The Ransom for All

And again the anger of Jehovah glowed against Israel, and moved David against them, to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. - (2 Samuel 24:1) And Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel . - (1 Chronicles 21:1, Green's Literal) Many critics of the Bible often cite these two scriptures as being one of the alleged contradictions found in the Bible. In one scripture, it says that Jehovah moved David to number the people of Israel and Judah; in the other scripture, we find that Satan moved David to number Israel. From the scriptural perspective, both scriptures are correct, and there is no contradiction. Satan cannot do anything that Jehovah does not permit, especially as related to His people. Thus, in permitting Satan to do this, it could be said that Jehovah moved David to number Israel. Similarly, in foretelling the “Man of Sin”, Paul wrote that this Man of Sin comes “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” (2 Thessalonian...

Does what Jesus said in Matthew 6:5,6 mean that we should not have prayers as a group in a Bible study, or church services, etc.?  "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. -- Matthew 6:5,6 -- World English . Some have claimed that Jesus' words as recorded above would condemn all prayer in public, including what some might call "group prayers," that is, prayers where one person leads a group in prayer, as is the custom in many Christian gatherings. In reality, Jesus was not discussing group prayers at all. The prayers he describes of the "hypocrites" was not a group prayer, but of one who sole...

How are we to love our enemies? How are we to hate those whom God hates? Is there a contradiction between Matthew 5:44 and Psalm 139:21,22? Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was said, "You must love [Greek transliterated, Agapao, a form of Agape] your neighbor," and "You must hate your enemy." Matthew 5:44 However,  I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray concerning those who persecute you. {Psalm 139:21} Jehovah, don't I hate those who hate you?  Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? {Psalm 139:22} I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies. In Matthew 5:43, Jesus is referring to aspects of the Law and the Prophets regarding human relationships. On the one hand, the Law says we are to "love our neighbor" (Leviticus 19:18), and on the other hand, it tells that David hated those whom Jehovah hates. (Psalm 139:21,22) Was David out of harmony with the command to love one's neighbor? Evidently not, for ...

Evidently there were those in the Corinthian church that were asking for the miraculous gift of speaking in foreign languages. The scriptures do not tell us specifically "why" they were asking for this particular gift. It is possible that there were some in the congregation that did not speak the language common to them, and thus some may have been seeking the gift so that they could speak to them in their own language. However, from the way Paul handles this, it is possible that some were seeking this gift for the purpose of drawing attention to themselves, that is, for selfish, carnal purposes. 1 Corinthians 14 is often greatly misunderstood and misapplied. Let us look at the verses, using the World English Bible version: 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts [pneumatika, spiritual things], but especially that you may prophesy [ Strong's #4935 ]. Here the apostle tells us that we should desire spiritual abilities, espe...

 

Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. -- Proverbs 3:5,6, Green's Literal. Proverbs 3:1-6 The words provided in Proverbs 3:5,6 give us an instruction along with a promise. These words apply to Jehovah's people at all times, no matter what age or under what covenant they may be living. The words given will even apply in the Millenial age and on into eternity. This indeed should become our mindset in absolutely everything that we do. There is no other proper way for any servant of Jehovah to think at any time. Nevertheless, we often fail to keep these words in our hearts so to act upon them in all situations, and sometimes we trust in our own way instead of leaning upon Jehovah. Such may have resulted in bitter disappointments that could have been otherwise avoided. All of God's people have probably had such experiences, but God can even use these experiences to bring us c...