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WORD PAGE NW TRANSLATION PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION(S) amhaaret 150 `am-ha·'aret am-hay'uh-ret Betz 152 bets Dieter 152 dee'eh-tuhr fertilization 146 fuhr-tuhl-uh-zay'shuhn Festus 144 fes'tuhs Gandhi 152 gahn'dee, gan'- Guignebert 150 gwi'nyuh-buhrt Hans 152 hahns' Josephus 144 joh-see'fuhs Mohandas 152 moh-hahn'dahs, -duhs Montagu 152 mahn'tuh-gyoo, muhn'- recluse 159 re'kloos, ri-kloos', re'klooz similitude 145 suh-mi'luh-tood, -tyood Sorbonne 150 sohr'bon, sawr'- Sychar 147 Sy'char sie'kuhr Theudas 144 Theu'das thee'oo-duhs vitro 146 vee'troh, vi'-, wee'- ( Pronunciation KEY )
Self made messiahs are nothing new to the human culture. They come in all manner of different lines of reasoning and supposed evidence. Caligual, Ceasar of Rome declared himself as God of all nations. This kind of self-appointed messiahship can easily be discounted as the power that corrupts. Then there are the kind like Theudas, who offered promises of removing the foriegn yoke that the nation of Israel was held under. He promised that the Jordan river would part as evidence of this, yet he was beheaded by soldiers sent by the Procurator Fadas before the uprising mob arrived at the river. Often this kind of self-savior is can be noted as either one seeking political popularity led by a mad man, or pure and simple uncredulous political hope and defiance. While not discounting the dangers of such false messiahs, or saviors, it is the ones who can be convincing in the religious arena that are most to be feared. Because then it taps into a mass energy of the followers, a source that should be reserved for proper worship toward the true God. Theudas did touch slightly into this, as he equated the parting of the Jordan with that of Moses at the Red Sea. This linkage to religious feeling served to add power toward his end goal, which was political, to remove the Roman yoke. (And why he didn't equate the parting of the Jordan with Joshua gives evidence that he didn't read his Bible.)
According to Josephus, there were too many false messiahs to recount them all properly, some even having killed the high priest of the temple at one point, others leading large groups of people into the desert only to disappear. While some of these were dealt with for violation of Roman law, it was the religious zealots who became heavy trouble against Roman garrisons. There were three major religious factions within the walls of Jerusalem when Titus laid seige upon and conquered. Despite their infighting, the obstinant zealots banded together often enough to provoke the Romans sufficiently that when they finally seized the city, they intended to kill outright every Jew they came across.
Thus, it is not only a means to preserve a persons personal ability to think and reason for themselvses that Jesus warns against false prophets, but also because the goals and motivations behind their popularity is often impure and tainted by inappropriate desire, or in some cases, even an appropriate desire twisted to seek an inappropriate means to the end.
As a side point, it should be noted that during the early "dark ages" of European history, many held that the messiah of the Jews would turn out to be the Antichrist, which explains quite a bit the anymosity that was held between "christians" and Jews during the centuries that followed.
About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.
-Josephus in Jewish Antiquities, 18.3.3 §63
Lucius Annaeus Seneca was the author of stage tragedies during a period that some call the "last great resurgance of Roman tragedy". His De Ira was of a genre of Roman tragedy called the "fabulae praetextae", which made use of historical events from the recent past. He was also interested in oriental religions by the many books he wrote on the subject, so his including the events of Jesus' life would have been no surprise to anyone recognizing them for what they were. In his philosophical and dramatic play:
C9 þ 145 ¶ 1 footnote
The major Muslim categories are Sunni Sufi, and Shi'i Sufi. The most significant difference between Sunni's and Shi'is is that the Shi'a [a shortened form of "Shi'at Ali", or "the party of Ali"] do not accept the lineage of the Muslim leadership following the Prophet Muhammed's death, who complicated successorship by leaving no appointee as successor. Shi'is claim, however, that he did.
With no apparent successorship and with typical oriental method, a meeting was held by the Muhammed's close companions, who chose Abu Bakr, an early convert and a good man, to be the first caliph (Muslim community leader). But a certain element felt that Abu Bakr had undermined Shi'at Ali, the first male convert to Islam. Ali felt slighted as he was preparing the prophet for burial, and thus was not at the meeting when the new caliph was selected. A large number also felt simlarly. Following Abu Bakr's death, then another caliph named Umar, then Uthman, until finally Ali was finally designated the position. A'isha, the Muhammed's second favorite wife (after Khadija), and daughter of Abu Bakr led a failed revolt against Ali. Ali was assinated, and in the midst of controversy Mu'awiyah became caliph. Feeling threatened by the existance of offspring by Ali, the older of Ali's two sons, Hassan was poisoned by Mu'awiyah. More controversy, and in the end Ali's younger son, Hussein, felt he should become caliph, due to his brother's designation before death. He and a band of supporters rebelled against the current caliph (now Yazid, Mu'awiyah's son and the beginning of a dynastic caliph rule) in power, but lost both the victory and their live's.
This failed battle during the 700's was a turning point of a more concentrated doctrinal division between Shi'a, and the Sunni. While all both sides of the Muslim schism base their Islamic law on Hadith (collected sayings of Muhammed, which were at first oral, then later written, and used in addition to the Qu'ran) the Shi'a do not acknowledge the legitimacy of Islamic law as transmitted by A'isha (Sunni Hadith) and do not credit the early caliphs as valid predecessors.
For this reason, not all Muslim accept all doctrines that can be defined as being Muslim. However, the contrast between acceptance of Jesus as a prophet, or more than that has much to do with the fact that so many 'christian' religions that follow the tenants of trinitarianism, rather than a monotheistic faith like that of Jesus and Muhammed, causes them to distance themselves from Jesus (who is mentioned in the Qu'ran no less than 26 times) a bit more than the inclination would otherwise call for. For instance, Sura 5:114 stated, "Said Jesus, the son of Mary, 'Our god, our Lord, send down to us a feast from the sky. Let it bring plenty for each and every one of us, and a sign from You. Provide for us; You are the best Provider.'" While weighing this against Sura 61:6, where it is said that Jesus pointed in the future toward Muhammed, with, "Recall that Jesus, son of Mary, said, 'O Children of Israel, I am GOD's messenger to you, confirming the Torah and bringing good news of a messenger to come after me whose name will be even more praised (Ahmad).' Then, when he showed them the clear proofs, they said, 'This is profound magic.'"Note 3 It could readily be seen that according to this second mentioned Sura, Jesus would be pointing to another to follow. (Hence the impetus in the Muslim faith toward Muhammed) But in order to balance these without prejudice, Sura 61:6 does state that Jesus is "the best Provider" A logical conclusion would draw at a minimum that Muhammed and Jesus be equal in stature, according to the Qu'ran, although for a certainty a higher stature toward Jesus would be even more plausible. But as I stated, because a false set of trinitarian beliefs was attached so strongly toward Jesus, the natural repulsion of a monotheist would be to mentally, if not emotionally, and most certainly in faith, distance themselves from the target of the immoral trinitarian doctrine, Jesus. It would require a realization of fairness toward Jesus that he himself did not choose such worship to be directed toward him in order to counter balance this kind of reaction. And in all fairness to Jesus, such awareness should personally be arrived at.
Note 3: The phrase "This is profound magic" is not a positive appraisal, but instead is a phrase of rejection of appropriate acceptance that miracles and motivations are from God, as assigned in the Qu'ran toward those who are faithless or immoral. Note Sura 5:110(b), "Recall that I protected you from the Children of Israel who wanted to hurt you, despite the profound miracles you had shown them. The disbelievers among them said, `This is obviously magic.'" (Underline and italics added)
"The Christian Church is in one hell of a situation."
-- William DeWitt Clinton, member of The Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, as quoted in The Diocesan Link, Vol 1 No. 10, Sept. 1996
I am running way short on time this week. I'll add more if/when I have time Else, I'll just mourn the loss and keep going...
While today we are in a spiritual warfare just as God's people were while Christ walked the earth, it was never intended to result in mass condemnation of any populace, nor the need for medical treatment and physical injury. Quite the contrary, it was supposed to be a work of preservation and self improvement. And the method Jesus employed with the Samaritan woman culled on her sincerity, helping her to not only help herself, but others who listened to her. The traditions passed down to the Samaritans enslaved them in inaccuracy, yet enough of the original light shined through their traditions that they could recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and appreciate the impartiality of God as Jesus spoke. So today, we can try and find like hearts in our assigned work today. (Matthew 28:19,20) What an example to follow!
The hard hearted view and sense of superiority toward the populace by the Pharisee's and other spiritual leaders in Israel of the time (which rubbed off on the basic social structure as well) are indeed the most prominent reasons for their criticism of Jesus and his loving behavior toward the masses. Gilbert Harman, at Princeton University wrote a paper entitled, "Virtue Ethics and the Fundamental Attribution Error" He observed the results of several past experiments, as well as performed two more of his own, and found some surprising results regarding human behavior and what can cause a disregard for others. Here is an interesting excerpt:
The second experiment that I will mention derives from the parable of the Good Samaritan, which goes like this.Jesus could have easily considered his three and a half years of preaching, a work that was intended to impact the future of all humanity forever, to be too short a time to waste it on certain disdainful elements of society. However, he recognized that one of the major reasons he was here was to help those who needed the help, thus he made the time. And he made two days worth of time for her and those in her village. (John 4:40) An important lesson for any one of us, whether we are on the way to a meeting and see a stranded motorist in the middle of nowhere (with due safety cautions, of course), or an elder who has many events being tossed on his schedule when it is realized that a certain publisher has undergone some puzzling changes (maybe their heart is heavy? Only one way to find out!), or a parent who just simply keeps the needs of their children in focus, aside from the standard day to day routine. If we fail to do our job because our job is too busy, then we have failed. Jesus did not fail, because he kept the most important aspects of his assignment first, on top of the churning and unsettling business of living. (John 4:41) Thus, due to the covenant relationship that Israel had with Jehovah, Jesus' primary interest was in restoring and preserving the relationship with the Jews (John 4:22), however this did not exclude helping to aid toward accuracy those who were also seeking God and his purposes. (John 4:29)"And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied. "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down the road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [Levites were important participants in temple ceremonies.] But a Samaritan [a religious outcast], as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion and went to him and bound his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two dennarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back." Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:29-37, Revised Standard Version)
Darley and Batson (1973) observe that people can envision various differences between the priest and Levite on the one hand and the Samaritan on the other hand. The priest and Levite might have well have had their minds on religious matters, whereas the Samaritan probably did not. The priest and Levite were probably hurrying along to various appointments, whereas the Samaritan was probably less in a hurry. The parable also suggests that there is a difference in type of religiosity or morality. The priest and Levite in Jesus's act virtuously in order to please God, where the Samaritan responds more directly to the needs of another person.
The standard interpretation of the parable focuses on the third of these variables, the type of religious or moral character of the agent.
Darley and Batson designed an experiment aimed at uncovering which of these differences might be most relevant to explaining the differences in behavior. Subjects in this experiment were students at Princeton Theological Seminary. As each subject arrived, he was informed that he was to give a talk that would be recorded in another building. Along the way to the place for the talk, the subject encountered a "victim" slumped in a doorway. The question was under what conditions would a subject would stop to help the victim.
Half of the subjects were assigned to talk on the Good Samaritan Parable; the others were assigned a different topic. Some of the subjects were told they were late and should hurry; some were told they had just enough time to get to the recording room; and some were told they would arrive early. Judging by their responses to a questionnaire, they had different religious and moral orientations.
The only one of these variables that made a difference was how much of a hurry the subjects were in. 63% of subjects that were in no hurry stopped to help, 45% of those in a moderate hurry stopped, and 10% of those that were in a great hurry stopped. It made no difference whether the students were assigned to talk on the Good Samaritan Parable, nor did it matter what their religious outlook was.
Standard interpretations of the Good Samaritan Parable commit the fundamental attribution error of overlooking the situational factors, in this case overlooking how much of a hurry the various agents might be in.
The suggestion in the book is a good one, in looking at Jesus through the eyes of John and Peter. Both men were associates of the fishing industry. John, together with his brother James, helped with their father's fishing business; as well as Peter, and his brother Andrew, had other boats they could direct. They were familiar with Jesus on a personal level for some time, possibly as long as a year, before he called to them from the dock area to follow him. (Luke 4:38; Luke 5:7-10) John was nearby John the Baptizer when John 1:36 was proclaimed. (note John 1:35 states that there were two present, and verse 40 names only one of the two as Andrew, the brother of Peter. Such an eyewitness account would likely indicate that the second witness to the occasion was the writer of the book, in his usual style of omitting mention of himself.) He also witnessed the changing of the water into wine. (John 2:1-11) And Peter knew of the healing that Jesus performed on his mother in law. (Mark 1:29-34; I know, try and save it for the next ¶ , but it fit in here too...) They could have looked toward the hope of having financial security through their father's business, or their potential future responsibility to the employees, or any other possible concern. Yet instead they understood that the message brought by Jesus, and the abilities that proved he could accomplish them. So, they followed their hearts and sensibility. Apparently their families did not attempt to dissuade them from this decision to follow Jesus, having been well trained and studied in the scriptures. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
A comparison of Matthew 27:56 with Mark 15:40 may indicate that Salome was the mother of the sons of Zebedee—James and John, who were apostles of Jesus Christ. The former text names two of the Marys, namely, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James (the Less) and of Joses; and with these it also mentions the mother of the sons of Zebedee as being present at Jesus’ impalement; while the latter text names the woman with the two Marys as Salome. It is conjectured on similar grounds that Salome was also the fleshly sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This has been suggested because the scripture at John 19:25 names the same two Marys, Mary Magdalene and “the wife of Clopas” (generally understood to be the mother of James the Less and of Joses), and also says: “By the torture stake of Jesus, however, there were standing his mother and the sister of his mother.” If this text (aside from mentioning Jesus’ mother) is speaking of the same three persons mentioned by Matthew and Mark, it would indicate that Salome was the sister of Jesus’ mother. On the other hand, Matthew 27:55 and Mark 15:40, 41 state that there were many other women present who had accompanied Jesus, and therefore Salome may have been among them.
--Insight on the Scriptures, þ 841, "Salome" #1
Also, an interesting discussion on a word 'amhaarets' in the 1995 Watchtower, April 1, þ 10, ¶ 1, "accursed" (and footnote); as well as the Insight on the Scriptures, þ 600-601 "People of the Land (Earth)"
Is God's active force as a factor to be ignored because we as humans do not understand it? Not hardly, because if that were the case, then we would have to ignore atomic, molecular, and electron forces which we can observe the effects of, yet do not understand. Even gravity has not been resolved how it works, what makes the force active. It was once thought that the universe was made up of mostly observable mass. Then later it was realized that there are forces acting upon the planets, stars, solar systems, even the galaxies, therefore by evidence there is an even larger amount of what is known as "dark matter", which makes up such a large amount of the universe, though unobservable, that it dwarfs the observable mass. But humans don't understand this yet unseen mass, or possibly an effect behaving like mass. Yet now it's realized that there is what they now call "dark energy" in the universe. It's an energy that at astronomical distances is stronger than gravity, and works it's force on all of the matter in the universe. Now it dwarfs the total of the "dark energy" and observable mass combined. The effects of this energy are seen, observed, detected, but like the wind blowing, the energy itself is not seen. And unlike the wind, this energy is even less understood, even though it dwarfs the wind in power and effect.
Even under the most strict scientific guidelines, there are forms of energy that are beyond human comprehension. So, how far of a "leap of faith" from those other forms of energy is it? to accept that God has an active force which He can and does direct to perform His will, be it to move galaxies, repell electrons, or embed a life force into the womb of a human virgin. In Isaiah 40:12 humans are asked 'who can measure these things', for a certainty it is not humans. (The question God asked is basically "who has measured them?" and was not "who has made a statistical estimate?". An important difference considering the subject of importance and ability being posed there.) And anyone would have to admit, that many things done as a result of technological progress today, would have been considered in the past as accomplishments once thought possible only by a god. There is much humans have yet to learn, so much that we will never come to that end. Who says living forever would be boring? What a limited insight those have! (Proverbs 18:15) Especially joyful will be knowing that such life will be under the care of a Creator Who Cares!
If Jesus while on earth took note of two simple small coins by a woman with significantly limited income, who took out of what she needed, as opposed to many of the 'wants' that people had back then (which are comparitively few compared to the many, many 'wants' in modern days, to the point that even television has been registered by some governments as a 'necessity' of life) then how much more will he now in a better viewing position notice the five year old little child who deposites his/her few coins of allowance or maybe even token earnings, or the little recognized publisher who faithfully picks up some little pieces of trash from the Kingdom Hall floor in order to maintain cleanliness, or even the elders wife who holds back from leaning too heavily on her husband while he once again goes off to offer solace or counsel to another publisher in need, and the elder who is offers a nuance of insight to one mature publisher in a better position of experience, insight, or familiarity (with the situation), that they may offer needed assistance to another brother or sister in need of companionship out in service. Yes, the 'widows mite' can come in many forms, and in many ways, and most assuradely never goes unrecognized by Christ and his Father, even if it is missed by all humans on earth. (both Luke 16:10 and 1Corinthians 15:58) Keep in mind that all offerings are voluntary (1Chronicles 29:9) and very much appreciated. If you think that what you drop in is of little consequence, then perhaps consider that the fish and bread of Matthew 14:17 and 15:36 were volunteered as well, and look how much they accomplished when used within God's arrangement under Christ's direction.
The scriptures have always supported the maintenance of one's own thinking faculties. (Proverbs 1:4; 2:11; 3:21; 5:2; 8:12) Even the kings of Israel were commanded to make a copy of the laws of God in order to maintain this delicate mental balance and ability of being able to mentally weigh out all facts outside of beclouding false 'factoids', beliefs, and opinions. Thus, a personal attempt at collecting empirical data is essential. For instance, if you were raised believing that if some hope were verbally expressed that you should 'knock on wood' so that it wouldn't fail, then try a few experiments, becoming for a little while a personal analyst and scientist. State aloud that you would like a glass of water to be filled up, then fill it without knocking on any wood. Then make a sandwich, drive your car, go to work, buy groceries, perform all sorts of activities. If ever the total of all of the events occurs without total failure comes to around 50% or less, then for a certainty you'll realize that knocking on wood is the superstition that it is, worth no more than the exhalation that is passed and gone in it's expression. So again, become a personal scientist in discovering the beauties and amazing understandings that can be found in the scriptures. From the threads of contemplation over how Jerusalem was also the location where Abraham offered a tenth of everything he owned to Mel·chiz'e·dek, priest to Jehovah (Genesis 14:18; which such things will tantalize those loving trivia) to the depth of understanding how the picture painted for us in Romans 11:24 pointed to the Abrahamic type and the Jehovah God, greater Abrahamic antitype of grafted olive branches (which would satisfy those who enjoy digging for values far greater than gold and pearls).
After a time, once a sufficient amount of emperical data is collected, then a conclusion can be drawn. This is where logic plays a role. The validation of what the collective data points to. The proofs as discovered and summarized into a coherent whole. This is accoplished by constructing a mental picture or understanding of what the information leads to, leaving room for updates and corrections as they are discovered. (Hence, the brighter discovery of existing truths (Psalm 97:11), as opposed to remaining fixated within the musty walls of tradition and doctrinal regimentation for the sake of the doctrine). Jesus came to start a fire on the earth (12:49), and this was intended in part to burn off the trappings that controlling religions held over the mental abilities of human kind as individuals and as a whole. This has been met with great success. However, runaway freedom from the escaped trappings can lead to chaos and failure if proper limits at gain are not held, thus the importance of holding fast to scriptural principles and standards, which keep a person 'grounded' and prevents 'flighty thinking', a danger opposite regimented control, but no less dangerous.
When a scientist, a theorist, or a mathematician checks a collected set of evidence in order to verify its correctness, they perform a mental stimulus that is very different from reading a newspaper or story. While reading the data, they will probably verify any claims, draw inferences, ask themselvs questions which may require further verification, cull through a reliable knowledge pool, construct mental pictures, and maybe even begin to develop other points requiring further investigation. (This is the constant loop that any true science finds itself in) The entire set of data may even be contructed, then reconstructed and rebuilt until a working resolve of all paradoxical appearances and/or conflicts are settled. This is often aided by using one's personal domain of specific knowledge, which may in turn be altered during this process. Such resolve of personal understanding may be reviewed from beginning to end several times, and sometimes it helps to produce an shortened version which can be encompassed within a single train of thought (much like a large image is thumbnailed in order to allow for faster downloads). This allows for uninterrupted attention to the important aspects of the mental model being built, the details being filled and fitted until the entire model can be completed, allowing for unended pointers toward further data collection or points of investigation.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) Known as "Mahatma." Indian nationalist and spiritual leader who developed the practice of nonviolent disobedience, advocate of passive resistance that forced Great Britain to grant independence to India (1947). He was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic.
Dr. Hans Dieter Betz was born in the Federal Republic of Germany, studied initially at the University of Mainz, then eventually ended up becoming a Professor at the University of Chicago. An author of several books, He was regarded by many scholars as "the best New Testament scholar", even digging into pagan writings in order to glean extra-Biblical insights into the origins of Christian growth and history, as well as more importantly the climate in which the teachings of Christ spread and grew. He was also regarded as a humanitarian that looked after the personal interest of people even against strong tides of public opinion, as well as held a distaste for hypocrisy in agreement with Lucian (an ancient Stoic philospher).
The Catholics call them the "Beatitudes". Others call them the "Commandments of Blessedness". (some use both phrases). Some list them as eight distinct items, others as nine. However, such points are trivial to the actual content of Matthew 5:3-12. A comparison of Psalm 23 with this passage shows that even centuries before Christ came to the earth, King David was on a heartfelt track along the same lines, relying on Jehovah with implicit as well as expressed love and trust.
In Matthew 23:30 Jesus repeated a claim the scribes and Pharisees made that "If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we wouldn't have joined them in spilling the prophet's blood." They proved false to their claim, as recounted in Matthew 27:25, when they said, "So, smear his blood on us and on our children." This fulfilled the judgement levied upon them by Jesus in Matthew 23:31, where he said, "So, you witness against yourselves: You are descendants of those who murdered the prophets" (and hence the appropriate judgement rendered later in verses 37 & 38). In contrast, this should give emphasis to Christs words to 'doubting' Thomas in John 20:39, "'Do you believe because you have seen me?' asks Jesus. 'Those who can believe without having to see are the ones to be congratulated." (The Complete Gospels, Robert J. Miller) Remember in Chapter 6 þ 85 the subject of things that cannot be seen, yet are understood to exist. How foolish it would be to ignore the reality of an unseen cliff side, just because it momentarily couldn't be percieved. The same risk is avoided by investigating and accepting the reality of God and His son, Jesus Christ, even if they cannot be physically perceived.
Of the original twelve, only two can one can be verified as having survived their life course up to and past the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Here is what is accurately known regarding the Apostles (while many traditions abound, some conflicting):
It is possible that many of the apostles were still alive at the time that James wrote his letters to the congregations, which was probably somewhere close to ten years before the destruction of Jerusalem, and some four six years before the initial 'pointed stakes' fulfillment of the Roman 'visit' to Jerusalem in 66 C.E. Yet he provided timely warning for the early Christians who yet faced intense persecution by Roman decree, not only for those in Jerusalem, but world wide and across the spans of time to us today, who sit on the brink of Satan's last-ditch attempt at preventing God's purposes from being fulfilled. Just like a team of experts who are about to enter into a moment of intense activity requiring their utmost mental awareness as well as accurate and precise execution, such as a doctor and his team at the operating table, so it is with each one of us, we must simplify our minds and lives, clarify our goals, and cleanse ourselves of any distractions or personal issues that could and would impair our abilities to execute swiftly (James 1:19) in accurate obedience when the directions are given, when our assignments are rendered to us. This is the advice given us by Peter, which proved invaluable to the first century Chrisitians. The evidence of this is that the truth as been preserved for our gleaning from the scriptures today, as well as the mockery and respectful dignity rendered against our brothers and sisters back then contained within secular writings.
James’ purpose in writing seems to have been twofold:
- (1) to exhort his fellow believers to display faith and endurance amid their trials, and
- (2) to warn them against sins resulting in divine disapproval.
--Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1, þ 1253, "James, Letter of"
I can remember when one of my boys was just learning to walk, and had mastered the skill quite well. However the first time he went to step over a curb while holding the hand of a friend about two years older, he tripped and fell, gashing open his forhead. A quick trip to the emergency room confirmed that stitches would be required. A quick injection of pain killer, caused him to panic and flair his hands. Thus to install the threads that would close the wound, I and the doctor agreed that it would be necessary to bind his hands down in order to most safely and efficiently complete the task. My son could not yet speak in full sentences, but he did know few words which pointed to desired goals. In this case, he repeatedly appealed to us, "All done! All done! All done!"
Some days it seems like it's only my studious realization and reliance on Jehovah's, and His assigned King Jesus Christ's, loving concern for us that helps me to keep from making these words my repeated prayer. The procedure on my son didn't last more than ten or fifteen minutes, however to a little boy who hadn't lived two years yet, it probably seemed like an eternity. Someday we'll look back on this time and come to the conclusion that time-wise, we had decided 'just in the knick of time' to serve Jehvovah, whether it be five, ten, thirty, or one hundred years before Jehovah cleanses the earth of all wickedness, from whence we will have escaped. Such short spans of time that now encompass our lifetimes will seem as mere moments compared to the endless measurements of time we'll have to eventually develop.
The contents of a future dictionary:
Qualem: noun, a) a period of time containing 1025 Billion years. b) Thus far the average human lifetime
I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands for right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.
-- Abraham Lincoln
I was suffering from a lack of internet access for a couple of weeks, so in case you noticed that I haven't updated this, that's why. This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
Regarding the Greek word :charakter: used in Hebrews 1:3 the following references state:
Vine's Expository:
<2,,5481,charakter>Strong's Lexicon:
denotes, firstly, "a tool for graving" (from charasso, "to cut into, to engross;" cp. Eng., "character," "characteristic"); then, "a stamp" or "impress," as on a coin or a seal, in which case the seal or die which makes an impression bears the "image" produced by it, and, vice versa, all the features of the "image" correspond respectively with those of the instrument producing it. In the NT it is used metaphorically in Heb. 1:3, of the Son of God as "the very image (marg., 'the impress') of His substance." RV. The phrase expresses the fact that the Son "is both personally distinct from, and yet literally equal to, Him of whose essence He is the adequate imprint" (Liddon). The Son of God is not merely his "image" (His charakter), He is the "image" or impress of His substance, or essence. It is the fact of complete similarity which this word stresses in comparison with those mentioned at the end of No. 1. In the Sept., Lev. 13:28, "the mark (of the inflammation).""In John 1:1-3, Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2,3, the special function of creating and upholding the universe is ascribed to Christ under His titles of Word, Image, and Son, respectively. The kind of Creatorship so predicated of Him is not that of a mere instrument or artificer in the formation of the world, but that of One 'by whom, in whom, and for whom' all things are made, and through whom they subsist. This implies the assertion of His true and absolute Godhood" (Laidlaw, in Hastings' Bib. Dic.).
Note: The similar word charagma, "a mark" (see GRAVEN and MARK), has the narrower meaning of "the thing impressed," without denoting the special characteristic of that which produces it, e.g., Rev. 13:16,17. In Acts 17:29 the meaning is not "graven (charagma) by art," but "an engraved work of art."
5481 charakter {khar-ak-tare'}The Blue Letter Bible:
from the same as 5482; TDNT - 9:418,1308; n m
AV - express image 1; 1
1) the instrument used for engraving or carving 2) the mark stamped upon that instrument or wrought out on it 2a) a mark or figure burned in (Lev. 13:28) or stamped on, an impression 2b) the exact expression (the image) of any person or thing, marked likeness, precise reproduction in every respect, i.e facsimile
image 2Cr 4:4, Col 1:15,16Note also, the related word :charax: is used in Luke 19:43 (sharpen, or pointed stake).
Understanding that Jesus is indeed the expressed image, or exact (sharpened, or carved) representation of the true God makes for much easier correlation as humans, in that Jesus' life, his ministry, and his promises are also an impression of the desires and end goals of the most powerful and loving being in the universe.
Note that the standard fare for business and government today seems to be: destroy, fund, defend, comply. Using one example, such as automobiles, it is in the interest of 'economic growth' that old cars be destroyed, then funds allocated toward new designs to outmode the old, defend the cash flow by agressively selling and denigrating the old models, forcing everyone to comply to the extend possible with the new models in production. Government too does what it can to destroy or dispose of the old regime or cabinet, they fund the new government, and defend their actions as well as new policies, then force the citizens to comply with the new changes, ignorance being no excuse. This kind of thinking is major problem for people's lives as well, the old being thought of as outmoded, useless, liablilities on the economic and social system. It's in the interest of current tenants of design by current human society to not only be unaware of the importance of each human life as an individual, viewing the masses as a collective problem, at best reducing each life to a number, but also it creates an atmosphere whereby a decision made in some distant office can have huge and calloused impacts upon the lives of many others. The decision maker having been desensitized by the distance of office walls and the corporate/goverment structure.
Jesus cared for people as individuals, treating each person with respect and dignity (Matthew 15:32; Luke 8:48; Mark 7:33). Even with his enemies he spoke directly to the problem, and did not himself, nor allow them to sidetrack the discussion into meaningless side issues, which would only serve to waste time and create uneccessary emotional pressure. (Note how in John 8:41,42 the pharisees attempted to sidetrack the issue with the dispariging insinuation that Jesus mother had committed fornication, yet Jesus kept the discussion dignified and on track) Since any who seek to honestly please God through Christ's example would never qualify as his enemies, then how more more would Christ and his God, Jehovah, wish to care for our needs. And being able to see each of us as individuals, a performance far beyond the ability of any single human, they well know what it is we need. And it's something this old world cannot offer. Which is everlasting life and peace while worshipping the one true God.
It's interesting that in the previous book study book (Daniel book), which was a study of prophecy and Daniels life, we arrive at the same point in the spectrum of truth in this book, being a study of science fact and how it fits in with biblical teachings. The truth is truly absolute, in that no matter what direction one targets a study of the scriptures, the conclusions net the same results. Just as 2 × 2 = 22 = 8 ÷ 2 = 4 are all absolute truths, so is the reality of God's creation, whether approached through a study of the Bible, theocratic history, scientific study, or otherwise. Truth by Jehovah God is the one universal absolute. (Isaiah 55:11)
While we celebrate and deeply appreciate the fact that Jesus Christ proved himself worthy of being the saviour of mankind, it should never be forgotten that it was at great risk of his loss of life, a risk taken also by Jehovah, Jesus being his only begotten firstborn son. Hence, like no other personality in existance, Jesus had the opportunity to be the greatest blessing, or the greatest reproach upon his Father's name. So this story of Christ's life can also be understood as the greatest act of trust ever offered to living creatures the universe over.
God's Son willingly accepted the assignment. This is evident from Philippians 2:5-8; he "emptied himself" of his heavenly glory and spirit nature and "took a slave's form" in submitting to the transferal of his life to the earthly, material, human plane. The assignment before him represented a tremendous responsibility; so very much was involved. By remaining faithful he would prove false Satan's claim, recorded in the case of Job, that under privation, suffering, and test, God's servants would deny Him. (Job 1:6-12; 2:2-6) As the firstborn Son, Jesus, of all God's creatures, could give the most conclusive answer to that charge and the finest evidence in favor of his Father's side in the larger issue of the rightfulness of Jehovah's universal sovereignty. Thereby he would prove to be "the Amen . . . , the faithful and true witness." (Re 3:14) If he failed, he would reproach his Father's name as none other could.In selecting his only-begotten Son, Jehovah, of course, was not 'laying his hands hastily upon him,' with the risk of being 'a sharer in possible sins,' for Jesus was no novice likely to get "puffed up with pride and fall into the judgment passed upon the Devil." (Compare 1Ti 5:22; 3:6.) Jehovah 'fully knew' his Son from his intimate association with him during countless ages past (Mt 11:27; compare Ge 22:12; Ne 9:7, 8) and could therefore assign him to fulfill the unerring prophecies of His Word. (Isa 46:10, 11) Thus God was not arbitrarily or automatically guaranteeing "certain success" for his Son simply by placing him in the role of the prophesied Messiah (Isa 55:11), in the manner that the theory of predestinarianism claims.
--Insight on the Scriptures, volume 2, þ 67, "Jesus Christ", subheading "Tested and Perfected".
His concern for his mother, and his trust that John would remain faithful emulated the same love and trust displayed by his Father, Jehovah God. It is not unimportant that this was displayed in the last act he performed toward any human before his death, trumped only by his implicit trust in the one true God of the universe, relying on Him for the one single resurrection which would bring relief to all others, and forever.
Many people think of God as being powerful, Almighty, decisive, and all manner of other adjectives describing his grand abilities. But after going through the material presented in this book, pause and take a moment to realize that unlike humans who can scale equipment and machinery from extreme sensitivity, and therefor weak on one end of the spectrum, to powerful and massive uses, and therefor less sensitive, Jehovah God has the ability to accomplish both ends of this spectrum in a single act. While maintaining the sensitivity of atoms and their subparticles, he produces massive stars so large that if positioned in the same center as our sun, we'd be engulfed in them. Or in reverse He understands and maintains black holes, keeping them from running away and making one huge lump of the universe, holding the crushing grasp at bay while keeping molecules, atoms, and other sub particles from falling prey on a universal scale to their influence. Humans often control effects by percentages of allowance, while the Creator is able to control all effects accomplished by Him at the exact levels at which the effects take place. So when Christ was impaled, Jehovah felt pain at heart, not only because of the physical pain thrust upon him, but also the merciless dishonor thrust upon him by being killed on a stake, as well as mocked for claiming to be God's son.
God is sensitive, because God is love. (1John 4:8)
As the book points out, the drama is established for the sake of clear understanding on our part of the events, as and how they apply to us individually. How loving of Jehovah to make things so clear to us who seek it!
The human brain is so well developed by our designer that sometimes we can't quite soak in immediately certain information that would be so eventful so as to put us into irreversable mental shock. For example, the death of a loved one becomes an awareness that grows over time, even though the words might be plainly spoken to us in one painful moment in a small room attached to a hospital Emergency room. There is a reverse affect to this when the news is good as well, which helps in many cases from falling prey to false information that is too good to be true. Note the events as they unfolded for Martha in John 11:19-44. Our mental faculties slow down the information sufficiently to allow certain healthful doubts to give our brains time to process the information as verifiable, or not. Jesus understood this process, as in John 11:40 he did not accuse Martha as not being faithful even though she just expressed some doubt. The information that her brother could be resurrected was too good, that certain doubts remained embedded until the fact that Lazurus actually was resurrected removed them faster than if the understanding had been reinforced over time. Martha and the crowd there were but one source of eyewitness evidence to the abilities of Jesus Christ, during a time when Jesus had less authority than after his resurrection.
Jesus could have appeared first to Peter, John, or one of the other male disciples. Instead, he chose to favor these women by making them the first eyewitnesses of his resurrection and by commissioning them to bear witness about it to his male disciples. How did the men initially react? The record states: "These sayings appeared as nonsense to them and they would not believe the women." (Luke 24:11) Could it be that they found the testimony difficult to accept because it came from women? If so, in time they received abundant evidence that Jesus had been raised from the dead. (Luke 24:13-46; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Today, Christian men act wisely when they take into account the observations of their spiritual sisters.-Compare Genesis 21:12.
--The Watchtower, 1995, July 15, þþ 17-18, ¶ 7. " Christian Women Deserve Honor and Respect"
The Greek word used in 1Timothy 6:19 regarding "the real life" is :zoe:, which according to the following references means Strong's Lexicon:
2222 zoe {dzo-ay'} from 2198; TDNT - 2:832,290; n f AV - life 133, lifetime 1; 134 1) life 1a) the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate 1b) every living soul 2) life 2a) of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature 2b) life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.This Greek term is used also in over 134 passages in the Christian Greek scriptures. Here are a few examples in which it makes for heightened understanding when the full term "the real life" is substitued for "life", or in some cases "lifetime":
The Bible in 50 Words:
God made, Adam feed,
Noah arked, Abram's seed,
Jacob fooled, Joseph ruled,
Bush burned, Moses talked,
Pharaoh plagued, nation walked,
Law assessed, faithful blessed,
Judge anointed, Saul uphanded,
Kingdom typed, prophets branded,
Throne torn, Jesus born,
Love talked, hatred killed,
Hope rose, spirit filled,
Word urges, Christ purges,
Jehovah's reign.
"In another thousand years, things that cost a lot of money now will be free. In a thousand years people will be able to fly and the dead will rise from their graves. The world will be so interesting that newborn babies will be able to walk and talk, but this will only happen in a thousand years. That's O.K. - time passes quickly."
--4th grader visiting The Israel Museum in Jerusalem
Here's in interesting article that rightly asserts that understanding the true origin of the family arrangement will lead to a happy family life.
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