Chapter - 6 WHY DO WE GROW OLD AND DIE

A SINISTER PLOT

A criminal tries to cover his tracks.  This has also been true of the one responsible for a crime that has resulted  in the death of billions.  He has maneuvered things to shroud human death in mystery.  Jesus Christ identified this criminal when He told those seeking to kill Him:  'You are from your father the Devil, and  you wish to do the desires of your father.  That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him." -John 8:31, 40, 44.

Yes, the Devil is a malicious "manslayer."  The Bible reveals that he is a real person, not just the evil in someone's heart.  (Matthew 4:1-11) Although created as a righteous angel,  "he did not stand fast in the truth."  How fitting it is that he is named Satan the Devil!  (Revelation 12:9)  He is called "Satan," or "resister," because he has opposed and resisted Jehovah.  This criminal is also called "Devil," meaning "slanderer."  for he has blasphemously misrepresented God.

What motivated Satan to rebel against God? Greed.  He greedily coveted the worship Jehovah received from humans.  The Devil did not reject the desire to receive such worship, which rightly belonged only to the Creator.  (Compare Ezekiel 28:12-19)  Instead, the angel who became Satan nurtured this greedy desire until it became fertile and gave birth to sin. -James 1:14, 15.

We have identified the culprit whose criminal act has led to the death of humans.  But what is the specific cause of human death?  The Bible says:  "The sting producing death is sin."  (1 Corinthians 15:56)  And what is sin?  To understand this word, let  us consider  the meaning it carried in the original languages of the Bible.  The Hebrew and Greek verbs commonly translated "to sin" mean "to miss"  in the sense of missing a mark or not reaching a goal.  What mark do all of  us miss?  The mark of perfect obedience to God.  How, though, was sin introduced into the world?

Next time:HOW THE PLOT WAS CARRIED OUT

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995