Bible Speaks

Thank you Jehovah for the Beautiful skies ? and oceans ?

Living light under the Milky Way in Tasmania, Australia

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Photo by  @james.garlick

2 hours ago, David Normand said:

Not really funny. 

@David Normand

I am humble and have humor sometimes. 

 

Christ and The Early Christians Refused to Celebrate Christmas ? – Did You Know That?

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-no6-2017-november/christian-christmas-bible/#?insight[search_id]=0a22656b-7d35-4c52-8a57-e01d8ca57e9d&insight[search_result_index]=3

 

What Does the Bible Teach About Hell? Would a God of Love Torture People in Fire? ? ??

Turning to the book of Genesis, we read about the creation of the earth, seas, fish, animals and even the sun and the moon. Yet nowhere do we read about GodÂ’s creating a special underworld compartment for the broiling torment of man. Like a BBQ. ???

It seems strange that, if he made one, God did not have recorded in the Bible the creation of such an important place as a burning hell. Yet suppose he did make one. Would not Jehovah’s love and justice have moved him to warn Adam of the full penalty of sin? Jehovah told Adam the consequence of sin was death. Are we really to think that, after Adam sinned, Jehovah changed his mind about the death sentence and decided to give Adam the torture treatment? The Bible answers: “I, Jehovah, change not.”—Mal. 3:6, AS.

But does not “hell” appear in the Hebrew Scriptures? Yes. So let us do the logical thing and pry into the background of that word “hell.” Webster’s unabridged dictionary tells us that hell corresponds to the Hebrew Sheol and the Greek Hades.

It also says that hell comes from the English word helan, meaning “to conceal.” So we have found that the early meaning of the word “hell” carried no thought of any kind of heat. It merely meant “concealed.
We have found, too, that the original Hebrew word, usually translated “hell” in English Bibles, is Sheol.

Now,what does Sheol mean? It simply means “a hollow place.” So the original Hebrew word perfectly corresponds with the original or early meaning of the English word “hell.”
Now that the clergy have put fire into the word “hell,” the vital question is, Did the inspired Hebrew Bible writers say that conscious life and red-hot activity exist in Sheol or hell?
No, quite the opposite! Instead of blazing fire, it is described as a “land of darkness.” (Job 10:21)

Instead of a place of soul-chilling shrieks, it is described as a place of “silence.” (Ps. 115:17)

The Catholic Douay Bible, at Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, says: “The living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing more. Neither have they a reward any more: for the memory of them is forgotten. Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge, shall be in hell [Sheol, AS], whither thou art hastening.” So, since the “dead know nothing more,”

Or as the King James Version says, “the dead know not any thing,” it would be impossible for them to know conscious torment. And since there is no work in hell, how can there be activity, red-hot or otherwise?
So HELL is the common Grave of man. And the Devil and his Demons are spirits, FIRE has no effect on them as they are not fleshly.

But Jehovah God can make then totally inactive as dead. As he promise to do so in Revelation 20:1-3 he will be bound for a 1000's years and after that?

(Rev.20:10") – And the Devil who was misleading them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulfur, where both the wild the false prophet all ready WERE."Now please drop down to verse 14, what is the LAKE of FIRE?

"The second death where there is no return, in the case of these demons total destruction. As Revelations was written in signs. Even DEATH and the Grave were put in it right? What is death and the grave? CONDITIONS! not objects you can burn.

Here is a link that will help. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102015146#h=23:0-23:438
Sincerely Lee. Thank you for your post 

Proof God Jehovah Exists and Is Alive!

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(Romans 1:20) "For his invisible [qualities] are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable."

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The Splendor of Jehovah’s Creation “How Many Your Works Are, O Jehovah!” WHETHER we live in the country or in a city, high up in the mountains or way down by the sea, we are surrounded by the awe-inspiring splendor of creation. 

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We too do well to observe and study creation. For instance, we might well “raise [our] eyes high up” and ask: “Who has created these things?” Why, it is Jehovah God, who has an “abundance of dynamic energy” and who truly is “vigorous in power”!—Isaiah 40:26 

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How should meditation on Jehovah’s creative works affect us? In at least three ways. It can (1) remind us to cherish our life, (2) move us to help others to learn from creation, and (3) impel us to get to know and appreciate our Creator more fully. 

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Our life as humans, far superior to that of “unreasoning animals,” enables us to observe and value the wonders of creation. (2 Peter 2:12) 

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Our eyes can see the graceful landscape. Our ears can hear the melodious songs of birds. And our sense of time and place gives us reference points that become fond memories. Even though our present life is not perfect, it is definitely worth living! 

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Keep in Awe and Rejoicing in His Works! -

Bible Speaks

JW.ORG

Russia
Leningrad Oblast Court began the wrong Bible extremism process

Leningrad Regional Court on 6 December began to consider the merits of the appeal of the four foreign organizations of Jehovah's witnesses in the "Scripture" publication. The Translation of the new world " (2015), a brochure entitled " the Bible and its main theme ", " Bible science in place?" and " how to improve health, 5 simple rules " by materials Extremists. The decision to ban them was taken by the city court of vyborg on 17 August 2017, the owl centre reported in the office received by kasparov. Ru.

The Literature was withdrawn by customs. The site of Jehovah's witnesses gave a detailed account of the process. The Complainant s' representatives drew the court's attention to the violation of legal rules in the appointment and conduct of the investigation and the replacement of the investigation. The judges were able to make sure that the experts examined an English book called "the translation of the new world of Christian Greek scriptures". in the examination there are extensive loans from the student s' course of one of the orthodox seminars dedicated to this Edit. The Representative of the Jehovah's witness society of Finland drew attention to the fact that

In The Court's decision there is no single quote from the Bible in which experts have found signs of extremism.
The experts considered that the translation of the new world is not a translation of the bible because it uses the personal name of God, Jehovah. Speaking of this name and fame in Russia, novakov mentions the relief in the construction of the Russian Constitutional Court in st. Petersburg, in which this name is present in the Hebrew language. An application for renewal was announced, the prosecutor did not support this request.

The Court considered that, in the light of the contradictions revealed in the expert s' opinion, it is necessary to interview the experts themselves, Natalia Kryukova, Alexander Tarasov and Viktor Kotelnikov and appointed the next meeting on 20 December.

"Owl" experts believe that the recognition of extremism as the Bible in the translation of Jehovah's witnesses and their other publications is not justifiable, and considers such prohibitions as manifestations of religious discrimination. The prosecution and the court attempted to circumvent the law prohibiting the recognition of the sacred writings of world religions as extremists,
Which is a sad precedent, which in the long term opens up the possibility of banning other translations and exhibitions of sacred books.

It should be recalled that the Jehovah's witness center and its nearly 400 branches in the Russian regions were recognized as extremist organizations and liquidated by the Supreme Court's decision to distribute "books and extremist pamphlets". in the world, this decision It is perceived as discrimination of a religious organization.

http://www.kasparov.ru/material.php?id=5A28FAC0190C8§ion_id=43452BE8655FB

We Need to be Humble Sisters!

Hmmm ???????

Just a Smile for you! 

Gaining True Understanding. ?????

(Proverbs 1:1-6) –  shows that the “man of understanding is the one who acquires skillful direction, to understand a proverb and a puzzling saying, the words of wise persons and their riddles.” 

These must not be things said merely to pass the time away in idle conversation, for wise persons would not customarily waste time in such manner, but must refer to instruction, questions, and problems that discipline and train the mindand heart in right principles, thereby equipping the learner for wise action in the future. 

Knowledge and understanding together bring wisdom, which is “the prime thing,” the ability to bring a fund of knowledge and keen understanding to bear on problems with successful results. 

The person who is rightly motivated seeks understanding, not out of mere curiosity or to exalt himself, but for the very purpose of acting in wisdom; ‘wisdom is before his face.’. He is not like those in the apostle Paul’s day who assumed to be teachers of others but were “puffed up with pride, not understanding anything,” unwisely letting themselves become “mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words,” things that produce disunity and a host of bad results. 

The person seeking true understanding prays to God: “Make me understand, that I may observe your law and that I may keep it with the whole heart . . . that I may keep living.” This is the right motive. Pride, stubbornness, self-will, and independence are enemies of understanding. 

The person with true understanding does not think he knows everything; hence Proverbs 19:25 says, “There should be a reproving of the understanding one, that he may discern knowledge.” Because he is an understanding person, he is ready to listen, discerns the basis for the reproof, and benefits by it more than a stupid one would from a hundred strokes. - Bible Speaks - 

Lesson for today. (Psalms 119:99, 100)

The "Tree of Life" can YOU Find it Today? Was it a Real Tree? ??? 

Lessons From Creation 

(Revelation 2:7) —

“Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

What is “the paradise of God”? Since these words are addressed to anointed Christians, the paradise here must refer to the paradisaic heavenly realm—the very presence of God himself. 

The faithful anointed will be rewarded with eating “of the tree of life.” They will receive immortality.— (1 Cor. 15:53) - Bible Speaks 

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200275925

Rahab - She Was “Declared Righteous by Works” ???

HOW DOES THAT HELP US TODAY?  READ WHY... "In the same manner, was not Ra?hab the prostitute also declared righteous by works after she received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? (James 2:25) - Bible Speaks -

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READ THE STORY AT:

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013809?q=rahab&p=par

Spirit Creatures—How They Affect Us?

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YOU ALSO CAN HAVE GOD'S PROTECTION FROM THE WICKED SPIRTS - LEARN HOW! (PSALMS 34:7,8)

7 "The angel of Jehovah is camping all around those fearing him, And he rescues them." 8 "Taste and see that Jehovah is good, O YOU people;

Happy is the able-bodied man that takes refuge in him." (DANIEL 6:22,23)

22 "My own God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not brought me to ruin, forasmuch as before him innocence itself was found in me; and also before you, O king, no hurtful act have I done.” 23 Then it was that the king himself became very glad, and Daniel himself he commanded to be lifted up out of the pit. And Daniel was lifted up out of the pit, and there was no hurt at all found on him, because he had trusted in his God." But why has God tolerated evil spirits and the wickedness that has caused people so much suffering? That question will be answered in the next chapter. * Regarding righteous angels, Revelation 5:11 says: “The number of them was myriads of myriads,” or “ten thousand times tens of thousands.” So the Bible does indicate that hundreds of millions of angels were created. 

Faithful angels come to the aid of those who serve Jehovah.—(Hebrews 1:7, 14) 

Satan and his demons are misleading people and turning them away from God." (Revelation 12:9) 

If you do God’s will and oppose the Devil, Satan will flee from you. (James 4:7, 8) - Bible Speaks 

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https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-are-angels/

Do you guys remenber this experience in the Year Book (yb15)? From Argentina

Gabriel the young brother started studing with his grandparent…that after his family was in the truth for 29 years Â…He accepted the truth from his grandson!!

The grandfather progressed spiritually and got baptized.
His grandson (his teacher) just got baptized, only 10 years old 
Jehovahs blessings are wonderful. 

@grisel.manrique thank you

666 - The Mark of the Beast -What Does It Mean? 6??6??6??

666—Not Just a Puzzle "Nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. Here is where wisdom comes in: Let the one that has intelligence calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man's number; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six." (Revelation 13:17, 18) 

FEW Bible topics have evoked as much interest and concern as the prophecy about the mysterious mark, or name, of "the wild beast"—the number 666. 6??6??6??

On television and the Internet, as well as in movies, books, and magazines, the mark of the beast has been the focus of endless speculation. - Bible Speaks -

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2004240?q=666&p=par

"It is the foolishness of an earthling man that distorts his way, and so his heart becomes enraged against Jehovah himself."—Prov. 19:3. 

Never Become “Enraged Against Jehovah”

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Even though we might admit that fact, our imperfect nature can distort our thinking and cause us to go down a path that eventually leads to disaster. (Prov. 14:12) In what way? Instead of blaming ourselves or Satan for a problem, we could start to blame Jehovah. We might even become “enraged against Jehovah himself.”—Prov. 19:3.
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Is it really possible that we could become “enraged against Jehovah”? Surely to do so would be futile. (Isa. 41:11) What would we hope to gain? A poet once said: “Your arm’s too short to box with God.” We may never go so far as to vocalize a complaint against Jehovah. But Proverbs 19:3 says that a man’s foolishness “distorts his way, and so his heart becomes enraged against Jehovah himself.”

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Yes, a person can become enraged against God in his heart. This attitude could manifest itself in subtle ways. An individual could, as it were, hold a grudge against Jehovah. As a result, that person might withdraw from the congregation or not fully support arrangements for JehovahÂ’s worship.

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The negative speech of others can influence us. (Read Deuteronomy 1:26-28.) The Israelites had just been delivered from slavery in Egypt. Jehovah had miraculously brought ten plagues on that oppressive nation and thereafter destroyed Pharaoh and his military force in the Red Sea. (Ex. 12:29-32, 51; 14:29-31; Ps. 136:15) GodÂ’s people were poised to enter the Promised Land. Yet, at that crucial moment, the Israelites started to complain about Jehovah. What caused this lack of faith? Their hearts melted because of the negative report of some who had been sent to spy out the land. (Num. 14:1-4)

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What resulted? A whole generation was not allowed to enter into that “good land.” (Deut. 1:34, 35) Could we at times allow the negative speech of others to weaken our faith and cause us to grumble about Jehovah’s dealings with us?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013603?q=prov+19%3A3&p=par

BABYLON - WAS IT A REAL CITY IN THE BIBLE? ~ ?

(Bab?y·lon) [Confusion].

1. The later name given to Babel. This city of renown was located along the Euphrates River on the Plains of Shinar approximately 870 km (540 mi) E of Jerusalem and some 80 km (50 mi) S of Baghdad. The ruins of Babylon extend over a vast area in the form of a triangle. Several mounds are scattered over the area. Tell Babil (Mujelibe), in the northern part of the triangle, preserves the ancient name and is located about 10 km (6 mi) NE of Hilla, Iraq.— ?

See BABYLON No. 2; SHINAR.

The city lay on both sides of the Euphrates River. A double system of walls surrounded Babylon, making it seemingly impregnable.

The inner rampart, constructed of crude bricks, consisted of two walls. The inner wall was 6.5 m (21.5 ft) thick. The outer wall, situated 7 m (23 ft) away, was about 3.5 m (11.5 ft) thick. These walls were buttressed by defense towers, which also served to reinforce the walls structurally. About 20 m (66 ft) outside the outer wall was a quay made of burnt brick set in bitumen. Outside this wall was a moat connected with the Euphrates to the N and S of the city. It provided both water supply and protection against enemy armies. Babylonian documents indicate that eight gates gave access to the interior of the city. So far, four of BabylonÂ’s gates have been discovered and excavated.

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History. Nimrod, who lived in the latter part of the third millennium B.C.E., founded Babylon as the capital of manÂ’s first political empire. Construction of this city, however, suddenly came to a halt when confusion in communication occurred. (Ge 11:9) Later generations of rebuilders came and went. Hammurabi enlarged the city, strengthened it, and made it the capital of the Babylonian Empire under Semitic rule.

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Religion. Babylon was a most religious place. Evidence from excavations and from ancient texts points to the existence of more than 50 temples. The principal god of the imperial city was Marduk, called Merodach in the Bible. It has been suggested that Nimrod was deified as Marduk, but the opinions of scholars as to identifications of gods with specific humans vary. Triads of deities were also prominent in the Babylonian religion. One of these, made up of two gods and a goddess, was Sin (the moon-god), Shamash (the sun-god), and Ishtar; these were said to be the rulers of the zodiac. And still another triad was composed of the devils Labartu, Labasu, and Akhkhazu. Idolatry was everywhere in evidence. Babylon was indeed “a land of graven images,” filthy “dungy idols.”—Jer 50:1, 2, 38.

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The Babylonians believed in the immortality of the human soul.—The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria, by M. Jastrow, Jr., 1898, p. 556.

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(Gen.11:1-9)

11 Now all the earth continued to be of one language and of one set of words. 2 And it came about that in their journeying eastward they eventually discovered a valley plain in the land of Shi?nar, and they took up dwelling there. 3 And they began to say, each one to the other: “Come on! Let us make bricks and bake them with a burning process.” So brick served as stone for them, but bitumen served as mortar for them. 4 They now said: “Come on! Let us build ourselves a city and also a tower* with its top in the heavens, and let us make a celebrated name for ourselves, for fear we may be scattered over all the surface of the earth.”

5 And Jehovah proceeded to go down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men had built. 6 After that Jehovah said: “Look! They are one people and there is one language for them all, and this is what they start to do. Why, now there is nothing that they may have in mind to do that will be unattainable for them. 7 Come now! Let us go down and there confuse their language that they may not listen to one another’s language.” 8 Accordingly Jehovah scattered them from there over all the surface of the earth, and they gradually left off building the city. 9 That is why its name was called Ba?bel, because there Jehovah had confused the language of all the earth, and Jehovah had scattered them from there over all the surface of the earth."

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000530

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jw.org

Who can Create the Sun? 
Only Jehovah God the Creator of the Universe! 
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(Isaiah 40:26)
26 “Lift up your eyes to heaven and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who brings out their army by number; He calls them all by name. Because of his vast dynamic energy and his awe-inspiring power, Not one of them is missing."

(Ps 104:24)
24 How many your works are, O Jehovah! You have made all of them in wisdom. The earth is full of what you have made."

Coils of Magnetic Field Lines

We zoomed in for a close-up of tight packs of coils around one active region (Nov. 18-19, 2013). 

The bundles of coils are actually charged particles swirling along magnetic field lines. Other field lines heading off to the left are more elongated and tapered. 

The images were taken in extreme ultraviolet light. Credit: Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Fact: It would take about 1 million Earths to fill the Sun if it were a hollow ball.

Fact: The Sun is an average star. There are stars which are much hotter and cooler as well as brighter and dimmer than our Sun.

Fact: The Sun is a big ball of plasma mostly made up of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and neon.

Fact: If you shrunk the Sun to the size of a basketball, the Earth would only be the size of the head of a pin.

Fact: The primary energy the Earth receives from the Sun is radiant energy, or light.

Fact: All wavelengths of light, from X-rays to radio, vary with the solar cycle. They also vary on shorter and longer timescales.

Fact: It takes 200,000 years for light to make it from the core to the surface of the Sun but then only 8 minutes to reach the Earth!

Fact: Short-term variations are also related to the magnetic field. Flares and coronal mass ejections are examples of rapid solar variations.

Fact: Traveling at 60 mi/h (80 km/h), it would take 176 years to get to the Sun.

Fact: Radiation from Space Weather creates the ionosphere, affects astronauts, and destroys satellites

Fact: The Sun is an average star. There are stars which are much hotter and cooler as well as brighter and dimmer than our Sun.

Fact: Solar activity starts in the convection zone of the Sun where the solar dynamo produces the Sun's magnetic field.

Fact: The Sun is 93 million miles away from the Earth!

Fact: The Sun's energy is produced by nuclear reactions in the core.

Fact: The Sun's diameter is about 1.4 million km (900,000 mi) or approximately 110 times wider than the Earth.

Fact: Electric currents high above the surface can cause ground induced currents that disrupt power transmission and degrade pipelines

Fact: The primary energy the Earth receives from the Sun is radiant energy, or light.

Fact: The Sun is almost 5 billion years old!

Fact: Solar activity starts in the convection zone of the Sun where the solar dynamo produces the Sun's magnetic field.

Fact: The ionization of our atmosphere by Space Weather affects radio communications and GPS navigation

Fact: It takes 200,000 years for light to make it from the core to the surface of the Sun but then only 8 minutes to reach the Earth!

Fact: Traveling at 60 mi/h (80 km/h), it would take 176 years to get to the Sun.

Fact: The wavelengths that contribute the greatest energy to Earth vary by the smallest fraction, while wavelengths with small net energy input exhibit larger fractional changes.

Fact: Space weather is caused by charged particles and their motions.

https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/potw/item/470

Will Man Ever Find Balance Between “Rich and Poor?” - The Cause of Poverty ~ 

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Extreme poverty is the result when nations, governments, and individuals act only to promote and protect self-interest. For example, governments of wealthy countries give low priority to ending world poverty because they are democratically elected and must cater to their voters. Thus, they prohibit farmers in poor countries from selling their produce in rich countries in order to prevent farmers in rich countries from losing business. Also, rulers of rich countries heavily subsidize their farmers to help them outsell farmers in poor countries.

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Clearly, the cause of poverty—the tendency of people and governments to protect their own interests—is man-made. The Bible writer Solomon put it this way: “Man has dominated man to his injury.”—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

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So, what hope is there of an end to poverty? Can any government change human nature?

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Photograph by @dina_litovsky.  A woman selling fruits in traditional woven baskets takes a break in front of a recently constructed luxury mall in the center of Hanoi. I took the image on the streets of this vibrant city in 2015.  #hanoi #vietnam

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011402?q=rich+and+poor&p=par

PRESS ARTICLE

An Austrian Jewish woman converts to true Christianity. A video about (praised be God and Christ) a testimony of a repentant woman, who had always rejected Jesus and his Word, Work and Person. She was raised as an observant Jewess, with her prayer book, and the synagogue worship, and keeping the Sabbath,

who always denied Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, avoided reading the "New Testament" ... but then moved on to investigate Jesus, and the scriptures of the Christian Greek Scriptures. What is called the "New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ".

She still remained skeptical though.

Jehovah's Witnesses came to his door and preached to him the true Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. And he taught him who REALLY Jesus is. The only begotten Son of the living God. And the Savior of sinful and dying humanity. And the Promised Jewish Messiah. The Divine Word, which was made perfect and true flesh, for our good. And for the glory of his father Jehovah God

She learned that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true Son of God, and is the True Firstborn of the Almighty. And the Witnesses kindly and carefully showed him how the messianic prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures certainly fit perfectly with Jesus of Nazareth.

And that Jesus was indeed the true Jewish Messiah predicted and promised in the Hebrew Prophecy, for the blessing of mankind. That Jesus is truly the Anointed of Jehovah and the appointed King of the universe. The true Only Begotten Son of God, and the Firstborn of the Father. The Meat made Word, and the Promised Messiah of Israel. And Savior of humanity

And now she is under the New Covenant, the Beloved Son of God, and she is truly "saved" by the Blood of Christ, and on that narrow path to life. And spread the true message of the Kingdom of Jehovah and Salvation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

GOOGLE TRANSLATED —

3 hours ago, Ann O'Maly said:

A couple of other Scripture- and historically-based perspectives:

Read the full article here: http://creationtoday.org/the-wise-men-and-the-star/

Full article at http://www.jesuswalk.com/christmas-incarnation/magi-star.htm

Note: It is not generally considered that the 'star' came from Satan - this is reading into scripture an idea that isn't even hinted at. The Magi had only good intentions, and their gifts would have enabled Jesus and his family to flee to and live in Egypt until it was safe to return home.

@Ann O'Maly

The “Wise Men”—How Many? Who Were They?

The custom: Guided by a “star” from the east, three “wise men” are portrayed as presenting gifts to Jesus in a manger in a stable. Sometimes shepherds are also shown as being present.

Its roots: Aside from the brief account in the Bible, “everything written about the Wise Men stems principally from legend,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia.

What the Bible says: The Bible does not say how many “wise men” visited Jesus. There may have been two, or there may have been three, four, or more. Although termed “wise men” in some Bible translations, the original-language word is magoi, which means astrologers or sorcerers—professions that the Bible says are “detestable to Jehovah.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) By virtue of their long journey from the East, the astrologers did not arrive in time to visit Jesus in the stable. Rather, after perhaps months of travel, they “went into the house” where Jesus was staying. There they saw “the young child with Mary its mother.”—Matthew 2:11.

(3) What Sort of Star Led the Astrologers?

Clues are provided by what the star actually did. For one thing, it did not lead the men directly to Bethlehem, but to Jerusalem, where their inquiries about Jesus reached the ears of King Herod. Herod then “secretly summoned the astrologers,” who told him about the newborn “king of the Jews.” Herod then said: “Make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found it report back to me.” Herod’s interest in Jesus, however, was anything but noble. Rather, this proud and ruthless ruler was resolved to put Jesus to death!—Matthew 2:1-8, 16.

Interestingly, the “star” now led the astrologers south to Bethlehem. There “it came to a stop” above the house where Jesus was.—Matthew 2:9, 10.

Clearly this was no ordinary star! And why would God, who had used angels to inform humble shepherds of Jesus’ birth, now employ a star to guide pagan astrologers—first to Jesus’ enemy and then to the child himself? The only reasonable conclusion is that the star was a sinister device of Satan, who is capable of such manifestations. (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10) Ironically, an ornament called the star of Bethlehem is usually seen at the very top of the Christmas tree.

(4) What Does Santa Claus Have to Do With Jesus and His Birth?

The custom: In many lands, Santa Claus is viewed as the one who brings children gifts.* Children often write to Santa, asking for presents, which, according to tradition, elves help him to make at his North Pole headquarters.

Its roots: According to the popular view, the Santa Claus myth owes its origin to Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Asia Minor, now Turkey. “Virtually everything written about St. Nicholas is based on legends,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia. The designation “Santa Claus” may owe its origin to the word Sinterklaas, a corruption of the Dutch terms for “Saint Nicholas.” Historically and Biblically, Santa Claus has nothing in common with Jesus Christ.

What the Bible says: “Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor.” Our closest ‘neighbors’ are our family members. (Ephesians 4:25) The Bible also says that we should “love truth,” “speaking the truth in [our] heart.” (Zechariah 8:19; Psalm 15:2) True, telling children that Santa (or the Christ child) is the bearer of presents at Christmas may seem to be innocent fun, but is it right or wise to deceive little children, even if one’s intentions are not bad? Do you not find it ironic that an occasion that is supposedly meant to honor Jesus becomes a time to deceive children?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010442?q=jesus+birth&p=par

What points to this Paradise as being earthly?

Look all things have been made New. Isaiah 65:17.

The Hebrew Scriptures had never led faithful Jews to expect a reward of heavenly life. Those Scriptures pointed to the restoration of Paradise here on earth. Daniel 7:13, 14 had foretold that when “rulership and dignity and kingdom” would be given to the Messiah, “the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him.” Those subjects of the Kingdom would be here on the earth. By what he said to Jesus, the evildoer was evidently expressing the hope that Jesus would remember him when that time came.

How, then, would Jesus be with the evildoer? By raising him from the dead, making provision for his physical needs, and extending to him the opportunity to learn and conform to Jehovah’s requirements for eternal life. (John 5:28, 29) Jesus saw in the evildoer’s repentant and respectful attitude a basis for including him among the billions who will be resurrected to earthly life and the opportunity to prove their worthiness to live forever in Paradise.

Pictures of Hopeful Paradise! 

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RUSSIA

Jehovah's Witnesses try to defend their Bible in the earthly court
The earthly court in the person of the Leningrad Regional Court tried on December 6 in matters of the divine.

The reason for the consideration of the case by a panel of three judges began to appeal, which is served by representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses in the judicial act of the Court Vyborg acknowledged the witnesses published translation of the Bible "Scripture - Translation of the New World "," extremist materials "at the request of prosecutors. The result of almost an hour and a half of consideration: the transfer of the case on December 20.

To support his teachings came his numerous followers, men and women of different ages, who were shaken by the process. It was said that some of the followers were blessed by the elders for their presence in court and traveled from far away on electric trains to "pray for a just decision."

"Yes, do not worry, do not be scared, everything is in the hands of God, people are narrow-minded, but he sees Jehovah as if everything were in the palm of his hand," said one of the followers of the faith.

Jehovah's Witnesses had high hopes of being eyewitnesses to the meeting, but only those who were directly involved in the case were allowed to enter the room, which was designed for only six people, and refused to give more space to room.

"walls" Setenepronitsaemye of the court in the Fontanka, 6 and deprived waiting for news from the room, since the participants in the process of witnesses could not send messages and keep up with what is happening excited believers.

"The 21st century, and the Internet in the courthouse can not be organized," complained Jehovah's Witnesses standing in the cold.

The motion for video and photographic recording of the trial process was also rejected by the judge, although they allowed the announcement of the decision to be part of the decision.

Experienced followers of the Witnesses and the possible arrival of the police.

"The last time in the Moscow court, the police came and went, the whole bus approached them, as if we were criminals, well, let them look, we are for the just cause," the parishioners complained, ready, they said, for reject the police and "defend their beliefs", responding to any of their interrogations.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the prosecutor's office, the Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, and a representative of the religious community in Finland. Witness lawyer Anton Bogdanov, who represented several European organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses, said in court that the procedural law was violated in the appointment and conduct of the examination, as well as the substitution of the object of investigation.

A representative of Jehovah's Witnesses, Maxim Novakov, also said that the decision of the trial court does not contain a single quote from the Bible in which experts had found signs of extremism.

"The experts considered that the New World Translation is not a translation of the Bible, because it uses the personal name of God, Jehovah," - said Maxim Nowak, mentioning the fact that the name in Hebrew is present and in the bas-relief of the building of the Constitutional Court of Russia in St. Petersburg.

By substituting the object of the study's lawyer he was referring to the fact that, in fact, the experts examined a very different book, namely the English-language edition of the "New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures." As proof of his thesis of Anton Bogdanov he referred to the many passages inserted in the opinion of the experts, taken from the course work of the student of one of the orthodox seminars devoted to that publication, but not the Jehovah's Witnesses of the Bible.

"They did not even bother to put quotations in the course and Wikipedia appointments, there is generally an abracadabra in the exam: nonsensical text fragments It seems that the one who signed the exam never read it because, as if he were reading, He could not have signed it.The previous court did not pay attention to it, and today the judge agreed to question the three experts to comment on their investigations, and to eliminate this contradiction, "- said the representative of Jehovah's Witnesses was Jaroslav Sivulskii.

According to him, the prosecution explained all the contradictions with a "simple typographical error".

Representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses also pointed out the unacceptable error of the previous court, which entrusted a second investigation to the experts who conducted the initial examination. As a result, the Leningrad Regional Court considered it necessary to interview the experts who carried out the investigation, summoning them to court.

The next meeting will be held in the same court on December 20, 2017.

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Video - Beautiful Cheetah Cubs Loved and Nurtered By Mom – ???

Experienced cheetah moms, like all good mothers, are both vigilant and tolerant. Watch how this mother puts up with the antics of her cubs until they wear themselves out and suckle and go to sleep.

What you donÂ’t see here is how this mother is constantly scanning the horizon for signs of trouble.

The fate of cheetahs as a species depends on the ability of a small number of exceptional females to nurture cubs to independence and to keep them safe while doing so.

We call them “supermoms.” And any mother who is juggling child care with earning a living and other responsibilities, can relate to that. Stay tuned for more stories from the wild world of cheetahs.

Is there a Lesson for Us? ??

Video by @FransLanting

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