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Wp e 201603

This document discusses evidence that supports the historical accuracy of the accounts of Jesus' suffering and death in the Gospels. It notes that the Gospels contain many specific names of real places and people that can be corroborated. While there were no other contemporary non-biblical accounts, it explains that few other writings from that time have survived and Jesus' opponents would not likely write anything to lend credibility to reports about him. The document overall argues that the Gospel accounts are historically reliable based on their level of detail and consistency with secular historical sources.

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34567N No.o.2 2201 20166W WHHYYD DIIDDJ JEESSUUSSS SUUFFEFFERRA ANNDDD DIIE?E?MEMOR MEMORIIAALLOF OFJESUS JESUS’’DEA DEATTHH| W WEDNESDEDNESDAAYY,,M MAARCHRCH23, 23,201 20166
For the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Jehovah’s Witnesses 25 Columbia Heights Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483 For CANADA: Jehovah’s Witnesses PO Box 4100 Georgetown, ON L7G 4Y4 For a complete list of worldwide addresses, see www.jw.org/en/contact. The Watchtower (ISSN 0043-1087) Issue 4 March 2016 is published monthly with an additional issue published in January, March, May, July, September, and November by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.; L. Weaver, Jr., President; G. F. Simonis, Secretary-Treasurer; 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299, and by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada, PO Box 4100, Georgetown, ON L7G 4Y4. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watchtower, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299. 5 2016 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Printed in Canada.® 34567˙V Vooll..137 137,,No No..4 4EN ENGLGLISHISHP PrroduoducedcedE EaachchIss Issuuee::58 58,,998877,000,000A Avvailailabablleein in25 2544L LAANNGGUUAAGEGESSN No.o.2 2201 20166 ․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․T THISHISM MAAGGAZINEAZINE,,T ThheeW Waattchchttoowweerr,,h hoonnoorrssJe JehhoovvahahGod God,,th theeR Rululeerro offth theeuniv univeerrsese..It Itco comfmfoorrtstspeo peopplleewith withth theeg goodoodn neewwssth thaattGod God’’ssh heaeavveenlnlyyK Kininggddoommwill willsoo soonne ennddall allwick wickednednessessan anddtr trananssffoorrmmth theeear earththin inttooa ap pararaadisedise..It Itp prroommoottesesf faithaithin inJes JesuussChr Chrisistt,,w whhoodied diedso soth thaattw weemigh mighttg gainaine evveerrllaasstintingglif lifeean anddw whhoois isn noowwr rulinulingga assK Kininggo offGod God’’ssK Kininggddoom.m.T Thishism maaggaazinzineeh haassbee beennp pubublishlishededco conntintinuuoouuslslyysin sincece1 1887799an anddis isn noonponpoliticliticalal..It Ita adhdheerresest tooth theeBib Biblleea assits itsa auuththoorritityy..T Thishispu publicblicaattionionis isno nottf forors saleale..I Ittis ispro provvidedideda asspar partto offa aw wororldld--w wideideBi Biblebleed educucaattionionalalw wororkks suup-p-por portedtedb byyv voluolunnttararyydon donaattionsions..T Toom makakeea adon donaattion,ion,plea pleasesev visisiittwww www..jjww..org.org.Unl Unlessesso oththeerrwisewisein indicdicaatteded,,S Scrcripiptturureequ quootatatiotionnssar areef frroommth theem mododeerrn-ln-lananguguaaggeeNe NewwW WoorrllddT Trrananslslaa--tio tionno offth theeHo HollyyS Scrcripiptturureses..W Wooululddy yoouuw weellcocommeem moorreeinf infoorrmmaatiotionno orra af frreeeeh hoommeeBib Bibllees sttuuddyy??V Visitisitw wwwww.jw.jw..ororggo orrse sennddy yooururr requequesesttt tooo onneeo offth theea adddrdressesessesbe bellooww..W WHHAATTDO DOY YOUOUT THINK?HINK?C Canany yoouur realleallyybe benneefitfitf frroommth theev veerryyw weell-knll-knoowwnns statatteemmeenntt::“God “Godlo lovvededt thehew wororldldso som mucuchht thhaatthe hega gavveehis hisonl onlyy-bego-begotttentenSon Son”?”?—Jo —Johnhn3 3::1166..T Thishisiss issuueeo offT ThheeW Waattchchttoowweerre exxppllainainssh hoowwJes Jesuuss’’s suuffffeerrininggan anddd deaeaththc cananbe benneefitfity yoou.u.Sh ShooululddChr ChrisistiantianssW Woorrshipshipa attShr Shrinineses??8 8Heedin HeedinggAd AdvvananceceW WararninninggC CananSa SavveeY YooururL Lifife!e!11 11Ch Chapaptteerrssan anddV Veerrsesses——WWhhooP PuuttT Thheemmin inth theeBib Bibllee??1 144W WhhaattD Doesoesth theeBib BiblleeSa Sayy??1 166 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A ALSOLSOIN INT THISHISISSUE ISSUEW WhhyyDid DidJes JesuussSu Suffffeerran anddDie Die??Did DidIt ItR RealleallyyH Hapappepenn??3 3W WhhyyDid DidJes JesuussSu Suffffeerran anddDie Die??5 5 sRREAEADDM MOORREEO ONLNLINEINEO OTTHERHERB BIBIBLLEEQ QUEUESSTTIIOONSNSA ANSNSWWEREREDEDDid DidJes JesuussDie Dieo onna aC Crroossss??(L (Looookkun unddeerrB BIBIBLLEET TEAEACHINCHINGSGS> ˛B BIBIBLLEEQ QUEUESSTTIIOONSNSA ANSNSWWEREREDED)) r
No..2 2201 201663 3T Thhiisse exxttrraaoorrddiinarynaryaccoun accounttco commesesto tous usf frroommth theef fourourGos Gospepellsso offththeeC ChrhriisstiantianGr GreeeekkScr Scriippturtureses,,co com-m-m moonlnlyyc calalllededth theeN NeewwT Tesesttamamenentt..Did Didth thoseoseth thiingngssr reealalllyyhap happenpen??T Thahatti issa ape perrtitinnenenttan anddse serriiousousq quesues--ti tioonn..I Iffth theeyyd dididn noott,,C Chrhriisstiantianf faaiiththi issv valuealuellessessan anddth theeh hoopepeo offe eteterrnalnall lififeei innP Pararadadiisesei issn nooththiingngm moorreethan thana aw wiisshhffululdr dreeamam..(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians15 15:1:14)4)On Onth theeo oththeerrhan handd,,if ifth thoseosee evvenentstsr reealalllyyd dididhap happenpen,,th thenenth theerreei issa ab brriigghhttf fuuturtureef foorrmank mankiinndd,,o onneei innw whhicichhy yououc canans sharharee..So, So,ar areeth theeGos Gospepellaccoun accountstsf facactto orrfic fictitioonn??W WHHAATTT THEHEF FAACCTTSSSHO SHOWWUnl Unliikkeef fanancifcifulull leegengendsds,,th theeGos Gospepellw wrriititingngssr re-e-fl flececttpa paiinsnsttakakiingngaccur accuracyacyan andda atttententitioonnto tod deettaaiill..F Foorre exxamamppllee,,th theeyya abounbounddw wiiththnam nameseso offr reealalp pllacesaces,,man manyyo offw whhicichhc cananbe bev viisisitedtedtoda todayy..T Thheeyyte telllla aboubouttr reealalpeo peoppllee,,w whhoseosee exxiisstentencecehas hasbeen beenco corrrrooboborraatedtedb byysecul seculararh hiisstotorriansians..——LukLukee3 3::11,,2 2,,23. 23.C COOVVERERSUB SUBJEJECCTTD DIIDDI ITTRE REAALLLLYYH HAAPPPPEN?EN?In Inth theesp sprrininggo off33 33C C.E.E.,.,Jes Jesuussth theeN Naazarzareenneew waasse exxecuecutteded..He Heh haaddbee beennf falalsesellyych chararggededwith withseditio sedition,n,s saavvaaggeellyybea beatteen,n,an anddn nailailededt tooa as staktakee..He Hedied diedin ine exxcrcruuciaciatintinggp pain.ain.B BuuttGod Godr raisedaisedhim himb baackckt toolif lifee,,an andd40 40d daayyssl laatteerr,,Jes Jesuussa ascescennddededt tooh heaeavveen.n.
4T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERGi Givveennth theepr prooffooununddi innflfluueennceceth thaattJ Jeesusussh haaddo onnth theew wororld,ld,s shhoouuldldw weee exxpecpecttm mororeei innth theew waayyo offco conntetempormporaarryyn noon-n-BiBiblblicaicallcor corrrooborboraattioionn??N Noottn neceecesssasaririlyly..F Fororo onneeth thiinng,g,th theeGos Gospelspelsw werereewrit writtetenna allmmosostt2 2,0,00000y yeaearrssa aggoo..F Feewwo oththererwrit writ--i innggsso offth thaattt tiimmeeh haavveesu surrvviivved.ed.( (11P Peeterter1 1::2244,,2 255))T Thheen,n,t toooo,,it itis isun unlliikkelyelyth thaattJ Jeesususs’’m mananyyo oppposerposerssw woouuldldwrite writean anythythiinnggth thaattw woouuldldle lennddc crredediibibillityityt tooth theer reeporporttssabo abouutth hiim.m.R RegegaarrddiinnggJ Jeesususs’’r reesusurrrrececttioion,n,P Peeterter,,o onneeo offh hisisapos aposttleless,,e exxplaplaiinned:ed:“God “Godr raaisedisedth thisiso onneeup upo onnth theeth thiirrddd daayyan andda alllolowwededh hiimmt toobeco becommeem mananififeesstt,,n noottt tooal alllth theepeo peopleple,,b buuttt toowitn witnessesessesap appoinpointtededbe beffororeehhananddb byyGod, God,t toou uss,,w whhooa atetean anddd drrankankwith withh hiimma affterterh hisisris risiinnggf frroommth theed deaead.d.””( (AAccttss1 100::440,0,4 411))W Whhyyn noottt tooa allllth theepeo peo--ple ple??M Maattththeeww’’ssGos Gospelpeltel tellslsu ussth thaattw whheennth theer releligigioiouusse enneemmieiessh heaearrddr reeporporttsso offJ Jeesususs’’r reesusurr--r rececttioion,n,th theeyysch scheemmededt toosup supprpreessssth theem.m.—M —Maattththeeww28 28::1111--1155..Doe Doessth thisism meaneanth thaattJ Jeesusussw wanantedtedh hisisr reesusurrrrecec--t tioionnt toobe bek keeppttsec secrreet?t?N Noo,,f fororP Peeterterw weenntto onnt toosa say:y:“ “HHeeor orddererededu usst toopr preaeachcht tooth theepeo peopleplean anddt toog giivveea ath thororooughughwitn witneessssth thaattth thisisis isth theeo onneed dececrreedeedb byyGod Godt toobe beju juddggeeo offth theel liivviinnggan anddth theed deaead.d.””T TrruueeC Chhrisristtianianssh haavveed doonneean andda arreed doioinnggju jussttth thaatt..—A—Accttss1 100::4422..W WhhyyI IssT TherehereN NoottM MoreoreSec SecululararSu Supporpport?t?J Jesusesush hiimsemsellffi issm menentitioonnededb byysecul seculararw wrriiteterrsso offth theefi firrssttan anddseco seconnddcen centurturiesies..1Hi Hissmann manneerro off 1a Tcitacius,tus,bo borrnna abouboutt55 55C C..EE.,.,w wrrootetetha thatt“C “Chrhriisstustus,,f frroommw whhoommth theenam namee[C [Chrhriisstians]tians]had hadi itstso orriiggiinn,,suff suffeerrededth theee exxttrrememeepenal penaltytydur duriingngth theer reieiggnno offT Tiibeberriiususa attth theehan handsdso offo onneeo offour ourp prrocurocuraatotorrss,,P PoonntitiususPi Pillaatustus.”.”J Jesusesusi issal alsosor refefeerrrrededto tob byySue Suetotonniiusus(fi (firrssttcen century);tury);J Jeeww--i isshhh hiisstotorrianianJ Joseosepphushus(fi (firrssttcen century);tury);an anddP Plliinnyyth theeY Youngeoungerr,,go govveerr--n noorro offBi Biththyynniaia(e (eararllyyseco seconnddcen century).tury).d deeaathth,,as asd descrescriibedbedi innth theeGos Gospepellss,,a aggrreeseesw wiiththR Roomanmane exxecuecutitioonalnalm meeththodsodso offth theeti timmee..M Moorre-e-o ovveerr,,e evvenentstsar areer reellaatedtedi inna af facactualtualan anddc cananddididmann manneerr——eevvenenpo porrttrraayyiingngso sommeeo offJ Jesus’esus’d diiscisci--p pllesesun unffaavvoorraabbllyy..(M (Maattththeeww26: 26:556;6;Luk Lukee2 222::2244--26; 26;J Joohnhn18 18::110,0,1 111))A Allllth theseesef facactotorrsss sttrroongngllyyi innddicicaatetetha thattth theeGos Gospepellw wrriiteterrssw weerreeh hoonnesesttan anddaccur accuraatetei innw whahattth theeyyw wrrootetea aboubouttJ Jesusesus..W WHHAATTAABOUBOUTTJESUSJESUS’’R RESURESURRREECCTTIONION??Wh Whiilleei itti issgen geneerralalllyyacce accepptedtedtha thattJ Jesusesusl liivvededan anddd diedied,,so sommeew wouloulddq quesuestitioonnh hiissr resuresurrrecectitioonn..E Evvenenh hiissapos apostltlesesd dididn noottbe bellieievveeth theei inniitialtialr reepoporrtto offh hiissha havviingngr reeturturnnededto tol lififee..(Luk (Lukee2 244:1:111))A Alllld dououbbttw wasasr rememoovveded,,h hoowweevveerr,,w whhenenth theeyyan anddo othth--e errd diisciscippllesessa sawwth theer resuresurrrecectedtedJ Jesusesuso onnse sepa-pa-r raateteocc occasiasioonsns..In Inf facactt,,i inno onneec casease,,th theerreew weerreem moorreethan than500 500e eyyeewwiittnnessesessesp prresenesentt..——11C Coorriinn--th thiansians15 15::6.6.A Attth theer riisskko offbei beingngar arrresestedtedan anddk kiilllleded,,th theed diis-s-ci cippllesescour couraageousgeousllyyp prrococllaaiimmededJ Jesus’esus’r resuresurrrecec--ti tioonnto toal alll——eevvenento toth theev veeryryo onnesesw whhoohad hade exxecuecut-t-ed edh hiimm..(A (Acctsts4 4::11--3,3,1 10,0,1 199,,20 20;;5 5::2277--332)2)W Wouloulddso soman manyyd diisciscippllesesha havveebeen beenso sobo bollddif ifth theeyyw weerreen nootta absobsolulutetellyysur sureetha thattJ Jesusesushad hadr reealalllyybeen beenr resuresur--r recected?ted?In Inf facactt,,th theer reealaliitytyo offth theer resuresurrrecectitioonno offJ Jesusesusi issth theedr driivviingngf foorrcecebe behhiinnddth theei immpacpactttha thattC Chrhriisstiantianiitytyhas hashad hado onnth theew woorrllddbo boththth thenenan anddn nooww..T ThheeGos Gospepellaccoun accountstso offJ Jesus’esus’d deeaaththan anddr res-es-ur urrrecectitioonnbe beararal alllth theen necessecessaryarymar markksso offan anau au--th thenentictich hiisstotorricicalalr recoecorrdd..Car Carefefululllyyr reeadadiingngth thememw wiillllco connvviinncecey yououtha thattth theseesee evvenentstsr reealalllyyhap hap--pen peneded..Y Yourourco connvvicictitioonnc cananbe bef fururththeerrs sttrrengengthth--en enededw whheneny yououun unddeerrssttananddw whhyyth theeyytoo tookkp pllaceace..T Thheen neexxttar articticlleew wiilllle exxppllaaiinn..
No..2 2201 201665 5Wha Whattw wouloulddy youous saayyif ify yououw weerreeas askkeded,,“Do “Doy yououw wananttto tol liivveef foorreevveer?”r?”M Mososttpeo peopplleew wouloulddp prroobababbllyys saayytha thattth theeyyw wananttto tobu butttha thattth theeyyf feeeelli itti issunr unreealaliissticticto toco considnsideerri itt..De Deaaththi issa an noorrmalmalpar partto offl lififee,,th theeyys saayy,,th theena naturturalalou outcotcommeeo offour oure exx--i isstentencece..Sup Supposepose,,th thougoughh,,tha thattth theeq quesuestitioonnw weerreetur turnnededar arounounddan anddy yououw weerreeas askkeded,,“ “AArreey youour reeadadyyto tod die?”ie?”Un Unddeerrn noorrmalmalci cirrcumscumsttanancesces,,m mososttpeo peopplleew wouloulddans answweerrn no.o.T Thheepo poiinntt??In Ins sppiiteteo offth theet trrialialssan anddhar hardsdshhiipspsw weef faceace,,our ourn noorrmalmalan anddna nat-t-ur uralald desiesirreei issto tol liivvee..T ThheeBi Bibbllees shhoowwsstha thattGod Godcr creeaatedtedhu- hu-mans mansw wiiththth theed desiesirreean anddth theew wiillllto tol liivvee..In Inf facactt,,i itts saayysstha thatt“ “hheehas hase evvenenpu putte eteterrnniitytyi innth theieirrh heearartt.”.”——EccEccllesiasesiastestes3 3::1111..T Thheer reealaliityty,,th thougoughh,,i isstha thatthumans humansd doon noottl liivveef foorreevveerr..So, So,w whahattw wenenttw wrroong?ng?F Fururththeerrmmoorree,,has hasGod Godd doonneean anythythiingngto tor rememededyyth theesi situatuatitioonn??T ThheeBi Bibbllee’’ssans answweerrssar areeh heearartenteniingng,,an anddth theeyyha havveea ad diirrececttbe bearariingngo onnw whhyyJ Jesusesussuff suffeerrededan anddd diedied..W WHHAATTW WENENTTW WRONGRONGT Thheefi firrssttthr threeeec chaphapteterrsso offth theeBi Bibblleeboo bookko offGen Genesiesisste tellllus ustha thattGod Godse settbef befoorreeth theefi firrsstthuman humancoup coupllee,,A Adamdaman anddE Evvee,,th theep prrosospecpectto offun unenenddiingngl lififeean anddto tollddth thememw whahattth theeyyw wouloulddha havveeto tod dooto tog gaaiinni itt..T Thhenenth theeaccoun accounttd descrescriibesbesh hoowwth theeyyf faaiillededto too obebeyyGod Godan anddl losostttha thattp prrosospecpectt..T Thhees stotoryryi issto tollddsi simmppllyy——sososi simmppllyytha thattso sommeear areeq quicuickkto tod diismsmiissssi ittas asf foollkk--l loorree..Bu ButtGen Genesiesiss,,l liikkeeth theeGos Gospepellss,,g giivvesese evveeryryi innddicicaatitioonno offbei beingnga af facactualtual,,h hiisstotorricicalalr recoecorrdd..1Wha Whatthas hasbeen beenth theer resulesultto offA Adamdam’’ssf faaiilurlureeto too obebeyy??T ThheeBi Bi--b blleeans answweerrssth thiissw waay:y:“ “TThrhrougoughho onneeman man[A [Adam]dam]si sinnen enteterrededi inntototh theew woorrllddan anddd deeaathththr througoughhsi sinn,,an anddso sod deeaathths spprreeadadto toal alllm menenbec becauseauseth theeyyhad hadal alllsi sinnnneded.”.”(R (Roomansmans5 5::112)2)B Byyd diis-s-o obebeyyiingngGod God,,A Adamdamsi sinnnneded..H Heethus thusl lososttth theep prrosospecpectto offen end-d-l lessessl lififeean andde evvenentualtualllyyd diedied..Bei Beingngh hiissd descenescendandantsts,,w weeha havveei inhnheerriitedtedh hiisssi sinnffululco connddiititioonn..A Assa ar resulesultt,,w weear areesu subbjjececttto tosic sickknnessess,,o olldda agege,,an anddd deeaathth..T Thhiisse exxppllanaanatitioonno offw whhyyw weed dieiei issi innhar harmmoonnyyw wiiththw whahattw week knnoowwtoda todayya abouboutth heerredediityty.. 1ee See“ “TThheeHi HisstotorricicalalC Charharacacteterro offGen Genesiesiss,”,”i innIns Insiigghhtto onnt thheeS Sccrriipptturureses,,V Voolumlumee1 1,,pa pagege9 92222,,pu pubblliisshhededb byyJ Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesesses..W WHHYYD DIIDDJ JEESUSUSSS SUUFFEFFERRA ANNDDD DIIE?E?“ “TThhrougroughhone onem manan[ [AAddam]am]s sininen enteredteredin intotot thehew wororldldand anddea deatthht thhrougroughhs sin.in.””—R —Romomansans5 5::1122
6T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERBu Butthas hasGod Godd doonneean anythythiingngto tor rememededyyth theesi situatua--ti tioonn??W WHHAATTGOD GODH HAASSDONE DONEY Yeses,,God Godmad madeear arrrangemangemenentststo tor rededeemeem,,o orrbu buyybac backk,,w whahattA Adamdamhad hadl lososttf foorrh hiissd descenescen--dan dantsts,,nam nameellyy,,th theep prrosospecpectto offen endldlessessl lififee..H Hoowwd dididGod Godacco accommpplliisshhtha thatt??“ “TThheew waagesgessi sinnpa payyssi issd deeaathth,”,”s saayyssth theeBi Bibblleea attR Roomansmans6: 6:23.23.T Thhiissm meeansanstha thattd deeaaththi issth theeco conse-nse-q quenuenceceo offsi sinn..A Adamdamsi sinnnneded,,so soh heed diedied..Li Likkeewwiisese,,w weesi sinnan anddar areeth theerrefefoorreesu subbjjececttto tosi sinn’’ssw waagesges,,d deeaathth..Bu Buttw weew weerreebo borrnni innth thiisssi sinnffululco connddiititioonnthr througoughhn noof faulaultto offour ouro owwnn..So SoGod Godl loovviingngllyysen sentth hiissSo Sonn,,J Jesusesus,,to toacce accepptt‘ ‘ththeew waagesgeso offsi sinn’’f foorrus us..H Hoowwd doesoesth thiissw woorrkk??S Siinncceeo onneem maann,,t thheep peerrffeeccttm maannA Addaamm,,b brrougoughhttsi sinnan anddd deeaaththo onnus usthr througoughhd diisosobedbedi-i-en encece,,a ape perrffececttman mano obedbedienientte evvenenti tilllld deeaaththw wasasn needeedededto tor reelleeaseaseus usf frroommtha thattbur burddenen..T ThheeBi Bibblleee exxppllaaiinsnsi ittth thiissw waay:y:“ “JJususttas asthr througoughhth theed diisosobe-be-d dienienceceo offth theeo onneeman manman manyyw weerreemad madeesi sinnnneerrss,,so soal alsosothr througoughhth theeo obedbedienienceceo offth theeo onneepe perrsosonnman manyyw wiillllbe bemad madeer riigghhteousteous.”.”(R (Roomansmans5 5::119)9)J Je-e-sus susw wasastha thatt“ “oonneepe perrsosonn.”.”H Heel lefeftth heeaavvenen,,be- be-c camameea ape perrffececttman man,1,an anddd diediedi innour ourbe behalhalff..A Assa ar resulesultt,,i itti isspossi possibblleef foorrus usto toha havveea ar riigghhteousteouss sttananddiingngw wiiththGod Godan anddg gaaiinnth theep prrosospecpectto offen end-d-l lessessl lififee..W WHHYYJESUSJESUSSUF SUFFFEREREDEDA ANDNDDIED DIEDWh Whyy,,th thougoughh,,w wasasi ittn necessecessaryaryf foorrJ Jesusesusto tod dieieto toacco accommpplliisshhth thiis?s?C Couloulddn noottA AlmlmiigghhtytyGod Godha havveesi simmppllyyi issuedssueda ad decrecreeeetha thattA Adamdam’’ssd descenescen--dan dantstsbe beal allloowwededto tol liivveef foorreevveer?r?H Heece cerrttaaiinlnlyyhad hadth theeau auththoorriitytyto tod dooso. so.Bu Butttha thattw wouloulddha havveed diiss--r reeggararddededh hiisss sttaatedtedl laawwtha thattth theew waagesgeso offsi sinni issd deeaathth..T Thahattl laawwi issn noope petttytyrul ruleetha thattc cananbe bed diis-s-m miissedssedo orrc changedhangedf foorrco connvvenenieniencece..I Itti issf fununda-da-m menenttalalto tot trueruej jususticetice..——PPssalmalm37 37::28.28.H HadadGod Godse settj jususticeticeasid asideei innth thiissi insnsttanancece,,peo peo--p plleem miigghhttha havveew woonnddeerrededw whheeththeerrh heew wouloulddd dooso soi inno oththeerrma mattteterrssas asw weellll..F Foorre exxamamppllee,,w wouloulddh heebe be 1od’ Gods’st trransfansfeerro offh hiissSo Sonn’’ssl lififeef frroommh heeaavvenento toth theew woommbbo offM Maryaryc causedausedco conncecepptitioonn,,an anddGod God’’ssh hoollyys sppiirriitts shhieiellddededJ Jesusesusf frroommi inhnheerr--i ititingngi immpeperrffecectitioonnf frroommM Maryary..——LukLukee1 1::3131,,35. 35.J Jeesususs’’d deaeaththo opepennssth theew waayyt tooa ah hapapppyy,,e ennddlelessssl lififee
No..2 2201 201667 7On Onth theen nighighttbe beffororeeh heesu surrrreennddererededh hisisl lififee,,J Jeesusussg gaaththererededwith withh hisisf faaithithffuullapos aposttlelessan anddi innssttituitutedtedth theeM Meemmoriaoriallo offh hisisd deaeath.th.H Heesa saididt tooth theem:m:“ “KKeeeeppd doioinnggth thisisi innr reemmeem-m-br brananceceo offm mee..””( (LLukukee2 222::1199))In Ino obedbedieienncecet tooth thaattco commmmanand,d,J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssW Witnitneesssesessw wororldld--wid wideeg gaaththererannu annuaalllylyo onnth theeann anniivverersasarryyo offJ Jeesususs’’d deaeath.th.L Laasstty yeaearr,,1 199,,862862,7,78833a atttetenndd--ed edth thisise evveenntt..T Thhisisy yeaearr,,th theeM Meemmoriaoriallo offJ Jeesususs’’d deaeaththf faalllslso onnW Wedednesdnesdaayy,,M Marcarchh23, 23,a afftertersun sunddoowwn.n.Y Yoouuan anddy yoouurrf famamiilylyan anddf frieriennddssa arreew waarrmmlylyi innvviteditedt tooa atttetennddan anddl lisistetennt tooa aBi Bibleble-ba-basedsedta tallkk..It Itwi willlle exxplaplaiinnw whhyyJ Jeesususs’’d deaeaththw waasss sig-ig-n nificanificanttan anddh hoowwit itcan canbe benneefitfity yoouuper persosonn--a alllyly..A Atttetennddananceceis isf frree;ee;n noocol colleclecttioionnsswi willllbe betak takeen.n.P Plealeasesea asskkJ Jeehhoovvahah’’ssW Witnitneesssesessi inny yoouurra arreaeaf fororth theet tiimmeean anddloca locattioion.n.Or Ory yoouum maayyco connsusultlto ouurrw weebsbsiteite,,w wwwww.jw.jw..ororg.g.“ “KKeeeeppDoi DoinnggT Thhisis””f faaiirri innd deeteterrmmiinniingngw whhooam amoongngA Adamdam’’sso offffsspprriingngq qualualifyifyf foorre eteterrnalnall lifife?e?C Couloulddh heebe bet trusrustedtedto tok keeeepph hiissp prroommiises?ses?God God’’ssadh adheerrenenceceto toj jususticeticei innw woorrkkiingngou outtour ours salalvvaatitioonni issassur assurananceceto tous ustha thatth heew wiillllal alwwaayyssd doow whahatti issr riigghhtt..B ByyJ Jesus’esus’ssacracrificialificiald deeaathth,,God Godo openpenededth theew waayyto toen endldlessessl lififeei innP Pararadadiiseseo onne eararthth..N NooteteJ Jesus’esus’w woorrdsdsas asr recoecorrddededa attJ Joohnhn3 3::16:16:“God “Godl loovvededth theew woorrllddso somuc muchhtha thatth heeg gaavveeh hiisso onlnlyy--bebegogotttentenSo Sonn,,so sot thahatte evveeryryoonneee exxeerrcicisisingngf faaiiththi innh hiimmm miigghhttn noottbe bed desesttrrooyyededbu buttha havveee evveerrllasastitingngl lififee.”.”J Jesus’esus’d deeaaththi issthus thusan ane exxpprressiessioonnn nootto onlnlyyo offGod God’’ssun unffaaiilliingngj jususticeticebu butt,,m moorrees specialpecialllyy,,o offh hiissg grreeaattl loovveef foorrhumans humans..H Hoowweevveerr,,w whhyyd dididJ Jesusesusha havveeto tosuff suffeerran anddd dieiei innth theepa paiinnffululw waayytha thattw wasasd descrescriibedbedi innth theeGos Gos--pe pells?s?B Byysu subbjjecectitingngh hiimsemsellffto toth theee exxttrrememeetes testtan anddr remaemaiinniingngf faaiiththffulul,,J Jesusesusr refefuutedtedo onncecean anddf foorral alllth theeDe Devviill’’ssc cllaaiimmtha thatthumans humansw wouloulddn noottr re-e-ma maiinnl looyyalalto toGod Godw whhenenun unddeerrt trrialial..(J (Joobb2 2::44,,5) 5)T Thahattc cllaaiimmm miigghhttha havveeseem seemededv valalididaf afteterrS Saattanani innducedducedpe perrffececttA Adamdamto tosi sinn..Bu ButtJ Jesusesus——wwhhoow wasasA Adamdam’’sspe perrffecectteq equiuivvalalenentt—r—remaemaiinnededo obedbedi-i-en enttd desesppiitetese sevveerreesuff suffeerriingng..(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians15 15::4 45)5)H Heethus thusp prroovvededtha thattA Adamdamtoo toocoul coulddha havveeo obebeyyededGod Godif ifh heehad hadc chhosenosento tod dooso. so.B Byyen en--dur duriingngun unddeerrt trrialial,,J Jesusesusl lefefttus usa am mododeellto tof fooll--l looww..(1 (1P Peeteterr2 2::2121))God Godr reewwararddededh hiissSo Sonn’’sspe perr--f fecectto obedbedieniencece,,g grranantitingngJ Jesusesusi immmmoorrttalall lififeei innh heeaavvenen..HO HOWWY YOUOUC CAANNBENEF BENEFIITTJ Jesus’esus’d deeaaththr reealalllyyoccur occurrreded..T Thheew waayyto toun un--en enddiingngl lififeei isso openpen..Do Doy yououw wananttto tol liivveef foorreevveer?r?J Jesusesusi innddicicaatedtedw whahattw ween needeedto tod doow whhenenh hees saaid:id:“ “TThhiissm meeansanse evveerrllasastitingngl lififee,,th theieirrco commiingngto tok knnoowwy youou,,th theeo onlnlyyt truerueGod God,,an anddth theeo onneew whhoommy youousen sentt,,J JesusesusC Chrhriisstt.”.”——JJoohnhn1 177::3.3.T Thheepu pubblliisshheerrsso offth thiissma maggaazziinneei innvviitetey yououto tol leeararnnm moorreea aboubouttJ Jeehhoovvahah,,th theet truerueGod God,,an andda abouboutth hiissSo Sonn,,J JesusesusC Chrhriisstt..J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessesi inny yourourco communmmuniitytyw wiillllbe behap happpyyto toassi assisstty youou..Y Yououc cananal alsosor receieceivveeh heellppffululi innffoorrmamatitioonnb byyv viisisit-t-i ingngour ourw weebsibsitete,,www www..jjww..oorrgg.. ˇ
8T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERE EVVERERYYy yeearar,,m moorreethan thansi sixxm miilllliioonnpeo peopplleet trraavv--e ellt tooa anni issoollaatteeddc ceeddaarrf foorreesstto onnt thheeS Shhii--ma maP Peneniinsulnsulaai innJ Japanapan..T Thheeyyco commeeto toth theeGr GrananddS Shrhriinneeo offIse Ise,,w whheerreeth theeS Shhiinntotosun sungod godddessess,,Ama Ama--te terrasuasuOm Omiikkamamii,,has hasbeen beenw woorrsshhiipppedpedf foorrso sommeetw twooth thousousananddy yeeararss..T Thheew woorrsshhiipppeperrssfi firrssttpur purifyifyth themseemsellvvesesb byyw wasashhiingngth theieirrhan handsdsan anddm mououthth..T Thhenen,,s sttananddiingngbef befoorreeth thees shrhriinnee’’ssh haaidideenn(w (woorrsshhiipphal hall),l),th theeyyf foolllloowwa ar riitualtuali innw whhicichhth theeyybo boww,,c cllap,ap,an anddp prraayyto toth theegod godddessess..1S Shhiinntotoal allloowwssi itstsadh adheerr--en entststo top prracacticeticeo oththeerrf faaiiththss,,an anddso sommeeBud Buddhdhiisststs,,p prrooffessedessedC Chrhriisstianstians,,an anddo oththeerrsssee seen nooco connflflicictti innpe perrffoorrmmiingngth theeS Shhiinntotor riitualtualssa attth thiisss shrhriinnee..M Maannyyo offt thheew woorrlldd’’ssm maajjoorrr reelliiggiioonnssh haavvees shrhriinneses,,2an anddcoun countltlessessm miilllliioonsnso offpeo peopplleev viisisittth themem..In Inp prrooffessedessedC Chrhriisstiantianl lanandsds,,th theerreear areen nu-u-m meerrousousc churhurcchhesesan andds shrhriinnesesd dededicicaatedtedto toJ Jesusesus,,M Maryary,,an anddth thees saaiinntsts..Oth Otheerrssl liikkeeth thememar areees esttaabb--l liisshhededi innl lococaatitioonsnsw whheerreeBi Bibbllicicalale evvenentstso orr“m “miirra-a-c clles”es”o offm moorreer recenecenttti timmesesar arees saaididto toha havveet takakenenp pllaceaceo orrw whheerreer reelliiggiiousousr reellicsicsar areek keepptt..M Mananyypeo peo--p plleego goto toth thees shrhriinnesesbec becauseauseth theeyybe bellieievveetha thattth theieirrp prraayyeerrssar areem moorreel liikkeellyyto tobe beh heeararddif ifo of-f-fe ferrededi inna as sacracrededp pllaceace..F Foorro oththeerrss,,r reeacachhiingnga as shrhriinneei issth theeculm culmiinanatitioonno offa al loongngp piilglgrriimamagegeth theeyy 1Ri Ritualtualssma mayyd diffiffeerra attv varariiousousS Shhiinntotos shrhriinneses.. 2See Seeth theebo boxx“ “WhaWhattIs Isa aS Shrhriinne?”e?”ha havveemad madeeto tod dememoonsnsttrraateteth theieirrr reelliiggiiousousd deevvoo--ti tioonn..A Arreep prraayyeerrssa annddp peettiititioonnssm moorreel liikkeellyyto tob beeh heeararddan anddans answweerrededif ifththeeyyar areeo offffeerrededa atta as shrhriinne?e?Wi WillllGod Godbe bep plleeasedasedb byyth theed deevvootitioonno offth thoseosew whhoomak makeep piilglgrriimamagesgesto tos shrhriinnes?es?M Moorreeto toth theepo poiinntt,,s shhouloulddC Chrhriisstianstiansw woorrsshhiippa atts shrhriinnes?es?T Thheeans answweerrssto toth theseeseq quesuestitioonsnsw wiilllln nootto onlnlyyte tellllus ush hoowww wees shhouloulddv vieiewww woorrsshhiippppiingnga atts shrhriinnesesbu buttal alsosoh heellppus usto toun unddeerrssttananddth theek kiinnddo offw woorrsshhiipptha thattt trulrulyyp plleeasesasesGod God..W WORSHIPORSHIP“ “WWIITTHHSP SPIRIRIITTAANDNDT TRRUUTTHH””A Aco connvveerrssaatitioonntha thattJ Jesusesushad hadw wiiththa aS Samaramariittananw woomanmanr reevveealalssGod God’’ssv vieiewwo offw woorrsshhiippa atts sacracrededp pllacesaceso orrs shrhriinneses..J Jesusesusw wasast trraavveelliingngthr througoughhS Sa-a-mar mariaiaan andds stotopppedpedto tor resestta atta aw weelllln neeararth theeci citytyo offS Syyccharhar..H Hees sttrucruckkup upa aco connvveerrssaatitioonnw wiiththa aw woom-m-an anw whhooc camameeto todr draawww waateterrf frroommth theew weellll..A Assth theeyyt talalkkeded,,th theew woomanmanpo poiinntedtedou outta ama majjoorrr reelliiggiiousousd diffiffeerrenencecebe betwtweeneenth theeJ Jeewwssan anddth theeS Samaramariittansans..“Our “Ourf foorrefefaaththeerrssw woorrsshhiipppedpedo onnth thiissm mounounttaaiinn,”,”s shhees saaidid,,“ “bubutty yououpeo peoppllees saayytha thatti innJ Jeerusrusalalememi issth theep pllaceacew whheerreepeo peopplleemus musttw woorrsshhiip.”p.”——JJoohnhn4 4::5 5--99,,20. 20.T Thheem mounounttaaiinntha thattth theew woomanmanr refefeerrrrededto tow wasasM MounounttGe Gerriziziimm,,l lococaatedteda abouboutt30 30m miilleses(50 (50k km)m)n noorrththo offJ Jeerusrusalalemem..T Thheerreeth theeS Samaramariittansanso onnceceSh ShoouuldldC ChhrisristtianianssW Wororsshhiippa attSh Shririnneess??
No No..2 2201 201669 9had hada atem tempplleew whheerreeth theeyyce celleebbrraatedtedf fesestitivvalalsssuc suchhas asth theeP Passoassovveerr..H Hoowweevveerr,,i insnsteteadado offf focusiocusingngo onnth thiissco connttrroovveerrsialsiald diffiffeerrenencecebe betwtweeneenth themem,,J Jesusesuss saaididto toth theew wooman:man:“Be “Bellieievveem mee,,w woomanman,,th theeh hourouri issco commiingngw whhenenn neieiththeerro onnth thiissm mounounttaaiinnn noorri innJ Jeerusrusalalememw wiilllly yououw woorrsshhiippth theeF Faaththeerr.”.”(J (Joohnhn4 4::2121))Wha Whattan anas astountounddiingngco commmmenentt,,es especialpecialllyyco commiingngf frroomma aJ Jeew!w!Wh Whyyw wouloulddth theew woorrsshhiippa attGod God’’sstem tempplleei innJ Jeerusrusalalememce cease?ase?J Jesusesusco conntitinnued:ued:“ “TThheeh hourouri issco commiingng,,an anddi itti issn nooww,,w whhenenth theet trueruew woorrsshhiipppeperrssw wiillllw woorrsshhiippth theeF Faaththeerrw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth,,f foorri innddeedeed,,th theeF Faaththeerri issl looookkiingngf foorro onnesesl liikkeeth theseeseto tow woorrsshhiipph hiimm.”.”(J (Joohnhn4 4::23)23)F Foorrcen centurturiesies,,th theeJ Jeewwssv vieiewwededth theema maggnnificenificentttem tempplleei innJ Jeerusrusalalememas asth theecen centeterro offth theieirrw woorrsshhiip.p.T Thheeyyj jourournneeyyededth theerreethr threeeeti timmesesa ay yeeararto tomak makees sacracrificesificesto toth theieirrGod God,,J Jeehhoovvahah..(Ex (Exodusodus23 23:1:144--117)7)Bu ButtJ Jesusesuss saaididtha thattal alllo offth thiissw wouloulddbe bec changedhangedan anddtha thatt“ “ttrueruew woorrsshhiipppeperrs”s”w wouloulddw woorrsshhiipp“ “wwiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth.”.”T ThheeJ Jeewwiisshhtem tempplleew wasasa at tangangiibbllees sttrucructurtureea atta as specificpecificgeog geogrrapaphhicicl lococaatitioonn..Bu Butts sppiirriittan anddt truruththar areen noottma mateterrialial,,n noorrar areeth theeyyl liimmiitedtedto toan anyyp phhyys-s-ic icalalp pllaceace..T Thushus,,J Jesusesusw wasase exxppllaaiinniingngtha thattt truerueC Chrhriisstiantianw woorrsshhiippw wouloulddn noottbe becen centeterrededi inno orrd dee--pen penddenentto onnan anyyma mateterrialials sttrucructurtureeo orrp phhyysicsicalall lo-o-c caatitioonn,,w whheeththeerrM MounounttGe Gerriziziimm,,th theetem tempplleei innJ Jee--rus rusalalemem,,o orran anyyo oththeerrs sacracrededp pllaceace..In Inh hiissco connvveerrssaatitioonnw wiiththth theeS Samaramariittananw woom-m-an an,,J Jesesususal alsosom menenttiioonneeddtha thatt“ “tthheeh hoourur””f foorrth thiissc changehangei innGod God’’ssw woorrsshhiippw wasas“ “cocommiingng.”.”Wh Whenenw wouloulddtha thattbe? be?T Thheeh hourourc camameew whhenenJ Jesusesus,,b byyh hiisss sacracrificialificiald deeaathth,,en enddededth theeJ Jeewwiisshhs syysstemtemo offw woorr--s shhiippbased basedo onnth theeL Laawwo offM Mosesoses..(R (Roomansmans1 100::4)4)Y Yeett,,J Jesusesusal alsosos saaid:id:“ “TThheeh hourour. .. .. .i issn nooww.”.”Wh Whyy??Bec Becauseauseas asth theeM Messiahessiah,,h heew wasasalr alreeadadyyg gaaththeerriingngd diisciscippllesesw whhoow wouloulddo obebeyyth theeco commanmmanddh hees sttaatedtedn neexxt:t:“God “Godi issa aS Sppiirriitt,,an anddth thoseosew woorrsshhiippppiingngh hiimmmus musttw woorrsshhiippw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth.”.”(J (Joohnhn4 4::224)4)Wha Whatt,,th thenen,,d doesoesi ittm meeananto tow woorrsshhiippw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruth?th?Wh WhenenJ Jesusesusm menentitioonnededw woorrsshhiippppiingngw wiithths sppiirriitt,,h heew wasasn nootts spepeakakiingngo offa apar particulticulararllyys sppiirriitedted,,an an--i imamatedted,,o orren enthusiasthusiasticticf foorrmmo offw woorrsshhiip.p.R Raaththeerr,,h heew wasast talalkkiingnga aboubouttbei beingngguid guidededb byyGod God’’ssh hoollyys sppiirriitt,,w whhicichham amoongngo oththeerrth thiingngssguid guidesesour ourun un--d deerrssttananddiingngo offth theeScr Scriippturtureses..(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians2 2::99--1 12)2)An Anddth theet truruththJ Jesusesusr refefeerrrrededto toi issan anaccur accuraatetek knnoowwllededgegeo offBi Bibblleete teacachhiingngss..T Thheerrefefoorree,,r raaththeerrW Whhaattdid didJes Jesuussm meaneanw whheennh hees saidaidth thaattw weem muussttw woorrshipship“with “withspir spirititan anddtr truuthth”?”?© 5J JTTBBP Phhootto/o/UIUIG/G/aaggeef foottoossttockock© 5Jo JosséF FuusstteeR Raagga/a/aaggeef foottoossttockock &V Visisititororssa attth theeGr GrananddSh Shririnneeo offIse Ise,,J Japan,apan,an anddth theeGr Groottttooo offM Maasssabielsabiellele,,L Loouurrddeess,,F Frranancece
Origiinnaalllylyth theew worordd“s “shhririnnee””r reeprpreesesenntedteda aca caseseth thaatth heldeldsa saccrrededr relelicicss..T Thheem meaneaniinnggh haasss siinncecebr broaoaddeenned;ed;it itn noowwr reefferersst tooa apla placececo connssididererededsa saccrred,ed,r releligigioiouuslyslyor oro oththererwisewise..R Releligigioiouusss shhririnneessa arreed dededicaicatedtedt tooth theew wororsshhiippo offa ad deityeityor orth theev veennereraattioionno offa a“ “hholyoly””per persoson.n.T Thheeyyo offtetennh hoouusesei imm--a aggeessan anddr relelicicssth thaatta arreebel belieievvededt toobe bea ass--soc sociaiatedtedwith withm miirraaclecless,,v visisioionnss,,or orap appapari-ri-t tioionnssf frroommth thees spipiritritr reaeallm.m.T Tododaayya as shhririnneem maayybe bea ate templemple,,a achu churrch,ch,or ora an nichicheew whherereea aper persosonnw wororsshhiipsps..S Soommeese settup upa as shhririnneei innth theieirrh hoommee..H Hoommees shhririnneess,,i innbo boththOrie Orienntatallan anddW Weessterternnlan landdss,,a arreesm smaalllla altaltarrssw whherereepeo peopleplepr praayy,,m mededitaitatete,,or orm makakeeo offfferierinnggss..N Nootta alllls shhririnneessa arreei inntetennddededt toobe bepla placecessf fororr releligigioiouussw wororsshhiipp..F Forore exxampleample,,w wororldldwidwidee,,f famamiillieiessan anddf frieriennddsso offv vicicttiimmsso offf faatatallau auttoo--m moobibilelea accccidideennttssco commmmoonnlylym makakee‘r ‘roaoaddssididees shhririnneess’’i innr reemmeembrmbrananceceo offth theieirrlo lovvededo onneess..Oth Otherers shhririnneessa arreem mororeesecu seculalarri innn naa--tu turreean anddco commmmeemmororaatetef famamoouussba battttlelessor orth thoseosew whhood diediedi innw waarror ori innso sommeeo oththerertr traaggededyy..A Althlthooughughsu suchchs shhririnneessg giivveepeo peopleplean ano oppporportuntunityityt toom mededitaitatetean anddm moouurrn,n,th theeyyo offtetennr reeflecflecttth theer releligigioiouussbel belieieffssan anddpr praacctticeicesso offth thoseosew whhoose settth theemmup up..W WhhaattIs Isa aSh Shririnnee??than thanbei beingngr renenddeerrededa attan anyys specialpecialp pllaceace,,our ourw woorr--s shhiippw wiillllbe beacce acceppttaabblleeto toGod Godif ifi ittco connffoorrmsmsto tow whahattth theeBi Bibblleete teacachhesesan anddi issguid guidededb byyth theeh hoollyys sppiirriitt..T THEHECHR CHRISISTTIIAANNV VIEWIEWOF OFSHR SHRINESINESH Hooww,,th thenen,,s shhouloulddC Chrhriisstianstiansv vieiewwp piilglgrriimamagesgesto toan anddw woorrsshhiippa atts shrhriinnes?es?T Takakiingngi inntotoaccoun accounttJ Je-e-sus’ sus’co commanmmanddtha thattt trueruew woorrsshhiipppeperrssw woorrsshhiippGod Godw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth,,i itti issc clleearartha thattw woorrsshhiippr renen--d deerrededa attan anyys shrhriinneeo orrs sacracrededp pllaceacehas hasn noos specialpecialv valuealueto toour ourh heeaavvenlenlyyF Faaththeerr..A Addddiititioonalnalllyy,,th theeBi Bibblleete tellllssus ush hoowwGod Godv vieiewwssth theev veneneerraatitioonno offid idoollssi innw woorrsshhiip.p.I Itts saayys:s:“Fl “Fleeeef frroommid idoollaattryry””an andd“ “guarguarddy youroursesellvvesesf frroommid idoollss.”.”(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians1 100::1 144;;1 1J Joohnhn5 5::2121))T Thheerrefefoorree,,a at truerueC Chrhriisstiantianw wouloulddn noottw woorrsshhiippa attan anyyp pllaceacetha thatti issv vieiewwededas ash hoollyyi inni itsetsellffo orro onneetha thatten encourcouraagesgesid idoollaattryry..TThushus,,o onnac- ac-coun countto offth theev veeryryna naturtureeo offs shrhriinneses,,t truerueC Chrhriiss--tians tiansr refefrraaiinnf frroommw woorrsshhiippppiingnga attth themem..T Thhiiss,,h hoowweevveerr,,d doesoesn noottm meeanantha thattGod God’’ssW Woorrddf foorrbbidsidsha havviingnga ap prrefefeerrrrededl lococaatitioonnf foorrp prraayyeerr,,s studtudyy,,o orrm medediittaatitioonn..A Am meeeetitingngp pllaceacetha thatti isso orr--d deerrllyyan anddd diiggnnifiedifiedi issco connduciducivveeto tol leeararnniingngan anddd diiscussiscussingngs sppiirriitualtualth thiingngss..N Neieiththeerri issi ittw wrroongngto tomak makeea am mememoorrialial,,suc suchhas asa ato tommbsbstotonnee,,f foorra ad de-e-ce ceasedasedpe perrsosonn..T Thhiissma mayysi simmppllyybe bean ane exxpprressiessioonno offr remememembbrrananceceo orraff affecectitioonnf foorrth theed deceeceasedased..H Hoowweevveerr,,co considnsideerriingngsuc suchha al lococaatitioonnas asa ah hoollyyp pllaceaceo orrv veneneerraatitingngi imamagesgeso orrr reellicsicsth theerreew wouloulddbe beco commpplleetetellyyco connttrraryaryto toJ Jesus’esus’w woorrdsds..T Thheerrefefoorree,,y yououd doon noottn needeedto togo goto toa as shrhriinneei innh hoopespestha thattGod Godi issm moorreel liikkeellyyto toh heearary yourourp prraayyeerrth theerree..N Noorrw wiillllGod Godbe bep plleeasedasedw wiiththy yououo orrg giivveey youous specialpecialb bllessiessingngssf foorrmak makiingnga ap piilglgrriimamagegeto toa as shrhriinnee..T ThheeBi Bibblleete tellllssus ustha thattJ JeehhoovvahahGod God,,th thee“L “Loorrddo offh heeaavvenenan andde eararthth,,d doesoesn noottd dwweelllli innhan handmaddmadeetem tempplleses.”.”Bu Buttth thiissd doesoesn noottmak makeeGod Godd diissttananttf frroommus us..W Weec cananp prraayyto toh hiimman anddbe beh heeararddan anywywhheerreebec becauseause“ “hheei issn noottf fararo offfff frroomme eacachho onneeo offus us.”.”——AAcctsts1 177::2244--2277.. ˇ
ONNDece Decembermber26, 26,2004 2004,,a a9 9.1.1--mamaggnniitudtudeee eararthth--q quuaakkeej joolltteeddS Siimmeeuulluuee,,a anni issllaannddo offfft thheen noorrththwwesesttcoas coastto offSuma Sumattrraa,,In Inddoonnesiaesia..A Alllle eyyeseso onnth thees shhoorreel looookkededou outttotose seaa..TThheetid tideew wasasr recedeced--i ingngbe beyyoonnddn noorrmalmal..Ins Insttanantltlyy,,e evveeryryoonnees sttarartedtedrunn runniingngf foorrth theeh hiillllss,,s shhououtitingng,,“Smo “Smongng!!Smo Smongng!”!”th theel lococalalw woorrddf foorrtsunam tsunamii..Wi Withthiinn30 30m miinnuutestes,,po powweerrffululw waavvesesc camameecr crasashhiingngo onntototh theecoas coastt,,d de-e-s sttrrooyyiingngm mosostto offth theeh hoommesesan anddv viillllaagesges..Si SimmeulueeulueIs Isllananddw wasasth theefi firrssttl lococaatitioonnto tobe beh hiittb byytha thattd deevvasasttaatitingngtsunam tsunamii..Y Yeett,,o offth thee7 78,-8,-000 000r residesidenentsts,,o onlnlyy7 7d diedied..Wh Whyyco commparparaatitivveellyyso sof feew?w?1A As saayyiingngam amoongngth theei issllananddeerrssi is:s:‘I ‘Iffa as sttrroongngt trrememoorroccur occurssan anddth theese seaaw wiiththdrdraawwss,,run runto toth theeh hiillllss,,f foorrth theese seaaw wiillllsoo soonnrus rushhas ashhoorree.’.’F Frroommpas pastte exxpeperrieniencece,,th theepeo peopplleeo offSi Simmeulueeuluehad hadl leeararnnededto tor recogecognnizeizean anap appprroacoachhiingngtsunam tsunamiib byyth theec changehangei innth theese seaa..H Heedeediingngth theead advvanancecew wararnniingngs saavvededth theieirrl liivveses..T ThheeBi Bibbllees spepeakaksso offan anap appprroacoachhiingngd diissasasteterr,,a a“ “ggrreeaattt trriibulbulaatitioonnsuc suchhas ashas hasn noottoccur occurrrededsi sinnceceth theew woorrlldd’’ssbe beggiinnnniingngun untitilln nooww,,n no,o,n noorrw wiilllloccur occura aggaaiinn.”.”(M (Maattththeeww2 244::2121))Bu Buttth thiissi issn noottth theeen enddo offp pllananeettEar Earththb byyi irrrresespoponsinsibblleehuman humanac actitivviitiestieso orrso sommeec caattasasttrroopphhicicna naturturalale evvenentt—f—foorri itti issGod God’’sspur purposeposetha thattth theee eararththr remaemaiinnf foorreevveerr..(Ecc (Ecclle-e-sias siastestes1 1::4)4)R Raaththeerr,,th theeco commiingngt trriibulbulaatitioonni issan an 1h Tihsis2004 2004tsunam tsunamiic cllaaiimmededth theel liivveseso offo ovveerr2 220,00020,000peo peoppllee——oonneeo offth theem mososttd desesttrucructitivveetsunam tsunamiissi innr recoecorrddededh hiisstotoryry..ac actto offGod Godto to“ “bbrriingngto torui ruinnth thoseoserui ruinniingngth theee eararthth.”.”I Ittw wiillllbe beth theeen enddo offal alllw wicickkednednessessan anddsuf- suf-fe ferriingng..(R (Reevveellaatitioonn1 111:18:18;;P Prroovveerrbsbs2 2::222)2)Wha Whatta ab bllessiessingngtha thattw wiillllbe be!!F Fururththeerrmmoorree,,unl unliikkeetsunam tsunamiiss,,e eararththqquakuakeses,,o orrv voollccananicice erupruptitioonsns,,th theeco commiingngd desesttrucructitioonnw wiilllln noottr resulesultti innth theed deeaaththo offi innnnocenocenttpeo peoppllee..“God “Godi issl loovvee,”,”s saayyssth theeBi Bibbllee,,an anddGod God,,w whhoseosenam nameei issJ Jee--h hoovvahah,,p prroommiisessestha thatt“ “ththeer riigghhteousteousw wiillllpossess possessth theee eararthth,,an anddth theeyyw wiilllll liivveef foorreevveerro onni itt.”.”(1 (1J Joohnhn4 4::88;;P Pssalmalm37 37::29)29)H Hooww,,th thougoughh,,c canany youousurv surviivveeth theeg grreeaattt trriibulbulaatitioonnan andden enjjooyyth theep prroommiisedsedb blless-ess-i ingngs?s?T Thheek keeyyi is:s:H Heedeedth theead advvanancecew wararnniingng!!BE BEA ALLERERTTT TOOT THEHECH CHAANGINGNGINGT TIDEIDEW Weec cannannoottd deeteterrmmiinneeth thees specificpecificda dateteo offth theeen enddo offal alllw wicickkednednessessan anddsuff suffeerriingng,,f foorrJ Jesusesuss saaid:id:“C “Coonncecerrnniingngtha thattda dayyan anddh hourourn noobodbodyyk knnoowwss,,n neieiththeerrth theeange angellsso offth theeh heeaavvensensn noorrth theeSo Sonn,,bu butto onlnlyyth theeF Faaththeerr.”.”N Noonneeththeellessess,,J Jesusesusen encourcouraagedgedus usto to“ “kkeeeeppo onnth theew waatctchh.”.”(M (Maattththeeww2 244::36;36;25 25:13):13)F Foorrw whahatt??T ThheeBi Bibblleeg giivvesesus usa ad descrescriipptitioonno offw woorrllddco connddiititioonsnstha thattw woulouldde exxiissttb befefoorreeGod Godb brriingngssth theeen endd..J Jususttas asth theesud sudddenens shhififtitingngo offth theetid tideeal aleerrtedtedth theer residesidenentstso offSi Simmeulueeulueto toan anap appprroacoachhiingngtsu- tsu-nam namii,,th theedr dramaamatictics shhififtitingngo offth theetid tideeo offw woorrlldde evvenentstsw wouloulddsi siggnalnalto tous ustha thattth theeen enddi issn neearar..T Thheeacco accommpanpanyyiingngbo boxxh hiigghlhliigghhtstsso sommeeo offth theedr dramaamat-t-ic icc changeshangesth theeBi Bibbllees spepeakaksso off..H HeedeediinnggA AddvvananceceW WaarrnniinnggCa CannS SaavveeY YoouurrL Lififee!!© 5D DeerrmmoottT Taatltlooww/P/PananoossP PictictururesesNo No..2 2201 2016611 11
1 122T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERGr Granantedted,,t takakeneni innddiivvidualidualllyy,,so sommeeo offth theee evvenentstso orrco connddiititioonsnsl liisstedtedi innth theebo boxxha havveeoccur occurrrededi innth theepas pasttto toso sommeee exxtententt..Bu ButtJ Jesusesuss saaididtha thattupo uponnseei seeingng“a “allllt thheseeset thhiingngss,”,”w weew wouloulddk knnoowwtha thattth theeen enddi issc clloseosea atthan handd..(M (Maattththeeww2 244::333)3)A Asskky yourour--se sellff,,‘ ‘WhWheneni innh hiisstotoryryha havveeal alllth theeth thiingngssd descrescriibedbed(1 (1))t takakenenp pllaceaceo onna ag glloobalbalsc scalalee,,(2) (2)occur occurrrededa attth thees samameeti timmee,,an andd(3) (3)p prrogogrressedessedto toan anun unpprrece-ece-d denentedtede exxtententt?’?’C Clleeararllyy,,w weear areel liivviingngi innsuc suchha ati timmee..A ANNEX EXPPRRESSIONESSIONOF OFGOD’S GOD’SL LOOVVEE“Ear “Earllyyw wararnniingngs syysstemstems. .. .. .d doos saavveel liivveses,”,”s saaidido onneef foorrmmeerrU U.S.S..p prresidesidenentt..F Foolllloowwiingngth thee2004 2004tsunam tsunamii,,a aw wararnniingngs syysstemtemw wasasi insnsttalalllededi innth theeaf- af-fec fectedtedr reeggiioonni innan aneff effoorrttto top prreevvenenttsi simmiillararl lossosso offl lififeef frroommoccur occurrriingngi innth theef fuuturturee..Si Simmiillararllyy,,God Godhas hasmad madeep prroovviisisioonnf foorrad advvanancecew wararnniingngto tobe beg giivv--en enbef befoorreeth theeen enddco commeses..TThheeBi Bibblleef foorreetotolld:d:“ “TThhiissgood goodn neewwsso offth theeK Kiingdngdoommw wiillllbe bep prreeacachhededi innal alllth theei inhanhabbiitedtede eararththf foorra aw wiittnnessessto toal alllth theena natitioonsns,,and andt thheennth theeen enddw wiillllco commee.”.”——MMaattththeeww2 244:1:144..L Lasastty yeeararal aloonnee,,J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessess spenpenttw weellllo ovveerr1 1.9.9b biilllliioonnh hourourssp prreeacachhiingngth theegood goodn neewwssi inn2 24040l lanandsdsan anddi innm moorreethan than7 70000l languaanguagesges..T Thhiissm mododeerrnn--dadayyd deevveelloopmpmenentto offffeerrsss sttrroongngp prroooofftha thattth theeen enddi issn neearar..M Moovvededb byyl loovveef foorrth theieirrn neieigghhboborr,,J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessess sparpareen nooeff effoorrttas asth theeyyw wararnno oththeerrsso offGod God’’ssda dayyo offj jududggmmenentttha thatti issf fasasttap ap--p prroacoachhiingng..(M (Maattththeeww2 222::339)9)T Thheef facactttha thatty yououc cananben benefiefittf frroommth thiissi innffoorrmamatitioonni isse evvididenenceceo offJ Jeehhoo--v vahah’’ssl loovveef foorry youou..R Remememembeberr,,“[God] “[God]d doesoesn noottd desiesirreean anyyoonneeto tobe bed desesttrrooyyededbu buttd desiesirresesal alllto toa att--t taaiinnto tor reepenpenttanancece.”.”(2 (2P Peeteterr3 3::9)9)Wi Willlly youour re-e-s spoponnddto toGod God’’ssl loovveean anddh heedeedth theead advvanancecew wararnn--i ing?ng?DRA DRAMMAATTICICW WORLORLDDEV EVEENNTTSSSI SIGNGNAALLIINGNGT THHAATTT THEHEEND ENDIS ISNEA NEARRG GLLOBOBAALLW WAARRA ANNDDE ESCASCALLAATTIINGNGCH CHAAOSOS“ “YYoouua arreeg goioinnggt tooh heaearro offw waarrssan anddr reeporporttsso offw waarrss..S Seeeeth thaatty yoouua arreen nootta alalarrmmed,ed,f fororth theeseseth thiinnggssmu musstttak takeepla placece,,b buuttth theee ennddis isn nootty yeett..F Fororn naattioionnwi willllrise risea aggaaiinnssttn naattioionnan anddki kinnggddoomma aggaaiinnssttki kinnggddoomm. .. .. .A Allllth theeseseth thiinnggssa arreea abeg begiinnnniinnggo offpan panggsso offd disistrtreessss..””—M—Maattttheheww2 244::6 6--8.8.DIS DISEEAASSEEA ANNDDH HUUNGNGEERRW WORLORLDDWWIIDEDE“ “InIno onneepla placecea affterteran anooththererf foodoods shhorortataggeessan anddpe pessttiilelenncecess..””—L —Luukkee2 211::1111..W WIIDEDESSPPREREAADDL LAAWWLLEESSSSNNEESSSSA ANNDDRE RELLIGIGIOUSIOUSC CONONFUSFUSIONION“ “MMananyyf faalselsepr proopphheettsswi willlla ariserisean anddm misleaisleaddm manany;y;an anddbecau becauseseo offth theei innccrreaeassiinnggo offla lawwlelesssnsneessss,,th theelo lovveeo offth theeg grreaeaterternumber numberwi willllg grroowwcold. cold.””—M—Maattttheheww2 244::111,1,1 122..
No No..2 2201 2016613 13F FLLEEEET TOOS SAAFFETETY!Y!R Rececalallltha thattth theer residesidenentstso offSi Simmeulueeulue’’sscoas coasttalalv viillllaagesgesfl flededto toh hiigghheerrg grrounounddf foorrs safafeetytyth theem moo--m menenttth theeyys saawwth theetid tideer recedecediing;ng;th theeyyd dididn noottw waaiittun untitilli ittr reeturturnneded..TThheieirrd deciecisisivveeac actitioonnm meeananttththeieirrsurv surviivvalal..T Toosurv surviivveeth theeco commiingngt trriibulbulaatitioonn,,y yououtoo toon needeedto tofl fleeeeto toh hiigghheerrg grrounoundd,,so soto tos spepeakak,,be- be-f foorreei itti isstoo tool laatete..H Hoow?w?T Thheep prroopphheettIs Isaaiahiahw wasasi in-n-s sppiirrededto tow wrriitetea abouboutta as stitirrrriingngi innvviittaatitioonntha thatti issbei beingnge exxtentenddededdur duriingng“ “ththeefi finalnalpar partto offththeeda dayyss,”,”th theeti timmeei innw whhicichhw ween noowwl liivvee..I Itts saayys:s:“C “Coommee,,l leettus usgo goup upto toth theem mounounttaaiinno offJ Jeehhoovvahah. .. .. .H Heew wiilllli insnsttrucructtus usa abouboutth hiissw waayyss,,an anddw weew wiillllw walalkki innh hiisspa paththss.”.”—Is—Isaaiahiah2 2::22,,3. 3.Go Goiingngto toth theeto toppo offa am mounounttaaiinnaff affoorrdsdsy yououan ane elleevvaatedtedv vieiewwan andda ap pllaceaceo offs safafeetyty..In Ina asi simmiillararw waayy,,ge getttitingngto tok knnoowwGod God’’ssw waayyssthr througoughhth theepa pag-g-es eso offth theeBi Bibblleei issh heellppiingngm miilllliioonsnso offpeo peopplleew woorrlldd--w widideetoda todayyto tomak makeeben beneficialeficialc changeshangesi innth theieirrl liivveses..(2 (2T Tiimmooththyy3 3::16,16,1 17)7)B Byyso sod dooiingng,,th theeyybe beggiinnto to“ “wwalalkki inn[God [God’’s]s]pa pathths”s”an andden enjjooyyh hiissf faavvoorran anddp prrootectectitivveec cararee..Wi Willlly youour resespoponnddto totha thatti innvviittaatitioonnan andda avvaaiilly youroursesellffo offGod God’’ssl loovviingngp prrootectectitioonni innth theseesecr criiti-ti-c calalda dayys?s?W Weeur urgegey yououto toe exxamamiinneec cararefefululllyyth theeScr Scriippturturaalle evvididenenceceo offth thee“ “llasasttda dayys”s”p prresenesentt--ed edi innth theebo boxxacco accommpanpanyyiingngth thiissar articticllee..J Jeehhoo--v vahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessesi inny yourourar areeaaw wouloulddbe behap happpyyto top prroovvidideean anyyassi assissttanancecey yououma mayyn needeedto toge getta ac clleeararun unddeerrssttananddiingngo offth theescr scriippturturesesp prroovvididededas asw weellllas ash hoowwto toap apppllyyth themem..Or Ory yououma mayyfi finnddan- an-s swweerrssto toy yourourq quesuestitioonsnsb byyv viisisititingngour ourw weebsibsitete,,www www..jjww..oorrgg..L Looookkun unddeerrB BIBIBLLEET TEEAACHINCHINGGSS> ˛B BIBIBLLEEQUE QUESTSTIIOONSNSANS ANSWWEREREDED.. ˇMORA MORALLA ANNDDS SOCIOCIAALLBRE BREAAKKDODOWWNNON ONA ANNU UNNPPRECERECEDEDENNTTEEDDSCA SCALLEE“ “InInth theela lassttd daayyssc critriticaicallt tiimmeessh haarrddt tood deaeallwith withwi willllbe beh hereree..F Fororm meennwi willllbe belo lovverersso offth theemmselselvveess,,lo lovverersso offm moonneeyy,,. .. .. .d disloisloyyaal,l,h haavviinnggn noon naatuturraalla affffececttioion,n,n nootto opepennt tooan anyya aggrreeeemmeenntt,,slan slanddererererss,,with withoouuttself self--coconntrtrol,ol,fier fiercece,,with withoouuttlo lovveeo offg goodnoodneessss,,be betrtraayyererss,,h heaeaddsstrtroonng,g,p puuffffededup upwith withprid pridee..””——22T Timoimotthhyy3 3::11--44..GOOD GOODN NEWEWSSOF OFGOD’S GOD’SK KIINGNGDOMDOMP PREREAACHCHEEDDW WORLORLDDWWIIDEDE“ “TThhisisg goodoodn neewwsso offth theeK Kiinnggddoommwi willllbe bepr preaeachchededi inna allllth theei inhnhabitedabitedea earrththf forora awitn witneesssst tooa allllth theen naattioionnss,,an anddth theennth theee ennddwi willllco commee..””—M—Maattttheheww2 244::1144..CRI CRITTICICSSDE DENNYYT THHAATTT THHEEE ENNDDIS ISN NEEAARR“ “InInth theela lassttd daayyssrid ridicuiculerlersswi willllco commeewith withth theieirrrid ridicuiculele,,. .. .. .sa sayyiinng:g:‘ ‘WWhherereeis isth thisispr proommisedisedpr preesesennceceo offh hisis??W Whhyy,,f frroommth theed daayyo ouurrf fororeeffaaththererssf felellla asleesleeppi innd deaeath,th,a allllth thiinnggssa arreeco connttiinunuiinngge exxaaccttlylya assth theeyyw werereef frroommc crreaeattioionn’’ssbeg begiinnnniinng.g.’’””——22P Peeterter3 3::3,3,4 4..
144T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERI IMMAAGGIINENEtha thatty yououar areea aC Chrhriisstiantianl liivviingngi innth theefi firrssttcen centurytury..Y Yourourco congngrreeggaatitioonnhas hasj jususttr receieceivvededa al leettteterrf frroommth theeapos apostltleeP Paulaul..A Assy yououl liisstentento toi ittbe- be-i ingngr reeadad,,y yououn nooticeticetha thattP Paulaulo offtentenq quouotestesf frroomm“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngss,”,”tha thatti iss,,th theeH HeebbrreewwScr Scriipp--tur tureses..(2 (2T Tiimmooththyy3 3::15)15)‘I ‘Iw wouloulddr reealalllyyl liikkeeto tosee seeth theete texxtth heei issq quouotitingngf frroomm,’,’y youous saayyto toy youroursesellff..Bu Butttha thattw wouloulddn noottha havveebeen beene easasyy..Wh Whyyn noott??NO NOCH CHAAPPTTERSERSOR ORV VERSESERSESC Coonnsidsideerrw whahattt thheema mannuuscrscriippttsso off“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngs”s”tha thattw weerreea avvaaiillaabblleei innP Paulaul’’ssda dayyl looookkededl liikkee..On Oneei isss shhoowwnnh heerree——aapo porrtitioonno offth theeboo bookko offIs Isaaiahiahf frroommth theeDe DeadadSe SeaaScr Scroollllss..Wha Whattd dooy youousee? see?So Sollididb bllocockksso offte texxtt!!N Noopun puncctuatuatitioonn..An Anddn noonneeo offth theen numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrsessestha thattw weeuse usetoda todayy..Bi Bibblleew wrriiteterrssd dididn noottd diivvidideeth theieirrm messessaagegei inntotoc chhaapptteerrsso orrv veerrsseess..T Thheeyyj juussttw wrrootteed doowwnnt thheew whhoolleem messessaagegeGod Godg gaavveeth thememso sotha thattth theer reeadadeerrsscoul coulddal alsosoge gettth theew whhoolleem messessaagege,,n noottj jususttti tinnyypar partstso offi itt..Is Istha thattn noottw whahatty yououw wananttw whheneny yououge gettan ani immpoporrttananttl leettteterrf frroommso sommeoeonneey yououl loovve?e?Y Youour reeadadth theew whhoolleel leettteterr,,n noottj jususttb biitstsan anddp piecesieceso offi itt..T Thheel lacackko offc chaphapteterrsso orrv veerrsesses,,h hoowweevveerr,,d dididpose posea ap prroobbllemem..P Paulaulcoul coulddo onlnlyyid idenentifytifyh hiissq quouo--t taatitioonsnsw wiiththsuc suchhw woorrdsdsas as“ “jjususttas asi itti issw wrriittten”ten”o orr“ “jjususttas asIs Isaaiahiahf foorreetotolldd.”.”(R (Roomansmans3 3::1100;;9 9::29)29)An Anddi ittw wouloulddha havveebeen beend difficulifficulttto tofi finnddth thoseoseq quouottaa--ti tioonsnsunl unlessessy yououw weerreev veeryryf famamiilliariarw wiiththal alll“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngss.”.”F Fururththeerrmmoorree,,th thoseose“ “hhoollyyw wrriititingngs”s”w weerreen nootto onneesi simmpplleem messessaagegef frroommGod God..B Byyth theeen enddo offth theefi firrssttcen centuryturyC C..EE.,.,th theeyyco consinsisstedtedo offa aco collllecectitioonno off66 66se separparaateteboo bookks!s!T Thahatti issw whhyym mososttBi Bibblleer reeadadeerrsstoda todayyar areeg glladadto toha havveen numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrsessestha thatth heellppth thememfi finndds specificpecifici innffoorrmamatitioonn,,suc suchhas asth theeman manyyq quouottaatitioonsnsi innP Paulaul’’ssl leettteterrss..‘So,’ ‘So,’y yououm miigghhttas askk,,‘ ‘wwhhoopu puttth thoseosec chaphapteterran anddv veerrsesen numumbeberrssi innth theeBi Bibblle?’e?’W WHOHOA ADDEDDDEDT THEHECH CHAAPPTTERSERS??Eng Englliisshhc clleerricicSte StepphhenenL Langangtotonn,,w whhool laateterrbe- be-c camameeA Arrcchhbbiisshhooppo offCan Canteterrburybury,,i isscr credediitedtedw wiiththad adddiingngth theec chaphapteterrd diivviisisioonsnsto toth theeBi Bibbllee..H Heed dididth thiisse eararllyyi innth thee13 13ththcen centuryturyC C..EE.,.,w whhenenh heew wasasa ate teacachheerra attth theeUn Uniivveerrsisitytyo offP Parariissi innF Frranancece..Bef BefoorreeL Langangtotonn’’ssda dayy,,sc schhoollararsshad hade exxpeperriimmenent-t-ed edw wiiththd diffiffeerrenenttw waayysso offd diivvididiingngth theeBi Bibblleei inntotosmal smallleerrsec sectitioonsnso orrc chaphapteterrss,,ma maiinlnlyy,,i ittseems seems,,f foorrr refefeerrenencecepur purposesposes..Y Yououc canani imamaggiinneeh hoowwmuc muchhe easieasierri ittw wouloulddha havveebeen beenf foorrth thememto tofi finndda apas- pas-s saagegeif ifth theeyyhad hadto tose seararcchhthr througoughho onlnlyyo onneec chaphap--te terrr raaththeerrthan thana aw whhoolleeboo bookk,,suc suchhas asth theeboo bookko offIs Isaaiahiahw wiiththi itsts66 66c chaphapteterrss..A Allllo offtha thatt,,h hoowweevveerr,,cr creeaatedteda ap prroobbllemem..T Thheesc schhoollararssp prroducedoducedman manyyd diffiffeerrenenttan anddi inncocommpapatiti--b bllees syysstemstems..In Ino onneeo offth themem,,M Mararkk’’ssGos Gospepellw wasasd dii--v vididededi inntotoalm almosostt50 50c chaphapteterrss,,n noottth thee16 16w weeha havveen nooww..In InP Parariissi innL Langangtotonn’’ssda dayy,,th theerreew weerrees studtudenentstsf frroommman manyycoun counttrriesies,,an anddth theeyyb brrougoughhttw wiiththth thememCH CHAAPPTTERSERSA ANDNDV VERSESERSESW WHOHOP PUUTTT THEMHEMI INNT THEHEBI BIBLBLE?E?C Cooururttesesyyo offShr Shrinineeo offth theeBoo Bookk,,Isr IsraaeellM Muuseseum,um,Je Jerruussalaleemm
Bibbllesesf frroommth theieirrna natitivveel lanandsds..H Hoowweevveerr,,l lececturtureerrssan andds studtudenentstscoul coulddn nootts sharhareer refefeerrenencesces..Wh Whyy??Be- Be-c causeauseth theec chaphapteterrd diivviisisioonsnsi innth theieirrman manuscruscriipptstssi simmppllyyd dididn noottma matctchh..So SoL Langangtotonnd deevveelloopedpedn neewwc chaphapteterrd diivviisisioonsns..Hi Hisss syysstemtem“ “ccaugaughhttth theei imamaggiinanatitioonno offr reeadadeerrssan anddscr scriibesbes,”,”s sttaatestesT ThheeB Booookk——AAH Hisisttooryryo offt thheeBib Bibllee,,an anddi itt“s “spprreeadadr rapapidlidlyyacr acrossossEur Euroopepe.”.”H Heeg gaavveeus usth theec chaphapteterrn numumbeberriingngw weefi finnddi innm mososttBi Bibbllesesto- to-da dayy..W WHOHOA ADDEDDDEDT THEHEV VERSESERSES??S Soommee3 30000y yeeaarrssl laatteerr,,i innt thheem miiddddlleeo offt thhee16 16tthhc ceennttuurryy,,r reennoowwnneeddF Frreenncchhp prriinntteerr--sscchhoollaarrR RoobeberrttEs Estienntienneemad madeeth thiingngsse evvenene easieasierr..Hi Hissa aiimmw wasasto topo populpulararizeizeBi Bibbllees studtudyy..H Heer reealalizedizedh hoowwv valuaaluabblleei ittw wouloulddbe beto toha havveea aun unififoorrmms syysstemtemo offbo boththn numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssand andn numumbeberrededv veerrsesses..Es Estienntienneed dididn noottco commeeup upw wiiththth theeid ideeaao offd diivvidid--i ingngth theeBi Bibblleete texxtti inntotov veerrsesses..Oth Otheerrsshad hadd doonneetha thattalr alreeadadyy..C Cenenturturiesiese eararllieierr,,J Jeewwiisshhco coppyyiisststs,,f foorre exx--am amppllee,,had hadd diivvididededth theew whhoolleeH HeebbrreewwBi Bibbllee,,o orrth theepar partto offth theeBi Bibblleeco commmmoonlnlyyc calalllededth theeOl OlddT Tesestta-a-m menentt,,i inntotov veerrsessesbu buttn nootti inntotoc chaphapteterrss..A Aggaaiinn,,as asw wiiththth theed deevveelloopmpmenentto offc chaphapteterrss,,th theerreew wasasn nooun unififoorrmms syysstemtem..E Essttiieennnneed diivviiddeeddt thheeC ChhrriissttiiaannG GrreeeekkS Sccrriipp--tur tureses,,o orrw whahatti issc calalllededth theeN NeewwT Tesesttamamenentt,,i inntotoa an neewwse setto offn numumbeberrededv veerrsessesan anddco commbbiinnededth thememw wiiththth thoseosealr alreeadadyyi innth theeH HeebbrreewwBi Bibbllee..In In1553, 1553,h heepu pubblliisshhededth theefi firrssttco commpplleeteteBi Bibbllee(an (aned ediititioonni innF Frrenencch)h)w wiiththbasic basicalalllyyth thees samameec chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrs-s-es estha thattm mososttBi Bibbllesesuse usetoda todayy..So Sommeepeo peopplleew weerreecr criiticticalalan andds saaididtha thattth theev veerrsessesb brrookkeeth theeBi Bibblleete texxtti inntotof frraaggmmenentsts,,mak makiingngi ittap appepeararas asa ase serriesieso offse separparaatetean anddd deettacachhededs sttaatemtemenentsts..Bu Butth hiisss syysstemtemw wasasq quicuickkllyyad adoopptedtedb byyo oththeerrp prriinnteterrss..A ABOON BOONF FORORBIBL BIBLEES STTUDENUDENTTSSI Ittseems seemsto tobe besuc suchha asi simmpplleeid ideeaa—n—numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrsesses..T Thhiissg giivvesese eacachhv veerrsesei innth theeBi Bibblleea aun uniiqqueue“ad “addrdress”ess”—l—liikkeea apos posttalalcod codee..T Truerue,,th theec chaphapteterran anddv veerrsesed diivviisisioonsnsar areen nootti insnsppiirrededb byyGod God,,an anddth theeyyd dooa attti timmesesb brreeakakup upth theeBi Bibblleete texxtti inns sttrrangeangep pllacesaces..Bu Buttth theeyymak makeei itte easieasierrf foorrus usto top piinnpopoiinnttq quouotestesan anddto toh hiigghlhliigghhtto orrs sharhareei innddiivvid-id-ual ualv veerrsessestha thattma mayyha havvees specialpecialm meeananiingngf foorrus us—j —jususttas asw weeh hiigghlhliigghhtte exxpprressiessioonsnso orrp phrhrasesasestha thattw wees specialpecialllyyw wananttto tor remememembeberri inna ad documocumenentto orra aboo bookk..C Coonnvvenenienienttth thougoughhth theec chaphapteterr--anandd--vveerrsesed diivvii--si sioonsnsar aree,,al alwwaayyssk keeeeppi innm miinnddth theei immpoporrttananceceo offge getttitingngth theeb biiggp picicturturee—un—unddeerrssttananddiingngth theew whhoolleem messessaagegeGod Godg gaavvee..C Culultitivvaateteth theeha habbiitto offr reeadadiingngth theeco conntetexxttr raaththeerrthan thanj jusustti isosollaatedtedv veerrsesses..Do Doiingngso sow wiillllh heellppy yououto tobeco becommeem moorreean anddm moorreef famamiill--iar iarw wiiththal alll“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngss,,w whhicichhar areea abblleeto tomak makeey yououw wiisesef foorrs salalvvaatitioonn.”.”——22T Tiimmooththyy3 3::15.15. ˇA Ach chapapterter--anand-d-vvererseser reefferereenncecele lettssy yoouukn knoowww whherereet toofi finnddan anyypa passsasaggeeo offsc scriripptuturree..In Inth thisism maaggazaziinnee,,th theer reefferereenncece“ “IsaIsaiahiah4 400::1133,,””f forore exxampleample,,id ideennttifieifiessth theef folollolowiwinng:g:( (aa))th 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wp16.2-E 151214 What Does the Bible Really Teach? LA LANGUNGUAAGEGE _______________________________________________________________________________________________N NAAMEME ________________________________________________________________________________________________________A ADDRDDRESSESS _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________F Fororm mailingailingadd addressress,,see seepage page2 2W Whhooor orw whhaattis isth theeDe Devviil?l?W WOUOULLDDY YOUOUS SAAYYth thaattth theeD Deevilvilis is. .. .. . ˙A Aspir spirititpe perrsosonn?? ˙A As syymbombollo offth theee evilvilin insidsideea ape perrsosonn?? ˙A Ap prroduoductcto offh humumananim imaaginginaatiotionn??W WHHAATTT THHEEB BIIBLBLEES SAAYYSST ThheeD Deevilvilco connvveerrsedsedwith withan andd“ “tteempmptteded””Jes Jesuuss..(M (Maattththeeww4 4::1-1-44))S Sooth theeD Deevilvilis isn noottim imaaginginararyy,,n noorris ish heeju jusstta as syymbombollo offe evilvil..He Heis isa awick wickededspir spirititpe perrsoson.n.W WHHAATTELSE ELSEC CAANNW WEEL LEAEARRNNF FROMROMT THEHEBIBL BIBLE?E? ˙T ThheeD Deevilvilw waasso orriginiginallallyya ah hoollyyan anggeell,,b buutt“ “hheedid didn nootts stantanddf faassttin inth theetr truuth.th.””( (JoJohnhn8 8::4444))He Hebe- be-c camameea aliar liaran anddr reebebellllededa aggainainssttGod God.. ˙Oth Otheerran anggeellssj joinoinededSa Satantan’’ssr reebebelliollion.n.—R —Reevveellaatiotionn1 122::99.. ˙T ThheeD Deevilvilb blinlinddssm mananyypeo peopplleet toohis hise exisxistteenncece..— —22C Coorrininthianthianss4 4::44..Can Canth theeDe Devviillco conntrtrololpeo peopleple??S SOMOMEEP PEOPEOPLLEES SAAYYth thaattco conntrtroollb byyth theeD Deevilvilis isa ah hooaaxx,,w whilhileeo oththeerrssdr dreaeaddbein beinggpo possessedssessedb byye evilvilspir spiritsits..W Whhaattd dooy yoouuthink? think?W WHHAATTT THHEEB BIIBLBLEES SAAYYSS“ “TThheew whhoolleew woorrllddis isl lyinyinggin inth theepo powweerro offth theewick wickededo onnee..””(1 (1Jo Johnhn5 5::119)9)T ThheeD Deevilvile exxeerrtstsgr greaeattinflu influeennceceo ovveerrm mankinankindd,,b buutth heed doesoesn noottco conntrtroolle evveerryyh humuman.an.W WHHAATTELSE ELSEC CAANNW WEEL LEAEARRNNF FROMROMT THEHEBIBL BIBLE?E? ˙T ThheeD Deevilvilu usessesd deceecepptiotionnt tooin incrcreaeasesehis hisinflu influ--e enncece..——22C Coorrininthianthianss11 11::1144.. ˙W Wickickededspir spiritsitsc cananin inso sommeec caasessestak takeeco conntrtroollo offpeo peoppllee..—M—Maattththeeww1 122::2222.. ˙W WithithGod God’’ssh heelplp,,y yoouuc canans suuccessccessffullullyy“ “oopppoposeseth theeD Deevilvil..””—J—Jamameses4 4:7:7..W WHHAATTDOES DOEST THEHEBI BIBLBLEES SAAY?Y?P Plealeasesese sennddm meea aco coppyyo offW WhhaattDoes Doesth theeBi BiblebleR RealealllyyT Teaeachch??F Fororm mororeei innfforormmaattioion,n,see seech chapapterter1 100o offth thisisboo bookk,,p publublisishhededb byyJ Jeehhoovvahah’’ssW WitnitneesssesessA Alsolsoa avvaaiilablelablea attw wwwww.jw.jw..ororgg sF Frreeeed doowwnnloaloaddsso offth thisism maaggazaziinneean anddpa passttis issusueessBi Bibleblea avvaaiilablelableo onnlliinneei innso sommee1 13300lan languguaaggeessV Visisititwww www..jjww..org,org,or orscan scancod codee n o p

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Wp e 201603

  • 1.
    34567N No.o.2 2201 20166W WHHYYDDIIDDJ JEESSUUSSS SUUFFEFFERRA ANNDDD DIIE?E?MEMOR MEMORIIAALLOF OFJESUS JESUS’’DEA DEATTHH| W WEDNESDEDNESDAAYY,,M MAARCHRCH23, 23,201 20166
  • 2.
    For the UNITEDSTATES OF AMERICA: Jehovah’s Witnesses 25 Columbia Heights Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483 For CANADA: Jehovah’s Witnesses PO Box 4100 Georgetown, ON L7G 4Y4 For a complete list of worldwide addresses, see www.jw.org/en/contact. The Watchtower (ISSN 0043-1087) Issue 4 March 2016 is published monthly with an additional issue published in January, March, May, July, September, and November by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.; L. Weaver, Jr., President; G. F. Simonis, Secretary-Treasurer; 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299, and by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada, PO Box 4100, Georgetown, ON L7G 4Y4. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watchtower, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299. 5 2016 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Printed in Canada.® 34567˙V Vooll..137 137,,No No..4 4EN ENGLGLISHISHP PrroduoducedcedE EaachchIss Issuuee::58 58,,998877,000,000A Avvailailabablleein in25 2544L LAANNGGUUAAGEGESSN No.o.2 2201 20166 ․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․T THISHISM MAAGGAZINEAZINE,,T ThheeW Waattchchttoowweerr,,h hoonnoorrssJe JehhoovvahahGod God,,th theeR Rululeerro offth theeuniv univeerrsese..It Itco comfmfoorrtstspeo peopplleewith withth theeg goodoodn neewwssth thaattGod God’’ssh heaeavveenlnlyyK Kininggddoommwill willsoo soonne ennddall allwick wickednednessessan anddtr trananssffoorrmmth theeear earththin inttooa ap pararaadisedise..It Itp prroommoottesesf faithaithin inJes JesuussChr Chrisistt,,w whhoodied diedso soth thaattw weemigh mighttg gainaine evveerrllaasstintingglif lifeean anddw whhoois isn noowwr rulinulingga assK Kininggo offGod God’’ssK Kininggddoom.m.T Thishism maaggaazinzineeh haassbee beennp pubublishlishededco conntintinuuoouuslslyysin sincece1 1887799an anddis isn noonponpoliticliticalal..It Ita adhdheerresest tooth theeBib Biblleea assits itsa auuththoorritityy..T Thishispu publicblicaattionionis isno nottf forors saleale..I Ittis ispro provvidedideda asspar partto offa aw wororldld--w wideideBi Biblebleed educucaattionionalalw wororkks suup-p-por portedtedb byyv voluolunnttararyydon donaattionsions..T Toom makakeea adon donaattion,ion,plea pleasesev visisiittwww www..jjww..org.org.Unl Unlessesso oththeerrwisewisein indicdicaatteded,,S Scrcripiptturureequ quootatatiotionnssar areef frroommth theem mododeerrn-ln-lananguguaaggeeNe NewwW WoorrllddT Trrananslslaa--tio tionno offth theeHo HollyyS Scrcripiptturureses..W Wooululddy yoouuw weellcocommeem moorreeinf infoorrmmaatiotionno orra af frreeeeh hoommeeBib Bibllees sttuuddyy??V Visitisitw wwwww.jw.jw..ororggo orrse sennddy yooururr requequesesttt tooo onneeo offth theea adddrdressesessesbe bellooww..W WHHAATTDO DOY YOUOUT THINK?HINK?C Canany yoouur realleallyybe benneefitfitf frroommth theev veerryyw weell-knll-knoowwnns statatteemmeenntt::“God “Godlo lovvededt thehew wororldldso som mucuchht thhaatthe hega gavveehis hisonl onlyy-bego-begotttentenSon Son”?”?—Jo —Johnhn3 3::1166..T Thishisiss issuueeo offT ThheeW Waattchchttoowweerre exxppllainainssh hoowwJes Jesuuss’’s suuffffeerrininggan anddd deaeaththc cananbe benneefitfity yoou.u.Sh ShooululddChr ChrisistiantianssW Woorrshipshipa attShr Shrinineses??8 8Heedin HeedinggAd AdvvananceceW WararninninggC CananSa SavveeY YooururL Lifife!e!11 11Ch Chapaptteerrssan anddV Veerrsesses——WWhhooP PuuttT Thheemmin inth theeBib Bibllee??1 144W WhhaattD Doesoesth theeBib BiblleeSa Sayy??1 166 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A ALSOLSOIN INT THISHISISSUE ISSUEW WhhyyDid DidJes JesuussSu Suffffeerran anddDie Die??Did DidIt ItR RealleallyyH Hapappepenn??3 3W WhhyyDid DidJes JesuussSu Suffffeerran anddDie Die??5 5 sRREAEADDM MOORREEO ONLNLINEINEO OTTHERHERB BIBIBLLEEQ QUEUESSTTIIOONSNSA ANSNSWWEREREDEDDid DidJes JesuussDie Dieo onna aC Crroossss??(L (Looookkun unddeerrB BIBIBLLEET TEAEACHINCHINGSGS> ˛B BIBIBLLEEQ QUEUESSTTIIOONSNSA ANSNSWWEREREDED)) r
  • 3.
    No..2 2201 2016633T Thhiisse exxttrraaoorrddiinarynaryaccoun accounttco commesesto tous usf frroommth theef fourourGos Gospepellsso offththeeC ChrhriisstiantianGr GreeeekkScr Scriippturtureses,,co com-m-m moonlnlyyc calalllededth theeN NeewwT Tesesttamamenentt..Did Didth thoseoseth thiingngssr reealalllyyhap happenpen??T Thahatti issa ape perrtitinnenenttan anddse serriiousousq quesues--ti tioonn..I Iffth theeyyd dididn noott,,C Chrhriisstiantianf faaiiththi issv valuealuellessessan anddth theeh hoopepeo offe eteterrnalnall lififeei innP Pararadadiisesei issn nooththiingngm moorreethan thana aw wiisshhffululdr dreeamam..(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians15 15:1:14)4)On Onth theeo oththeerrhan handd,,if ifth thoseosee evvenentstsr reealalllyyd dididhap happenpen,,th thenenth theerreei issa ab brriigghhttf fuuturtureef foorrmank mankiinndd,,o onneei innw whhicichhy yououc canans sharharee..So, So,ar areeth theeGos Gospepellaccoun accountstsf facactto orrfic fictitioonn??W WHHAATTT THEHEF FAACCTTSSSHO SHOWWUnl Unliikkeef fanancifcifulull leegengendsds,,th theeGos Gospepellw wrriititingngssr re-e-fl flececttpa paiinsnsttakakiingngaccur accuracyacyan andda atttententitioonnto tod deettaaiill..F Foorre exxamamppllee,,th theeyya abounbounddw wiiththnam nameseso offr reealalp pllacesaces,,man manyyo offw whhicichhc cananbe bev viisisitedtedtoda todayy..T Thheeyyte telllla aboubouttr reealalpeo peoppllee,,w whhoseosee exxiisstentencecehas hasbeen beenco corrrrooboborraatedtedb byysecul seculararh hiisstotorriansians..——LukLukee3 3::11,,2 2,,23. 23.C COOVVERERSUB SUBJEJECCTTD DIIDDI ITTRE REAALLLLYYH HAAPPPPEN?EN?In Inth theesp sprrininggo off33 33C C.E.E.,.,Jes Jesuussth theeN Naazarzareenneew waasse exxecuecutteded..He Heh haaddbee beennf falalsesellyych chararggededwith withseditio sedition,n,s saavvaaggeellyybea beatteen,n,an anddn nailailededt tooa as staktakee..He Hedied diedin ine exxcrcruuciaciatintinggp pain.ain.B BuuttGod Godr raisedaisedhim himb baackckt toolif lifee,,an andd40 40d daayyssl laatteerr,,Jes Jesuussa ascescennddededt tooh heaeavveen.n.
  • 4.
    4T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERGi Givveennththeepr prooffooununddi innflfluueennceceth thaattJ Jeesusussh haaddo onnth theew wororld,ld,s shhoouuldldw weee exxpecpecttm mororeei innth theew waayyo offco conntetempormporaarryyn noon-n-BiBiblblicaicallcor corrrooborboraattioionn??N Noottn neceecesssasaririlyly..F Fororo onneeth thiinng,g,th theeGos Gospelspelsw werereewrit writtetenna allmmosostt2 2,0,00000y yeaearrssa aggoo..F Feewwo oththererwrit writ--i innggsso offth thaattt tiimmeeh haavveesu surrvviivved.ed.( (11P Peeterter1 1::2244,,2 255))T Thheen,n,t toooo,,it itis isun unlliikkelyelyth thaattJ Jeesususs’’m mananyyo oppposerposerssw woouuldldwrite writean anythythiinnggth thaattw woouuldldle lennddc crredediibibillityityt tooth theer reeporporttssabo abouutth hiim.m.R RegegaarrddiinnggJ Jeesususs’’r reesusurrrrececttioion,n,P Peeterter,,o onneeo offh hisisapos aposttleless,,e exxplaplaiinned:ed:“God “Godr raaisedisedth thisiso onneeup upo onnth theeth thiirrddd daayyan andda alllolowwededh hiimmt toobeco becommeem mananififeesstt,,n noottt tooal alllth theepeo peopleple,,b buuttt toowitn witnessesessesap appoinpointtededbe beffororeehhananddb byyGod, God,t toou uss,,w whhooa atetean anddd drrankankwith withh hiimma affterterh hisisris risiinnggf frroommth theed deaead.d.””( (AAccttss1 100::440,0,4 411))W Whhyyn noottt tooa allllth theepeo peo--ple ple??M Maattththeeww’’ssGos Gospelpeltel tellslsu ussth thaattw whheennth theer releligigioiouusse enneemmieiessh heaearrddr reeporporttsso offJ Jeesususs’’r reesusurr--r rececttioion,n,th theeyysch scheemmededt toosup supprpreessssth theem.m.—M —Maattththeeww28 28::1111--1155..Doe Doessth thisism meaneanth thaattJ Jeesusussw wanantedtedh hisisr reesusurrrrecec--t tioionnt toobe bek keeppttsec secrreet?t?N Noo,,f fororP Peeterterw weenntto onnt toosa say:y:“ “HHeeor orddererededu usst toopr preaeachcht tooth theepeo peopleplean anddt toog giivveea ath thororooughughwitn witneessssth thaattth thisisis isth theeo onneed dececrreedeedb byyGod Godt toobe beju juddggeeo offth theel liivviinnggan anddth theed deaead.d.””T TrruueeC Chhrisristtianianssh haavveed doonneean andda arreed doioinnggju jussttth thaatt..—A—Accttss1 100::4422..W WhhyyI IssT TherehereN NoottM MoreoreSec SecululararSu Supporpport?t?J Jesusesush hiimsemsellffi issm menentitioonnededb byysecul seculararw wrriiteterrsso offth theefi firrssttan anddseco seconnddcen centurturiesies..1Hi Hissmann manneerro off 1a Tcitacius,tus,bo borrnna abouboutt55 55C C..EE.,.,w wrrootetetha thatt“C “Chrhriisstustus,,f frroommw whhoommth theenam namee[C [Chrhriisstians]tians]had hadi itstso orriiggiinn,,suff suffeerrededth theee exxttrrememeepenal penaltytydur duriingngth theer reieiggnno offT Tiibeberriiususa attth theehan handsdso offo onneeo offour ourp prrocurocuraatotorrss,,P PoonntitiususPi Pillaatustus.”.”J Jesusesusi issal alsosor refefeerrrrededto tob byySue Suetotonniiusus(fi (firrssttcen century);tury);J Jeeww--i isshhh hiisstotorrianianJ Joseosepphushus(fi (firrssttcen century);tury);an anddP Plliinnyyth theeY Youngeoungerr,,go govveerr--n noorro offBi Biththyynniaia(e (eararllyyseco seconnddcen century).tury).d deeaathth,,as asd descrescriibedbedi innth theeGos Gospepellss,,a aggrreeseesw wiiththR Roomanmane exxecuecutitioonalnalm meeththodsodso offth theeti timmee..M Moorre-e-o ovveerr,,e evvenentstsar areer reellaatedtedi inna af facactualtualan anddc cananddididmann manneerr——eevvenenpo porrttrraayyiingngso sommeeo offJ Jesus’esus’d diiscisci--p pllesesun unffaavvoorraabbllyy..(M (Maattththeeww26: 26:556;6;Luk Lukee2 222::2244--26; 26;J Joohnhn18 18::110,0,1 111))A Allllth theseesef facactotorrsss sttrroongngllyyi innddicicaatetetha thattth theeGos Gospepellw wrriiteterrssw weerreeh hoonnesesttan anddaccur accuraatetei innw whahattth theeyyw wrrootetea aboubouttJ Jesusesus..W WHHAATTAABOUBOUTTJESUSJESUS’’R RESURESURRREECCTTIONION??Wh Whiilleei itti issgen geneerralalllyyacce accepptedtedtha thattJ Jesusesusl liivvededan anddd diedied,,so sommeew wouloulddq quesuestitioonnh hiissr resuresurrrecectitioonn..E Evvenenh hiissapos apostltlesesd dididn noottbe bellieievveeth theei inniitialtialr reepoporrtto offh hiissha havviingngr reeturturnnededto tol lififee..(Luk (Lukee2 244:1:111))A Alllld dououbbttw wasasr rememoovveded,,h hoowweevveerr,,w whhenenth theeyyan anddo othth--e errd diisciscippllesessa sawwth theer resuresurrrecectedtedJ Jesusesuso onnse sepa-pa-r raateteocc occasiasioonsns..In Inf facactt,,i inno onneec casease,,th theerreew weerreem moorreethan than500 500e eyyeewwiittnnessesessesp prresenesentt..——11C Coorriinn--th thiansians15 15::6.6.A Attth theer riisskko offbei beingngar arrresestedtedan anddk kiilllleded,,th theed diis-s-ci cippllesescour couraageousgeousllyyp prrococllaaiimmededJ Jesus’esus’r resuresurrrecec--ti tioonnto toal alll——eevvenento toth theev veeryryo onnesesw whhoohad hade exxecuecut-t-ed edh hiimm..(A (Acctsts4 4::11--3,3,1 10,0,1 199,,20 20;;5 5::2277--332)2)W Wouloulddso soman manyyd diisciscippllesesha havveebeen beenso sobo bollddif ifth theeyyw weerreen nootta absobsolulutetellyysur sureetha thattJ Jesusesushad hadr reealalllyybeen beenr resuresur--r recected?ted?In Inf facactt,,th theer reealaliitytyo offth theer resuresurrrecectitioonno offJ Jesusesusi issth theedr driivviingngf foorrcecebe behhiinnddth theei immpacpactttha thattC Chrhriisstiantianiitytyhas hashad hado onnth theew woorrllddbo boththth thenenan anddn nooww..T ThheeGos Gospepellaccoun accountstso offJ Jesus’esus’d deeaaththan anddr res-es-ur urrrecectitioonnbe beararal alllth theen necessecessaryarymar markksso offan anau au--th thenentictich hiisstotorricicalalr recoecorrdd..Car Carefefululllyyr reeadadiingngth thememw wiillllco connvviinncecey yououtha thattth theseesee evvenentstsr reealalllyyhap hap--pen peneded..Y Yourourco connvvicictitioonnc cananbe bef fururththeerrs sttrrengengthth--en enededw whheneny yououun unddeerrssttananddw whhyyth theeyytoo tookkp pllaceace..T Thheen neexxttar articticlleew wiilllle exxppllaaiinn..
  • 5.
    No..2 2201 2016655Wha Whattw wouloulddy youous saayyif ify yououw weerreeas askkeded,,“Do “Doy yououw wananttto tol liivveef foorreevveer?”r?”M Mososttpeo peopplleew wouloulddp prroobababbllyys saayytha thattth theeyyw wananttto tobu butttha thattth theeyyf feeeelli itti issunr unreealaliissticticto toco considnsideerri itt..De Deaaththi issa an noorrmalmalpar partto offl lififee,,th theeyys saayy,,th theena naturturalalou outcotcommeeo offour oure exx--i isstentencece..Sup Supposepose,,th thougoughh,,tha thattth theeq quesuestitioonnw weerreetur turnnededar arounounddan anddy yououw weerreeas askkeded,,“ “AArreey youour reeadadyyto tod die?”ie?”Un Unddeerrn noorrmalmalci cirrcumscumsttanancesces,,m mososttpeo peopplleew wouloulddans answweerrn no.o.T Thheepo poiinntt??In Ins sppiiteteo offth theet trrialialssan anddhar hardsdshhiipspsw weef faceace,,our ourn noorrmalmalan anddna nat-t-ur uralald desiesirreei issto tol liivvee..T ThheeBi Bibbllees shhoowwsstha thattGod Godcr creeaatedtedhu- hu-mans mansw wiiththth theed desiesirreean anddth theew wiillllto tol liivvee..In Inf facactt,,i itts saayysstha thatt“ “hheehas hase evvenenpu putte eteterrnniitytyi innth theieirrh heearartt.”.”——EccEccllesiasesiastestes3 3::1111..T Thheer reealaliityty,,th thougoughh,,i isstha thatthumans humansd doon noottl liivveef foorreevveerr..So, So,w whahattw wenenttw wrroong?ng?F Fururththeerrmmoorree,,has hasGod Godd doonneean anythythiingngto tor rememededyyth theesi situatuatitioonn??T ThheeBi Bibbllee’’ssans answweerrssar areeh heearartenteniingng,,an anddth theeyyha havveea ad diirrececttbe bearariingngo onnw whhyyJ Jesusesussuff suffeerrededan anddd diedied..W WHHAATTW WENENTTW WRONGRONGT Thheefi firrssttthr threeeec chaphapteterrsso offth theeBi Bibblleeboo bookko offGen Genesiesisste tellllus ustha thattGod Godse settbef befoorreeth theefi firrsstthuman humancoup coupllee,,A Adamdaman anddE Evvee,,th theep prrosospecpectto offun unenenddiingngl lififeean anddto tollddth thememw whahattth theeyyw wouloulddha havveeto tod dooto tog gaaiinni itt..T Thhenenth theeaccoun accounttd descrescriibesbesh hoowwth theeyyf faaiillededto too obebeyyGod Godan anddl losostttha thattp prrosospecpectt..T Thhees stotoryryi issto tollddsi simmppllyy——sososi simmppllyytha thattso sommeear areeq quicuickkto tod diismsmiissssi ittas asf foollkk--l loorree..Bu ButtGen Genesiesiss,,l liikkeeth theeGos Gospepellss,,g giivvesese evveeryryi innddicicaatitioonno offbei beingnga af facactualtual,,h hiisstotorricicalalr recoecorrdd..1Wha Whatthas hasbeen beenth theer resulesultto offA Adamdam’’ssf faaiilurlureeto too obebeyy??T ThheeBi Bi--b blleeans answweerrssth thiissw waay:y:“ “TThrhrougoughho onneeman man[A [Adam]dam]si sinnen enteterrededi inntototh theew woorrllddan anddd deeaathththr througoughhsi sinn,,an anddso sod deeaathths spprreeadadto toal alllm menenbec becauseauseth theeyyhad hadal alllsi sinnnneded.”.”(R (Roomansmans5 5::112)2)B Byyd diis-s-o obebeyyiingngGod God,,A Adamdamsi sinnnneded..H Heethus thusl lososttth theep prrosospecpectto offen end-d-l lessessl lififeean andde evvenentualtualllyyd diedied..Bei Beingngh hiissd descenescendandantsts,,w weeha havveei inhnheerriitedtedh hiisssi sinnffululco connddiititioonn..A Assa ar resulesultt,,w weear areesu subbjjececttto tosic sickknnessess,,o olldda agege,,an anddd deeaathth..T Thhiisse exxppllanaanatitioonno offw whhyyw weed dieiei issi innhar harmmoonnyyw wiiththw whahattw week knnoowwtoda todayya abouboutth heerredediityty.. 1ee See“ “TThheeHi HisstotorricicalalC Charharacacteterro offGen Genesiesiss,”,”i innIns Insiigghhtto onnt thheeS Sccrriipptturureses,,V Voolumlumee1 1,,pa pagege9 92222,,pu pubblliisshhededb byyJ Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesesses..W WHHYYD DIIDDJ JEESUSUSSS SUUFFEFFERRA ANNDDD DIIE?E?“ “TThhrougroughhone onem manan[ [AAddam]am]s sininen enteredteredin intotot thehew wororldldand anddea deatthht thhrougroughhs sin.in.””—R —Romomansans5 5::1122
  • 6.
    6T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERBu ButthashasGod Godd doonneean anythythiingngto tor rememededyyth theesi situatua--ti tioonn??W WHHAATTGOD GODH HAASSDONE DONEY Yeses,,God Godmad madeear arrrangemangemenentststo tor rededeemeem,,o orrbu buyybac backk,,w whahattA Adamdamhad hadl lososttf foorrh hiissd descenescen--dan dantsts,,nam nameellyy,,th theep prrosospecpectto offen endldlessessl lififee..H Hoowwd dididGod Godacco accommpplliisshhtha thatt??“ “TThheew waagesgessi sinnpa payyssi issd deeaathth,”,”s saayyssth theeBi Bibblleea attR Roomansmans6: 6:23.23.T Thhiissm meeansanstha thattd deeaaththi issth theeco conse-nse-q quenuenceceo offsi sinn..A Adamdamsi sinnnneded,,so soh heed diedied..Li Likkeewwiisese,,w weesi sinnan anddar areeth theerrefefoorreesu subbjjececttto tosi sinn’’ssw waagesges,,d deeaathth..Bu Buttw weew weerreebo borrnni innth thiisssi sinnffululco connddiititioonnthr througoughhn noof faulaultto offour ouro owwnn..So SoGod Godl loovviingngllyysen sentth hiissSo Sonn,,J Jesusesus,,to toacce accepptt‘ ‘ththeew waagesgeso offsi sinn’’f foorrus us..H Hoowwd doesoesth thiissw woorrkk??S Siinncceeo onneem maann,,t thheep peerrffeeccttm maannA Addaamm,,b brrougoughhttsi sinnan anddd deeaaththo onnus usthr througoughhd diisosobedbedi-i-en encece,,a ape perrffececttman mano obedbedienientte evvenenti tilllld deeaaththw wasasn needeedededto tor reelleeaseaseus usf frroommtha thattbur burddenen..T ThheeBi Bibblleee exxppllaaiinsnsi ittth thiissw waay:y:“ “JJususttas asthr througoughhth theed diisosobe-be-d dienienceceo offth theeo onneeman manman manyyw weerreemad madeesi sinnnneerrss,,so soal alsosothr througoughhth theeo obedbedienienceceo offth theeo onneepe perrsosonnman manyyw wiillllbe bemad madeer riigghhteousteous.”.”(R (Roomansmans5 5::119)9)J Je-e-sus susw wasastha thatt“ “oonneepe perrsosonn.”.”H Heel lefeftth heeaavvenen,,be- be-c camameea ape perrffececttman man,1,an anddd diediedi innour ourbe behalhalff..A Assa ar resulesultt,,i itti isspossi possibblleef foorrus usto toha havveea ar riigghhteousteouss sttananddiingngw wiiththGod Godan anddg gaaiinnth theep prrosospecpectto offen end-d-l lessessl lififee..W WHHYYJESUSJESUSSUF SUFFFEREREDEDA ANDNDDIED DIEDWh Whyy,,th thougoughh,,w wasasi ittn necessecessaryaryf foorrJ Jesusesusto tod dieieto toacco accommpplliisshhth thiis?s?C Couloulddn noottA AlmlmiigghhtytyGod Godha havveesi simmppllyyi issuedssueda ad decrecreeeetha thattA Adamdam’’ssd descenescen--dan dantstsbe beal allloowwededto tol liivveef foorreevveer?r?H Heece cerrttaaiinlnlyyhad hadth theeau auththoorriitytyto tod dooso. so.Bu Butttha thattw wouloulddha havveed diiss--r reeggararddededh hiisss sttaatedtedl laawwtha thattth theew waagesgeso offsi sinni issd deeaathth..T Thahattl laawwi issn noope petttytyrul ruleetha thattc cananbe bed diis-s-m miissedssedo orrc changedhangedf foorrco connvvenenieniencece..I Itti issf fununda-da-m menenttalalto tot trueruej jususticetice..——PPssalmalm37 37::28.28.H HadadGod Godse settj jususticeticeasid asideei innth thiissi insnsttanancece,,peo peo--p plleem miigghhttha havveew woonnddeerrededw whheeththeerrh heew wouloulddd dooso soi inno oththeerrma mattteterrssas asw weellll..F Foorre exxamamppllee,,w wouloulddh heebe be 1od’ Gods’st trransfansfeerro offh hiissSo Sonn’’ssl lififeef frroommh heeaavvenento toth theew woommbbo offM Maryaryc causedausedco conncecepptitioonn,,an anddGod God’’ssh hoollyys sppiirriitts shhieiellddededJ Jesusesusf frroommi inhnheerr--i ititingngi immpeperrffecectitioonnf frroommM Maryary..——LukLukee1 1::3131,,35. 35.J Jeesususs’’d deaeaththo opepennssth theew waayyt tooa ah hapapppyy,,e ennddlelessssl lififee
  • 7.
    No..2 2201 2016677On Onth theen nighighttbe beffororeeh heesu surrrreennddererededh hisisl lififee,,J Jeesusussg gaaththererededwith withh hisisf faaithithffuullapos aposttlelessan anddi innssttituitutedtedth theeM Meemmoriaoriallo offh hisisd deaeath.th.H Heesa saididt tooth theem:m:“ “KKeeeeppd doioinnggth thisisi innr reemmeem-m-br brananceceo offm mee..””( (LLukukee2 222::1199))In Ino obedbedieienncecet tooth thaattco commmmanand,d,J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssW Witnitneesssesessw wororldld--wid wideeg gaaththererannu annuaalllylyo onnth theeann anniivverersasarryyo offJ Jeesususs’’d deaeath.th.L Laasstty yeaearr,,1 199,,862862,7,78833a atttetenndd--ed edth thisise evveenntt..T Thhisisy yeaearr,,th theeM Meemmoriaoriallo offJ Jeesususs’’d deaeaththf faalllslso onnW Wedednesdnesdaayy,,M Marcarchh23, 23,a afftertersun sunddoowwn.n.Y Yoouuan anddy yoouurrf famamiilylyan anddf frieriennddssa arreew waarrmmlylyi innvviteditedt tooa atttetennddan anddl lisistetennt tooa aBi Bibleble-ba-basedsedta tallkk..It Itwi willlle exxplaplaiinnw whhyyJ Jeesususs’’d deaeaththw waasss sig-ig-n nificanificanttan anddh hoowwit itcan canbe benneefitfity yoouuper persosonn--a alllyly..A Atttetennddananceceis isf frree;ee;n noocol colleclecttioionnsswi willllbe betak takeen.n.P Plealeasesea asskkJ Jeehhoovvahah’’ssW Witnitneesssesessi inny yoouurra arreaeaf fororth theet tiimmeean anddloca locattioion.n.Or Ory yoouum maayyco connsusultlto ouurrw weebsbsiteite,,w wwwww.jw.jw..ororg.g.“ “KKeeeeppDoi DoinnggT Thhisis””f faaiirri innd deeteterrmmiinniingngw whhooam amoongngA Adamdam’’sso offffsspprriingngq qualualifyifyf foorre eteterrnalnall lifife?e?C Couloulddh heebe bet trusrustedtedto tok keeeepph hiissp prroommiises?ses?God God’’ssadh adheerrenenceceto toj jususticeticei innw woorrkkiingngou outtour ours salalvvaatitioonni issassur assurananceceto tous ustha thatth heew wiillllal alwwaayyssd doow whahatti issr riigghhtt..B ByyJ Jesus’esus’ssacracrificialificiald deeaathth,,God Godo openpenededth theew waayyto toen endldlessessl lififeei innP Pararadadiiseseo onne eararthth..N NooteteJ Jesus’esus’w woorrdsdsas asr recoecorrddededa attJ Joohnhn3 3::16:16:“God “Godl loovvededth theew woorrllddso somuc muchhtha thatth heeg gaavveeh hiisso onlnlyy--bebegogotttentenSo Sonn,,so sot thahatte evveeryryoonneee exxeerrcicisisingngf faaiiththi innh hiimmm miigghhttn noottbe bed desesttrrooyyededbu buttha havveee evveerrllasastitingngl lififee.”.”J Jesus’esus’d deeaaththi issthus thusan ane exxpprressiessioonnn nootto onlnlyyo offGod God’’ssun unffaaiilliingngj jususticeticebu butt,,m moorrees specialpecialllyy,,o offh hiissg grreeaattl loovveef foorrhumans humans..H Hoowweevveerr,,w whhyyd dididJ Jesusesusha havveeto tosuff suffeerran anddd dieiei innth theepa paiinnffululw waayytha thattw wasasd descrescriibedbedi innth theeGos Gos--pe pells?s?B Byysu subbjjecectitingngh hiimsemsellffto toth theee exxttrrememeetes testtan anddr remaemaiinniingngf faaiiththffulul,,J Jesusesusr refefuutedtedo onncecean anddf foorral alllth theeDe Devviill’’ssc cllaaiimmtha thatthumans humansw wouloulddn noottr re-e-ma maiinnl looyyalalto toGod Godw whhenenun unddeerrt trrialial..(J (Joobb2 2::44,,5) 5)T Thahattc cllaaiimmm miigghhttha havveeseem seemededv valalididaf afteterrS Saattanani innducedducedpe perrffececttA Adamdamto tosi sinn..Bu ButtJ Jesusesus——wwhhoow wasasA Adamdam’’sspe perrffecectteq equiuivvalalenentt—r—remaemaiinnededo obedbedi-i-en enttd desesppiitetese sevveerreesuff suffeerriingng..(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians15 15::4 45)5)H Heethus thusp prroovvededtha thattA Adamdamtoo toocoul coulddha havveeo obebeyyededGod Godif ifh heehad hadc chhosenosento tod dooso. so.B Byyen en--dur duriingngun unddeerrt trrialial,,J Jesusesusl lefefttus usa am mododeellto tof fooll--l looww..(1 (1P Peeteterr2 2::2121))God Godr reewwararddededh hiissSo Sonn’’sspe perr--f fecectto obedbedieniencece,,g grranantitingngJ Jesusesusi immmmoorrttalall lififeei innh heeaavvenen..HO HOWWY YOUOUC CAANNBENEF BENEFIITTJ Jesus’esus’d deeaaththr reealalllyyoccur occurrreded..T Thheew waayyto toun un--en enddiingngl lififeei isso openpen..Do Doy yououw wananttto tol liivveef foorreevveer?r?J Jesusesusi innddicicaatedtedw whahattw ween needeedto tod doow whhenenh hees saaid:id:“ “TThhiissm meeansanse evveerrllasastitingngl lififee,,th theieirrco commiingngto tok knnoowwy youou,,th theeo onlnlyyt truerueGod God,,an anddth theeo onneew whhoommy youousen sentt,,J JesusesusC Chrhriisstt.”.”——JJoohnhn1 177::3.3.T Thheepu pubblliisshheerrsso offth thiissma maggaazziinneei innvviitetey yououto tol leeararnnm moorreea aboubouttJ Jeehhoovvahah,,th theet truerueGod God,,an andda abouboutth hiissSo Sonn,,J JesusesusC Chrhriisstt..J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessesi inny yourourco communmmuniitytyw wiillllbe behap happpyyto toassi assisstty youou..Y Yououc cananal alsosor receieceivveeh heellppffululi innffoorrmamatitioonnb byyv viisisit-t-i ingngour ourw weebsibsitete,,www www..jjww..oorrgg.. ˇ
  • 8.
    8T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERE EVVERERYYyyeearar,,m moorreethan thansi sixxm miilllliioonnpeo peopplleet trraavv--e ellt tooa anni issoollaatteeddc ceeddaarrf foorreesstto onnt thheeS Shhii--ma maP Peneniinsulnsulaai innJ Japanapan..T Thheeyyco commeeto toth theeGr GrananddS Shrhriinneeo offIse Ise,,w whheerreeth theeS Shhiinntotosun sungod godddessess,,Ama Ama--te terrasuasuOm Omiikkamamii,,has hasbeen beenw woorrsshhiipppedpedf foorrso sommeetw twooth thousousananddy yeeararss..T Thheew woorrsshhiipppeperrssfi firrssttpur purifyifyth themseemsellvvesesb byyw wasashhiingngth theieirrhan handsdsan anddm mououthth..T Thhenen,,s sttananddiingngbef befoorreeth thees shrhriinnee’’ssh haaidideenn(w (woorrsshhiipphal hall),l),th theeyyf foolllloowwa ar riitualtuali innw whhicichhth theeyybo boww,,c cllap,ap,an anddp prraayyto toth theegod godddessess..1S Shhiinntotoal allloowwssi itstsadh adheerr--en entststo top prracacticeticeo oththeerrf faaiiththss,,an anddso sommeeBud Buddhdhiisststs,,p prrooffessedessedC Chrhriisstianstians,,an anddo oththeerrsssee seen nooco connflflicictti innpe perrffoorrmmiingngth theeS Shhiinntotor riitualtualssa attth thiisss shrhriinnee..M Maannyyo offt thheew woorrlldd’’ssm maajjoorrr reelliiggiioonnssh haavvees shrhriinneses,,2an anddcoun countltlessessm miilllliioonsnso offpeo peopplleev viisisittth themem..In Inp prrooffessedessedC Chrhriisstiantianl lanandsds,,th theerreear areen nu-u-m meerrousousc churhurcchhesesan andds shrhriinnesesd dededicicaatedtedto toJ Jesusesus,,M Maryary,,an anddth thees saaiinntsts..Oth Otheerrssl liikkeeth thememar areees esttaabb--l liisshhededi innl lococaatitioonsnsw whheerreeBi Bibbllicicalale evvenentstso orr“m “miirra-a-c clles”es”o offm moorreer recenecenttti timmesesar arees saaididto toha havveet takakenenp pllaceaceo orrw whheerreer reelliiggiiousousr reellicsicsar areek keepptt..M Mananyypeo peo--p plleego goto toth thees shrhriinnesesbec becauseauseth theeyybe bellieievveetha thattth theieirrp prraayyeerrssar areem moorreel liikkeellyyto tobe beh heeararddif ifo of-f-fe ferrededi inna as sacracrededp pllaceace..F Foorro oththeerrss,,r reeacachhiingnga as shrhriinneei issth theeculm culmiinanatitioonno offa al loongngp piilglgrriimamagegeth theeyy 1Ri Ritualtualssma mayyd diffiffeerra attv varariiousousS Shhiinntotos shrhriinneses.. 2See Seeth theebo boxx“ “WhaWhattIs Isa aS Shrhriinne?”e?”ha havveemad madeeto tod dememoonsnsttrraateteth theieirrr reelliiggiiousousd deevvoo--ti tioonn..A Arreep prraayyeerrssa annddp peettiititioonnssm moorreel liikkeellyyto tob beeh heeararddan anddans answweerrededif ifththeeyyar areeo offffeerrededa atta as shrhriinne?e?Wi WillllGod Godbe bep plleeasedasedb byyth theed deevvootitioonno offth thoseosew whhoomak makeep piilglgrriimamagesgesto tos shrhriinnes?es?M Moorreeto toth theepo poiinntt,,s shhouloulddC Chrhriisstianstiansw woorrsshhiippa atts shrhriinnes?es?T Thheeans answweerrssto toth theseeseq quesuestitioonsnsw wiilllln nootto onlnlyyte tellllus ush hoowww wees shhouloulddv vieiewww woorrsshhiippppiingnga atts shrhriinnesesbu buttal alsosoh heellppus usto toun unddeerrssttananddth theek kiinnddo offw woorrsshhiipptha thattt trulrulyyp plleeasesasesGod God..W WORSHIPORSHIP“ “WWIITTHHSP SPIRIRIITTAANDNDT TRRUUTTHH””A Aco connvveerrssaatitioonntha thattJ Jesusesushad hadw wiiththa aS Samaramariittananw woomanmanr reevveealalssGod God’’ssv vieiewwo offw woorrsshhiippa atts sacracrededp pllacesaceso orrs shrhriinneses..J Jesusesusw wasast trraavveelliingngthr througoughhS Sa-a-mar mariaiaan andds stotopppedpedto tor resestta atta aw weelllln neeararth theeci citytyo offS Syyccharhar..H Hees sttrucruckkup upa aco connvveerrssaatitioonnw wiiththa aw woom-m-an anw whhooc camameeto todr draawww waateterrf frroommth theew weellll..A Assth theeyyt talalkkeded,,th theew woomanmanpo poiinntedtedou outta ama majjoorrr reelliiggiiousousd diffiffeerrenencecebe betwtweeneenth theeJ Jeewwssan anddth theeS Samaramariittansans..“Our “Ourf foorrefefaaththeerrssw woorrsshhiipppedpedo onnth thiissm mounounttaaiinn,”,”s shhees saaidid,,“ “bubutty yououpeo peoppllees saayytha thatti innJ Jeerusrusalalememi issth theep pllaceacew whheerreepeo peopplleemus musttw woorrsshhiip.”p.”——JJoohnhn4 4::5 5--99,,20. 20.T Thheem mounounttaaiinntha thattth theew woomanmanr refefeerrrrededto tow wasasM MounounttGe Gerriziziimm,,l lococaatedteda abouboutt30 30m miilleses(50 (50k km)m)n noorrththo offJ Jeerusrusalalemem..T Thheerreeth theeS Samaramariittansanso onnceceSh ShoouuldldC ChhrisristtianianssW Wororsshhiippa attSh Shririnneess??
  • 9.
    No No..2 2201 2016699had hada atem tempplleew whheerreeth theeyyce celleebbrraatedtedf fesestitivvalalsssuc suchhas asth theeP Passoassovveerr..H Hoowweevveerr,,i insnsteteadado offf focusiocusingngo onnth thiissco connttrroovveerrsialsiald diffiffeerrenencecebe betwtweeneenth themem,,J Jesusesuss saaididto toth theew wooman:man:“Be “Bellieievveem mee,,w woomanman,,th theeh hourouri issco commiingngw whhenenn neieiththeerro onnth thiissm mounounttaaiinnn noorri innJ Jeerusrusalalememw wiilllly yououw woorrsshhiippth theeF Faaththeerr.”.”(J (Joohnhn4 4::2121))Wha Whattan anas astountounddiingngco commmmenentt,,es especialpecialllyyco commiingngf frroomma aJ Jeew!w!Wh Whyyw wouloulddth theew woorrsshhiippa attGod God’’sstem tempplleei innJ Jeerusrusalalememce cease?ase?J Jesusesusco conntitinnued:ued:“ “TThheeh hourouri issco commiingng,,an anddi itti issn nooww,,w whhenenth theet trueruew woorrsshhiipppeperrssw wiillllw woorrsshhiippth theeF Faaththeerrw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth,,f foorri innddeedeed,,th theeF Faaththeerri issl looookkiingngf foorro onnesesl liikkeeth theseeseto tow woorrsshhiipph hiimm.”.”(J (Joohnhn4 4::23)23)F Foorrcen centurturiesies,,th theeJ Jeewwssv vieiewwededth theema maggnnificenificentttem tempplleei innJ Jeerusrusalalememas asth theecen centeterro offth theieirrw woorrsshhiip.p.T Thheeyyj jourournneeyyededth theerreethr threeeeti timmesesa ay yeeararto tomak makees sacracrificesificesto toth theieirrGod God,,J Jeehhoovvahah..(Ex (Exodusodus23 23:1:144--117)7)Bu ButtJ Jesusesuss saaididtha thattal alllo offth thiissw wouloulddbe bec changedhangedan anddtha thatt“ “ttrueruew woorrsshhiipppeperrs”s”w wouloulddw woorrsshhiipp“ “wwiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth.”.”T ThheeJ Jeewwiisshhtem tempplleew wasasa at tangangiibbllees sttrucructurtureea atta as specificpecificgeog geogrrapaphhicicl lococaatitioonn..Bu Butts sppiirriittan anddt truruththar areen noottma mateterrialial,,n noorrar areeth theeyyl liimmiitedtedto toan anyyp phhyys-s-ic icalalp pllaceace..T Thushus,,J Jesusesusw wasase exxppllaaiinniingngtha thattt truerueC Chrhriisstiantianw woorrsshhiippw wouloulddn noottbe becen centeterrededi inno orrd dee--pen penddenentto onnan anyyma mateterrialials sttrucructurtureeo orrp phhyysicsicalall lo-o-c caatitioonn,,w whheeththeerrM MounounttGe Gerriziziimm,,th theetem tempplleei innJ Jee--rus rusalalemem,,o orran anyyo oththeerrs sacracrededp pllaceace..In Inh hiissco connvveerrssaatitioonnw wiiththth theeS Samaramariittananw woom-m-an an,,J Jesesususal alsosom menenttiioonneeddtha thatt“ “tthheeh hoourur””f foorrth thiissc changehangei innGod God’’ssw woorrsshhiippw wasas“ “cocommiingng.”.”Wh Whenenw wouloulddtha thattbe? be?T Thheeh hourourc camameew whhenenJ Jesusesus,,b byyh hiisss sacracrificialificiald deeaathth,,en enddededth theeJ Jeewwiisshhs syysstemtemo offw woorr--s shhiippbased basedo onnth theeL Laawwo offM Mosesoses..(R (Roomansmans1 100::4)4)Y Yeett,,J Jesusesusal alsosos saaid:id:“ “TThheeh hourour. .. .. .i issn nooww.”.”Wh Whyy??Bec Becauseauseas asth theeM Messiahessiah,,h heew wasasalr alreeadadyyg gaaththeerriingngd diisciscippllesesw whhoow wouloulddo obebeyyth theeco commanmmanddh hees sttaatedtedn neexxt:t:“God “Godi issa aS Sppiirriitt,,an anddth thoseosew woorrsshhiippppiingngh hiimmmus musttw woorrsshhiippw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth.”.”(J (Joohnhn4 4::224)4)Wha Whatt,,th thenen,,d doesoesi ittm meeananto tow woorrsshhiippw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruth?th?Wh WhenenJ Jesusesusm menentitioonnededw woorrsshhiippppiingngw wiithths sppiirriitt,,h heew wasasn nootts spepeakakiingngo offa apar particulticulararllyys sppiirriitedted,,an an--i imamatedted,,o orren enthusiasthusiasticticf foorrmmo offw woorrsshhiip.p.R Raaththeerr,,h heew wasast talalkkiingnga aboubouttbei beingngguid guidededb byyGod God’’ssh hoollyys sppiirriitt,,w whhicichham amoongngo oththeerrth thiingngssguid guidesesour ourun un--d deerrssttananddiingngo offth theeScr Scriippturtureses..(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians2 2::99--1 12)2)An Anddth theet truruththJ Jesusesusr refefeerrrrededto toi issan anaccur accuraatetek knnoowwllededgegeo offBi Bibblleete teacachhiingngss..T Thheerrefefoorree,,r raaththeerrW Whhaattdid didJes Jesuussm meaneanw whheennh hees saidaidth thaattw weem muussttw woorrshipship“with “withspir spirititan anddtr truuthth”?”?© 5J JTTBBP Phhootto/o/UIUIG/G/aaggeef foottoossttockock© 5Jo JosséF FuusstteeR Raagga/a/aaggeef foottoossttockock &V Visisititororssa attth theeGr GrananddSh Shririnneeo offIse Ise,,J Japan,apan,an anddth theeGr Groottttooo offM Maasssabielsabiellele,,L Loouurrddeess,,F Frranancece
  • 10.
    Origiinnaalllylyth theew worordd“s“shhririnnee””r reeprpreesesenntedteda aca caseseth thaatth heldeldsa saccrrededr relelicicss..T Thheem meaneaniinnggh haasss siinncecebr broaoaddeenned;ed;it itn noowwr reefferersst tooa apla placececo connssididererededsa saccrred,ed,r releligigioiouuslyslyor oro oththererwisewise..R Releligigioiouusss shhririnneessa arreed dededicaicatedtedt tooth theew wororsshhiippo offa ad deityeityor orth theev veennereraattioionno offa a“ “hholyoly””per persoson.n.T Thheeyyo offtetennh hoouusesei imm--a aggeessan anddr relelicicssth thaatta arreebel belieievvededt toobe bea ass--soc sociaiatedtedwith withm miirraaclecless,,v visisioionnss,,or orap appapari-ri-t tioionnssf frroommth thees spipiritritr reaeallm.m.T Tododaayya as shhririnneem maayybe bea ate templemple,,a achu churrch,ch,or ora an nichicheew whherereea aper persosonnw wororsshhiipsps..S Soommeese settup upa as shhririnneei innth theieirrh hoommee..H Hoommees shhririnneess,,i innbo boththOrie Orienntatallan anddW Weessterternnlan landdss,,a arreesm smaalllla altaltarrssw whherereepeo peopleplepr praayy,,m mededitaitatete,,or orm makakeeo offfferierinnggss..N Nootta alllls shhririnneessa arreei inntetennddededt toobe bepla placecessf fororr releligigioiouussw wororsshhiipp..F Forore exxampleample,,w wororldldwidwidee,,f famamiillieiessan anddf frieriennddsso offv vicicttiimmsso offf faatatallau auttoo--m moobibilelea accccidideennttssco commmmoonnlylym makakee‘r ‘roaoaddssididees shhririnneess’’i innr reemmeembrmbrananceceo offth theieirrlo lovvededo onneess..Oth Otherers shhririnneessa arreem mororeesecu seculalarri innn naa--tu turreean anddco commmmeemmororaatetef famamoouussba battttlelessor orth thoseosew whhood diediedi innw waarror ori innso sommeeo oththerertr traaggededyy..A Althlthooughughsu suchchs shhririnneessg giivveepeo peopleplean ano oppporportuntunityityt toom mededitaitatetean anddm moouurrn,n,th theeyyo offtetennr reeflecflecttth theer releligigioiouussbel belieieffssan anddpr praacctticeicesso offth thoseosew whhoose settth theemmup up..W WhhaattIs Isa aSh Shririnnee??than thanbei beingngr renenddeerrededa attan anyys specialpecialp pllaceace,,our ourw woorr--s shhiippw wiillllbe beacce acceppttaabblleeto toGod Godif ifi ittco connffoorrmsmsto tow whahattth theeBi Bibblleete teacachhesesan anddi issguid guidededb byyth theeh hoollyys sppiirriitt..T THEHECHR CHRISISTTIIAANNV VIEWIEWOF OFSHR SHRINESINESH Hooww,,th thenen,,s shhouloulddC Chrhriisstianstiansv vieiewwp piilglgrriimamagesgesto toan anddw woorrsshhiippa atts shrhriinnes?es?T Takakiingngi inntotoaccoun accounttJ Je-e-sus’ sus’co commanmmanddtha thattt trueruew woorrsshhiipppeperrssw woorrsshhiippGod Godw wiithths sppiirriittan anddt truruthth,,i itti issc clleearartha thattw woorrsshhiippr renen--d deerrededa attan anyys shrhriinneeo orrs sacracrededp pllaceacehas hasn noos specialpecialv valuealueto toour ourh heeaavvenlenlyyF Faaththeerr..A Addddiititioonalnalllyy,,th theeBi Bibblleete tellllssus ush hoowwGod Godv vieiewwssth theev veneneerraatitioonno offid idoollssi innw woorrsshhiip.p.I Itts saayys:s:“Fl “Fleeeef frroommid idoollaattryry””an andd“ “guarguarddy youroursesellvvesesf frroommid idoollss.”.”(1 (1C Coorriinnththiansians1 100::1 144;;1 1J Joohnhn5 5::2121))T Thheerrefefoorree,,a at truerueC Chrhriisstiantianw wouloulddn noottw woorrsshhiippa attan anyyp pllaceacetha thatti issv vieiewwededas ash hoollyyi inni itsetsellffo orro onneetha thatten encourcouraagesgesid idoollaattryry..TThushus,,o onnac- ac-coun countto offth theev veeryryna naturtureeo offs shrhriinneses,,t truerueC Chrhriiss--tians tiansr refefrraaiinnf frroommw woorrsshhiippppiingnga attth themem..T Thhiiss,,h hoowweevveerr,,d doesoesn noottm meeanantha thattGod God’’ssW Woorrddf foorrbbidsidsha havviingnga ap prrefefeerrrrededl lococaatitioonnf foorrp prraayyeerr,,s studtudyy,,o orrm medediittaatitioonn..A Am meeeetitingngp pllaceacetha thatti isso orr--d deerrllyyan anddd diiggnnifiedifiedi issco connduciducivveeto tol leeararnniingngan anddd diiscussiscussingngs sppiirriitualtualth thiingngss..N Neieiththeerri issi ittw wrroongngto tomak makeea am mememoorrialial,,suc suchhas asa ato tommbsbstotonnee,,f foorra ad de-e-ce ceasedasedpe perrsosonn..T Thhiissma mayysi simmppllyybe bean ane exxpprressiessioonno offr remememembbrrananceceo orraff affecectitioonnf foorrth theed deceeceasedased..H Hoowweevveerr,,co considnsideerriingngsuc suchha al lococaatitioonnas asa ah hoollyyp pllaceaceo orrv veneneerraatitingngi imamagesgeso orrr reellicsicsth theerreew wouloulddbe beco commpplleetetellyyco connttrraryaryto toJ Jesus’esus’w woorrdsds..T Thheerrefefoorree,,y yououd doon noottn needeedto togo goto toa as shrhriinneei innh hoopespestha thattGod Godi issm moorreel liikkeellyyto toh heearary yourourp prraayyeerrth theerree..N Noorrw wiillllGod Godbe bep plleeasedasedw wiiththy yououo orrg giivveey youous specialpecialb bllessiessingngssf foorrmak makiingnga ap piilglgrriimamagegeto toa as shrhriinnee..T ThheeBi Bibblleete tellllssus ustha thattJ JeehhoovvahahGod God,,th thee“L “Loorrddo offh heeaavvenenan andde eararthth,,d doesoesn noottd dwweelllli innhan handmaddmadeetem tempplleses.”.”Bu Buttth thiissd doesoesn noottmak makeeGod Godd diissttananttf frroommus us..W Weec cananp prraayyto toh hiimman anddbe beh heeararddan anywywhheerreebec becauseause“ “hheei issn noottf fararo offfff frroomme eacachho onneeo offus us.”.”——AAcctsts1 177::2244--2277.. ˇ
  • 11.
    ONNDece Decembermber26, 26,20042004,,a a9 9.1.1--mamaggnniitudtudeee eararthth--q quuaakkeej joolltteeddS Siimmeeuulluuee,,a anni issllaannddo offfft thheen noorrththwwesesttcoas coastto offSuma Sumattrraa,,In Inddoonnesiaesia..A Alllle eyyeseso onnth thees shhoorreel looookkededou outttotose seaa..TThheetid tideew wasasr recedeced--i ingngbe beyyoonnddn noorrmalmal..Ins Insttanantltlyy,,e evveeryryoonnees sttarartedtedrunn runniingngf foorrth theeh hiillllss,,s shhououtitingng,,“Smo “Smongng!!Smo Smongng!”!”th theel lococalalw woorrddf foorrtsunam tsunamii..Wi Withthiinn30 30m miinnuutestes,,po powweerrffululw waavvesesc camameecr crasashhiingngo onntototh theecoas coastt,,d de-e-s sttrrooyyiingngm mosostto offth theeh hoommesesan anddv viillllaagesges..Si SimmeulueeulueIs Isllananddw wasasth theefi firrssttl lococaatitioonnto tobe beh hiittb byytha thattd deevvasasttaatitingngtsunam tsunamii..Y Yeett,,o offth thee7 78,-8,-000 000r residesidenentsts,,o onlnlyy7 7d diedied..Wh Whyyco commparparaatitivveellyyso sof feew?w?1A As saayyiingngam amoongngth theei issllananddeerrssi is:s:‘I ‘Iffa as sttrroongngt trrememoorroccur occurssan anddth theese seaaw wiiththdrdraawwss,,run runto toth theeh hiillllss,,f foorrth theese seaaw wiillllsoo soonnrus rushhas ashhoorree.’.’F Frroommpas pastte exxpeperrieniencece,,th theepeo peopplleeo offSi Simmeulueeuluehad hadl leeararnnededto tor recogecognnizeizean anap appprroacoachhiingngtsunam tsunamiib byyth theec changehangei innth theese seaa..H Heedeediingngth theead advvanancecew wararnniingngs saavvededth theieirrl liivveses..T ThheeBi Bibbllees spepeakaksso offan anap appprroacoachhiingngd diissasasteterr,,a a“ “ggrreeaattt trriibulbulaatitioonnsuc suchhas ashas hasn noottoccur occurrrededsi sinnceceth theew woorrlldd’’ssbe beggiinnnniingngun untitilln nooww,,n no,o,n noorrw wiilllloccur occura aggaaiinn.”.”(M (Maattththeeww2 244::2121))Bu Buttth thiissi issn noottth theeen enddo offp pllananeettEar Earththb byyi irrrresespoponsinsibblleehuman humanac actitivviitiestieso orrso sommeec caattasasttrroopphhicicna naturturalale evvenentt—f—foorri itti issGod God’’sspur purposeposetha thattth theee eararththr remaemaiinnf foorreevveerr..(Ecc (Ecclle-e-sias siastestes1 1::4)4)R Raaththeerr,,th theeco commiingngt trriibulbulaatitioonni issan an 1h Tihsis2004 2004tsunam tsunamiic cllaaiimmededth theel liivveseso offo ovveerr2 220,00020,000peo peoppllee——oonneeo offth theem mososttd desesttrucructitivveetsunam tsunamiissi innr recoecorrddededh hiisstotoryry..ac actto offGod Godto to“ “bbrriingngto torui ruinnth thoseoserui ruinniingngth theee eararthth.”.”I Ittw wiillllbe beth theeen enddo offal alllw wicickkednednessessan anddsuf- suf-fe ferriingng..(R (Reevveellaatitioonn1 111:18:18;;P Prroovveerrbsbs2 2::222)2)Wha Whatta ab bllessiessingngtha thattw wiillllbe be!!F Fururththeerrmmoorree,,unl unliikkeetsunam tsunamiiss,,e eararththqquakuakeses,,o orrv voollccananicice erupruptitioonsns,,th theeco commiingngd desesttrucructitioonnw wiilllln noottr resulesultti innth theed deeaaththo offi innnnocenocenttpeo peoppllee..“God “Godi issl loovvee,”,”s saayyssth theeBi Bibbllee,,an anddGod God,,w whhoseosenam nameei issJ Jee--h hoovvahah,,p prroommiisessestha thatt“ “ththeer riigghhteousteousw wiillllpossess possessth theee eararthth,,an anddth theeyyw wiilllll liivveef foorreevveerro onni itt.”.”(1 (1J Joohnhn4 4::88;;P Pssalmalm37 37::29)29)H Hooww,,th thougoughh,,c canany youousurv surviivveeth theeg grreeaattt trriibulbulaatitioonnan andden enjjooyyth theep prroommiisedsedb blless-ess-i ingngs?s?T Thheek keeyyi is:s:H Heedeedth theead advvanancecew wararnniingng!!BE BEA ALLERERTTT TOOT THEHECH CHAANGINGNGINGT TIDEIDEW Weec cannannoottd deeteterrmmiinneeth thees specificpecificda dateteo offth theeen enddo offal alllw wicickkednednessessan anddsuff suffeerriingng,,f foorrJ Jesusesuss saaid:id:“C “Coonncecerrnniingngtha thattda dayyan anddh hourourn noobodbodyyk knnoowwss,,n neieiththeerrth theeange angellsso offth theeh heeaavvensensn noorrth theeSo Sonn,,bu butto onlnlyyth theeF Faaththeerr.”.”N Noonneeththeellessess,,J Jesusesusen encourcouraagedgedus usto to“ “kkeeeeppo onnth theew waatctchh.”.”(M (Maattththeeww2 244::36;36;25 25:13):13)F Foorrw whahatt??T ThheeBi Bibblleeg giivvesesus usa ad descrescriipptitioonno offw woorrllddco connddiititioonsnstha thattw woulouldde exxiissttb befefoorreeGod Godb brriingngssth theeen endd..J Jususttas asth theesud sudddenens shhififtitingngo offth theetid tideeal aleerrtedtedth theer residesidenentstso offSi Simmeulueeulueto toan anap appprroacoachhiingngtsu- tsu-nam namii,,th theedr dramaamatictics shhififtitingngo offth theetid tideeo offw woorrlldde evvenentstsw wouloulddsi siggnalnalto tous ustha thattth theeen enddi issn neearar..T Thheeacco accommpanpanyyiingngbo boxxh hiigghlhliigghhtstsso sommeeo offth theedr dramaamat-t-ic icc changeshangesth theeBi Bibbllees spepeakaksso off..H HeedeediinnggA AddvvananceceW WaarrnniinnggCa CannS SaavveeY YoouurrL Lififee!!© 5D DeerrmmoottT Taatltlooww/P/PananoossP PictictururesesNo No..2 2201 2016611 11
  • 12.
    1 122T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERGr Granantedted,,ttakakeneni innddiivvidualidualllyy,,so sommeeo offth theee evvenentstso orrco connddiititioonsnsl liisstedtedi innth theebo boxxha havveeoccur occurrrededi innth theepas pasttto toso sommeee exxtententt..Bu ButtJ Jesusesuss saaididtha thattupo uponnseei seeingng“a “allllt thheseeset thhiingngss,”,”w weew wouloulddk knnoowwtha thattth theeen enddi issc clloseosea atthan handd..(M (Maattththeeww2 244::333)3)A Asskky yourour--se sellff,,‘ ‘WhWheneni innh hiisstotoryryha havveeal alllth theeth thiingngssd descrescriibedbed(1 (1))t takakenenp pllaceaceo onna ag glloobalbalsc scalalee,,(2) (2)occur occurrrededa attth thees samameeti timmee,,an andd(3) (3)p prrogogrressedessedto toan anun unpprrece-ece-d denentedtede exxtententt?’?’C Clleeararllyy,,w weear areel liivviingngi innsuc suchha ati timmee..A ANNEX EXPPRRESSIONESSIONOF OFGOD’S GOD’SL LOOVVEE“Ear “Earllyyw wararnniingngs syysstemstems. .. .. .d doos saavveel liivveses,”,”s saaidido onneef foorrmmeerrU U.S.S..p prresidesidenentt..F Foolllloowwiingngth thee2004 2004tsunam tsunamii,,a aw wararnniingngs syysstemtemw wasasi insnsttalalllededi innth theeaf- af-fec fectedtedr reeggiioonni innan aneff effoorrttto top prreevvenenttsi simmiillararl lossosso offl lififeef frroommoccur occurrriingngi innth theef fuuturturee..Si Simmiillararllyy,,God Godhas hasmad madeep prroovviisisioonnf foorrad advvanancecew wararnniingngto tobe beg giivv--en enbef befoorreeth theeen enddco commeses..TThheeBi Bibblleef foorreetotolld:d:“ “TThhiissgood goodn neewwsso offth theeK Kiingdngdoommw wiillllbe bep prreeacachhededi innal alllth theei inhanhabbiitedtede eararththf foorra aw wiittnnessessto toal alllth theena natitioonsns,,and andt thheennth theeen enddw wiillllco commee.”.”——MMaattththeeww2 244:1:144..L Lasastty yeeararal aloonnee,,J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessess spenpenttw weellllo ovveerr1 1.9.9b biilllliioonnh hourourssp prreeacachhiingngth theegood goodn neewwssi inn2 24040l lanandsdsan anddi innm moorreethan than7 70000l languaanguagesges..T Thhiissm mododeerrnn--dadayyd deevveelloopmpmenentto offffeerrsss sttrroongngp prroooofftha thattth theeen enddi issn neearar..M Moovvededb byyl loovveef foorrth theieirrn neieigghhboborr,,J Jeehhoovvahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessess sparpareen nooeff effoorrttas asth theeyyw wararnno oththeerrsso offGod God’’ssda dayyo offj jududggmmenentttha thatti issf fasasttap ap--p prroacoachhiingng..(M (Maattththeeww2 222::339)9)T Thheef facactttha thatty yououc cananben benefiefittf frroommth thiissi innffoorrmamatitioonni isse evvididenenceceo offJ Jeehhoo--v vahah’’ssl loovveef foorry youou..R Remememembeberr,,“[God] “[God]d doesoesn noottd desiesirreean anyyoonneeto tobe bed desesttrrooyyededbu buttd desiesirresesal alllto toa att--t taaiinnto tor reepenpenttanancece.”.”(2 (2P Peeteterr3 3::9)9)Wi Willlly youour re-e-s spoponnddto toGod God’’ssl loovveean anddh heedeedth theead advvanancecew wararnn--i ing?ng?DRA DRAMMAATTICICW WORLORLDDEV EVEENNTTSSSI SIGNGNAALLIINGNGT THHAATTT THEHEEND ENDIS ISNEA NEARRG GLLOBOBAALLW WAARRA ANNDDE ESCASCALLAATTIINGNGCH CHAAOSOS“ “YYoouua arreeg goioinnggt tooh heaearro offw waarrssan anddr reeporporttsso offw waarrss..S Seeeeth thaatty yoouua arreen nootta alalarrmmed,ed,f fororth theeseseth thiinnggssmu musstttak takeepla placece,,b buuttth theee ennddis isn nootty yeett..F Fororn naattioionnwi willllrise risea aggaaiinnssttn naattioionnan anddki kinnggddoomma aggaaiinnssttki kinnggddoomm. .. .. .A Allllth theeseseth thiinnggssa arreea abeg begiinnnniinnggo offpan panggsso offd disistrtreessss..””—M—Maattttheheww2 244::6 6--8.8.DIS DISEEAASSEEA ANNDDH HUUNGNGEERRW WORLORLDDWWIIDEDE“ “InIno onneepla placecea affterteran anooththererf foodoods shhorortataggeessan anddpe pessttiilelenncecess..””—L —Luukkee2 211::1111..W WIIDEDESSPPREREAADDL LAAWWLLEESSSSNNEESSSSA ANNDDRE RELLIGIGIOUSIOUSC CONONFUSFUSIONION“ “MMananyyf faalselsepr proopphheettsswi willlla ariserisean anddm misleaisleaddm manany;y;an anddbecau becauseseo offth theei innccrreaeassiinnggo offla lawwlelesssnsneessss,,th theelo lovveeo offth theeg grreaeaterternumber numberwi willllg grroowwcold. cold.””—M—Maattttheheww2 244::111,1,1 122..
  • 13.
    No No..2 2201 201661313F FLLEEEET TOOS SAAFFETETY!Y!R Rececalallltha thattth theer residesidenentstso offSi Simmeulueeulue’’sscoas coasttalalv viillllaagesgesfl flededto toh hiigghheerrg grrounounddf foorrs safafeetytyth theem moo--m menenttth theeyys saawwth theetid tideer recedecediing;ng;th theeyyd dididn noottw waaiittun untitilli ittr reeturturnneded..TThheieirrd deciecisisivveeac actitioonnm meeananttththeieirrsurv surviivvalal..T Toosurv surviivveeth theeco commiingngt trriibulbulaatitioonn,,y yououtoo toon needeedto tofl fleeeeto toh hiigghheerrg grrounoundd,,so soto tos spepeakak,,be- be-f foorreei itti isstoo tool laatete..H Hoow?w?T Thheep prroopphheettIs Isaaiahiahw wasasi in-n-s sppiirrededto tow wrriitetea abouboutta as stitirrrriingngi innvviittaatitioonntha thatti issbei beingnge exxtentenddededdur duriingng“ “ththeefi finalnalpar partto offththeeda dayyss,”,”th theeti timmeei innw whhicichhw ween noowwl liivvee..I Itts saayys:s:“C “Coommee,,l leettus usgo goup upto toth theem mounounttaaiinno offJ Jeehhoovvahah. .. .. .H Heew wiilllli insnsttrucructtus usa abouboutth hiissw waayyss,,an anddw weew wiillllw walalkki innh hiisspa paththss.”.”—Is—Isaaiahiah2 2::22,,3. 3.Go Goiingngto toth theeto toppo offa am mounounttaaiinnaff affoorrdsdsy yououan ane elleevvaatedtedv vieiewwan andda ap pllaceaceo offs safafeetyty..In Ina asi simmiillararw waayy,,ge getttitingngto tok knnoowwGod God’’ssw waayyssthr througoughhth theepa pag-g-es eso offth theeBi Bibblleei issh heellppiingngm miilllliioonsnso offpeo peopplleew woorrlldd--w widideetoda todayyto tomak makeeben beneficialeficialc changeshangesi innth theieirrl liivveses..(2 (2T Tiimmooththyy3 3::16,16,1 17)7)B Byyso sod dooiingng,,th theeyybe beggiinnto to“ “wwalalkki inn[God [God’’s]s]pa pathths”s”an andden enjjooyyh hiissf faavvoorran anddp prrootectectitivveec cararee..Wi Willlly youour resespoponnddto totha thatti innvviittaatitioonnan andda avvaaiilly youroursesellffo offGod God’’ssl loovviingngp prrootectectitioonni innth theseesecr criiti-ti-c calalda dayys?s?W Weeur urgegey yououto toe exxamamiinneec cararefefululllyyth theeScr Scriippturturaalle evvididenenceceo offth thee“ “llasasttda dayys”s”p prresenesentt--ed edi innth theebo boxxacco accommpanpanyyiingngth thiissar articticllee..J Jeehhoo--v vahah’’ssWi Wittnnessesessesi inny yourourar areeaaw wouloulddbe behap happpyyto top prroovvidideean anyyassi assissttanancecey yououma mayyn needeedto toge getta ac clleeararun unddeerrssttananddiingngo offth theescr scriippturturesesp prroovvididededas asw weellllas ash hoowwto toap apppllyyth themem..Or Ory yououma mayyfi finnddan- an-s swweerrssto toy yourourq quesuestitioonsnsb byyv viisisititingngour ourw weebsibsitete,,www www..jjww..oorrgg..L Looookkun unddeerrB BIBIBLLEET TEEAACHINCHINGGSS> ˛B BIBIBLLEEQUE QUESTSTIIOONSNSANS ANSWWEREREDED.. ˇMORA MORALLA ANNDDS SOCIOCIAALLBRE BREAAKKDODOWWNNON ONA ANNU UNNPPRECERECEDEDENNTTEEDDSCA SCALLEE“ “InInth theela lassttd daayyssc critriticaicallt tiimmeessh haarrddt tood deaeallwith withwi willllbe beh hereree..F Fororm meennwi willllbe belo lovverersso offth theemmselselvveess,,lo lovverersso offm moonneeyy,,. .. .. .d disloisloyyaal,l,h haavviinnggn noon naatuturraalla affffececttioion,n,n nootto opepennt tooan anyya aggrreeeemmeenntt,,slan slanddererererss,,with withoouuttself self--coconntrtrol,ol,fier fiercece,,with withoouuttlo lovveeo offg goodnoodneessss,,be betrtraayyererss,,h heaeaddsstrtroonng,g,p puuffffededup upwith withprid pridee..””——22T Timoimotthhyy3 3::11--44..GOOD GOODN NEWEWSSOF OFGOD’S GOD’SK KIINGNGDOMDOMP PREREAACHCHEEDDW WORLORLDDWWIIDEDE“ “TThhisisg goodoodn neewwsso offth theeK Kiinnggddoommwi willllbe bepr preaeachchededi inna allllth theei inhnhabitedabitedea earrththf forora awitn witneesssst tooa allllth theen naattioionnss,,an anddth theennth theee ennddwi willllco commee..””—M—Maattttheheww2 244::1144..CRI CRITTICICSSDE DENNYYT THHAATTT THHEEE ENNDDIS ISN NEEAARR“ “InInth theela lassttd daayyssrid ridicuiculerlersswi willllco commeewith withth theieirrrid ridicuiculele,,. .. .. .sa sayyiinng:g:‘ ‘WWhherereeis isth thisispr proommisedisedpr preesesennceceo offh hisis??W Whhyy,,f frroommth theed daayyo ouurrf fororeeffaaththererssf felellla asleesleeppi innd deaeath,th,a allllth thiinnggssa arreeco connttiinunuiinngge exxaaccttlylya assth theeyyw werereef frroommc crreaeattioionn’’ssbeg begiinnnniinng.g.’’””——22P Peeterter3 3::3,3,4 4..
  • 14.
    144T THEHEW WAATTCHCHTTOOWWERERI IMMAAGGIINENEthathatty yououar areea aC Chrhriisstiantianl liivviingngi innth theefi firrssttcen centurytury..Y Yourourco congngrreeggaatitioonnhas hasj jususttr receieceivvededa al leettteterrf frroommth theeapos apostltleeP Paulaul..A Assy yououl liisstentento toi ittbe- be-i ingngr reeadad,,y yououn nooticeticetha thattP Paulaulo offtentenq quouotestesf frroomm“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngss,”,”tha thatti iss,,th theeH HeebbrreewwScr Scriipp--tur tureses..(2 (2T Tiimmooththyy3 3::15)15)‘I ‘Iw wouloulddr reealalllyyl liikkeeto tosee seeth theete texxtth heei issq quouotitingngf frroomm,’,’y youous saayyto toy youroursesellff..Bu Butttha thattw wouloulddn noottha havveebeen beene easasyy..Wh Whyyn noott??NO NOCH CHAAPPTTERSERSOR ORV VERSESERSESC Coonnsidsideerrw whahattt thheema mannuuscrscriippttsso off“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngs”s”tha thattw weerreea avvaaiillaabblleei innP Paulaul’’ssda dayyl looookkededl liikkee..On Oneei isss shhoowwnnh heerree——aapo porrtitioonno offth theeboo bookko offIs Isaaiahiahf frroommth theeDe DeadadSe SeaaScr Scroollllss..Wha Whattd dooy youousee? see?So Sollididb bllocockksso offte texxtt!!N Noopun puncctuatuatitioonn..An Anddn noonneeo offth theen numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrsessestha thattw weeuse usetoda todayy..Bi Bibblleew wrriiteterrssd dididn noottd diivvidideeth theieirrm messessaagegei inntotoc chhaapptteerrsso orrv veerrsseess..T Thheeyyj juussttw wrrootteed doowwnnt thheew whhoolleem messessaagegeGod Godg gaavveeth thememso sotha thattth theer reeadadeerrsscoul coulddal alsosoge gettth theew whhoolleem messessaagege,,n noottj jususttti tinnyypar partstso offi itt..Is Istha thattn noottw whahatty yououw wananttw whheneny yououge gettan ani immpoporrttananttl leettteterrf frroommso sommeoeonneey yououl loovve?e?Y Youour reeadadth theew whhoolleel leettteterr,,n noottj jususttb biitstsan anddp piecesieceso offi itt..T Thheel lacackko offc chaphapteterrsso orrv veerrsesses,,h hoowweevveerr,,d dididpose posea ap prroobbllemem..P Paulaulcoul coulddo onlnlyyid idenentifytifyh hiissq quouo--t taatitioonsnsw wiiththsuc suchhw woorrdsdsas as“ “jjususttas asi itti issw wrriittten”ten”o orr“ “jjususttas asIs Isaaiahiahf foorreetotolldd.”.”(R (Roomansmans3 3::1100;;9 9::29)29)An Anddi ittw wouloulddha havveebeen beend difficulifficulttto tofi finnddth thoseoseq quouottaa--ti tioonsnsunl unlessessy yououw weerreev veeryryf famamiilliariarw wiiththal alll“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngss.”.”F Fururththeerrmmoorree,,th thoseose“ “hhoollyyw wrriititingngs”s”w weerreen nootto onneesi simmpplleem messessaagegef frroommGod God..B Byyth theeen enddo offth theefi firrssttcen centuryturyC C..EE.,.,th theeyyco consinsisstedtedo offa aco collllecectitioonno off66 66se separparaateteboo bookks!s!T Thahatti issw whhyym mososttBi Bibblleer reeadadeerrsstoda todayyar areeg glladadto toha havveen numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrsessestha thatth heellppth thememfi finndds specificpecifici innffoorrmamatitioonn,,suc suchhas asth theeman manyyq quouottaatitioonsnsi innP Paulaul’’ssl leettteterrss..‘So,’ ‘So,’y yououm miigghhttas askk,,‘ ‘wwhhoopu puttth thoseosec chaphapteterran anddv veerrsesen numumbeberrssi innth theeBi Bibblle?’e?’W WHOHOA ADDEDDDEDT THEHECH CHAAPPTTERSERS??Eng Englliisshhc clleerricicSte StepphhenenL Langangtotonn,,w whhool laateterrbe- be-c camameeA Arrcchhbbiisshhooppo offCan Canteterrburybury,,i isscr credediitedtedw wiiththad adddiingngth theec chaphapteterrd diivviisisioonsnsto toth theeBi Bibbllee..H Heed dididth thiisse eararllyyi innth thee13 13ththcen centuryturyC C..EE.,.,w whhenenh heew wasasa ate teacachheerra attth theeUn Uniivveerrsisitytyo offP Parariissi innF Frranancece..Bef BefoorreeL Langangtotonn’’ssda dayy,,sc schhoollararsshad hade exxpeperriimmenent-t-ed edw wiiththd diffiffeerrenenttw waayysso offd diivvididiingngth theeBi Bibblleei inntotosmal smallleerrsec sectitioonsnso orrc chaphapteterrss,,ma maiinlnlyy,,i ittseems seems,,f foorrr refefeerrenencecepur purposesposes..Y Yououc canani imamaggiinneeh hoowwmuc muchhe easieasierri ittw wouloulddha havveebeen beenf foorrth thememto tofi finndda apas- pas-s saagegeif ifth theeyyhad hadto tose seararcchhthr througoughho onlnlyyo onneec chaphap--te terrr raaththeerrthan thana aw whhoolleeboo bookk,,suc suchhas asth theeboo bookko offIs Isaaiahiahw wiiththi itsts66 66c chaphapteterrss..A Allllo offtha thatt,,h hoowweevveerr,,cr creeaatedteda ap prroobbllemem..T Thheesc schhoollararssp prroducedoducedman manyyd diffiffeerrenenttan anddi inncocommpapatiti--b bllees syysstemstems..In Ino onneeo offth themem,,M Mararkk’’ssGos Gospepellw wasasd dii--v vididededi inntotoalm almosostt50 50c chaphapteterrss,,n noottth thee16 16w weeha havveen nooww..In InP Parariissi innL Langangtotonn’’ssda dayy,,th theerreew weerrees studtudenentstsf frroommman manyycoun counttrriesies,,an anddth theeyyb brrougoughhttw wiiththth thememCH CHAAPPTTERSERSA ANDNDV VERSESERSESW WHOHOP PUUTTT THEMHEMI INNT THEHEBI BIBLBLE?E?C Cooururttesesyyo offShr Shrinineeo offth theeBoo Bookk,,Isr IsraaeellM Muuseseum,um,Je Jerruussalaleemm
  • 15.
    Bibbllesesf frroommth theieirrnanatitivveel lanandsds..H Hoowweevveerr,,l lececturtureerrssan andds studtudenentstscoul coulddn nootts sharhareer refefeerrenencesces..Wh Whyy??Be- Be-c causeauseth theec chaphapteterrd diivviisisioonsnsi innth theieirrman manuscruscriipptstssi simmppllyyd dididn noottma matctchh..So SoL Langangtotonnd deevveelloopedpedn neewwc chaphapteterrd diivviisisioonsns..Hi Hisss syysstemtem“ “ccaugaughhttth theei imamaggiinanatitioonno offr reeadadeerrssan anddscr scriibesbes,”,”s sttaatestesT ThheeB Booookk——AAH Hisisttooryryo offt thheeBib Bibllee,,an anddi itt“s “spprreeadadr rapapidlidlyyacr acrossossEur Euroopepe.”.”H Heeg gaavveeus usth theec chaphapteterrn numumbeberriingngw weefi finnddi innm mososttBi Bibbllesesto- to-da dayy..W WHOHOA ADDEDDDEDT THEHEV VERSESERSES??S Soommee3 30000y yeeaarrssl laatteerr,,i innt thheem miiddddlleeo offt thhee16 16tthhc ceennttuurryy,,r reennoowwnneeddF Frreenncchhp prriinntteerr--sscchhoollaarrR RoobeberrttEs Estienntienneemad madeeth thiingngsse evvenene easieasierr..Hi Hissa aiimmw wasasto topo populpulararizeizeBi Bibbllees studtudyy..H Heer reealalizedizedh hoowwv valuaaluabblleei ittw wouloulddbe beto toha havveea aun unififoorrmms syysstemtemo offbo boththn numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssand andn numumbeberrededv veerrsesses..Es Estienntienneed dididn noottco commeeup upw wiiththth theeid ideeaao offd diivvidid--i ingngth theeBi Bibblleete texxtti inntotov veerrsesses..Oth Otheerrsshad hadd doonneetha thattalr alreeadadyy..C Cenenturturiesiese eararllieierr,,J Jeewwiisshhco coppyyiisststs,,f foorre exx--am amppllee,,had hadd diivvididededth theew whhoolleeH HeebbrreewwBi Bibbllee,,o orrth theepar partto offth theeBi Bibblleeco commmmoonlnlyyc calalllededth theeOl OlddT Tesestta-a-m menentt,,i inntotov veerrsessesbu buttn nootti inntotoc chaphapteterrss..A Aggaaiinn,,as asw wiiththth theed deevveelloopmpmenentto offc chaphapteterrss,,th theerreew wasasn nooun unififoorrmms syysstemtem..E Essttiieennnneed diivviiddeeddt thheeC ChhrriissttiiaannG GrreeeekkS Sccrriipp--tur tureses,,o orrw whahatti issc calalllededth theeN NeewwT Tesesttamamenentt,,i inntotoa an neewwse setto offn numumbeberrededv veerrsessesan anddco commbbiinnededth thememw wiiththth thoseosealr alreeadadyyi innth theeH HeebbrreewwBi Bibbllee..In In1553, 1553,h heepu pubblliisshhededth theefi firrssttco commpplleeteteBi Bibbllee(an (aned ediititioonni innF Frrenencch)h)w wiiththbasic basicalalllyyth thees samameec chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrs-s-es estha thattm mososttBi Bibbllesesuse usetoda todayy..So Sommeepeo peopplleew weerreecr criiticticalalan andds saaididtha thattth theev veerrsessesb brrookkeeth theeBi Bibblleete texxtti inntotof frraaggmmenentsts,,mak makiingngi ittap appepeararas asa ase serriesieso offse separparaatetean anddd deettacachhededs sttaatemtemenentsts..Bu Butth hiisss syysstemtemw wasasq quicuickkllyyad adoopptedtedb byyo oththeerrp prriinnteterrss..A ABOON BOONF FORORBIBL BIBLEES STTUDENUDENTTSSI Ittseems seemsto tobe besuc suchha asi simmpplleeid ideeaa—n—numumbeberrededc chaphapteterrssan anddv veerrsesses..T Thhiissg giivvesese eacachhv veerrsesei innth theeBi Bibblleea aun uniiqqueue“ad “addrdress”ess”—l—liikkeea apos posttalalcod codee..T Truerue,,th theec chaphapteterran anddv veerrsesed diivviisisioonsnsar areen nootti insnsppiirrededb byyGod God,,an anddth theeyyd dooa attti timmesesb brreeakakup upth theeBi Bibblleete texxtti inns sttrrangeangep pllacesaces..Bu Buttth theeyymak makeei itte easieasierrf foorrus usto top piinnpopoiinnttq quouotestesan anddto toh hiigghlhliigghhtto orrs sharhareei innddiivvid-id-ual ualv veerrsessestha thattma mayyha havvees specialpecialm meeananiingngf foorrus us—j —jususttas asw weeh hiigghlhliigghhtte exxpprressiessioonsnso orrp phrhrasesasestha thattw wees specialpecialllyyw wananttto tor remememembeberri inna ad documocumenentto orra aboo bookk..C Coonnvvenenienienttth thougoughhth theec chaphapteterr--anandd--vveerrsesed diivvii--si sioonsnsar aree,,al alwwaayyssk keeeeppi innm miinnddth theei immpoporrttananceceo offge getttitingngth theeb biiggp picicturturee—un—unddeerrssttananddiingngth theew whhoolleem messessaagegeGod Godg gaavvee..C Culultitivvaateteth theeha habbiitto offr reeadadiingngth theeco conntetexxttr raaththeerrthan thanj jusustti isosollaatedtedv veerrsesses..Do Doiingngso sow wiillllh heellppy yououto tobeco becommeem moorreean anddm moorreef famamiill--iar iarw wiiththal alll“ “ththeeh hoollyyw wrriititingngss,,w whhicichhar areea abblleeto tomak makeey yououw wiisesef foorrs salalvvaatitioonn.”.”——22T Tiimmooththyy3 3::15.15. ˇA Ach chapapterter--anand-d-vvererseser reefferereenncecele lettssy yoouukn knoowww whherereet toofi finnddan anyypa passsasaggeeo offsc scriripptuturree..In Inth thisism maaggazaziinnee,,th theer reefferereenncece“ “IsaIsaiahiah4 400::1133,,””f forore exxampleample,,id ideennttifieifiessth theef folollolowiwinng:g:( (aa))th 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    wp16.2-E 151214 What Does the BibleReally Teach? LA LANGUNGUAAGEGE _______________________________________________________________________________________________N NAAMEME ________________________________________________________________________________________________________A ADDRDDRESSESS _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________F Fororm mailingailingadd addressress,,see seepage page2 2W Whhooor orw whhaattis isth theeDe Devviil?l?W WOUOULLDDY YOUOUS SAAYYth thaattth theeD Deevilvilis is. .. .. . ˙A Aspir spirititpe perrsosonn?? ˙A As syymbombollo offth theee evilvilin insidsideea ape perrsosonn?? ˙A Ap prroduoductcto offh humumananim imaaginginaatiotionn??W WHHAATTT THHEEB BIIBLBLEES SAAYYSST ThheeD Deevilvilco connvveerrsedsedwith withan andd“ “tteempmptteded””Jes Jesuuss..(M (Maattththeeww4 4::1-1-44))S Sooth theeD Deevilvilis isn noottim imaaginginararyy,,n noorris ish heeju jusstta as syymbombollo offe evilvil..He Heis isa awick wickededspir spirititpe perrsoson.n.W WHHAATTELSE ELSEC CAANNW WEEL LEAEARRNNF FROMROMT THEHEBIBL BIBLE?E? ˙T ThheeD Deevilvilw waasso orriginiginallallyya ah hoollyyan anggeell,,b buutt“ “hheedid didn nootts stantanddf faassttin inth theetr truuth.th.””( (JoJohnhn8 8::4444))He Hebe- be-c camameea aliar liaran anddr reebebellllededa aggainainssttGod God.. ˙Oth Otheerran anggeellssj joinoinededSa Satantan’’ssr reebebelliollion.n.—R —Reevveellaatiotionn1 122::99.. ˙T ThheeD Deevilvilb blinlinddssm mananyypeo peopplleet toohis hise exisxistteenncece..— —22C Coorrininthianthianss4 4::44..Can Canth theeDe Devviillco conntrtrololpeo peopleple??S SOMOMEEP PEOPEOPLLEES SAAYYth thaattco conntrtroollb byyth theeD Deevilvilis isa ah hooaaxx,,w whilhileeo oththeerrssdr dreaeaddbein beinggpo possessedssessedb byye evilvilspir spiritsits..W Whhaattd dooy yoouuthink? think?W WHHAATTT THHEEB BIIBLBLEES SAAYYSS“ “TThheew whhoolleew woorrllddis isl lyinyinggin inth theepo powweerro offth theewick wickededo onnee..””(1 (1Jo Johnhn5 5::119)9)T ThheeD Deevilvile exxeerrtstsgr greaeattinflu influeennceceo ovveerrm mankinankindd,,b buutth heed doesoesn noottco conntrtroolle evveerryyh humuman.an.W WHHAATTELSE ELSEC CAANNW WEEL LEAEARRNNF FROMROMT THEHEBIBL BIBLE?E? ˙T ThheeD Deevilvilu usessesd deceecepptiotionnt tooin incrcreaeasesehis hisinflu influ--e enncece..——22C Coorrininthianthianss11 11::1144.. ˙W Wickickededspir spiritsitsc cananin inso sommeec caasessestak takeeco conntrtroollo offpeo peoppllee..—M—Maattththeeww1 122::2222.. ˙W WithithGod God’’ssh heelplp,,y yoouuc canans suuccessccessffullullyy“ “oopppoposeseth theeD Deevilvil..””—J—Jamameses4 4:7:7..W WHHAATTDOES DOEST THEHEBI BIBLBLEES SAAY?Y?P Plealeasesese sennddm meea aco coppyyo offW WhhaattDoes Doesth theeBi BiblebleR RealealllyyT Teaeachch??F Fororm mororeei innfforormmaattioion,n,see seech chapapterter1 100o offth thisisboo bookk,,p publublisishhededb byyJ Jeehhoovvahah’’ssW WitnitneesssesessA Alsolsoa avvaaiilablelablea attw wwwww.jw.jw..ororgg sF Frreeeed doowwnnloaloaddsso offth thisism maaggazaziinneean anddpa passttis issusueessBi Bibleblea avvaaiilablelableo onnlliinneei innso sommee1 13300lan languguaaggeessV Visisititwww www..jjww..org,org,or orscan scancod codee n o p