a new thought to them, it is unclear how they will answer.) ●
Question #3: Do Jehovah's Witnesses observe Mother's
Day?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #4: This is very difficult for me to
understand! Will you please help me out? The Bible clearly commands us to
"honor our father and mother" (Ex. 20:12, Matt.15: 4, 19:19, Eph.
6:2; and Romans 13:7, which states that we are to give "honor to whom
honor is due"). Thus to have a special day to honor mothers seems to be in
line with the Bible! Mother's Day was started by a godly Christian woman to
help people obey the command of God, so it cannot be traced to any false
religious beliefs. In pagan religions, women are looked down upon and never
honored, so the idea of Mother's Day could not be from a pagan source. The day
on which Mother's Day is held cannot be traced to any pagan roots. Since the
Bible clearly commands us to honor our father and mother, then what is wrong
with acting in conformity to the Bible and observing Mother's Day?
● (Response: They might We should honor our mothers every day, making
a special day unnecessary.) ●
Question #5: Could I ask you a personal question?
When was the last time you sent your mother a card thanking her for all the
work she put into you, and when is the last time you called her up or spoke to
her personally and thanked her for being your mother?
● (Response: If this person
is honest, he or she will have to admit that they do not do it on a regular
basis.) ●
Question #6: I understand that Jehovah's Witnesses
observe their wedding anniversary once a year. Shouldn't the husband or wife be
thankful for each other every day and not just once a year? Could you explain
the difference between observing Mother's Day once a year and observing a
wedding anniversary once a year?
● (Response: The Witness
should see the point.) ●
● (Note: On page 159,
paragraph 11, lines 4-5 we read, "These occasions [holidays] also give
families opportunities to draw close together." I personally feel that the
main reason the Watchtower Society is against observing holidays is in order to
break up families. It has done a very good job of it. The Society doesn't want
the Witnesses to associate with their family members who are not Witnesses, and
especially with those who are born-again Christians.) ●
Note: On page 159, paragraph 11, lines 4-5 we read,
"These occasions [holidays] also give families opportunities to draw close
together."
In light of this, I would like to give a number of
quotes from an article in the December 22, 1976 Awake magazine, found on pages
12-15, where it discusses how symbols and practices that had a pagan background
have lost their meanings. Thus when they are observed today the person can have
a proper concept about the practice because the "roots" have been
forgotten.
● (Allow computer to read)
●
Well, objectors might consider the heart [? ] to be
an idolatrous decoration, having learned that it formerly was used in
non-Christian worship.... What should be a Christian's attitude toward shapes
and designs that have at some time or place been connected with false
religion?... For instance, the Winged Globe or Winged Disk was used in various
forms in Phoenicia, Assyria and other nations. [The Society used this design on
their early books for a number of years.]... Snakes, crosses [for years all the
Watchtower magazines showed the symbol of the cross on the front page, circled
by a crown], stars, birds, flowers...yes, there is an almost endless number of
designs and symbols that have at some time or other been linked with idolatrous
worship. So how can the sincere Christian know what to avoid and what to
overlook as unimportant?... So it is appropriate to avoid decorations that
would link a person with idolatrous worship. On the other hand, just because
worshipers at some time or place might use a certain design, that does not
automatically mean that true worshipers must always shun it. For instance,
figures of palm trees, pomegranates and bulls were incorporated in the design
of Jehovah's temple in Jerusalem. The fact that other religions might take
these natural things that God created and use them as symbols in idol worship
did not make it wrong for true worshipers to use them decoratively. Anyone
visiting the temple could tell that God's people were not worshiping these decorations
or venerating them as sacred symbols.
Many times a design will change in significance
according to location and times. A certain shape may have a particular meaning
to an observer at one time and place, but a different meaning to an observer
elsewhere or in another age.... Those past religious meanings do not readily
come to the mind of most observers today.... A pagan religious symbol might
lose its religious connotation [italics in the article] .... In yet other
places neither of these significances may generally come to mind.... So the
Christian needs to be primarily concerned about what? Not what a certain symbol
or design possibly meant thousands of years ago or how it might be thought of
on the other side of the world, but what it means now to most people where he
lives.
But, as another example, let us return to the
heart-shape. Though this was a religious symbol in ancient Babylon, does it now
have such a meaning where you live? Most likely not.... With so many different
designs having been used in false worship, if a person went to the trouble and
took the time he might find an undesirable connection with almost every design
he sees around him. But why do that? Would it not be needlessly upsetting? And
is that the best use of one's time and attention?
● (What is written in this
chapter is good advice, but do not get the idea that the Jehovah's Witnesses'
beliefs are close to those of evangelical, Bible-believing Christians. This
book was written to deceive and not to present clearly what the Watchtower
Society really teaches. It will use terms but does not explain how these terms
are being used; this is done only later in the Society's propaganda process.
Just because a religious group speaks about God, Jesus Christ, prayer, and uses
the Bible, does not mean it is truly Christian. The Watchtower Society uses the
same words as Bible-believing Christians, but it has put entirely different
meanings to these words. This is how this chapter must be read. Since Jehovah's
Witnesses have never been born again through faith in the precious shed blood
of the Lord Jesus Christ, they have no personal relationship with God, even
though it is mentioned in this chapter. This is very clearly seen in the fact
that Witnesses always address God as "Jehovah God" and not just as
"Father."
In order to properly understand
Watchtower articles, you frequently have to read to the very last
paragraph--which is often the most important, and will actually negate all that
was written before. (For instance, I read in The Watchtower magazine a
five-page article on reading the Bible that was very good. But then the last
paragraph stated, "But don't let your Bible reading interfere with your
reading of the wonderful material the Society has provided." In other words,
the Watchtower publications are more important than the Bible. I read another
article on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It sounded exactly like what
evangelical Christians believe except for four words. The article spoke of the
resurrection of Christ and then inserted the words "as a spirit
person." This put a completely different meaning to the article since the
Society does not believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ but in the
re-creation of the "spirit person" Michael the archangel.)
Jehovah's Witnesses do very little
praying on their own. In private or public they will never mention a needy
person by name. Witnesses say that this is "exalting a person," even
though in public they always pray for and thank Jehovah God for the Governing
Body (men) of the Watchtower Society and the wonderful publications that it
produces to give them "spiritual food at the proper time."
I once invited a former Jehovah's
Witness, who had recently come out, to come and show a video exposing the
errors of the Watchtower Organization to a group of Christians on a Wednesday
evening at a church's regular prayer meeting. Even though he had been a
Jehovah's Witness for twenty-five years he did not have the faintest idea of
what a prayer meeting was. Also, I was able to help a Jehovah's Witness man who
had been in the cult for twenty-five years come out of the Watchtower Society.
One of the first things he asked me was how to pray. So even though Witnesses
speak about prayer, they know very little about it.
There are only a couple of questions that need to be asked concerning this chapter.) ●
Question #1: When Jehovah's Witnesses pray in
public, how do they begin their prayer?
● (Response: "Jehovah
God, our heavenly Father.") ●
Question #2: This seems very strange to me. The
model prayer given by Jesus teaches us that we should address God as our
"Father." Jesus Christ never addressed His Father as "Jehovah
God." Could you please explain to me why the Watchtower Society does not
teach the Witnesses to follow the pattern of Jesus in addressing God as
"Father" instead of "Jehovah God"?
● (Response: This question is
more to point out a Biblical truth than to receive an answer. Hopefully the
Witness will remember what you have said every time a prayer is offered in the
Kingdom Hall to "Jehovah God.") ●
Question #3: It seems to me that addressing God as
"Jehovah God" is very cold and impersonal. I never addressed my
earthly father by his given name. This, I was taught, was rude. I would always
call him "father" or "dad."
● (This is actually the
meaning of Jesus' prayer in Mark 14:36 where He addressed Him as, "Abba,
Father.") ●
I had great respect for my father and never felt it
disrespectful to address him as "father." Don't you feel it is cold
and distant to refer to God as "Jehovah God" instead of
"Father"?
● (Response: Not sure. Since
Jehovah's Witnesses have not been born again they do not have a personal
relationship with God, so that is why they address Him as "Jehovah
God.") ●
[cxxxii]
Page 167, paragraph 9,
lines 4-8. "However, Jehovah requires that we acknowledge the position of
his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As we learned in Chapter 5, Jesus was sent
to the earth to serve as a ransom to redeem us from sin and death.
● (John 3:16; Romans
5:12" Even though this issue was discussed before it is very important,
and you probably didn't receive a clear answer then, so it is good to bring it
up once again.) ●
Question: I know we talked about this before, but I
am greatly confused. If I take what we just read at face value it would mean
that the Son, who lived in heaven, came down and dwelt in the human body that
the Virgin gave to Jesus. Thus Jesus, while on earth, had a dual nature--that
of "the Son" who came down from heaven, as stated here, and also as
"a human." But as you said before, Jesus was only a man. If something
actually came down from heaven to redeem men, then where is this
"Son" since he was not in Jesus Christ? What the Watchtower Society
is saying just doesn't make any logical sense to me. It says something came
down from heaven and was on earth but actually there was only the earthly man
Jesus! Will you please clear up this contradiction for me?
● (Response: Try to stick
with this question and have them give you some kind of a reasonable answer.)
●
[cxxxiv]
Page
174, paragraph 1. 'LOOK! A body of water; what prevents me from getting
baptized?' That question was asked by an Ethiopian court official in the first
century. A Christian named Philip has proved to him that Jesus was the promised
Messiah. Touched to the heart by what he had learned from the scriptures, the
Ethiopian man took action. He showed that he wanted to be baptized! Acts
8:2636."
Question: I
have read these verses from Acts 8 in context so I might understand the whole
incident. I notice that Philip did not have any printed material put out by the
apostles in Jerusalem but used only the Bible. Philip could not have conversed
with this Ethiopian eunuch for more than a fraction of a day, but upon hearing
the good news that Jesus had shed His blood as atonement for his sins, the
Ethiopian eunuch accepted this by faith and was immediately baptized. Is it the
policy of the Watchtower Society to baptize people soon after they come into a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, similar to what we see Philip doing in
this passage?
● (As this book presents, it is only after the long process
of "taking in knowledge.") ●
● (Response: They will probably tell you that Philip talked
to this man for a long time, but you can say that you feel they are speculating
and reading something into the Bible that is not there.) ●
[cxxxvi]
Page 175, paragraph 4.
"Water baptism is a requirement for all who want to have a relationship
with Jehovah God."
● (It has to be by
immersion.) ●
Question #1: I believe that a person who has trusted
the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior ought to be baptized as a
testimony to his faith in Christ. I did a little research but have never read
anywhere that Charles Russell was baptized as an adult either before or after
he began his ministry.
●
(Since Russell was raised a Presbyterian, it is possible that he was
baptized as an infant, but the Watchtower Society does not recognize infant
baptism nor the baptism of any other group.) ●
Since it is so important to be baptized in order to
"have a relationship with Jehovah God," do you have any concrete
evidence that Russell was baptized by immersion before or after he began his
ministry?
● (Response: Since Russell
was never baptized before or after his ministry began, the Witness cannot give
you any evidence. Once when I used this question with a J.W. whom I was
witnessing to, he was quite shocked and did some research and found out I was
correct. It made quite an impression on him.) ●
Question #2: I understand that only the
"anointed" have God's spirit, and this anointing happens at the time
of baptism. But since there is no record of Charles Russell being baptized,
then we can conclude that he did not have God's spirit! This being true, then
he was teaching his own ideas and was not led by God at all. Could this be the
reason why so much of what Charles Russell taught was later changed? What do
you think?
[cxxxviii]
Page 176, paragraph 5.
"You have already begun to take the first step. How? By taking in
knowledge of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, perhaps by means of a systematic
study of the Bible. (John 17:3)"
Question: I looked up John 17:3, which is a very
interesting verse. In the NWT it reads; "This means everlasting life,
their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent
forth, Jesus Christ." This verse states very clearly that there is only
"one true God." But if I understand correctly, the Watchtower Society
believes in two gods! It acknowledges Jehovah as God the Father and then calls
the Son, Word "a god" (John 1:1 in the NWT). These two are distinct
gods and are different in rank. Since the Bible teaches that there is only
"one true God" and the Watchtower Society acknowledges two gods,
could you explain to me which of these two is the "true God"? Since
there is only one true God, then all other gods would have to be false gods. So
is the Father the "true God" and the Son the false god, or is the Son
the "true god" and the Father the "false god"?
● (Response: They might say
that angels are called "gods." If this is their reply, you can say,
"You really have complicated the problem. You not only have two gods, but
you have thousands of gods." They also might point out that Satan is
called "a god." You can let them know that you agree that Satan is
called "a god," but he is a false god? so that doesn't help the
Watchtower's predicament.) ●
[cxl] Page 176, paragraph 5, lines
7-8. "It is important to attend such meetings."
Question: I do not find the meetings helpful.
Someone reads from a book, then questions are asked about what was just read
and people parrot what they just heard for their answers. I do not find this very helpful, because no
one asks their own questions and there are no explanations given except what is
written in the book. I am sorry, but I find them very boring and really not at
all helpful. This one-on-one conversation with you is much more helpful, so why
should I waste my time attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall?
● (Attending the Kingdom Hall
is one of the Society's baits for getting people into the Watchtower Society
because the people there will "love bomb" you. So people are not
joining because of the doctrine and practices but because of what they
mistakenly feel is fraternal warmth.) ●
[cxlii] Does this statement imply that the bible cannot be read and
understood by the average person despite the fact that we have the Holy Spirit
helping us.
The bible uses of 100 literary forms, of which among
them are poetry, hyperboles, merisms and others. We must pay attention to these
forms, unless we be led into faulty reasoning. Point being we can not expect to
be a lazy reader and still get the maximum the bible has to offer.
Proverbs 1:5-6
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Does this mean the Bible is really a very difficult
book to understand and you need some "specialist" to tell you what it
actually means? Yes, there are some difficult
parts, but most of it is understandable by the average person.
[cxliv]
Is this
"thought inspiration," or "verbal inspiration".
"Thought inspiration" means that
God merely gave the main ideas to the authors and then they worked out the
details in their own words. "Verbal inspiration" means that God not
only guided in the main ideas but
also in the choice of words the human authors used.
[cxlvi]
Page 177, paragraph 9,
lines 6-9. "If it appears that you qualify for the public ministry,
arrangements will be made for you and your teacher to meet with two of the
congregation elders."
Question #1: When Witnesses go from door to door do
they preach "the kingdom of God"?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #2: Is this an offer to go to heaven, or an
invitation to go onto the new earth that might eventually become a paradise?
● (Response: It is an
invitation to go onto the new earth.) ●
Question #3: Are all of the elders of the
congregation born again?
● (Response No. Only the
anointed are born again.) ●
Question #4: Does the Watchtower Society claim to be
based solely upon the Bible?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #5: I have a very serious problem that I
would like for you to solve for me. Would you please read John 3:3 in your NWT
Bible. "In answer Jesus said to him [Nicodemus]: 'Most truly I say to you,
Unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jesus
often used the expression "kingdom of heaven," but here He used
"the kingdom of God." Since you stated that Jehovah's Witnesses are
preaching "the good news of the kingdom" and can only offer people a
place on the new earth and not heaven, then it seems to be obvious that
according to the Watchtower Society the "kingdom of God" refers to
the new earth. Would this be correct?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #6: Do Witnesses preach that a person must
be born again in order to go onto the new earth?
● (Response: No.) ●
Question #7: To me there seems to be a real
contradiction here. You said that the Watchtower Society is offering people a
chance to go onto the new earth. Yet the Bible clearly states that a person
must be born again to enter this kingdom. Why does the Watchtower Society teach
something that is very clearly contrary to what the Bible clearly teaches?
● (Response: Since this is
probably a new thought to them, I am not sure of the answer.) ●
Question #8: Let's say that I have become a
Jehovah's Witness. Since we have seen that the Society has speculated a number
of times as to when the world would end? but this never happened, and since it
has taught a number of things that later needed to be changed, sometimes to
just the opposite, then would I be required to accept all the teachings of the
Watchtower Society whenever it changed it views on certain issues, without any
reservation, and teach these doctrines to people I would meet in this
visitation program?
● (Response: They will
probably tell you that you don't have to, but will not explain that if you do
have doubts you must keep them to yourself and never express them in public or
to another active Jehovah's Witness.) ●
Question #9: I have another question about being
engaged in this preaching work from door to door. If it is true that you do not
have to believe everything the Watchtower Society teaches, let's say I started
going from door to door. While doing this, someone asks me a question about the
Watchtower Society's beliefs that I disagree with. Would I be free to explain
to the person asking the question that I did not agree with this particular
teaching and thought the Watchtower Society was wrong?
● (Response: The Witness will
be hard pressed to give you a good answer, but hopefully you have given them
something to reflect on when being asked questions as they go from door to
door.) ●
[cxlviii]
Page 178, paragraph 12,
lines 3-5. "To repent is to feel sincere regret over something you have
done."
Question:
● (This statement provides
another opportunity for you to explain the true gospel.) ●
When I came to realize what an ungodly, wicked
sinner I was before the holy and righteous God of the Bible, I did repent of my
sins? that included "sincere regret"? and then accepted Jesus Christ
as the Savior of sinners. When Christ came into my heart, I received the
forgiveness of all my sins.
● (You might want to read 1
John 1:9.) ●
Then, in order to be in compliance with God's laws
and to know His principles and standards, I began to read my Bible on a daily
basis. I have had to make a lot of changes in order to follow Christ and it is
my desire to continue reading my Bible and to walk pleasing before Him. I attend
a church where I am constantly exhorted to be in submission and faithful to my
heavenly Father.
Could you please tell me if what I have done to get
rid of my sin, along with its burden? by separating myself from my past sinful
life through the power of the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ? is in
accordance with the Bible or not?
● (Response: Probably not
much of one.) ●
[cl] Page 183, paragraph 25. "Baptism does not guarantee
salvation."
● (Note: I do not believe that
baptism saves anyone. It is an outward testimony to the inward working of the
Spirit of God when one accepts Jesus Christ as his or her own personal Savior.
But the following question is to try to show the Witness that the Society only
uses the verses it wants to use and ignores the others.) ●
Question #1: To me, this contradicts the Bible. Acts
2:36 says, "Peter [said] to them; 'Repent, and let each one of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you
will receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit." If a person has repented
of all his sins and believes that Jesus Christ paid the ransom for these sins
by shedding His precious blood on that torture stake, this verse says that his
sins are forgiven! Isn't a person whose sins have all been forgiven saved and
doesn't he then have everlasting life (which can never end), like is stated so
many places in the Bible?
● (Response: No. One has to
keep striving, doing good works, and must "endure to the end.")
●
Question #2: So you are saying that faith in the
blood of Jesus Christ that provided the ransom is not enough for salvation and
a person must continue to keep working? and this must be done to the very end?
but even then you are not sure of the outcome?
● (Response: If they are
honest they will tell you that you cannot be sure of your salvation, because
there is always the possibility that you will not "endure to the
end." This makes a Christian realize just how hopeless the Jehovah's
Witnesses are!) ●
[clii]
Page 185, paragraph 4,
lines 8-10. "Moreover, his Word reveals that he sent his own beloved Son
to the earth, allowing Jesus to suffer and die for us. (John 3:16)"
Question #1: I am greatly perplexed by what is
written here! What we have just read is not in conformity with what I
understand the Watchtower Society to believe! I understand that "the
Son" refers to Michael the archangel, a spirit creature, who willed
himself out of existence when Jesus was born and was nonexistent for 33 1/2
years. And that Jesus Christ was only a human man with flesh and blood. So it
was merely a human being (according to the Society) who died on that torture
stake. And when Jesus died, his body disintegrated into the elements, never to
be seen again. But Michael the archangel, who was re-created three days after
the death of Jesus, somehow found the pattern of the discarded body of Jesus,
impersonated him a number of times, and forty days later went back to heaven as
"a spirit being." So how can the Society declare that Yahweh sent
Michael, "his own beloved Son," down to earth "to suffer and die
for us" when there was absolutely nothing of Michael in Jesus! Again I
repeat, Michael is an archangel, and Jesus was just a human man, according to
the Watchtower Society. They are two completely different types of beings and
there was nothing of Michael in Jesus when he was upon this earth and now there
is nothing of Jesus in Michael who is back in heaven. In simple, plain English,
could you clear up this mystifying scenario for me?
● (Response: They might
repeat to you what is written on page 218 of this book, "At times,
individuals are known by more than one name. For example, the patriarch Jacob
is also known as Israel, and the apostle Peter, as Simon." If so, ask the
next question.) ●
Question #2: I don't see the point of this
illustration. Jacob and Israel were both men who lived on this earth, both were
born the same day and died the same day? one individual, actually. Simon was
just a human man and his name was changed to Peter because of a spiritual
rebirth in his heart, but both names refer to exactly the same person. Michael
is an archangel and Jesus was a human man. How can a mighty angel, who is a
spirit being, and a man, which is only a physical being (according to the Watchtower
Society), be the same? This makes no sense to me at all! Please clear up this
contradiction for me.
● (Response: Most Witnesses
have never wrestled with this contradiction, so bringing up the subject once
again should make them do some serious thinking.) ●
[cliv]
Page 185, paragraph 3.
"Our hope for the future also depends on something else that God has done.
Jehovah has established a heavenly government, the Messianic Kingdom. It will
soon bring an end to all suffering and will make the earth a paradise. Just
think! We can live there in peace and happiness forever. (Psalm 37:29)"
Psalm 37:29 reads in the NWT, "The righteous themselves will possess the
earth, and they will reside forever upon it."
● (The Society puts the
emphasis on "earth" but you should put it on "the
righteous.") ●
● (I did this with a J.W.
once and he was unable to come up with a good answer.) ●
Question #1: Psalm 37:29 states that "the
righteous themselves will possess the earth." This verse clearly indicates
that a person must be "righteous" before he or she can "possess
the earth." Would you please tell me what it means to be righteous and how
one can become completely righteous while on this earth in order to meet the
requirements for getting onto the next? ● <
● (Response: You will not
receive much of a good answer because Witnesses cannot become completely
righteous in this life? because they deny blood atonement. Use this as an
opportunity to explain Biblical righteousness.) ●
Question #2: Since you are not able to give me a
satisfactory answer would it be okay if we look at the Bible and find the
answer?
● (There are many passages on
righteousness but I like to use Romans, starting with Romans 3:21 and going
through at least 6:20, noting all the places where "righteousness" is
used and pointing out how one becomes righteous. If you have a concordance you
can find many other verses. This will give you a beautiful opportunity to
explain how we become righteous through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ
and not by our own effort or through a human organization.) ●
● (Response: You won't receive much
of one.) ●
Question #3: Could I ask you a personal question?
Would you say that you are completely righteous now according to the way we
just read about from the Bible?
● (Response: If the person is
honest, he or she will have to say "No.") ●
[clvi]
Page 188, paragraph 11,
lines 3-5. "After his resurrection, Jesus taught two of his disciples
about some of the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures that were fulfilled in
him."
Question #1: Once again I am greatly confused by
what is written here! It strikes me as "double-talk." I understand
that the Watchtower Society teaches that the man Jesus Christ died and within
three days his physical body went back to the elements. So the man Christ Jesus
was never resurrected. Thus, according to the Society, it had to be the
"re-created" Michael who was talking to these two disciples! Why does
this book leave people under the impression that it was the man Jesus who conversed
with these two when it really was the archangel Michael, according to
Watchtower teaching?
● (Response: I don't think
you will receive a good answer, but hopefully you have made them think.)
●
Question #2: I see another major problem. The one
who fulfilled "the Hebrew Scriptures" and who provided the ransom was
the man Christ Jesus. It was not Michael who died for the sins of mankind! So
why does this book say "fulfilled in him"? referring to Jesus Christ
the man? though it was actually the re-created spirit person Michael who was
talking to these two, and he did not fulfill any prophecies that provided
salvation?
● (Response Probably none.)
●
[clviii]
Page 191, paragraph 17,
lines 6-8. "Yes, the time is coming quickly when Jehovah will bring this
whole system of things to its end."
Question: I am perplexed about this expression
"coming quickly"? referring to the end of the world! Please let me
explain why. I did a little research and found out that the Watchtower Society
initially said that the world would end in 1874. When this didn't happen, the
date was changed to October 1, 1914. Then it was revised to 1917 and then 1918.
The next date set was 1925, and when this failed the Society stated that
Armageddon would happen in the early 1940's. The next climatic year was 1975.
● (All Jehovah's Witnesses
today deny this particular prediction, but I have pages of documentation from
Watchtower material in my file to prove conclusively that it did teach that
Armageddon would occur sometime that year or the next. Even though the material
does not state that Armageddon would occur exactly on October 1, 1975? which
the Society said was the conclusion of 6000 years of history for mankind, and
of course the next 1000 years would be the Millennium? it did state that
Armageddon would happen within weeks or months of that date, and not years
after.) ●
Later the Society declared the world would end
before 1994.
● (For years the Society had
taught that Armageddon would occur prior to the dying off of the generation
that knew 1914. And it was teaching that a generation is no longer than 80
years? which would bring us to the year 1994. But in 1995? a year after it
missed the mark and the world didn't end? it decided that it really did not
know how long a generation was. Now the Society is teaching that Armageddon
will happen "before all of the anointed die off." In order for a
person to become one of the "anointed" he had to be baptized before
1935, and the Society usually doesn't baptized anyone until he reaches the age
of fifteen. So it is obvious that all of these people are very old, which means
Armageddon must happen very soon.) ●
Could you please explain to me why I should be
willing to give up everything I have been taught and become a Jehovah's
Witness, which would put me in subjection to the "faithful and discreet
slave," when that Organization has been drastically wrong so many times?
● (Response: This is more of
a thought-provoking question than one seeking an answer.) ●
[clx] Page 192, paragraph 21.
"God's Word urges us to 'get a firm hold on the real life.' (1 Timothy
6:19) Those words indicate that 'the real life' is something we hope to attain
in the future. Yes, when we are perfect, we will be alive in the fullest sense
of the word, for we will be living as God originally intended us to live. When
we are living on a paradise earth in complete health, peace, and happiness, we
will at last enjoy 'the real life'—everlasting life. (1 Timothy 6:12) Is that
not a wonderful hope?"
Question #1: I am trying hard to understand the
logic of the Watchtower Society when it comes to its teachings on heaven and
the new earth, but I am still in the fog and need your help. Is it true that
the Watchtower Society teaches that Christ died for just about everyone in
order to give them back the physical life they lost in Adam? so that people
might be resurrected, given an opportunity to live on the new earth, spend
hundreds of years rebuilding it after the almost complete destruction at
Armageddon, and then possibly merit everlasting life at the end?
● (Response: You should
receive a positive answer) ●
Question #2: This paragraph states, "When we
are perfect." I take it from this that at the beginning of the Millennium
the earth will not be a perfect place. I believe that the Society teaches?
using Romans 6:23a, "For the wages sin pays is death"? that since the
living survivors of Armageddon have not died physically and paid for their
sins, that this perfection is something they will have to strive very hard to
achieve over hundreds of years! Is this correct?
● (Response: It should be
"Yes.") ●
Question #3: Since perfection is a process that can
only be obtained over many hundreds of years, then no one will be counted
worthy to receive "everlasting life" until at the very end of the
Millennium? if they have passed the final test by remaining true to God instead
of following Satan. Is this correct?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #4: Since you have agreed that what I have
stated about the Watchtower Society's teachings is correct, then this
"real life" that God wants people to enjoy will not be enjoyed on the
new earth during the Millennium but is something in the far distant future that
only some people will enjoy! Wouldn't this be true?
● (You are trying to get the
Witness to see that the wonderful conditions promised by the Watchtower Society
are not something that is "just around the corner" but lie very far
in the future, with a lot of uncertainties.) ●
● (Response: It will probably
be a weak "Yes.") ●
Question #5: Now I would like to know about those
people who go to heaven. Isn't it true that those who go to heaven possess
"everlasting life" the very moment they arrive there?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #6: Isn't heaven already a perfect place,
so that those who go there will be able to enjoy "real life" from the
time they arrive there?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #7: Doesn't the Bible teach that heaven is
a perfect dwelling-place that the Father and Son together have built and
prepared for us? (You can read John 14:2, and Hebrews 11:10 & 16.)
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #8: Doesn't the Watchtower Society teach
that those who go to heaven go there as "spirit beings"?
● (Response: Yes.) ●
Question #9: You said, "Yes." But I
thought that Jesus Christ died in order that everyone might receive a physical
body in the future! Could you please explain to me why the elite (which the
Society considers the "anointed" to be)? those who go to heaven, who
have the privilege of living and reigning with Michael for 1000 years? why they
also do not benefit from the death of Christ and receive a physical body?
● (Response: You probably
won't receive a very good answer.) ●
Question #10: This is a real puzzle! In other words,
the death of Christ has a different effect on different people! For the
"anointed," Christ died to give them just "spirit life,"
and they receive "everlasting life" the moment they leave this life,
with no more tests to fear, and will live in a perfect heaven just because they
happened to be born early enough so that they could be baptized before 1935!
● (The Society teaches that
the "anointed, 144,000" began to be chosen from the day of Pentecost
and the sum was finally filled in 1935.) ●
For those born later, however? the "other
sheep"? Christ died to give them only physical life, and they have to
build their own future home on a completely destroyed earth after Armageddon,
then live for 1000 years under imperfect conditions, and they still have no
assurance of receiving "everlasting life"! Wouldn't this be true?
● (Response: Since this
striking inequality is probably something the Witness has never reflected upon
before, I am not sure of what the answer will be.) ●
Question #11: Could you please show me clearly in
the Bible the fact that Christ graciously died for some people in order to give
them "spirit life" in heaven and bestow on them "everlasting
life" the moment they arrive, but for others He dispenses only
"physical life" and they must go onto the new earth which they have
to build over a long period of time and maybe receive "everlasting
life" at the end of one thousand years?
● (Response: Of course you
won't receive an answer, because the Bible does not teach this. But make sure
you stick to the issue and don't discuss the question of the 144,000 or the new
earth, but where does the Bible make a distinction between the two groups.)
●
Question #12: After going over this material, it
seems to me that if God really wanted people to enjoy "real life"
that He would have allowed far more people to go to heaven? the perfect
abiding-place that He has prepared? so they could be 100% sure of enjoying
"everlasting life" and receiving it the very moment they arrive in
heaven, and thus live for all eternity under perfect conditions. What do you
think?
● (Response: They will
probably still say they have no personal desire to go to heaven but look
forward longingly to the new earth. But you have planted some powerful
thought-provoking seeds.) ●
Question #13: Could you please explain to me why you
and other Jehovah's Witnesses think it is so great to have the prospect of
living under perfect conditions on the earth after one thousand years of hard
manual labor under imperfect conditions, but have no genuine desire to go to
heaven, which is a perfect place that Yahweh and Jesus have prepared, and where
you can enjoy true fellowship with the Father and Son for all eternity?
● (Response: I am not sure.)
●