Bible's Viewpoint

Welcome!

2019-01-01T09:17:00.009-05:00

Hello and welcome to Ilene Ongod's website! The purpose of this site is to spread the truth about the most-discussed Bible topics using clear, straightforward language and by so doing bring glory to Jehovah God Almighty. Feel free to contact me at Glorify.Jehovah@gmail.com, whether you have a complaint, compliment, suggestion (I accept topic suggestions!), tip, request, question, something to share, or anything else. I am ready to listen! One of the most common questions asked is what religion I support. The answer is none; I support unbiased study of what the Bible actually says. I hope this site is both helpful and informative. Thank you for visiting!

If you are interested, please check out the icons to the left. There you will find links to: watch video lessons on Youtube, spread the word by liking this on Facebook, read articles with pretty pictures on Squidoo, buy the book form of this site's content with the added convenience of a scripture index on Lulu, and e-mail me.

Ilene Ongod's Current Projects:

I am working on increasing online accessibility, adding content to popular sites such as Squidoo. In the upcoming year, studies of each book of the Bible will be posted (a bit sporadically)!

Verse of the Week:

1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:5 What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived -- the things God has prepared for those who love him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.

Belief in God & the Bible

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The Bible refers to the 66 books considered by the majority of Christians to be part of the true, inspired word of God. There are many other books that have been rejected, called the Apocrypha. Why were they not included? In short, many of them lacked apostolic or prophetic authorship; they did not claim to be the Word of God; and they contained unbiblical concepts, serious historical inaccuracies, and did not harmonize with the rest of Scripture.

How Do We Know the Bible Is True?

1. It is scientifically accurate. Scientists criticized the Bible for saying that rabbits chew cud... until they discovered in the 1900s that the Bible was right all along. Thousands of years before people knew that the earth wasn't flat or they knew about gravity, the Bible describes these things.

Isaiah 40:22 God sits high above the round ball [some versions "sphere," some versions "circle"] of earth. The people look like mere ants. ('Discovered' 1500s)

Job 26:7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. ('Discovered' gravity 1687)

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood... ('Discovered' 1900s)

Genesis 2:7 And Jehovah God formeth the man -- dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature. ('Discovered' human ingredients are in dust 1982)

Leviticus 15:13 And when he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in running water; then he shall be clean. ('Discovered' germs and the need for running water 1800s)

Deuteronomy 14:7 However, of those that chew the cud or that have a split hoof completely divided you may not eat the camel, the rabbit or the coney. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a split hoof; they are ceremonially unclean for you. ('Discovered' 1900s)

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine. But a broken spirit dries the bones. ('Discovered' connection between joy and health -- and I quote -- "as the LATEST medical evidence"!)

The Bible also describes migration (Job 39:26; Jeremiah 8:7), wind circuits (Ecclesiastes 1:6), paths in the sea, 'discovered' in the late 1800s (Psalm 8:8), the water cycle, 'discovered' in the 1600s (Job 36:27-28; 26:8; Ecclesiastes 1:6-7; 11:3; Amos 9:6), the fact that light moves (Job 38:19,20), air has weight, 'discovered' in 1640 (Job 28:25), oceans contain springs, 'discovered' in the 1960s (Job 38:16), and more.

Other religions from the time the Bible was written taught that lightning bolts came from angry gods, stars were dead souls, giant animals or gods held up the earth, and the like. All these ideas have been proven false; but the Bible still stands up against modern science after 6,000 years of history. The Bible is reliable, practical, and realistic. How could an ordinary book be so many years ahead of its time? It could only be a book from God!

2. The history accounts (e.g. battles, encounters with other countries) of the Bible have been proven true by archaeology and examination of other historical sources (parallel accounts about the same battle from other ancient books). Evidence of biblical stories (e.g. Noah's Flood) can be found by archaeologists. Ancient records (e.g. from Egypt) vindicate the accuracy of the Bible. Historians once criticized the Bible regarding the existence of a Babylonian named Belshazzar (Daniel 5)... until they discovered records of him in southern Iraq in the 1800s!

3. It is a unique book. Other 'history' books and records have been known to exaggerate and tell tales about infallible heroes or leaders. The Bible, however, is honest and reliable and trustworthy, and tells of all errors without trying to cover it up. For example: Numbers 20:7-13; 2 Samuel 12:7-14; 24:10. There are also no contradictions (things that appear to contradict are easily explained using the whole Bible as a context). Yet it was penned in 3 different languages over a period of 1,500 years, by more than 40 authors who lived in different times and places and backgrounds. And they are all in harmony (no contradictions)! The only way that's possible is, as the Bible says, they were told/inspired by God what to write (2 Timothy 3:16,17). It has amazing advice for daily life that beats other advice books and has been proven true.

4. It's prophesies are amazing. God always fulfills; he doesn't make mistakes, lie, or change his mind (Isaiah 55:10,11; Numbers 23:19). Over 2,000 bold, detailed prophesies (unlike other so-called 'prophesies' that are vague, small, and partially accurate at best) from the Bible have been fulfilled to the letter; a fact confirmed by even secular historians. For example, the Bible predicted Egypt would have no Egypt-born king ever again. It predicted that the powerful nation Egypt would become the 'base nation' that is today. It predicted the country Tyre would be destroyed and become a fishing place. All these things have come true! (Ezekiel 30:13; 26:4,5 ; 29; 30). There are over 300 prophesies about Jesus in the Bible. They have been fulfilled both historically (in secular sources) and biblically. A few examples are: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Isaiah 53:1; John 12:37,38; Psalm 41:9; Acts 1:15-20; Psalm 22:1,7,8,16; Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:43; John 20:25.

The odds for all these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance without error is less than 1 in 10²⁰⁰⁰ (that is 1 with 2,000 zeros written after it)!

100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

To illustrate the size of this number, that would be like covering the entire state of Texas 4,000 feet deep in coins, blindfolding a man, and telling him to pick one specific coin out of the pile! Now, the chance that gravity will fail is 1 in 10⁸⁰ (very unlikely). Nonetheless, you are 1,920 times more likely to float out of your chair right now than for the Bible to not be true!

Wow! With those numbers and all this evidence, many have come to believe the Bible is amazingly true. Since it talks about God, and it's only possible that such a perfect book is of divine inspiration, belief in the Bible points us in one direction:

God

As for God's existence, think of some things that you can't see but you know exist. You can see the effects, the evidence, of many of these things. You don’t see wind, but you know it exists because you can see its effects: leaves or papers blowing around. You don’t see gravity but you know it exists because you can see its effects: we don’t float in the air, we stay on the ground. You don’t see God, but you can see by the evidence that he exists. Just look all around you! How can the diversity and hugeness and complexity of life not be the work of intelligent design? How can all of this be just an accident? Take Mount Rushmore for example. You can tell that those faces are the work of intelligent design. It didn't just "happen." You can tell through nature, from the things made, that it is the work of intelligent design.

Romans 1:20 For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.

Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 104:24 How many your works are, O Jehovah! All of them in wisdom you have made. The earth is full of your productions.

Psalm 10:4; 14:1; 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld. [So, faith is being absolutely convinced that what you hope for is true or going to happen, that something obviously exists even if you can’t see it.]

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we are walking (living) by faith and not by sight.

Romans 10:10,11 With the heart we exercise faith. Put faith in Him; you won’t be disappointed.

If God would just appear, everyone would believe in him! The problem with this idea is that it is not God's desire to just convince people that he exists. It is God's desire for people to believe in him by faith (2 Peter 3:9) and accept his gift of salvation (John 3:16). Yes, God could appear and demonstrate once and for all that he exists. The problem is that God clearly demonstrated his existence many times in the Old Testament (Genesis chapters 6-9; Exodus 14:21-22; 1 Kings 18:19-39). Did the people believe that God exists? Yes! Did they turn from their evil ways and obey God? No!

Even though we can't see God, his existence is clearly seen in the universe, in nature, and in our own hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)!

Truth

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How important is truth? Well, how important is getting to know God? Certainly, as his friends and servants, we would want to know the truth about who he is. Otherwise, we’re ‘worshipping what we don’t know.’ (John 4:22) All these various teachings that have swayed from the truth of the Bible and about God are like a bunch of lies and rumors about a person. The only way to get to know somebody is to go directly to the person himself! Are you just going to listen to what other people say about God, or are you willing to find out firsthand and go straight to the source?

So, that said, how can we get to know God? Through his Word, the Bible! It’s a book about him and by him. What better way to learn about somebody than through an autobiography?

The Bible: Why Read It? How Can We Use It?

Some people think that it is unnecessary to read the Bible and that the only important thing is your relationship with God. This is true to an extent. For example, Jesus criticized those who were well-versed in the law but whose hearts were far removed from him (Matthew 15:8). However, you can’t enter into a true relationship with somebody unless you know them, right? The way to know God is through his word, the Bible. If you say you don’t need to read the Bible, you are saying that you don’t need to hear what God says about himself or listen to his advice; you would rather just have one-way communication with him and ignore him. If you don’t read the Bible, all you will “know” about God is what others tell you or what you want to believe. That’s not a good relationship.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20,21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Psalm 119:105,130 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

Acts 17:2,3 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said.

Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 18:24-26,28 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

The Bible is a timeless, relevant, beneficial, and useful gift from Jehovah through which we can get to know him, and receive his practical advice and guidance for us. It is also how we can learn the truth.

Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

The Bible is full of definite truth and fact, not confusing mystery, for God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Jesus said that if you seek then you will find (Matthew 7:7).

Isaiah 45:19 "I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness. I have not said to Jacob's descendants 'Seek me in vain.' I, Jehovah, speak the truth; I declare what is right."

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Proverbs 15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Proverbs 2:3-5 If you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand and find the knowledge of God.

Scriptures About Truth

John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Psalm 145:18 Jehovah is nigh unto all that call upon him, unto all that call upon him in truth.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, Jehovah; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Psalm 26:3-5 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Colossians 1:9,10 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

Acts 20:30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Romans 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

2 Peter 3:16 speaking about these things as he does also in all his letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge.

2 Timothy 3:6,7 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

1 Timothy 2:3,4 This is good and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth.

Galatians 4:16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Suffering & God's Will

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Is everything that happens God's will, part of a predestined, unchangeable plan that humans have no choice in? Does God cause suffering? Why is there suffering?

Does God Cause Suffering?

Firstly, there is a difference between causing and allowing something to happen. A lot of people blame God for their suffering, believing that they have done something wrong to bring punishment upon themselves, and they become angry with him. But Jehovah is a loving God and does not cause evil. Consider the following:

James 1:13-17 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. But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death. Do not be misled, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, for it comes down from the Father of the celestial lights, and with him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.

Deuteronomy 32:4 The Rock, perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; righteous and upright is he.

Job 34:10,12 Therefore, you men of heart, listen to me. Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly! Yes, for a fact, God himself does not act wickedly, and the Almighty himself does not pervert judgment.

1 John 4:8 He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love.

Psalm 33:4,5 For the word of Jehovah is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Jehovah loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Why Is There Suffering & Why Does God Allow It?

Why is there suffering in the first place? Because Adam and Eve sinned. All humans have inherited sin from them.

Deuteronomy 32:5 They have acted ruinously on their own part; they are not his children, the defect is their own. A generation crooked and twisted!

1 John 5:19 The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.

This illustration helped me to better understand why God allows suffering:

“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. 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. Jehovah has done something similar to what the teacher does. He has allowed Satan to show how he would rule mankind. God has also allowed humans to govern themselves under Satan's guidance. 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 honest-hearted humans and angels will benefit from seeing that Satan and his fellow rebels have failed and that humans cannot govern themselves.”

Predestination & Freewill

Predestination, a.k.a. fate or destiny, is the belief that God purposely makes everything happen (“everything happens for a reason”), that everyone’s life is already preplanned and predetermined by God. Everything that happens is "God's will."

Is this concept compatible with who the Bible says God is? For example, would it be very fair or loving of God to condemn sinners if they had no choice in the matter, and, furthermore, for him to have planned or forced them to be sinners? Of course not. How could a perfect and righteous God purposely cause Satan, Adam and Eve, and us to sin? In contrast, we read “ ‘Yes, Jehovah God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judicial decisions.’ ” (Revelation 16:7).

God has given us the capability to decide for ourselves whether we will follow him or not. We have the gift of freewill; freedom of choice! After all, what pleasure would he get out of robots serving him because they have to or are “destined to”? He wants willing servants, not robot servants. How could we “make his heart glad” (Proverbs 27:11) by obeying him if he himself was causing us to obey him?

Rather, we have free will, and we face the consequences of our own actions and choices.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. [Anyone who wants to serve God can do it. But if someone is “meant to be” a Devil-worshipper, he could not serve God even if he wanted to. He would have no choice in the matter. This verse, though, shows that we do have a choice: whoever wishes can take the water of life.]

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [God’s will is for everyone to repent and be saved. Obviously, that’s not the path most people have chosen; some people go against God’s will. Therefore, how could everything that happens be God’s will or be planned by God?]

Deuteronomy 31:20,21 “When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their forefathers, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. And when many disasters and difficulties come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” [Even though God knew what they were going to do, it was not his will that they do this.]

Jeremiah 7:23-36 “But I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers.” [Another example of something happening that was not his will.]

Mark 3:35 “Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.” [If everything is predestined by Jehovah, everyone and everything would be according to his will. However, this verse shows that only some people do God’s will.]

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [A man does things and faces their good or bad consequences. Notice it does not say, “A man reaps what God sows.” According to predestination, God makes everything happen (“sows”). Why would a man face the good or bad consequences for what God does? Can there be bad consequences for what God does? No. God is perfect and righteous. By our own choice of action we shall 'receive our reward in full'.]

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. [Not, God caused you to have a stubborn heart and is going to punish you for what he himself made you do.]

One of the best (or worst) examples of people putting everything on God is at funerals when a loved one dies. Some may say, "Well, I guess it was just her time. God wanted her up there in heaven." How horrible! Would Jehovah cause a family such grief as the loss of a child, for his own selfish reasons (God is perfect, not selfish, right?)? Plus, take a look at this:

Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the LORD God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. [Jehovah doesn't like for us to have to die. So he definitely wouldn't be the cause of someone's death just because he 'wants them in heaven'.]

What accounts for many seemingly unexplainable things that occur? Ecclesiastes 9:11 says that “time and unforeseen occurrence [some versions “chance”] befall them all.” Thus, not due to any foreseeing of a person's life, but due to chance we may become a victim of unfortunate circumstances.

What about Jeremiah 10:23? “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”

In every way, humans were created to live under God's rulership, not our own. While we have free will, history clearly shows that we fail miserably at directing our own steps, because we would all do better to follow only Jehovah's ways!

Since God does not cause suffering, predestination is an unbiblical teaching that conflicts with his personality. We have free will and must choose for ourselves to serve him.

God's Name

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There are quite a few songs and verses that talk about God’s name… yet many people fail to see the importance of it. Here are a few instances in the Bible of Jesus speaking of God’s name:

Matthew 6:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

John 17:6 “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.”

John 17:26 “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 5:43 “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

John 12:28 “Father, glorify thy name.” Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

The Hebrew for God's name is

which, directly translated, reads YHWH or JHVH in English. Add vowels and you have Jehovah or Yahweh. Many people disagree with using the pronunciation "Jehovah" because it is unlikely that is how it was originally pronounced. But if one holds to that, they must also reject Jesus in favor of the more accurate Yeshua, replace Jeremiah with Yirmeyahu, abandon Isaiah for Yeshaeyahu, say Yerushalayim instead of Jerusalem, and so on. We change names when we translate into different languages. For example, Jesus in Spanish is pronounced like hay-zoose. The point is connecting with God on a personal level by using his name, and also using names appropriate for the language you are speaking in -- the name people can easily understand and identify.

Yahweh means “he causes to become” and therefore establishes God not only as our Creator but our loving Provider who can transform himself into whatever we need him to be. He is very present, and accessible. Jehovah elaborates on his name, saying “I am that I am.” In other translations, “I shall prove to be what I shall prove to be” and “I become what I become.” (Exodus 3:14)

Most translations replace God's name nearly 7,000 times with "the LORD" or other similar substitutes. This, of course, goes against the Bible's warning not to add to or take from the scriptures, (Revelation 22:18,19) and it is just plain disrespectful. However, some of these versions do pick and choose when to keep God's name in there; for example, when it wouldn't make sense without it.

Consider the following comparison of Psalm 83:18 in the King James Version, New International Version, Darby Translation, and World English Bible, respectively:

Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
You, whose name is the LORD — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth.
You alone, whose name is Yahweh, Are the Most High over all the earth.

Here are a few other verses to compare, with (a) the King James Version’s rendering followed by (b) the World English Bible:

Proverbs 18:10 (a) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (b) The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

Isaiah 42:8 (a) I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (b) I am Yahweh, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to engraved images.

Exodus 6:2,3 (a) And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. (b) God spoke to Moses, and said to him, “I am Yahweh; and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them.”

Isaiah 12:2 (a) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (b) Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation

Isaiah 26:4 (a) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (b) Trust in Yahweh forever; for in Yah, Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock.

Psalm 68:4 (a) Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. (b) Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: To Yah, his name! Rejoice before him!

Satan has worked hard to rid the world of God’s name. Today we don’t know exactly for sure what his name is or how to pronounce it. But should that stop us from using it? We sometimes use nicknames for people, even if it is not technically “correct.” And as we have seen, Jesus would have been called Yeshua! The point is that we are communicating with God on a personal level, not with impersonal, general pronouns (i.e. we don’t just call our best friend “girl” or “person”).

1 Corinthians 8:5,6 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

So whether you call him Jehovah, Yahweh, Yah, Jah, Yehowah, or anything else, and it is exclusively his, is personal, and helps you draw close to him, then go for it!

Joel 2:32 Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.

The Trinity

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The majority of Christians believe in the trinity, that God is made up of three essences: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But is this what the Bible teaches?

Jesus: The Son of God

Mark 14:61, 62 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”

John 5:25,26 “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.”

John 11:4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.”

John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

The Bible says that the Son is a perfect reflection of God. So, he has all the Father's traits like love, compassion, wisdom, justice, etc. Just like in human terms, if you are like your father, someone might say "you're a total reflection of your father" or "I can see your father in you" (Colossians 2:9) and so if they know you, they also know what you're father's like (John 14:7,9,10). In that sense, Christians are also said to be filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). Being so alike, Jesus said that he and his Father are one -- just as the disciples, the congregation, and husbands and wives are to be one; meaning closely united in thought and love (John 10:30; 17:11; Ephesians 4:4; Matthew 19:5,6).

7 Things God Is That Jesus Isn’t

1. Above all (no one greater than him; doesn’t have to obey or be taught by anyone)

John 14:28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”

1 Corinthians 11:3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 15:27,28 For "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

John 14:31; 12:49; 8:28 “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it… I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

2. Infinitely good (so good he makes good look not good)

Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”

3. Omniscient (all-knowing)

Mark 13:32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

4. Omnipotent (all-powerful)

Matthew 20:23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

John 5:19 “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

5. Beyond temptation

James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.

Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Hebrews 2:18; 4:15 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

6. Eternal & Immortal (no beginning, no death; Jesus was God’s first creation, and later died)

Colossians 1:15-18 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Proverbs 8:22-30 “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth; while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep, when he established the clouds above, When the springs of the deep became strong, when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth; then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him.”

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Psalm 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.

Habakkuk 1:12 Yahweh, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Yahweh, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish.

7. Invisible (Jesus was seen)

John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

John 6:46 “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; he has seen the Father.”

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Exodus 33:20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”

God and Jesus: Separate Beings

Thus, Jesus is not God, but God’s Son. Jesus and God are spoken of separately. Jesus sits next to God in heaven. They talk to each other (Jesus prays to God). They have different wills.

Acts 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. [Also, notice that in visions of heaven, the Holy Spirit is never seen with God and Jesus.]

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

John 14:24 "These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." [If Jesus is God, how are his words not his own?]

John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

The Bible says Jesus has a God (Jehovah). God cannot have a God, can he?

John 20:17 Jesus said, “I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

2 Corinthians 1:2,3; Ephesians 1:2,3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

God has given Jesus power and lordship (Acts 2:36; Matthew 28:18), but as King of kings and Lord of lords, Jehovah is the Lord, God and Father of even the Lord Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 10:17; 1 Corinthians 15:27,28).

What Is the Holy Spirit?

One site defines the holy spirit as “a controlled force that Jehovah God uses to accomplish a variety of his purposes. To a certain extent, it can be likened to electricity, a force that can be adapted to perform a great variety of operations… [It is a] power or energy. The holy spirit is God's active force that he uses to accomplish his will.”

The holy spirit inspires, guides, and empowers. Being filled with the holy spirit, men were inspired to write the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16), to prophesy and see visions (2 Peter 1:20,21; Joel 2:28,29), and were given other miraculous gifts (Acts 2:1-4). Jesus called the holy spirit the Helper that “will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you” (John 14:26). The fruitage of the spirit (qualities it can give us) are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23).

Three Together Or One Alone?

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one.

Galatians 3:20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

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.

Psalm 83:18 Let them know that you, whose name is Yahweh—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 86:10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

Isaiah 40:25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.

Three Common Trinity Defenses

John 1:1 in different versions

“and the word was a god.”
“and a god was the word.”
“and the Word was a divine being.”
“and God was the word.”
“and the Word was divine.”
“and the Word was God.”
“and of a divine kind was the Word.”
“and the Word was a god.”
“and the Word was a God.”
“and a god (or, of a divine kind) was the Word.”
“The Word was God,”
“and godlike kind was the Logos.”

Which do you trust more: one verse that can be translated many different ways, or the words of Jesus and the collection of verses that has been presented to you today? The word “god” is used in the Bible to describe powerful people or beings, including both Satan and the children of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 82:6). As Jesus said, “If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?” (John 10:35,36).

The Pharisees’ accusation against Jesus is the other most popular Trinitarian defense.

John 5:18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Jesus refutes their claim by saying, “the Son can do nothing by himself [something that cannot be said of Almighty God]; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). If one holds to the view of the Pharisees (since when were they right about anything?), one must also believe that Jesus was breaking the Sabbath. Did the sinless, loyal Jesus break God’s commandment regarding this holy day?

Some may say that the Trinity is a mystery, a confusing secret that cannot be understood. What does the Bible have to say about this?

John 18:20 “‘I have spoken openly to the world,’ Jesus replied. ‘I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.’”

Isaiah 45:19 “I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, Jehovah, speak the truth; I declare what is right.”

1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace…”

So where did the Trinity develop, then? It originated with paganism. (See “Do Origins Matter?”).

Let the pictures speak for themselves:

It is extremely important to know who God is. We are to worship him “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:22-24)

Idols

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Exodus 20:3-5 “You must not have any other gods against my face. You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion [or, am a jealous God]…”

The first commandment (verse 3) deals with who we worship; the second commandment (verse 4) deals more with how we worship the only true God. Of course we are not to worship any person or thing but Jehovah. But what about other images? Many people use pictures, images, or objects to represent God in their worship (e.g. a cross or crucifix). Do you think such use of art is wrong? Wouldn’t it be presumptuous and disrespectful of us to believe that we could design or, for that matter, even imagine anything that represents God, who “no man can see” (John 4:24 ; Colossians 1:15 ; 1 Timothy 1:17)?

Deuteronomy 4:15,16 “And you must take good care of your souls, because you did not see any form on the day of Jehovah’s speaking to you in Ho´reb out of the middle of the fire, that you may not act ruinously and may not really make for yourselves a carved image, the form of any symbol…”

Isaiah 42:8 “I am Jehovah. That is my name; and to no one else shall I give my own glory, neither my praise to graven images [or, idols].”

Why would Jehovah not approve of using an object as a worship accessory? How do images interfere with proper worship? Can we create an authentic image of God? Do you think the second commandment forbids illustrations of Jesus too, seeing as we are only to worship Jehovah and images tend to generate worship?

1 Samuel 4:2-11 And the Philistines proceeded to draw up in formation to meet Israel, and the battle went badly, so that Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who went striking down about four thousand men in closed battle line in the field. When the people came to the camp the older men of Israel began to say: “Why did Jehovah defeat us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of Jehovah’s covenant, that it may come into our midst and may save us from the palm of our enemies.” So the people went to Shiloh and carried from there the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of armies, who is sitting upon the cherubs. And the two sons of Eli were there with the ark of the covenant of the true God, namely, Hophni and Phinehas. And it came about that as soon as the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came into the camp, all the Israelites broke out into loud shouting, so that the earth was in a stir. The Philistines also got to hear the sound of the shouting and began saying: “What does the sound of this loud shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Finally they got to know that the ark of Jehovah itself had come into the camp. And the Philistines became afraid, because, they said: “God has come into the camp!” So they said: “Woe to us, for such a thing as this never occurred before! Woe to us! Who will save us from the hand of this majestic God? This is the God that was the smiter of Egypt with every sort of slaughter in the wilderness. Show yourselves courageous and prove yourselves men, you Philistines, that you may not serve the Hebrews just as they have served you; and you must prove yourselves men and fight!” Accordingly the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated, and they went fleeing each one to his tent; and the slaughter came to be very great, so that out of Israel there fell thirty thousand men on foot. And the ark of God itself was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Many times, people venerate an object that represents God rather than fearing and obeying God himself. Israel thought Jehovah would defeat their enemies because the Ark which represented him was in their presence (similar to superstition; see the chapter “Spiritism & Superstition”). In truth, however, they were not close to God, and they were defeated. Similarly, some people who wear crosses believe that it somehow protects or helps them; they trust in an image. Enough said.

Psalm 115:4,8 But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

What do the following two verses show us about how we are to worship God?

John 4:23,24 “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.

As for cross-wearing, consider this illustration: Your mom dies for you. She is brutally shot with a gun that you should have been shot with instead; she had done nothing to deserve it. Are you going to start wearing a gun around your neck or put images of her wounded body all over the place? Furthermore, are you going to believe the gun is protecting you? Don't these lyrics sound like worship of the cross? : “O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross, bids me come and die and find that I may truly live, O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross, all who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name” & “Mighty, awesome, wonderful is the holy cross.” Do you think that Jesus would wear a cross? That sounds like a silly question, but he’s our example, isn’t he?

So, what exactly is an idol (or god)? Here are some definitions: “image or object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed; any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion; image used as an object of worship; false god; image or representation of anything; something on which the affections are strongly or excessively put; object of passionate devotion; person or thing greatly loved or adored.” And idolatry: “extreme admiration or fanatical devotion to somebody or something; worship of idols or false gods (disapproving).”

Thus, an idol or god can be anything given excessive attention or devotion. Many people have made fame and fortune their god, for example.

Numbers 33:52 “Drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places.”

Exodus 23:33 "Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you."

Deuteronomy 6:14-16 "Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for Jehovah your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them."

Deuteronomy 28:14 "Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them."

Hosea 13:4 "But I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me."

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6 We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father.

Isaiah 40:25 "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

1 Peter 4:3,4 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

Exodus 20:6 “but [I am] showing love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

1 John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.

1 John 2:3-5 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.

1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

If you need to get rid of an idol, god, or image in your life, pray to Jehovah for the strength to do it, and do it!

Life After Death

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Is there life after death? Yes, in the resurrection. But what about immediate life after death, heaven and hell, and immortality of the soul? Let us consider some major points found in the Bible about this matter. For this topic, only the King James Version is used.

Is the Soul Immortal?

Ezekiel 18:4,20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Matthew 10:28 “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.”

The Soul is the Person

Psalm 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Leviticus 23:30 “And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.”

Deuteronomy 12:20 When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

What Happens When We Die?

Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Ecclesiastes 3:19,20 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Psalm 49:12,20 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Ecclesiastes 9:5,6,10 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing [some versions, “are conscious of nothing”], neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 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. 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.

Psalm 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Isaiah 26:14 They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

Isaiah 41:11,12 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

These next three scriptures show that the dead do not praise God -- so, they are not in heaven praising God. Where are they then? In the ground! They're dead!

Isaiah 38:18,19 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Psalm 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Psalm 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

Here are some verses that compare death to sleep (where you aren’t conscious of what’s going on around you; you aren’t living or up and about):

Job 14:10-12 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

Psalm 13:3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Daniel 12:2 (which also speaks of resurrection) 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.

John 11:11-14 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:6,18 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Now, if we want to get technical about it, the Bible doesn’t talk about dead people being “up” or “down” (in heaven or hell) but, rather, in the grave or ground. Consider a few examples:

Isaiah 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. [Not come down or come up; because, personally, it doesn’t make sense to me for people to be resurrected from life, to be taken down from heaven or elsewhere back to earth. Lazarus and others were not living when they were resurrected to life, just as we won’t already be living if we are resurrected to life.]

Heaven

Jesus was the first to go the heaven:

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the first begotten of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:20,23 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

There appears to be two distinct groups of people who will receive everlasting life -- those who will live on earth and those who will reign with Christ in heaven.

John 10:16 “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” [So Jesus has two groups of "sheep" -- one little, and one great.]

Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Revelation 7:4,9 ,10 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 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. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

Revelation 14:1-5 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

Revelation 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. [So there is a specific number of people in this group. How many? 144,000.]

Revelation 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 5:9,10 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." [Who is this group reigning over? The faithful group on earth.]

God’s Original Purpose: Life On Earth

Think about God’s original purpose. He fulfills his plans; he doesn’t suddenly change them (Isaiah 55:10,11; Numbers 23:19). He wanted the earth to be filled and for people to live on it and that is what he still intends. If everyone is going to be in either heaven or hell forever, no one would be left on earth! That belief is certainly not compatible with God’s will. (Plus, if the Bible says that those who go to heaven will rule over the earth, there would have to be people on the earth, right?) Here are just a handful of verses about the Earth:

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 9:1,7 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Psalm 37:9,11,29 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21:1,4 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. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Proverbs 2:21,22 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Psalm 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

Psalm 104:5 [God] laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

Hellfire: What Will Happen to Sinners?

Many would say sinners will burn in hell forever, but the concept of eternal hellfire is unbiblical. The original Hebrew words “Sheol” “Hades” and “Gehenna” commonly rendered “hell” simply mean the common grave. Needless to say “Christianity” borrowed the idea of hellfire and immortal souls from paganism.

The biggest problem with hellfire is its incompatibility with who God is. Jehovah is love. Hellfire is not.

Jeremiah 7:31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. [God doesn't delight in death, much less tormenting people in hell for eternity.]

Second, think about...:

John 3:16; 6:40 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.

Who will have everlasting life? Whosoever believeth in him. But, if people who rejected God and did not believe are burning in hell forever, then they would also have everlasting life, just in a different place. So essentially, people are calling God a liar with belief in hell.

Next, the idea of hell does not make sense/fit in with the Bible. Consider:

Job 14:13 "Who will grant me this, that thou mayest protect me in hell [Sheol], and hide me till thy wrath pass?" [Here, Job prayed to be protected in "hell" -- doesn't make sense, does it?]

Acts 2:31 Neither was Jesus forsaken in hell [Hades], nor did his flesh see corruption. [Same thing. Jesus did not go to hell, but the grave. He died.]

As for the Bible using "fire" and such to describe "hell", this is symbolic of destruction.

Revelation 20:14; 21:8 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. [This shows how the lake of fire is a symbolic fire; its not possible to literally throw death or hell into fire. Here it also says exactly what it means: the second death.]

Sodom and Gomorrah are described as "suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 1:7) Are they literally still burning? No! This is symbolic that they were destroyed, or annihilated. They no longer exist.

Malachi 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. [When things are "set on fire" they reduce to stubble and ashes; they are destroyed, left with neither root nor branch. This verse contradicts the belief that your body remains forever to be burned.]

Genesis 3:3,4 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.

Jehovah said Adam and Eve would die, and Satan called him a liar, saying, “You positively will not die.” The Bible calls Satan the father of the lie (John 8:44). He wants people to believe lies, like that we don't actually die. That he will never actually be destroyed but will simply live and rule in hell forever. He wants people to believe God is a monstrous maniac who tortures people for eternity in hell. It scares people into serving God for their own selfish reasons rather than for true love of God. For other people it turns them away from Jehovah, because who would want to believe in a God like that?

God's sense of justice, however, does impel him to take action (permanent death) against unrepentant sinners (Revelation 16:5-7). Just as the United States Constitution forbids "cruel and unusual punishment," how much more does Jehovah exercise judgment that is neither cruel nor unfair!

Basic Summary

The soul is not an immortal part of a person, but the person itself. When we die, we unconsciously await resurrection -- some to a restored paradise earth, some to heaven to reign with Christ over the earth, and some to a permanent, unconscious death.

The World

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"The world" in the Bible refers to society, this current "system of things."

“No Part of the World”

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 8:4-9,12,13 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [Note about "adulterous" -- Adultery is disloyalty, breaking the commitment to be devoted to but one person. When we dedicate ourselves to God, we must not commit spiritual "adultery" with the world.]

Philippians 3:19,20 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Colossians 3:1,2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 11:25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

John 17:14,16 “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”

John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Who Rules the World?

1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

John 12:31 “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”

John 14:30 “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,”

John 16:11 “and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”

Luke 4:5,6 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”

Revelation 12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Should We Trust God or Men?

Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.

Psalm 82:7,8 “But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.

Daniel 2:44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.”

Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Psalm 118:8,9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Jeremiah 17:5,7 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”

Psalm 62:1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

Proverbs 29:26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.

1 Samuel 8:4-9,18-21 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah; and they said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don't walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” Samuel prayed to Yahweh. Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also to you. Now therefore listen to their voice: however you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who shall reign over them. You shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day.” But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No; but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.” Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Yahweh. Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and make them a king.” Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”

Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.

In other words, trust in Jehovah and his Kingdom rather than in the visible authorities and governments. Think about this: if you vote for a leader, you are saying that they represent you and that you give them your support. But what if they do something wrong? If they go to war, you are supporting murder and you are blood-guilty! (See Exodus 20:13; Matthew 26:52; 2 Corinthians 10:3,4; Luke 6:27,28; Isaiah 2:2-4).

1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

What About the “Last Days”?

Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Luke 21:34-36 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Mark 13:35-37 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

Revelation 1:1-3 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Revelation 22:6,7,20 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Matthew chapter 24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Conclusion

The Bible is very clear about the world. The end is near, Satan rules this world, we are to recognize God as the ultimate ruler and as the only One who can fix any problems, we are not to love the world, and we are to be no part of it. Who do you think Jesus would vote for? What flag would he pledge to (can you even imagine him reciting the pledge of allegiance)? What country would he support or fight for (remember, thou shalt not murder)? He wouldn't. He would only follow and be devoted to the Father. Jesus was truly no part of the world, and we are to follow his perfect example.

Do Origins Matter?

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Do you think origins matter? To illustrate: suppose you found a lollipop on the ground or in the gutter. It may seem sweet, but it is dirty and has been in unclean places. Would you eat it? Keep in mind, too, that God has been around to see these origins. So while you may view holidays or any other thing rooted in Paganism as something harmless and no longer associated with it, God has witnessed their history. How do you think he feels when you are doing something “in the name of the Lord” when it originated with paganism?

Birthdays

First, let's focus on birthdays. Only two actual birthday celebrations are mentioned in the Bible: that of non-Christians. They are spoken of in a negative light.

Genesis 40:20-23 Now on the third day it turned out to be Phar´aoh’s birthday, and he proceeded to make a feast for all his servants and to lift up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers in the midst of his servants. Accordingly he returned the chief of the cupbearers to his post of cupbearer, and he continued to give the cup into Phar´aoh’s hand. But the chief of the bakers he hung up, just as Joseph had given them the interpretation. However, the chief of the cupbearers did not remember Joseph and went on forgetting him.

Matthew 14:6-13 But when Herod’s birthday was being celebrated the daughter of He·ro´di·as danced at it and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Then she, under her mother’s coaching, said: “Give me here upon a platter the head of John the Baptist.” Grieved though he was, the king out of regard for his oaths and for those reclining with him commanded it to be given; and he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the maiden, and she brought it to her mother. Finally his disciples came up and removed the corpse and buried him and came and reported to Jesus. At hearing this Jesus withdrew from there by boat into a lonely place for isolation; but the crowds, getting to hear of it, followed him on foot from the cities.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born. [We are born into sin, but when we die we are acquitted from our sin, for the wages sin pays is death (Romans 6:7,23). We haven't done anything by simply being born. Death can also remind us of God's promise of resurrection. Thus, death is something much more worthy of celebration than birth.]

On the origin of birthdays, Answerbag.com writes:

“ With the introduction of Christianity the viewpoint toward birthday celebrations did not change. Jesus inaugurated a binding Memorial, not of his birth, but of his death, saying: ‘This do in remembrance of me.’ (Luke 22:19) If early Christians did not celebrate or memorialize the birthday of their Savior, much less would they celebrate their own day of birth. Historian Augustus Neander writes: ‘The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period.’ Origen insists that ‘of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born into this world below.’ Clearly, then, the festive celebration of birthdays does not find its origin in either the Hebrew or the Greek Scriptures. Additionally, M'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopedia says the Jews ‘regarded birthday celebrations as parts of idolatrous worship, and this probably on account of the idolatrous rites with which they were observed in honor of those who were regarded as the patron gods of the day on which the party was born.’ The origin of popular customs associated with birthday celebrations: ‘The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating complete with lighted candles in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom. The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of Artemis. Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. Originally the idea was rooted in magic. Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.’ In Deuteronomy 18:9-12, God tells us how he feels about those who practice magic, calling them an ‘abomination.’ ”

Christmas

Now let's talk about Christmas (which relates to birthdays because it's the "birthday or Christ").

How do you think Jesus would react to Christmas, considering what we know about birthday origins? Jehovah says to separate ourselves, to not mix with unbelievers or share light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 13:20). What do Santa Claus or Christmas trees or other popular Christmas customs have to do with anything? Why is the birth of Jesus celebrated on December 25? (See Luke 2:8-11; would shepherds be living outdoors in winter?) December 25 is a pagan holiday date and Christmas is the deliberate mixing of paganism with Christian ideas.

On Christmas, the Encyclopedia Britannica writes:

" Christmas (‘mass on Christ’s day’) is of fairly recent origin... During the first two centuries of Christianity there was strong opposition to recognizing birthdays of martyrs or, for that matter, of Jesus. Numerous church fathers offered comments about the pagan custom of celebrating birthdays. December 25 was first identified as the date of Jesus’ birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221 and later became the universally accepted date... December 25 was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati (‘day of the birth of the unconquered sun’), a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and the heralding of the rebirth of spring and summer. Indeed, after December 25 had become widely accepted as the date of Jesus’ birth, Christian writers frequently made the connection between the rebirth of the sun and the birth of the Son. It suggests a nonchalant willingness on the part of the Christian church to appropriate a pagan festival when the early church was so intent on distinguishing itself categorically from pagan beliefs and practices. "

The New World Encyclopedia states:

“ Christians began to celebrate Christ’s birthday on December 25, which was already an important pagan festival, in order to safely adapt to Roman customs while still honoring Jesus' birth... The celebrations of Saturnalia included the making and giving of small presents (saturnalia et sigillaricia)... The combined festivals resulted in an extended winter holiday season. Business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling and singing, and nudity was relatively common... Thus Christmas was celebrated with a mixture of Christian and secular customs from the beginning, and remains so to this day.”

Jesus lived with Jews, who did not celebrate birthdays (Mclintock & Strong's Encyclopedia). He wouldn't have either. The Bible records some very specific things, such as what Jesus ate after being raised from the dead (Luke 24:41,42). Yet there is no reference to Jesus celebrating his or other people's birthdays! If Christmas is so important, why isn't it mentioned in the Bible? The only two birthdays mentioned in the Bible negative, celebrated by pagans. Some might ask, "Weren't the three wise men celebrating Jesus' birthday?" No. They were celebrating because it was the birth of a new KING, the CHRIST who would save them, not just because it was a birthday (Matthew 2:2,11; Luke 2:11 "born KING of Jews" "come BOW down and WORSHIP him" "A SAVIOR has been born to you, CHRIST the LORD"). I would hope that on birthdays the person isn't being worshiped or bowed down to! This was a special occasion; it wasn't the birthday, it was the celebration of the birth of a king who was going to save them! As Wikipedia says, the gifts were gifts for a king, myrrh as anointing oil, frankincense as perfume, gold as valuable. The gifts were not birthday gifts, they were king gifts!

Another thing to think about: Jesus was definitely a humble person. He told people not to tell others of his good works (Matthew 8:4; 9:30 ; 12:16 ; Mark 7:36 ; Luke 5:14). Jesus wouldn't even accept being described as good (Mark 10:18 "Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God"). Birthdays involve self-glory. Attention to yourself. Celebrating yourself. We are supposed to be humble.

If Jesus Christ the Son of God didn't celebrate his own birthday, should we? Are we more worthy of receiving birthday celebration than the Messiah?

Other Holidays & Key Bible Principles

Most other holidays share such origins, including Easter (the name itself derived from a fertility goddess), New Year's, and Halloween (Satanism's biggest). To find out more about these and other holidays, feel free to contact me or research for yourself! Broadly, holidays that exalt humans or their organizations, holidays that promote concepts that go against the Bible (spiritism, patrtiotism), or holidays founded on paganism (worship of other gods) are unacceptable.

Rejection of these unbiblical holidays does not mean parties and gift-giving are wrong. Why not give thanks or give gifts all the time? When you give randomly, it is more heart-felt and sicere -- more appreciated -- as opposed to giving out of compulsion because it is a holiday and you simply feel that you "have to" (2 Corinthians 9:7; Philemon 1:14).

Galatians 4:9-11 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are scrupulously observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Exodus 32:1-10 speaks of how when Moses left, the people made a golden calf and said it was a festival to Jehovah. Doing something pagan “in the name of the Lord” causes God’s anger to blaze.

Ephesians 5:10,11 Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; and quit sharing with them in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness, but, rather, even be reproving them.

Spiritism

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The Bible is pretty clear about what Jehovah hates. Not only should we not practice what he hates, but we should completely shun it, avoid it, rid ourselves of it, and help others do the same.

Psalm 97:10 O you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad...

Spiritism and superstition are associated with demonic, Satanic practices, and Christians are thus strictly forbidden from engaging in them. This includes seeing fortune tellers and psychics, having your palm read, practicing magic or witchcraft, trying to speak with the dead (which involves speaking with demons because “the dead are conscious of nothing”), having good luck charms and superstitious beliefs or images (for example, avoiding walking under ladders or crossing paths with a black cat, carrying a four-leaf clover with you everywhere you go, etc.) and other such things.

Deuteronomy 18:9-13 “When you enter the land Jehovah your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to Jehovah, and because of these detestable practices Jehovah your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before Jehovah your God.”

2 Kings 17:16-18 They forsook all the commands of Jehovah their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of Jehovah, provoking him to anger. So Jehovah was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left.

Leviticus 19:26,31; 20:6,27 “Do not practice divination or sorcery. Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am Jehovah your God. I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people. A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.”

1 Chronicles 10:13,14 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of Jehovah and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of Jehovah. So Jehovah put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

2 Chronicles 33:6 He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of Jehovah, provoking him to anger.

Isaiah 8:19,20 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Acts 19:18,19 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas [a day’s wages].

Friends

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The Bible has a lot to say about friendship, especially in Proverbs. Here are just a few verses to keep in mind:

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “ ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ ” [Some insight on "yoked" -- animals pulling a wagon are yoked together, and should be about the same size. Otherwise (if they're unevenly yoked), it will do harm to both animals and the cart won't be pulled very well.]

2 Thessalonians 3:6,7,14,15 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

Proverbs 12:26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 22:24,25 Do not make friends with a [insert negative description here] man, do not associate with one [insert negative description here], or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Proverbs 24:1 Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

However, the Bible also says to love our enemies, to greet them. And Jesus “welcomed sinners.”

Matthew 5:43-47 “You heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you; 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. For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not also people of the nations doing the same thing?”

Luke 15:1-7 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners kept drawing near to him to hear him. Consequently both the Pharisees and the scribes kept muttering, saying: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then he spoke this illustration the them, saying: “What man of you with 100 sheep, on losing one of them, will not leave the 99 behind in the wilderness and go for the lost one until he finds it? And when he has found it, he puts it upon his shoulders and rejoices. And when he gets home he calls his friends and his neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ I tell you that thus there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over 99 righteous ones who have no need of repentance.”

We need to understand the difference between walking with somebody and being their companion, and simply loving others. Jesus wasn’t walking with sinners, sharing with them in their sinful ways, but rather was trying to help them walk! There’s a big difference between walking with someone and talking with someone. So while we need to be choosy about who we walk with, we should be talking to everyone! Jesus welcomed sinners -- to help them, not to join them.

Breaking off or starting new friendships can be tough. Just remember that Jehovah can give you the strength to do what you need to do for him.

Romance

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Sex

Marriage in the Bible is portrayed as a wonderful, beautiful gift from Jehovah. He views it very seriously. Fornication (sex before marriage), adultery (sex with someone other than your spouse), homosexuality (sex with someone of the same gender), bestiality (sex with animals), polygamy (having multiple marriage partners), and incest (sex between close relatives) are absolutely intolerable and disgusting in Jehovah’s eyes. Remember, too, that God knows what he’s talking about and he loves us; he is ‘teaching us to benefit ourselves’ (Isaiah 48:17), trying to save us from pain, heartbreak, regret, and disease. Keeping in mind the scriptures about our associations from the last chapter, consider just a handful of the numerous scriptures on the subject of marriage and sex, which can also be applied to dating:

Genesis 2:18,21-24 And Jehovah God went on to say: “It is not good for the man to continue by himself. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him.” Hence Jehovah God had a deep sleep fall upon the man and, while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and then closed up the flesh over its place. And Jehovah God proceeded to build the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman and to bring her to the man. Then the man said: “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, because from man this one was taken.” That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh. And both of them continued to be naked, the man and his wife, and yet they did not become ashamed.

Proverbs 18:22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Colossians 3:18,19 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

1 Peter 3:1-7 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Leviticus 20:10-17 “If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death. If a man sleeps with his father's wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads. If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is wicked. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that no wickedness will be among you. If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must kill the animal. If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off before the eyes of their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible.”

Romans 1:24-27,32 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Jude 1:7 (see Genesis chapters 18 and 19) In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

Exodus 20:13,14 “You must not murder. You must not commit adultery.” [Committing adultery is lumped in with something as serious as murder and the other commandments.]

Notice in the above verses the use of singulars; i.e. “a wife.” While many prominent figures in the Old Testament had multiple wives, this was clearly not God’s intent.

1 Kings 11:3,4,6 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. And it came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as the heart of David his father. And Solomon did evil in the sight of Jehovah, and followed not fully Jehovah, as David his father.

1 Timothy 3:2-4,12 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

Titus 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. [These two verses can be applied to all Christians, because these are qualities that all Christians should have as well.]

For further study, you may want to read the Song of Solomon.

Singleness

On the other hand, the Bible also seems to encourage singleness for those who can accept it.

1 Corinthians chapter 7 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Matthew 19:10-12 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Premarital Sex: Statistics & More

Only 15% of Americans report that they were virgins when they turned 21. Out of the 7 in 10 people who have sex before age 18 and the 95% of New Yorkers who engage in premarital sex, an upwards of 70% regret it. Why? They probably came to realize that premarital sex is stupid, dangerous, and wrong, because it damages a person’s physical, emotional and spiritual health.

1 in 4 sexually active teens -- 3 million individuals -- get an STD each year. Most thought it could ever happen to them. These diseases include painful, gross, embarrassing, and even fatal or deadly infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts, herpes, syphilis, and AIDS. As for protection, wearing a condom does little to lower the risk. The only sure way to avoid it is to keep yourself pure and clean for a pure and clean spouse.

Many teens today will have to face a major decision: what to do when they get pregnant. In the United States, 2,800 teenage girls get pregnant every day, and the majority of these girls state that it was unplanned. 38.5% of children are born to single moms. Many of these cases end up in abortion or adoption, which can take its toll on the parents’ conscience and happiness. However, going through with raising the baby may hurt as well. Besides possibly passing on a disease or giving birth to a mentally or physically challenged kid, the teen mom will also be bringing her baby into a life with increased chances of poverty, abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, violence and divorce. Statistics say that a couple is 71% more likely to divorce if they were not virgins when they married, and that a person is twice as likely to enjoy a stable life and marriage if they save themselves. Teen marriages have a 60% chance of ending within 5 years and a 5% chance of lasting in the long run. In addition, about 30% of those who have premarital sex will end up in poverty, compared with 12% for people who waited.

Youths will often lie to their parents and friends in order to have or cover up sex. This can develop into a bad habit, trapping them in a tangly web of lies and damaging their relationships. Premarital sex can even affect a person’s social life. In a survey, 19% of U.S. citizens said they would rather have sex than hang out with friends, go shopping, play a sport, or do any other activity. The combination of horrible disease, nasty rumors, breaking up with someone you connected so intimately with, and humiliation caused by premarital sex can damage your self-esteem. This loss of self-respect and sense of self-worth can spiral into a desperate search for more “love,” and further harm. The situation can lead to physically destructive consequences as well: disease, self-infliction, prostitution, and even suicide. Once you fall into the trap of premarital sex, it’s hard to escape, because it becomes easier and easier to give in to temptation and it turns into a dangerous cycle.

With such earth-shattering aftermath, it is not surprising that God warns us against premarital sex. In the Bible, there are countless scriptures about love, marriage, and sex -- how they should and shouldn’t be done, what they are and what they aren’t. Here are just a few on sexual immorality:

Proverbs 6:26,32 For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

Proverbs 5:8,11 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.

1 Corinthians 6:13,18 The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, revelries, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Deuteronomy 22:13,20,21 “If a man takes a wife and… says, ‘I married this woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity,’ …[and] the charge is true and no proof of the girl's virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father's house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done a disgraceful thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father's house. You must purge the evil from among you.”

Acts 15:20 Abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

1 Corinthians 10:8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did -- and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

2 Corinthians 12:21 I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.

Chasing after sex instead of seeking God hurls a massive roadblock in the middle of our relationship with him and seriously weakens our spiritual health. It is separation from God’s purpose for our life. Isaiah 48:17-19 reads, “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to walk in the way in which you should go. O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Jehovah is teaching us to benefit ourselves. He is the Almighty, all-knowing Creator of the universe, and yes, the inventor of sex! He knows exactly what’s he’s talking about and has our best interest at heart. He loves us and wants to save us from pain, heartbreak, regret and disease. God is teaching us to benefit ourselves. Do we dare question his perfect advice and laws?

Premarital sex ruins a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health dramatically. Are you willing to sacrifice your morals, break your relationships, deal with disease, and cope with heartbreak for the rest of your entire life just for a fleeting, impulsive moment of pleasure? Sex is worth the wait. True love is better.

Drinks & Drugs

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Is it wrong to drink or take natural drugs? Not necessarily. Jehovah created everything for a purpose, and people have twisted and abused his gifts. We need to keep a few key points in mind concerning these matters. What is our intention? How will it affect our relationship with God? Will it offend or cause a stumbling block to somebody by doing it? (Romans 14:3,4,12-16,20) Would it be breaking the law? (Romans 13:1,2) Do we have the self-control to use his gifts appropriately? Let’s see what the Scriptures have to say.

Psalm 104:14,15 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate -- bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. [So, drinking a little wine is ok, but getting drunk is not.]

Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Romans 13:13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

1 Timothy 3:8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

1 Corinthians 6:9,10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

Proverbs 23:20,21,29-35 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” [I think that this description also fits drugs, too. Yes?]

Luke 21:34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 What! Do you not know that the body of you people is the temple of the holy spirit within you, which you have from God? Also, you do not belong to yourselves, for you were bought with a price. By all means, glorify God in the body of you people.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Timothy 3:4 speaks of people who are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Philippians 4:5; Titus 3:2 Let your reasonableness [some versions, moderation] become known to all men. Be reasonable!

Diet

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Originally, in the paradise Garden of Eden, animals did not die and humans were vegetarian. God’s plan and will was not for animals to die and be eaten. “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it -- I give every green plant for food” (Genesis 1:29,30). Perfection was lost, however, and sin and death entered the world. God permitted eating meat after the Flood of Noah. “The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything” (Genesis 9:3). But there were certain animals that God -- in all His infinite wisdom and concern for health and cleanliness -- deemed unfit for human consumption (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14). Though we are no longer required to follow these restrictions, they are still valuable health guidelines (Ephesians 2:14,15; Galatians 3:19-25). See the chart of the Jewish dietary guidelines below (click the two images to enlarge them for better clarity). Jesus ate meat (following these laws), and he was without sin. (Luke 24:41-43; Luke 22:7,8,14,15; Matthew 15:34-37; Hebrews 7:26) In the new earth, however, wolf and lamb will feed together, lion will eat straw, and they won’t harm each other (Isaiah 65:25).

How Should We View Food Today?

The biblical view of food that we should have is summarized: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him… Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind… He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way… If anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking… Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14).

“Man does not live on bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). We should be concerned with God first and foremost, not filling our bellies. When we eat, it should be with thankfulness, self-control, and a God-glorifying attitude. What we eat should be a matter of personal choice between ourselves and God. We should not command others to abstain from certain foods and we should not get offended by what others choose to eat (1 Timothy 4:1-5; Ecclesiastes 7:9).

A Look Into Animal-Based Diets

As we have seen, diet is a personal conscience matter and it is not a sin to use animals for food. But is it beneficial to base our diets on what, in a perfect world, God did not intend for us to use in the first place? “Everything is permissible -- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible -- but not everything is constructive” (1 Corinthians 10:23). 70% of the average human’s diet comes from animal sources. That doesn’t even take into account salad dressing, candy bars, baked goods, and the many other foods that have animal products in them. Let’s take a look into why one might choose to either reduce their consumption of animal products in general, or try to follow the biblical dietary laws.

Genesis 2:15 Jehovah God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Revelation 11:18 [God will] …destroy those who destroy the earth.

33% of Earth’s land has been cleared to raise animals for food. 70% of deforested land in the Amazon is used for that. As we all know, the less trees we have the worse our environment is going to be. Animal factories are the biggest polluters. They are responsible for 66% of ammonia and 40% of methane gas emissions, which is 23 times worse for the environment than carbon dioxide. Raising animals for food is also a very inefficient use of resources. It takes a lot of resources to produce very little meat (as opposed to most plants, which take very little resources to produce a lot of crops). For example, it takes 600 gallons of water to produce just 1 hamburger patty. 20.9 square miles of land are required in order to raise 1 kg of beef, versus 0.4 to grow 1 kg of fruits and vegetables. Food-wise, cows raised for food alone consume the calorie needs of 8.7 billion people. Over 60% of the world’s grain is given to livestock. We could be feeding the world’s starving populations with plenty left over! Instead, crops are being used to fatten livestock.

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel (see Exodus 23:4,5,12; Deuteronomy 25:4).

Reducing our consumption of animal products would also make what we do eat more ethical, and, if you’re into meat, better quality as well. Living conditions and treatment of the animals would be much better. Farm workers calmly admit to news reporters that cutting of cows’ tails, burning their horns, and hanging them upside down to die are perfectly normal, ‘common practices.’ We don’t need to describe all the cruelty that goes on. Also, since we wouldn’t need to breed so many animals, there would not be such cramped conditions. The animals would be more likely to be free-range (able to go outside and live relatively natural lives). Cruelty, disease, chemicals and hormones would be significantly reduced. So, animal products would taste better, be healthier, and leave you with an easy conscience as well.

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 Don’t you know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom God gave you? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Honor God with your body.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, purify yourselves from everything that contaminates body & spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Humans are the only species that takes other species’ milk. Human milk is suited to the needs of a human baby. Cow milk is for the needs of a calf, who gains 1,000 pounds in a few years. We’re also the only ones who drink milk after early childhood. When we are about 2 years old, we lose the digestive enzyme our body needs to properly handle milk because we no longer need it (we don’t need our mother’s milk anymore). So, while it may be true that milk has a lot of calcium, we absorb very little (if any) of it. In fact, there was one study that observed people who got their calcium from animal sources versus those who got it from plant sources. The animal eaters actually had 4 times the bone loss and hip fractures! Another study tested the impact of dairy on our medical health. They took people with schizophrenia, autism, asthma, digestion and heart problems, and put them on a milkless diet. In 80% of them, their problems either improved or completely disappeared. Eating animal products greatly increases the risk for cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, and other diseases. Vegans have only a 4% chance of getting any of these diseases. They are also 9 times less likely to be obese than meat-eaters.

Proverbs 14:8,15 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways… a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

As with anything, reducing your consumption of animal products or committing to any other diet takes careful thought, planning and proper research.

Since Jehovah planned for life to live off of plants, it makes sense that all essential nutrients can be found in them. Here is a chart for the best plant sources for each vitamin:

Plant nutrition

Calcium
Soy, broccoli, spinach, figs, quinoa, nuts, peas
Folate
Green veggies, whole grains, nuts, beans, bananas, peas
Iron
Green leafy veggies, beans, peas, seeds, nuts, dried fruit
Magnesium
Nuts, whole grains, lentils, apricots, green vegetables
Niacin
Beans, peas, mushroom, green leafy vegetables, fig, prune
Phosphorus
Nuts, beans, lentils, whole grains
Potassium
Bananas, beans, nuts, grains, root vegetables (potatoes)
Protein
Soy, nuts, potatoes, rice, legumes, quinoa, beans
Selenium
Citrus fruits, avocados, nuts, grains, seaweed, chickpeas
Zinc
Nuts, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, beans, lentils
Vitamin A
Carrots, squash, dried fruit, green vegetables
Vitamin B
Soy, grain, potato, nuts, beans, peas, mushroom, avocado
Vitamin C
Fruit (citrus, melons) broccoli, potatoes, green vegetables
Vitamin D
Fortified foods, sunlight
Vitamin E
Spinach, whole grains, nuts, vegetable oils

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Blood

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In both the Old and New Testaments, God’s disapproval of consuming blood is made evident. He views blood as sacred, considering life to be “in the blood.” The misuse of blood is listed among serious sins such as idolatry, sexual immorality, and spiritism. Consider just a few examples:

Genesis 9:3,4 “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.”

Leviticus 17:10,11,14 “Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood—I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, ‘You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.’”

Leviticus 3:17 “This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.”

Leviticus 7:26,27 “And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of any bird or animal. If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.”

Leviticus 19:26 “Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. Do not practice divination or sorcery.”

Deuteronomy 12:23-25 “But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water. Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD.”

Acts 15:20,29 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Good health to you! [All of Jehovah's statutes are for our own good (Isaiah 48:17-19).]

Acts 21:25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.

Notice that these verses do not simply refer to eating or drinking blood, but abstaining from blood. Does this statute to abstain from eating blood also apply to taking it in through blood transfusions? To illustrate: Suppose your doctor told you to stay away from alcohol. Does that only involve not drinking it? Or would it be okay to inject the alcohol into your veins?

But what if you are told you have to have a blood transfusion in order to save you life? First of all, talk about the many alternatives (such as saline). There are even entire [secular] hospitals that do not use blood because they find it to be unsafe. Plus, keep this principle in mind:

"During a wartime crisis, some Israelite soldiers killed animals and 'fell to eating along with the blood.' In view of the emergency, was it permissible for them to sustain their lives with blood? No. Their commander pointed out that consuming blood was still wrong no matter the circumstances. (1 Samuel 14:31-35) As precious as life is, our Life-Giver never says that his standards can be ignored in an emergency, even to 'save' a life."

Mark 8:35,36 “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

Speaking in Tongues

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What Is Speaking in Tongues?

Speaking in tongues is defined as: “The making of utterances that are not recognizable as any known language and have no formal linguistic content. It is a normal aspect of worship in many Pentecostal and charismatic churches; a special ability given through the holy spirit to some disciples in the early Christian congregation that enabled them to preach or otherwise glorify God in a language other than their own; can occur under occult/demonic influence and is characteristic of both Pentecostal and Voodoo religions.”

Since seemingly miraculous things can originate with someone other than Jehovah (namely Satan, who "masquerades as an angel of light" trying to deceive people -- 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Timothy 4:1), we need to test them against the Bible.

1 John 4:1 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God.

One way we can 'test an inspired expression' is to compare it to the way the Bible says it was to be done. At Pentecost (in Acts), listeners understood what the tongue speakers said without the need for interpretation. Joe heard Joe's language, John heard John's language, etc. despite the speaker's ignorance regarding Joe and John's languages. The other account below describes incomprehensible language. In this case, the Bible says to speak one at a time and to keep silent if there is no interpreter present. The supposed "divine" speaking in tongues churches practice today fits NEITHER of these descriptions. They babble meaningless words chaotically, all at once. Many also go into fits and seizures... Not a sign of the work of Jehovah, who is not a God of disorder or confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Acts 2:1-11 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

1 Corinthians 14:5,11,13,27,28 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

Why Is An Interpreter Necessary?

1 Corinthians 14:2,4,9,10,19 For anyone who speaks in a tongue [KJV, an unknown tongue] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers... [What kind of sign to unbelievers is speaking in tongues if it is just gibberish which cannot be understood or interpreted? If I were an unbeliever and walked in to find a bunch of people blabbering gibberish, I would either think they are possessed by demons or faking it. If I could understand or have their words interpreted, that might be different. While researching this topic, there was one Pentecostal site that gave directions on how to speak in tongues! It said to make noises and not worry about it making sense. Hmm, does that sound like faking or what?]

Its Useful Purpose Already Fulfilled

The Bible indicates that the initial purpose of speaking in tongues was to, as one sources puts it, "verify that god's favor had shifted from the Jewish system of worship to the newly estabished Chrsitian congregation."

Acts 1:5,8 “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Hebrews 2:2-4 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The apostles put their hands on people to cause speaking in tongues to occur. Since they are now dead, some believe this indicates speaking in tongues has ceased.

Acts 19:6; 8:17-20 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied; Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come [i.e. the Bible], then that which is in part shall be done away.

Used Today to Teach Lies

Many religions claim that speaking in tongues is necessary for salvation, and a sign of God's favor. Contrastingly, the Bible says that people have different gifts and that these gifts mean nothing without love.

1 Corinthians 12:4,8-10,30 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? [This verse tells us that not everyone has the same gift; thus, not everyone speaks in tongues. This is also means the belief that you must speak in tongues to be saved is incorrect.]

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [Not, if you speak in tongues.]

Matthew 12:38,39 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

Today, churches clearly do not receive the ability to speak in tongues from Jehovah. Their practices absolutely contrast with the descriptions and instructions in the Bible. On top of that, they LIE about its necessity because they love signs...

Fear & Anxiety

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We are to fear Jehovah, not anyone or anything else. We are to cast all our troubles and worries and anxieties upon him, and he will give us peace and comfort. Here are some verses:

Psalm 111:10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom. All those doing them have a good insight. His praise is standing forever.

1 Chronicles 16:25 For Jehovah is great and very much to be praised, and he is to be feared more than all other gods.

Jeremiah 5:22 “Don't you fear me?” says Yahweh. “Won't you tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it can't pass it? And though the waves of it toss themselves, yet they can't prevail; though they roar, yet they can't pass over it.”

Deuteronomy 6:13 “Jehovah your God you should fear, and him you should serve, and by his name you should swear.”

Joshua 4:24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of Yahweh, that it is mighty; that you may fear Yahweh your God forever.

Psalm 2:11 Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

2 Corinthians 1:3,4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Romans 15:4-6,13,33 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For Jehovah comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 51:12,13 “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget Jehovah your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?”

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Exodus 15:2 My strength and my might is Jah, since he serves for my salvation. This is my God, and I shall laud him; my father’s God, and I shall raise him on high.

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Nahum 1:7 Jehovah is good, a refuge in times of distress. He cares for those who trust in him,

Psalm 59:16,17 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

Psalm 18:1,2 I love you, O Jehovah, my strength. Jehovah is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on Jehovah and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in Jehovah is kept safe.

Psalm 118:6 Jehovah is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Isaiah 41:10,13 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am Jehovah, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Psalm 27:1 Jehovah is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Lamentations 3:57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

Acts 18:9 “Don’t be afraid; keep speaking, don’t be silent.”

Numbers 6:24-26 “May Jehovah bless you and keep you. May Jehovah make his face shine toward you, and may he favor you. May Jehovah lift up his face toward you and give peace to you.”

Luke 12:4,5 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

Matthew 6:33,34 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What is there worth getting upset about? As long as you are right with God, nothing else matters. We have no right to complain. When you lose your peace you can easily fall into self-pity. We can’t have the same complaining, self-pitying, grumpy, angry, depressed, frustrated, scared, worrying, non-peace-having attitude as the world does. Peace is a witnessing opportunity. Stay calm, cool, content, and happy during hard times, and people will wonder what makes you so different. The difference is God! Pray and read the Bible for peace and comfort, step back, breathe, and get over it. Keep your peace!

Evangelism/Witnessing

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Isaiah 43:10,12 Ye are my witnesses, an affirmation of Jehovah, and My servant whom I have chosen, so that ye know and give credence to Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and after Me there is none. I -- I declared, and saved, and proclaimed, and there is no stranger with you, and ye are My witnesses, an affirmation of Jehovah, that I am God.

There is silent witnessing, through our actions (1 Peter 3:1,2), and there is evangelism, telling people about God:

Matthew 10:7 “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’”

Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Acts 5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Acts 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Acts 28:31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

1 Corinthians 9:16-18 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

Colossians 4:5,6 Make the most of your chances to tell others the good news. Be wise in all your contacts with them. Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answers for everyone.

1 Timothy 4:16 Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Proverbs 14:25; 21:28 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Isaiah 58:1 Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast to the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.

Matthew 28:19,20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

John 14:15,21 “If you love me, you will obey what I command [including to preach]. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

We’ve had the opportunity to see both sides of life, with & without God. At one point we were all sinners & others saw the change we've gone through. Our testimonies are great for relating to other people (letting them know we've been there & understand what they're going through) and for them to see the change for the better (1 Timothy 1:15,16). When you’re set free, you want to help set others free too. Knowing the truth releases us from the chains of lies, rescues us from the captivity of fear, sin, & false worship, & brings us great comfort & satisfaction. As Christians, we should share our faith with others, giving them freedom, hope, meaning, & a relationship with the Creator. What better gift could you give someone than telling them the truth about God (John 8:32; Isaiah 48:17; Romans 10:14)?

Let us continue seeking God, searching for truth, and sharing with others.