MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

How Christians Were Pressured to Shrink Back

the evidence indicates that Paul wrote his letter to the Hebrews about 61 C.E. The congregation in Jerusalem had a tumultuous history. After the death of Jesus, a wave of vicious persecution struck, forcing many Christians in the city to scatter. A periods of peace ensued, however, allowing the number of Christians to multiply. (Acts 8:4; 9:31) As the years passed, other persecutions and hardships came and went. It seems that by the time Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews,the congregation was once again enjoying a period of comparative peace. Still, there were pressures. Nearly three decades had passed since Jesus had foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. There were likely some who felt that the end had delayed beyond reason and might not come in their lifetime. Others, especially those newer in the faith, had not yet been tested by severe persecution and knew little of the need for endurance under trial. (Hebrews 12:4) Satan surely sought to take advantage of such circumstances. What "crafty acts" did he use?

The Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea viewed the fledgling Christian congregation with contempt. Judging from the content of Paul's letter, we get some idea of the taunts that the arrogant Jewish religious leaders and their followers directed at the Christians. They may, in effect, have said: 'We have the great temple in Jerusalem, standing for centuries! We have a noble high priest officiating there, along with his underpriests. Sacrifices are offered daily. We have the Law, transmitted by angels to Moses and established with great signs upon Mount Sinai. This upstart sect, these Christians, who have apostatized from Judaism, they have none of these things!' Did such scorn find its mark? Some Hebrew Christians were evidently troubled by the attacks. Paul's letter came to their aid at just the right time.

Next time: Whey They Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Conclusion with Reaching Non-English Readers

The United Bible Societies reports that of the world's 6,500 languages, portions of the Bible are available in only 2,212. Hence, some 100 translators are working to produce the New World Translation of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures in 11 and 8 languages respectively. God's will is "that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) The New World Translation will not doubt continue to play a major role in this regard.

We therefore rejoice that this translation has passed a milestone of 100 million copies, and we pray that many more millions will be produced in the future. We encourage you to examine for yourself. You will enjoy numerous special features: clear type, page headings, an index that can help you to locate familiar verses, detailed maps and fascinating appendix material. More important, you can read the this Bible with confidence that it accurately transmits the very sayings of God in your language.

Next time: Christmas in the Orient

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Reaching Non-English Readers

Between 1963 and 1989, the New World Translation became available, in whole or in part, in ten additional languages. However, the work of translation was laborious, with some projects lasting 20 years or more. Then in 1989 the Translation Services Department was established at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. Under the direction of the Writing Committee of the Governing Body, this department set out to speed up Bible translation. A method of translation was developed that combined Biblical word study with computer technology. How does this system work

Once the Writing Committee has approved the translation of the Bible into a new language, it appoints a group of dedicated Christians to serve as a translating team. Teams can produce more balanced translations than can an individual working alone. (Compare Proverbs 11:14) Generally, each team member has had experience in translating the Society's publication. The team then receives thorough training in the principles of Bible translation and in the use of specially developed computer programs. A computer does not do actual translation work, but it can give a team access to important information and help them to keep track of their decisions.

A Bible translation project has two stages. During the first stage, the translators are given a list of words and expressions used in the English New World Translation. Related English terms, such as "atone," "atonement," and "propitiation," are grouped together, alerting the translators to subtle shades of meaning. They compile a list of vernacular equivalents. At times, though, a translator may have difficulty rendering a verse. The computer research system provides the translator with information on Greek and Hebrew terms and gives access to Watchtower publications.

When the project moves into it second stage, the selected vernacular terms are automatically inserted into the Bible text. This builds considerable accuracy and consistency into the translation. However, the text resulting from this "search and replace" operation is hardly readable. Considerable work must be done to edit and rephrase Bible verses so that they read smoothly.

This translation system has proved to be remarkably effective. One group was able to translate the entire Hebrew Scriptures in just two years. Compare this to a group that worked on a related language without computer support. It took them 16 years. to date, the Christian Greek Scriptures have been printed in 18 additional languages since 1989. The New World Translation is now available,in whole or in part, in 34 languages. Thus over 80 percent of Jehovah's Witnesses have at least the Christian Greek Scriptures available in their mother tongue.

Next time: Continue with Reaching Non-English Readers

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Unique Features

Millions of readers have done just that and have discovered the New World Translation to be not only readable but scrupulously accurate. Its translators worked from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages, using the best texts available. Unusual care was also exercised to render the ancient text as literally as possible but in language that would readily be understood. Accordingly, some scholars praised this translation for its integrity and accuracy. For example, the Andover Newton Quarterly of January 1963 said: The translation of the New Testament is evidence of the presence in the movement of scholars qualified to deal intelligently with the many problems of Biblical translation.

The translators opened up a new world of Biblical understanding. Bible texts that had previously been only dimly understood became dramatically clear. For example, the perplexing text at Matthew 5:3, "blessed are the poor in spirit"(King James Version) was rendered in a way that made sense: "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need." The New World Translation is also quite consistent and uniform in its rendering of key terms. The Greek word psy-khe', for example, was translated "soul" in each of its occurrences. As a result, readers can quickly discern that contrary to religious theories, the soul is not immortal! -Matthew 2:20; Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 17:33.

Next time: Restoring God's Name

Watchtower, 1999

FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Continue with:Make Peace-Forgive

Significantly, Jesus did not say to go to your brother to convince him that you were in the right and that he was in the wrong. Maybe he was. More probably, there was some fault on each side. In any case, the goal should not be to get the other party to concede, to grovel, as it were. If that is how you approach the discussion, failure will be almost certain. Nor should the goal necessarily be to review every detail of the real or imagined offense. When calm discussion in the spirit of Christian love reveals a sad misunderstanding at the core of the problem, you can both try to clear that up. But even if the discussion does not lead to total agreement, is that always necessary? Would it not be better if you at least could agree that you both sincerely want to serve our forgiving God? When you face that reality it may be easier for each to say from the heart," I am sorry that in our imperfection we had this difference. Please, let us pass beyond it."

Remember that the apostles had their differences, as when some of them aspired to greater honor. (Mark 10:35-39; Luke 9:46; 22:24-26) That caused tension, perhaps hurt feelings, or even deep offense. But they were able to pass over such differences and keep on working together. On of them later wrote: "He that would love life and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from what is bad and his lips from speaking what is bad and his lips from speaking deception, but let him turn away from what is bad and do what is good; let him seek peace and pursue it." -1 Peter 3:10, 11.

We earlier noted one phase of a cycle: God forgave many sins that we committed i the past, so that we should imitate him and forgive our brothers. (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25) But there is another phase to this cycle. After providing the model prayer, Jesus said: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us." (Matthew 6:12, 14; Luke 11:4) Then, just days before his death, Jesus added: "When you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against anyone; in order that your Father who is in the heavens may also forgive you your trespasses." -Mark 11:25.

Yes, our prospects for continuing to receive God's forgiveness are to a large extent contingent on our being willing to forgive our brothers. When a personal problem between Christians arises, ask yourself, ' Is not gaining God's forgiveness far more important that my proving that a brother or a sister was wrong on some minor slight, some petty offense, or some reflection of human imperfection? You know the answer.

What though, when the matter is more serious than a minor personal offense or problem? And when does Jesus' counsel recorded at Matthew 18:15-18 apply? Let us next consider these matters/

Next time: YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

Watchtower, 1999