Mary: Lady of All Nations? The Hope of the Dead — P. 12 —
— P. 16 —
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ANTI-SEMITISM R I S I N G
A personal message from the Editor in Chief
Have You Missed the Message?
H
ow do you describe Tomorrow’s World to a neighbor who is unfamiliar with this magazine? It is certainly not Time, National Geographic, or Sports Illustrated, but neither is it like most religious publications. You surely have seen a difference by now, but do you understand why it is different? Where are we coming from? What are our goals? Tomorrow’s World reports and analyzes world news, but does not take sides politically. (Yet we occasionally are accused of doing so—by both sides of the political spectrum—because truth is truth, no matter where it comes from!) We speak a great deal about Bible prophecy, yet do not claim to be prophets. We write about Christian living as a better way of life and warn against behaviors that bring nothing but sorrow and heartache. Another important difference that sets us apart from almost all other publications is that, despite being a high-quality magazine, Tomorrow’s World is given away free of charge. There is no paid advertising found in its pages. You will never see us selling books, T-shirts, or coffee mugs, and we give away all of our booklets, DVDs, CDs, and other materials free of charge. So, what’s in it for us? Why do we do this? What is our mission? Our Message and Mission We at the Living Church of God, which sponsors this magazine and the Tomorrow’s World telecast, take the Bible very seriously. That is why we do not sell the truth (Proverbs 23:23; Matthew 10:8), and that is why our message is different. But don’t all “Christian” churches take the Bible seriously? Don’t they all teach what it says, just from different perspectives? I am afraid, my friends, that you would be disappointed by the facts of this matter, which point toward the reason for the mess our world is in today. Truth is not relative, despite academia’s best efforts to convince us—and particularly our youth—otherwise. Absolute physical truth is the reason we can fly planes, and moral truth is just
2 Tomorrow’s World | April-May 2021
as absolute—not subject to the shifting sands of human opinion. The Scriptures plainly show what our mission should be. Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This sounds simple enough, but what was the “gospel” Jesus told His followers to preach? The Bible is filled with this message that almost no one understands or proclaims. Preachers have replaced the true Gospel message for one about the person of Christ and a cheap kind of grace. In doing so, they neglect the message Jesus Himself proclaimed for more than three years prior to His death, burial, and resurrection. Christ’s sacrifice is part of the Good News, but so is the message He proclaimed before His crucifixion. Few are even aware of His message, but Tomorrow’s World proclaims that message of the soon-coming Kingdom of God on earth! In that kingdom, Jesus will be “King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9), the resurrected King David will rule over the entire nation of Israel (Ezekiel 34:23–24; Jeremiah 30:9), and the resurrected Twelve Apostles will sit on thrones, each ruling over a tribe of Israel (Matthew 19:28). We understand that those who are truly Christ’s at His coming will be given rulership over cities (Luke 19:15–19). All of this explains why Scripture calls Jesus the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). True Christians of this age will be those kings
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Volume 23, Issue 4 | April-May 2021
and lords He rules over! So, why is it that people read these clear statements but fail to understand them— or refuse to believe them? Some longtime readers of this publication know the answer to that question. We understand why most people—even many frequent readers of this magazine—do not “get it.” As Jesus tells us, no human beings can come to Him unless His Father opens their minds and draws them to the truth. That may sound shocking, but it is what Jesus said, and He even repeated it for emphasis: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…. Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:44, 65). Is God Opening Your Mind? If God is opening your mind to understand these things, and you desire to learn more about the coming Kingdom of God, we invite you to order our free publication Do You Believe the True Gospel? And—spoiler alert—it is not about floating on clouds in heaven! You may wonder why Tomorrow’s World spends so much time on world news and biblical prophecies. Do you realize that from one quarter to one third of the Bible is made up of prophecy, and that most of those prophecies concern what is referred to as the end time, the time leading up to and immediately prior to the return of Jesus Christ? Longtime readers of Tomorrow’s World understand why He must return. The reason is found in Matthew 24:21–22. It should be obvious to anyone who sees what is happening in our world that we are heading into very troubled waters. Everything is not okay. Yes, there have been very troubling times in the past, but never during a time with greater potential for total oblivion. The United States is no longer united. Rather, it is badly divided with virtually no prospect of being reconciled, which bodes well neither for the U.S. nor for the rest of the world. The post-World War II era of relative stability is coming to an end, and the Bible reveals where all of this is heading. We at Tomorrow’s World see our nations heading for a train wreck. Our world is traveling downhill,
picking up speed, and the bridge is out. The end is in sight and disaster is our lot unless we slam on the brakes and turn around. We have no illusions that the majority will even listen to our warning, much less accept and act on it, but we are nevertheless obligated to give it. “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs 24:11–12). God told the prophet Ezekiel to record a message for others to broadcast at the end of the age—even though that message would be rejected (Ezekiel 3:4–7). Those who understand the message and fail to sound the warning will be held accountable. But if they do sound the warning, even though it is rejected, these watchmen will not be held responsible for the disaster (Ezekiel 33:1–7). This sums up, in very simple terms, what Tomorrow’s World is all about. That is why we tell the truth. That is also why we realize that the message we proclaim is unpopular and will become more so as time goes by. There are times in life when we must stand up for the truth, no matter the cost. As the Apostle Paul rightly stated, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Tomorrow’s World is like no other magazine today because we tell the plain truth of Christ’s message, what He did for us, and how His plan for mankind is going to play out. We tell the bad news as well as the good news. We proclaim the return of Jesus Christ to rule over all the earth from a throne in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4, 9). And we explain life’s purpose— that people may be born into the very Family of God at a resurrection to eternal life. Tomorrow’s World magazine gives hope to a troubled world that is rapidly losing hope. The real question now is, how will you respond?
April-May 2021 | Tomorrow’s World 3
5 The Truth About Anti-Semitism
Why is this ancient and pervasive evil refusing to die out, rearing its ugly head again in our modern world?
10 Leading… by Example?
The contradictory and hypocritical actions of human leaders stand in stark contrast to the perfect example of God.
12 Mary: Lady of All Nations?
Have the pagan traditions of men slandered and made a counterfeit from the true mother of Jesus Christ?
16 The Hope of the Dead
Do you fear judgment, rebirth, or oblivion after you die? You need to know the glorious and hope-giving truth!
22 Safe or Strong?
How can parents help their children learn resilience in our dangerous age? It can be done!
26 Will You Stand Alone?
Negative peer pressure is stronger than ever. Do you know where to find the power to resist it?
25 Hard Questions for Easter 9 28 30 31
uestions and Answers Q NewsWatch Letters to the Editor Television Log Circulation: 450,000
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Will you resist the world’s pressures? –26–
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The Truth About Anti-Semitism By Stuart Wachowicz
“W
e must resolutely oppose both open and covert anti-Semitism, the denial as well as the relativization of the Holocaust…. we honor the victims of the Holocaust by remembering them and learning from their plight.” So said German Chancellor Angela Merkel to a United Nations conference on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Expressing what she called “deep shame” at Germany’s anti-Semitic past, Merkel said it is Germany’s “everlasting responsibility” to remember the Holocaust and its victims (News.UN.org, January 27, 2021). Is anti-Semitism simply a terrible relic of Europe’s past? Two years earlier, at another Holocaust Remembrance Day event, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker made a shocking statement: “On this day, I am deeply worried. I would never have thought that during my lifetime Jews would be afraid to practice their faith in Europe” (European Commission, January 24, 2019). To the horror of many who once thought World War II marked the end of European anti-Semitism, a new wave of anti-Semitism is now surfacing. Not only are some European extremists rediscovering discredited Nazi ideology, but also small-yet-vocal
anti-Semitic elements have stirred among refugees fleeing to Europe in the wake of the Arab Spring and Syrian civil war. Should we be surprised? Perhaps not. Anti Semitic sentiment has been around for a very long time. This old hatred has shaped the lives, actions, and movements of peoples for many centuries and given rise to periods of political and religious persecutions that now live in infamy—and yet, disturbingly, do not seem problematic to a growing number of bigoted individuals around the globe. Many ask why some people are filled with hatred towards individuals they have never met. Sadly, others who think they are not involved ignore the issue and feel that since it doesn’t affect them personally, they need not be concerned. So, why does anti-Semitism matter if you aren’t Jewish? Read on to learn the answer! An Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Hatred The modern term anti-Semitism was coined in 1879 by German publicist and political agitator Wilhelm Marr, as a “sanitized” version of the earlier term “Jew-hatred.” Globally, Jews make up less than a quarter of one percent of the population. Why, then, have these people, who have contributed so much in the areas of science, medicine, philosophy, music, and religion, been vilified by so many and for so long? How can the same people be accused of being both
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THE T RU T H A B OU T A N T I- S EM IT IS M
ardent communists and scheming capitalists at the same time? How can they be despised as both too conservative and too liberal? The story of Jew-hating goes back many centuries. In 333 BC, Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great and his Greek forces overwhelmed the Persian Empire and, in the course of the conflict, absorbed both Egypt and the Middle East into his empire. Alexander showed great favor to the Jews, many of whom, especially scholars and skilled craftsmen, chose to settle in the new city named after the emperor—Alexandria. Here they flourished for many years, yet by the early 200s BC a wave of anti-Semitism was rearing its head in Egypt. Renowned Cambridge scholar and author Michael Grant, in his 1984 book The History of Ancient
Greek world understood Hebrew thought and history, Alexandria’s Jews reasoned, this would serve to thwart the effect of the deliberate spread of lies and hate. Alas, the problems continued to arise from time to time, and have persisted even to our day. Certainly, compared to what is found in some parts of our world today, the English-speaking world has been a relative refuge from virulent anti-Semitism. But this has not always been the case. There were very few, if any, Jews in England until King William I the Conqueror invited them to settle after the Norman conquest in 1066. Sadly, a century later, anti-Jewish violence erupted during the reign of King Richard I. Despite initial royal efforts to quell the violence, royal support eroded and severe anti-Jewish fervor fanned mobs that massacred whole Jewish communities. Clerics at the time would work up the mobs in the name of religion, calling the Jews “Christ-killers.” They somehow forgot Christ’s own prayer on the stake: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). In 1290, during the reign of England’s King Edward I, all Jews who refused to convert to “Christianity” were ordered expelled from his kingdom, a pattern that would be repeated by other European nations in years ahead—Hungary in 1360, France in 1394, Austria in 1421, Spain in 1492, and Portugal in 1497.
HOW CAN THE SAME PEOPLE BE ACCUSED OF BEING BOTH ARDENT COMMUNISTS AND SCHEMING CAPITALISTS AT THE SAME TIME? Israel, notes that one Manetho of Heliopolis, an Egyptian priest writing in the third century BC, issued a vitriolic set of charges against the Jews, accusing them unjustly of cruelty and spreading disease. To fan Egyptian pride, Manetho falsified the list of Egyptian pharaohs to try to push his nation’s history back further than that of the Greeks and to contradict the biblical account of the Exodus. The Jewish community saw that they needed a response to this malicious attack, which was turning public sentiment against them. Realizing that the Greeks knew very little about Jewish history or religious teachings, Alexandria’s Jews embarked on a very ambitious project—a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. This translation is today known as the Septuagint, from the Latin septuaginta, meaning 70—the number of scholars said to have worked on this massive endeavor. This was in part a help for Hellenized Jews who could not read the Bible in Hebrew, but it was also an attempt to combat ignorance and persecution. If the
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What Sets People Apart? In modern times, the vast majority of educated people are familiar with the Holocaust and the well documented, systematic, and brutal slaughter of millions of Jews at the hands of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis in World War II. Even so, polls consistently show that a small-but-significant percentage of the population does not know or does not believe that millions of Jews were the victims of genocide in Hitler’s Germany. Many do not recognize that anti-Semitism is not only an evil, but has been a persistent evil throughout history. And we may rightly ask, Why? Why has such hatred been focused on a small population of highly capable people who have actually made very significant contributions to civilization? Truly, as in any population, some people are going to cause problems—but the Jews have no greater number of deviant people than any other groups. So why have they become so singled out?
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THE TRUTH AB O UT AN TI -S EMIT ISM
Hitler confidant Hermann Rauschning attributed to his former leader this startling admission: “Conscience is a Jewish invention. It is a blemish, like circumcision…. I am freeing men… from the dirty and degrading self-mortification of a chimera called conscience and morality” (Hitler Speaks, 1939). Scholars have disputed the authenticity of this quote, but it captures the malevolent spirit behind much anti Semitic thinking—and behind anti-Semites’ desire to discredit and demean the Jews, setting them apart from the rest of society. But what were the factors that let bigotry set the Jews apart from the society around them? Four factors stand out in particular that distinguished observant Jews from the surrounding population. Education: Throughout the Middle Ages and even into the Renaissance, the vast majority of Europeans were illiterate. By contrast, Jewish families worked to ensure that their sons were not only educated in a trade, but also able to read and write in order to understand their scriptures. As a result, skilled and literate Jewish populations accumulated wealth, which enabled some to become moneylenders. European laws during the Middle Ages generally prevented “Christians” from being involved in moneylending. Jews were not so prevented and became gradually engaged in lending and early forms of banking—giving them great influence but also making them objects of jealousy and resentment. A culture of separation: Beyond their reverence for what many call the “Old Testament” scriptures, much of Jewish society was shaped by traditions dictated by the Talmud, an extensive body of commentary and interpretation of Jewish law and practice. The resulting social separation fostered the spread of misunderstandings about Jews. Rulers seeking scapegoats for social problems found it easy to fan distrust that would lead to violence. Interestingly, those Jews who rejected the Talmud—such as the Karaites of Eastern Europe and Russia—did not separate themselves from wider society, which may explain why they in general suffered far less from pogroms and persecutions. Propaganda: When anti-Semites have been unable to spread hatred through fear of genuine differences, some have resorted to outright falsehoods to incite suspicion and even violence. Perhaps the
most notorious example is a document published in Russia in 1905, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Recognized today as a forgery, it was widely accepted at the time of publication as a secret account of Jewish leaders’ plans to undermine society and bring it under total control of Jewish power brokers. Even today, some few continue to believe in the document’s authenticity and spread its falsehoods. God’s laws: Simply by obeying some of God’s law, observant Jews would inevitably find themselves somewhat separate from non-Jews who did not follow even the simplest biblical laws regarding health and cleanliness. During the Dark Ages, when cholera, typhoid, and bubonic plague ravaged European cities, non-Jews noticed that the Jews were almost if not totally unaffected by these afflictions. Today, we can see that it was the Jews’ observance of scriptural laws about such practical matters as quarantine of the ill, frequent washing, and the burial of human waste that kept disease to a minimum. At the time, however, the suffering mobs jumped to the conclusion that since the Jews were scarcely affected by these diseases, they must have caused them—which brought further anti-Semitic persecutions. A Deeper Source: Rejection of God? All the above, however, cannot explain the real source of anti-Semitism. It is worth noting that the biblical laws referenced in the last point include far more than quarantine. These biblical laws—unlike the Talmudic laws developed by rabbinical Judaism, which served in large measure to separate observant Jews from society—were also observed by the early Church of God as taught by Jesus Christ’s Apostles, a fact that history records. Yet these biblical laws are virtually absent today from most “Christian” denominations. Why? Could anti-Semitism have been a force at play centuries ago that obscured Christian belief? The medieval mobs who raged against the Jews were mostly illiterate and knew nothing of the first-century Christian Church. They did not comprehend that Jesus Christ kept many of the same laws that were kept by the Jews they sought to persecute. Why? After more than a thousand years of distortion by a false church using the name of Christ, the average “Christian” was ignorant of the doctrines and ethical values of Jesus Christ Himself.
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THE T RU T H A B OU T A N T I- S EM IT IS M
The concentration camps of World War II are a grim reminder of where anti-Semitism can take a civilization. In the centuries after Christ’s death and resurrection, certain leaders emerged who sought to distance Christianity from Jesus Christ and the very laws that He—the God of the Old Testament (1 Corinthians 10:1–4)—had both given and observed. Just as the original Judaism became distorted by the Talmud and its superstructure of man-made laws obscuring God’s own laws, mainstream Christianity lost sight of Jesus’ teachings under the influence of Roman church leaders like Jerome, John Chrysostom, and Augustine, whose ideas owed more to Plato and other pagan thinkers than to the Apostle Paul. This separation of Christ from His own teachings is also at the heart of modern anti-Semitism, as Adolf Hitler’s hatred of the Jews illustrated powerfully. Professor David Nirenberg, author of Anti-Judaism: The History of a Way of Thinking, points out that anti-Semitism is in fact a rejection of Jewish values and that its core objective is to negate the ethical principles upon which Judaism is based—which are the same principles by which Jesus Christ lived. The deeper motivation behind anti-Semitism is that it seeks to discredit the religion God gave to all Israel. This was a religion based on the understanding and laws God imparted to the Hebrews, which God Himself—incarnated as the human Jesus Christ— obeyed and fulfilled perfectly. Many professing Christians make the mistake of thinking that Jesus revoked His own laws after He fulfilled them. The truth, however, is that in setting us an example of fulfilling the law, Jesus made it more binding in its New Testament application. There is no longer a temple for sacrifices,
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because Christ is our sacrifice instead and Christians themselves are now the temple of God. The laws by which Christ lived are the laws by which true Christians live today. They are principles that are absolute and not open to change. They cannot be modified to adjust to the changing mood of society. The God of the Bible, who gave these directions, makes it clear that His divine laws and standards cannot be revised to meet society’s standards, “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). God commanded the Israelites to be faithful to His laws and principles, and promised to bless them and care for them if they were. In fact, if they were diligent in their obedience, they would exemplify and teach His laws and way of life to the rest of humanity. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgements as are in all this law which I set before you this day? (Deuteronomy 4:6–8). It is especially important to remember that the first century—original—Christian Church understood THE TRUTH ABOUT ANTI-SEMITISM CONTINUES ON PAGE 24
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Should We Try to Convert Unbelievers? Question: When I first started learning about the real God of the Bible from the Tomorrow’s World telecast, magazine, and booklets, I thought my family, friends, and coworkers would be as excited about the truth as I was—so I was very surprised by how negative their reactions were. Was I doing something wrong by trying to share what I am learning? Answer: You may have made a mistake that people often make when they first come to understand the beautiful and exciting truth about God’s plan of salvation for humanity. When you know how wonderful this life-changing knowledge is, it is natural and right to want others to share in your joy—certainly, Christians are not to hide their faith “under a basket” (Matthew 5:15). However, the fundamental way in which Christians are to share their faith is by setting a Christ-like example in their conduct (1 Peter 2:21). Yes, we must be ready to “give a defense” to anyone who asks the reason for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15), but even if people are not asking us about the truth of God, they still see how we act. Generally, when people see your personal example as a Christian—when they see true Christianity’s effect on your life—they will be more likely to ask you about what you believe. No matter how excited you rightfully are about what God is teaching you, the force of your words cannot bring someone into God’s Church. Scripture makes it clear that a calling from the Father—not the excitement of a friend or relative—is what enables someone to understand what God has revealed. Remember that, according to Jesus Christ Himself, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:44–45). God alone decides whom He will call, and we know from His word that He is only calling a relatively small handful of “firstfruits” in this present age—those who will take part in the first resurrection at Jesus Christ’s return (Revelation 20:4–6). Notice:
“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints’” (Jude 14). Although more than two billion people alive today profess to be Christians, the actual number of true Christians whom God has called is far, far less than that. That being said, we know that God will eventually give everyone who has ever lived a genuine opportunity God will to understand the Bible and eventually receive eternal life. God promises that, one day, “the earth give everyone will be filled with the knowlwho has ever edge of the glory of the Lord, lived a genuine as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14), and that “No opportunity more shall every man teach to understand his neighbor, and every man the Bible and his brother, saying, ‘Know the receive eternal Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to life. the greatest of them. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). For most people who hear the true Gospel proclaimed today, it is simply a warning “witness” of what is to come (Matthew 24:14). Out of the many who hear the truth, God is calling only a “little flock” in this present age (Luke 12:32). The vast majority of human beings remain blinded (2 Corinthians 4:3–4)—and this is part of God’s plan, as He knows that these people are not yet ready for their calling. Indeed, trying to shine the light of truth into the mind of one who is blinded will often just bring persecution on whoever is holding the lantern. “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13). Knowing all of this, let your Christian deeds speak for you. If someone asks about your faith, by all means share what has helped you learn and grow—but do not think that you can force God’s truth on anyone around you. Pray that God will work with those you love, but trust that He, and He alone, knows when the time will be right for their calling. TW
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Oh
Canada! Leading… by Example? A year has passed since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. It has been a year of economic difficulty, anxiety, separation from family and friends, loss, and, for some, stressful online schooling. Most would agree that we could all use a vacation after 2020! The Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy sounds ideal, with its beautiful white sand beaches, tropical weather, and numerous comfortable resorts—or, who wouldn’t love to get the whole family together for a vacation in Hawaii? California, Mexico, Greece—do any of those sound enticing? While those destinations are indeed picturesque, how many simply want to visit relatives they have been unable to see for more than a year? How many long to visit an ailing parent or grandparent, but don’t because of a current government mandate to “stay home”? While most citizens strive to adhere to the ever-changing regulations and travel restrictions, several officials of governments issuing those restrictions visited each of the locations above. Some trips resulted in forced resignations, while others were “remedied” with Facebook apologies. This hypocrisy is not limited to a single political party, nor is it confined to Canadian officials. It is a crisis in leadership at all levels and seemingly everywhere. The Trust Deficit Sadly, many politicians and administrators around the world have taken a “Do as I say, not as I do” attitude— certainly not all of them, but enough to erode the fragile trust between governments and the people they are supposed to serve.
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We live in an age where misinformation is at an all-time high; one of the greatest challenges of combating this pandemic has been convincing some of the population that there is a real pandemic at all, and most of the population that their individual actions can either prolong or shorten the crisis. When seeking his party’s United States presidential nomination in 2012, former governor John Huntsman often spoke of the “trust deficit” that has developed between the American people and their government. But the trust deficit is not just an American problem. It is a human problem—present in countries all over the world. Those in leadership must never forget that their actions—their examples—have significant potential to inspire or dishearten those they serve. An article published by Global News shows the effect hypocrisy is having today: “Sure, politicians have long been called out for hypocrisy. But during a pandemic that’s forced millions into seclusion and left many without paychecks, [hypocritical] actions can feel like a personal insult—reinforcing the idea ‘that some people just don’t have to follow the rules while the rest of us do’” (“‘People hate hypocrisy’: Anger high when politicians break coronavirus rules,” December 19, 2020). The Result of Fractured Trust Should it surprise us that fewer and fewer citizens are following the guidelines? The Globe and Mail published data showing how many Canadians travelled over the winter holidays in 2020. While the numbers were substantially lower than those of a typical winter break, “Roughly 1.2 million people in Canada, many of them from affluent neighbourhoods, spent at least one night
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L EAD I N G … BY EXAMPLE?
away from home over the holidays even as governments were urging people not to congregate, according to an analysis of location data” (“More Than a Million Canadians Engaged in Overnight Holiday-Season Travel, Data Show,” January 21, 2021). The report generated enough buzz, and the numbers caused enough of a stir, to elicit a response from the highest elected office in the land: “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the report Friday by urging anyone planning a trip abroad to cancel it. ‘My message to Canadians remains clear, no one should be taking a vacation abroad right now,’ Trudeau said…. With March break around the corner, the prime minister emphasized: ‘Don’t book a trip for spring break’” (“PM urges Canadians to cancel travel plans after data reveals 1M travelled over holidays,” CTVNews.ca, January 22, 2021). Many will heed the Prime Minister’s plea. But how many will instead follow the examples of certain leaders and travel anyway? When fewer individuals follow the guidelines, infection rates tend to increase. This, in turn, results in tighter restrictions. The tighter the restrictions, the more people see them as examples of governmental overreach and so ignore them, pointing to the poor examples of their leaders as reason enough. The result of hypocritical leadership is a vicious cycle that destroys trust and optimism and only serves to increase the polarization currently wreaking havoc on society.
A Better Example “Do as I say, not as I do” is usually a symptom of a ruling class that believes rules don’t apply to it. Leaders often justify their indiscretions by explaining that their situation differs from that of the common man. If ever there were a Being who could get away with saying, “Do as I say, not as I do,” it would be the Creator of
the Universe. However, far from His living by different rules than He gave, the laws He gave mankind actually describe His mind and heart. Longtime readers of Tomorrow’s World understand that the purpose of the law outlined in Scripture is to build in us the same character that our Creator possesses. He wants us to be like Him, and to that end, He leads by example! The Supreme Being powerful and wise enough to design and put in motion the entire universe can be understood by what He cannot—or will not—do, as well “Do as I say, as by what He does. Consider not as I do” two examples of God following the same laws that He created is usually a for man. symptom of a The Apostle Paul was ruling class that inspired to say that God cannot lie (Titus 1:1–2). This does not believes rules don’t apply to it. mean that God is not smart enough to lie convincingly. Rather, His law is absolute: Wrong is always wrong. The character He desires for each of us is a reflection of His own. He does not ask us to live up to a standard that He Himself ignores. God inspired this passage to show us that He is no hypocrite. How many parents instruct their children that lying is wrong, but also tell them that if they misbehave, they’ll “end up on Santa’s naughty list”? Another example can be found in the book of Genesis. The opening verses of Genesis 2 show that God rested on the seventh day after six days of creation. Would anyone argue that God was just too tired to carry on—that He had overexerted Himself to the point of needing a nap? Of course not! He set an example, keeping what would later be codified as the Fourth Commandment—that we are to rest on the seventh day—even though He did not need the rest. This is an example of godly leadership that we should strive to emulate. The reason God is working to develop our character is that He intends to use individuals with good character in leadership roles. He expects those who lead to lead by example. If you would like to learn more about the results of righteous leadership, be sure to request a free copy of The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like? or read it online at TomorrowsWorld.org. —Michael Heykoop
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Mary: Lady of All Nations?
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By Douglas S. Winnail
or Roman Catholics around the world, the month of May has long been a time of special devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. As Pope Paul VI described it in his encyclical Mense Maio, May is “the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God’s merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother’s throne” (April 29, 1965). As the human woman who gave birth to Jesus Christ, who was the Logos or Word (Spokesman) of God born as a fully human being, Mary received from God a very special blessing. She was indeed “highly favored” by God (Luke 1:28). To be a human parent of God in the flesh was an extraordinary role, and God found Mary fit for that role. She did not know everything about His mission; at the Cana wedding, Jesus had to admonish her, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). Yet this was a woman to whom many private matters about Jesus were entrusted from His birth (Luke 2:19), and He reciprocated with love for her throughout His life. Even at His crucifixion, taking on the sins of all humanity, He showed His filial love for Mary, ensuring that she would be cared for after His death (John 19:25–27). But how did traditions develop that turned this faithful follower of Christ into someone whom many
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consider His peer—even His co-Redeemer, venerating her almost as a “god” in her own right? This certainly wasn’t part of first-century Church teaching. Scholars acknowledge that this focus on Mary was totally absent in the early Church: “Seeing that this doctrine is not contained, at least explicitly in the earlier forms of the Apostles’ Creed, there is perhaps no ground for surprise if we do not meet with any clear traces of the cultus of the Blessed Virgin in the first Christian centuries” (“Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary,” The Catholic Encyclopedia). So, where did these ideas come from? Today, some venerate Mary as “Queen of Heaven” and “Lady of All Nations”—titles that make no sense from a strictly biblical perspective. We need to remember that Jesus came into a world dominated by Greek and Roman culture—a culture that shaped early distortions of Jesus’ true teachings. People across the Roman Empire worshiped a variety of gods and goddesses that were known by different names in different regions, but were considered the “same” figure in different locales. Statues of these deities were often housed in magnificent shrines and temples, and were worshiped with elaborate ceremonies that sometimes included secret rites and temple prostitution. Festivals of the gods were public holidays that filled the social calendar. A prime example of this was found in Ephesus, with its great temple of Diana—one of the wonders of the ancient world (Acts 19:21–40). In 431 AD, the Roman church’s third ecumenical council met in
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MARY: LADY O F AL L N ATI ONS?
Ephesus and proclaimed Mary the “Mother of God” and the object of prayers and devotions. But why was Mary given this title? Why was Ephesus chosen as the place where this new dogma would be announced? Other Marys Before Mary? The Diana of Ephesus was a goddess “whom all Asia and the world worship” (Acts 19:27). Diana was the Roman name for the Greek deity Artemis, “the goddess of wild animals, the hunt, and vegetation and of chastity and childbirth” (“Artemis,” Britannica.com). She is often portrayed as a virgin and the “Mistress of Animals” (Britannica.com). Her statues depict a multi-breasted figure wearing a turreted crown. Artemis incorporates many features of the great mother goddess who was worshiped under a variety of names in the ancient world. “Artemis is a deity of very ancient origins who survived and attracted great popularity in Asia Minor and Greece into Christian times, when… much of her ethos was transferred to the Virgin Mary. Both figures enjoyed major sanctuaries at Ephesus” (Michael Jordan, Encyclopedia of Gods, emphasis added). By building a church for Mary in Ephesus and declaring her the “Mother of God” near the great temple of the mother goddess Diana, the Roman church simply borrowed and adapted ancient traditions that allowed new converts to continue pagan practices in a “Christian” context! But where did the titles “Mother of God” and “Queen of Heaven” come from? In central Asia Minor, more than a thousand years before the Romans, the Hittites also worshiped a great mother goddess. On the side of a hill near Sardis is a giant rock carving of a mother goddess that the ancient poets Homer, Ovid, and Sophocles describe as the “Mother of the Gods, the oldest goddess of all” (John Garstang, The Hittite Empire, emphasis added). On statues and carvings, this Hittite deity “assumes the aspect of a goddess of the skies, or Queen of Heaven, a familiar attribute of Astarte” (Garstang). Astarte was the Phoenician goddess of war, the evening star, sexual love, and fertility. Temple prostitution was part of her worship. She was often depicted naked, wearing “a crown of cow’s horns enclosing a sun disc”—similar to the Egyptian goddess Isis (Jordan). The Roman army spread the worship of this ancient Hittite goddess across Europe
from Germany to Britain because her cult “found great favour among the soldiers” (Garstang). Madonna with Child? And what about the Madonna and child? In Egypt, Isis was worshiped as one of the greatest deities. She was usually depicted seated on a throne “holding the child Horus…. Isis and Horus were regarded by the Egyptians as the perfect mother and son” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th ed., vol. 6, emphasis added). From Egypt, the worship of Isis spread to Greece and Rome, where she was called Stella Maris (star of the sea), the patroness of seafarers and the “queen of heaven” (E.A. Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, vol. 2, emphasis added). Numerous scholars note that “the Isis cult influenced the portrayal of the Christian Virgin Mary, who was also known as Stella Maris and whose portraits with the Christ often bear a striking similarity to those of Isis with Horus” (Jordan), and that “it is clear that the early Christians bestowed some of her [Isis’] attributes upon the Virgin Mary.… pictures and sculptures wherein she is represented in the act of suckling her child Horus formed the foundation for the Christian figures and paintings of the Madonna and Child” (Budge). “[M]any of the heresies of the early Christian Church in Egypt were caused by the survival of ideas and beliefs connected with the old native gods which the converts to Christianity wished to adapt to their new creed” (Budge, emphasis added). In parts of Egypt, by 400 AD, “Mary the Virgin and Christ had taken the places of Isis and Horus, and the ‘Godmother,’ or ‘mother of the god,’ was no longer Isis, but Mary” (Budge). This is how the worship of a mother goddess became part of so-called Christianity on the unbiblical pretext of devotion to Christ’s mother. Nominal converts embraced this “Christianity” while bringing their devotion to a mother goddess—and her titles—with them! This was nothing new. In the Bible we read that the ancient Israelites—including Solomon—turned from God and worshipped Baal and Asherah or Ashtoreth (Judges 2:11–13; 10:6; 1 Kings 11:1–11), whose rituals involved temple prostitution (2 Kings 23:6–7). The Bible speaks of women weaving garments for a statue of this goddess that had been placed in the temple of God (2 Kings 21:1–7; 23:6–7). Historians
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M A RY: LA DY OF A LL N AT IO N S?
comment that “Aserah is the great mother goddess of Canaan” (Jordan). Scholars also connect Ashtoreth with the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the Phoenician Astarte, and the Greek Aphrodite—fertility goddesses whose worship also involved temple prostitution. Ishtar was the most important goddess in the ancient Middle East—especially in Babylon and Nineveh. She was the goddess of war and sexuality. She was called the “Queen of the Universe,” the “protectress of prostitutes,” and the “patroness of the alehouse” (“Ishtar,” Britannica.com). Her cult, which included temple prostitution, was widespread and popular. Ishtar was also worshipped as Inanna the goddess of love and war, and called the “Queen of heaven” (Manfred Lurker, The Routledge Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Devils and Demons). Another Canaanite and Phoenician goddess was Anat, a fertility goddess, sister of Baal, and daughter of the sun god. She was called
religious practices, which God viewed as abominations: “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way” (Deuteronomy 12:29–32; 17:2–7). However, these warnings were repeatedly ignored as the Israelites turned to the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth—the mother goddess of the Canaanites, their “queen of heaven.” For these sins—including the practice of kissing their idols (Hosea 13:2)—the ancient nation of Israel incurred the anger of God and was carried off to captivity in Assyria! The nation of Judah made the same mistakes. They provoked God to anger when they “burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her… [and made] cakes for her, to worship her” (Jeremiah 44:19). The image they worshiped as the queen of heaven was the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. Other rituals included “weeping for Tammuz”—the dead husband of Ishtar—and “worshiping the sun toward the east” (Ezekiel 8:10–18). These practices continue today in making hot cross buns and holding sunrise services at Easter. The Bible reveals that these are not trivial matters in God’s sight, but are abominations that God hates. The nation of Judah spent 70 years in captivity in Babylon as punishment for its idolatry. Early Catholic church leaders allowing people to continue their pagan traditions under new “Christian” names were following this same misguided reasoning that ignored clear biblical instructions. The Bible warns that nations following this example—adopting and adapting pagan practices—will suffer a similar fate (Jeremiah 16:10–13).
THE NATION OF JUDAH PROVOKED GOD TO ANGER WHEN THEY “BURNED INCENSE TO THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND POURED OUT DRINK OFFERINGS TO HER… [AND MADE] CAKES FOR HER, TO WORSHIP HER.” “Lady of the Mountain,” “mother of the gods,” “queen of heaven,” and the “virgin Anat” (Jordan). The Bible and history plainly show that the ancient Israelites and the early Catholic church adopted the worship of a mother goddess, complete with her titles, from their pagan neighbors. But what does all this have to do with us today, and why is it significant? Why Does It Matter? When God brought the ancient Israelites out of Egypt, He commanded them, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image…. you shall not bow down to them nor serve them…. You shall not make idols for yourselves” (Exodus 20:4–5; Leviticus 26:1). Yet they soon began to worship a golden calf, and were punished for doing so (Exodus 32). The Israelites were also given God’s clear instruction not to adopt pagan
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Lady of Europe… and the World? Between 1945 and 1959, a Dutch woman in Amsterdam reported what she claimed were more than 50 visions of Mary. Though the Roman Catholic archbishop of Amsterdam would not proclaim the visions as legitimate, devotion to “the Lady of All Nations”—the name this figure supposedly gave herself—spread across the Netherlands, and even across Europe and beyond. Interestingly, one skeptical notice issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith urged Roman
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MARY: LADY O F AL L N ATI ONS?
Catholics to practice devotion to the “Queen of the Universe” instead, in forms “recognized and recommended by the Church” (Alateia.org, October 20, 2020). But why is there growing interest in Mary, whether as Queen of the Universe, Queen of Heaven, or Lady of All Statue of the Egyptian goddess Isis nursing Nations? Scripher son Horus, from the seventh century BC. ture reveals that, just before the return of Jesus Christ, a “beast” power composed of ten nations will emerge in Europe from the ashes of the old Roman Empire (Daniel 2, 7; Revelation 13, 17–18). This confederation will be ridden by a “woman,” a rich and powerful church described as a queen whose roots go back to ancient Babylon and as a mother of harlots—other misguided churches—who has made the world drunk with her false doctrines (Revelation 18:7; 17:1–6). This woman—called “daughter of Babylon” and the “Lady of Kingdoms” (Isaiah 47:1, 5)—will claim to be the one true Church, saying, “I am, and there is no one else besides me” (Isaiah 47:8–9; Revelation 18:7–8). She will lead an end-time movement to bring her separated “children” back to their “mother” church. Europe is clearly a fertile ground for this development. Already, Roman Catholics have consecrated to Mary several European regions. In 1996, Pope John Paul II called Gibraltar’s Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (established in 1309 by Spain’s King Ferdinand IV) a “potent symbol” for the unification of Europe and “a place where, under the patronage of Mary, the human family will be drawn ever more closely into fraternal unity and peaceful coexistence” (“The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe,” Gibraltar.com). Significantly for those who understand Scripture and history, the shrine is not far from a cave where, seven centuries before Christ,
Phoenician seafarers set up a shrine to Astarte, their own Queen of Heaven. Even the New Europe is awash with Marian symbolism. The Council of Europe observes Europe Day on May 5—the same day celebrated as the feast day of Our Lady of Europe. The flag of the European Union—a ring of twelve gold stars on a blue background—is drawn from pictures of the Madonna with twelve stars in a halo around her head. And in Strasbourg, France—official seat of the European Parliament—the town’s cathedral features a “window of Europe” depicting a Madonna and child, with a halo of twelve stars and crescent moons along the edges. Mary Ahead? As Europe rises to its prophesied place in end-time religious and political events, what role will Mary play? Many who reject traditional religions as “patriarchal” are open to the worship of a “mother figure.” Even Islam has a connection to Mary, a figure venerated in the Quran; one of the most famous Marian shrines is found in Fatima, Portugal—a village named for Muhammad’s daughter. Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, who popularized Roman Catholicism through his writings and television appearances, pointed out that when statues of Our Lady of Fatima are shown in Muslim countries, large crowds gather to venerate her image. As we come closer to the end of this age, watch for more attempts by powerful political figures to co-opt Mary for their purposes. And watch for powerful devotees of Mary to seek greater influence in the political arena. Scripture records that when Jesus was told, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You,” He proclaimed that “whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother” (Mark 3:32–35). Are you a doer of God’s will? If so, remember that Christ loves you and values you just as He loved His mother Mary. The example of Mary should not be corrupted by unscriptural pagan ideas drawn from goddess worship. When Mary is resurrected at Christ’s return, along with all the other faithful Christians who have lived and died, she will be appalled by the pagan distortions counterfeit Christianity has promoted in her name. True Christians, however, can and should follow the real Mary’s example of love and faithfulness to her Savior, Jesus Christ. TW
April-May 2021 | Tomorrow’s World 15
THE HOPE OF THE DEAD
Almost no question has haunted the minds of human beings more than that of whether there is life after death—and, today, many intellectual giants would have you believe that the only rational answer is “No.” Are they right? When you die, are you done?
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By Gerald E. Weston
imes have been tough lately. We are all very much aware of today’s various problems, and underlying many of them is what most rational humans fear most— death and the process of dying itself. The purpose of this article is not to scare or depress you, but to give you hope—something we can all use when times are rough. That hope is for life after death. Many believe in it, in one form or another, but few are willing to bet their lives on it. Surprisingly, some evolutionists and nominal atheists say they believe in life after death. This is strange, because evolution is fundamentally an attempt to explain life apart from God, and if there is no God, what evolutionary mechanism can possibly bring life back from the dead? Some try to “split the middle” by claiming that God used evolution to create all life forms, but the real appeal of evolution is its dismissal of the Creator, thus ignoring any behavioral restraints that a higher power may place. The Outcome None Shall Escape So, let’s not play games. Consider for a moment: Though we hate the idea, we are all going to die, and it’s only as we grow older that most of us realize how short life truly is. We grew up hearing parents and their friends exclaim that “Kids grow up so quickly!” and ask, “Where have all the years gone?” Maybe you have said those familiar words yourself. At some point, we are all confronted with the reality of death, whether in the form of losing a loved
one or having a brush with death ourselves. As we ask, What happens when you die?, there are only two possible answers: The blackness of darkness forever as all consciousness ceases, or life beyond the grave. There can be no other alternatives. Many questions arise for those who believe the latter answer. If there is life after death, when does that life begin—immediately, or at a resurrection sometime in the future? What will it be like, and what form will we take? Some believe they will get wings and become angels, sitting on clouds and playing harps. Others believe in reincarnation, thinking they will come back as a dog, insect, or some other lifeform depending on how they lived their lives. Some think they will have to go through a period of purging their sins before entering a heavenly bliss, staring into the face of God forever—the so-called “beatific vision.” What Is the Truth? Is it good enough to believe, or not believe, something so important based on emotion, upbringing, what your biology professor tells you, or simple wishful thinking? Emotions do not change reality. Neither can we rely on the way we were raised, because while one person is raised an atheist, another is raised a believer in this god or that god; surely, both cannot be right, yet each believes he is. Being a professor in biology gives no insight into life beyond the grave, and wishful thinking is self-deception. Simply wishing for something to be so never makes it so. Today, it’s fashionable to reject God, but since one really cannot prove that He doesn’t exist, isn’t it a
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THE H OPE O F T H E D EA D
high-stakes gamble to reject Him without considering the evidence? Sadly, too few people are willing to put forth the effort to explore and answer this most important of all questions. Most people, when they see death approaching, want to know—Is this the end of it all? Maybe there’s more to it. Lee Iacocca was one of the great industrialists of the twentieth century, and he explained it this way in his book Talking Straight: I’ve always marveled at how belief in the hereafter gets accentuated as people grow older. Until their deathbeds, many of the great minds in science thought that because their soul and being were wrapped up in their body—the old ninety-eight cents’ worth of chemicals (before inflation, that is)—and that because after death there would no longer be a body, that was it. But now when they have to go, suddenly they want to believe in somebody up there because they don’t know where they’re going and they’re scared—sort of scared to death, you might say. It’s a little late by then. Iacocca then related a humorous anecdote about the late W.C. Fields. Fields was a lifelong agnostic, neither believing in God nor totally rejecting His existence—not unlike a lot of people walking the streets today. As the story goes, he was found reading the Bible on his deathbed and was asked, “What are you reading that for?” He replied, “I’m looking for a loophole.” If the story were true, W.C. Fields would not be alone in looking for a last-minute loophole, just in case. Some hedge their bets sooner, while others wait until they are nearer to the inevitable. But if God exists, do we really think He’ll be pleased with that approach? Maybe Iacocca was correct in writing, “It’s a little late by then.” The Alternatives At some point, most of us ask ourselves, “Does God exist?” and “Is there life after death?” Oh, we may not want to admit that to our friends, but the thoughts come into our minds. Is it possible to know the answers? If so, where do we turn? Should we go to the bookstore and purchase books describing tunnels and
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bright lights? What about the ideas of various religions? What about science? Surely, science can come to our rescue! Or can it? Life after death implies two important conclusions. First, there must be an all-powerful force, a higher intelligence or being that can cause a physical existence to transcend to a different form of existence. Secondly, such a supreme cause and transformation implies purpose, which, by its very nature, lies outside scientific discovery. Science can provide no answers, since, by its own admission, it deals only with the material. The United States National Academy of Sciences clearly admitted that “Whether there is a purpose to the universe or a purpose for human existence are not questions for science” (Kenneth R. Miller, Finding Darwin’s God). But scientists often cross the frontier and make assertions about purpose anyway, or the lack thereof. The late Cornell University biologist and science historian William Provine proclaimed, “We must conclude that when we die, we die, and that is the end of us” (Miller). The outspoken Richard Dawkins wrote the following in River Out of Eden: In a universe of physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won’t find any rhyme or reason in it, or any justice. The universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference. Then there is paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who wrote, “[I]t’s a tough life and if you can delude yourself into thinking that there’s all some warm and fuzzy meaning to it all, it’s enormously comforting. But I do think it’s just a story we tell ourselves” (Miller). Is Gould correct? Is religion only a self-deluding comfort blanket? Is it all a giant lie to help us get through the week? Or is there substance to it? Does it have real answers to real questions, such as the question of life after death? Sadly, much of what is called religion really is a fraud. Consider all the various belief systems that exist around the world. Can they all be correct?
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THE HO PE O F THE DEA D
The Bible stands out as remarkable when compared to other “holy” books, and it tells us there is life after death. It proclaims that we can live forever, no longer suffering pain or sorrow. I think we all want that, but is it for real? The Bible claims to offer the one and only way to eternal life, but it reveals that it is a gift, not something anyone has automatically. But haven’t
occurred. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest and imprison Christians—right up until, you might say, he had a near-death experience. He was met by a blinding light and a voice that got his attention. Only then did he stop and consider the many ancient prophecies about the One he was fighting against. Saul, who persecuted Christians with a vengeance, was transformed into a new man, whom we know as the Apostle Paul. He became convinced that the One he had hated was the prophesied Messiah and that He had risen from the dead. The persecutor now became the persecuted, and Paul endured much suffering over the next few decades as a result of his zealous testimony about Christ. Defending himself against those who questioned the sincerity of his newfound convictions, Paul wrote the following:
AT SOME POINT, MOST OF US ASK OURSELVES, “DOES GOD EXIST?” AND “IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?” OH, WE MAY NOT WANT TO ADMIT THAT TO OUR FRIENDS, BUT THE THOUGHTS COME INTO OUR MINDS. you been told that you have an immortal soul, which lives on after death either in heaven or hell—or perhaps purgatory? It is shocking how many popular beliefs, even those you hear on Sunday mornings, are found nowhere in the Bible. Consider Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Why do so few believe what it says—that sin leads to death, not eternal life in some kind of hellish torture? Eternal life is not a right, not an inherent quality, but a gift from God. Also consider John 3:16. Why is it that this wellknown verse is so thoroughly misunderstood? Read it and believe it! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” There, again, is a contrast between perishing and everlasting life. These are opposites. For a thorough explanation of this popular and important biblical passage, request a free copy of John 3:16: Hidden Truths of the Golden Verse, or read it online at TomorrowsWorld.org. A Violently Arrogant Man A major personage in the New Testament of the Bible is a man named Saul. This man sorely persecuted early Christians until something dramatic
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:24–27). Paul was a realist. He recognized that all he endured was the result of his preaching that Jesus was the true Messiah who had been unjustly put to death on our behalf, and who had returned from the grave three days and three nights later, just as He had predicted. Paul’s eyes were opened to the fact that all of this had been foretold in the prophecies he had spent his life studying. He also realized that all his pain in preaching Christ was for nothing unless there is a resurrection to eternal life: “If, in the manner of men, I
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THE H OPE O F T H E D EA D
have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” (1 Corinthians 15:32). One of Many Paul was not alone in changing his mind about Jesus Christ. We are told that Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5) until they saw Him alive again following a brutal Roman crucifixion. The resurrection was truly an attention-getter! At least two of His brothers went on to proclaim to the world that Jesus had indeed died and returned to life. His own disciples fled when He was arrested, but they went on to become martyrs for proclaiming Jesus as alive. Both secular history and the Bible indicate that all but the Apostle John suffered a martyr’s death. Think about that: Men will die for a cause in which they believe, even in error, but will they die for what they know to be a lie? No—these men saw the crucifixion, they knew Jesus’ body was dead in the grave for three days and three nights, and they saw Him alive! But even they struggled at first to believe what they were seeing (Luke 24:36– 41). Thomas boldly declared, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). The reality of the resurrection set in as they talked with Him and even ate with Him! They did not merely “believe”—they knew that Jesus had been resurrected from death. And they boldly proclaimed that fact! But it was not only Paul, Jesus’ brothers, and the original Apostles who saw the resurrected Jesus. As Paul wrote: For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas [Peter], then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present,
MAY WE S U G G EST?
but some have fallen asleep [died]. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). This was written when “the greater part” of the “five hundred brethren” were still alive to corroborate or discount this assertion! Think about that! How credible and lasting would these writings be unless the people of that day were convinced? Some would object that since this comes from the Bible itself, it therefore represents circular reasoning—but consider that we have far greater evidence for the validity of the Bible than any other ancient book. Archaeology time and again proves the skeptics wrong and demonstrates that the Bible is an accurate historical record. It is written that Paul testified before known magistrates, governors, and kings. He testified before King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice, as well as before Agrippa’s sister Drusilla at an earlier time. Much is known from other sources about these individuals, even that Drusilla and her son perished in the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii. If the book of Acts was not credible at the time Luke wrote it, it would have been quickly discredited, and the same is true for the other books of the Bible. While on trial before Agrippa, hardly a moral man on any front, Paul asserted, “For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26). And Agrippa did not dispute it! Can we really have life after death? The greatest book ever written says we can, and it even points to One who walked out of His own grave to show it can be done. If life beyond the grave can be ours, what must we do to gain it? If you want to learn more about this subject and what God expects of those who will receive the greatest gift of all, be sure to request free copies of What Happens When You Die? and What Is a True Christian?, or read them online at TomorrowsWorld.org. TW
What Happens When You Die? You can have total confidence in the reality of life after death! Request this free printed booklet from the Regional Office nearest you, or order at TomorrowsWorld.org. PDF, ePub, and Kindle are also available.
20 Tomorrow’s World | April-May 2021
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he world needs the guidance of the Bible more than ever, yet God’s word remains a mystery to almost everyone. Even worse, many are content to remain ignorant of its life-giving advice, counsel, and instruction. But there are those few who swim against the currents of popular culture and sentiment because they understand something the rest do not. They know that the Bible contains the words of life, and they hunger for the wisdom that can be found only in its pages. Unlike the self-satisfied crowd that surrounds them, they genuinely want to learn more. The Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course was created with such truth-seekers in mind. A Course Like No Other The Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course provides subscribers a guided journey through the teachings of Scripture—all free of charge to anyone who truly wants
to learn. Over the span of 24 rich, detailed lessons, the Bible Study Course will teach you what the Bible actually says, without the “overlay” of purely human ideas and reasoning too many “teachers” seek to impose on God’s word. This unique course seeks to help you prove the precious truths of the Bible for yourself, with specific references and passages that will ensure you are learning directly from the word of God. Within these lessons, taken at your own pace, you will examine Bible prophecy, learn how to identify the end times, discover the real origin of human civilization, explore the biblical Holy Days, come face to face with the reason you were born, and so much more. The Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course will lead you to all of this in the pages of your own Bible. Simply visit us online at TWBibleCourse.org or contact us at one of our Regional addresses, listed on page 4 of this magazine, to begin your journey into biblical understanding.
Learn exciting and inspiring truths from your Bible Order at TWBibleCourse.org or from the Regional Office nearest you! The Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course can be taken by mail or online.
April-May 2021 | Tomorrow’s World 21
Tomorrow’s
FAMILIES TODAY
Safe or Strong?
R
ecently, I was reading a book titled 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, by University of Toronto clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson. In it, he asks parents this question: “Do you want to make your children safe, or strong?” He seems to suggest that parents can raise their children with safety or strength, but not both—and it can indeed be hard to balance the two. Today, many seek their children’s comfort and perceived “safety” at the expense of helping them grow stronger as they age. Strong Through Failure As recently as the 1990s, my parents would allow my brothers and me to explore the woods of West Virginia, or ride our bicycles to an elementary school friend’s house a few blocks away. And—the horror of it all—they didn’t even send us with a cellphone! We often came back from our adventures with scrapes and bruises, but my parents always saw those as preferable to—and cheaper than—buying us a Nintendo. Beyond that, they put us in sports, which taught us that this world is neither fair nor considerate of your feelings. You don’t win every time. Other individuals and teams will be better than you. This also applied to our schoolwork and music lessons: Our parents expected us to work hard to achieve the best we could, but that did not mean that my brothers and I were outstanding at everything. Today, there is a trend for everyone to “get a trophy.” All children’s feelings “must” be treated with “kid gloves.” An important lesson goes untaught: Many times in life—perhaps the majority of times—even our best efforts come up short. Instead of trying to
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keep our children safe from everything, parents should prepare them for that fact of life and help them grow in strength physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Our children will learn more strength from losing a game, getting a “C” in a class, or getting scraped up in the woods than they will from not experiencing natural consequences and overcoming obstacles. They need this type of strength, or “grit,” as they grow up, because there will be schools into which they are not accepted, jobs for which they are not hired, and romantic interests that are not returned. Life is full of failures, and we all must learn to dust ourselves off and try again. If we keep our children safe from failure in the small challenges they face, they won’t grow stronger as they approach the bigger challenges of adulthood. Safe from Needless Trauma This does not mean we should force our children to wrestle with every adverse circumstance possible. Parents must differentiate between challenges that will benefit their children’s well-being and true threats that will harm it. Sadly, while many today focus on minimizing hurt feelings and boosting children’s self-esteem, they ignore some of the greatest causes of traumatic and unhappy childhoods—especially the alarmingly high rates of divorce and other actions that bring consequences that God never intended children to face. Particularly in most Western countries, these unhealthy situations and the general attack on the biblical family structure are little-acknowledged sources of childhood suffering. Some would seem to suggest that it is a greater problem for a child to lose a soccer game than a parent!
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SAF E O R STR ONG?
To those who respect the Bible as God’s inspired word, the traumatic effects of divorce are hardly surprising. The Almighty pointedly declares that “He hates divorce” and compares it to an act of violence (Malachi 2:16). The Bible does permit divorce in some cases of sexual immorality, abandonment, or fraud—and, tragically, these sins have spread as plagues among both non-believers and those who call themselves “Christians.” But our society goes far beyond and allows—even encourages—divorce for any and all reasons! Celebrities, politicians, and even some religious leaders have charged headlong into divorce for very trivial reasons, and many others have followed their examples. Now that we have decades of evidence of what divorce does to individuals and society, we can see all the more clearly how accurate God’s word is, as well as why He hates the practice. Tens of millions of children around the world live with only one parent. While unavoidable circumstances have created some of those regrettable situations, in far too many cases the child is a victim of a pro-divorce culture. And studies are clear that the odds of a whole host of negative outcomes—including poverty, obesity, abuse, neglect, teen pregnancy, and criminal behavior—increase in a single-parent home. Simply put, children should not have to survive the trauma of divorce. The same can be said of abuse, neglect, and many other tragic situations that so many children endure. Safe and Strong God expects parents to provide safety for their children as well as opportunities for them to grow stronger. A crucial aspect of that safety is as much protection from truly traumatic experiences as possible. Parents must do everything in their power to avoid divorce and actively keep their children from situations where they could be abused or neglected! This safety of healthy relationships and environments gives children the best opportunity to grow and flourish as adults. Tragically, sometimes it is unavoidable that children grow up with just one parent in the home. We should thank God that we have a Savior to whom all children can turn to help them overcome any abuse, neglect, and tragedy of their youth. Those who rely on God can have access to His powerful Spirit to help them overcome the obstacles they faced in their upbringing (2 Corinthians 10:4). Nevertheless, parents
should strive to keep their children from ever having to face such issues in the first place! Parents are also responsible for challenging their children to grow stronger physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Strange as it might seem to some modern observers, the best way to help children succeed Strange as it is to allow them opportunities might seem to to fail—or at least not win—in some modern minor ways. Sports provide an excellent opportunity for our observers, the best way to help children to learn that sometimes you win and sometimes children succeed you lose. The “grit” that can develop from losing, dusting is to allow them opportunities to yourself off, and trying again, can be transferred to other fail. The “grit” areas of life and help children that can develop grow stronger in both body and mind. from losing, Similarly, a low grade on dusting yourself an assignment or test can be off, and trying a teaching opportunity, far more than when a child easily again, can be cruises through an assignment! transferred to The fortitude that develops in other areas of life. facing academic defeat is valuable. If a low grade produces a rededication to learning and eventual mastery of the lesson, the child will grow in mental strength! This lesson also applies when they try to master a musical instrument, learn to ride a bike, or face some other challenge (Proverbs 24:16). This type of strength—this “grit”—is what parents should aim to help their children develop as they grow. Should our children be safe or strong? The correct answer is, “Both!” As parents responsible for raising “godly offspring” (Malachi 2:15), we should keep our children safe from traumatic circumstances as much as possible—but we should also ensure that they naturally experience plenty of challenges while under our watchful care, to help them grow into strong and capable adults (Proverbs 22:6). As any trainer knows, growth comes only from effort, the best effort comes from teamwork, and the most effective team is the one that works together. Our families give us the opportunity to do just that. —Mark Sandor
April-May 2021 | Tomorrow’s World 23
T H E TR UTH A BOUT A N TI-SEMITISM CO N T IN UED F RO M PAG E 8
the principle that God’s law is absolute. They reasoned that if God is God and Creator of all, then His law must represent absolute truth—truth that must be followed and must trump any conflicting human law. The half-brother of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Jude, stated, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). This commitment to retain as a standard of belief and behavior the way of life God had established was a strong foundational principle of Jewish society—as well as of the Church founded by Christ and the Apostles. Both groups believed that right and wrong can only be defined by God, through His Holy Scriptures. They shared a common value system that was not open to reinterpretation as society changed its values. Holding to biblical standards made both groups constant outsiders in their communities. The more the social order around them diverged from actual biblical teaching, the greater the resentment toward them. In 66 AD, and again in 135 AD, Jewish forces raised major rebellions against Roman rule. These were some of the most difficult wars in Rome’s history, and Roman losses were very heavy, especially in the revolt of 135 AD. Romans did not care that the revolts had been spurred by Imperial oppression, and hatred against the Jews and things Jewish boiled over. This hatred spilled over to affect the fledgling Christian Church, which to outsiders looked much like a Jewish group, as both groups kept the seventh-day Sabbath, annual Holy Days, and food laws found in the Scriptures that both groups revered. Facing Roman persecution, some fearful Christians sought to distance themselves from the Jews. Many abandoned the biblical Passover in favor of the ancient and pagan Easter observance. They moved their day of worship to the first day of the week from the seventh, and adopted various new doctrines and practices to separate themselves further from the Jews. Even so, some faithfully held to their beliefs, often at the risk of martyrdom. Some even managed
MAY WE S U G G EST?
to escape the bounds of the Roman Empire into non-Roman-controlled Europe. Even as late as the Spanish Inquisition, investigators antagonistic to Jewish belief included some Jews in their persecutions, but their hatred was focused primarily on those few who courageously called themselves Christians while retaining Jesus Christ’s actual teachings instead of the pagan- and Roman-inspired compromises. Today, those who persist in following Christ’s example remain a challenge to the conscience of a world that denies biblical morality and the immutable, unchanging truth of Scripture. God’s Way Victorious! Our world as a whole—anciently, in the Middle Ages, and especially today—has never wanted to hear about morality as God defines it. It does not want to hear the laws that absolutely define right and wrong—and that will do so for eternity. Yet neither those who preach or commit acts of hatred against the Jews, nor those who persecute the Church founded by Jesus Christ, will succeed. The morality preserved in the pages of Scripture is absolute, immutable, and true. It will endure despite all attempts to fight against God, His people, and His Way, and despite the changes brought into professing Christianity, after the deaths of the original Apostles, to suppress the Old Testament truths that Jesus taught and upheld. Sadly, persecutions will continue until the end of this age. But no man—not even the great apostate forces prophesied to rise before Christ’s return—will be able to extinguish the Way of life outlined in your Bible. As we see anti-Semitism raising its ignorant head, close behind will be even more forceful attempts to turn the world away from the truth and morality of the Bible. Anti-Semitism, like all other attacks on morality as defined by the law of the God of the Bible, must be seen for what it is—an attempt to destroy the conscience of humanity. We must know and reject these evils for what they are. Thankfully, God’s word assures us that they will fail, and the law of God will stand forever! TW
The Ten Commandments Discover how God’s unchanging moral code continues to apply today! Request this free printed booklet from the Regional Office nearest you, or order at TomorrowsWorld.org. PDF, ePub, and Kindle are also available.
24 Tomorrow’s World | April-May 2021
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HARD QUESTIONS FOR EASTER Scripture exposes the truth behind this beloved holiday.
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t’s the Easter season, and pastel colors are coming out! Beautiful dresses for little girls hang in the department stores, kits for coloring eggs appear on the shelves, and that elusive species of hare—the chocolate bunny—is once again in season. Many churches will put on shows and pageantry, attempting to depict their understanding of the final week of Jesus Christ’s life here on earth, leading to His triumphant resurrection. But some will ask themselves an important question in the midst of the festivities: Does Jesus Christ really want everyone to be doing all of this? Human Traditions Some will ask, What do all these colored eggs and bunnies have to do with Jesus’ resurrection, anyway? They might look into where these seemingly omnipresent symbols of Easter came from, only to discover that they come from ancient pagan fertility rituals. If they are familiar with their Bibles, they might recall that God says He does not want pagan practices to be used in worship of Him (Deuteronomy 12:30–32), and that Jesus tells us not to ignore God’s commands in order to keep our traditions (Mark 7:6–13). They then might ask themselves, How does Jesus feel about celebrating His resurrection in this way? Some will attend church services on Sunday and hear a discussion of Jesus’ crucifixion on “Good Friday” and His resurrection REQUEST YOUR on “Easter Sunday,” FREE BOOKLET but, after thinking The Holy Days: about it for a while, they God’s Master Plan might come to another question: If Jesus told the Jews of His day that He would be “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40), just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17), how in the world does that fit into the commonly accepted Good Friday/Easter Sunday formula? Looking into it, they might come across all sorts of explanations trying to turn a day-and-a-half into three days and three nights—such as counting only parts of days, supposed ancient idioms, or even that Christ was in error and that the time was cut in half.
For those not truly serious about their research, these explanations may suffice. But for others, those explanations will ring hollow—especially as they are examined more closely. For them, another question may come to mind: If Jesus didn’t die on Friday and rise on Sunday morning, then why do so many who consider themselves Christians celebrate it that way? Divine Commands Lastly, some might ask whether or not Jesus gave His Church any annual celebrations or observances. They might then look into the book If Jesus told the of Acts and discover that the church Jesus founded kept the Jews of His day Holy Days of the Bible, such that He would as the Days of Unleavened Bread (Acts 20:6) and Penbe “three days or the Feast of Weeks and three nights tecost, (Acts 20:16). If they look, in the heart of they will see this confirmed the earth,” how in the letters of the Apostle Paul—the man often credited in the world with abolishing those same does that fit into Holy Days. They will see him commanding a Gentile conthe commonly accepted Good gregation to “keep the feast” (1 Corinthians 5:8) during the Friday/Easter days of the Passover and the Sunday formula? Feast of Unleavened Bread. They might even look into the prophesied future and find that all nations—not just the Jews—will be commanded to keep the Feast of Tabernacles after Christ has returned to rule the earth (Zechariah 14:16–19). They might then rightly ask, Why don’t the “Christians” I know keep these days? For those with hard questions this “Easter season,” God stands ready to answer. But being willing to ask those questions—that’s the really hard part. Are you willing? If you are, don’t hesitate to order free copies of Easter: The Untold Story and The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan, or read them online at TomorrowsWorld.org. –Wallace G. Smith
April-May 2021 | Tomorrow’s World 25
Will You Stand Alone?
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By Phil Sena
ne night while I was in college, I went to the movies with a group of friends. We had no particular movie in mind, so we based our choice entirely on our fondness for one movie’s actors. But when a highly offensive scene came on screen, we realized we had made a mistake. I remember feeling stunned, and I was not even sure of what I had just seen. And I will never forget that one of the guys in our group immediately stood up to leave the theater. I was shocked by his bold reaction; I had never before seen anyone walk out on a movie before it ended. But my friend’s strong response was correct, and not only did he do the right thing by objecting; his example influenced the rest of us to decide to leave, too. It is rare to find someone with clear convictions— someone willing to stand alone to do what is right, regardless of what others do. But, sometimes, that is exactly what is necessary when a situation calls for it. Perhaps you have been in uncomfortable circumstances similar to what my friends and I experienced in that theater. Maybe you felt that you should do something, but were afraid to be the first to act—even while others were having similar thoughts and also waiting for someone else to act first. Have you ever looked back at a similar circumstance where you “went along with the crowd” and regretted not having taken a stand? Or maybe you have felt remorse after giving in to the powerful peer pres-
26 Tomorrow’s World | April-May 2021
sure that can come when you see one bold individual making a reckless choice that dares you to follow his example? Whether you are following a crowd of many thousands, or a crowd of one, do you tend to be a follower, rather than someone willing to stand alone? Dealing with Peer Pressure Peer pressure isn’t just for the young these days. Even adults strongly desire to be accepted by their peers. From our earliest social settings—family and school— we learn to “fit in” with people around us. Our success or failure in those formative experiences often shapes our adult self-esteem. Being considered “different” or even “weird” can be painful, and it is tempting to conform to others’ expectations to gain their acceptance. To get along with peers, we are pressured to put aside our own values, priorities, likes, and dislikes, in order to conform to the group and thus win acceptance. Social media only accentuates the problem. It can be difficult to go against the group. And sometimes—depending on the nature of the pressure— it can be unwise to go against the group. If your peers are prodding you toward working harder, remaining faithful in marriage, loving and respecting the people around you, and generally improving your life and your community, then theirs is a good pressure that can help you grow and flourish. Sadly, though, for most who face peer pressure, that is not the reality. Most peer pressure bombards its victims with messages telling them that they are inadequate and that their life is incomplete unless they
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WI L L YO U STAN D ALONE?
go along with the crowd—even though the crowd rarely has the individual’s best interest at heart. In today’s world, disagreeing with the crowd can even attract “moral” condemnation, as society’s concepts of “right” and “wrong” increasingly contradict the plain teachings of the Creator. Ironically, the confused crowds of the modern world accuse those standing for what is truly right of great evil, instead. At times, we must stand alone if we are to maintain our values and grow in our walk with God. A Biblical Example The Bible gives an excellent example of a person who, even in his youth, had the courage to stand alone in the face of pressure. Likely a teenager at the beginning of the book that bears his name, Daniel was taken from his homeland of Judah to the ancient city of Babylon during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1–6). As part of their training to serve within the king’s palace, Daniel and his friends were expected to eat food and drink wine provided by the king. Although the Bible does not tell us what was wrong with this food, Daniel knew that eating it would cause him to be defiled (v. 8). Daniel had to choose. Would he eat the food and become defiled? Or would he uphold his commitment to God and refuse to eat the defiling food? In one sense, it would have been far easier for him to eat the king’s food. Refusal was no small matter. Even the chief of the king’s eunuchs feared for his life if something went wrong, so Daniel could only imagine how much worse it would be for a slave to offend the king (v. 10). Eating the food would have preserved Daniel’s physical well-being, and he might have rationalized that “God would understand”—that he had no other practical choice as a captive in a foreign land.
However, courageous Daniel did not see it that way. He was willing to do what was right, regardless of the risk. What made the difference for Daniel? One primary difference was the strength of his conviction. We read that “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (v. 8). In other words, Daniel made up his mind to do what he did. As simple as that sounds, the act of making a firm personal decision is an essential element of doing the right thing. Having made a firm personal decision, you are no longer so vulnerable to the emotional appeal of going along with others. Once Daniel knew in his heart that there was no room for compromise, he could stand alone in this difficult—even potentially life-threatening—situation, regardless of what the consequences would be. Another important difference was that Daniel’s personal decision was grounded on the rock-solid foundation of God’s word. Daniel knew that God’s word is truth (John 17:17). Truth, by definition, is always truth! It was as true when it was written as it is now, and will be true in every circumstance at any time. Daniel knew what he had to do because God had defined what defiles a person. Daniel did not rely on his own opinion, or anyone else’s, to shape his ideas; they were based on the right foundation. You Can Stand Alone! In every life, there will be times when one must “stand alone” and resist the pressure of the crowd—especially in a world such as ours, where even the most fundamental biblical truths are increasingly portrayed as hateful and abhorrent. Taking a stand in the face of overwhelming judgment and condemnation is not always easy to do. Yet, if we are willing to make that choice—the choice to resist the crowd and to stand alone—the Bible promises that we will have God’s support (Matthew 10:17–20). As the Apostle Paul once wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Daniel’s strength of conviction was based on the solid foundation of God’s word—and yours can be, too. By putting God’s word into practice in your life now, you can develop the personal strength of conviction that will allow you to accept the challenge when it is time to stand alone. And if you do, you will not be truly alone, for God will be standing beside you. TW
April-May 2021 | Tomorrow’s World 27
NEWSWATCH
Mark 13:37 | “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Locusts Swarm Again in East Africa The year 2020 brought a massive locust plague that caused widespread destruction of crops and livelihoods in East African nations (Deutsche Welle, January 5, 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has only added to the catastrophe, and
The Bible records that a massive invasion of locusts was one of the plagues that devastated Egypt and preceded the exodus of the Israelites from bondage (Exodus 10). Officials worry that collateral damage from the locust invasion will cause cross-border problems
Swarm of invasive, destructive desert locusts in Sambura, Kenya about 35 million people have been left in a state of food insecurity. Now, “the United Nations has warned that a second and maybe even deadlier re-invasion of locusts has already begun.” Adult locusts from last year’s swarm have laid their eggs. The amount of spring rain will determine the severity of the locust plague this year. The wetter the weather, the more severe the infestation will be. Locusts reproduce prolifically—at a rate of twentyfold per generation. Government officials in East African nations are preparing to attack hatching locusts before they mature, spread, and reproduce, spending millions of dollars on pesticides to be applied both on the ground and from the air.
between African nations and destabilize already weak governments. However, Bible prophecies foretell that even greater plagues lie ahead as we approach the end of the age (Revelation 9:15–16). COVID-Related Starvation Devastating the Philippines In many nations around the globe, COVID-19 restrictions are crippling economies and forcing many into joblessness. In the Philippines, the rates of hunger are unprecedented, and food charities are struggling to keep up (AFP, December 9, 2020). A director of one food charity observed, “If you go out there everybody will tell you that they’re more afraid of dying from hunger than dying from COVID. They don’t care about COVID anymore.”
28 Tomorrow’s World | April-May 2021
According to one source, nearly a third of Philippine families ran short on food in the last few months of 2020, and 2.2 million families are currently experiencing “severe hunger.” Dreams of moving out of poverty have been shattered, and some compare the current state of existence to “living like pigs.” The current extreme hunger in the Philippines is just the tip of the iceberg compared to what the future holds for mankind. The Bible warns of a future time of global hunger when billions of people will be affected by Revelation’s “black horse” of famine (Revelation 6:5–6). This coming time of extreme scarcity will be unprecedented in human history, one of many dramatic events that will come on a world that has turned away from God—just before the return of Jesus Christ. European Leaders Call for “Joint Action” Against Muslim Terrorism In recent decades, the Muslim population in Europe has been on the rise, and this has contributed to political and social tensions in many European
countries. In October, radical Islamists carried out two beheadings in France in the name of Allah (Gatestone Institute, December 6, 2020)—two of three serious attacks by Muslim extremists in the nation within a two-month period. According to French police, there are approximately 120 attacks by young Muslims each day—with many resulting in serious injuries. Last November, an Islamist gunman in Vienna opened fire on a crowd, killing four and injuring over twenty people. Responding to these ongoing acts of violence, French Prime Minister Jean Castex has vowed to “relentlessly fight” against radical Islamic extremism. In addition, “Europe’s politicians responded to the recent terror attacks in France and Austria with expressions of solidarity” (Euractive, November 4, 2020). In fact, leaders pushed the EU to take stronger “joint action against terrorism” on European soil. Even Pope Francis, who has been notoriously quiet on the matter, called for the French people to “respond united for good against evil” (Religion News Service, October 29, 2020).
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Frustration in Europe is growing as terrorist acts by Islamists increase in frequency and severity, and national governments are being pushed to take action to combat these atrocities. Prophetic statements in Daniel 11:40–44 indicate that at the time of the end, a “king of the South” will push against or attack the “king of the North,” which will bring an armed response from the north into the Middle East. Europe’s response to attacks by Islamist extremists could set the stage for a powerful reaction by a coming European “beast” power. European “Coalition of the Willing” Ahead? One of the greatest barriers to the growth and progress of the European Union is its structure—that all 27 member nations must agree on nearly every decision. A good example of just two nations blocking internal progress can be seen in the power of Poland and Hungary to block EU coronavi-
rus recovery plans (Euro News, November 27, 2019). Simply put, there are too many people making decisions and they cannot all agree. Because of this, some analysts believe that the EU must create a “coalition of the willing” in order to truly advance (Carnegie Europe, September 17, 2020). A “coalition of the willing” would involve a small number of member states with resources to deploy and motivation to act together to effect change. Today, EU member nations cannot agree on even simple matters—like who should take the lead on the Conference on the Future of Europe (Politico, September 21, 2020). Because they cannot agree or even “go along to get along,” there have been calls to remove “troublemaking” nations like Poland and Hungary. In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John wrote that an end-time European “beast” power will be composed of ten kings (possibly nations or political entities) who will be of “one
mind” and “give their power” to a central figure for a brief time (Revelation 17:12–14). The details of how this will play out remain to be seen, but prophecy is clear that Europe will move in the direction described in the pages of the Bible. Iran Bolstering Nuclear Weapon Capacity According to United Nations reports in September 2020, Iran had more than ten times the amount of enriched uranium allowed by its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers (Times of Israel, September 4, 2020). By November, the Institute for Science and International Security reported a twelvefold surplus. Back in September, Iran announced a ballistic missile that can reach any part of the United States, bragging in a state-sanctioned newspaper, “American soil is now within the range of Iranian bombs” (Gatestone Institute, September 5, 2020). Observers note that the same technology could carry nuclear, chemical, or even biological weapons to wipe Israel off the map, hit U.S. bases and allies
in the region, and reach NATO targets even in the far west of Europe. According to Gatestone, “Iran now has sufficient low-enriched uranium to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a second nuclear weapon, where the second one could be produced more quickly than the first” (Fox News, December 2, 2020). Although Iran’s nuclear and other weapons programs are veiled in secrecy, there is a broadly accepted understanding that they have more capability than previously believed—and their rhetoric is dangerous and reckless. The book of Revelation indicates that billions of people will die before Christ returns to the earth to set up His peaceful kingdom (Revelation 6:4–8; 9:13–18). The proliferation of these devices around the world hints at the destruction to come in the years ahead. Yet the Bible also reveals that mankind will not ultimately destroy itself with nuclear weapons and that peace will eventually come from an unexpected source! TW
April-May 2021 | Tomorrow’s World 29
L E T T E R S T O TW TE LL U S WH AT YO U T H INK
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TomorrowsWorld.org Upcoming Telecasts
Should You Be Baptized?
Salvation is easy to understand, yet most get it wrong. Here’s the plain truth of your Bible. April 8–14
Seven Signs of the Second Coming
The return of Jesus Christ will be the climax of history. You need to watch for these signs! April 15–21
TOMORROW’S WORLD
Bible Study Course Learn exciting and inspiring truths from your Bible, absolutely free! Order at TWBibleCourse.org or from the Regional Office nearest you! The Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course can be taken by mail or online.
“Is God Calling Me?”
Have you been asking this question? Learn the answer from the pages of your own Bible! April 22–28
Why Does God Allow Pandemics?
In all of the news surrounding COVID-19, the most important question is overlooked! April 29–May 5
Will Spirit Beings Rule the World?
As human governments flounder and fail, can we hope in an entirely different government? May 6–12
Unlock Bible Prophecy!
Many find prophecy hard to understand, but a few simple tools can make it plain! May 13–19 Schedule subject to change
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