Locating the Spiritual Paradise

To say that even today a person can live in a paradise may sound unrealistic.  This world is hardly a paradise.  There are too many people who experienced what an ancient Hebrew king described: "Look! the tears of those being oppressed, but they had no comforter."  (Ecclesiastes 4:1)  Hundreds of millions suffer under corrupt political, religious, and economic systems, and they have no relief, no "comforter."  Many others struggle to pay their bills, raise their children, and dot he myriad other things needed to keep going.  These too would likely  welcome a comforter, someone to ease the burden just a little.  For all of them, life is far from paradisaic.

Where, then, is the spiritual paradise?  Well, the English word "paradise" is related  to Greek, Persian, and Hebrew words that carry the thought of a park or garden, a peaceful, refreshing place.  The Bible promises that some day the earth will be a physical paradise, a gardenlike home for a sinless human race.  (Psalm 37;10, 11)  With this in mind,we see that a  spiritual paradise  is an environment that is pleasing to the eyes and soothing to the nerves, allowing one to enjoy peace with one's fellowman and with God.  Today, as Gustavo found, such a paradise exists, and it embraces a growing number of people.

At the age of 12, Gustavo decided that he wanted to be a Roman Catholic priest.  With his parent's approval, he entered a religious seminary.  There he became involved in music, theater and politics, which were promoted  by the church to attract youths.  He knew that a priest was suppose to devote himself to the people and that he could not get married.  Yet, some of the priests and seminarians that Gustavo knew were engaged in immoral practices.  In such an atmosphere, Gustavo soon began to drink heavily.  Clearly, he had not yet found a spiritual paradise.

One day, Gustavo read a Bible tract that spoke about an earthly paradise.  It made him think about the purpose of life.  He says: "I started to read the Bible frequently, but I did not  understand it.  I did not even see that god had a name."  He left the seminary and approached Jehovah's Witnesses, seeking help to understand the Bible.  Thereafter, he made quick progress and soon dedicated his life to God. Gustavo was learning about the spiritual paradise.

Next time: A People for God's Name

The Watchtower, 2001