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Latest Articles: Religion
Keeping “Clean from the Blood of All Men”
Post Date: 2009-02-02 12:53:14 by richard9151
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Keeping “Clean from the Blood of All Men” ASIDE from literal blood of man, beast and bird, those who do not desire to displease God and deserve punishment from him have to be alert to another way in which they must keep clean from blood. The apostle Paul indicated this way when he said to the Christian overseers from the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor: “And now, look! I know that all of you among whom I went preaching the kingdom [of God, AV; Vg; Lamsa] will see my face no more. Hence I call you to witness this very day that I am clean from the blood of all men.” (Acts 20:25, 26) Of all persons, how could Paul say that? And how are his words and example a warning to us ...
Does Jesus now know the timing of Armageddon?
Post Date: 2009-02-02 12:17:25 by richard9151
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Does Jesus now know the timing of Armageddon? It seems quite reasonable to believe that he does. Some might wonder why the question even arises. Likely it is because of Jesus’ comment found at Matthew 24:36: “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.” Note the phrase “nor the Son.” This verse is part of Jesus’ reply to the apostles’ question: “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24:3) In his now famous prophecy about evidences making up “the sign,” he foretold wars, food ...
Identifying “The Israel of God”
Post Date: 2009-02-02 11:28:02 by richard9151
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Identifying “The Israel of God” HOTLY debated is the question: Does the State of Israel as established in Palestine May 14, 1948, and now in its fourth year of existence, constitute a fulfillment of Bible prophecy? In an article entitled “What the Jews Believe”, appearing in Life magazine, September 11, 1950, Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein, president of the largest rabbi organization in the world (Central Conference of American Rabbis), made this statement: “With few exceptions religious Jews today believe in the restoration of Israel and the ultimate redemption of mankind. To most liberal Jews the solution of the historic Jewish problem through the founding of the ...
Do Not Fall Prey to Modern-Day Judaizers!
Post Date: 2009-02-02 11:23:49 by richard9151
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Do Not Fall Prey to Modern-Day Judaizers! NINETEEN hundred years ago a group of persons tried to live in the past. By so doing they deprived themselves of great blessings. Who were they? They were persons who claimed to be Christians, but were really trying to make an apostate fusion religion of Christianity and Judaism. They were Judaizers. They taught that Gentiles who became Christians should be circumcised “according to the custom of Moses” in order to be saved. Indeed, some such persons felt that it was necessary to teach new believers to observe the Mosaic law.—Acts 15:1-5. The Judaizers were overly conscious of the fact that for more than 1,500 years God had dealt ...
John Milton’s Lost Treatise
Post Date: 2009-02-02 10:59:29 by richard9151
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John Milton’s Lost Treatise RARELY has a writer had so great an impact on the world around him as did John Milton, author of the English epic poem Paradise Lost. According to one biographer, Milton “was loved by many, hated by some, but ignored by few.” To this day, English literature and culture owe much to his works. How did John Milton come to have such influence? What made his last work—On Christian Doctrine—so controversial that it remained unpublished for 150 years? His Early Days John Milton was born into a financially well-off London family in 1608. “My father destined me in early childhood for the study of literature, for which I had so keen an ...
‘Keep Close in Mind the Presence of the Day of Jehovah’
Post Date: 2009-02-02 10:28:00 by richard9151
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‘Keep Close in Mind the Presence of the Day of Jehovah’ “What sort of persons ought you to be . . . awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah.”—2 Pet. 3:11, 12. A TIME of accounting draws near for all mankind. It is a time when divine judgment will be executed against the wicked, also a time of deliverance for the righteous. All persons then alive will be called to account for the way they have used their lives, whether with selfish disregard for the will of God and the welfare of their fellowmen or with loving obedience to God and unselfish concern for fellow humans. Because it will be a time of settling accounts on ...
Babylon’s Fall Turns the Tide of History
Post Date: 2009-02-02 10:10:55 by richard9151
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Babylon’s Fall Turns the Tide of History YOU may wonder why the Bible has so much to say about the fall of Babylon, especially its fall in 539 B.C.E. to Cyrus, though the city was not destroyed at that time but continued for some centuries afterward. Readers of history have similarly asked why historians have said so much about this particular overthrow of the city. An excerpt from history gives us the answer: Military conquest affected the fortunes of Babylon at many critical stages in its history. It is all the more remarkable, therefore, that the capitulation to Cyrus in 539 B.C., should be designated ‘The Fall of Babylon,’ as if no other like event had occurred in ...
“They Are No Part of the World”
Post Date: 2009-02-02 10:00:44 by richard9151
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“They Are No Part of the World” MODERN-DAY religion is, for the most part, very much a part of the world, so it shares in the world’s celebrations and reflects its nationalistic spirit. Its clergy often acknowledge that fact, and many of them like it that way. In sharp contrast, Jesus said of his true followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.”—John 17:16. What does the record show as to Jehovah’s Witnesses in this regard? Have they given convincing evidence that they are no part of the world? Attitude Toward Their Fellowmen The early Bible Students were well aware that true Christians would be no part of the world. ...
The Handiwork—What Is Behind It?
Post Date: 2009-02-01 23:14:37 by richard9151
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The Handiwork—What Is Behind It? AS NOTED in earlier chapters, modern scientific discoveries offer an abundance of convincing evidence that the universe and life on earth both had a beginning. What caused their beginning? After studying the available evidence, many have concluded that there must be a First Cause. Nonetheless, they may shy away from attaching personality to this Cause. Such reluctance to speak of a Creator mirrors the attitude of some scientists. For instance, Albert Einstein was convinced that the universe had a beginning, and he expressed his desire “to know how God created the world.” Yet Einstein did not admit to belief in a personal God; he spoke of a ...
Creationism—Is It Scientific?
Post Date: 2009-02-01 23:06:15 by richard9151
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Creationism—Is It Scientific? THE controversy between those who expound an evolutionary origin for man and those who hold to the Biblical origin by creation has not ceased to simmer or boil for over a hundred years now. Last year it boiled up again in a federal court trial in Little Rock, Arkansas. The point at issue was a state law requiring that “creation science” be taught in the public schools along with evolution. The law was held to be unconstitutional, and the decision was widely hailed as a victory for evolution. Scientists, theologians of various denominations, schoolteachers and the American Civil Liberties Union joined hands in assailing the law. It was defended ...
Why Do Many Accept Evolution?
Post Date: 2009-02-01 22:59:00 by richard9151
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Why Do Many Accept Evolution? AS WE have seen, the evidence for creation is enormous. Why, then, do many people reject creation and accept evolution instead? One reason is what they were taught in school. Science textbooks nearly always promote the evolutionary viewpoint. The student is rarely, if ever, exposed to opposing arguments. In fact, arguments against evolution are usually prevented from appearing in school textbooks. 2 In the magazine American Laboratory a biochemist wrote this about his children’s schooling: “The child is not presented with evolution as a theory. Subtle statements are made in science texts as early as the second grade (based on my reading of my ...
Disagreements About Evolution—Why?
Post Date: 2009-02-01 22:36:08 by richard9151
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Disagreements About Evolution—Why? When a special centennial edition of Darwin’s Origin of Species was to be published, W. R. Thompson, then director of the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control, in Ottawa, Canada, was invited to write its introduction. In it he said: “As we know, there is a great divergence of opinion among biologists, not only about the causes of evolution but even about the actual process. This divergence exists because the evidence is unsatisfactory and does not permit any certain conclusion. It is therefore right and proper to draw the attention of the non-scientific public to the disagreements about evolution”a THOSE who support the ...
A Return to the True God
Post Date: 2009-02-01 22:23:17 by richard9151
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A Return to the True God “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”—John 13:34, 35. WITH those words, Jesus established a criterion for those claiming to be his true followers. Christian love would have to transcend all racial, tribal, and national divisions. It would require that true Christians should be “no part of the world,” just as Jesus was, and is, “no part of the world.”—John 17:14, 16; Romans 12:17-21. 2 How does the Christian show himself to be “no ...
Highlights From the Book of Daniel
Post Date: 2009-02-01 21:40:43 by richard9151
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Jehovah’s Word Is Alive Highlights From the Book of Daniel “THE book of Daniel is one of the most intriguing works in the Bible,” states the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. “Timeless truths fill its pages.” Daniel’s account begins in 618 B.C.E. when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon comes to Jerusalem and lays siege to the city, and he takes “some of the sons of Israel” into captivity in Babylon. (Daniel 1:1-3) Among them is young Daniel, probably only in his teens. The book concludes with Daniel still in Babylon. Now almost 100 years old, Daniel receives God’s promise: “You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end ...
Serving With the Watchman
Post Date: 2009-02-01 21:28:58 by richard9151
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Serving With the Watchman “Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly by day, and at my guardpost I am stationed all the nights.”—ISAIAH 21:8. JEHOVAH is the Great Purposer. The rebel angel who became Satan the Devil can do nothing to thwart His grand purpose to sanctify His own name and establish a glorious Kingdom rule over a paradisaic earth. (Matthew 6:9, 10) Under that rule, mankind will be truly blessed. God “will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” Happy, united humans will enjoy peace and prosperity for all eternity. (Isaiah 25:8; 65:17-25) Jehovah is his own ...
Pacifism and Conscientious Objection—Is There a Difference?
Post Date: 2009-01-31 18:25:57 by richard9151
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Pacifism and Conscientious Objection—Is There a Difference? HAVING a good conscience toward God does not make a person a weakling or a coward. Jehovah’s witnesses show courage to follow their conscience in these martial times. It is only due to conscience that they have personally and legally objected before draft boards to participating in the armed conflicts and defense programs of worldly nations. In this course their consciences are not warped, but are instructed in what is right, for they are instructed in the Scriptures, God’s Word. With the apostle Paul they say: “I am exercising myself continually to have a consciousness of committing no offense against God and ...
Will Earth Be Ruined in Nuclear War?
Post Date: 2009-01-31 17:57:31 by richard9151
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“He Created It Not in Vain” Will Earth Be Ruined in Nuclear War? ONE reason Jehovah’s Witnesses publish this journal is to assure its readers that the world is not going to end in a nuclear holocaust. Whether one or more nations may try out their nuclear bombs, we do not know. But a nuclear holocaust—we do not look for that. That would ruin the earth. God’s work of creation would then be ruined. His Word tells us positively: “He created it not in vain.”—Isaiah 45:18, Authorized Version. We believe that the Son of God meant it when he declared that the meek shall inherit the earth. We believe that the Father, God the Creator, formed it to be ...
“The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth”
Post Date: 2009-01-31 17:49:28 by richard9151
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“The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth”—How? “YOU are probably familiar with Jesus’ heartwarming words that ‘the meek shall inherit the earth.’ But in view of all that people are doing to one another and to the earth, what do you think there will be left for the meek to inherit?”—Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37:11; King James Version. Myriam, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, used this question to start a Bible discussion. The man to whom she spoke responded that if Jesus made this promise, the earth must be an inheritance worthy of the name and not a devastated or uninhabitable heap. That was surely an optimistic answer. But do we have reason for having such ...
Sunday, Feb. 1
Post Date: 2009-01-31 17:42:15 by richard9151
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What is mortal man that you keep him in mind, and the son of earthling man that you take care of him?—Ps. 8:4. David’s life course and his intimate relationship with Jehovah identify him as a truly God-fearing man. From his early years, David was often out pasturing his father’s sheep. (1 Sam. 16:11) Nights spent shepherding under the stars must have helped David to understand the fear of Jehovah. Though David could discern only a small part of the immensity of the universe, he drew the right conclusion—God merits our respect and adoration. Rightly, David was impressed when he compared his smallness with the vast starry heavens. This knowledge moved him to praise ...
Israel and Dispensationalism - Dispensationalist Dementia
Post Date: 2009-01-31 08:08:02 by AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt
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Israel and Dispensationalism By Greg Loren Durand Common Law Copyright (1995) Many Christians believe that there are three separate bodies in the world today: the Church, Israel, and the Gentiles. The Bible, however, is clear that God has had only one people throughout redemptive history which He has adopted as His Church (as they are called in the New Testament), or as the people of God (as they are called in the Old Testament). The modern distinction that is made between the Christian Church and Israel is, by and large, the product of the Dispensational system which originated in the last century with J.N. Darby and C.I. Scofield. It is perpetuated today in the writings of Hal Lindsey, ...
Submission to Authority That Is Rewarding
Post Date: 2009-01-31 01:03:28 by richard9151
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Submission to Authority That Is Rewarding THERE can be wisdom in submission, in showing subordination to existing arrangements. Whatever apparent appeal it might have, total independence is undesirable, unrealistic. No one person on earth can do everything or know everything. Just as we are dependent on air, sun, food and water for life, so, too, we need other persons and what they can do for us if we are to benefit from life and to enjoy it. 2 Governmental arrangements, employer-employee relationships, family ties, association with the Christian congregation, our very living among people, all impose on us certain duties. We owe something in return for what we receive from others. Of ...
CAESAR
Post Date: 2009-01-31 00:55:16 by richard9151
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CAESAR (Cae82;sar). A Roman family name that became a title. In 46 B.C.E., Gaius Julius Caesar was appointed dictator of Rome for ten years, but he was murdered in 44 B.C.E. Caesar was the name of his family (Gaius being his personal name and Julius that of his clan or house). The family name passed to his adopted son and ultimate successor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian). Octavian established his rulership over the realm in 31 B.C.E., and in 27 B.C.E. he was accorded the title of Augustus by the Roman Senate, becoming known as Caesar Augustus.—Lu 2:1-7. Thereafter, the next four Roman emperors (Tiberius, Gaius [Caligula], Claudius, and Nero) laid claim ...
SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES
Post Date: 2009-01-31 00:52:07 by richard9151
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SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES An expression at Romans 13:1 designating human governmental authorities. That scripture has been variously rendered: “Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.” (NW) “Let every subject be obedient to the ruling authorities, for there is no authority not under God’s control, and under His control the existing authorities have been constituted.” (We) “Everyone must obey the state authorities, for no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by ...
“Keep Bearing Much Fruit”
Post Date: 2009-01-31 00:45:22 by richard9151
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“Keep Bearing Much Fruit” “Keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples.”—JOHN 15:8. IT WAS the evening before his death. Jesus had taken ample time to encourage his apostles with a heart-to-heart talk. By now, it must have been past midnight, but Jesus, moved by love for his close friends, continued speaking. Then, in the midst of his conversation, he reminded them of one more requirement they needed to meet to remain his disciples. He said: “My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples.” (John 15:8) Do we today meet this requirement of discipleship? What does it mean to be “bearing ...
Paying Back Caesar’s Things to Caesar [Full Thread]
Post Date: 2009-01-30 14:04:22 by richard9151
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Paying Back Caesar’s Things to Caesar “Render to all their dues.”—ROMANS 13:7. ACCORDING to Jesus, there are things we owe to God and things we owe to Caesar, or the State. Jesus said: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” In these few words, he confounded his enemies and neatly summed up the balanced attitude we must have in our relationship with God and in our dealings with the State. No wonder that his listeners “began to marvel at him”!—Mark 12:17. 2 Of course, the first concern of Jehovah’s servants is that they pay back God’s things to God. (Psalm 116:12-14) In doing so, however, they do not ...
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