HARMONIOUS AND ACCURATE

The Bible was written over a 1,600-year period. Its writers lived at different time and came from many walks of life. Some were farmers, fishermen and shepherds. Others were prophets, judges, and kings. The Gospel writer Luke was a doctor. Despite the varied backgrounds of its writers, the Bible is harmonious from beginning to end.

The first book of the Bible tells us how mankind's problems began.  The last book shows that the whole earth will become a paradise, or garden. All the material in the Bible covers thousands of years of history and relates in some way to the unfolding of God's purpose. The harmony of the Bible is impressive, but that is what we would expect of a book from God.

The Bible is scientifically accurate. It even contains information that was far ahead of its time. For example, the book of Leviticus contained laws for ancient Israel on quarantine and hygiene when surrounding nations knew nothing about such  matters. At a time when there were  wrong ideas about the shape of the earth, the Bible referred to it as a circle, or sphere.  (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible accurately said that the earth 'hangs on nothing.'   (Job 26:7) Of course, the Bible is not a science textbook.  But when it touches on scientific matters, it is accurate.  Is this not what we would expect of a book from God?

The Bible is also historically accurate and reliable.  Its accounts are specific.  The include not only the names but also the ancestry of individuals.  In contrast to secular historians, who often do not mention the defeats of their own people, Bible writers were honest, even recording their own failings and those of their nation.  In the Bible book of  Numbers, for instance, the writer Moses admits his own serious error for which he was severely reproved.  (Numbers 20:2-12)  Such honesty is rare in other historical accounts but is found in the Bible because it is a book from God.

Next time: A BOOK OF PRACITICAL WISDOM

From: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006

The Bible-A Book From God, Chapter Two

CAN you recall a time when you received a fine gift from a dear friend?  Likely, the experience was not only exciting but also heartwarming. After all, a gift tells you something about the giver-that he or she values your friendship.  No doubt you expressed gratitude for your friend's thoughtful gift.

The Bible is a gift from God, one for which we can be truly grateful. This unique book reveals things that we could never find out otherwise.  For example, it tells us about the creation of the starry heavens, the earth, and the first man and woman.  The Bible contains reliable principle to help us cope with life's  problems and anxieties. It explains how God will fulfill his purpose and bring about better conditions on the earth. What an exciting gift the Bible is!

The Bible is also a heartwarming gift, for it reveals something about the Giver, Jehovah God. The fact that  he has provided such a book is proof that he wants us to get to know him well.  Indeed, the Bible can help you to draw close to Jehovah.

If you have a copy of the Bible, you are far from alone.  In whole or in part, the Bible has been published in more than 2,300 languages and thus is available to more than 90 percent of the world's population.  On the average, more than a million Bible are distributed each week!  Billions of copies of either the whole Bible or par of it have been produced. Surely, there is no other book like the Bible.

Furthermore, the Bible "is inspired of God." (2 Timothy 3:16)  In what way?  The Bible itself answers: "Men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit."  (2 Peter 1:21) To illustrate: A businessman might have  a secretary write a letter.  That letter contains the  businessman's thoughts and instructions. Hence, it is really his letter, not the secretary's.  In similar way, the Bible contains God's message, not that of the men who wrote it down.  Thus, the entire Bible truthfully is "the word of God." -1 Thessalonians 2:13,

Next time: HARMONIOUS AND ACCURATE

From: What Does the Bible Really  Teach? 2005 and 2006

Conclusion of CAN YOU BE CLOSE TO JEHOVAH?

You will continue to understand why the Bible teaches us to think of Jehovah as our Father.  (Matthew 6:9)  Not only does our life come from him but he wants the best life possible for us-just as any loving father would want for his children.  (Psalm 36:9)  The Bible also teaches that  humans can become Jehovah's friends.  (James 2:23) Imagine-you can become a friend of the Creator of the universe!

As you learn more from the Bible, you may find that some well-meaning people will urge you to stop such studies.  They may worry that you will change your beliefs. But do not let anyone stop you from forming the best friendship you can ever have.

 Of course, there will be things that you do not understand at first. It can be a little humbling to ask for help, but do not hold back because of embarrassment. Jesus said that it is good to be humble, like a little child. (Matthew 18:2-4) And children, as we know, ask a lot of questions. God's wants you to find the answers.  The Bible praises some who were eager to learn about God. They checked carefully in the Scriptures to  make sure  that what they were learning was the truth. -Acts 17:11.


The best way to learn about Jehovah is to examine the Bible. It is different from any other book.  In what way? The next chapter will consider that subject.

Next time: The Bible-A  Book From God, Chapter Two

From: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006 

CAN YOU BE CLOSE TO JEHOVAH?

Reading about Jehovah's awe-inspiring qualities  makes some people feel a little uneasy.  They fear that God is too high for them that they could never get close to him or even matter to such a lofty God.  But is this idea correct?  The Bible teaches just the opposite.  It says of Jehovah:  "In fact, he is not far off from each one of us."  (Acts 17:27) The Bible urges us:  "Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you." -James 4:8.

How can you draw close to God? To begin with, continue doing what you are doing now-learning about God.  Jesus said: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) Yes, the Bible teaches that learning about Jehovah and Jesus leads to  "everlasting life"!  As already noted , "God is love." (1 John 4:16)  Jehovah also has many other beautiful and appealing qualities.  For example, the Bible says that Jehovah is "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth."  (Exodus 34:6)  He is "good and ready to forgive."  (Psalm 86:5)  God is patient.  (2 Peter 3:9)  He is loyal. (Revelation 15:4) As you read more in the Bible, you will see how Jehovah has shown that he has these and many other appealing qualities.

True, you cannot see God because he is an invisible spirit.  (John 1:18; 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17)  By learning about him through the pages of the Bible, however, you can come to know him as a person. As the psalmist said, you can "behold the pleasantness of Jehovah." (Psalm 27:4; Romans 1:20)  The more you learn about Jehovah, the more real he becomes to you and the more reason you will have to love him and feel close to him.  ( this is so true)

Next time: Conclusion of CAN YOU BE CLOSE TO GOD?

From: What Does the Bible Really Teach?

GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW WHO HE IS

If you want someone to get to know you, what might you do?  Would you not tell the person your name? Does God have a name?  Many religions answer that this name is "God" or "Lord," but those are not personal names. They are titles.  The Bible teaches that God has many titles.  "God" and "Lord" are among them. However, the Bible also teaches that God has a personal name: Jehovah. Psalm  83:18 says: "You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth."  The truth is that God's name appears thousands of times in ancient Bible manuscripts.  So Jehovah wants you to know his name and to use it.  In a sense, he is using the Bible to introduce himself to you. 

God gave himself a name that is full of meaning.  His name, Jehovah, means that God can fulfill any promise he makes and can carry out any purpose he has in mind.  God's name is unique, one of a kind.  It belongs only to him.  In a number of ways, Jehovah is unique.  How is that so?

We saw that Psalm 83:18 said  of Jehovah:  "You alone are the Most High."  Similarly, Jehovah alone is referred to as "the Almighty."  Revelation 15:3  says: "Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of eternity."  The title "the Almighty" teaches us that Jehovah is the most  powerful being there is.  His power is unmatched; it is supreme. And the title "King of eternity" reminds us that Jehovah is unique in another sense.  He alone has always existed.  Psalm 90:2 says:  "Even from time indefinite to time indefinite [or, forever} you are God."   That thought inspires awe, does it not?  

(Jehovah's name is in The New World Translations of the Holy Scripture Bible, which I can assure you has the same writing as the King James Version, which are the only two (true)  Bibles  that should be read and followed. The others were made up to that  religious leader's way, Mormon's, Christian Science etc.)

Jehovah is also unique in that he alone is the Creator. Revelation 4:11 reads: "You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created."  Everything that you can think of-from the invisible spirit creatures in heaven to the stars that fill the night sky to the fruit that grows on the trees to the fish that swim in the oceans and river-all of it exists because Jehovah is the Creator!

Next time: CAN YOU BE CLOSE TO JEHOVAH?

From: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006

HOW DOES GOD FEEL ABOUT INJUSTICES WE FACE?

In the meantime, how does God feel about what is going on in the world and in your life?  Well, the Bible teaches that God is "a lover of justice."  (Psalm 37:28)  So he cares deeply about what is right and what is wrong.  He hates all kinds of injustice.  The Bible says that God "felt hurt at his heart" when badness filled the world in times past.  (Genesis 6:5, 6)  God has not changed.  (Malachi 3:6)  He still hates to see the suffering that is taking place worldwide. And God hates to see people suffer.  "He cares for you,"  the Bible says. -1 Peter 5:7.

How can we be sure that God hates to see suffering?  Here is further proof.  The Bible teaches that man was made in the image of God.  (Genesis 1:26)  We thus have good qualities because God has good qualities.  For example, does it bother you to see innocent people suffer?  If you care about such injustices, be assured that God feels even more strongly about them. 

One of the best things about humans is our ability to love.  That also reflects God.  The Bible teaches that "God is love." (1 John 4:8)  We love because God loves.  Would love move you to end the suffering and the injustice you see in this world?  If you had the power to do that, would you do it?  Of course you would! You can be just as sure that God will end suffering and injustice.  The promises mentioned in the preface of this book are not mere dreams or idle hopes.  God's promises are sure to come true!  In order to put  faith in such promises, though, you need to know more about the God who has made them.

Next time: GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW WHO HE IS

From: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006

IS GOD UNCARING AND HARDHEARTED?

Many people think that the answer to that question is yes. 'If God cared,' they reason, 'would not the world be a very different place?'  We look around and see a world full of war, hatred, and misery. And as individuals, we get sick,  we suffer, we lose loved ones in death.   Thus, many say, 'If God cared about us and our problems, would he not prevent such things from happening?'

Worse yet, religious teachers sometimes lead people to think that God is hardhearted.  How so?  When tragedy strikes, they say that it is God's will.  In effect such teachers blame God for bad things that happen.  is that the truth about God? What does the Bible really teach?  James 1:13 answers:  "When under trial, let no one say: 'I am being tried by God.'  For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone." So God is never  the source of the wickedness you see in the world around you. (Job 34:10-12) Granted, he does allow bad things to happen.  But there is a big difference between allowing something to happen and causing it.

For example, think about a wise and loving father with a grown son who is still living at home with his parents. When the son becomes rebellious and decides to leave home, his father does not stop him. The son pursues a bad way of life and gets into trouble. Is the father  the cause  of his son's problems?  No.  (Luke 15:11-13)  Similarly, God has not stopped humans when they have chosen to pursue a bad course, but he is not the cause of the problems that have resulted.  Surely, then, it would be unfair to blame God for all the troubles of mankind.  ( It is also not fair for people to blame others for their own actions/behavior, that is on them. That is a bad habit that a lot of people get into. If you know right from wrong, then you know better and you need to own up to your own actions)

God has good reasons for allowing mankind to follow a bad course. As our wise and powerful Creator, he does not have to explain his  reasons to us.  Out of love, however, God does this.  You will learn  more about these  reasons in Chapter 11.  But rest assured that God is not responsible for the problems we face.  (Satan is responsible for a lot of it)  On the contrary, he gives us the only hope for a solution! -Isaiah 33:2.

Furthermore, God is holy. (Isaiah 6:3) This means that he is pure and clean.  There is no trace of badness in him.  So we can trust him completely.  That is more  than we can say for humans, (who are imperfect and sinners) who  sometimes become corrupt.  (especially the government) Even the most hones human in authority often does not have the power to undo the damage  that bad people do.  (the government cannot, because they are more corrupt)  But God is all-powerful. He can and will undo all the effects that  wickedness has had on  mankind.   When God acts, he will do so in way that will end evil forever! -Psalm 37:9-11. The sooner the better for me. 

Next time: HOW DOES GOD FEEL ABOUT INJUSTICES WE FACE?

From: What Does the Bible Really Teach?  2005 and 2006

Benefit From What the Bible Teaches

Do not quickly dismiss what is presented on the preceding pages as mere wishful thinking.  God has promised to bring these things about, and the Bible explains how he will do so.

But the Bible does more than that.  It provides the key to your enjoying a truly satisfying life even now.  Think for a moment about your own anxieties and trouble.  They may include money matters, family problems, lost of health, or the death of a loved one.  The Bible can help you to deal with problems to day,  and it can  provide relief by answering such questions as these:

* Why do we suffer?
*How can we cope with life's anxieties?
*How can we make our family life happier?
*What happens to us when we die?
*Will we ever see our dead loved ones again?
*How can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future?

The fact that you are reading this shows that you would like to find out what the Bible teaches.  (Not what the false prophets in the churches are preaching to you. They skip a lot of verses, so you don't learn all of  what  the Bible teaches; just what they want you to know and what Satan wants you to know.)


What Is the Truth About God? Chapter One

HAVE  you noticed the way children ask questions? Many start asking as soon as they learn to speak. With  wide, eager eyes, they look up at you and ask such things as :  Whey is the sky blue? what are the stars made of? Who taught the birds to sing?  You may hard to answer, but it is not always easy.  Even your best answer may lead to yet another question: Why?

Children are not the only ones who ask questions. As we grow up, we keep asking. We do this in order to find our way, to learn of dangers that we need to avoid, or to satisfy our curiosity.  But many people seem to stop asking questions, especially the most important ones. At least, they stop searching for the answers.

Think about the question, What Does the Bible Really Teach?  the questions raised in the beginning of the blog, or those at the beginning of this chapter.  These are some of the most important questions you can ask. Yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers.  Why?  Does the Bible have the answers?  Some feel that its answers are too hard to understand.  Others worry that asking questions could lead to shame or embarrassment. And some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teacher.  What about you? (Of course most of these religious leaders will not tell the whole truth, because they do not understand the whole of the Bible-because God would not permit them to understand it, for reasons of his own)

Very likely you are interested in getting answers to life's big questions. No doubt you sometimes wonder:  'What is the purpose of life? Is this life all there is? What is God really like?' It is good to ask such questions, and it is important  that you do not give up until you find satisfying, reliable answers.  (Jehovah's Witnesses can give you those. I had the same questions and got them from these true truth givers) The famous  teacher Jesus Christ said:  "Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7.

If you "keep on seeking"  for answers to the important questions, you will find that the search can be very rewarding.  (Proverbs 2:1-5)  (Yes, they can be; and when you find out all you ask, it will hit you like a rock and you will go Oh Wow! It did me. that is when I knew  that it was right.)  Despite what other people may have told you, there are answers, and you can find them-in the Bible.  The answers are not too hard to understand. Better yet, they bring hope and joy. And they can help you to live a satisfying life right now.  To begin, let us consider a question that has troubled many people.

Next time: IS GOD UNCARING AND HARDHEARTED? Chapter One

What Does the Bible Really Teach?  2005 and 2006
 

What Does the Bible Really Teach?

Is This What God Purposed?

READ any newspaper. Look at television, or listen to the radio. There are so many stories of crime, war, and terrorism!  think about your own troubles. Perhaps illness or a death of a loved one is causing you great distress.  You may feel  like the good man Job, who said that he was "drenched with misery."  -Job 10:15, The Holy Bible in the Language of Today.

Ask yourself:

*Is this what God purposed for me and for the rest of mankind?

*Where can I find help to cope with my problems?

*Is there any hope that we will ever see peace on the earth?

The Bible provides satisfying answers to these questions.


THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD WILL BRING ABOUT THESE CHANGES ON THE EARTH.

"He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." -Revelation  21:4.

"The lame one will climb up just as a stag does."-Isaiah  35:6.

"They eyes of the blind ones will be opened." -Isaiah  35:5

"All those in the memorial tombs will . . .come out." -John  5:28, 29.

"No resident will say: 'I am sick.' "-Isaiah 33:24.

"There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth." -Psalm 72:16. 


Next time: Benefit From What the Bible Teaches

What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006

The Final End of God's Enemies

One verse remains in our study of Isaiah's prophecy.  The book concludes with these words: "They will actually go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that were transgressing against me; for the very worms upon them will not die and their fire itself will not be extinguished, and they must become something repulsive to all flesh." (Isaiah 66:24)   Jesus Christ likely had this prophecy in mind when he encouraged his disciples to simplify their lives and put Kingdom interests first.  He said:  "If your eye makes you stumble, throw it away; it is finer for you to enter one-eyed into the Kingdom of God than with two eyes  to be pitched into Gehenna, where their maggot does not die and the fire is not put out." -Mark 9:47, 48; Matthew 5:29, 30; 6:33.

What is this place called Gehenna? Centuries ago, the Jewish scholar David Kimhi wrote:  "It is a place . . .adjoining Jerusalem, and it is a loathsome place, and they throw there unclean things and carcasses. Also there was a continual fire there to burn the unclean things and the bones of the carcasses. Hence, the judgment of the wicked ones  is called  parabolically Gehinnom." If, as this Jewish scholar suggests, Gehenna was use for the disposal of refuse and carcasses of those deemed unworthy of burial, fire would be a suitable means of eliminating such refuse.  What the fire did not consume, the maggots would.  What a fitting picture of the final end of all of God's enemies!"

With such a reference to corpses, fire, and worms, is it not true that Isaiah's thrilling prophecy concludes on a gruesome note?  God's avowed enemies would undoubtedly think so.  But to God's friends, Isaiah's description of the everlasting destruction of the wicked is most heartening.  Jehovah's people need this assurance that their enemies will never again have the upper hand.  those enemies, who have caused  God's worshipers so much affliction and have brought so much reproach on his name, will be everlastingly destroyed.  Then "distress will not rise up a second time." -Nahum 1:9.

As we conclude  our study of the book of Isaiah, we certainly appreciate that this Bible book is not dead history. On the contrary, it has a message for us today.  When we reflect on the dark times in which Isaiah lived, we can see the similarities between that period  and our day.  Political unrest , religious hypocrisy, judicial corruption, and oppression of the faithful and  the poor characterized Isaiah's time, and it characterizes ours. Faithful Jews in the sixth century B.C.E. must have been grateful for Isaiah's prophecy, and we today are comforted as we study it.

In these critical time when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the national groups, all of us are deeply grateful that Jehovah, through Isaiah, has provided light for all mankind!  That spiritual light means nothing less than everlasting life for all who wholeheartedly accept it, regardless of their nation origin or ethnic background.  (Acts 10:34, 35)  May we, then, keep on walking in the light of God's Word, reading it daily, meditating upon it, and cherishing its message.  This will be to our own eternal blessing to the praise of Jehovah's holy name!

Next time: What Does the Bible Really Teach?  2005 and 2006

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001