ARE YOU MOVED TO ACT AS JESUS WAS?

Moved to Respond to Spiritual Needs

Jesus felt pity for those around him primarily because of their spiritual needs. those needs were of chief importance, more so then physical needs. Consider the account of mark 6:30-34. The incident recorded there took place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, close to the time of the Passover in 32 C.E. The apostles were excited, and for good reason. Having just completed an extensive tour, they came to Jesus, no doubt eager to tell him their experiences. However, a crowd gathered. It was so large that Jesus and his apostles could neither eat nor rest. Jesus told the apostles: "Come, you yourselves, privately into a lonely place and rest up a bit." (Mark 6:31) Boarding a boat, probably near Capernaum, they sailed across the Sea of Galilee to a quiet place. But the crowd ran along the shore and arrived ahead of the boat. How would Jesus respond? Was he upset that his privacy was disturbed? Not at all!

Jesus' heart was touched by the sight of this crowd of thousands, including sick ones, who eagerly awaited him. (Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:44) Focusing on what aroused Jesus' compassion and how he responded, Mark wrote: "He saw a great crowd, but he was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. And he started to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34) Jesus saw more than a mass of people. He saw individuals having spiritual needs. They were like sheep straying helplessly, having no shepherd to guide them to green pastures or to protect them. Jesus knew that the cold hearted religious leaders, who were suppose to be caring shepherds, actually despised the common people and neglected their spiritual needs. (Ezekiel 34:2-4; John 7:47-49) Jesus would treat them differently,doing the greatest possible good for them. He began teaching them about God's Kingdom.

Notice the sequence and the suggestion of priority evident in a parallel account. This was written by Luke, who was a physician and keenly interested in the physical well-being of others. "The crowds . . . followed [Jesus]. And he received them kindly and began to speak to them about the kingdom of God, and he healed those needing a cure." (Luke 9:11; Colossians 4:14) Though it is not so with every account of a miracle, in this case,what did Luke's' inspired account note first? It was the fact that Jesus taught the people.

This actually agrees with the emphasis that we find at Mark 6:34. That verse clearly shows how Jesus was principally moved to express his pity. He taught the people, responding to their spiritual needs. Earlier in his ministry, Jesus had said: "To other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sen forth." (Luke 4:43) Still, we would be mistaken, if we though that Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom message out of mere duty, as if he perfunctorily went through the motions of the preaching work that he had to do. No, his loving compassion for the people was a key motivation for his sharing the good news with them. The ultimate good that Jesus could do-even for the sick, the demon afflicted the poor, or the hungry-was to help them to know, accept, and love the truth about God's Kingdom. That truth was of central importance because of the role of the Kingdom in vindicating Jehovah's sovereignty and providing permanent blessings for humans.

Jesus' active preaching about the Kingdom was at the core of the reason why he came to earth. Near the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus told Pilate: "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is on the side of truth listens to my voice." (John 18:37) We have noted in the two preceding articles that Jesus was a person of tender feelings-caring, approachable, considerate, trusting and above all, loving, We need to appreciate those aspects of his personality if we truly want to understand the mind of Christ. It is equally important to realize that the mind of Christ includes the priority he placed on his preaching and teaching work.

Next time: He Urged Others to Witness

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

Conclusion of Take Refuge Now

Many today hear the message about God's decision to destroy this wicked system of things and discern, to a certain extent,the validity of the warning. "It may eventually come,' they may reason, 'but not today,' they conveniently put off the day of Jehovah to a later time so that they may not be diverted from what seems more important in their eyes at the moment.

Baruch had such a problem. Being the secretary to the ancient prophet Jeremiah, Baruch courageously warned the Israelites of Jerusalem's impending doom. Yet, he once became weary of this commission. At that, Jehovah corrected him:"As for you, you keep seeking great things for yourself. Do not keep on seeking." Be wealth, prominence, or material security, Baruch was not to 'seek great things for himself.' He was to be interested in one thing, doing God's will to help people to stand on His side. As a result, he would receive 'his soul as a spoil.' (Jeremiah 45:1-5) Comparably, instead of 'seeking great things for ourselves,' we should seek Jehovah, which can lead to the saving of our own lives.

At Mount Fugen, over a dozen policemen and volunteer firemen were on duty when the superheated volcanic flow hit them. They were trying to help and protect endangered people. They were like well-meaning men and women who are immersed in improving this world. Lofty though their motives may be, "that which is made crooked cannot be made straight." (Ecclesiastes 1:15) The crooked system of things cannot be straightened out. Is it reasonable to make oneself "a friend of the world" by trying to save a worldwide system that God is determined to eliminate?

Next time: Once You Have Fled, Stay Away

Watchtower, 2000

HEED THE WARNING!

STAY OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE!

It is the task of volcanologists to make observations and to weigh the evidence and then to warn about coming volcanic eruptions. (Once Mount Fugen had erupted, the police had to keep people out of the danger zone.) Similarly, Bible students observe the sign of "the conclusion of the system of things." and alert others to the impending danger. -Matthew 24:3.

In the same chapter of the Bible that warns about an impending global catastrophe, we can read this description of preliminary development: "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another . . .Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. . . And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come." -Matthew 24:7-14.

We do not need to be news analysts to discern the current fulfillment of this prophecy. Especially since 1914, we have experienced it. This century has seen two world wars, a great number of civil wars, local warfares and racial and religious conflicts. Mankind has suffered food shortages as a result of such wars, in addition to privation caused by natural disasters. Many lives have been swallowed up by earthquakes. Cults and dubious leaders and fanatic followers have sprung up. "The increasing of lawlessness" has turned people away from showing love, and neighborliness is no longer the norm.

The worldwide preaching work, another aspect of the sign, is certainly being accomplished. Just turn back to the cover of this magazine, and you will note the words "Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom" as part of the title. The Watchtower, published in 132 languages and with a circulation of more than 22 million, is a major tool for those who declare "this good news of the kingdom" in all the inhabited earth. That good news includes the message that the Creator of the universe, Jehovah God, has establish the heavenly Kingdom that will destroy the wicked system of things and in a paradise on earth. Indeed, the sign that God will soon take action is observable now, indicating that the lives of people in this system of things are in danger. -Compare 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3, 4; Revelation 6:1-8.

Next time: The Fear-Inspiring Day of Jehovah

Watchtower, 2000

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

True Christians today have equally powerful reasons for not shrinking back. First, let us remember what a blessing we have in the pure for of worship that Jehovah has given us. Like the first-century Christians, we live at a time when members of the more popular religions sneer at us and mock us, pointing proudly to their impressive religious edifices and the antiquity of their traditions. Jehovah assures us, though, that he approves of our form of worship. In fact, we enjoy blessings today that the first-century Christians did not have. You might wonder, 'How can that be?' After all, they lived when the spiritual temple came into operation. Christ became its High Priest upon his baptism in 29 C.E. Some of them had seen the miracle-working Son of God. Even after his death, there were more miracles. As foretold, though, such gifts eventually ceased. -1Corinthians 13:8)

However, we live during a significant fulfillment of the extensive temple prophecy of Ezekiel chapters 40-48. Thus, we have seen the restoration of God's arrangement for pure worship. that spiritual temple has been cleansed of all forms of religious pollution and idolatry. (Ezekiel 43:9; Malachi 3:1-5) Think of the advantages that this cleansing has given us.

During the first century, the future looked dark for the organized Christian congregation. Jesus had foretold that it would be as if a newly planted wheat field were oversown with weeds, making the wheat virtually indistinguishable from the weeds. (Matthew 13:24-30) And so it was. By the end of the first century, when the aged apostle John was acting as the final restraint against corruption, apostasy was already flourishing. (2 Thessalonians 2:6; 1John 2:18) Not long after the death of the apostles, a separate clergy class arose, oppressing the flock and wearing distinctive garb. Apostasy spread like gangrene. How discouraging for faithful Christians! They saw the newly established arrangement for pure worship become overwhelmed by a corrupted form. This developed less than a century after Christ founded the congregation.

Next time: Continue with: Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

Why They Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Let us examine two reasons that Paul gave his brothers and sisters there in Judea for never shrinking back to destruction. The first- superiority of the Christian system of worship-pervades the letter to the Hebrews. Throughout his letter, Paul developed this theme. The temple in Jerusalem was merely a copy of a far greater reality, Jehovah's spiritual temple, a building "not made with hands." (Hebrews 9:11) Those Christians had the privilege of serving in that spiritual arrangement for pure worship. They served under a better covenant, the long-promised new covenant, which had a Mediator superior to Moses, Jesus Christ. -Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Those Christians also had a far better High Priest, Jesus Christ. No, he had not descended from Aaron. Rather, he was a High Priest "according to Melchizedek, whose lineage was unrecorded, was king of ancient Salem as well as its high priest. He thus made a fitting prophetic type of Jesus, whose priesthood depended, not on any imperfect human ancestry, but on something far greater-Jehovah God's own oath. Like Melchizedek, Jesus serves not only as High Priest, but also as King, one who will never die. -Hebrews 7:11-21.

Furthermore, unlike the high priest at the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus did not have to offer sacrifices year after year. His sacrifices was his own perfect life, which he offered once for all time. (Hebrews 7:27) All those sacrifices offered at the temple were only shadows, pictures of what Jesus offered. His perfect sacrifice provided for real forgiveness of the sins of all who exercised faith. Heartwarming, too, are Paul's comments showing that this High Priest is the same unchanging Jesus whom the Christians in Jerusalem had known. He was humble, kind, and one who can sympathize with our weaknesses." (Hebrews 4:15; 13:8) Those anointed Christians had the prospect of serving as Christ's underpriests! how could they even think of shrinking back to "the weak and beggarly" things of corrupt Judaism? -Galatians 4:9.

As if that were not enough, Paul gave the Hebrews a second reason never to shrink back to destruction-their own record of endurance. He wrote: "Keep on remembering the former days in which , after you were enlightened, you endured a great contest under sufferings." Paul reminded them that they had been "exposed as in a theater" to reproaches and tribulations. Some had suffered imprisonment; others had sympathized with and supported those in prison. Yes, they had shown exemplary faith and perseverance. (Hebrews 10:32-34) Yet, why did Paul ask them to "keep on remembering" such painful experiences? Would that not proved discouraging?

On the contrary, "remembering the former days" would remind the Hebrews of how Jehovah had sustained them under trial. With his help, they had already resisted many of Satan's attacks. Paul wrote: "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name." (Hebrews 6:10) Yes, Jehovah remembered all their faithful works, storing them in his limitless memory. We are reminded of Jesus' exhortation to store up treasures in heaven. No thief can steal these treasures; no moth or rust can consume them. (Matthew 6:19-21) In fact, these treasures can be destroyed only if a Christian shrinks back to destruction. That would squander any treasures he had stored up in heaven. What a powerful reason Paul gave the Hebrew Christians for never pursuing such a course! Why waste all their years of faithful service? It would be right and far better to keep on enduring.

Next time: Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

What It Means to Shrink Back to Destruction

When Paul wrote of "the sort that shrink back," he did not mean those who may suffer a momentary lapse of courage. Paul surely knew of Peter's experience and of other similar cases. Elijah, a bold and outspoken prophet, once gave in to fear and fled for his life because of a death threat from wicked Queen Jezebel. (1 Kings 19:1-4) The prophet Jonah had a more serious bout with fear. Jehovah assigned him to travel to the notoriously violent, wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah promptly boarded a boat headed for Tarshish-2,200 miles in the opposite direction! (Jonah 1:1-3) Yet, neither of these faithful prophets nor the apostle Peter could rightly be described as the sort that shrinks back. Why not?

Note the full phrase that Paul used: "Now we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction." What did he mean by "destruction?" The Greek word he used refers at times to eternal destruction. This definition fits the context. Paul had just warned: "If we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifices for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and there is a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition." -Hebrews 10:26, 27.

So when Paul said to his fellow believers, "We are not the sort that shrink back to destruction," he meant that he and his faithful Christian readers were determined never to turn away from Jehovah and stop serving him. To do so could lead only to eternal destruction. Judas Iscariot was one who shrank back to such destruction, as did other enemies of the truth who willfully worked against Jehovah's spirit. (John 17:12; 2Thessalonians 2:3) Such individuals are among "the cowards" who suffer eternal destruction int he symbolic lake of fire. (Revelation 21:8) No, we do not ever want to be of that sort!

Satan the Devil wants us to shrink back to destruction. A master of "crafty acts," he knows that such a ruinous course often starts in small ways. (Ephesians 6:11) If direct persecution fails to achieve his ends, he sees to erode the faith of true Christians through subtler means. He wants to see bold, zealous Witnesses of Jehovah silenced. Let us see what tactics he used against the Hebrew Christians to whom Paul wrote.

Next time: How Christians Were Pressured to Shrink Back

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

THE apostles must have been shocked when their beloved Master, Jesus, told them that they would all scatter and abandon him. How could such a think be -in this, his hour of greatest need? Peter insisted: "Even if all the others are stumbled, yet I will not be." In truth, Peter was a brave bold man. But when Jesus was betrayed and arrested, the apostles-including Peter-scattered. Later, while Jesus was being interrogated in the house of the High Pries Caiaphas, Peter lingered anxiously in the courtyard. As the cold night wore on, Peter likely came to fear that Jesus and anyone associated with him might be executed. When some bystanders recognized Peter as one of Jesus' close associates, panic seized him. Three times he disavowed his connection with Jesus. Peter denied even knowing him! -Mark 14:27-31, 66-72.

That was a low point in Peter's life, a moment he no doubt regretted for the rest of his days. But did Peter's course that night make him a coward? Did it make him one of "the sort," that the apostle Paul later described when he wrote: "Now we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction?" (Hebrews 10:39) Most of us would likely agree that Paul's words do not apply to Peter. Why? Because Peter's fear was temporary, a brief lapse in a life marked by outstanding courage and faith. Similarly, many of us have moments in our past that we recall to some degree of shame, moments when fear caught us by surprise and kept us from standing as boldly for the truth as we would have liked. (Compare Romans 7:21-23) We can be assured that such momentary lapses do not make us the sort that shrink back from destruction. Still, we need to be determined never to become of that sort. Why? And how can we avoid becoming such a person?

Next time: What It Means to Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

CHRISTMAS IN THE ORIENT

The Role of Gift-Giving

Gift-giving is one custom that has never faded away. For a long time, Koreans have found much joy in giving and receiving gifts. This was one reason for the popularizing of the Christmas celebration in Korea.

After World War II, for the U.S. soldiers stationed in Korea who wanted to strengthen their ties with the people, churches were places to meet and to distribute gifts and relief aid. Especially on Christmas Day did this occur. Many children visited churches out of curiosity, and there they had their first exposure to gifts of chocolate. As you can understand, many of them then looked forward to the next Christmas.

For such children, Santa Claus was an American soldier in a red stocking cap. Proverbs 19:6 says: "Everybody is a companion to the man making gifts." Yes, gift-giving proved to be very effective. But as you can conclude from that verse, such gifts do not guarantee a lasting friendship. Even in Korea, many are those whose experiences with the church amounted to nothing more than a taste of chocolate in their younger years. Christmas, though, was not forgotten. Along with Korea's rapid economic growth, commercialism grew, and Christmas gift-giving was a simple means for boasting consumer spending. Businesses exploited Christmas to increase profits.

That provides you with insight into Christmas in the Orient today. Aiming at the Christmas shopping spree, new products are developed. Plans for advertisements begin in midsummer. Sales figures peak at year-end, supported by all the purchasing of Christmas gifts, cards and musical recordings. Why, advertisement would make the average youth feel miserable if he or she stayed at home and did not get any presents on Christmas Eve!

As Christmas Day draws near, stores and shopping malls in Seoul get crowded with people who are there to buy gifts, and the story is the same in other Oriental cities. There are traffic jams, Hotels, business districts, restaurants and nightclubs are flooded with customers. Sounds of revelry-loud singing-can be heard. On Christmas Eve, drunken men and women are seen making their way through streets that are littered with trash.

So it is, Christmas in the Orient is no longer a holiday led by professed Christians. Obviously, in Korea as elsewhere, commercialism has taken the lead in making the most of this holiday of Christendom. . Is the commercialism, then, solely to blame for a Christmas that has become so out of line with the spirit of Christ? True Christians need to probe deeper into the serious issues involved.

Next time: The Origin of Christmas

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

YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

Strive to Gain Your Brother

Jesus began: "If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." Clearly, this is not a step based on mere suspicion. You should have evidence or specific information that you can use to help your brother to see that he committed a wrong and needs to set matters straight. It is good to act promptly, not letting the matter grow or letting his attitude become entrenched. And do not forget that brooding over it can damage you too. Since the discussion is to be between you and him alone, refrain from talking to others beforehand to win sympathy or improve your self-image. (Proverbs 12:25; 17:9) Why? Because of your goal.

Your objective should be to gain your brother, not to castigate, humiliate, or ruin him. If he really has done wrong, his relationship with Jehovah is at risk. You surely want to keep him as your Christian brother. The likelihood of success will be enhanced if in the private discussion you remain calm, avoiding harsh words or an accusatory tone. In this loving confrontation, remember that you both are imperfect, sinful humans. (Romans 3:23, 24) As he realizes that you have not gossiped about him and sees that you sincerely want to help, a solution may readily come. This kind, clear approach will especially reflect wisdom if it turns out that you both share a degree of fault or that a misunderstanding was really at the root of the matter. -Proverbs 25:9, 10; 26:20; James 3:5, 6.

If you help him to see that a wrong occurred and that it is serious, he may be moved to repent. Realistically, though, pride can be an obstacle. (Proverbs 16:18; 17:19) So even if he does not initially admit the wrong and repent, you may pause before taking the matter further. Jesus did not say 'go only once and lay bare his fault.' Since it is a sin that you can resolve, consider approaching him again in the spirit of Galatians 6:1 and "under four eyes." You may succeed. (Compare Jude 22, 23) Yet, what if you are convinced that as in has been committed and that he will not respond?

Next time: Getting Mature Help

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Hormone Therapy and Genetics -Reason for Hope?

Hormone therapy is one field that inspires hope. Experiments with the hormone know as DHEA seem to slow down the aging process in laboratory animals.

Concerning the plant hormone kinetin, the Swedish daily Afonbladet quoted Dr. Suresh Rattan, a professor at Aarhus University, Denmark, as saying: "Tests in our laboratory show that human skin cells cultivated in kinetin do not change in the normal age-related way. They stay young throughout their lives." Insects treated with the harmone are said to live from 30 to 45 percent longer than normal.

Melatonin treatments are said to have the extended life span of a mice by as much as 25 percent. Moreover, the mice appeared younger, healthier and more vigorous.

Advocates of human growth hormone (hgH) claim that it contributes to glowing skin, increased muscle mass, elevated sex drive, a lighter mood, sharper mental acuity, and the metabolism of a teenager (This again is the work of Satan).

Many look also to genetics. Scientists have reckoned that by manipulating genes, they can control the life span of a nematode, or roundworm. In fact, they have succeeded in keeping some of them alive for six times their normal life span. This has raised hopes of finding and manipulating similar genes in humans. Time magazine quoted Dr. Siegfried Hekimi of McGill University, Montreal, as saying: "If we find all of the human clock genes, we can perhaps slow them down just a little (again with the help of Satan), so we can extend life."

Biologists have long known that an end section of chromosomes, the so-called telomere,is shortened each time the cell produces. When the telomere loses about 20 percent of its length, the cell's ability to reproduce is shut off and it dies. A particular enzyme called telomerase can restore the telomere to full length , thus allowing the cell to keep dividing. In most cells this enzyme is repressed and inactive, but active telomerase has been successfully inserted into certain cells, making them grow and divide far beyond the normal number of times.

According to researchers, this opens up sensational possibilities in fighting age-related diseases. What about replacing the body's stem cells (cells that provide for the regeneration of body tissue) with stem cells (from unborn fetuses) that have been "immortalized" with active telomerase? Dr. William A. Haseltine says: "This is a clearly articulated vision of human immorality ( Only God can give us immorality) that will be introduced slowly over the next 50 years." (There will be something wrong with this process in the end,because only God has this kind of power, not man, we can't even rule ourselves, much less give humans immortality) -The New York Times.

Next time: Do Nanotechnology and Cryonics Hold the Answer?

Watchtower, 1999