Should Christians Preach to Others?

The Bible’s Viewpoint 

PERHAPS your upbringing or culture dictates that religion not be discussed outside the family or the church. As a result, you may become irritated if someone comes to your home unannounced with a Bible in hand. 

For some, this viewpoint has been shaped by violent acts in the history of religion that were carried out under the guise of soul-saving campaigns. The history of many nations tells of mass conversions of people, not prompted by the love of the Christ but, rather, by the sharp edge of the sword. 

Many people went into hiding, left home and country, or even lost their lives—some being burned at the stake—rather than convert to their persecutors’ religion. The inspired writings of the Bible do not support such forced acts of conversion. 

So, does that rule out the sharing of one’s religious beliefs with others? The Bible itself answers. 

 Teaching With Authority 

First, consider the pattern set by Jesus Christ. He was a masterful teacher who influenced the lives of his listeners. (John 13:13, 15) 

In the Sermon on the Mount, his teaching was simple but powerful. The effect was that his listeners were “astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority.” (Matthew 7:28, 29) 

Some 2,000 years later, lives are still being influenced as his teachings are examined. Echoing this viewpoint, Professor Hans Dieter Betz noted that “the influences exerted by the Sermon on the Mount generally far transcend the borderlines of Judaism and Christianity, or even Western culture.” 

Immediately before his ascension to heaven, Jesus gave a command that ensured that after his death the teaching work he began would continue and even flourish. (John 14:12) 

He instructed his disciples to go to people of all nations, “teaching them to observe all the things” that he had commanded. The primary purpose of this assignment was made clear when, in the same statement, Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples.”—Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8. 

Consider, too, the example of the apostle Paul. After his own conversion to Christianity, he was not shy about sharing his newfound faith. (Acts 9:17-19, 22) 

It was Paul’s custom to speak in synagogues and prove “by references that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead.” Skillfully “he reasoned with them from the Scriptures” in order to “persuade Jews and Greeks.” 

According to one authority, the Greek word used for “persuade” means “bringing about a change of mind by the influence of reason or moral considerations.” The result of Paul’s persuasive reasoning was that he “persuaded a considerable crowd and turned them to another opinion.”—Acts 15:3; 17:1-4, 17; 18:4; 19:26. 

Coercion or Persuasion—Which? 

In modern times, the term “proselytism” has been used to mean forcible conversion of one kind or another. The Bible does not support such a practice. Rather, it teaches that men were created as free moral agents with the privilege and responsibility to choose how they will live their lives. 

This includes the decision of how to worship God.—Deuteronomy 30:19, 20; Joshua 24:15. 

Jesus respected this God-given right by never using his awesome power and authority to force, or coerce, someone into accepting his sayings. (John 6:66-69) 

He motivated his listeners by using sound reasoning, illustrations, and viewpoint questions, all with the purpose of reaching their hearts. (Matthew 13:34; 22:41-46; Luke 10:36) 

Jesus taught his disciples to show this same respect to others.—Matthew 10:14. 

It is evident that Paul used Jesus as a model for his ministry. While he persuaded his listeners with sound Scriptural reasoning, Paul respected the feelings and viewpoints of others. (Acts 17:22, 23, 32) 

He understood that it has to be love for God and for Christ that moves us to serve our Creator actively. (John 3:16; 21:15-17) 

Our decision is, therefore, a personal one. Personal Decision When making major life decisions, such as what home to buy, where to work, and how to raise children, rational people do not do so on a whim. 

They may research their options, meditate on their findings and, likely, ask for advice. Only after taking these things into consideration will they make a decision. The decision of how we should worship God deserves more of our time and effort than any other decision in life. 

It will affect how we live our life now, and more important, it will affect our prospect of eternal life in the future. This was clearly understood by the first-century Christians in Beroea. 

Even though the good news was expounded to them personally by the apostle Paul, they still carefully examined the Scriptures daily to make sure that what they were being taught was true. As a result, “many of them became believers.”—Acts 17:11, 12. 

Today, Jehovah’s true worshipers continue the teaching and disciple-making work arranged by Jesus. (Matthew 24:14) 

They respect the right of others to have their own religion. But when it comes to sharing their religious beliefs with others, they follow the pattern set out in the Bible. 

Yes, they use honest reasoning from the Scriptures in what they consider to be a lifesaving work.—John 17:3; 1 Timothy 4:16.

How Can You Recognize True Worship?

Is there only one true religion? 

Jesus teaching “Be on the watch for the false prophets.”—MATTHEW 7:15. 

Jesus taught his followers only one religion, the true religion. It is like a road leading to everlasting life. Jesus said: “Few are finding” that road. (Matthew 7:14) 

God accepts only worship based on his Word of truth. All true worshippers are united in one faith.—Read John 4:23, 24; 14:6; Ephesians 4:4, 5. 

What did Jesus say about false Christians? 

Consider this: A religious leader speaking in church. Later he is blessing soldiers at war. “They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works.”—TITUS 1:16. 

Jesus warned that false prophets would corrupt Christianity. Outwardly, they seem like true worshippers. Their churches claim to be Christian. But you can recognize such people for what they really are. How? 

Only true worship produces genuine Christians with recognizable qualities and ways.—Read Matthew 7:13-23. 

How can you recognize true worshippers? 

Consider these identifying marks: True worshippers respect the Bible as God’s Word. They strive to live by its principles. 

So true religion differs from religion that is based on men’s ideas. (Matthew 15:7-9) 

True worshippers do not preach one thing and practice another.—Read John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. 

Consider this: A true Christian gives a Bible discourse. He later preaches about God’s Kingdom, assists with disaster relief, helps the elderly. Jesus’ true followers honor God’s name, Jehovah. Jesus honored God’s name by making it known. 

He helped people to know God and taught them to pray that God’s name be sanctified. (Matthew 6:9) 

Where you live, which religion makes God’s name known?—Read John 17:26; Romans 10:13, 14. 

Consider this: True Christians preach about God’s Kingdom. God sent Jesus to preach the good news of the Kingdom. God’s Kingdom is the only hope for mankind. Jesus continued speaking about it until his dying day. (Luke 4:43; 8:1; 23:42, 43) 

He said that his followers would preach about it. If someone approaches you to speak about God’s Kingdom, to which religion does he likely belong?—Read Matthew 24:14. 

Jesus’ followers are no part of this wicked world. You can recognize them by the way they take no part in politics or social conflicts. (John 17:16; 18:36) 

Also, they do not imitate the world’s harmful practices and attitudes.—Read James 4:4. 

Consider this: True Christians have outstanding love for one another. From God’s Word, they learn to respect all ethnic groups. Although false religions have often strongly supported the wars of the nations, true worshippers refuse to do so. (Micah 4:1-3) 

Rather, true Christians unselfishly use their time and resources to help and encourage others.—Read John 13:34, 35; 1 John 4:20. 

Can you identify the true religion? 

Which religion bases all its teachings on God’s Word, honors God’s name, and proclaims God’s Kingdom as mankind’s only hope? Which group practices love and shuns war? What do you think?—Read 1 John 3:10-12.

What will God’s Kingdom Do

“Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”—MATTHEW 6:10.

WHEN Jesus taught his followers to pray for God’s Kingdom, he knew that its coming would bring an end to thousands of years of human rule independent from God. As mankind's history shows, God’s will has not been done on earth in general. (Psalm 147:19, 20) 

But after the establishment of the Kingdom of God in heaven, his will is to be done here on earth. The time for the awe-inspiring transition from human rule to God’s heavenly Kingdom rule is getting very near. 

Marking this transition will be the period of time that Jesus called the “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.” (Matthew 24:21) 

The Bible does not go into detail as to how long this time period is to be, but the calamities that are to take place, will be worse than anything the world has ever seen. 

At the beginning of the great tribulation, something will happen that will be a severe shock to most people on earth: the destruction of all false religion.(Revelation 17:1, 15-17; 18:1-24) 

The great tribulation will come to an end at Armageddon when God’s Kingdom crushes the entire Satanic system of things .—Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14, 16. 

What will this mean to people “who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news” about his heavenly Kingdom in the hands of Christ? (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) 

Bible prophecy tells us: “Look! A calamity is going forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest itself will be roused up from the remotest parts of the earth. And those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be bewailed, neither will they be gathered up or be buried. As manure on the surface of the ground they will become.”—Jeremiah 25:32, 33. 

This, will be the end of all Wickedness on earth

For thousands of years, Jehovah God has tolerated wickedness, long enough for righthearted individuals to see that human rule is a catastrophe. 

For example, in the 20th century alone, more than 150 million people were killed in wars, revolutions, and other civil disorders, according to one source. Man’s viciousness was especially seen during World War II when some 50 million lives were killed, with many of them dying horrible deaths in Nazi concentration camps. 

Just as the Bible foretold, that in the last days ‘wicked men and impostors have advanced from bad to worse.’ (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13) 

Today, immorality, crime, violence, corruption, and contempt for God’s standards are rampant. Thus, Jehovah is fully justified in bringing this wicked system to its end. The situation now is similar to that in Canaan some 3,500 years ago. 

The Bible says: “Everything detestable to Jehovah that he does hate they have done to their gods, for even their sons and their daughters they regularly burn in the fire to their gods.” (Deuteronomy 12:31) 

Jehovah informed the nation of Israel: “It is for the wickedness of these nations that Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you.” (Deuteronomy 9:5) 

Bible historian Henry H. Halley noted: “The worship of Baal, Ashtoreth, and other Canaanite gods consisted in the most extravagant orgies; their temples were centers of vice.” 

Halley showed how gross their wickedness had become, for in one of many such areas, archaeologists “found great numbers of jars containing the remains of children who had been sacrificed to Baal.” 

He said: “The whole area proved to be a cemetery for new-born babes. . . . Canaanites worshipped, by immoral indulgence, as a religious rite, in the presence of their gods; and then, by murdering their first-born children, as a sacrifice to these same gods. It seems that, in large measure, the land of Canaan had become a sort of Sodom and Gomorrah on a national scale. . . . Did a civilization of such abominable filth and brutality have any right longer to exist? . . . Archaeologists who dig in the ruins of Canaanite cities wonder that God did not destroy them sooner than he did.” 

Inheriting the Earth 

Just as God cleansed Canaan, he will soon cleanse the entire earth and give it to those who do his will. 

“The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth.” (Proverbs 2:21, 22) 

And the psalmist says: “Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:10, 11) 

Also removed will be Satan, so that “he might not mislead the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.” (Revelation 20:1-3) 

Yes, “the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.”—1 John 2:17. 

Summing up the grand hope for those who want to live forever on earth, Jesus said: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) 

Likely he was referring to Psalm 37:29, which foretold: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” Jesus knew that it was Jehovah’s purpose to have righthearted ones live on a paradise earth forever. 

Jehovah says: “I myself have made the earth, mankind and the beasts that are upon the surface of the earth by my great power . . . , and I have given it to whom it has proved right in my eyes.”—Jeremiah 27:5. 

A Marvelous New World 

 After Armageddon, God’s Kingdom will usher in a marvelous “new earth” in which “righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Peter 3:13) 

What a tremendous relief it will be for Armageddon survivors to be rid of this oppressive wicked system of things! 

How delighted they will be to have entered the righteous new world under the heavenly Kingdom government, with marvelous blessings and everlasting life in view!—Revelation 7:9-17. 

No more will people be threatened by war, crime, hunger, or even predatory animals. “I will conclude with [my people] a covenant of peace, and I shall certainly cause the injurious wild beast to cease out of the land . . . 

And the tree of the field must give its fruitage, and the land itself will give its yield, and they will actually prove to be on their soil in security.” “They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. 

They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore. And they will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble.”—Ezekiel 34:25-28; Micah 4:3, 4. 

Sickness, sorrow, and even death will be eliminated. “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’ The people that are dwelling in the land will be those pardoned for their error.” (Isaiah 33:24) 

“[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. . . . ‘Look! I am making all things new.’” (Revelation 21:4, 5) 

When he was on earth, Jesus demonstrated his ability to do those things by the power that God had given him. With the backing of the holy spirit, Jesus went throughout the land healing the lame and curing the sick.—Matthew 15:30, 31. 

Jesus did even more. He raised the dead. How did humble people react? When he resurrected a 12-year-old girl, her parents “were beside themselves with great ecstasy.” (Mark 5:42) 

This was another example of what Jesus will do earth wide under Kingdom rule, for then “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) 

Imagine the great ecstasy when group after group of the dead come back to life and are reunited with their loved ones! No doubt there will be a great educational work under Kingdom supervision so that “the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.”—Isaiah 11:9. 

Jehovah’s Sovereignty Vindicated 

By the end of the thousand years of Kingdom rule, the human family will have been restored to perfection of mind and body. The earth will be a global garden of Eden, a paradise. 

Peace, happiness, security, and a loving human society will have been attained. Never in human history before Kingdom rule was anything like this seen. 

What a vast contrast will then have been demonstrated between the previous thousands of years of miserable rulership by humans and the magnificent rulership by God’s heavenly Kingdom of a thousand years! 

The rule of God through his Kingdom will have been shown to be completely superior in every respect. God’s right to rule, his sovereignty, will have been totally vindicated.  

At the end of the thousand years, Jehovah will allow perfect humans to exercise their free choice as to whom they want to serve. The Bible shows that “Satan will be let loose out of his prison.” 

He will again try to mislead humans, some of whom will choose independence from God. To prevent ‘distress from rising up a second time,’ Jehovah will annihilate Satan, his demons, and all who rebel against Jehovah’s sovereignty. 

No one could object that any humans who are destroyed eternally at that time did not have a chance or that their wrong course was due to imperfection. No, they will be like perfect Adam and Eve, who willingly chose to rebel against Jehovah’s righteous rule.—Revelation 20:7-10; Nahum 1:9. 

Loyal Armageddon survivors 

Loyal ones will come back into a proper relationship with Jehovah On the other hand, likely the vast majority of people will choose to uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty. 

With every rebel annihilated, the righteous will stand before Jehovah, having passed the final test of loyalty. These loyal ones will then be accepted by Jehovah as his sons and daughters. 

They therefore come back into the relationship that Adam and Eve had with God before they rebelled. Hence, Romans 8:21 will be fulfilled: “The creation itself [humankind] also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” 

The prophet Isaiah foretells: “[God] will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.”—Isaiah 25:8. 

The Hope of Everlasting Life 

What a wonderful prospect awaits faithful ones, to know that God will forever shower down on them an overflow of spiritual and material benefits! 

The psalmist rightly said: “You are opening your hand and satisfying the [proper] desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16) 

Jehovah encourages those of the earthly class to have this hope of life in Paradise as part of their faith in him. While the issue of Jehovah’s sovereignty is more important, he does not ask people to serve him with no prospect of a reward. 

Throughout the Bible, loyalty to God and the hope of eternal life are inseparably bound together as necessary parts of a Christian’s faith in God. “He that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.”—Hebrews 11:6. 

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)

Here he tied in knowing God and his purposes with the reward that this brings. As an example, when a wrongdoer asked to be remembered after Jesus came into his Kingdom, Jesus said: “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) 

He did not tell the man to have faith even if he did not get a reward. He knew that Jehovah wants his servants to have the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth to help sustain them as they meet with various trials in this world. 

Thus, looking forward to the reward is a vital help in enduring as a Christian. 

 The Future of the Kingdom 

Since the Kingdom was a subsidiary government that Jehovah used to bring the earth and its human inhabitants into perfection and reconciliation to him, what role is there for the King Jesus Christ and the 144,000 kings and priests after the Millennium? 

“Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet.”—1 Corinthians 15:24, 25. 

When Christ hands over the Kingdom to God, how are the scriptures to be understood that speak of it as lasting forever? The Kingdom’s accomplishments will endure forever. 

Christ will be honored forever because of his role in working for the vindication of God’s sovereignty. But since sin and death are then completely removed, and mankind has been redeemed, this ends the need for him as a Redeemer. 

The Millennial Rule of the Kingdom will also have been fully accomplished; so there will no longer be a need for a subsidiary government to remain between Jehovah and obedient mankind. 

Thus, “God may be all things to everyone.”—1 Corinthians 15:28. 

What future role will Christ and his joint rulers have after the Millennial Reign is completed? The Bible does not say. Yet, we can be certain that Jehovah will give them many further privileges of service throughout his creation. 

May all of us today uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty and be granted eternal life, so that in the future, we will be alive to find out what Jehovah has purposed for the King and his fellow kings and priests, as well as for his entire awesome universe!

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"Ways in Which We can Learn About Jehovah"

By: Lenin G. Zapata

Art, as it relates to painting, sculpture, and design, receives little attention in the Bible. Yet man’s life began, not in a barren field, but in a garden, a paradise with trees not only "good for food" but also "desirable to one’s sight."

 

Man was made to appreciate beauty, and the unsurpassed beauty, artistry, and design manifest in creation—evokes praise for their divine Creator. Yes, from the highest of hights to the depths of the sea - creation, is revealing HIS MAJESTY! Notice the way Romans 1:20 brings this out.

So, then by observing the created world around us "WE CAN LEARN ABOUT JEHOVAH"

 

(READ - 1 Timothy 4:15) - What did Paul mean when he wrote : "Ponder over these things"? Well, to Ponder, is a kind of deep, concentrated thinking in which a person seriously reflects on past experiences, ponders over current matters, or thoughtfully contemplates possible future events. In order to meditate properly, a person needs to be free from distractions, alone with his thoughts, so to speak.

Ps 63:6, Highlights that, It was during the solitude of the night watches that the psalmist meditated on the greatness of his Grand Creator. The meditations of the heart should be focused on beneficial things, on Jehovah’s splendor and activities, on things pleasing to him.

 

For example, take a good look at your inner self for a moment, are your actions, motives and intentions of the heart in tune with Jehovah's righteous standards? GODLY principles? Are they in line with the fruitage of the spirit? If not, this is a serious matter and something to "Ponder" on?

 

How else can we learn about Jehovah? The gatherings for the worship of Jehovah and a consideration of his law were important in ancient Israel. In a similar way, meetings for the worship of Jehovah and a study of the Scriptures are an essential feature of the "TRUE" Christian congregation of God. (READ - Hebrews 10:24,25)

 

Jehovah finds pleasure in the exercise of his powers, whether in creation or otherwise, his works always having a real purpose and a good motive and as the Generous Giver of "every good gift and every perfect present," he takes delight in rewarding his faithful sons and daughters with many, many blessings. (READ - James 1:5)

 

Yes friends, weather we sit back and enjoy the stars of heaven and marvel at the created world around us, if we meditate on Jehovah's greatness, his righteous standards, his Godly principles, if we gather with his servants in true worship and ask him for wisdom, all these avenues are "Ways in Which We Can Learn About Jehovah"

Adam; The terrible Consequences of Sin

By Lenin G. Zapata

HISTORY’S pages are filled with the accounts of great battles waged for the selfish acquisition of riches and power. But, there has been a continuing battle waged throughout the almost six thousand years of human history.

Every type of strategy has been employed, every kind of weapon we can imagine. 

Not by territorial expansion and not by the exploitation of literal wealth of commerce.

But the spoils of this battle?

Our minds, yes, the minds of men. - READ - 1 Timothy 2:14

(Here, we see that, with full knowledge Adam willfully and deliberately chose to disobey God), as a criminal he tried to hide. 

Instead of showing sorrow, regret or asking for forgiveness, when brought to trial, he attempted to justify himself and pass the responsibility off on others, Genesis 3:12 brings out that he went as far as, blaming Jehovah for his own willful sin.

 

With that one act of disobedience, Adam was cast out of Eden into an unsubdued earth that was cursed, there, harvesting the bitter fruits of his sin, Adam fathered sons and daughters to whom, he, passed on hereditary sin.

And, the rule that the Bible declares in regards to sins payment, its kind of like a debt we can not avoid. READ - Romans 5:12. Yes, this was the tragic start Adam gave the human race, instead of Paradise, happiness, and everlasting life; ( sin, along with suffering, and death were acquired. )

In relation with this Biblical text 1Kings 8:46 tells us: " there is no man that does not sin ". Jehovah him self declared in Geneses 8:21 That ;"the inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up".

So is all hope lost?. READ - Romans 6:23

In his wisdom and love, Jehovah has provided a "second man", "the last Adam", who is our LORD Jesus Christ. By means of this obedient "Son of God" the way has been opened up whereby descendants of the disobedient " first man Adam " could regain Paradise and everlasting life.

So, then, what must we do? Lets look at the Apostle Pauls' example, only after confessing that he him self could not avoid the snares of sins, he admitted : " Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? " The Answer:"Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord " Romans7 : 24, 25.

There is ONE that can and wants to help us.


But only, if we, acknowledge the dominant power sin has over us and we recognize that it is not possible for us to rescue our selves, of our own strength, only then will we be capable to appreciate the grand love and consideration Jehovah has had for us by providing a Ransom by means of his Son Christ Jesus.

Hope for Dead Loved Ones

“If a man die, shall he live again?” asked the man Job long ago. (Job 14:14, King James Version) Perhaps you, too, have wondered about this. How would you feel if you knew that a reunion with your loved ones was possible right here on earth under the best of conditions?

 

Well, the Bible makes the promise: “Your dead ones will live.…They will rise up.” And the Bible also says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29.

 

To have real confidence in such promises, we need to answer some basic questions: Why do people die? Where are the dead? And how can we be sure they can live again?

 

 What Happens When We Die

 

The Bible makes it clear that God did not originally intend for humans to die. He created the first human pair Adam and Eve, placed them in an earthly paradise called Eden, and instructed them to have children and extend their Paradise home earth wide. They would die only if they disobeyed his instructions.—Genesis 1:28; 2:15-17.

 

Lacking appreciation for God’s kindness, Adam and Eve did disobey and were made to pay the prescribed penalty. “You [will] return to the ground,” God told Adam, “for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) Before his creation Adam did not exist; he was dust. And for his disobedience, or sin, Adam was sentenced to return to dust, to a state of nonexistence.

 

Death is thus an absence of life. The Bible draws the contrast: “The wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life.” (Romans 6:23) Showing that death is a state of total unconsciousness, the Bible says: “For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) When a person dies, the Bible explains: “His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.”—Psalm 146:3, 4.

 

However, since only Adam and Eve disobeyed that command in Eden, why do we all die? It is because all of us were born after Adam’s disobedience, and so we all inherited sin and death from him. As the Bible explains: “Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men.”—Romans 5:12; Job 14:4.

 

Yet someone may ask: ‘Don’t humans have an immortal soul that survives death?’ Many have taught this, even saying that death is a doorway to another life. But that idea does not come from the Bible.

 

Rather, God’s Word teaches that you are a soul, that your soul is really you, with all your physical and mental qualities. (Genesis 2:7; Jeremiah 2:34; Proverbs 2:10) Also, the Bible says: “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) Nowhere does the Bible teach that man has an immortal soul that survives the death of the body.

 

How Can One Live Again

 

After sin and death entered the world, God revealed that it was his purpose that the dead be restored to life by means of a resurrection. Thus the Bible explains: “Abraham…reckoned that God was able to raise [his son Isaac] up even from the dead.” (Hebrews 11:17-19) Abraham’s confidence was not misplaced, for the Bible says of the Almighty: “He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.”—Luke 20:37, 38.

 

Yes, Almighty God has not only the power but also the desire to resurrect persons whom he chooses. Jesus Christ himself said: “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”—John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15.

 

Not long after saying this, Jesus met a funeral procession coming out of the Israelite city of Nain. The dead young man was the only child of a widow. On seeing her extreme grief, Jesus was moved with pity. So, addressing the corpse, he commanded: “Young man, I say to you, Get up!” And the man sat up, and Jesus gave him to his mother.—Luke 7:11-17.

 

As in the case of that widow, there was also great ecstasy when Jesus visited the home of Jairus, a presiding officer of the Jewish synagogue. His 12-year-old daughter had died. But when Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home, he went over to the dead child and said: “Girl, get up!” And she did!—Luke 8:40-56.

 

Later, Jesus’ friend Lazarus died. When Jesus arrived at his home, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Although deeply grieved, his sister Martha expressed hope, saying: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” But Jesus went to the tomb, ordered the stone to be removed, and called: “Lazarus, come on out!” And he did! —John 11:11-44.

 

Now think about this: What was Lazarus’ condition during those four days he was dead? Lazarus did not say anything about being in a heaven of bliss or a hell of torment, which surely he would have done if he had been there. No, Lazarus was completely unconscious in death and would have remained so until “the resurrection on the last day” if Jesus had not then restored him to life.

 

It is true that these miracles of Jesus were of only temporary benefit, since those that he resurrected died again. However, he gave proof 1,900 years ago that, with God’s power, the dead really can live again! So by his miracles Jesus showed on a small scale what will take place on earth under the Kingdom of God.

 

When a Loved One Dies

 

When the enemy death strikes, your grief can be great, even though you may hope in the resurrection. Abraham had faith his wife would live again, yet we read that “Abraham came in to bewail Sarah and to weep over her.” (Genesis 23:2) And what about Jesus? When Lazarus died, he “groaned in the spirit and became troubled,” and shortly afterward he “gave way to tears.” (John 11:33, 35) So, when someone you love dies, it does not show weakness to cry.

 

When a child dies, it is particularly hard for the mother. Thus the Bible acknowledges the bitter grief that a mother can feel. (2 Kings 4:27) Of course, it is difficult for the bereaved father as well. “O that I might have died, I myself, instead of you,” lamented King David when his son Absalom died.—2 Samuel 18:33.

 

Yet, because you have confidence in the resurrection, your sorrow will not be unrelenting. As the Bible says, you will “not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Rather, you will draw close to God in prayer, and the Bible promises that “he himself will sustain you.”—Psalm 55:22.

“Clear Light” From Russia’s Oldest Library

TWO scholars are on the hunt for ancient Bible manuscripts. They individually travel through deserts and search caves, monasteries, and ancient cliff dwellings. Years later, their paths cross in Russia’s oldest public library, where some of the most exciting Bible discoveries the world has ever known come together. Who were these men? How did the treasures they discovered end up in Russia?

 

Ancient Manuscripts—Champions of God’s Word

 

To meet one of these two scholars, we must go back to the beginning of the 19th century when Europe was being swept by the winds of an intellectual revolution. It was a time of scientific progress and cultural achievement, which promoted a skeptical view of traditional beliefs. Higher critics sought to undermine the Bible’s authority. In fact, scholars were voicing doubts about the authenticity of the Bible text itself.

 

Certain sincere defenders of the Bible discerned that new champions—as yet undiscovered ancient Bible manuscripts—would undoubtedly uphold the integrity of God’s Word. If manuscripts older than those then extant could be found, they would serve as silent witnesses to the purity of the Bible text, even though repeated attempts had long been made to destroy or distort its message. Such manuscripts could also expose the few places where erroneous renderings had crept into the text.

 

Some of the hottest debates on the authenticity of the Bible raged in Germany. There a young professor slipped away from his comfortable academic life to go on a journey that would lead him to one of the biggest Bible discoveries of all time. His name was Konstantin von Tischendorf, a Bible scholar whose rejection of higher criticism led to notable success in defending the authenticity of Bible text. His first journey to the wilderness of Sinai in 1844 met with unbelievable success. A casual look into a monastery wastebasket revealed an ancient copy of the Septuagint, or Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures—the oldest one that had ever been discovered!

 

Exultant, Tischendorf managed to take away 43 sheets. Although he was convinced that there were more, a return visit in 1853 produced only a fragment. Where were the rest? His funds exhausted, Tischendorf sought the patronage of a wealthy sponsor, and he decided to leave his homeland again in search of ancient manuscripts. Before going on this mission, though, he would appeal to the czar of Russia.

 

The Czar Takes an Interest

 

Tischendorf may well have wondered what kind of reception that he, a Protestant scholar, would get in Russia, a vast land espousing the Russian Orthodox religion. Happily, Russia had entered a favorable era of change and reform. An emphasis on education had led to the founding of St. Petersburg’s Imperial Library in 1795 by Empress Catherine II (also known as Catherine the Great). As Russia’s first public library, it had made a wealth of printed information accessible to millions.

 

Hailed as one of the finest libraries in Europe, The Imperial Library did have one drawback. Fifty years after it was founded, the library contained only six Hebrew manuscripts. It could not keep up with Russia’s rising interest in the study of Bible languages and translations. Catherine II had sent scholars to European universities to study Hebrew. After the scholars returned, Hebrew courses sprang up in major Russian Orthodox seminaries, and for the first time, Russian scholars started work on an accurate translation of the Bible from ancient Hebrew into Russian. But they faced a lack of resources and even opposition from conservative church leaders. True enlightenment had yet to begin for those seeking Bible knowledge.

 

The czar, Alexander II, was quick to appreciate Tischendorf’s mission and extended his patronage. Despite “jealous and fanatical opposition” from some, Tischendorf returned from his mission to Sinai with the rest of the copy of the Septuagint.* Later named the Codex Sinaiticus, it is still one of the oldest Bible manuscripts in existence. Back in St. Petersburg, Tischendorf hastened to the czar’s residence, the Imperial Winter Palace. He proposed that the czar support “one of the greatest undertakings in critical and Biblical study”—a published edition of the newly found manuscript, which was later placed in The Imperial Library. The czar readily agreed, and an elated Tischendorf later wrote: “Providence has given to our age . . . the Sinaitic Bible, to be to us a full and clear light as to what is the real text of God’s Word written, and to assist us in defending the truth by establishing its authentic form.”

*He also brought a complete copy of the Christian Greek Scriptures dating back to the fourth century C.E.

 

Bible Treasures From the Crimea

 

Another scholar searching for Bible treasures was mentioned at the outset. Who was he? A few years before Tischendorf returned to Russia, The Imperial Library received a proposal so unbelievable that it drew the czar’s interest and brought scholars to Russia from all over Europe. They could hardly believe their eyes. Before them was an enormous collection of manuscripts and other material. It numbered a staggering 2,412 items, including 975 manuscripts and scrolls. Among these were 45 Bible manuscripts dating earlier than the tenth century. As incredible as it seemed, all these manuscripts had been collected almost single-handedly by a man named Abraham Firkovich, a Karaite scholar who was then more than 70 years old! But who were the Karaites?*

* For more information on the Karaites, see the article “The Karaites and Their Quest for Truth,” in the July 15, 1995, issue of The Watchtower.

This question was of great interest to the czar. Russia had extended its borders to encompass territory previously held by other states. This had brought new ethnic groups into the empire. The picturesque Crimea region, on the shores of the Black Sea, was populated by a people who seemed to be Jewish but who had Turkish customs and spoke a language related to Tatar. These Karaites traced their descent from Jews exiled to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Unlike rabbinic Jews, however, they rejected the Talmud and emphasized the reading of the Scriptures. The Crimean Karaites were eager to present to the czar evidence of their distinctness from rabbinic Jews, thereby giving them a separate status. By presenting ancient manuscripts owned by Karaites, they hoped to prove that they had descended from Jews who had immigrated to the Crimea after the Babylonian exile.

 

When Firkovich undertook his search for ancient records and manuscripts, he started with the Crimean cliff dwellings of Chufut-Kale. Generations of Karaites had lived and worshipped in these small houses built from the stones carved out of cliffs. The Karaites never destroyed worn-out copies of the Scriptures where the divine name, Jehovah, appeared because they considered such action sacrilege. The manuscripts were carefully placed in a small storehouse called a genizah, meaning “hiding place” in Hebrew. Because the Karaites had deep respect for the divine name, such parchments were seldom disturbed.

 

Undeterred by the dust of centuries, Firkovich searched the genizah sites carefully. In one, he found the famous manuscript of 916 C.E. Called the Petersburg Codex of the Latter Prophets, it is one of the oldest copies of the Hebrew Scriptures in existence.

 

Firkovich managed to amass great numbers of manuscripts, and in 1859 he decided to offer his vast collection to The Imperial Library. In 1862, Alexander II helped to purchase the collection for the library for the then enormous sum of 125,000 rubles. At that time, the entire library budget was no more than 10,000 rubles a year! This acquisition included the renowned Leningrad Codex (B 19^A). It dates from 1008 and is the world’s oldest complete copy of the Hebrew Scriptures. One scholar noted that it is “probably the single most important manuscript of the Bible, for it established the text of most modern critical editions of the Hebrew Bible.” That same year, 1862, Tischendorf’s Codex Sinaiticus was published, to worldwide acclaim.

 

Spiritual Enlightenment in Modern Times

 

The library now known as The National Library of Russia houses one of the world’s largest collections of ancient manuscripts.* Reflecting Russian history, the name of the library has been changed seven times over the course of two centuries. One well-known name is The State Saltykov-Shchedrin Public Library. Though the turmoil of the 20th century did not leave the library unscathed, its manuscripts survived intact through both world wars and the siege of Leningrad. How do we benefit from such manuscripts?

 *Most of the Codex Sinaiticus was sold to the British Museum. Only fragments remain in The National Library of Russia.

Ancient manuscripts are the reliable basis for many modern Bible translations. They allow sincere truth-seekers to enjoy a clear version of the Holy Scriptures. Both the Sinaiticus and the Leningrad codices have made valuable contributions to the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses and released in its complete form in 1961. For example, Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and Kittel’s Biblia Hebraica, used by the New World Bible Translation Committee, are based on the Leningrad Codex and use the Tetragrammaton, or divine name, 6,828 times in the original text.

 

Relatively few Bible readers are aware of their indebtedness to the quiet library in St. Petersburg and its manuscripts, some bearing the city’s former name, Leningrad. Yet, our greatest debt is to the Bible’s Author, Jehovah, who gives spiritual light. The psalmist therefore petitioned him: “Send out your light and your truth. May these themselves lead me.”—Psalm 43:3.

 

 

THE DIVINE NAME KNOWN AND USED

 

In his wisdom, Jehovah has seen to it that his Word, the Bible, has been preserved until modern times. The diligent work of scribes throughout the ages has been involved in its preservation. The most meticulous of these were the Masoretes, professional Hebrew scribes who worked from the sixth to the tenth century C.E. Ancient Hebrew was written without vowels. Over time, this increased the danger of losing the proper pronunciation as Aramaic replaced Hebrew. The Masoretes developed a system of vowel points to add to the Bible text in order to indicate the correct pronunciation of Hebrew words.

 

Significantly, the Masoretic vowel points in the Leningrad Codex allow for the pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton—the four Hebrew consonants making up the divine name—as Yehwah’, Yehwih’, and Yeho·wah’. “Jehovah” is now the most widely known pronunciation of the name. The divine name was a living, familiar term to Bible writers and others of ancient times. Today, God’s name is known and used by millions who acknowledge that ‘Jehovah alone is the Most High over all the earth.’—Psalm 83:18.