Learn The Bible At Home 3

While studying the awe inspiring qualities of Jehovah, many people become apprehensive. They could never reach God, he is too high for them to be able to reach. They feel as though they could not ever be able to get close to God because hei so exalted. Does the Bible actually teach this? Study of the Bible reveals the Bible teaches the exact opposite of such thinking. Acts 17:27 for them to seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us. Reading this it appears the Bible is beseeching us to study it. Consider James 4:8 Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you indecisive ones.It brings great joy to think that God wants us to br close to him. Still, what can I do to become closer to God? The fact that you are reading this means you have taken the first step in becoming closer to God. With continued study of the Bible, God‘s word, you will naturally become closer to God. John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches learning about Jehovah and Jesus Christ leads to everlasting life. We have already discovered that God is love, 1 John 4:16. Furthermore, Jehovah has many other traits that are just as wonderful. Exodus 34:6 is a prime example of this when it says, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth. Jehovah is also good and ready to forgive. Psalm 86:5. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us God is patient. His loyalty is revealed at Revelation 15:4. Jehovah has many other fine traits that will become apparent as you learn the Bible.Being an invisible spirit it is impossible for us to see him. John 1:18, 4:24 1 Timothy 1:17. This fact notwithstanding, by studying the Bible a person will come to know Jehovah as a person. Psalm 27:4 tells we can behold the pleasantness of Jehovah. Romans 1:20 upholds the statement made at Psalm 27:4. As you become more familiar with Jehovah, he will become more real to you, providing more reason to feel love for him and to draw close to him.Further benefit from the Bible is realization of why the Bible teaches us to think of Jehovah as our Father. We were created by Jehovah and he wants our lives to be filled with happiness. Much the same as a loving father here on earth. Review Psalm 36:9. James 2:23 teaches that humans can be friends with God. How great it would be to be God’s friend!As you learn from the Bible a natural inclination to share the knowledge will grow inside. In doing so, you may find some friends that will try to dissuade you from continuing your studies. They may tell you that you will become a different person. Do not let this interfere with the development of the best friendship you could ever have.There will be issues that are difficult to understand. A person can feel humiliated when seeking help. Jesus said it is good to be humble, as a small child. Matthew 18:2-4. As you may well know, children ask many questions. Jehovah wants you to find the answers. The Bible praises those that are eager to learn about God. Review Acts 17:11.

Learn The Bible At Home 2

While we await God to finally end evil forever, it would behoove us to know what God thinks about the injustices faced by mankind. Understanding of the verse at Psalm 37:28 brings the realization that God loves justice. God cares about you as an individual, as well as loving humanity as a whole is conveyed by this verse. He hates every kind of injustice that mankind has ever faced. In ancient times, when wickedness filled the earth, God felt hurt at his heart. Review Genesis 6:5,6. God has not changed. Malachi 3:6. God has always hated the suffering in the world, and he still does. Consider 1 Peter 5:7.If further substantiation is required that the suffering of man is hated by God, continued study of the Bible will provide it. It is taught that man was created in the image of God at Genesis 1:26. Due to this fact man has good qualities because God has good qualities. As an example of such goodness consider this; does it disturb you to see innocent people suffer? If such injustice does disturb you; you can be certain it disturbs God even more.Mankind‘s ability to love is one if its best qualities. God is also reflected by man in this quality. God is love is another of the Bible‘s lessons. 1 John 4:8 Man feels love because he was created in God‘s image. God has promised to bring mankind‘s suffering because of his love for mankind. These promises from God will be fulfilled, they are not pipe dreams. To feel secure in the reality of these promises, however, a person needs to be more aware of the God that has made them.In an effort to get to know a person better a person will often introduce themselves by name and ask that person their name. What better way is there for people to get to know each other? In a sense, this can also be done with God. God‘s name is God or Lord is what is taught by some religions. The fact is God and Lord are titles,as president, king, or pharaoh are also titles, not personal names. The Bible reveals many titles that are unique to God. God and Lord are included in these titles. That God also has a personal name is shown in the Bible. Psalm 83:18 states: That people may know you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Some translations of the Bible render Jehovah as God or Lord. The website What Is Gods Name reveals why some versions omit the name of God. The fact of the matter is God’s name, Jehovah, is found thousands of times in both the Hebrew-Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) texts. Realizing this it seems as though Jehovah wants us to know his name, does it not?Jehovah gave himself that name. Jehovah means He Causes To Become. This tells us that God can do whatever it is that he desires. Jehovah’s name is unique, as Jehovah himself is unique. Jehovah’s distinctiveness manifests itself in a variety of ways.We have already seen what Psalm 83:18 says of Jehovah: You alone are the Most High. The Almighty is only used in reference to Jehovah. Revelation 15:3 Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of eternity. The title the Almighty undeniably states that Jehovah is absolutely the most powerful being in existence. No one can match his power, his power is supreme. Yet another facet of Jehovah‘s exceptionality is seen in the title King of eternity. This title tells us that Jehovah alone has always existed. Psalm 90:2 declares: Even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God.Another sign of Jehovah’s uniqueness is that he is the Creator. Revelation 4:11 reads as follows: You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because of your will they existed and were created. Jehovah, the Creator, willed everything that is in existence to be and it was. That is awesome!

Learn The Bible At Home

Written by 40 separate authors over a time span covering 1,600 years , the Bible is a composite made of 66 books. To make the Bible easier to reference, it has been divided into chapters and verses. For example: 1 John 5:1 refers to the first letter of John, chapter 5, verse 1.A person will become quickly acclimated with the Bible from finding the verses cited in this publication in their own Bible. By reading the Bible on a daily basis a person will become better acquainted with the Bible. The Bible can be read in a year by reading 3-5 chapters a day. A person should take their time, as even after having read the text in its entirety, the Bible still contains messages that may have been overlooked the first time.It is thought by many that they have learned everything of value contained in the Bible. Still others fear that asking questions concerning the Bible may lead to shame or embarrassment. Many more believe the lessons in the Bible are too difficult to understand. There are many excuses for not studying the Bible.The very persons that balk at studying the Bible are the ones that seem the most interested in finding the answers provided by the Bible. At one point or other everyone seeks the answers to such questions as: What is God like? What is the purpose of life? Asking such questions is good, and diligently seeking the answers to these questions will reveal the answers. At Matthew 7:7 Jesus Christ states, 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.Rewards can be found in and of the search itself. Consider Proverbs 2:1-5. Here it is stated that if a person continues to study God‘s word the person will come to know the fear of Jehovah and understand the knowledge of God.Many people are confused by the statement the fear of Jehovah, asking why should I fear a loving God? Indeed, why should a person fear a loving God? Lets investigate this question.It is a sentiment common to many people that if God really cared for people he would not allow all the suffering that happens today. Everywhere a person looks they see, war, misery and strife. People injure themselves, get sick and eventually die. If God actually cared about people he would keep such things from occurring, wouldn’t he?Some religious teachers actually teach that God is hardhearted. When tragedy occurs they say things such as, It must have been God‘s will. These teachings lay the blame for all tragedy squarely with God. This, however, is not what the Bible teaches. James 1:13 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. This tells the careful student that God is never the source of wickedness encountered in the world. Job 34:10-12 supports the statement of James 1:13. God does allow terrible events to occur, but that is a far cry from causing those things to happen.Luke 15:11-24 provides an example of such a situation. The rebellious son of a wise man decided to leave home. The father did not stop him, rather, he allowed the son to go. After leaving home the young man made some poor decisions and got into trouble. The father allowed it to happen, but the son was the catalyst of his own grief. In the same manner, God has allowed humans to pursue debauchery and other forms of wickedness; however, he is not the cause of any suffering that arises from such decisions. This being the case, it is unjustifiable for mankind to blame God for their troubles.God has reasons for allowing mankind to choose to bad things. Being the wise and powerful Creator, God is not required to reveal his reasoning. Out of his love for us, God does show us his reasoning. The reasons God allows suffering are covered in the article Why Does God Allow Suffering? God is not the cause of the anguish suffered by millions today. Mankind‘s only hope of finding a solution to all the suffering lies with God. Consider Isaiah 33:2.Additionally, God is holy. Isaiah 6:3 and several other verses state this. What this means is God is pure and clean; having no trace of badness. This holiness means we can trust God without reservation. All the damage triggered by the wickedness of mankind cannot be undone by even the best of mankind‘s leaders. In contrast to this, God is all mighty. God can and will reverse all the negative effects of wickedness. As a matter of fact, when God acts, it will be in in a manner that ends evil forever. Psalm 37:9-11.

How Can I Sanctify God's Name When I Do Not Even Know It

Jehovah is the personal name of the only true God. Jehovah created the universe and is its Sovereign Ruler. Translated from the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, הוהי,Jehovah means He Causes to Become. Many languages represent these four Hebrew letters as YHWH or JHWH. Jehovah is accepted as the best English pronunciation, although Hebrew Scholars prefer Yahweh.The Hebrew Consonants for the name of The Almighty are YHWH. These are known without a doubt, although, Hebrew vowel points were not in use at the time of the writing of the original texts of the Bible. Superstition led ancient Jews to quit speaking the name of the Lord. Subsequently, when vowel points were added to the consonantal Hebrew text, the points used in association with the Tetragrammaton pointed the reader to say Adho nai’(Sovereign Lord) or Elo him(God). Hebrew is read from right to left.If Jehovah is the name of God, why then is it left mostly or entirely out of some translations of the Gospel? The preface of the Revised Standard Edition reads as follows: For two reasons the Committee has returned to the more familiar usage of the King James Version: (1) the word Jehovah does not accurately represent any form of the name ever used in Hebrew; and (2) the use of any proper name for the one and only God, as though there were gods from whom he had to be distinguished, was discontinued in Judaism before the Christian era and is entirely inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian Church.In this manner the Committee of scholars for the Revised Standard Edition‘s view of what is appropriate has been used for the removal of the personal name of the Divine Author of the Holy Bible. This is in the face of the fact that the name of Jehovah appears in the Hebrew text more often than Sovereign Lord or any other title applied to Jehovah. Nevertheless, they do follow the example of the adherents of Judaism, about whom Jesus said, You have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition-Matthew 15:6.Psalm 83:18 That you people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.The prior verse is one of only seven that include the name Jehovah in King James’ version of the Holy Scripture. This is in opposition to the Tetragrammaton appearing 6,828 times in the Hebrew text Biblia Hebraica and Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. King James had the Bible rewritten such that it would support his theory of divine right. This is enough to denounce his entire version as an atrocity. One bad apple spoils the barrel. For more information regarding King James click here.It is significant to note the importance given names in the Hebrew scriptures, and by Semitic peoples today. Inspection of the word name in the Old Testament tells us how important a name actually is. A name is more than merely a label, it denotes the real personality of the person to which it belongs.God is a title, not a name. It does not distinguish the god that is being referred to. Example: In the Hebrew scriptures, the same word (Elo him) is applied to Jehovah and to false gods. This takes place in Judges 16:23 and Samuel 5:7 in reference to the Philistine god Dagon. Also the Assyrian god Nisroch is indicated by the same word at 2 Kings 19:37. This being the case, if a Hebrew told a Philistine or Assyrian that he worshipped God, it would not suitably identify the God of his worship. Of course, in modern translations of the Bible Elohim will be rendered god.Paul was mindful of the personal name of God, Jehovah, as found in the creation account in Genesis from which Paul quoted. The name Jehovah, distinguishes God the Father, thus blocking any attempt at amalgamating his identity and person with that of any other to whom the title of god or father may be applied.There are many reasons to know the name of God. Our primary directive, the sanctification of Jehovah’s name is, indeed, unachievable without the knowledge of His name. A personal relationship with our creator is impersonal when He is addressed strictly as God or Lord. This is not to suggest He should be respected less. On the contrary, knowing Jehovah’s name and what it means, He Causes to Become, engenders the utmost respect.

Christmas Dinner More Than Just Heratburn

Teaching a child that gifts are brought to good children by Saint Nick, which is a lie, is teaching that child to sin. This teaches the values of Satan at an early age.

The observation of christmas is not a Divine Command, furthermore, there is no scriptural evidence supporting the celebration of christmas. It is impossible to determine Jesus Christ‘s actual birthday from the New Testament, or any other source.

Luke 2:8-11 There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them and Jehovah’s glory beamed around them and they became fearful, but the angel said to them: Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in David’s city.

This scripture indicates that the Christ was born in one of the warmer months. As a matter of tradition, the flocks were kept under cover during the winter months. Yet the Gospel unequivocally states “shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks.” This seems an unlikely happenstance in the middle of winter.

The reason December 25 was Chosen for the christmas celebration is uncertain, however, it is widely believed the day was chosen because it coincides with pagan rituals that occur at the time of the winter solstice, or ‘the shortest day of the year‘, after which the days start lengthening. These rituals celebrate the rebirth of the sun.

The Roman Saturnalia, ritualistic celebration dedicated to Saturn the god of agriculture and the strength of the sun, is one such ritual. Pagan followers of Mithra celebrate dies natalis Solis Invicti, birthday of the invincible sun. On December 25, 274 Aurelian declared the sun-god the principal patron of the Roman empire and dedicated a temple to him on the Campus Martius. Furthermore, the origination of christmas occurred during a time in which the cult of the sun was particularly strong in Rome.

The Bible only makes reference to two birthday celebrations. Neither of them were Jesus’ birthday. A note worthy point is they were both the birthdays‘ of pagan participants.

The first birthday celebration is mentioned in the Old Testament at Genesis 40:20-22 which reads: Now on the third day it turned out to be Pharoah’s birthday and he proceeded to make feast for all of his servants and to lift up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers in the midst of his servants. Accordingly, he returned the chief of the cupbearers to his post of cupbearer and he continued to give the cup into Pharoah’s hand. But, the chief of the bakers he hung up, just as Joseph had given them the interpretation.

The next birthday is mentioned in the New Testament at Matthew 14:6-10 which reads: But when Herod’s birthday was being celebrated the daughter of Herodias danced at it and it pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Then she, under her mother’s coaching, said: Give me here upon a platter the head of John the Baptist. Grieved though he was, the king out of regard for his oaths and for those reclining with him commanded it to be given; and he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

Ancient Hebrews considered birthday festivity to be idolatrous worship; which was repulsive to them. The reasoning behind the thought of birthday celebration as idolatrous worship stems from the pagan origins of birthday celebrations. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed everyone has a spirit that was present at their birth and protects them. The spirit has a mystic connection to the god on whose birthday the individual was born. This statement indicates that the birthday being celebrated is not that of the individual, but that of the god. Candles, or tapers in ancient times, were employed as a means to pacify the particular god who would then bestow good health and prosperity for the next year upon the participant.

When the knowledge of the origin of the birthday celebration is combined with the fact that christmas is not mentioned in the Bible, even once, and the thought that ancient Jews, which includes Jesus Christ, found birthday celebrations repugnant it becomes painfully apparent that christmas is a horrible practice.

Can Jesus Be The Archangel Michael

The meaning of the name Michael is, Who Is Like God? Michael and Gabriel are the only holy angels named in the Bible, and Michael is the only one termed archangel. The name Michael first appears in the tenth chapter of Daniel. In this occurrence, Michael is described by a lesser angel that he had come to the aid of as one of the foremost princes.

Daniel 10:13,20,21 But the prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days, and, look! Michael, one of the foremost princes, came to help me; and I, for my part, remained there beside the kings of Persia. So he went on to say: Do you really know why I have come to you? And now I shall go back to fight with the prince of Persia. When I am going forth, look! also the prince of Greece is coming. However, I shall tell you the things noted down in the writing of the truth, and there is no one holding strongly with me in these things but Michael, the prince of you people.

Daniel 12:1 And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people. And there will certainly occur a time of distress such as not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, every one who is found written down in the book.

Additionally, Michael is given the title prince of you people. This is suggestive of Michael being the angel who led the Israelites through the wilderness.

Exodus 23:20-23 Here I am sending an angel ahead of you to keep you on the road and to bring you into the place that I have prepared. Watch yourself because of him and obey his voice. Do not behave rebelliously against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; because my name is within him. However, if you strictly obey his voice and really do all that I speak, then I shall certainly be hostile to your enemies and harass those that harass you. For my angel will go ahead of you and will indeed bring you to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I shall certainly efface them.

Exodus 32:34 And now, come, lead the people to where I have spoken to you of. Look! My angel will go ahead of you, and on the day of my bringing punishment I shall certainly bring punishment upon them for their sin.

Exodus 33:2 And I will send an angel ahead of you and drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, and the Hittites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites…

The dispute between Satan and Michael over the body of Moses described in Jude 9 provides proof of Michael pro-actively showing he cares about the plight of the Ancient Israelites, his formidability due to the fact he kept the body of Moses and his obeisance to Jehovah because he refused to speak abusively.

Jude 9 But when Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to speak in abusive terms, but said: May Jehovah rebuke you.

The Bible indicates that the name Michael was the name of Jesus Christ subsequent to his coming to earth and after his return to heaven. Archangel means chief angel or principal angel, and Michael is the only one called archangel. The implication being there is only one that God has designated chief of the angelic host.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 because the Lord will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first.

Luke 2:11 because there was born to you today a savior who is Christ the Lord, in David's city.

The verse at 1 Thessalonians 4:16 directly states the Lord has an archangel’s voice. Luke 2:11, along with many other verses, declares Jesus is Lord, so we know that Jesus is the one being referenced in the verse. Additionally, who could have an archangel’s voice other than an archangel? As previously mentioned there is only one archangel. Therefore, if Jesus has an archangel’s voice, and Michael is the only archangel does logic not suggest the two are actually the same being?

Further evidence identifying Jesus Christ as also being the archangel Michael is provided via examination of Daniel 10:13, Daniel 11:40 and Daniel 12:1. The first mention of Michael is made at Daniel 10:13. Daniel wrote prophecy pertaining to the time of the end in verse at Daniel 11:40. Subsequently, at Daniel 12:1, he wrote, And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people And there will certainly be a time of distress such as not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time. The time in which Michael is to stand up is linked to distress as not been made to occur previously. In Daniel’s prophecy, standing up is often used to refer to the action of a king, either assuming his role as royal power or effectively exercising his authority as king. This provides additional substantiation that Jesus and Michael are actually the same being due to the fact that Jesus is Jehovah’s appointed king, whose role it is to destroy all the nations at Armageddon.

Through the book of Revelation Michael is candidly linked to the institution of God‘s kingdom and associates woe for the earth (due to Satan being hurled down to it) along with it.

Revelation 12:7-12 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven say: Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. On this account be glad you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea because the Devil has come down to you, knowing he has a short period of time.

Later in the book of Revelation, at 19:11-16 Jesus Christ is portrayed as the leader of the heavenly armies warring against the nations of the earth.

Revelation 12:11-16 And I saw the heaven opened, and, look! A white horse. And the one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. His eyes are a fiery flame, and upon his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but himself, and he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and he is called The Word of God. Also, the armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. And upon his outer garment, even upon his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

It is easy enough to connect woe for the earth and sea caused by the Devil after being cast from heaven to the time of distress linked to Michael’s standing up. Realizing that the Son of God is to battle the nations, it is a sensible assumption that he was the one, with his angels, who had previously battled with the dragon, Satan the Devil, and his angels.

John 1:1 In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

Acts 9:5 He [Saul] said: Who are you lord? He [Jesus] said: I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

John 1:1 illustrates during the pre-human existence of Jesus, he was called the Word. The evidence presented previously in this article suggests that Michael was his personal name, prior to his human life. Retaining the name Jesus after his resurrection at Acts 9:5 the Word offers proof he is the Son of God on earth. When Jesus reassumes being called Michael and his title, The Word of God, (Revelation 19:13), he associates himself to his pre-human existence. The fact that the name Michael queries, Who Is Like God?, is indicative that Jehovah is unequaled and Michael the archangel is his great Vindicator. Which was the role of Jesus Christ in his 33 ½ years on earth.

The information available in this article viewed as a whole gives adequate evidence to believe that Michael the archangel is Jesus Christ. Jesus existed prior to his appearance on the earth. This requires a name for to him be distinguished by. It could have been any name, but evidence suggets God chose Michael. The fact that Jesus told Peter to change his name from Simon to Peter, and Saul became Paul is suggestive that Jesus himself may have had a name change.

Are Your Prayers Up To Code?

Many people feel as though their prayers go unanswered for one reason or another. As a result, questions regarding what prayer is acceptable and whose prayer is acceptable come to mind. These answers and others pertaining to prayer can be found in the Bible, if conscientious study is applied.Psalm 65:2 O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come.Acts 10:34,35 At this Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.These two verses inform a student that a person’s ethnicity, national background, economic situation or any other such issue makes no difference when a person petitions God with prayer. What God cares about are the stimuli in a person’s heart and the manner in which said person lives his life.For a prayer to be acceptable to God, there are certain criteria that must be met. Criteria? God has standards for prayer a person is expected to meet? Indubitably, for a prayer to be pleasing to God it must conform to standards that the Bible relays to us. Reflect upon these verses for examples of God’s standards for prayer.Luke 11:2-4 Then he [Jesus] said to them: ‘Whenever you pray, say, ‘Father, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Give us our bread according to the day’s requirement. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us; and do not bring us into temptation.In this verse Jesus clearly states: say, Father let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. This tells us to pray directly to Jehovah, or God, not to a saint, or an angel or anyone else. While saints are definitely special people, they are not worthy of our worship, for somewhere along the line they too have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.John 14:6, 14 Jesus said to him: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you ask anything in my name I will do it.’Here, Jesus tells us all things are possible through him, and without him there is nothing. We are also informed there is no way to approach the Father except through Jesus. Due to our sinful nature, we are unable to reach the Father without Jesus acting as intercessor. For this reason, our prayers should end thusly: In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.1 John 5:14, 15 And this is the confidence we have toward him, that, no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us. Further, if we know he hears us respecting whatever we are asking, we know we are to have the things asked since we have asked them of him.It is tremendously liberating to have the assurance of anything we ask according to his will he hears and will give to us. The next standard lies therein; according to his will. To be sure his requests are in agreement with God’s will, a petitioner must know the will of God. Thorough study of the Bible will reveal God‘s will to those seeking it.1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones, and his ears are toward their supplication; but the face of Jehovah is against those doing bad things.Those that take the time to study the Bible find that it conveys the knowledge of what is righteous and what is bad.1 John 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we are observing his commandments and are doing the things that are pleasing in his eyes.Proverbs 28:9 He that is turning his ear from hearing the law [of God]-even his prayer is something that is detestable.Support for 1 John 5:14, 15 is found in 1 John 3:22 which adds that by observing his commandments a person will be doing what is pleasing to Jehovah. Proverbs 28:9 shows a person that it requires more than simply saying the right thing in the right way, but actually living in a manner acceptable to God is a must if we desire our prayers to be heard by God.Isaiah 55:6,7 Search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near. Let the wicked man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts, and let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will forgive in a large way.Matthew 6:5 When you pray you must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full.Luke 18:9-14 But he spoke this illustration also to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and considered the rest as nothing. Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, O God, I thank you that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire. But the tax collector standing at a distance was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward, but kept beating his breast, saying, O God, be gracious to me a sinner. I tell you, This man went down to his home proved more righteous than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted.In the two preceding sets of verse a person learns that those who pray in a manner such that it is a show for men to prove themselves in front of man are not praying to God, but to themselves. Why would a person expect Jehovah to hear a prayer that is not even directed to him. For more information on this subject see, Breaking The Quasi Christian Chain.Isaiah 42:8 I am Jehovah. That is my name; and no one else shall I give my own glory, neither my praise to graven things.A petitioner is reminded that all symbols should be avoided, not used as an aid for prayer, in Isaiah 42:8. Does it seem logical that it would be agreeable to Jehovah for a petitioner to pray before a cross or other such symbol? Additional information on this subject can be found in, Avoid The Cross. Matthew 6:9-13 You must pray then this way: Our father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth. Give us today our bread for this day; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.In this fashion the followers of Jesus have been instructed to pray. Jesus starts by asking for the sanctification of God’s name and then asks for his kingdom to come. Praying for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven lends additional support to asking for his kingdom to come. He then tells us to supplicate God to provide for us and to forgive us our transgressions. The statement as we forgive our debtors is an action that only God and the petitioner know is or is not done; despite this it is this action that tells God we are worthy of his help because we are doing God‘s will. The prayer finishes by asking for deliverance from the evil one. This prayer is a special case in which ending with in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen is not absolutely necessary. This is due to the fact these are Jesus’ words, so, if they are used for prayer God is already aware that Jesus is the one acting as intercessor. All these are in harmony with his words at Luke 11:2-4.When a petitioner follows these guidelines, they are certain to have prayer that is acceptable to God.

Am I Going To Hell Because I Had Premarital Sex?

Is sex considered taboo by the Bible? Careful consideration of the Gospel will provide the answer. We are all sexual creatures to the extent that without sex our capacity to reproduce is limited at best. Certainly science has established techniques of embryonic development that forego the sex act, however, these techniques are costly and, more importantly, not the manner in which God expects us to procreate. Since God is the source of life and humans were created to reflect his qualities, our capability to transmit life via sexual relations should be treated with the utmost respect.Genesis 1:28 God blessed them [Adam and Eve] and God said to them: Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth.To be able to fulfill this directive Adam and Eve were obligated to have sex. This indicates that sex is not wrong; indeed, God would not direct us to do something he says is wrong. It has been taught that the forbidden fruit in Eden is representative of a divine restriction, or even an actual prohibition of, sexual relations between Adam and Eve. However, this teaching is in direct conflict with God’s command to be fruitful and fill the earth.The union of Adam and Eve was blessed from the start. He blessed them with his own hands, in this way we know their relationship is sanctified by God. The marriage vows are used by man to petition God to thusly sanctify his relationships and therefore ensure the children of these unions will be holy.Genesis9:1 God went on to bless Noah and his sons and to say to them: Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth.This blessing, provided with the same directive to procreate, was given to Noah after the global Flood. This statement indicates that God’s viewpoint of lawful sexual relations remained unchanged. This adds further corroboration that sex in and of itself is not unclean.1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is not well for a man not to touch a woman; yet, because of prevalence of fornication, let each man have his own wife and each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife her due; but let the wife also do likewise to her husband. The wife does not exercise authority over her own body, but her husband does, likewise also, the husband does not exercise authority over his own body, but his wife does. Do not be depriving each other of it, except by mutual consent for an appointed time, that you may devote time to prayer and may come together again, that Satan may not keep tempting you for lack of self-regulation.This passage clarifies the point where sex becomes an unclean act. It is not the proper relations between man and wife, it is fornication.1 Thessalonians 4-8 For this is what God wills, the sanctifying of you, that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you should know how to get possession of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in covetous sexual appetite such as also those nations have which do not know God; that no one go to the point of harming and encroach upon the rights of his brother in this matter, because Jehovah is one who exacts punishment for all these things, just as we told you beforehand and also gave a thorough witness. For God called us, not with allowance for uncleanness, but in connection with sanctification. So, then, the man that shows disregard is disregarding not man, but God, who puts his holy spirit in you.An interesting point is the fact the Greek word por-nei’-a, translated here as fornication, refers to sexual relations between unmarried persons and extramarital relations on the part of married persons. This term was also used to signify prostitutes. Add grah-foe, or graph, which literally translates as to draw or to paint, and one comes up with pornography. The painting of whores in action?1 Corinthians 6:9-11 What! Do you not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom. And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.The preceding passage shows true Christians that even ingrained desires to do wrong, including those that may or may not have a genetic basis or other circumstances, are not impossible to overcome for persons who truly want to please Jehovah.Jehovah has given us clear direction on the practice of sex. The problems that can be avoided are many when sex is the issue. These include, but are not limited to, unplanned pregnancy, an enormous amount of disease including AIDS and the transmission of HIV, murders out of jealousy and other crimes of passion plus many more too numerous to list here. We have been provided with the one tool necessary to be triumphant in our battle with sin and our efforts to glorify Jehovah. Read the Bible and apply its wisdom to your life and miraculous change is sure to follow.

Do Not Create An Embolism With Cross Symbolism

Various objects, that have been dated to be from eras long prior to the Christian era, have been located, marked with crosses of one design or other, in virtually every part of the world. Egypt, India, Syria and Persia have all presented myriad examples of the cross as a religious symbol in pre-Christian times and it may be considered a universal symbol among pre-Christian people. In a great number of cases it has been associated with nature worship.The roots of the two-beamed cross have been discovered in ancient Chaldea. It was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz in Chaldea and adjacent lands, which included Egypt. By the middle of the 3rd century of the Common Era the churches had either ignored, or had travestied, particular doctrines of the Christian faith in an effort to ingratiate the Christian belief with the pagan masses. This departure from Scriptural doctrine is evidenced in the fact that the pagans were allowed to keep pagan signs and symbols. In this manner, the Tau or T, with a lowered cross piece, was put into practice to symbolize the cross of Christ.The Greek word that has been depicted cross in many modern Bible translations is stauros. The word meant only an upright stake in classical Greek. Later it came to include an execution stake having a crosspiece. This is supported by The Imperial Bible-Dictionary: The Greek word for cross [stauros], properly signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling, on which anything might be hung, or might be used in impaling [fencing in] a piece of ground. Even the Roman crux, from which our word cross is derived, appears to have originally signified an upright pole.Numerous figures of crosses are found on Egyptian monuments and tombs, and are considered by many to symbolize the phallus [a representation of the male sex organ]… In Egyptian tombs the crux ansata [cross with a circle or handle on top] is found side by side with the phallus.J.D. Parsons states in his book The Non-Christian Cross: There is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings forming the New Testament, which, in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to the effect that the stauros actually used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros; much less to the effect that it consisted of not one piece of timber, but two nailed together in the form of a cross…There is scriptural evidence supporting the premise that the cross is a pagan symbol, and therefore should be shunned by true Christians.1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore my beloved ones, flee from idolatry.Exodus 20:4,5 You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heaven above or on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I, Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, on the case of those that hate me.An idol is an image or symbol that is an object of concentrated devotion, veneration or worship. The first century Christians made no use of the crucifix and no material representation of the cross. The cross has been equated with phallic worship and other detestable practices. In view of the facts presented herein, the cross is truly a detestable symbol. How then, must Jehovah view the use of the cross? Only you can make your determination.

Evidence Regarding The Return Of Christ

The return of Christ is an event that many people are awaiting. The knowledge of this raises a few questions. For starters, will the return of Christ be a large event that happens rapidly or will it be a longer event that takes years to fully come about? Inspection of the Bible provides the answer to this and other questions regarding the return of Christ.A point worth mentioning is the fact that coming and presence have similar meanings, however, they do not have identical meanings. A person’s coming is generally connected to his arrival or return, although his presence may extend indefinitely thereafter. For example, the Greek word er’kho mai, meaning: to come, is used in reference to Jesus directing his attention to a specific task, during his presence. Consequently, this needs to be considered to gain a more complete understanding of the Bible.Matthew 24:37-39 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark; and they took no note until the flood swept them away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.Careful consideration of this verse reveals that the return of the Son man will be as the days of Noah. People will be eating and drinking get married and carrying on their lives as usual. This is suggestive that the return of Christ will occur over an extended period of time. Remember, Jehovah commanded Noah to build the ark, cover it in tar inside and out, collect two of each animal and enough provisions to feed himself, his wife, three sons and their wives and all the animals. Such a task would invariably take many years to accomplish. Therefore, if the presence of the Son of man is to be the same as the days of Noah, simple reasoning suggests that the return of Christ will occur over many years.Most people that are awaiting the return of Christ are certain they will see Jesus as he descends from heaven on a cloud. In spite of this, Scriptural verse asserts that the world will not see Jesus again. This does not mean Jesus will not be here, only that we will not be able to see him. Consider these verses.John 14:19 A little longer and the world will behold me no more, but you will behold me, because I live you will live.1 Timothy 6:15,16 This manifestation the happy and only Potentate will show in its own appointed times, he is the King of those that rule as kings, Lord of those that rule as lords, the one alone having immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom not one man has seen or can see. To him be honor and might everlasting. Amen.John 14:19 Informs us the world will no longer see Jesus, but the apostles will. Jesus is assuring the apostles he would come again to take them to heaven to be with him. The apostles can see him because they will be spirit beings as Jesus is. Regardless, the world will not see him again. The verse at 1 Timothy 6:16 refers to Jesus dwelling in the unapproachable light. This light no man has seen or can see. This verse tells us Jesus lives in light that men cannot even approach, have never seen or will ever see, further supporting the theory that the world will not see Jesus again.John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.The preceding verse is a powerful statement made by Jesus that has numerous meanings. Speaking in the metaphoric fashion that is so often the case with Jesus and Biblical verse in general, Jesus compares his body to bread and asserts all those that partake of this bread will live forever. He also states that he gives his flesh for the life of the world. Having given us this gift, by no means will Jesus ever take it back. In addition, by giving up his own life, the rest of us have lives; he will not deprive mankind the benefits of his sacrifice by reassuming his life on the earth.Acts 1:9-11 While they [Jesus’ apostles] were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud caught him up from their vision. And as they were gazing into the sky while he was on his way, also, look! Two men in white garments stood alongside them, and said: Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who was received up from you into the sky will come thus in the same manner as you have beheld him going into the sky.We are told by this verse that Jesus will come in the same manner in which he left, interstingly, it does not say it will be in the same body. Concerning the manner of his ascent, he disappeared into the clouds, only visible to his disciples. The world was unaware of this happening. If Jesus returns in the same manner as he departed, then the world is going to be, or was, unaware of it.Revelation 1:7 Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him.. Yes, Amen.The clouds in this passage are indicative of the invisibility of Jesus at this time. The fact that Jehovah told Moses I am coming to you in a dark cloud supports this statement. This also happens at Leviticus 16:2 and Numbers 11:25.This is suggestive that the Bible is speaking figuratively again when it states that every eye will see him. The most likely meaning of this statement is the people will infer that Jesus Christ has come back from the events taking place around them. Following the return of Christ, many people will show signs of faith, because they recognize the signs of his presence. Nevertheless, others will reject the signs of the Lord until Christ goes into action. When this happens, even the wicked will be able to deduce their destruction is coming from heaven and not from man.Many people believe that ‘those who pierced him’ symbolically links the people that similarly mistreat Christ’s followers in the last days. While this may be the case, the placement of the semi colon after ‘those who pierced him’ indicates that they will also be visible to every eye. Possibly, people would see their sins as piercing Jesus as the guards did, thus feeling significant enough compunction to flagellate themselves out of grief for Jesus.Ultimately, any knowledge revealed only affects an individual in the manner in which the individual allows it. Therefore, individuals should include Bible study in their daily routine. By so doing, an individual will be ready for the return of Christ when it happens as opposed to being frightened and eventually destroyed.

Triniatarian Truth

Even for those practing Trinitarian doctrine, this belief is befuddling at best. This doctrine states that there are three divine Persons, the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, each said to be eternal, almighty, none greater or lesser, each said to be God. Other statements of the dogma unequivocally state that these three “Persons” are not separate, distinct individuals; rather they are the three modes that encompass the whole of the divine being. This belief causes many Trinitarians to claim that Jesus is God or that Jesus and the Holy Ghost combine to form Jehovah. The Gospel does not teach of such a thing.The New Testament does not contain the word trinity and the doctrine of such beliefs is also not found within its text. Neither did Jesus and his apostles have intention of contradicting the proclamation of the Old Testament; Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, Deuteronomy 6:4.Christianity is a derivative of Judaism and Judaism is strictly Unitarian, believing God is one person. The Platonic trinity, itself a mere rearrangement of older trinities, seems to be the underlying principle that gave birth to the three hypostases, or divine persons, taught by Trinitarian churches. All pagan religions reflect the Greek philosophers conception of the divine trinity.The personal name of God, Jehovah, is revealed to us in the Gospel. The Holy Scriptures also inform us that the Son is Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the Bible neglects to provide a personal name for the holy spirit.Acts 7:55, 56 But he, being full of holy spirit, gazed into heaven and caught sight of God’s glory and of Jesus standing at God’s right hand, and he said: Look! I behold the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand.Matthew 26:39 And going a little way forward, he [Jesus] fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.Such prayer would be devoid of any meaning providing that the Father and Son are not distinct individuals. In an instance such as this, Jesus would have been praying to himself, and therefore his will would be the Father’s will. Jesus would be making a liar of himself, and thusly the Father, in perpetrating such a sham if the Trinitarian doctrine were the Truth. The Bible teaches us that God cannot lie.Hebrews 6:18 …in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled the refuge may have strong encouragement to lay hold on the hope he set before us.Additional substantiation of the falsehood of Trinitarian doctrine is provided at John 8:17,18 which reads: Also in your own Law it is written, The witness of two men is true. I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.John 17:1-3 Jesus spoke these things, and, raising his eyes to heaven, he said: Father, the hour has come; glorify your son, that your son may glorify you, according as you have given him authority over all flesh, that, as regards the whole number whom you have given him, he may give them everlasting life. This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ.Later at John 20:17, following the resurrection of Jesus, Jesus spoke of the Father as my God. Also, in Revelation 3:12 Jesus again makes this reference. Distinctly absent from the text of the New Testament is any occurrence of the Father referring to the Son as my God, also absent are occurrences of the Father or the Son referring to the Holy Spirit as my God.It appears that Trinitarian doctrine goes directly against the teachings of Jesus. A few scriptural references have been made in this article to support the idea that Jesus and Jehovah are two distinct personages, nevertheless, in a mind of brevity, many that denounce Trinitarian teaching have been occluded from this article. Jesus never claimed to be equal to the Father In John 14:28 Jesus says, …because the Father is greater than I am.

What Is Quasi Christian Communication

This is for all the people that are sick and tired of the good intent that drives some people into creating quasi-Christian themed chain e-mails. I realize that these people have only good intentions with these e-mails, and they intend no harm. Do these people not realize the path to Hades is lined with good intentions. These people obviously feel there is something lacking in your life and, guilty by association, you surely must know ten others who are thusly lacking. When they command the recipient of the quasi Christian communication to send this to ten others to prove their love of God, whose will are they seeking to impose? Is it Jehovah's or is it their own?To tell the truth, I have always hated these e-mails, however, being confused, I thought the sender was in the right, and me being the dissenter must be wrong. So, with a guilty heart and mind, I deleted these e-mails without forwarding them or being candid concerning my feelings about them with the sender. This seems tantamount to lying, because I was not forthright with the senders of these horrible messages.Horrible? But, they only talk about the goodness of God; how could you say that? Granted, these stories are certain to tug at the heart strings, yet, the significant point of these communications is almost always entirely missed. To see this point more clearly, one must ask oneself,”Would Jehovah ask His servants to employ guilt to intimidate the masses into submission?” The answer is a resounding NO! If Jehovah used manipulation to coerce his servants into servitude it would go directly against His giving us free will, in turn making Jehovah a liar. The Bible unequivocally states that Jehovah cannot lie.Numbers 23:19 God is not a man that he should tell lies, Neither a son of mankind that he should feel regret. Has he himself said it and will he not do it, And has he spoken and will he not carry it out?Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God's chosen ones and the accurate knowledge of the truth which accords with godly devotion upon the basis of a hope of the everlasting life which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting.Hebrews 6:18 in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to lay hold on the hope set before us.The Bible gives us the tools to rebuke such idolatrous communication. Please, feel free to copy this letter and use it whenever one of these irritating messages appears in your mailbox. The letter also deals with the rude practice of forwarding e-mail without making use of the Bcc window, which is almost always the case when someone that is holier-than-thou decides to send these disgusting e-mails.I appreciate you sending this to me. I am not sending it to others. Not because I am ashamed of my faith in Jehovah, but because the Bible says in Matthew 6:5 When you pray, you must not be as the hypocrites, because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly, I say to you, they are having their reward already. This is supported by Luke 18:9-14. The verse in Luke takes some thought, but it has the same meaning. Be humble; do not say prayers to Jehovah that are actually ways to exhort you. Certainly, these e-mails are well presented and take a certain degree of skill, however, Acts 10:34, 35 says At this Peter opened his mouth and said: "For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him". These verses taken together provide a basis upon which to see the chest puffery of such e-mails. I realize they think they are doing service for Jehovah and humanity, yet, Jehovah would not send His servants out to intimidate anyone into doing the right thing or cause a guilty conscience into doing the right thing. The right thing done for the wrong reason is still the wrong thing. Maybe you should send this to the person that sent the e-mail to you. I myself am going to send it to the original sender. By the way, Pam told me how to hide e-mail addresses that are being sent to. Instead of entering the address in the To: window, enter it into the Bcc: window. If you do not see the Bcc: window, click on To: and you will see the Bcc: window at the bottom of the drop down window. I do not care how you send other people's e-mail addresses, but I would like to stay out of that loop, please. I hope this info is beneficial to you.