Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
A M a g a z i n e o f U n d e r s t a n d i n g
Page 4
O
ne of my responsibilities as managing editor is
to write an editorial for this space to introduce March-April 2011 Volume 16, Number 2 Circulation: 328,000
the theme of each issue. However, considering The Good News (ISSN: 1086-9514) is published bimonthly by the United Church of God, an International
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astronomy, said, “There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Darris McNeely, Melvin Rhodes (chairman), Mario Seiglie, Robin Webber
Bible than in any profane [i.e., secular] history.” Church president: Dennis Luker Media operation manager: Peter Eddington Managing editor: Scott Ashley
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The brilliant German scholar and philosopher Immanuel Kant said:
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Bible. George Washington, first president of the United States, said, “It Italy: La Buona Notizia, Chiesa di Dio Unita, Casella Postale 187, 24121 Bergamo Centro, Italy
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John Quincy Adams, sixth U.S. president, wrote, “So great is my Mauritius: P.O. Box 53, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius E-mail: mauritius@ucg.org
veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it the Nigeria: United Church of God–Nigeria, P.O. Box 2265 Somolu, Lagos, Nigeria
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more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens South Africa: United Church of God, 343 Brooks Street, Menlo Park, 0081, Pretoria, South Africa
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Zambia: P.O. Box 23076, Kitwe, Zambia Phone: (02) 226076 E-mail: zambia@ucg.org
chapters of the Bible every morning immediately after rising . . . It Zimbabwe: P.O. Box 928, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe Phone: 011716273 E-mail: zimbabwe@ucg.org
seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day . . . It is Pacific region
an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue.” Australia and Papua New Guinea: United Church of God–Australia
GPO Box 535, Brisbane, Qld. 4001, Australia Phone: 07 55 202 111 Free call: 1800 356 202
Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president, stated: “In regard to this Fax: 07 55 202 122 Website: www.ucg.org.au E-mail: info@ucg.org.au
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Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. president, said, “A thorough knowl- ASIA
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Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. president, said, “Of the many influences Philippines: P.O. Box 81840, DCCPO, 8000 Davao City, Philippines Phone and fax: +63 82 224-4444
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What is your view of this greatest of all books? Do you honor and All AREAS AND NATIONS not listed
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mind as you read this issue—then blow the dust off your Bible and
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—Scott Ashley, Managing editor Address changes: POSTMASTER—Send address changes to
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The Bible—Miracle of Miracles! King James, who brought us the King James Bible 4
Do you realize and have you considered that it took many mir-
acles, over a span of several thousand years, to make the entire
Word of God available and affordable to us in many languages?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Read the Book!
Advertising executive and writer Bruce Barton wrote about it under
the title The Book Nobody Knows. And he was right—few under-
stand it. Yet no other book is more important to you and your future!. . . . . . . 12
The Spiritual Reality Behind The King’s Speech
The movie The King’s Speech highlights the struggle of Britain’s King
George VI to overcome a speech impediment. Behind the film is the
historical reality of the deep religious faith of a man and a nation.. . . . . . . . . 16
What’s Behind the Turmoil in Egypt?
Photos, from top: Wikimedia, Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom, Shaun Venish Cover: iStockphoto/Snaun Venish
Recent headlines have been filled with accounts of riots, protests and
demonstrations in several Middle Eastern countries. What’s behind
More trouble in the troubled Middle East 19 them? What does it all mean? Does Bible prophecy provide any clues?. . . . . . . 19
14
Would Jesus Christ Celebrate Easter?
For millions of people, Easter Sunday is the
12 most important religious
observance of the year. But if Jesus Himself walked the dusty roads
Debt in trillions of 2009 dollars
March/April 2011 3
GOOD NEWS FEATURE • The Book That Changed the World
That Changed
by John Ross Schroeder
the World
In its 400-year history, the King James Version has been the most year’s festivities have been described as
being “of biblical proportions.” About 70
printed and the most influential of all Bible translations. Commissioned anniversary events have been planned.
by England’s King James I, this Bible translation produced in 1611 There will be an exhibition at St. John’s
transformed English life and culture. Several billion copies have been College in Cambridge. Other celebratory
events will occur from Aberdeen, Scot-
published. What makes this book so unique? land, to Plymouth in the southwest part of
England—including reading marathons,
T
lectures, conferences and even concerts.
he Bible remains the most funda- erature: of virtue and vice, atonement and Already, BBC Radio 4, with a U.K.-wide
mental book gracing our Western repentance, resurrection and immortality. listening audience, is presenting regular
civilization. Along with the works It has inspired the best and most accessible readings from various books in the King
of William Shakespeare, the King architecture. It undergirds and safeguards James Version.
James Version played an important our constitutional and legal tradition” Oxford University Press (publishers of
role in the formation of the English lan- (“A Cure for Our National Amnesia,” the KJV since the 17th century) will spon-
guage itself. As author Alan Thomas put it, Standpoint, November 2010). sor the printing of a special 1,520-page
“No book has had greater influence on the Still monumental in the English-speaking quadricentennial edition.
English language” (Great Books and Book world, the King James Version stands at the Not to be outdone, the Americans will
Collectors, 1988, p. 110). The KJV has very heart of our cultural and even our gov- hold celebrations at the Dunham Bible
repeatedly been referred to as “the noblest ernmental legacy. After all, English common Museum in Houston, Texas. Other events
monument of English prose.” law was originally founded on biblical prin- will take place in Kentucky, Louisiana
Even today, the King James Bible very ciples, mainly due to the efforts of pioneer and other Bible Belt states. Also a spe-
much remains part of our collective cul- statesmen like the early English ruler Alfred cial conference at Ohio State University
tural thinking. Elegantly written and also the Great (849-899). In 2009 U.S. President in Columbus will highlight the enduring
the most poetic and rhythmic of all biblical Barack Obama took the oath of office on literary legacy and influence of the King
translations, the King James Version holds the same copy of the King James Bible that James Version on noted writers like the
an exclusive status in our literary history. Abraham Lincoln had used nearly 150 years early 20th-century Southern novelist
Wrote the conservative British theo- before in 1861. William Faulkner.
logian Michael Nazir-Ali: “Without that But why such national celebrations in
[biblical] tradition, it is impossible to Celebrations in America and Britain the English-speaking world? Let’s briefly
understand the language, the literature, the Officially, the English-speaking world summarize the background to see how and
art or even the science of our civilisation. celebrates the King James Version’s 400th why this book has played a monumental
It provides the grand themes in art and lit- anniversary on May 2, 2011. In Britain this role in history.
sion’s New Testament is Tyndale’s” (Wil- Men died to bring you the Book so he could continue translating the Old
liam Tyndale: A Biography, 1994, p. 1). In May of 1535, the authorities finally Testament.
In his autobiography the late movie actor cornered and arrested the elusive Tyn- On Oct. 6, 1536, he was bound to a stake,
Charlton Heston (star of Ben Hur, The Ten dale, halting his goal of translating the strangled and burned. His final prayer was
Commandments and El Cid) marveled that entire Bible into English from the original for God to open the eyes of the king of
a committee could produce such a monu- biblical languages. Even while Tyndale England.
mental classic as the King James Version. endured the most horrendous conditions in The religious establishment cruelly mar-
Although the KJV’s skilled team of a dreadful prison near Brussels, Belgium, tyred the man who some scholars believe—
translators must be accorded due credit for he requested a Hebrew grammar book in his mastery of the English rhythm,
‘The number of manuscripts of the New Testament, ries from now, and someone translating it then might of Bible software packages or for free viewing on
of early translations from it, and of quotations from need to use the word “die” instead—a meaning-to- various Internet sites. With these, you can compare
it in the oldest writers of the Church, is so large that meaning rendering rather than a literal one. Ancient between different versions nearly instantaneously.
edge of the Holy consider the rule of law, property rights, the rights of
all individual citizens, education, charity and chari-
The pagan world had little sympathy for those who
were sick. Alleviating their suffering was not a pri-
standing of the Bible. equal before God. The apostle Peter said: “In
truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in
public did not exist until Christianity introduced
them” (Alvin Schmidt, How Christianity Changed
every nation, whoever fears Him and works righ- the World, 2004, p. 155). As time went by, hospi-
teousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35, tals were established in greater numbers with the
emphasis added throughout). influence of Christianity based on premier biblical
The apostle Paul adds: “There is neither Jew nor commandments like “love your neighbor as your-
Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither self” and the Golden Rule (Matthew 22:39-40;
male nor female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ” 7:12; Luke 6:31). The entire Bible is built on the
(Galatians 3:28; compare Colossians 3:10-11). foundation of these major sayings alongside the
God Himself rescued a large group of slaves from command to love God with all one’s being.
ancient Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). Christian charity remains a basic teaching of
Slavery has been deeply entrenched in the cul- the Bible that has benefited humanity. The apostle
ture of mankind for several thousand years. Yet Paul wrote, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let
a number of Jesus Christ’s true teachings were us do good to all, especially to those who are of the
advanced because of the influence of the Bible— household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
resulting in many positive developments in soci- Education is another bulwark of biblical benefits.
phrasing and styling—has never been ety. Indeed, when efforts were begun to abolish Jesus Himself was a great teacher (John 1:38)—
equaled as a Bible translator. F.F. Bruce slavery in the Western world, convictions based on and He taught His disciples to teach others what
caught the spirit of his genius: “Tyndale, the Christian Bible came to the forefront. He had taught them (Matthew 28:18-20). One
working under the white heat of potential “Christians were the first group in history to approach of Christianity that was revolutionary at
martyrdom, rises at times to a poetic glow, start an antislavery movement . . . William Wilber- the time was that it offered teaching to both men
transcending the style of the original Greek” force spearheaded a campaign that began with and women in the same setting. All were expected
(The Books and the Parchments, 1950 almost no support and was driven entirely by his to learn the principles of the Christian faith. Aquila
edition, p. 13). Christian convictions . . . Eventually Wilberforce and Priscilla taught the preacher Apollos “the way
Bruce summarized the disheartening triumphed, and in 1833 slavery was outlawed in of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
circumstances: “Tyndale died a martyr’s Britain” (Dinesh D’Souza, What’s So Great About As time went by, the positive effects of Chris-
death, vilified by authorities in church and Christianity? 2007, p. 71). The American Civil War tianity continued to exert influence in the educa-
state in England. Nothing was too bad to was fought largely over slavery, and the slaves tional realm of society. Many of the great early uni-
say about the translation. Thousands of were freed after this conflict ended. versities in Britain and America were established
Consider also the rule of law and property with the express purpose of training men for the
copies were seized on entering the country
rights. The Ten Commandments, which constitute clergy or educating young people in the ways of
and publicly burned” (The Books and the
the basic law from God for all mankind and pro- the Bible.
Parchments, 1984, p. 216). vide the bedrock for a proper human legal system, All the inhabitants of the Western world, whether
Yet, paradoxically, Tyndale’s final prayer fully support property rights. The Eighth and Tenth Christian or not, have benefited immensely from
was answered only months later when the Commandments against stealing and covetous- the teachings of Scripture. Where would we be
English-language translation was finally ness directly address the right to own property without the Bible?
accepted by the crown. “Within months of (Exodus 20:15, 17; Deuteronomy 5:19, 21). —John Ross Schroeder and Noel Hornor
Tyndale’s martyrdom, a complete English
Bible, two-thirds of it Tyndale’s work,
and licensed by Henry VIII, was circulat- the King James Bible force us to confront conduct of the English-speaking peoples
ing in Britain” (Daniell, The English Bible,a profound question: Will we honor their who once prized the Bible leaves a lot to
p. 157). efforts, or will we let the moral teachings be desired.
What a debt we owe to those who paid of Scripture slip through our fingers and Michael Nazir-Ali observed in the same
with their lives to give us the Word of God!finally fall to the ground? article quoted earlier: “So many of the pre-
What we view on television, see in cious freedoms that we value today, the
The Bible’s value to us today movies, listen to on the radio and find on fair treatment of workers and the care of
The sufferings and sacrifices of men like the Internet is often contemptuous of tra- those in need, arise from values given to
Tyndale, Wycliffe and the translators of ditional biblical values. The behavior and us by the Judaeo-Christian tradition. These
March/April 2011 7
GOOD NEWS FEATURE • The Book That Changed the World
I
in the King James Version of the Bible or its
f you like The Good News magazine, What are you going to do? predecessors:
you’ll love The Good News website at The basic problem confronting us today • Salt of the earth.
www.GNmagazine.org. is not the same one that faced William Tyn-
dale in the early part of the 16th century. If • Two-edged sword.
You’ll find past issues of The Good News, • Fly in the ointment.
you had lived back then, unless you read
each packed with articles about world
and understood the Latin language, you • My brother’s keeper.
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reading and study was the sole prerogative
in-depth perspective of the Bible. of priests and the highly educated class. • Eye for an eye.
There’s much more too. Explore our large Today God’s Word has become ever • Scapegoat.
library of booklets covering a wide variety more available in many translations. Com- • Pour out one’s heart.
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• The land of the living.
themes. Take a look at our publications
atlases and other Bible helps are all on the
market in abundance. Available both in • By the skin of one’s teeth.
in other languages—Spanish, German,
print and on the Internet, knowledge about • Apple of one’s eye.
Italian, French and Dutch (and feel free to
the Holy Scriptures has mushroomed • Sour grapes.
share them with a friend overseas).
beyond all expectation. Undreamed of 500
years ago, the widespread availability of • Break bread.
all types of biblical knowledge staggers • Turn the other cheek.
the mind. • To wash one’s hands of something.
Yet there is precious little understand-
• Signs of the times.
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Bible!” While the Bible is a perennial best • Nothing new under the sun.
Use our search tool so you can find infor- seller, many fail to open it up and read it!
• No peace for the wicked.
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Bible Study Course, an online Bible read- Discover the crucial keys that
While you’re there, be sure to take a look can open up the Scriptures
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and Prophecy. This revealing newsletter of reprint articles, back issues of our vari- how basic principles and
ous publications and more. These are all methods of study can make a
will help you understand today’s news huge difference in how much
in the light of Bible prophecy, giving you freely available on our website at www. you understand. See how you can live what you
a perspective you won’t find anywhere
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As a college chancellor once said to
else—the perspective of God’s Word. True? and You Can Understand Bible Prophecy.
incoming students, “There is a gold mine
Discover a wealth of information today! of valuable knowledge here, but you have Contact any of our offices listed on page 2,
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The year 2011—the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of something that is more than we can fully
comprehend!
the Bible—is a perfect time to celebrate the “book of books” and its
numerous translations. Let’s reflect on the many miracles, over a span The miracle of divine revelation
of several thousand years, that had to happen to make the entire Word God “created man in His own image”—
the capstone of His creation (Genesis
of God available and affordable in many languages! 1:27). God made man with amazing mental
and spiritual capacities, including the abil-
ity to learn languages. God’s purpose is
to have a personal relationship with each
individual.
With the creation of Adam and Eve, God
began to increasingly communicate His plan
and purpose to humanity “by the mouth of
His holy prophets” (Luke 1:70). “Holy men
of God spoke as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
The Ten Commandments hold a special
place in God’s revelation because God not
only spoke them but also inscribed them on
stone tablets with His own finger (Exodus
24:12; 31:18; 34:1, 28).
But God told Moses to write the rest of
what God was revealing to him (Exodus
17:14; 34:27).
In the greater sense, God is the Author
of the entire Bible, but He has used many
human writers to record His revelation—
about 40 in all!
This 11th-century Hebrew manuscript at left, showing part of Exodus 12, is approximately 1,000 The realization that Almighty God
years old. The papyrus manuscript fragment of the Gospel of Matthew, written in Greek and found openly reveals His plans to us human
in Egypt, is even older, dating to the third or fourth century. beings is breathtakingly inspiring! What
T
an honor! In fact, God has revealed some
he Bible has probably had a predetermined—often in surprising ways. important matters to His prophets and
greater impact on the world than all The Creator and Lawgiver does not apostles that even His angels had been
other books combined! The history break His laws, but neither is He confined wondering about (Ephesians 3:1-12;
of the Bible is amazing and fascinat- by His laws. God created nature and all Colossians 1:24-26; 1 Peter 1:10-12).
ing. Let’s consider just a few of the that is natural, but God also frequently With the completion of the Bible, God
major highlights. does things that are supernatural or outside has revealed all the spiritual knowledge
Many amazing steps took place to pro- the normal operations of the universe. that is essential for mankind to know.
duce, preserve and propagate the Good Also, anytime God intervenes in the
Book. And it has been translated into many affairs of men, even when He is working The miracle of unity and perfection
more languages and distributed in many within His laws, we call it miraculous or In a sense, the Bible is a library of books
more places than any other book. All this providential. composed by about 40 writers with differ-
has required many miracles! Although God is masterminding and ent cultures, personalities, occupations and
orchestrating all His creation, it’s rather writing styles, living in 10 different coun-
What do we mean by “miracles”? amazing how much freedom He allows tries, at different times over a span of about
Many miracles are not overtly and human beings to have. He doesn’t make us 1,500 years! One would think that under
conspicuously spectacular or even imme- into His puppets. “The spirits of the proph- such circumstances countless contradic-
diately apparent. Seldom are there “fire- ets are subject to the prophets,” His Word tions and conflicts would be inevitable.
works” that make a miracle obvious to tells us (1 Corinthians 14:32, emphasis However, miracle of miracles—in spite
all. God usually chooses to work invisibly added throughout). of the Bible’s great diversity, there is per-
Wikimedia
and quietly behind the scenes, steering How God allows freedom of choice fect unity! It is consistent and coherent all
events to bring about the results He has and still determines ultimate outcomes is the way through. With merely a cursory
reading, the Bible appears to have a few Nehemiah 8:8 says of Ezra and the Lev- westward. This contributed to the Euro-
internal contradictions and discrepancies, ites who were teaching the gathered people pean Renaissance and revival of interest in
but a closer examination shows complete of Judah, “So they read distinctly from the Greek, including the Greek Scriptures and
harmony. As Jesus Christ Himself put it, book, in the Law of God; and they gave the their translations into other languages.
“The Scripture cannot be broken” (John sense, and helped them to understand the One more point is critically important.
10:35). reading.” Not only were the teachers here There have always been people who con-
With mere men this would be impossi- helping the people to have spiritual under- sider one language to be holier than all
ble, “but with God all things are possible” standing of the Scriptures, but they were others. For example, some people advocate
(Matthew 19:26). also translating the Hebrew Scriptures that we speak only Hebrew names for God.
into Aramaic for those who had come out If all the Bible had been written in only
The miracle of biblical languages of the Babylonian captivity and did not one language, they would have a stronger
Language is amazing. No one can fully understand Hebrew very well. argument. But the Bible was written using
explain how human beings can learn and There is abundant proof that God is in three languages.
speak languages. favor of translating His Word into all other God is calling people out of “every tribe
And here is an intriguing question: languages. For example, a team of schol- and tongue [language] and people and
When God was communicating everything ars in Alexandria, Egypt, translated the nation” (Revelation 5:9). This requires the
that became the Bible, how did He decide Hebrew Scriptures into Greek by 132 B.C. Bible to be translated into many languages!
which languages to use? That translation, known as the Septuagint,
The scriptures that make up what we was the most popular version of the Scrip- The miracle of survival and preservation
call the Old Testament were revealed and tures in Jesus’ day. When the apostles were of the Scriptures
written mostly in the Hebrew language. writing what became the New Testament Over the centuries, Satan the devil has
The exceptions are the few sections written and referred to the Hebrew Scriptures, they incited and inflamed every imaginable
in Aramaic (i.e., Ezra 4:8–6:18; 7:12-26; were quoting a Greek translation. That plot to extinguish the light of God’s truth.
Jeremiah 10:11; Daniel 2:4–7:28). The translation was evidently the Septuagint, The prophets and other messengers of
scriptures that make up the New Testament at least much of the time. God were usually persecuted and often
were written in Greek. As far as is known to history, the first killed. Satan tried to have Jesus killed
Why did God use primarily one lan- translation of the entire Bible, both Old and from the time He was a baby before
guage (Hebrew) for a long time and then New Testaments, was into Latin by Jerome. finally accomplishing that end when Jesus
switch to another language (Greek)? Later known as the versio vulgata (“com- was 33.
We can’t be sure of the answers until mon version”) or Vulgate, it was finished in Soon after the beginning of the New Tes-
Christ returns, but many Bible scholars and A.D. 405. It was to be the dominant Bible tament Church, “a great persecution arose
others have voiced their speculations. They for the next thousand years. against the church which was at Jerusalem;
are fascinating to consider. We do know For a while, the Vulgate enabled more and they were all scattered” (Acts 8:1).
this: God doesn’t do anything haphazardly. people to read the Bible. But with the pas- However, this worked for good to spread
Each language has its special strengths, sage of time, a self-serving clergy, bent God’s Word. “Therefore those who were
and God had good reasons for choosing the on maintaining power over the people, scattered went everywhere preaching the
ones He did. soon began to prevent the common people word” (Acts 8:4).
A crucial point is this: In Old Testament from owning or even reading the Bible. Another way persecution has worked for
times, God was dealing primarily with one That contributed in part to the Middle good is this: The willingness of Christians
nation, Israel, the nation He “chose” to Ages becoming “the Dark Ages,” because to suffer and even die for their beliefs has
be a model nation (although they largely without Bible knowledge, people are usu- been a powerful witness to others!
failed at that). Hebrew was their national ally not highly motivated to seek other The earliest persecution of Christians was
language. knowledge. primarily by Jewish religious leaders who
In New Testament times, God was ready During the Middle Ages, the Bible was felt their influence jeopardized by the grow-
to spread His truth to all the world. After regarded as something to revere rather than ing new movement. Later persecution was
Alexander the Great conquered much of read, and Latin was promoted as the “holy” primarily instigated by the pagan Roman
the civilized world, Greek (specifically, the language. Hebrew was ridiculed as the lan- rulers who viewed Christianity as a threat
koine or “common” Greek) rather quickly guage of the Jews, and Greek was frowned to the established order since it required
became the universal language. This, in on because the eastern Greek-speaking allegiance to a higher power. And later
turn, enabled Christ’s followers to “go into church had split from the Roman church. still, after a paganized form of Christian-
all the world and preach the gospel to all But, thankfully, religious Jews realized ity became the official state religion of the
creation” (Mark 16:15, New International that the Hebrew Scriptures were “the ora- Roman Empire, persecution was largely on
Version). The importance of this factor cles [or sayings] of God” and meticulously religious grounds—to exterminate differing
can’t be overemphasized. copied and preserved them (Romans 3:2). views and teachings.
Greek-speaking Christians copied and For hundreds of years leading up to
The miracle of translations preserved the Greek Scriptures. the late Middle Ages, religious leaders fre-
God desires for all people to read His When the Byzantine Empire was con- quently confiscated and burned Bibles. Peo-
Word, and that requires His Word to be quered by the Muslims (climaxed by the ple were often put to death merely for having
translated into the various spoken lan- fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in a portion of the Bible in their possession.
guages of people around the world. 1453), many Greek-speaking people fled The Scriptures survived not only because
March/April 2011 11
GOOD NEWS FEATURE • Read the Book!
Advertising executive and writer Bruce Barton wrote about it under the title The dent, perhaps summed it up best when he said,
Book Nobody Knows. No other book is more important to you and your future! “In regard to this Great Book, I have but to
say, it is the best gift God has given to man.”
George Washington, first president of the
United States and still known as the father of
the country, said, “It is impossible to rightly
govern the world without God and the Bible.”
Substance or show?
What about you? How much attention do
you pay to the Bible?
Of the world’s nearly 7 billion inhabitants,
about a third claim to be followers of the
Bible. But how many follow Jesus Christ’s
advice to read that Book? (Matthew 12:3, 5;
19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:31; Mark 2:25; 12:10, 26;
Luke 6:3).
Notice God’s view of those who outwardly
adhere to His words but neglect to live by
them: “These people come near to me with
their mouth and honor me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me. Their worship of
me is made up only of rules taught by men”
P
(Isaiah 29:13, New International Version,
residents, monarchs and judges take the time to actually read the Scriptures. emphasis added throughout).
place their hands on it when they Even fewer understand them. What a remark- God is neither impressed nor pleased with
are sworn into office. Witnesses in able turnaround from earlier generations! empty outward appearances of religion. But
trials place one hand on it while He is pleased with those who deeply respect
they swear to tell the truth, the whole Bible-believing leaders His Word: “This is the one I esteem: he who
truth and nothing but the truth. Many brides A generation ago Dwight Eisenhower, is humble and contrite [repentant] in spirit,
carry it at their weddings. president from 1953 to 1961, extolled the and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2, NIV).
It sits unobtrusively in desk and dresser Scriptures with these words: “The Bible is
drawers of many hotels and motels. Most endorsed by the ages. Our civilization is built The choice is up to you
residences in the Christian world have at least upon its words. In no other Book is there How does God view our choice of whether
one, and often it occupies a place of honor on such a collection of inspired wisdom, reality to live by His Word or not?
the mantel, coffee table or nightstand, where and hope.” When He revealed His instructions to
it gives the impression of being read daily. The legendary Winston Churchill firmly ancient Israel, formerly a slave people in
If it were listed by booksellers, it would believed in the accuracy and integrity of the Egypt, He wanted them to serve as a model
perpetually make the best-seller lists, with Bible. “We reject with scorn all these learned nation to the other peoples around them.
millions of copies sold and given away year and labored myths that Moses was but a leg- Through His servant Moses, God told
after year. It has been translated into more endary figure,” the British statesman wrote. them: “See, I have taught you decrees and
than 2,000 languages and dialects. “We believe that the most scientific view, the laws as the Lord my God commanded me,
This book is, of course, the Bible. most up-to-date and rationalistic conception, so that you may follow them in the land you
But, popular though it is, how many people will find its fullest satisfaction in taking the are entering to take possession of it. Observe
ever take the time to read it? Bible story literally.” them carefully, for this will show your wisdom
A survey by the Barna Research Group, a Many other great leaders have likewise and understanding to the nations, who will
research firm specializing in religious issues, believed in and tried to order their lives hear about all these decrees and say, ‘Surely
found that only one in three Americans read according to the Bible’s instructions. this great nation is a wise and understand-
the Bible regularly or could name the writ- Queen Victoria, who ruled Great Britain ing people.’ What other nation is so great as
ers of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, at the height of its power, exclaimed about to have . . . such righteous decrees and laws
Luke and John). Not even half of those the Bible, “That book accounts for the as this body of laws I am setting before you
surveyed could name even five of the Ten supremacy of England!”
iStockphoto
March/April 2011 13
Gradually disappearing: Debt dysfunction
American economic hegemony in the world in the Western world
S tories about the economic emergence of China,
India and Brazil fill our serious newspapers and
newsmagazines. But economic activity is on the rise
nations, Washington certainly appears to be facing
an uncertain future. The Chinese economic chal-
lenge promises to be very serious. Gideon Rachman
A special edition of Newsweek titled “Issues
2011” recently reported: “As the world
enters 2011, we are adapting to the new real-
elsewhere too. For instance, the 540-mile border wrote in Foreign Policy: “China … has proved its ity of the post-crisis era. At its roots, the cri-
between Syria and Turkey was once pockmarked economic prowess on the global stage. Its economy sis was a symptom of a broader dysfunction
with some 60,000 land mines. Now $2 billion in has been growing at 9 to 10 percent a year, on aver- in our global, political, economic and social
mutual trade moves freely across this formerly hos- age, for roughly three decades. It is now the world’s order. We are now paying, and continuing to
tile border. Turkey is increasingly labeled “the hub leading exporter and its biggest manufacturer, and
of Eurasia.” it is sitting on more than $2.5 trillion of foreign Sooner or later, transgressing
Also, during the last 10 years trade between China reserves … China’s economic prowess is already
and African nations has expanded from $10 billion to allowing Beijing to challenge American influence all God’s law exacts an inevitable
$100 billion. India and Peru have grown much closer over the world. The Chinese are the preferred part- penalty. Even nations end up
as well. More and more South American nations are ners of many African governments and the biggest
looking in the direction of Asia. trading partner of other emerging powers, such as paying that penalty.
A new world economic and political order is begin- Brazil and South Africa … pay, for the sins of the past” (“To Our Read-
ning to take shape. Noted Financial Times colum- “And China is only the largest part of a bigger ers,” December 2010–February 2011).
nist Philip Stephens put it this way: “We are living story about the rise of new economic and political It becomes a matter of more than just pass-
through one of history’s swerves. A multipolar world players … New powers are on the rise: India, Brazil, ing interest that our present plight would be
has been long predicted, but it has always seemed to Turkey. They each have their own foreign-policy pref- described in biblical terms by the chairman
be perched safely on the horizon. Now it has rushed erences, which collectively constrain America’s abil- and executive chairman of a popular American
quite suddenly into the present. Two centuries of ity to shape the world. Think of how India and Brazil newsweekly with an international edition!
western hegemony are coming to a close rather ear- sided with China at the global climate-change talks. According to the Bible, sin is the violation of
lier than many had imagined” (“On the Way to a New Or the votes by Turkey and Brazil against America at God’s law (1 John 3:4). And sooner or later,
Global Balance,” Dec. 17, 2010, emphasis added the United Nations on sanctions against Iran. That is transgressing God’s law exacts an inevitable
throughout). just a taste of things to come” (“Think Again: Amer- penalty. Even nations end up paying that pen-
But what about the fortunes of America, both ican Decline,” January-February 2011). (Sources: alty, and until the penalty is paid it remains as
economically and politically? In contrast to other Financial Times [London], Foreign Policy.) an outstanding debt to justice. The New Tes-
tament sometimes speaks of sin in terms of
debt. Jesus instructed us to pray, “And forgive
American and British He has bestowed on our nations. Many have even cho-
sen to deny the very existence of their Creator and have
us our debts” (Matthew 6:12).
This Newsweek preface goes on to depict
decline foretold in Bible instead accepted the false theory of evolution as well as
secularism in general. Some have embraced a false ver-
some of our specific economic sins: “Gov-
ernments have assumed massive debts to
T he last book in the Bible, Revelation, was penned
by the aged apostle John late in the first cen-
tury, nearly 2,000 years ago. Yet the Holy Scriptures
sion of Christianity, one generally devoid of obedience to
God’s spiritual laws.
Many prefer to believe that the awesome blessings
save the global financial system from total
collapse. As a result, countries are now grap-
pling with higher taxes, severe reductions
remain the most up-to-date book available to our of national wealth and power came either by chance in public goods and services, and dwindling
modern age. They reveal both the origins and the or are the results of their own efforts. Like their investments in education and infrastructure.
prophetic destiny of America and the British Com- ancestors in ancient Israel, they have chosen and are Public disillusionment in business and politi-
currently choosing to ignore God’s patient warnings in cal leadership is dangerously high. Because
The Holy Scriptures reveal both the the Bible. The inevitable outcome of such long-term, of our continued tendency to put off problem
persistent behavior has already been recorded in
origins and the prophetic destiny of Scripture (see Deuteronomy 8:10-14).
resolution, to the detriment of our children
and grandchildren, we may yet trigger a deep
America and the British Common- Many biblical prophecies portray the real repentance social and generational crisis. All these are the
wealth of nations. of God’s people at the return of Jesus Christ to earth. defining features of our new reality.”
Then Americans, Australians, Britons, Canadians, New The Bible simply says, “For the children
monwealth of nations, including Australia, Canada Zealanders and South Africans will return to the true ought not to lay up for the parents, but the
and New Zealand. God. But only after they have suffered severe crises parents for the children” (2 Corinthians 12:14).
Our free, 110-page booklet The United States and worse in many ways than the catastrophes that befell James Hoge, Jr., the now retired editor of For-
Britain in Bible Prophecy charts the whole course, the ancient nations of Israel and Judah. eign Affairs, frankly stated: “The United States’
showing where we have come from and where we The latter-day deliverance of the modern descen- influence, diminished by the rise of other states
are headed. (Please ask for your personal copy or dants of the patriarch Jacob, whose name was and nonstate actors, will be fatally undercut if
read it online.) The final chapter sets out America and changed to Israel, has been recorded by the Old the country does not curb its unsustainable
Britain’s future, first severe national punishment but Testament prophets. Read just one example, this reliance on debt” (Oct. 26, 2010).
mercifully followed by dramatic divine intervention for one concerning the Great Tribulation, which is also If you would like help in coping with any
the remnants of our English-speaking peoples. mentioned in Matthew 24:21 and Daniel 12:1: “How personal debt difficulties, request or download
Far too many present-day Americans, Australians, awful that day will be … It will be a time of trouble our free booklet Managing Your Finances.
Britons and Canadians have refused to acknowledge for Jacob, but [after suffering through it] he will be (Sources: Newsweek, Foreign Affairs.)
the true God and the bountiful undeserved blessings saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7, NIV).
The global famine to come gave at the end of His ministry in Matthew 24, Mark
13 and Luke 21.
(like the one in Queensland, Australia) or earth-
quakes (like the Haitian disaster) tend to exacerbate
March/April 2011 15
The Spiritual Reality Behind The King’s Speech
The movie The King’s Speech highlights the very personal struggle of superpower status and its many victories
over ambitious European powers and its
Britain’s King George VI to overcome a speech impediment. Behind the devotedness to prayer—the outward form
film is the historical reality of the man’s deep religious faith, a conviction of its strict Christian beliefs?
In contrast to a century ago, today reli-
that enabled him to lead the British Empire during its time of greatest trial. gious belief is far rarer among members
of the British military. I asked my nephew,
I
who serves with the Royal Air Force, how
n the last week of 2010 my wife and I mistress would never be acceptable to the many men in his unit hold any religious
went to see the film The King’s Speech, Australian people. Similar protests came beliefs. His reply? “Absolutely no one”!
the Oscar-nominated movie that tells from Canada and South Africa. This is a huge shift from England’s
the story of the struggle of Britain’s historical experience.
King George VI with a speech impedi- Religion played a major role in the Empire On the eve of the Battle of Trafalgar
ment and of his therapist, Australian In reading The Reluctant King, I was against Napoleon’s naval forces in 1805,
Lionel Logue. struck by how much more religious Britain Britain’s Admiral Nelson led the sailors
I was so inspired by much of the movie was at the time than it is now. When, as the in prayer, asking God for victory against
that I searched among my books for one young Prince Albert, he was sent for naval the combined fleets of France and Spain.
I’ve owned for a few years but had never training at Osborne on the Isle of Wight, he Nelson then led the Royal Navy to a great
read. The Reluctant King, by Sarah Brad- found that “discipline was strict, but not, victory, ensuring Britain’s naval supremacy
ford (1989), tells the fascinating story of according to former cadets, unkindly [so], for more than a hundred years.
this remarkable monarch, a man who was although the life was Spartan, beginning at
decidedly not born to be king and who 6 a.m. in summer and 6.30 in winter, when A man of faith leading a religious nation
very reluctantly ascended the throne in the boys, woken by a bugler playing rev- The British people became truly thank-
December 1936 following the abdication eille, were expected to leap out of bed at ful for their new King George VI when he
of his elder brother. the first stroke of the cadet captain’s gong, led them through the dark and threatening
George VI was born in 1895, when his kneel down and say their prayers” (p. 43). days of World War II.
great-grandmother Queen Victoria was Everything was done in a hurry, “at Whereas his elder brother, who had
still very much alive. He lived through the double . . . although extra time was abdicated, was seemingly sympathetic to
the reigns of his grandfather Edward VII allowed for prayers” (ibid.) For “talking Hitler and even met the dictator on one
(1901-1910), his father George V (1910- before grace,” the future king was later occasion, King George would not allow
1936) and his brother Edward VIII (1936). punished (p. 52). Religion was clearly himself to be intimidated by Nazi threats.
He lived during a very interesting time, taken seriously in the Royal Navy at In spite of the danger, he and his wife
when Great Britain was the world’s preem- that time. and two daughters remained in London
inent power. Since the king presided over Another interesting passage appears on throughout the war when most other Euro-
the British Empire, with a quarter of the page 53: “War was very much in the air pean leaders had fled their own countries.
world’s people as his subjects, his office when Prince Albert . . . accompanied his One reason for this was the king’s faith.
was then the most important in the world. father on the royal yacht, the Victoria & As The Reluctant King explains: “The
The abdication of his brother on Dec. 11, Albert, for the great review of the Fleet Coronation is the single most significant
1936, was a major constitutional crisis off Weymouth from 7 to 11 May 1912 . . . ceremony of a sovereign’s life, transform-
affecting governments around the world, Prince Albert could not have failed to be ing him or her from an ordinary mortal
as all the dominions of the British Empire impressed by the appearance of what was to a powerful symbol, half-man, half-
had to agree on the change. then the largest and most modern war fleet priest, in a solemn ritual whose history
Although traumatic at the time, in in the world, equipped with the latest huge goes back over a thousand years and
hindsight we should all be thankful dreadnoughts and battle-cruisers and even whose significance is far older.
that Edward VIII abdicated in favor of a submarine . . .” “No man or woman could fail to be
his brother. Edward had gotten himself Naval supremacy had enabled Britain affected by it; for George VI, whose inter-
involved with a twice-divorced woman to be the dominant power in the world for est in ritual and sense of history was very
from Baltimore who was still married to well over a century when this review of the strong, it was to have an extraordinarily
her second husband. fleet took place. It was to serve the Brit- strengthening, confidence-giving effect.
In 1936 this was totally unacceptable, ish well in World War I, which began two For both him and the Queen the religious
and not just to the British people. The Aus- years later. significance of the ceremony, in which they
tralian prime minister, a devout Catholic, Is it possible there was a connection were to dedicate themselves before God to
made it absolutely clear that the king’s between Britain’s naval supremacy, its the service of their people, was very strong.
English-speaking mankind . . . How long did this enthusiasm for the
“‘I believe from my heart that the cause Bible last? “It did not cease for 350 years.
peoples, the time has which binds together my peoples and our
gallant and faithful Allies is the cause of
1900 was the first year in which religious
works [at least in England] did not out-
come for national Christian civilization’” (p. 309).
In another memorable speech he pro-
number all other publications” (Jacques
Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000,
repentance, for a day claimed, “Let us then put our trust, as I do, p. 10).
in God and in the unconquerable spirit of This year, 2011, marks the 400th anni-
of prayer like the one the British people” (p. 325). versary of the translation and publication
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt wrote of the most influential book of all time, the
called for by King to King George VI after meeting Prime King James Version of the Bible (known in
Minister Winston Churchill on board a Brit- England as the Authorized Version). Few
George VI in the dark ish naval vessel, expressing that “he wished are aware that the King James Bible was
. . . that the King could have been present at the culmination of a struggle that had gone
days of 1942. Divine Service on ‘your latest battleship’— on for three centuries!
the Prince of Wales—attended by hundreds In the 14th century John Wycliffe trans-
“Cosmo Lang [Archbishop of Canter- of British and American sailors together” lated the Bible at a time when there was no
bury], an intrusive presence throughout, (p. 338). printing press or religious freedom. After
who saw this as an occasion for asserting During a time of numerous military his death the Catholic authorities declared
the cause of Religion over the Worldli- setbacks for the Allies in 1942, the king him a heretic, exhumed his remains and
ness represented by the late King [Edward called for a national day of prayer (p. 342). burned them.
VIII], held a private meeting with them at The following year, as the Allies started to His crime? Like Tyndale after him,
Buckingham Palace on the evening of the see the war turning in their favor, the actor translating the Bible into the common Eng-
Sunday before Coronation Day, at which Leslie Howard, who starred in the enor- lish language, a grave threat to the estab-
they all knelt in prayer. mously popular film Gone With the Wind, lished religious order. Wycliffe’s favorite
“[Lang wrote:] ‘I prayed for them and stood on the steps of London’s St. Paul’s scripture was Philippians 2:12: “Work out
for their realm and Empire, and I gave Cathedral and repeated Nelson’s prayer on your own salvation with fear and trem-
them my personal blessing. I was much the eve of the Battle of Trafalgar. Prayer bling.” This concept—that one was respon-
moved and so were they. Indeed there were was very much a part of life in the Royal sible for his own salvation without having
Wikimedia
tears in their eyes when we rose from our Navy during the time of Britain’s naval to go through the church establishment
knees. From that moment I knew what supremacy. as an intermediary—was to revolutionize
March/April 2011 17
England and its future colonies, both lately and everything no matter how large
religiously and politically. or small points to our being ‘the chosen
It wasn’t until the Protestant Reforma- race’”—those chosen to play a major
tion, 150 years after Wycliffe, that people prophetic role in human history.
were free to read their Bibles. Various In Genesis 48:16, the patriarch Jacob,
translations soon appeared, with differ- otherwise known as Israel, blessed Joseph’s
ences resulting in religious conflicts. So two sons and said, “Bless the lads; let my
King James I of England authorized an name be named upon them”—meaning that
official translation, the King James Ver- biblical prophecies about “Israel” in the
sion, which was published exactly four end time relate to the British and American
centuries ago. The British people then took peoples. (The Jews in Bible prophecy are
that translation out into the world with identified as Judah, one of the 12 tribes
great fervor. descended from Israel, and not to be
Recent headlines have been filled with accounts of riots, protests and sia, Jordan and Yemen for greater rights
and freedoms and a larger say in their gov-
demonstrations in several Middle Eastern countries. What’s behind ernments and leaders. Most human beings
them? What does it all mean? Does Bible prophecy provide any clues? rightfully yearn for such things.
But as former U.S. President George W.
W
Bush learned—and as President Barack
hen 26-year-old produce- and spiritually, while supporting puppet Obama may be learning now—“instant”
stand vendor Mohamed rulers and the often-hated state of Israel. democracy is a myth. Suddenly granting
Bouazizi set himself on fire This feeds right into the hands of Islamic democratic self-rule to people steeped in
Dec. 17, 2010, in Sidi Bouzid, radicals and fundamentalists, who are a culture of being told what to do, sorely
Tunisia, fatally injuring himself always ready to stir unrest if it means lacking in democratic ideals, used to look-
in an act of protest against the government, opening the door to gaining more power ing to strongmen as saviors and divided
he dropped a match into the tinderbox that for themselves in support of their goal over age-old antagonisms can sometimes
is the Middle East. to establish a worldwide community of create far more problems than it solves.
Some have likened his action to that of Muslim believers under Islamic rule. We need only consider the Gaza Strip,
Gavrilo Princip, whose assassination of Chief among such groups is the Muslim which in its first democratic election in
Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdi- Brotherhood, an Islamic group that origi- 2006 swept the terror group Hamas into
nand in 1914 ignited the flames of World nated in Egypt and wields considerable power. Its first election was also its last.
War I and set in motion a chain of events power there—so much so that it is likely We could also look at Iraq and Afghani-
that would ultimately reshape the world. to hold sizable influence in any elected stan, where attempts to institute democratic
Since Mohamed Bouazizi’s self- government that takes shape in the post- institutions after the ouster of strongman
immolation, the president of Tunisia has Mubarak era. Spokesmen for the Muslim rulers like Saddam Hussein and Mullah
fled the country, Egyptian President Hosni Brotherhood have already renounced Omar have proved bitter disappointments.
Mubarak has been forced from office, and Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, which Like the citizens of Gaza, Iraqis and
sometimes bloody protests have broken would essentially return the two countries Afghanis have often looked to religious fig-
out in Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria and to a state of war. ures to lead them, and that has often only
other Arab nations. In some cases panicked The Muslim Brotherhood has given rise fostered further problems and divisions.
governments shut down Internet and cell to various terrorist organizations. The char- Another example we would do well to
phone communications nationwide to slow ter of Hamas, which rules Gaza with an heed is Iran. The parallels between what
the spread of antigovernment demonstra- iron fist, says it “is one of the wings of the is happening in Egypt today and events
tions. In others, tanks, armored personnel Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine.” There of the 1979 Iranian revolution are sober-
carriers and thousands of troops patrolled are also links with the groups responsible ing. Leading up to that 1979 revolution,
city streets to maintain control. for the 1997 massacre of 58 tourists at dissatisfaction among students and liberal-
Where will things go from here? It’s Luxor, Egypt, and the 1980 assassination leaning members of Iranian society brought
anyone’s guess. Things could calm down of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat for widespread protests much like those seen
temporarily, or they could grow much, signing a peace treaty with Israel. The 9/11 recently in Egypt. It wasn’t long before vast
much worse. mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed public demonstrations brought the toppling
and Osama bin Laden’s right-hand man of the pro-Western shah of Iran. Abandoned
What’s behind the growing unrest? Ayman al-Zawahiri were members of the by his supporters in the West, he fled the
Mohamed Bouazizi saw little hope for Muslim Brotherhood. country in disgrace.
his future. Frustrated at being unable to For a time—very brief, as it turned out—
find a decent job, he could only find work Could we see another Iran? it appeared that Iran might actually have
manning a produce stand on a city street. It’s very difficult for Westerners to grasp a progressive, democratic government.
His desperation is shared by millions the religious fervor that drives events in But barely a month after the shah’s depar-
more not only in Tunisia, but throughout many Middle Eastern countries. Because ture, the Ayatollah Khomeini’s followers
the Arab world where increasingly angry few in the West take religion seriously, took over and a fundamentalist revolution
citizens see little opportunity to improve it’s hard for them to fathom the deep reli- was in full swing. Iran quickly became a
their lot while their rulers—often essen- gious beliefs that motivate so many people radicalized religious regime.
tially dictators for life—enrich themselves there. It also makes it difficult to under- Now, three decades later, Iran is run
and their families, friends and associates. stand the huge cultural differences, much by Ayatollah Khomeini’s ideological
Their resentment is also often directed less bridge them. offspring—including President Mahmoud
at the West—and the United States in Those of us in advanced Western democ- Ahmadinejad, whose efforts to develop
particular—whom they see as subjugating racies would naturally sympathize with the nuclear weapons have antagonized much
the Muslim world, polluting it culturally demands of demonstrators in Egypt, Tuni- of the Western world and inspired fear in
March/April 2011 19
GOOD NEWS FEATURE • What ’s Behind the Turmoil in Egypt?
A coming clash of civilizations Until the rise of militant Islam, none of doing! GN
Notice Daniel’s prophecy: “At the time this seemed remotely possible. But with
of the end the king of the South shall attack the Iranian Revolution and the oft-stated To Learn More...
him; and the king of the North shall come goal of uniting believers under the banner
against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, of Islam, we now see the increasing likeli- Why does it seem that the Middle
East is such a perpetual hotspot
horsemen, and with many ships; and he hood of some sort of Islamic movement on the world scene? Why has it
shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, sweeping across the nations of the Middle been the source of such conflict
and so many bloody wars?
and pass through” (verse 40). East and uniting Muslims against the West. What’s behind this region’s
This king of the South attacks the king To them, Europe remains a grave threat ancient antagonisms? Where
of the North, which provokes a retaliatory to Islam. Even today, Islamic radicals will it ultimately lead? Discover
the answers in our free booklet
invasion into the Middle East. “He shall also like Osama bin Laden repeatedly refer to The Middle East in Bible Prophecy. Request or
enter the Glorious Land [the Holy Land, Western influence in the Middle East as a download your free copy today!
generally modern-day Israel], and many continuation of the Crusades, which they
countries shall be overthrown; but these shall view as an attempt to exterminate Islam Contact any of our offices listed on page 2, or
request or download it from our website.
escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the that is still ongoing.
prominent people of Ammon” (verse 41). Other Muslim figures openly talk of www.GNmagazine.org/booklets
Edom, Moab and Ammon are largely the capturing Europe for Islam. Many would
March/April 2011 21
GOOD NEWS FEATURE • Would Jesus Christ Celebrate Easter?
For millions of people, Easter Sunday is the most important religious Corinth that they should continue to keep
the Passover as Christ commanded.
observance of the year. But if Jesus walked the dusty roads of Galilee Paul wrote: “For I received from the
today, would He observe this holiday? Lord that which I also delivered to you:
that the Lord Jesus on the same night in
E
which He was betrayed took bread; and
ach spring the excitement of Eas- when He had given thanks, He broke it
ter fills the air. Many churches and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which
prepare special Easter programs is broken for you; do this in remembrance
about the death and resurrection of Me.’ In the same manner He also took
of Jesus Christ. At home, par- the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is
ents color Easter eggs and then hide the the new covenant in My blood. This do,
brightly colored holiday symbols around as often as you drink it, in remembrance
the house and lawn so that, come Easter of Me.’
morning, their children can excitedly hunt “For as often as you eat this bread and
for them. drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s
Stuffed Easter bunnies and chocolate death till He comes. Therefore whoever
rabbits are seen everywhere in the weeks The apostles’ record on Easter eats this bread or drinks this cup of the
leading up to this major religious obser- As surprising as this may sound, Lord in an unworthy manner will be
vance. Then there are the Easter sunrise nowhere in the New Testament can you guilty of the body and blood of the Lord”
services, where churchgoers gather to find any reference to Easter. In the King (1 Corinthians 11:23-27).
hear about Jesus’ resurrection and honor James Version of the Bible you do find the Paul was concerned that the Church
that miraculous event by watching the sun word Easter one time (in Acts 12:4), but it members in Corinth observe the Passover
come up in the east. is a blatantly erroneous mistranslation that in the right way, with reverence and proper
But what do colored eggs and the Easter has been corrected in virtually every other comprehension of its meaning.
rabbit have to do with Jesus Christ’s resur- Bible translation. The writings of Paul and Luke, his trav-
rection? How did these seemingly irreli- The original Greek word there is pascha, eling companion and author of the book
gious symbols come to be associated with correctly translated Passover in virtually of Acts, regularly mention observing the
that event? every modern version of the Bible every- weekly Sabbath day and the biblical fes-
Can we find any historical or biblical where it appears in the Scriptures. It refers tivals listed in Leviticus 23. But Easter is
record of Jesus or His disciples celebrating to the biblical Passover originally instituted conspicuously absent (see 1 Corinthians
Easter or teaching parents and children to when God freed the Israelites from slavery 5:6-8; 16:8; Acts 2:1-4; 13:42, 44; 17:1-3;
dye eggs and display bunnies on this holi- in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-14). 18:4; 20:6, 16).
day? Did Jesus or His apostles instruct any The original apostles, from the inception Again, since Easter wasn’t introduced
of His followers to meet to honor His res- of the New Testament Church to near the by Jesus or the apostles, where did it come
urrection at sunrise on Easter Sunday—or end of the first century when the apostle from, and how did it come to be such an
at any other time, for that matter? John died, left absolutely no record of cel- accepted part of traditional Christianity?
If Easter was not sanctioned by Jesus ebrating Easter or teaching others to do so.
or instituted by His apostles, then where From Jesus to John not one of the apostles The origin of Easter
did it come from? In other words, if Jesus gave even the slightest hint of observing It’s not that difficult to trace the surpris-
were living among us as a flesh-and-blood or advocating the observance of what we ing origins of Easter and what it really rep-
human being, would He observe Easter or know today as Easter Sunday. resents. Many scholarly works show that
encourage others to do so? However, that doesn’t mean the early Easter is a pre-Christian religious holiday,
Answers to these questions are readily Church did not hold to specific religious one that was created and developed long
available. Some may take a little research, observances. The apostle Paul, some 25 before Jesus’ human lifetime and carried
Photos, from left: iStockphoto, Wikimedia
but they become clear when we look into years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, forward to the modern era through such
history and the Bible. spoke plainly to members of the church at empires as Babylon, Persia, Greece and
finally Rome.
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary
If Easter and its symbols were not sanctioned of Old and New Testament Words notes:
“The term ‘Easter’ is not of Christian ori-
by Jesus or instituted by His apostles, then gin. It is another form of Astarte, one of
the titles of the Chaldean [Babylonian]
where did they come from? goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival
March/April 2011 23
GOOD NEWS FEATURE • Would Jesus Christ Celebrate Easter?
they wrongly called Passover] was to be It is a pagan tradition of men that, like Galilee today, would He celebrate Easter?
kept on Sunday, and on the same Sunday other traditions involved in the worship of Certainly not. But He would be consistent
throughout the world, and ‘that none should false gods, is abhorrent to the true God. in that, since He does not change (Hebrews
hereafter follow the blindness of the Jews’” Jesus and His apostles would never sanc- 13:8). For that reason, He would instead
(11th edition, pp. 828-829, “Easter”). tion its observance because it mingles observe the annual Passover in the same
Constantine’s decision was a fateful paganism with supposedly Christian sym- manner He instructed His followers to
turning point for Christianity. Those who bolism and ritual. It is rooted in ancient keep it (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John
remained faithful to the instruction of Jesus pre-Christian fertility rites that have 13:15-17). And Jesus would celebrate the
and the apostles would be outcasts, a small nothing to do with Jesus. Days of Unleavened Bread in the way He
and persecuted minority (John 15:18-20). A In reality, most of the trappings associ- inspired Paul to instruct early Christians
vastly different set of beliefs and practices ated with Easter reveal that the holiday (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
—recycled from ancient pre-Christian is actually a fraud pawned off on unsus- Anyone who wants to be right with God,
religions but dressed in a Christian cloak— pecting and well-intentioned people. God who wants to be a true disciple of Christ,
would take hold among the majority. wants us to worship in spirit and truth the Master Teacher, will carefully examine
(John 4:23-24), not to recycle ancient his or her beliefs and practices to make
Does Jesus approve? customs used to worship other gods. sure they agree with the Bible. Such a per-
Since the pagan symbols of eggs and son will not try to honor God with ancient
rabbits were adopted by the Catholic idolatrous practices, violating God’s
Church centuries after Christ’s ascension,
should Christians celebrate this holiday or God wants us to wor- explicit commands in this regard (Deuter-
onomy 12:29-32; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18;
encourage others to observe it?
To answer that question let’s go back ship in spirit and truth 7:1). Easter, as we have seen, is filled with
idolatrous trappings.
to the title of this article, “Would Jesus
Celebrate Easter?” Or, we should fur-
(John 4:23-24), not Simply claiming that something is Chris-
tian or is done to honor God doesn’t make
ther ask, would He want us to? He cer-
tainly could have told us to. So could the
to recycle ancient it acceptable to Him.
Easter doesn’t represent a resurrected
apostles, whose teaching and doctrine
are preserved for us in the book of Acts
customs used to Jesus Christ. Rather, as difficult as it
may be to admit, it merely perpetuates
and the epistles written by Paul, Peter,
James, Jude and John. But nowhere do
worship other gods. practices pagans followed thousands of
years ago to honor their false gods. If we
we find a hint of support for Easter or Even the asserted timing of the events are to escape the calamities prophesied to
anything remotely resembling it. What used to justify celebrating Jesus’ resurrec- come on those who place the ways of this
we do find, as pointed out earlier, is clear tion on a Sunday morning—maintaining world ahead of God, then we must repent
instruction from Jesus and Paul to keep that He was crucified on the afternoon of of following traditions that dishonor Him
the Passover and other biblical—and truly Good Friday and resurrected before dawn (Revelation 18:1-5).
Christian—observances. on Sunday morning—is demonstrably God desires that we instead honor and
Holy Scripture does not support this pre- false, as an examination of the Scriptures obey Him according to His instructions in
Christian holiday and, in fact, condemns shows. His Word. Then He can use us to represent
such celebrations. Because Scripture con- For those who want concrete proof that His holy Son, our Savior and the Mes-
demns pagan worship practices even if He was indeed the Messiah and Savior of siah, who will soon return to the earth. No
done to honor the true God (Deuteronomy mankind, Jesus made a promise: “An evil greater calling can be extended to human
12:29-32), we know that God the Father and adulterous generation seeks after a beings. May you have the heart to seek
and Jesus His Son have no interest in sign, and no sign will be given to it except understanding and God’s perfect will. GN
Easter and do not approve of it. the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah
Jesus, in fact, is diametrically opposed was three days and three nights in the belly To Learn More...
to religious rituals that supposedly honor of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be
Most people are shocked to dis-
Him but in reality are rooted in the worship three days and three nights in the heart of cover that our major religious
of false gods. He makes clear the differ- the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40). holidays are not found in the
ence between pleasing God and pleasing Try as some might, there is no way to Bible. They’re also surprised to
learn that the Bible teaches us
men: “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you calculate three days and three nights from to observe seven annual festi-
hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people late Friday afternoon to Sunday morning vals revealed within its pages.
What are the real origins of
honors Me with their lips, but their heart is before daylight. At most this amounts to our major holidays? What do
far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, barely more than a day and a half. Either the festivals of the Bible teach us? You need to
teaching as doctrines the commandments Jesus was mistaken, or those who say He read our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It
Really Matter Which Days We Observe? Download or
of men . . . All too well you reject the com- was crucified on a Friday and resurrected request your free copy today!
mandment of God, that you may keep your on a Sunday are mistaken. You can’t have
tradition’” (Mark 7:6-9, emphasis added it both ways. Contact any of our offices listed on page 2, or
throughout). request or download it from our website.
Easter is a tradition of men, not a com- Jesus’ instructions remain consistent
mandment of God. But it’s more than that. If Jesus walked the dusty roads of
www.GNmagazine.org/booklets
March/April 2011 25
GOOD NEWS FEATURE • America Drowns in a Sea of Debt—What Does It All Mean?
America’s debt load is staggering and growing worse by the minute. gress girding for a major fight over the debt
ceiling, which stood at $14.3 trillion, an
How did the nation that was the world’s biggest lender only a few amount that will be surpassed by March.
decades ago become the world’s greatest debtor today? A default on that debt would be, in the
words of Treasury Secretary Timothy Gei-
I
thner, “an event that has no precedent in
n this day and age, computers bring the What stuns most observers is the speed American history.”
world to our door. With a few clicks at which the debt has grown in the past Default would force the U.S. govern-
of a computer mouse, one can watch a decade. In historical terms, it took from ment to drastically raise the interest rate it
real-time clock that shows the growth the founding of the United States in 1776 pays to those who buy its debt in the form
of the U.S. national debt. The numbers to 2004 for the accruing debt over that of treasury bills, notes and bonds in order
climb at a shocking pace. It’s scary to watch long span to reach $7.6 trillion. (The debt to attract buyers, which would increase
how quickly the debt piles up—$48,000 per would rise during times of war and be paid annual interest that must be paid—that is,
second, $4.1 billion per day. down during peacetime. Still, the only if the government could continue selling
The beginning of 2011 saw the U.S. previous time in U.S. history that the debt its securities at all. The economic and
national debt rise to just over $14 trillion, approached total GDP was 1944, at the financial tidal wave this would set off in
an amount of money incomprehensible to height of U.S. involvement in World War world markets could make the 2008-2009
the average person. It’s roughly equal to II, but it dropped far lower after the war.) financial meltdown pale by comparison.
projected U.S. Gross Domestic Product By January 2009, however, the debt A July 2010 report by the Congres-
(GDP), the worth of everything produced had grown to $10.6 trillion. At the current sional Budget Office (CBO) spells out the
in the United States in one year. growth rate of $4.1 billion per day, the debt wrenching effects of such a financial crisis.
In per capita terms, it adds up to more level will reach $15.4 trillion by the end of Higher interest rates needed to attract buy-
than $45,000 for every man, woman and this year. That means that in well under a ers of government securities would choke
child in the United States. More realisti- decade the United States will have doubled economic growth, while forcing the U.S.
cally, perhaps, the average U.S. taxpayer the amount of debt accumulated in the Treasury to pay additional hundreds of
is on the hook for $127,000, or about 2 1⁄2 previous 228 years combined! billions annually in interest payments.
years of average household income. The Federal Reserve would likely react
Any country’s national debt is simply A staggering amount of annual interest by printing more money, fueling inflation,
the combined total of its budget deficits, Of course, the United States must pay which would create additional pressure on
the difference between what the govern- interest on the money it borrows. For fiscal interest rates. The meltdown of 2008-2009
ment spends and what it takes in. The last 2008, that interest amounted to about $220 would repeat itself, as more major financial
time the United States ran a budget surplus billion, and climbed to more than $383 institutions would fail due to collapse of
was fiscal year 2000. The stated surplus of billion in fiscal 2009. That’s more than their financial bases.
$230 billion for that year pales, however, $1,200 for every man, woman and child Throughout American history the U.S.
when one realizes that the federal govern- in the country—and again, just for interest Treasury has found willing buyers for
ment borrowed billions from other revenue and just for one year alone! its debt. But beginning in 2008 China,
sources to achieve the stated surplus. Several government and private sources the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt,
Since that time a perfect storm of eco- predict the annual interest will grow to began signaling a growing unease over the
nomic factors have combined to create the more than $700 billion by fiscal 2019. By amount of debt it holds. A Jan. 14, 2011,
present situation. Falling revenues from comparison, the entire U.S. defense budget Wall Street Journal article revealed that
the recessions of 2001 and 2008-2009, for the current fiscal year is $664 billion. many in the financial world, including
combined with wars in Iraq and Afghani- So in plain terms, America will soon be foreign governments, are starting to get
stan and higher spending on homeland spending more just paying the interest worried. Moody’s Investors Service said in
security, rapidly plunged the government on the national debt than it now spends a mid-January report that the United States
back into a deficit mode. By fiscal 2008 the on national defense! The federal govern- needs to reverse its expansion of debt if it
budget deficit reached $455 billion, which ment is obligated to pay this interest; any hopes to keep its current Aaa credit rating.
skyrocketed to $1.7 trillion in fiscal 2010 default, or even failure to make debt pay- Said Moody’s senior analyst Sarah Carl-
as the Obama administration resorted to ments on time, would seriously damage son, “We have become increasingly clear
deficit spending to stimulate the economy the government’s credit rating in world about the fact that if there are not offsetting
while maintaining spending levels on financial markets. measures to reverse the deterioration in
existing programs. Mid-January 2011 saw the U.S. Con- negative fundamentals in the U.S., the like-
10 traveling headlong
8
Gross Debt
down a path to enor-
6
Public Debt mous problems. Sadly,
4
as the Bible shows,
2
these national prob-
0
lems are symptoms
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 of a greater problem.
(Public debt is the gross debt less the amount the government owes itself)
lihood of a negative outlook over the next Cornell University and a senior fellow at borrower. Note the warning: “The alien
two years will increase.” The same article the Brookings Institution in Washington. who is among you shall rise higher and
quoted the head of Standard & Poor’s (or higher above you, and you shall come
S&P) France, Carol Sirou, who told a Paris From largest lender to largest debtor down lower and lower. He shall lend to
conference that the firm wouldn’t rule out More and more Americans are awak- you, but you shall not lend to him. He
lowering the outlook for the U.S. rating in ening to the reality of America’s rising shall be the head, and you shall be the tail”
the near future. national debt, which is by far the largest in (Deuteronomy 28:43-44). It’s no wonder
the world. How, many ask, did the world’s that this reads so much like today’s head-
America in a financial hammerlock greatest economic power get into this lines when we discover the surprising truth
Fueled by its booming economy, China situation? that the majority of Americans are descen-
is now, as mentioned, the world’s leading It wasn’t so long ago that America was dants of those same Israelites to whom
foreign holder of U.S. national debt, having the world’s greatest creditor. In the after- God gave this warning!
surpassed Japan in that regard in Septem- math of World War II, certainly in the The United States is traveling headlong
ber 2008. A November 2008 Washington memory of millions, the United States led down an economic path leading to enor-
Post story cited Beijing’s growing sway the world financial system in creating the mous problems, if not outright destruction.
over the U.S. economy, noting that a deci- International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sadly, as Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy
sion by China to move out of U.S. govern- the World Bank. These institutions, formed 28 show, these national problems are
ment bonds, for economic or political rea- to help a world recovering from the night- symptoms of a greater problem—the deep
sons, could lead a herd of other investors to mare of World War II, helped in generating spiritual sickness that afflicts a nation that
follow suit, which would drive up the cost tremendous prosperity in regions humbled is increasingly turning its back on and
of U.S. borrowing. and impoverished by war. denying the God who blessed it so greatly
This gives the Chinese considerable But in just over two decades the United in earlier years.
leverage over the U.S. economy, should States has gone from being “banker to The question we must all face is: Will
they ever choose to use it. The New York the world” to the largest debtor nation on the nation wake up in time to take the
Times reported in early 2009 that China is earth. The financial world is beginning to corrective action needed? Will you? GN
concerned about the Obama health-care express its alarm. However, you may be
plan, and rising U.S. debt, because they amazed to discover that this very situation To Learn More...
finance so much of it. was prophesied more than 3,000 years ago! What does Bible prophecy re-
Other observers have noted the grow- Believe it or not, the Bible has quite veal about the United States,
Britain, Canada, Australia and
ing influence of China in U.S. mortgage a bit to say about America’s debt situa- New Zealand? Are these Eng-
markets. Increasing Chinese reluctance to tion. Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 lish-speaking nations left out
invest in U.S. private mortgage bonds could are known as the “blessings and curses” of the prophecies of the Bible,
or are they identified in ways
have long-term effects on mortgage inter- chapters. Here God Himself warned that that few people understand?
est rates if lenders are forced to pay higher foreign powers would gradually achieve You need to know! Request or
rates themselves for mortgage capital. dominance over the people of Israel if they download your free copy of The United States
and Britain in Bible Prophecy today!
Chart by Shaun Venish
“This is a sign of the growing inter- rejected His laws and turned their backs
dependence between the Chinese and U.S. on Him. Contact any of our offices listed on page 2, or
economies, but also a sign of a relationship It seems ominously prophetic of today’s request or download it from our website.
that is not healthy in the long term,” said situation, where America has gone from
Eswar Prasad, an economics professor at the world’s leading creditor to its leading www.GNmagazine.org/booklets
March/April 2011 27
TM
Jesus of Nazareth is the central figure of Christianity. His followers You would think that after this inglori-
ous ministry Jesus would be a forgotten
claimed He was the Jewish Messiah who would rule the earth, but He figure in history. Why did He attract such
was put to death as a criminal. Did Jesus fail as the Messiah? violent opposition and rise to such promi-
nence? Why do His life and teachings
E
still have impact on billions of people
ver since the first Roman legion- today? Moreover, was Jesus really the
naires marched into Judea, a Messiah—or did He fail to achieved what
heightened tension permeated had been foretold of this promised figure?
Jewish society. People prayed for Background of the prophesied Messiah
God’s deliverance from the harsh To start to answer these questions we
Roman oppression. They prayed that God have to go back to the ancient Hebrew
would send the promised Messiah during Scriptures, commonly called the Old Testa-
their lifetime. ment, in the Bible. Much of the Old Testa-
According to the prophets, this Messiah, ment is the story of one family. About 4,000
the “Anointed One” destined to serve as years ago a man named Abraham was told
the King of Israel on behalf of God, would by God that through his progeny all the
arrive in Jerusalem with the very power nations of the earth would be blessed.
of God. The prophets told how He would Most of the book of Genesis, the first
slay the great armies of those who opposed book of the Old Testament, tells the story
Him. He would then restore the Israelites of Abraham and three generations of
to their status as God’s chosen people, all his family. His descendants through His
nations would come under His rule, and grandson Jacob, renamed Israel, eventually
His Kingdom would never end. ended up in Egypt where, over time, their
On this particular day, a quiet peace happen next. The congregation stared at numbers multiplied and they were enslaved
settled over the city of Nazareth. It was Jesus as He walked back to His seat. His by the Egyptians, who saw them as a threat.
a Sabbath day—a holy time when Jews next statement lit a firestorm of excite- The second book of the Hebrew Scriptures,
worshipped God. On this Sabbath, in the ment, disbelief, even anger. Jesus told the Exodus, tells how God delivered them from
synagogue of Nazareth, a local man, a car- astonished crowd, “Today this Scripture is slavery and, through Moses, led them to the
penter by trade (the job in that day likely fulfilled in your hearing.” land He had promised to Abraham.
including stone masonry and major con- The reaction of many in the synagogue The descendants of Abraham through
struction), rose and was handed a scroll of was angry dismissal: “We know you! Jacob became an important kingdom
the prophet Isaiah by the leader of the syn- You’re Joseph’s son. What gives you the in the ancient Middle East, bearing the
agogue. The young man, whose name was presumptuous right to say these things name Israel. Sitting astride the trade route
Yeshua (or Jesus from the Greek form), about yourself?” between Mesopotamia and Egypt, Israel’s
was known as the son of the late carpenter Jesus responded with the proverb, “No history was one of wealth and power,
Yosef (or Joseph) of Nazareth. Jesus read prophet is accepted in his own country.” as well as invasion and war. The nation
from the sacred text: The confrontation between Jesus and became split into two kingdoms—Israel
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, those in the synagogue became so intense and Judah—and the people of both were
because He has anointed Me to preach that they turned into an angry mob and eventually deported by enemies, with a few
the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to dragged Him to a nearby cliff where some from Judah (known as Jews) later returning
heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty would have thrown Him to His death. In to the Promised Land. Throughout the his-
to the captives and recovery of sight to the confusion Jesus was able to slip away tory of Israel and Judah, prophets appeared
the blind, to set at liberty those who are through the crowd (Luke 4:16-30). telling the people to return to God and
oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year So began the ministry of Jesus of Naza- declaring the future arrival of God’s
of the Lord” (Isaiah 61:1-2). reth. It would end 31⁄2 years later with His Messiah to bless all people.
iStockphoto
The synagogue was filled with silent crucifixion outside the city of Jerusalem at The Jews of the first century, living in
anticipation as they wondered what would the hands of the Romans. the shadow of Herod’s magnificent temple,
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many of Jesus’ followers were devastated. It’s actually a simple concept heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty
They lost faith and hope. God’s justice, His understanding of right to the captives and recovery of sight to
Of course, we know that’s not the end of and wrong, requires your life as punish- the blind, to set at liberty those who are
the story. Jesus, as the New Testament tells ment for your sins stemming from your oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year
us, was raised from the dead. He visited sinful nature. “The wages of sin is death” of the Lord . . .”
His disciples again, telling them to preach (Romans 6:23). God loves you, but that It is interesting that Jesus stopped in the
the gospel of the Kingdom to the world doesn’t change the definition of good and middle of a sentence. The next line in the
and care for fellow disciples. But then He evil contained in His moral, spiritual law. passage He was reading states, “and the day
left—returning to the Father in heaven. God’s love, however, supplied a substi- of vengeance of our God” (Isaiah 61:1-2).
What, then, of the Messiah’s role of reign- tute for you and me. The Son of God came The “day of vengeance” is a reference
ing as King over Israel and the entire world to earth as Jesus of Nazareth to bless all to another prophecy in Isaiah—a terrifying
in perpetuity? nations as our substitute. You can’t earn prophecy of a time when “the indignation
People began to question whether Jesus that kind of love. You can only understand of the Lord is against all nations” (Isaiah
was really the prophesied Messiah. Some your guilt and hopelessness before God’s 34:1-2). It is a time when God dramatically
felt He had failed in His basic mission. justice and gratefully accept His love and intervenes in human history. In this “day
Why would He launch His ministry by mercy exhibited in the sacrifice of His Son. of vengeance” God will send the promised
quoting from a messianic prophecy in Isa- The blood of the “suffering Servant” Messiah as King of Kings to judge all
iah and then ignore other key prophecies? foretold by Isaiah would sprinkle many people and rule over the earth.
Why didn’t He establish the Kingdom nations. This was a powerful image for What is it we learn from Jesus here read-
of God in Jerusalem as Isaiah said He first-century Jews. ing only part of a prophecy from Isaiah?
would? Day in and day out, Herod’s temple was Why didn’t He read the entire passage?
To solve our mystery, let’s first look at filled with the sounds and smells of sheep Jesus was revealing a pivotal point in
another of Isaiah’s messianic prophecies and goats being sacrificed, their blood salvation history—we learn that the Mes-
and then return to the incident in Nazareth. splattering and sprinkling, as a substitute siah comes to earth not once, but twice!
In Isaiah 52 and 53 the prophet tells of a so that the Jewish people could have favor The first time He came as a lowly car-
Servant of God who would be exalted. This with God. But the book of Hebrews shows penter and rabbi teaching the true religion
Servant would also be beaten and brutally that this sacrificial system was intended of God and helping many people with
put to death. Isaiah writes, “Just as there to portray something much bigger— various afflictions through miracles. He
were many who were appalled at him—his especially the great mystery of how one then died as the substitute sacrifice for
appearance was so disfigured beyond that Man’s blood would be shed in place of the wrong choices of all humanity. That’s
of any man and his form marred beyond that of all humanity, as all humanity has your wrong choices and my wrong choices.
human likeness—so will he sprinkle stood guilty. Through His selfless act, He made true
many nations” (Isaiah 52:14-15, New Isaiah tells how God’s Servant would be freedom possible. He was then resurrected
International Version). despised and rejected, that He would be to take His place at the right hand of God
Both the Old and New Testaments teach “wounded for our transgressions . . . and the Father. Without His first coming “to
that it is impossible for a morally corrupt by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). heal the brokenhearted [and] to set at lib-
human being to come into the presence of The Gospels, the first four books of the erty those who are oppressed,” there is no
the righteous God unless God grants that New Testament, describe the gruesome authentic Christianity.
person forgiveness through divine grace, details of Jesus’ death. He was beaten with It is equally true that if Jesus doesn’t
or favor. rods and punched by soldiers. He was return to proclaim the day of God’s judg-
Few people understand the fundamental stripped naked and flogged with a whip of ment, there likewise is no authentic Chris-
biblical teaching of grace. Grace has no leather strips with bits of metal and bone tianity. This is the answer to the mystery of
significance unless there is justice. Think on the ends that would tear and mutilate the Jewish Messiah. He comes to this earth
about it: Forgiveness has no meaning unless human flesh. Nails were driven into His the first time as the suffering Servant and
someone has done something wrong. hands and feet, and He was hung in cruci- then a second time, many centuries later,
Those with sound Christian background fixion for people to ridicule. Finally, as the conquering King, bringing the way
would come to know that a central biblical He was stabbed with a spear and bled to of peace and prosperity to all humanity
teaching is the death and resurrection of death. All this happened just as Isaiah had (see Hebrews 9:28).
Jesus as the Messiah, the Anointed One or foretold it centuries in advance.
Christ. Why did Jesus die? Why does the Now we can perhaps begin to understand What this means to you
Bible focus so much on His crucifixion and what Jesus was teaching in the synagogue You live in the stretch of time between
resurrection? in Nazareth. these two appearances of the Messiah.
If we don’t understand why Jesus, the Because of the sacrificial substitute of
Son of God, was crucified as the proph- Returning to the synagogue in Nazareth Jesus Christ, you can have a personal
esied Jewish Messiah, then His death has Let’s go back to where we started. The relationship with your Creator. You can
no importance or meaning. Knowing who synagogue leader handed Jesus a scroll of become Jesus’ disciple.
Jesus Christ is, and how His life, death the book of Isaiah. Jesus opened the scroll A disciple is more than a believer. A dis-
and resurrection applies to you, is the most and read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon ciple follows a particular teacher. A disci-
important knowledge you can possess. This Me, because He has anointed Me to preach ple dedicates his or her life to imitating that
truth can change your life! the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to teacher. Christianity has enough believers.
March/April 2011 31
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5 True or False? The word Easter appears only once in the Bible—
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6 True or False? Neither the apostles nor other members of the early
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