"The Real Life" Is A Certainty-Grasp It!

For many, eternal life in a better world is just a dream or an illusion. However, for those who truly have faith in the Bible's promise, this hope is a certainty. It is like an anchor for their lives. (Hebrews 6:19) Just as an anchor hold a ship steady and prevents it from floundering, the hope of eternal life makes people stable and confident and enables them to confront the serious difficulties in life and even overcome them. We cab be sure that God will fulfill his promises. He has even furnished a guaranteed by uttering an oath, an irrevocable commitment. The apostle Paul wrote: "God, when he purposed to demonstrate more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his counsel, stepped in with an oath, in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we . . .may have strong encouragement to lay hold on the hope set before us." (Hebrews 6:17, 18) The "two unchangeable things" that God can never annul are his promise and his oath, on which we base our expectations.

Faith in God's promises provides great comfort and spiritual strength. Joshua, a leader of the people of Israel, had such faith. When Joshua gave his farewell speech to the Israelites, he was old and knew that he was about to die. Yet, he expressed strength and unbreakable loyalty, which sprang from complete trust in God's promises. After saying that he was going "in the way of all the earth," the path that leads all mankind to death, Joshua stated: "You well know with all your hearts and with all your souls that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. they have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed." Yes, three times Joshua repeated that God always keeps his promises. -Joshua 23:14.

You too can have the same faith in God's promise of a new world that will soon be established. By earnestly studying the Bible, you will come to understand who Jehovah is and why he deserves your full trust. (Revelation 4:11) Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old had unbreakable faith, based on their intimate knowledge of the true God. Jehovah. They remained strong in hope, despite the fact that they "did not get the fulfillment of the promises" while they were alive. Still, "they saw them afar off and welcomed them." -Hebrews 11:13.

Next time: Conclusion of the above subject

Watchtower, 1999

"The Real Life" Then

In confirmation of the thrilling description of life on the future Paradise earth, God says: "Look! I am making all things new." (Revelation 21:5) It is impossible for the human mind to grasp fully the marvelous works that God will perform for mankind. God will create a worldwide paradise, modeled after Eden. (Luke 23:43) As in Eden, beauty and pleasantness of color, sound and taste will be abundant. Poverty and food shortages will be no more, for regarding that time the Bible says: "The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4; Psalm 72:16) No more will anyone say, "I am sick," as illness will be eliminated forever. (Isaiah 33:24) Yes, all causes of pain will disappear, including mankind's long-standing enemy, death. (1Corinthians 15:26) In an amazing vision of the "new earth," the new human society under Christ's rule, the apostle John heard a voice saying: "[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." What could bring greater comfort and joy than the fulfillment of this divine promise?

In describing future life, the Bible particularly emphasizes conditions that will satisfy man's moral and spiritual aspirations. All the just ideals for which mankind has vainly struggled until now will be fully attained. (Matthew 6:10) Among these is the desire for justice, which has remained unfulfilled because man has often been afflicted by cruel oppressors who have dominated the weak. (Ecclesiastes 8:9) The psalmist wrote prophetically of conditions under Christ's rule: "In his days uprightness shall flourish, and peace in plenty." - Psalm 72:7, The New Jerusalem Bible.

Equality is another aspiration for which many have made sacrifices. In the "recreation," God will abolish discrimination. (Matthew 19:28) All will enjoy the same dignity. This will not be equality imposed by some harsh governmental regime. On the contrary, the causes of discrimination will be eliminated, including the greed and pride that lead men to seek domination over others or to amass huge amounts of goods. Isaiah prophesied: "They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating." - Isaiah 65:21,22.

How man has suffered because of bloodshed in both personal and collective warfare! This has continued from the murder of Abel down to the wars of the present time. How long humans have hoped and waited, seemingly in vain, for peace to be established! In the restored Paradise, all men will be peaceable and meek; they will "find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." - Psalm 37:11.

Isaiah 11:9 says: "The earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea." Because of inherited imperfection, among other things, it is not possible for us today to understand fully the scope of those words. How perfect knowledge of God will unite us with him and how that will result in full joy, we may yet have to learn. But since the Scriptures inform us that Jehovah is a God marvelous in power, wisdom, justice and love, we can be certain that he will hear all prayers expressed by the inhabitants of the "new earth."

Next time: "The Real Life" Is A Certainty-Grasp It!

Watchtower, 1999

Conclusion Of Enjoy "The Real Life"

The Bible leaves no aura of mystery around the purpose of life and what death means. It says that in death "there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom" and that the dead "are conscious of nothing at all." (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) In other words, the dead are dead. The doctrine of the immortal soul is not Biblical, so there is no profound mystery to be solved about the condition of the dead. -Genesis 3:19; Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4.

God had a purpose; he did not create the earth "simply for nothing." he formed it "to be inhabited" by perfect humans in paradise conditions, and God has not changed his purpose. (Isaiah 45:18; Malachi 3:6) to realize it, he sent his Son to the earth. By remaining faithful until death, Jesus Christ provided the means to ransom mankind from sin and death. In fact, Jesus said: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." -John 3:16.

Long ago, God promised that he would create "new heavens and a new earth." (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13) That would involve his choosing a limited group of faithful Christians for life in heaven. Together with Jesus Christ, they form a government nucleus. The Bible refers to this as "the kingdom of the heavens," or kingdom of God," which will administer "the things on the earth." (Matthew 4:17; 12:28; Ephesians 1:10; Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1, 3) After destroying all godlessness on our globe and purifying it. God will being in a righteous new human society, or new "new earth." This will include people whom God protects through the imminent destruction of this wicked system of things. (Matthew 24:3, 7-14, 21; Revelation 7:9, 13, 14) They will be joined by those who are brought back to life through the promised resurrection.- John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15.

Next time: "The Real Life" Then

Watchtower, 1999

Enjoy "The Real Life"

JEHOVAH GOD has given man the perception of eternity. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) This makes humans feel powerless in the face of death but, at the same time, arouses in them an unrelenting desire to live.

The Holy Bible, God's inspired Word, gives us great hope. (2 Timothy 3:16) Jehovah, who is the essence of love, could not have made man with the ability to grasp the concept of eternity and then condemned him to live for just a few years. Creating us to be to be tormented over our lot is simply contrary to God's personality. We were not created like "unreasoning animals born naturally to be caught and destroyed." - 2 Peter 2:12.

In creating Adam and Eve with an intrinsic sense of eternity, Jehovah God made something "very good;" he made them with the potential for living forever. (Genesis 1:31) But sadly, the first couple misused their free will, disobeying an explicit prohibition from the Creator and losing their original perfection. As a result, they died, having transmitted imperfection and death to their descendants. -Genesis 2:17; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12.

Next time: Conclusion of the above subject

Watchtower, 1999

Conclusion of Do You Love Life?

Confirming this, a judge who deals with juvenile offenders says that "crisis of values, exaltations of negative role models, and success by quick and easy enrichment" tend to "promote an exaggerated spirit of competition." This leads to behavior that is damaging to society and destructive to youths, especially when they turn to drugs.

You know that life offers many attractions-vacations in fascinating places, interesting reading or research, pleasant company, beautiful music. And there are other activities that bring satisfaction great and small. Those with a deep faith in God, and particularly in the God of the Bible, Jehovah, have more reasons to love life. True faith is a source of strength and serenity that can help people to deal with difficult times. Believers in the true God can confidently say: "Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid." (Hebrews 13:6) People acquainted with God's love feel loved by him. They respond to his love, drawing deep joy from it. (1 John 4:7, 8, 16) They can lead an active and altruistic life that is a source of satisfaction. It is just as Jesus Christ said. "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving." Acts 20:35.

Sadly, there is another side to the present life. There is widespread suffering, injustice, poverty, sickness and death-to mention just some of the painful features that often make life barely tolerable. The rich, powerful, and wise King Solomon of the ancient nation of Israel lacked none of the resources that can make people happy. Yet, there was something that troubled him-the realization that death he would have to leave to someone else all that 'his hard work,' performed "with wisdom and with knowledge and with proficiency," had procured for him. - Ecclesiastes 2:17-21.

Like Solomon, most are aware of the brevity of life, which slips by all too rapidly. The Scriptures say that God 'has put eternity into our minds.' (Ecclesiastes 3:11, Byington) This sense of eternity moves man to ponder life's brevity. In the long run, without finding convincing answers to the meaning of life and death, one can become burdened with feelings of pessimism and futility. This can make life sad.

Are there answers to this man's anguished questions? Will there ever be conditions to make life more attractive and lasting?

Next time: Enjoy "The Real Life"

Watchtower, 1999

Do You Love Life?

"Let me see the light." These are the words that the Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi reportedly uttered to those attending to him just before his death. The words suggest man's desperate attachment to life, represented by light.

Attachment to life is a precious impulse that moves most individuals to avoid dangers and to do all they can to keep living. In this, man is not greatly different from the animals, which have a strong survival instinct.

But what kind of life is truly worthy of being lived and loved? It is not mere physiological existence-just breathing and moving. Nor does general satisfaction come from a get-as-much-out-of-life-as-possible approach. the Epicurean philosophy, "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow were are to die," has not brought contentment to people for the most part. (1Corinthians 15:32) While man certainly has a number of basic material needs, he also has cultural and social interests, not to mention spiritual needs, tied to faith in a Supreme Being. Sadly, hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people enjoy little more than mere existence because of miserable social and environmental conditions in many areas of the globe. Any who limit themselves primarily to satisfying their physical needs-eating, drinking, having possessions, or gratifying sexual desires-more or less lead an animal existence, from which they draw scant contentment. In effect, they make no use of the more meaningful resources that life offers to fulfill the human intellect and emotions. Moreover, any who seek to satisfy just their egotistic desires not only fail to to get the best out of life but also damage the society in which they live, and they do not promote the interest of others.

Next time: Conclusion of the above subject

Watchtower, 1999

How To Get The Most Benefit

Many people have started to read the Bible only to stop when they found parts of it difficult to understand. If that has been your experience, there are some things that may be of help.

Select a reliable translation in modern day language, such as the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Some people start by reading the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus, whose wise teachings, such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount, reflect a keen awareness of human nature and outline how to improve our lot in life. -See Matthew chapters 5 to 7.

In addition to reading through the Bible a topical method of study can be quite informative. This involves analyzing what the Bible says on a particular subject. You may be surprised to learn what the Bible really says about such topics as soul, heaven, earth, life and death, as well as God's Kingdom-what it is and what it will accomplish. Jehovah's Witnesses have a program for topical Bible study, which is provided free of charge. You may inquire about it by writing to the publishers, using the appropriate address on page 2.

After examining the evidence, many people have concluded that the Bible is of divine origin. But why not examine it for yourself? We are confident that after a process of learning, meditating and perhaps experiencing the practical value of its timeless wisdom for yourself, you will come to feel that the Bible is indeed a book for all people, and more-a book for you.

Next time:Do You Love Life?

Watchtower, 1999

A Book For You?

Many people read books either to be entertained or to be informed, or perhaps for both reasons. The same can be true of reading the Bible. It can be uplifting, even entertaining reading. But the Bible is more than that. It is a unique source of knowledge.- Ecclesiastes 12:9, 10.

The Bible answers questions that humans have long pondered-questions about our past, and our future. Many wonder: Where did we come from? What is the purpose of life? How can we find happiness in life? Will there always be life on earth? What does the future hold for us?

The collective force of all the evidence presented here establishes clearly that the Bible is accurate and authentic. We have already considered how its practical counsel can help us to live meaningful and happy lives today. Since its answers about the present are satisfying, surely its answers about the past and its prophecies about the future are deserving of careful attention.

Next time: How To Get The Most Benefit

A Book For All People, 1997

"She Will Never Be Inhabited"

What would become of Babylon after its fall? Isaiah foretold: "She will never be inhabited, nor will she reside for generation after generation. And there the Arab will not pitch his tent, and no shepherd will let their flocks lie down there." (Isaiah 13:20) It may have seemed odd, to say the least, to predict that such a favorably situated city would become permanently uninhabited. Could Isaiah's words have been written after he had observed a desolate Babylon?

Following the takeover by Cyrus, an inhabited Babylon-albeit an inferior one-continued for centuries. Recall that the Dead Sea Scrolls include a copy of the complete book of Isaiah that is dated to the second century B.C.E. About the time that that scroll was being copied, the Parthians took control of Babylon. In the first century C.E., there was a settlement of Jews in Babylon, and the Bible writer Peter visited there. (1 Peter 5:13) By that time, the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah had been in existence for the better part of two centuries. So, as of the first century C.E., Babylon still was not completely desolate, yet Isaiah's book had been finished long before then.

As foretold, Babylon, eventually became mere "piles of stones." (Jeremiah 51:37) According to the Hebrew scholar Jerome (fourth century C.E.), by his day Babylon was a hunting ground in which "beasts of every type" roamed. Babylon remains desolate to this day.

Isaiah never lived to see Babylon become uninhabited. But the ruins of that once powerful city, about 50 miles south of Baghdad,in modern Iraq, bear silent testimony to the fulfillment of his words: "She will never be inhabited." Any restoration of Babylon as tourist attraction might lure visitors, but Babylon's "progeny and posterity" are gone forever. Isaiah 13:20; 14:22, 23.

The prophet Isaiah thus did not utter vague predictions that could be made to fit just any future happening. Neither did he rewrite history to make it appear as prophecy. Think about it: "Why would an impostor risk "prophesying" something over which he would have absolutely no control-that mighty Babylon would never again be inhabited?

This prophecy about Babylon's downfall is but one example from the Bible. Many people see in the fulfillment of its prophecies and indication that the Bible must be from a source higher than man. Perhaps you would agree that, at the very least, this book of prophecy is worth examining. One thing is certain: There is a vast difference between the hazy or sensational predictions of modern-day soothsayers and the clear, sober and specific prophecies of the Bible.

Next time:A Book For You?

A Book For All People, 1997

History Masquerading As History?

If the Bible prophets -including Isaiah-merely rewrote history to look like prophecy, then these men were nothing more than clever frauds. But what would be their motive for such trickery? True prophets readily made it known that they could not be bribed. ( 1 Samuel 12:3; Daniel 5:17) And we have already considered compelling evidence that the Bible writers (many of whom were prophets) were trustworthy men who were willing to reveal even their own embarrassing errors. It seems unlikely that men of this sort would be inclined to commit elaborate frauds, disguising history as prophecy.

There is something else to consider. Many Bible prophecies contained scathing denunciations of the prophets' own people, which included the priests and rulers. Isaiah, for example, decried the deplorable moral condition of the Israelites-both leaders and people-in his day. (Isaiah 1:2-10) Other prophets forcefully exposed the sins of the priests. (Zephaniah 3:4; Malachi 2:1-9) It is difficult to conceive why they would fabricate prophecies that contained the sharpest censures imaginable against their own people and why the priests would have cooperated in such a ruse.

In addition, how could the prophets-if they were nothing more than imposters-have pulled off such a forgery? Literacy was encouraged in Israel. From an early age, children were taught how to read and write. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) Private reading of the Scriptures was urged. (Psalm 1:2) There as a public reading of the Scriptures in the synagogues on the weekly Sabbath. (Acts 15:21) It seems improbable that an entire literate nation, well versed in the Scriptures, could have been deceived by such a hoax.

Besides, there is more to Isaiah's prophecy of Babylon's fall. Included in it is a detail that simply could not have been written after the fulfillment.

Next time: "She Will Never Be Inhabited"

A Book For All People, 1997

'Without A Battle'

Two centuries after Isaiah recorded his prophecy, on the night of October 5, 539 B.C.E., the armies of Medo-Persia under the command of Cyrus the Great were encamped near Babylon. But the Babylonians were confident. According to the Greek historian Herodotus (fifth century B.C.E.), they had enough provisions stored up to last for years. They also had the Euphrates river and Babylons might walls to protect them. Nonetheless, on that very night according to the Nabonidus Chronicle, "the army of Cyrus entered Babylon without Battle." How was that possible?

Herodotus explains that inside the city, the people "were dancing and making merry at a festival." Outside, however, Cyrus had diverted the waters of the Euphrates. As the water level sank, his army sloshed along the riverbed, with water to their thighs. They marched past the towering walls and entered through what Herodotus called "the gates that opened on the river.," gates carelessly left open. (Compare Daniel 5:1-4; Jeremiah 50:24; 51:31, 32) Other historians, including Xenophon (c. 431-c. 352 B.C.E.), as well as cuneiform tablets found by archaeologist, confirm the sudden fall of Babylon to Cyrus.

Isaiah's prophecy about Babylon was thus fulfilled. Or was it? is it possible that this was not a prediction but was actually written after the fact? Really, the same could be asked about other Bible prophecies.

Next time: History Masquerading As Prophecy?

A Book For All People, 1997

'Without A Battle'

To Be 'Swept With The Broom Of Annihilation'

Ancient Babylon became "the jewel of kingdoms." (Isaiah 13:19; The New American Bible) This sprawling city was strategically located on the trade route from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, serving as a commercial depot for both land and sea trade between the East and the West.

By the seventh century B.C.E., Babylon was the seemingly impregnable capital of the Babylonian Empire. The city straddled the Euphrates River, and the river's waters were use to form a broad, deep moat and a network of canals. In addition, the city was protected by a massive system of double walls, buttressed by numerous defense towers. Little wonder that its inhabitants felt secure.

Nevertheless, in the eight century B.C.E., before Bablyon rose to the height of its glory, the prophet Isaiah foretold that Babylon would be 'swept with the broom of annihilation.'(Isaiah 13:19; 14:22, 23) Isaiah also described the very manner in which Babylon would fall. The invaders would 'dry up' its rivers-the source of its moatlike defense-making the city vulnerable. Isaiah even supplied the name of the conqueror- "Cyrus," a great Persian king, "before whom gates shall be opened and no doors be shut." - Isaiah 44:27- 45:2, The New English Bible.

These were bold predictions. But did they come true? History answers.

Next time: 'Without A Battle'

A Book For All People, 1997

A Book Of Prophecy

The Roman statesman Cato (234-149 B.C.E.) reportedly said: "I wonder that a soothsayer doesn't laugh when he sees another soothsayer." Indeed, to this day many people are skeptical of fortunetellers, astrologers and other soothsayers. Often their predictions are couched in vague terms and are subject to a wide variety of interpretations.

What, though, about the Bible's prophecies? Is there a reason for skepticism? Or is there a basis for confidence?


Not Just Educated Guesses

Knowledgeable people may try to use observable trends to make accurate speculations regarding the future, but they are never right all the time. The book Future Shock notes: "Every society faces not merely a succession of probable futures, but an array of possible futures." It adds: "Of course, not one can 'know' the future in any absolute sense. We can only systematize and deepen our assumptions to assign probabilities to them."

But the Bible writers did not simply "assign probabilities" to "assumptions" about the future. Nor can their predictions be dismissed as obscure statements open to a wide variety of interpretations. On the contrary, many of their prophecies were uttered with extraordinary clarity and were usually specific, oftentimes predicting just the opposite of what might be expected. Take as an example what the Bible said in advance about the ancient city of Babylon.

Next time: To Be 'Swept With The Broom Of Annihilation'

A Book For All People, 1997