What is all the Bible about?

JLGJLG · Feb 2, 2023

- Why is the book of Samuel essential to understand the Bible?

- Well, Israel rejected God buy asking for a human king!

- They have been into trouble since then!

- But moreover, it shows that no human king or government has something to do with God!

- The only government coming from God will be God's kingdom that Jesus will lead after he comes as a warrior to clean the earth!

JLGJLG · Feb 7, 2023

- Is is possible to understand the Bible without feeling the book of Isaiah?

- I don't think so because in this book God speaks about his deep feeling about Judah!

- Like the books of Job and Daniel and Samuel, we get precious information about God!

- When you listen to many people, it is evident they don't have this kind of information otherwise they would speak differently!

JLB · Feb 7, 2023

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:58-59

JLGJLG · Feb 7, 2023

- When you think that many people will spend their lives without such information, they will completely misunderstand the Bible!

- Remember that the Bible has two parts which are interconnected!

- You miss one, you miss the whole!

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) With that simple, majestic sentence, the Bible introduces us to the Person who is the central figure throughout the Holy Scriptures—the almighty God, Jehovah. The Bible’s first verse reveals that God is the Creator of the vast physical universe, including the planet we live on. The verses that follow explain that in a series of long periods, figuratively called days, God went on to prepare our earthly home, bringing into existence all the wonders of our natural world.

The greatest of God’s earthly creations was man. Man was a creature made in the image of God, able to reflect YHWH God's own personal qualities, such as his love and wisdom. God made man out of the dust of the earth. God named him Adam, then placed him in a paradise, the garden of Eden. God himself planted that garden, filling it with beautiful, fruitful trees.

God saw the need for man to have a mate. Using one of Adam’s ribs, God made a woman and brought her to the man as his wife, later named Eve. Elated, Adam burst into poetry, saying: “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” God explained: “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh.”—Genesis 2:22-24; 3:20.

God gave Adam and Eve two commands. First, he directed them to cultivate and care for their earthly home and eventually fill it with their offspring. Second, he told them not to eat the fruit of just one tree in all that vast garden, “the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.” (Genesis 2:17) If they disobeyed, they would die. With those commands, God gave the man and the woman a way to show that they accepted him as their Ruler. Their obedience would also show their love and gratitude. They had every reason to accept his kindly rule. There was no flaw in those perfect humans. The Bible tells us: “God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good.”(Genesis 1:31)

Part 2
A rebel angel influences the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, to reject God’s rulership. As a result, sin and death enter the world.
Long before creating humans, God created many invisible spirit creatures, known as angels. In Eden, a rebellious angel, who came to be known as Satan the Devil, slyly endeavored to tempt Eve into eating the fruit of the one tree that God had ruled out.
Using a serpent, or snake, as a mouthpiece, Satan implied that God was withholding something desirable from the woman and her husband. The angel told Eve that she and her husband would not die if they ate the forbidden fruit. Satan thus accused God of lying to His human children. The Deceiver presented disobedience to God as an appealing course that would lead to enlightenment and freedom. But this was all a lie, in fact, the first lie ever spoken on earth. The real point at issue involved God’s sovereignty, which is his supreme rulership, in other words, whether God has the right to rule and whether he exercises it in a righteous way and in the best interests of his subjects.
Eve believed Satan’s lie. She began to desire the fruit, and then she actually ate some of it. Later she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. Thus they became sinners. That seemingly simple act was actually an expression of rebellion. By deliberately choosing to disobey God’s command, Adam and Eve rejected the rule of the Creator who had given them everything, including perfect life.

God called the rebels to account for their actions. He foretold the coming of the promised Seed, or Deliverer, who would destroy Satan, the one represented by the serpent. God deferred the execution of the death sentence upon Adam and Eve for a time, thereby showing mercy to their unborn offspring. Those children would have a basis for hope because the One whom God would send would undo the tragic consequences set in motion by the rebellion in Eden. The seed of promise.(Genesis 3:15) Just how God’s purpose concerning this future Savior would be fulfilled, and who the sent-forth One would be, was gradually revealed as Bible writing progressed.

God drove Adam and Eve out of Paradise. Sweat and toil would be required to eke out a living from the soil outside the garden of Eden. Eve then became pregnant and gave birth to Cain, the first child of Adam and Eve. The couple had other sons and daughters, including Abel and Seth, the forefather of Noah.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 3
AS MANKIND multiplied, sin and wickedness spread rapidly in the earth. A lone prophet named Enoch warned that God would one day destroy the ungodly. Still, evil prevailed and even worsened. Some angels rebelled against YHWH God by leaving their assigned places in heaven, assuming human form on earth, and greedily taking women as wives. Those unnatural unions produced hybrid offspring, giant bullies called Nephilim who intensified the world’s violence and bloodshed. God was deeply hurt to see his earthly creation being ruined.

After Enoch’s death, one man stood out in that wicked world. His name was Noah. He and his family tried to do what was right in God’s eyes. When God decided to destroy the wicked people of that world, he wanted to protect Noah and earth’s animal creation. So God told him to build an ark, a huge rectangular vessel. In it, Noah and his family would be preserved alive, along with numerous animal species, through a coming global flood. Noah obeyed God. During the decades that Noah spent building that ark, he was also “a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5) He warned people about the coming Flood, but they ignored him. The time came for Noah and his family to enter the ark with the animals. God shut the door of the ark behind them. The rain fell.

The rain came down in torrents for 40 days and 40 nights until the whole earth was submerged. The wicked were gone. Months later, as the waters receded, the ark came to rest on a mountain. By the time the ark’s passengers could emerge safely, they had spent a full year aboard. In thanksgiving, Noah presented an offering to YHWH God. God responded by assuring Noah and his family that He would never again bring a flood to wipe out all life on the surface of the earth. Jehovah provided the rainbow as a visible guarantee, a reminder of this comforting promise.

After the Flood, God also gave mankind some new commands. He granted them permission to eat the meat of animals. However, he prohibited the eating of blood. He also commanded Noah’s descendants to spread abroad in the earth, but some of them disobeyed. People united under a leader named Nimrod and began to build a great tower in the city of Babel, later called Babylon. Their aim was to defy God’s command about spreading throughout the earth. But God thwarted the rebels by confusing their one language and causing them to speak in various tongues. Unable to communicate, they abandoned the project and scattered.

Part 4
SOME 350 years had passed since the Flood of Noah’s day. The patriarch Abraham was living in the flourishing city of Ur in what is today called Iraq. Abraham was a man of outstanding faith. But now his faith was put to the test.

YHWH God told Abraham to leave the country of his birth and move to a foreign land, which turned out to be Canaan. Abraham obeyed without hesitation. He took along his household, including his wife, Sarah, and his nephew Lot, and after the long trip became a tent dweller in Canaan. In a covenant that He made with Abraham, YHWH God promised that He would make a great nation out of him, that all the families of the earth would be blessed by means of him, and that his offspring would possess the land of Canaan.

Abraham and Lot prospered, accumulating huge flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. Unselfishly, Abraham let Lot select whatever territory he wished. Lot chose the fertile district of the Jordan River and settled near the city of Sodom. The men of Sodom, however, were immoral—gross sinners against YHWH God.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 5
YHWH God knew that the One dearest to him would have to suffer and die someday. The prophecy recorded at Genesis 3:15 hinted at that truth. Could God convey to mankind just how dearly that death would cost him? The Bible supplies a living illustration. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac.

Abraham had great faith. Remember, God had promised him that the foretold Deliverer, or Seed, would descend from Isaac. Trusting that God would resurrect Isaac if need be, Abraham was obediently going to sacrifice his own son. But an angel from God stopped Abraham just in time. Praising Abraham for his willingness to offer up what was most precious to him, God repeated His promises to the faithful patriarch.

Later, Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Unlike Esau, Jacob appreciated spiritual things and was rewarded. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, and Israel’s 12 sons became the heads of the tribes of Israel. But how did that family turn into a great nation?

The chain of events was set in motion when most of those sons got jealous of their younger brother Joseph. They sold him as a slave, and he was taken off to Egypt. But God blessed that faithful and brave young man. Despite terrible hardships, Joseph eventually was singled out by Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler, and given great authority. That was timely, for a famine caused Jacob to send some of his sons to Egypt to buy foodstuffs, and Joseph, it turned out, was in charge of all the food! After a dramatic reunion with his repentant brothers, Joseph forgave them and arranged for the whole family to move to Egypt. They were given prime land, where they could continue to grow and prosper. Joseph understood that God had arranged matters in that way in order to fulfill His promises.

Aged Jacob lived out his days in Egypt, surrounded by his growing family. On his deathbed, he foretold that the promised Seed, or Deliverer, would be a powerful Ruler who would be born in the family line of his son Judah. Before his own death years later, Joseph prophesied that one day God would take Jacob’s family out of Egypt.

Part 6
WOULD any human remain faithful to God if tested to the limit and if obedience seemed to bring no material benefits? That question was raised, and answered, in connection with a man named Job.

While the Israelites were still in Egypt, Job, a relative of Abraham, was living in what is now Arabia. Meanwhile, the angels in heaven gathered before God, and rebellious Satan was among them. Before the heavenly assembly, YHWH God expressed his confidence in his loyal servant Job. In fact, YBWH God said that no other human had integrity like that of Job. But Satan asserted that Job served God only because God had blessed and protected him. Satan claimed that if Job were stripped of everything he had, he would curse God.

God permitted Satan to deprive Job first of his wealth and children and then of his health. Unaware of Satan’s role in all of this, Job could not understand why God allowed him to experience these trials. Still, Job never turned against God.

Three false friends came to Job. In a series of speeches that fill many pages of the book of Job, the men wrongly tried to convince Job that God was punishing him for hidden sins. They even claimed that God neither finds pleasure in his servants nor puts trust in them. Job rejected their faulty reasoning. With confidence, Job declared that he would maintain his integrity down to death!

But Job made the mistake of becoming overly concerned with justifying himself. A younger man named Elihu, who had been listening to the entire debate, spoke up. Elihu reproved Job for failing to appreciate that the vindication of YHWH God's sovereignty is far more important than the vindication of any human. Elihu also strongly rebuked Job’s false friends.

YHWH God then spoke to Job, correcting his thinking. Pointing to many marvels of creation, YHWH God gave Job a lesson in man’s littleness compared to God’s greatness. Job humbly accepted the correction from God. YHWH God, being “very tender in affection and merciful,” restored Job’s health, gave him double his previous wealth, and blessed him with ten children. (James 5:11) By keeping integrity to YHWH God while under severe trial, Job successfully answered Satan’s challenge that humans would not remain faithful to God if put to the test.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 7
FOR many years, the sons of Israel lived in Egypt, prospering and multiplying. However, a new Pharaoh rose up. This ruler did not know Joseph. A vicious tyrant who feared the Israelites’ growing numbers, he turned them into slaves and ordered that all their newborn males be drowned in the Nile River. But one brave mother protected her infant son, hiding him in a basket among the reeds. Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the baby, named him Moses, and raised him among Egyptian royalty.

When Moses was 40 years old, he got into trouble defending an Israelite slave from an Egyptian taskmaster. Moses fled to a faraway land, where he lived in exile. When Moses was 80, YHWH God sent him back to Egypt to appear before Pharaoh and demand the release of God’s people.

Pharaoh flatly refused. So God struck Egypt with ten plagues. Each time that Moses appeared before Pharaoh to offer him an opportunity to avert the next plague, Pharaoh proved defiant, holding Moses and his God, YHWH, in contempt. Finally, the tenth plague brought death to all the firstborn in the land, except in families who obeyed YHWH God by marking their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificed lamb. God’s angel of destruction passed over those households. The Israelites thereafter commemorated this marvelous rescue by means of an annual celebration called the Passover.

Having lost his own firstborn son, Pharaoh ordered Moses and all the Israelites to leave Egypt. They immediately organized the Exodus. But Pharaoh changed his mind. He chased after them with many warriors and chariots. The Israelites appeared to be trapped at the shore of the Red Sea. YHWH God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to pass through on a dry seabed, between walls of water! When the Egyptians rushed in behind them, God let the waters come crashing down, drowning Pharaoh and his army.

Later, as the Israelites camped by Mount Sinai, YHWH God made a covenant with them. Using Moses as mediator, God gave Israel laws to provide guidance and protection in virtually every aspect of life. As long as Israel faithfully accepted God’s rule, YHWH God would be with them and would make that nation a blessing to others.

However, most of the Israelites showed a disappointing lack of faith in God. YHWH God therefore made that generation wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Then, Moses commissioned the upright man Joshua to succeed him. Finally, Israel was poised to enter the land that God had promised to Abraham.

Part 8
CENTURIES before Israel entered Canaan, YHWH God promised that land to Abraham’s descendants. Now under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites were about to take possession of the Promised Land.

God had judged the Canaanites worthy of destruction. They had saturated the land with extremely degrading sexual practices as well as with wanton bloodshed. Therefore, the Canaanite cities conquered by the Israelites were to be completely destroyed.

Before entering the land, however, Joshua sent out two spies, who stayed in the city of Jericho with a woman named Rahab. She received the spies into her home and protected them even though she knew that they were Israelites. Rahab had faith in the God of the Israelites, having heard about YHWH God's saving acts in behalf of his people. She made the spies swear to her that she and her household would be spared.

Later, when the Israelites entered Canaan and came against Jericho, YHWH God miraculously caused the collapse of Jericho’s walls. Joshua’s troops dashed in and destroyed the city, but they spared Rahab and her family. Then, in a swift six-year campaign, Joshua conquered large sections of the Promised Land. Afterward, the land was distributed to the tribes of Israel.

Near the end of his long career, Joshua called the people together. He reviewed with them YHWH God's dealings with their forefathers and appealed to them to serve YHWH God. After Joshua and his close associates died, however, the Israelites left YHWH God to serve false gods. For some 300 years, the nation did not consistently obey YHWH God's laws. During that time, YHWH God allowed Israel’s enemies, such as the Philistines, to oppress them. But when the Israelites called to YHWH God for aid, he raised up judges, 12 in all, to save them.

The period of the Judges recounted in the book of Judges began with Othniel and ended with Samson, physically the strongest man who ever lived. The basic truth demonstrated over and over again in the thrilling account recorded in the Bible book of Judges is this: Obedience to YHWH God leads to blessings, disobedience to calamity.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 9
AFTER the days of Samson, Samuel served as prophet and judge in Israel. The Israelites kept telling him that they wanted to be like other nations and have a human king over them. Although this request was an offense to YHWH God, he directed Samuel to comply. God selected a humble man named Saul to be king. In time, though, King Saul turned haughty and disobedient. YHWH God rejected him as king and told Samuel to appoint another, a young man named David. It would be years, though, before David would become king.

Likely when still in his teens, David visited his brothers who were serving in Saul’s army. The whole army was terrified of one enemy warrior, a giant named Goliath, who kept taunting them and their God. Indignant, David accepted the giant’s challenge to meet in combat. Armed with only a sling and a few stones, the young man went out to meet his opponent, who was over nine feet tall. When Goliath mocked him, David replied that he was better armed than the giant, for David fought in the name of YHWH God! David felled Goliath with a single stone and then beheaded him with the giant’s own sword. The Philistine army fled in terror.

At first, Saul was impressed with David’s courage and placed the young man over his army. But David’s successes made Saul bitterly jealous. David had to flee for his life and live as a fugitive for years. Still, David remained loyal to the king who was trying to kill him, reasoning that King Saul had been appointed by YHWH God. Finally, Saul died in battle. Before long, David became king, as YHWH God had promised.

“I shall certainly establish the throne of his kingdom firmly to time indefinite.”(2 Samuel 7:13)
As king, David dearly wished to build a temple to YHWH God. However, YHWH God told David that one of his descendants would do so. That turned out to be David’s son Solomon. God rewarded David, though, by making a thrilling covenant with him: His family line would produce a kingly dynasty unlike any other. Ultimately, it would produce the Deliverer, the promised Seed, that was promised in Eden. That one would be the Messiah, meaning “Anointed One,” appointed by God. YHWH God promised that the Messiah would be the Ruler of a government, or Kingdom, that would last forever.

Deeply grateful, David gathered vast quantities of building materials and precious metals for the temple project. He also composed many inspired psalms. Near the end of his life, David acknowledged: “The spirit of YHWH God it was that spoke by me, and his word was upon my tongue.”(2 Samuel 23:2)

Part 10
WHAT would life be like if an entire nation and its ruler followed YHWH God as their Sovereign and obeyed His laws? The answer was demonstrated during the 40-year-reign of King Solomon.

Before David died, he appointed his son Solomon as his successor. In a dream, God invited Solomon to make a request. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge the people fairly and wisely. YHWH God was pleased and gave Solomon a wise and understanding heart. YHWH God also promised him riches, glory, and long life if he remained obedient.

Solomon became famous for his wise judgments. In one case, two women argued over a baby boy, each claiming to be the mother. Solomon ordered that the baby be cut in two and that half be given to each woman. The first woman agreed, but the real mother at once pleaded that the child be given to the other woman. Solomon now saw clearly that the compassionate woman was the mother and gave the boy to her. Soon all Israel heard about this judicial decision, and the people recognized that the wisdom of God was within Solomon.

One of Solomon’s grandest achievements was the construction of YHWH God's temple, a magnificent structure in Jerusalem that would serve as a center of worship in Israel. At the temple’s inauguration, Solomon prayed: “Look! The heavens, yes, the heaven of the heavens, themselves cannot contain you; how much less, then, this house that I have built!”(1 Kings 8:27)

Solomon’s reputation spread to other lands, even as far as Sheba, in Arabia. The queen of Sheba traveled to see Solomon’s glory and riches and to test the depth of his wisdom. The queen was so impressed with Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of Israel that she praised YHWH God for putting such a wise king on the throne. Indeed, with YHWH God's blessing, Solomon’s rule was the most prosperous and peaceful in the history of ancient Israel.

Sadly, Solomon failed to continue acting in harmony with YHWH God's wisdom. Ignoring God’s command, he married hundreds of women, including many who worshipped foreign gods. Gradually his wives inclined his heart away from YHWH God to the worship of idols. YHWH God told Solomon that part of the kingdom would be ripped away from him. Only a portion would remain with his family, God said, for the sake of Solomon’s father, David. Despite Solomon’s defection, YHWH God remained loyal to his Kingdom covenant with David.

Walpole · Feb 7, 2023

The Bible is about finding out who God is: The Trinity wanting from all eternity to reveal Himself to man and to share His life with man.

He made us to enter into the inheritance of His beatitude.

Thus, the Bible reveals why God chose to became man.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 11
THE largest book in the Bible is a compilation of sacred songs. The entire book was about 1,000 years in the making. The book of Psalms contains some of the most profound and moving expressions of faith ever put in writing. A wide array of human emotion is represented here, from joy, praise, and thanksgiving to grief, sorrow, and repentance. It is clear that the psalmists had a trusting, intimate relationship with God. Consider some of the themes developed in these lyrical works.

YHWH God is the rightful Sovereign, worthy of worship and praise. “You, whose name is YHWH, you alone are the Most High over all the earth,” we read at Psalm 83:18. Several psalms praise YHWH God for his works of creation, such as the starry heavens, the wonders of life on earth, and the marvels of the human body. (Psalms 8, 19, 139, 148) Others glorify YHWH God as the God who acts to save and protect those loyal to him. (Psalms 18, 97, 138) Still others exalt him as the God of justice, who brings relief to the oppressed and punishment to the wicked.(Psalms 11, 68, 146)

YHWH God brings help and comfort to those who love him. Perhaps the most famous psalm is the 23rd, in which David describes YHWH God as a loving Shepherd, who guides, protects, and cares for his sheep. Psalm 65:2 reminds God’s worshippers that YHWH is the “Hearer of prayer.” Many who have fallen into serious wrongdoing have found great comfort in Psalms 39 and 51, where David puts his repentance over grave errors into heartfelt words and expresses his faith in YHWH God's forgiveness. Psalm 55:22 contains an exhortation to trust in YHWH God and to put all personal burdens on Him.

YHWH God will change the world through the Kingdom of the Messiah. A number of passages in the Psalms clearly apply to the Messiah, the foretold King. Psalm 2 prophesies that this Ruler will destroy the wicked nations, who oppose him. Psalm 72 reveals that this King will end hunger, injustice, and oppression. According to Psalm 46:9, through the Messiah’s Kingdom, God will end warfare and even destroy all weapons of war. In Psalm 37, we read that the wicked will be done away with, whereas righteous people will live on earth forever, enjoying global peace and harmony.

Part 12
IS YHWH God a wise Ruler? One decisive way to answer that question is to consider the counsel he gives. Does it work? Does applying it make life better and more meaningful? Wise King Solomon wrote hundreds of proverbs. These touch on virtually every aspect of life. Consider some examples.

Trusting in God. Trust is key to a good relationship with YHWH God. Solomon wrote: “Trust in YHWH with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6) Trusting in God by seeking his guidance and obeying him brings profound meaning to life. Such a course enables a human to make God’s heart rejoice and gives YHWH God a reply to the issues raised by His adversary, Satan.(Proverbs 27:11)

Dealing wisely with others. God’s counsel for husbands, wives, and children is more timely today than ever. “Rejoice with the wife of your youth,” God advises the husband, directing that he remain faithful to his wife. (Proverbs 5:18-20) Married women find in the book of Proverbs a glowing description of a capable wife who wins the admiration of her husband and children. (Proverbs, chapter 31) And children find direction to obey their parents. (Proverbs 6:20) This book also shows that friendships are vital, as isolation breeds selfishness. (Proverbs 18:1) Friends can influence us for good or for bad, so we need to choose them wisely.(Proverbs 13:20; 17:17)

Dealing wisely with oneself. The book of Proverbs contains priceless counsel on avoiding alcohol abuse, cultivating healthful emotions and combating destructive ones, and being an industrious worker. (Proverbs 6:6; 14:30; 20:1) It warns that trusting in human judgment apart from the counsel of God leads to disaster. (Proverbs 14:12) It urges us to protect the inner self, the heart, against corrupting influences, reminding us that “out of [the heart] are the sources of life.”(Proverbs 4:23)

Millions of people the world over have found that living by such counsel makes for a better life. As a result, they have ample reason to accept YHWH God as their Ruler.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 13
JUST as YHWH God had foretold, Israel was divided after Solomon defected from pure worship. His son and successor, Rehoboam, was harsh. In response, ten of Israel’s tribes revolted and formed the northern kingdom of Israel. Two tribes remained loyal to the king on David’s throne in Jerusalem, forming the southern kingdom of Judah.

Both kingdoms had a tumultuous history, largely on account of faithless and disobedient kings. Israel fared even worse than Judah, for its kings promoted false worship from the start. Despite the powerful works of such prophets as Elijah and Elisha, both of whom even resurrected the dead, Israel kept reverting to a wicked course. Finally, God allowed the northern kingdom to be destroyed by Assyria.

Judah lasted a little more than a century longer than Israel, but it too faced divine punishment. Only a few Judean kings responded to the warnings of God’s prophets and tried to lead the nation back to YHWH God. King Josiah, for example, began to cleanse Judah of false worship and restored YHWH God's temple. When an original copy of God’s Law given through Moses was found, Josiah was deeply moved and therefore intensified his campaign of reform.

Sadly, though, Josiah’s successors did not follow that king’s good example. YHWH God thus allowed the nation of Babylon to conquer Judah, destroying Jerusalem and its temple. The survivors were taken into exile in Babylon. God foretold that the exile would last 70 years. Judah lay desolate for all that time, until, as promised, the nation was allowed to return to its own soil.

However, no more kings in David’s line would rule until the reign of the promised Deliverer, the promised seed, the foretold Messiah. Most of the kings who had sat on David’s throne in Jerusalem proved that imperfect humans are not qualified to rule. Only the Messiah would be truly qualified. YHWH God thus said to the last of those Davidic kings: “Lift off the crown. . . . It will certainly become no one’s until he comes who has the legal right, and I must give it to him.”(Ezekiel 21:26, 27)

Part 14
DURING the period of the kings of Israel and Judah, a special group of men came to the fore, the prophets. These were men of extraordinary faith and courage who delivered God’s pronouncements. Consider four important themes developed by God’s prophets.

1. The destruction of Jerusalem. Long in advance, God’s prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah in particular, began warning that Jerusalem would be destroyed and abandoned. In vivid terms, they revealed why the city had incurred God’s anger. Her claim to represent YHWH God was belied by false religious practices, corruption, and violence.(2 Kings 21:10-15; Isaiah 3:1-8, 16-26; Jeremiah 2:1–3:13)

2. The restoration of pure worship. After 70 years in exile, God’s people would be freed from Babylon. They would return to their desolate homeland and rebuild the temple of YHWH God in Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 46:27; Amos 9:13-15) About 200 years in advance, Isaiah foretold the name of the conqueror, Cyrus, who would defeat Babylon and allow God’s people to restore pure worship. Isaiah even detailed Cyrus’ unique battle strategy.(Isaiah 44:24–45:3)

3. The Messiah’s arrival and his experiences. The Messiah would be born in the town of Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2) He would be humble, presenting himself in Jerusalem, riding upon an ass. (Zechariah 9:9) Though gentle and kind, he would be unpopular, and many would reject him. (Isaiah 42:1-3; 53:1, 3) He would experience a cruel death. Would his life then be over for all time? No, for his sacrifice was to make possible the forgiveness of sins for many. (Isaiah 53:4, 5, 9-12) Only his resurrection could accomplish that.

4. The reign of the Messiah over the earth. Imperfect humans are really unable to govern themselves peacefully, but the Messianic King would be called Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Jeremiah 10:23) Under his rule, all humans would be at peace with one another and even with all the animal creation. (Isaiah 11:3-7) Sickness would vanish. (Isaiah 33:24) Even death would be swallowed up forever. (Isaiah 25:8) During the Messiah’s reign, people who had died would be resurrected to life on earth.(Daniel 12:13)

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 15
DANIEL, a youth of remarkable integrity, was taken into exile in Babylon before Jerusalem was destroyed. He and some other Jews, exiles from the vanquished kingdom of Judah, were granted a measure of freedom by their captors. During his long life in Babylon, Daniel was greatly blessed by God, even escaping death in a lions’ pit and receiving visions that allowed him to peer far into the future. Daniel’s most important prophecies focused on the Messiah and His rule.

Daniel learns when the Messiah would arrive. Daniel was told when God’s people could expect the arrival of “Messiah the Leader” 69 weeks of years after the command to restore and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. A normal week consists of seven days; a week of years consists of seven years. That command was issued long after Daniel’s time, that is, in 455 B.C.E. Starting then, the 69 “weeks” ran for 483 years, ending in the year 29 C.E. Daniel also foresaw that the Messiah would be “cut off,” or executed, for the atonement of sin.(Daniel 9:24-26)

The Messiah would become King in heaven. In a rare vision of heaven itself, Daniel saw the Messiah, referred to as “someone like a son of man,” approach the throne of YHWH God himself. YHWH God conferred upon him “rulership and dignity and kingdom.” That Kingdom would last forever. Daniel learned another thrilling detail about the Messianic Kingdom, the King would share his rulership with others, a group referred to as “the holy ones of the Supreme One.”(Daniel 7:13, 14, 27)

The Kingdom will destroy the governments of this world. God granted Daniel the ability to interpret a dream that baffled Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The king had seen a giant image with a head of gold, breasts and arms of silver, belly and thighs of copper, legs of iron, and feet of iron mixed with clay. A stone cut from a mountain struck the fragile feet and crushed the image to powder. Daniel explained that the parts of the image represented a long succession of world powers, starting with Babylon as the head of gold. Daniel foresaw that in the time of the final ruling power of this wicked world, God’s Kingdom would act. It would crush all the governments of this world. Then it would rule forever.(Daniel, chapter 2)

As a very old man, Daniel lived to see the fall of Babylon. King Cyrus overthrew the city just as the prophets had foretold. Not long afterward, the Jews were at last freed from their exile, right on time, after the foretold 70-year desolation of their homeland. Under the guidance of faithful governors, priests, and prophets, the Jews eventually rebuilt Jerusalem and restored the temple of Jehovah. What would happen, though, after the 483 years ran their course?

Part 16
WOULD YHWH God help people to identify the promised Messiah? Yes. Consider what God did. It was some four centuries after the Hebrew Scriptures were completed. In a city called Nazareth, in the northern region of Galilee, a young woman named Mary received a most surprising visit. An angel named Gabriel appeared to her and told her that God was going to use his active force, his holy spirit, to cause her to give birth to a son, though she was a virgin. This son was to become the long-promised King, the one who would rule forever! This child would be God’s own Son, whose life God would transfer from the heavens to the womb of Mary.

Mary humbly accepted that awesome assignment. Her fiancé, a carpenter named Joseph, married her after God sent an angel to assure him of the cause of Mary’s pregnancy. What, though, about the prophecy saying that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem? (Micah 5:2) That small town was some 90 miles away!

A Roman ruler decreed that a census be taken. People were required to register at their town of origin. It appears that both Joseph and Mary had roots in Bethlehem, so Joseph took his pregnant wife there. (Luke 2:3) Mary gave birth in a humble stable, laying the baby in a manger. God then sent a multitude of angels to tell a group of shepherds on a hillside that the child just born was the promised Messiah, or Christ.

Later, others too would testify that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The prophet Isaiah had foretold that a man would arise to prepare the way for the Messiah’s vital work. (Isaiah 40:3) That forerunner was John the Baptist. When he saw the man Jesus, he cried: “See, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!” Some of John’s disciples immediately followed Jesus. One of them said: “We have found the Messiah.”(John 1:29, 36, 41)

There was further testimony. When John baptized Jesus, YHWH God himself spoke from heaven. By means of holy spirit, he appointed Jesus as the Messiah and said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” (Matthew 3:16, 17) The long-promised Messiah had arrived!

When did this happen? In the year 29 C.E., just when the 483 years foretold by Daniel finished running their course. Yes, that is part of the overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, or Christ. What message, though, would he proclaim during his time on the earth?

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 17
WHAT was Jesus’ mission on earth? He himself said: “I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” (Luke 4:43) Consider four things that Jesus taught about that Kingdom, the central theme of his preaching.

1. Jesus was designated King. Jesus directly said that he was the foretold Messiah. (John 4:25, 26) He also showed that he was the King that the prophet Daniel had seen in vision. Jesus told his apostles that he would one day sit on a “glorious throne” and that they too would sit on thrones. (Matthew 19:28) He referred to this group of rulers as his “little flock,” and he also noted that he had “other sheep,” who were not a part of that group.(Luke 12:32; John 10:16)

2. God’s Kingdom would promote true justice. Jesus indicated that the Kingdom would do away with the greatest injustice by sanctifying, or making holy, the name of YHWH God and clearing it of all the reproach that Satan has heaped upon it since the rebellion in Eden. (Matthew 6:9, 10) Jesus also demonstrated impartiality daily by teaching men and women, rich and poor, without distinction. Though his mission was primarily to teach the Israelites, he also reached out to help Samaritans and Gentiles, or non-Jews. Unlike the religious leaders of his day, he showed no trace of bias or favoritism.

3. God’s Kingdom would be no part of this world. Jesus lived during a time of great upheaval. His homeland was under the domination of a foreign power. Yet, when people tried to get him involved in the political affairs of the day, he withdrew. (John 6:14, 15) He told one politician: “My kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18:36) To his followers, he said: “You are no part of the world.” (John 15:19) He would not allow them to use weapons of war, even to defend him personally.(Matthew 26:51, 52)

Luke 8:1 says, “He went . . . from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.”

4. Christ’s rule would be based on love. Jesus promised to refresh people, to ease their burdens. (Matthew 11:28-30) He lived up to his word. He gave loving, practical counsel on coping with anxiety, improving relationships, combating materialism, and finding happiness. (Matthew, chapters 5-7) Because he showed love, people from all walks of life found him approachable. Even the most downtrodden flocked to him, confident that he would treat them with kindness and dignity. What a Ruler Jesus will be!

There was another very powerful way in which Jesus taught about God’s Kingdom. He performed many miracles. Why did he do so?

Part 18
GOD empowered Jesus to do things that other humans could not do. Jesus performed a great many miracles, often in front of crowds of eyewitnesses. Those miracles demonstrated that Jesus has power over enemies and obstacles that imperfect humans have never been able to combat with lasting success. Consider some examples.

Hunger. Jesus’ first miracle involved turning water into fine wine. On two other occasions, he fed hungry crowds of thousands with just a few loaves and fishes. In both cases, there was more than enough food for everyone.

Sickness. Jesus cured people having “every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity.” (Matthew 4:23) Blindness, deafness, leprosy, and epilepsy were cured under his healing touch. He cured the lame, the crippled, and the maimed as well. There was no form of illness that proved insurmountable to him.

Dangerous weather. When Jesus and his disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee, a violent windstorm broke out. The disciples were terrified. Jesus simply looked at the storm and said: “Hush! Be quiet!” At that, a great calm set in. (Mark 4:37-39) On another occasion, he walked on the water during a frightening storm.(Matthew 14:24-33)

Wicked spirits. Wicked spirits are far stronger than humans. Many people have proved powerless to break the grip of these vicious enemies of God. Yet, again and again, when Jesus ordered them out, he broke the spirits’ hold on their victims. He did not fear those spirits. On the contrary, they knew his authority and feared him.

Death. Aptly termed “the last enemy,” death is a foe that no human can defeat. (1 Corinthians 15:26) Yet, Jesus resurrected the dead, restoring a young man to his widowed mother and a young girl to her grieving parents. In a most remarkable instance, Jesus resurrected his dear friend Lazarus in front of a crowd of mourners, although the man had been dead nearly four days! Even Jesus’ most determined enemies acknowledged that he had performed this miracle.(John 11:38-48; 12:9-11)

Why did Jesus perform all those miracles? After all, did not death eventually claim all those whom he helped? Yes, but Jesus’ miracles did lasting good. They proved that all the thrilling prophecies about the rule of the Messianic King had a basis in fact. There is no need to doubt that God’s appointed King can eradicate hunger, sickness, dangerous weather, wicked spirits, or death itself. He has already demonstrated that God has put all such power in his only begotten Sons hands.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 19
ON THE Mount of Olives, with a splendid view of Jerusalem and its temple below, four of Jesus’ apostles asked him privately about some of his remarks. Jesus had just said that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed. And on an earlier occasion, he had told them about “the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 13:40, 49) Now the apostles asked: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”(Matthew 24:3)

In his answer, Jesus told what would occur before Jerusalem’s destruction. But his words were more far-reaching than that. His prophecy would later have a larger fulfillment worldwide. Jesus prophesied about a combination of events and world conditions that would form a sign. That sign would show those on earth that Jesus’ presence as King in heaven had begun. In other words, the sign would indicate that YHWH God had made Jesus the King of the long-promised Messianic Kingdom. The sign would mean that the Kingdom was about to remove wickedness and bring true peace to mankind. The things Jesus foretold would thus mark the last days of the old system of things, the religious, political, and social systems that now exist, and the beginning of a new one.

Explaining what would happen on earth during his presence as King in heaven, Jesus said that there would be international wars, food shortages, great earthquakes, and widespread disease. Lawlessness would increase. Jesus’ genuine disciples would preach the good news of God’s Kingdom in all the earth. All these things would culminate in “great tribulation” such as had never occurred before.(Matthew 24:21)

How would Jesus’ followers know when that tribulation is near? “Learn from the fig tree,” said Jesus. (Matthew 24:32) The appearance of fig leaves on the branches is a noticeable sign that summer is near. Likewise, the occurrence within one time period of all the things Jesus foretold would be a recognizable sign that the end is near. No one but the Father would know the exact day and hour when the great tribulation would begin. Therefore, Jesus urged his disciples: “Keep awake, for you do not know when the appointed time is.”(Mark 13:33)

Part 20
AFTER three and a half years of preaching and teaching, Jesus knew that his time on earth was drawing to an end. The Jewish religious leaders were conspiring to kill him, but they feared an uproar among the people, who held him to be a prophet. Meanwhile, Satan influenced one of Jesus’ 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot, to turn traitor. The religious leaders offered Judas 30 silver coins to betray Jesus.

On his final night, Jesus gathered with his apostles to observe the Passover. After dismissing Judas, he instituted a new observance, the Lord’s Evening Meal. He took a loaf of bread, offered a prayer, and passed the bread to the remaining 11 apostles. “This means my body which is to be given in your behalf,” he said. “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” He did the same with a cup of wine, saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood.”(Luke 22:19, 20)

Jesus had much to say to his apostles that night. He gave them a new commandment, that they show unselfish love to one another. He said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:34, 35) He urged them not to let their hearts be troubled by the tragic events that were about to unfold. Jesus prayed earnestly in their behalf. They sang praises together and went out into the night.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus kneeled and poured out his heart in prayer. Soon, an armed mob of soldiers, priests, and others arrived to arrest him. Judas approached and singled Jesus out by giving him a kiss. As the soldiers bound Jesus, the apostles fled.

Standing before the Jewish high court, Jesus identified himself as the Son of God. The court considered him guilty of blasphemy and liable to death. Jesus was then taken to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. Although he found Jesus innocent of any crime, he turned Jesus over to the mob clamoring for his death.

Jesus was led to Golgotha, where Roman soldiers nailed him to a stake. Broad daylight miraculously turned to darkness. Later that afternoon, Jesus died, and a great earthquake occurred. His body was laid in a tomb cut into the rock. The next day, priests sealed the tomb and posted a guard at its entrance.The greatest of all miracles was about to occur.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 21
ON THE third day after Jesus’ death, certain women who were his disciples discovered that the stone blocking the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away. Furthermore, the tomb was empty!

Two angels appeared. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,” one said. “He was raised up.” (Mark 16:6) Without delay, the women ran to tell the apostles. On the way, they met Jesus. “Have no fear!” he said. “Go, report to my brothers, that they may go off into Galilee; and there they will see me.”(Matthew 28:10)

Later that day, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. A stranger joined them and asked what they were talking about. He was, in fact, the resurrected Jesus, who appeared in a form they did not recognize at first. With sad faces they replied that they had been speaking about Jesus. The stranger began to explain things pertaining to the Messiah in all the Scriptures. Indeed, Jesus had fulfilled Messianic prophecies down to the finest detail. When the disciples realized that the stranger was Jesus, who had been resurrected as a spirit, he disappeared.

The two disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem. There they found the apostles gathered behind locked doors. While the two related their experience, Jesus appeared. His astonished followers could hardly believe it! “Why is it doubts come up in your hearts?” Jesus asked. “It is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day.”(Luke 24:38, 46)

For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples on different occasions. In one case, he appeared to more than 500! Likely on this occasion, he gave them this weighty assignment: “Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”(Matthew 28:19, 20)

At his last meeting with his 11 faithful apostles, Jesus promised: “You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Then Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud blocked their view of him as he ascended to heaven.

Part 22
TEN days after Jesus ascended to heaven, about 120 of his disciples gathered in a house in Jerusalem at the time of the Jewish Festival of Pentecost, 33 C.E. Suddenly, a noise like that of a rushing breeze filled the house. The disciples miraculously began speaking in languages that they did not know. What could explain these strange events? God had given holy spirit to the disciples.

Outside, there was a crowd because visitors had come from many lands for the festival. They were astounded to hear their own languages being spoken fluently by Jesus’ disciples. Explaining what had happened, Peter referred to the prophet Joel’s prophecy that God would “pour out” his spirit, which would impart miraculous gifts to those receiving it. (Joel 2:28, 29) This powerful evidence of holy spirit made it clear that an important change had occurred: God’s favor had shifted from Israel to the newly formed Christian congregation. Those who wanted to serve God acceptably now had to become followers of Christ.

Meanwhile, opposition grew, and enemies threw the disciples into prison. But during the night, YHWH God's angel opened the prison doors and told the disciples to continue preaching. At daybreak, they did just that. They entered the temple and began to teach the good news about Jesus. Their religious opposers were furious and ordered them to stop preaching. Undaunted, the apostles replied: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”—Acts 5:28, 29.

Persecution escalated. Certain Jews accused the disciple Stephen of blasphemy and stoned him to death. A young man, Saul of Tarsus, looked on, approving of the murder. He then went to Damascus to arrest anyone who followed Christ. As Saul traveled on the road, a light from heaven flashed around him and a voice said: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Blinded by the light, Saul asked: “Who are you?” The voice answered: “I am Jesus.”(Acts 9:3-5)

Three days later, Jesus sent a disciple named Ananias to restore Saul’s sight. Saul was baptized and began preaching boldly about Jesus. Saul came to be known as the apostle Paul and became a zealous member of the Christian congregation.

Jesus’ disciples had been declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God to Jews and Samaritans only. An angel now appeared to Cornelius, a God-fearing Roman army officer, telling him to send for the apostle Peter. Accompanied by others, Peter preached to Cornelius and his household. While Peter was speaking, holy spirit came upon those Gentile believers, and the apostle directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus. The way to everlasting life was now open to people of all nations. The congregation was poised to spread the good news far and wide.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 23
FOLLOWING his conversion, Paul eagerly declared the good news about God’s Kingdom, only now the onetime opposer himself often faced bitter opposition. This tireless apostle made several preaching tours, traveling far and wide to spread the good news about the Kingdom that will fulfill God’s original purpose for humankind.

In Lystra, during his first preaching tour, Paul healed a man lame from birth. The crowds began crying out that Paul and his traveling companion Barnabas were gods. The two men could scarcely restrain the people from offering sacrifices to them. Influenced by Paul’s enemies, however, these same crowds later stoned Paul and left him for dead. Paul survived the attack and in time returned to that city to strengthen the disciples with encouraging words.

Some Jewish Christians argued that non-Jewish believers had to adhere to portions of the Law of Moses. Paul took the question to the apostles and older men in Jerusalem. After careful consideration of the Scriptures and with the guidance of God’s holy spirit, those men wrote to the congregations and admonished them to abstain from idolatry, from eating blood and unbled meat, and from fornication. Such commands were “necessary things,” but heeding these did not require following the Mosaic Law.(Acts 15:28, 29)

On his second preaching journey, Paul visited Beroea, now in modern-day Greece. Jews living there received the word eagerly, examining the Scriptures daily to verify his teaching. Once again, opposition forced him to move on, this time to Athens. Before a learned group of Athenians, Paul gave a powerful speech that is a model of tact, discernment, and eloquence.

After a third preaching trip, Paul went to Jerusalem. When he visited the temple there, certain Jews started a riot, wanting to kill him. Roman soldiers intervened and interrogated Paul. As a Roman citizen, he later made his defense before Roman Governor Felix. The Jews could present no evidence for the charges they brought against Paul. To prevent Festus, another Roman governor, from handing him over to the Jews, Paul said: “I appeal to Caesar!” Festus replied: “To Caesar you shall go.”(Acts 25:11, 12)

Paul was then taken by boat to Italy to stand trial. Shipwrecked on that voyage, he had to winter on the island of Malta. When he finally arrived in Rome, he stayed for two years in a rented house. Even though he was under soldier guard, the ever zealous apostle continued to preach about the Kingdom of God to all who visited him.

Part 24
THE newly established Christian congregation would have an important role in the fulfillment of YHWH God's purpose. But the first-century Christians quickly came under attack. Would they keep their integrity to God in the face of persecution from without and other more subtle dangers from within? The Christian Greek Scriptures contain 21 letters that offered needed counsel and encouragement.

Fourteen of the letters, from Romans to Hebrews, were penned by the apostle Paul. These letters are named after those to whom they are addressed, whether an individual or the members of a particular congregation. Consider some of the subjects covered in Paul’s letters.

Admonition on morals and conduct. Those who practice fornication, adultery, and other gross sins “will not inherit God’s kingdom.” (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Worshippers of God must be united regardless of nationality. (Romans 2:11; Ephesians 4:1-6) They should cheerfully give of themselves to help fellow believers in need. (2 Corinthians 9:7) “Pray incessantly,” Paul says. Indeed, worshippers are encouraged to pour out their hearts to YHWH God in prayer. (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Philippians 4:6, 7) For prayers to be heard by God, they must be offered in faith.(Hebrews 11:6)

What will help families to thrive? Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. Wives should have deep respect for their husbands. Children should obey their parents, for this is pleasing to God. Parents need to guide and train their children lovingly, using godly principles.(Ephesians 5:22–6:4; Colossians 3:18-21)

Light shed on God’s purpose. Many aspects of the Mosaic Law served to safeguard and guide the Israelites until the arrival of Christ. (Galatians 3:24) Christians, however, do not need to observe that Law in order to worship God. In writing to the Hebrews, Christians of Jewish background, Paul shed much light on the meaning of the Law and on how God’s purpose is fulfilled in Christ. Paul explained that various arrangements under that Law had prophetic value. For example, the sacrificing of animals foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrificial death, which would accomplish true forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 10:1-4) By means of the death of Jesus, God canceled that Law covenant, for it was no longer needed.(Colossians 2:13-17; Hebrews 8:13)

Direction on proper congregation organization. Men willing to handle responsibilities in the congregation must have high moral standards and meet spiritual qualifications. (1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12, 13; Titus 1:5-9) Worshippers of YHWH God should regularly gather with fellow believers to encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Meetings for worship should be upbuilding and instructive.(1 Corinthians 14:26, 31)

By the time Paul wrote the second of his two letters to Timothy, the apostle was back in Rome; he was imprisoned, awaiting judgment. Only a courageous few risked visiting him. Paul knew that his time was short. “I have fought the fine fight,” he said. “I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Likely Paul suffered martyrdom shortly thereafter. But the apostle’s letters guide true worshippers of God to this day.

BB1956 · Feb 7, 2023

Part 25
JAMES and Jude were half brothers of Jesus. Peter and John were among Jesus’ 12 apostles. Those four men wrote a total of seven letters that are found in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Each of the letters bears the name of its writer. The inspired admonition found in these letters was intended to help Christians maintain integrity to YHWH God and keep God’s Kingdom in view.

Manifest faith. Merely professing to have faith is not enough. True faith leads to action. “Indeed,” writes James, “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26) Acting in faith when facing trials builds endurance. To succeed, a Christian needs to ask God for wisdom, convinced that God will give it to him. Endurance leads to God’s approval. (James 1:2-6, 12) If in faith a worshipper maintains integrity, YHWH God will respond. “Draw close to God,” James says, “and he will draw close to you.”(James 4:8)

A Christian’s faith must be strong enough to help him resist temptations and immoral influences. A prevailing bad moral environment compelled Jude to urge his fellow believers to “put up a hard fight for the faith.”(Jude 3)

Maintain clean conduct. YHWH God expects his worshippers to be holy, that is, clean in all respects. Peter writes: “Become holy yourselves in all your conduct, because it is written: ‘You must be holy, because I [YHWH] am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15, 16) Christians have an example worth imitating. “Christ suffered for you,” says Peter, “leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Peter 2:21) Although Christians may suffer because they hold to God’s standards, they preserve “a good conscience.” (1 Peter 3:16, 17) Peter urges Christians to abound in holy conduct and deeds that reflect godly devotion while awaiting God’s day of judgment and the promised new world in which “righteousness is to dwell.”(2 Peter 3:11-13)

Demonstrate love. “God is love,” writes John. The apostle points out that God demonstrated his great love by sending forth Jesus as a “sacrifice for our sins.” How should Christians respond? John explains: “Beloved ones, if this is how God loved us, then we are ourselves under obligation to love one another.” (1 John 4:8-11) One way to show such love is by being hospitable to fellow believers.(3 John 5-8)

How, though, can worshippers of YHWH God demonstrate their love for him? John answers: “This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3; 2 John 6) Those who thus obey God are assured that they will continue to be loved by God “with everlasting life in view.”(Jude 21)

Part 26
By means of the Kingdom under Christ, Jehovah sanctifies His name, vindicates His sovereignty, and eliminates all evil

THE last book of the Bible, called Revelation, provides all mankind with hope. Recorded by the apostle John, the book contains visions that climax in the fulfillment of YHWH God's purpose.
In the first vision, the resurrected Jesus commends and corrects a number of congregations. The next vision takes us before God’s heavenly throne, where spirit creatures are offering him praise.
As God’s purpose moves forward, the Lamb, Jesus Christ, receives a scroll with seven seals. With the opening of the first four seals, symbolic horsemen charge onto the world scene. The first is Jesus on a white horse and crowned as King. Next come riders on different-colored horses, prophetically representing war, famine, and pestilence, all of which take place during the last days of this system of things. The opening of the seventh seal leads to the blowing of seven symbolic trumpets, denoting proclamations of God’s judgments. These lead to seven symbolic plagues, or expressions of God’s anger.
God’s Kingdom, depicted as a newborn male child, is established in heaven. War breaks out, and Satan and his wicked angels are cast down to the earth. “Woe for the earth,” says a loud voice. The Devil has great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.(Revelation 12:12)
John sees Jesus in heaven represented as a lamb, and with him 144,000 who are chosen from among mankind. These ones “will rule as kings with” Jesus. Revelation thus reveals that the secondary members of the seed will total 144,000 in number.(Revelation 14:1; 20:6)
The rulers of the earth gather to Armageddon, “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” They wage war with the one seated on the white horse, Jesus, who leads heavenly armies. All the rulers of this world are destroyed. Satan is bound, and Jesus and the 144,000 reign over the earth for “a thousand years.” At the end of the thousand years, Satan is destroyed.(Revelation 16:14; 20:4)
What will the Millennial Reign of Christ and his corulers mean for obedient humans? John writes: “[YHWH] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) The earth becomes a paradise!
The book of Revelation thus completes the Bible’s message. By means of the Messianic Kingdom, YHWH God's name is sanctified and his sovereignty completely vindicated for all eternity!

JLGJLG · Feb 8, 2023

- Yes a series of long periods!
- We don't know how long they lasted!
- One period ends when its program is finished!

donadams · Feb 8, 2023

The purpose of the New Testament is to establish Christ and his new covenant church which he commanded to teach us everything else the Christian needs in faith and morals!

Jesus Christ founded the new covenant church for the salvation of all men! (Jn 1:16-17) Christ is the truth! (Jn 14:6) Christ and his church are one!
(Acts 9:4 eph 4:4 eph 5:32)
The church is the pillar of truth
(1 Tim 3:15) that must teach all men (Matt 28:19) without error guided by the Holy Spirit
(Jn 16:13)

Thru the grace of God in the sanctification of souls applied in the seven sacraments!

Christ established the sacraments as the primary means of grace!

Sacramental life: Jn 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. Jn 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Christ founded the church for the salvation of souls!
Teach and sanctify all men unto eternal salvation!
Matt 28:19

Only Christ has authority to found the church on Peter and the apostles Matt 16:18-19 Jn 20:21-23 eph 2:20 all others are heretical sects the tradition of men!
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