DISCERN
A Magazine of
DISCERN
Discern magazine (ISSN 2372-1995 [print]; ISSN 2372-2010 [online]) is published every two months by the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, as a service to readers of its LifeHopeandTruth.com website. Discern’s home page is LifeHopeandTruth.com/Discern. Free electronic subscriptions can be obtained at LifeHopeandTruth. com/Discern. Contact us at info@DiscernMag.com
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A Green Sabbath—or God’s Sabbath?
Some propose a weekly rest day to help heal the earth. This sounds noble, but could it end up being just another counterfeit for God’s seventh-day Sabbath?
Caregiving may be a new term, but the practice goes back to Bible times. What does the Bible say about caregivers? And how can we care for the caregivers?
The Kingdom of God is a central teaching of the Bible, but it has been overlooked and misunderstood. What does God want you to know about His Kingdom?
Is the Fate of Those Who Died in Pompeii?
Excavations at the site of one of the best-known disasters continue to amaze tourists and provide insights into the past. Is there a future for the victims?
20
America is in the midst of another contentious election season. If He walked the earth today, who would Jesus vote for? Or, should we ask, would Jesus even vote?
How the Kingdom Should Change Our Lives Now
Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God. How should knowledge of God’s Kingdom change our lives today?
Our Most Important Election
The Dec. 28, 2023, edition of Time magazine contained an article with this blunt opening statement: “2024 is not just an election year. It’s perhaps the election year.”
It went on to describe the unusually high number of elections that would be held this year in “at least 64 countries (plus the European Union),” comprising half of the world’s population. Many of these have since taken place, and all eyes are now focused on what is arguably the most potent balloting of all, that for president of the United States.
Time labeled it the election year because of the potential for upending the status quo of many countries in ways that could forever alter the world’s direction. Political, military and business analysts alike have been nervously watching, weighing and predicting the wide-ranging impacts all of these election results might have. Some have even speculated that the future of democracy itself is at risk!
The coming change in government
At the same time, few people are watching, or even aware of, another force at work behind the scenes that is destined to completely upend the balance of power for the entire world. No, this is not some wacky conspiracy theory (though skeptics may view it that way). It is the promised return of Jesus Christ to this earth to establish the Kingdom of God!
That kingdom—God’s coming government—is the focus in this issue of Discern, highlighted in two of these articles. Most people simply don’t have it on their radar, or have accepted without question the many myths and misunderstandings they have been taught. It is sometimes stunning how these ideas contradict the clear biblical teachings, as the first article explains. What do you believe about this government, its agenda, its structure, its leadership? Since Jesus said His Kingdom is the primary goal we must pursue, isn’t it critically important to clearly understand it?
Also, it’s not just theory. As the article on page 20 shows, grasping the truths about this coming kingdom will change the course of your life now, even before Christ returns!
The caregiving connection
Following these articles is another that, at first glance, seems to be on a totally unrelated topic. Yet, upon
further consideration of the bigger picture of life, we see a thought-provoking connection. This article compassionately addresses the issue of caregiving—a very challenging position many find themselves in at various stages of life—and offers practical tips both for caregivers and for others who can help them.
What possible connection exists between caregiving and God’s coming Kingdom? Simply this: the promise of Christ’s return bears witness to the greatest care, and Caregiver, humanity could ever see.
It means God is still here. He cared enough to have never walked away from us, despite our foolishly rejecting Him and opting to govern ourselves (an epic failed experiment).
It means that whenever the world weighs us down we can go to Him, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
It means that despite our insignificance—“What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?” (Hebrews 2:6)—our lives have meaning and purpose.
It means that despite our deadly sin-sick ways, God cares so much that He did the incomprehensible—He gave His only begotten Son that we might be spiritually healed and have eternal life in His Kingdom.
It means God cares enough that He will soon step in to save humanity when our sinful choices create, as Jesus warned, levels of international conflict so intense we would self-destruct.
It means God remains in control.
What should we thus conclude?
Please consider this: the biggest election we can ever make lies not in our choices for our national governments, but in whether we will elect to seek first His Kingdom!
Clyde Kilough Editor
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Fallacies vs. Facts
The Kingdom of God is a central teaching of the Bible, but it has been overlooked and misunderstood. What does God want you to know about His Kingdom?
The terms Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew’s way of referring to the same thing) are found more than 100 times in the Bible. And the subject is featured in other words many more times.
Yet most people don’t think much about the Kingdom of God. And when they have over the centuries, misconceptions have distorted the biblical meaning.
Fallacies about the Kingdom of God
According to the Bible, these four ideas about the Kingdom of God are not true:
Fallacy 1: The Kingdom just means heaven. Many Christians have the misconception that “Jesus is really talking about heaven. We often imagine that the kingdom of God is our eternal home after our deaths,” pointed out Eric Barreto (EntertheBible.org).
Historian Will Durant explained that this was not what the early Church thought: “What did [Christ] mean by the Kingdom? A supernatural heaven? Apparently not, for the apostles and the early Christians unanimously expected an earthly kingdom” (The Story of Civilization, Vol. III, Caesar and Christ, p. 564).
They expected a kingdom on earth because that is what God had foretold through the Old Testament prophets (Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 4:1-4).
But misunderstanding this in a political and immediate way led many people to a different fallacy.
Fallacy 2: The Kingdom is of this world. Many of the citizens of first-century Judea and Galilee were expecting a Messiah to come to deliver them from their Roman overlords and to restore the Kingdom of Israel to its greatest extent then.
But Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).
Jesus’ Kingdom was not to be an earthly kingdom brought about by human politics and military might.
He was not a political Messiah leading a revolt against human governments then or now. No amount of human effort will bring this Kingdom. As we will see, Jesus’ return to earth and His rule will mark the beginning of a new world, the “world to come” (Hebrews 2:5).
Though faithful Christians continued to wait patiently for Christ’s return, over the centuries as the Catholic Church grew in prominence, a third fallacy spread.
Fallacy 3: The Kingdom is the Church.
In Catholic theology the idea caught hold that “the area of the kingdom” was the same as the area under “the church’s power and authority” (New Bible Dictionary, p. 658).
The Church of God does have a key role in preparing for God’s Kingdom, as we will see, but the Church is not synonymous with the Kingdom.
Fallacy 4: The Kingdom is just in the hearts of men. “In their resistance to the Roman Catholic hierarchy, the Reformers laid chief emphasis on the spiritual and invisible significance of the kingdom . . .
“Under the influence of the Enlightenment and pietism, [the kingdom] came to be increasingly conceived in an individualistic sense; it is the sovereignty of grace and peace in the hearts of men” (ibid.).
These four fallacies, and other misconceptions, obscure the true biblical teaching about the Kingdom of God.
Facts about the Kingdom of God
• The Kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus Christ.
From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus’ message was the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15).
A quick search will show He preached about the Kingdom dozens of times. And even after His resurrection He appeared to the disciples for 40 days, “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).
• The Kingdom of God is also the central message of the whole New Testament and the whole Bible. Consider just a few passages about the centrality of the message of the Kingdom.
The book of Acts concludes with a summary of the apostle Paul’s teachings: “Then Paul . . received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31).
Peter preached about “times of refreshing” and “the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:19-21). This restoration of all things can be seen in pivotal Old Testament prophecies, such as these from Daniel and Isaiah:
“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44).
“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).
• The Kingdom of God is the gospel—the good news (Mark 1:14-15).
This is the message the Church is to proclaim (Mark 16:15), and it is prophesied to be “preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
• The Kingdom of God is a real government—not just a spiritual analogy. It will have territory, subjects, a King and laws.
• It will rule over the whole earth and all people. Revelation 11:15 says: “The kingdoms of this world
have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
(In a greater sense, we see the Kingdom of God will reign eternally over the entire universe, as well as the entire spiritual realm. In fact, it already does, except for this world, which is under Satan’s sway for only a little while longer.)
• Its King will be Jesus Christ.
As Jesus told Pilate, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).
• Its laws will be God’s laws. God’s moral laws were given for our benefit (Deuteronomy 10:13), and they have not changed (Matthew 5:17-18). Jesus said the 10 Commandments are still essential “if you want to enter into life” (Matthew 19:17)—eternal life in His Kingdom.
As Isaiah wrote, “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).
• Satan also has a kingdom (Luke 11:18), opposed to the Kingdom of God.
Now “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19), and he “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).
But his kingdom will be defeated, and he will be removed after the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16; 20:1-2).
• The Kingdom of God is the same as the Kingdom of Heaven.
When Mark and Luke wrote “kingdom of God,” Matthew often used “kingdom of heaven” in parallel passages (see, for example, Mark 4:3031; Luke 13:18-19; 13:31). They are synonymous. (See more in our online article The Kingdom of Heaven .”)
• The Kingdom of God requires us to repent—to change.
Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
stop doing the things that led to all of this world’s problems, and instead live the way that He designed to be best for us. Learn more in our online article “ What Is Repentance? ”
• God wants us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
This means eagerly anticipating the return of Jesus Christ and living by the laws of the Kingdom now. It means spreading the good news of the coming Kingdom and doing everything we can to prepare for that wonderful time.
• God also wants us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (verse 10).
The Kingdom of God will be the real solution to the intractable problems and evils of this age. We should strive to do God’s will now and look forward to the day when people around the world will be taught to strive to do God’s will.
After all humans have had their opportunity to become spirit-born children of God, the Kingdom of God will encompass an even better new heaven and new earth. “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). The ultimate promise of the Kingdom of God is spiritual and eternal, far surpassing what we can imagine in the physical realm.
May that day come soon!
—Mike Bennett You need to learn more about this essential subject. Download our free booklets The Mystery of the Kingdom and The World to Come: What It Will Be Like
WHO WOULD
JESUS
FOR?
America is in the midst of another contentious election season. If He walked the earth today, who would Jesus vote for? Or, should we ask, would Jesus even vote?
Every four years, the United States elects a president, the most powerful political office in the world. The divided American political landscape seems to be increasingly less civil, raising the specter of more violence.
And 2024 has been a year for major elections around the world. In early June, the citizens of 27 EU nations selected new European Parliament members. The United Kingdom, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Russia and many other countries have had elections.
Will the winners unite their countries and govern effectively? Will they deliver on their promises? Will the losing candidates accept defeat graciously? Will upcoming elections lead to violence?
Another question worth asking is, Should Christians involve themselves in politics?
Who would Jesus vote for?
If Jesus Christ walked the earth today, how would He vote? Would He vote? Would He take sides?
To answer these questions, we must examine Jesus’ approach to politics and government when He lived on earth in the first century.
1. Jesus taught that this is not God’s world—yet.
Many people look at their country and see serious problems, such as moral decline, the economy, inflation, foreign policy, corrupt leaders, immigration, crime, etc.
But most of these problems are not unique to the 21st century. Jesus lived in a world that also dealt with a litany of problems, including declining morality (Matthew 16:4), poverty (Matthew 26:11), corruption (Mark 6:16-29; 11:17-18) and controversy over taxation (Matthew 22:17; Mark 2:16).
Surprisingly, Jesus didn’t come to fix those societal problems. He helped those He came into contact with, but He didn’t mobilize His followers to solve all the problems of His country and world. Some mistakenly thought He was coming to overthrow Rome and restore an independent Jewish kingdom that would solve all those problems (Acts 1:6). However, Jesus rejected that idea. His first coming was not to fix the many problems that faced humanity, because this wasn’t His world— yet . When Jesus faced Satan in the wilderness, Satan offered Him immediate authority over “all the kingdoms of the world” in exchange for an act of worship (Luke 4:5-7).
Jesus rejected the temptation but didn’t contest Satan’s ability to make the offer. Satan does have authority. For now, “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19).
But Satan will be forcibly relieved of this authority after Jesus returns (John 12:31; Revelation 20:1-3).
Today, Jesus would recognize that no candidate or movement can fix the problems our nations face. There
is no fixing our world. Instead, Jesus would address the cause of our problems—but His solution would not be any politician or party.
2. Jesus did not involve Himself with first-century politics.
Jesus didn’t live in a democratic system. Rome ruled Judea and administered it as a province through the Herodian kings and procurators (governors). But that doesn’t mean first-century Judea had no politics! The Gospel accounts show the culture Jesus lived in was filled with politics, with multiple parties vying for political and religious influence.
Some of the prominent religious factions of firstcentury Judea were the Pharisees (an ultrastrict Jewish sect that controlled the synagogues), the Sadducees (a party dominated by the priestly elite, associated with the temple), the Herodians (a political group that supported the Herodian dynasty’s collaboration with Rome) and the Zealots (a radical group that violently opposed Roman rule).
Jesus lived in a society with political ideologies from conservative to moderate to radical.
So, which side was Jesus on?
None.
The New Testament shows us Jesus was apolitical regarding Jewish and Roman politics. He never joined any parties or endorsed their platforms. Jesus corrected the erroneous religious views of these groups, but taught His disciples to respect their authority (Matthew 23:1-3).
Just as He didn’t side with the parties of His day, if Jesus walked the earth today, He would not ally Himself with any political party or movement. Instead, He would be solely about His “Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).
3. Jesus advocated good citizenship, not politics.
Jesus had opportunities to advocate for political change and to challenge His country’s power structure. On one occasion, a group of Pharisees questioned Him on the hot-button issue of taxation: “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:17).
The Jews resented the high taxes levied on them by Herod and Rome. Jesus had an opportunity to express a political opinion when asked about this issue. He could
have railed against taxation or advocated for more benefits to be provided by taxes. Instead, He answered: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (verse 21).
The answer left His enemies speechless. He neither endorsed nor protested high taxation. Instead, He taught that people should fulfill their civil duties to the government and their spiritual duties to God.
Years later, the apostle Paul reinforced the teaching that Christians should be “subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1).
The apostle Peter, who at one point tried to violently protest Jesus’ arrest (Matthew 26:51-52; John 18:10), later wrote that “this is the will of God” that Christians submit to and respect civil authority (1 Peter 2:13-17).
Jesus Christ would take the same approach today (Hebrews 13:8). Instead of politically mobilizing His followers, Jesus would pay His taxes, abide by laws that do not contradict God’s laws and respect civil authority.
4. Jesus represented a different government.
When Jesus stood on trial for His life, Pontius Pilate asked, “Are You the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33). His enemies accused Him of threatening Rome by declaring Himself the Messiah.
Jesus’ answer to Pilate frames how Christians should view their world: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (verse 36).
This answer provides the why to all the previous points. This is why Jesus didn’t endorse the political parties of His day and why He advocated good citizenship but not political engagement. This is why Jesus said His followers were “not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:16).
Jesus represented a government that wasn’t of this world.
The Kingdom Jesus represented is currently in heaven—where Jesus sits enthroned beside God the Father. Instead of entangling themselves in the politics of this world, Christians pledge their allegiance to His government. They realize their “citizenship is in heaven” and “eagerly wait” for Christ’s return to establish His government here (Philippians 3:20).
They interact with today’s world as ambassadors Ambassadors represent their country in a foreign land. They abide by the laws of that land but do not participate in its politics.
If Jesus walked the earth today, He would be a good citizen, but His primary allegiance would be to the Kingdom of God—and He would conduct Himself as its ambassador.
5. Jesus was driven to proclaim a new government—not to influence the current one.
The Gospels record Jesus “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14) and teaching His followers to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).
A kingdom is a government ruled by a king, with territory, laws and subjects. The Kingdom of God, then, is the government under the rule of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Their dominion is in heaven now, but the Bible teaches that it is coming to earth.
After Christ returns, all the governments of man— the democracies, dictatorships and every other form of government—will be replaced by the rule of Jesus Christ: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15).
If Jesus walked the earth today, His singular focus would be proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom (Luke 4:43). Just as He previously refused to get entangled in the politics of His day, Jesus would focus on proclaiming the solutions to our national and global problems today—solutions that transcend politics.
Why we are apolitical
Likewise, Discern strives to stay out of partisan politics. Since humanity’s problems are, at their core, spiritual in nature, we strive to proclaim spiritual solutions. The ultimate solution is the same message Jesus proclaimed 2,000 years ago—the gospel of the Kingdom of God!
So, we can absolutely know who Jesus would vote for. Jesus wouldn’t vote for any of the candidates. He would not vote at all.
To learn more, see our article “ The Politics of Jesus .” —Erik Jones
A Green Sabbath— or God’s Sabbath?
Some propose a weekly rest day to help heal the earth. This sounds noble, but could it end up being just another counterfeit for God’s seventh-day Sabbath?
Have you heard of the Green Sabbath Project? Visit its website , and you will be greeted with a page that says:
“Is there nothing you can do about the environment?
“Nothing may be one of the best things you can do.
“One day every week. Do nothing.
“Take a weekly day of rest. Make it a real sabbath. For you. For earth.
“Don’t drive. Don’t shop. Don’t build.
“Take a walk. Eat with friends. Play or read with your kids. Sing. Meditate. Celebrate contentment.”
A similar movement is called the Earth Sabbath, and its website states:
“Give the Earth a rest one day a week, every week or for a morning or afternoon or even one hour a week.”
Today’s world is not as religious as that of previous generations, so this might sound like a novel idea. But for anyone with biblical understanding, it sounds as if the Sabbath of rest that God created is being reinvented for a secular audience, focusing not at all on God but on saving the earth.
“Make it a real sabbath,” advises the website. In reality, this has nothing to do with the real Sabbath and demonstrates the widespread confusion about the Sabbath.
What does the Bible say about the real Sabbath? How did it come to be? What is its purpose? And what might we see in the
future regarding those who would strive to observe it?
The biblical Sabbath is the seventh day of the week
You may have heard someone say, “Sunday is my Sabbath,” or “I worship God every day.” The idea is that no day is special, that all days are the same.
But is that true?
The first mention of the Sabbath is found early in the Bible. When God ended His creative acts, He rested on the seventh day, blessing and sanctifying it (that is, establishing it for a holy purpose). The creation account shows that what is called a “day” began and ended in the evening (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31; compare Leviticus 23:32).
Later, in the fourth of the 10 Commandments, God ordered the holy observance of the seventh day (Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14).
The seventh day begins on Friday at sunset and ends on Saturday at sunset. This is nothing new to Christians who keep the Sabbath and to Jews, but it’s not common knowledge for many.
However, humans, as they’ve done with so many other things of God, began changing days. Most today have adopted the Roman custom of beginning days at midnight, instead of at sunset as the Bible does (Genesis 1:5; Leviticus 23:32).
And the week itself is no less confusing! Depending on the culture or religion, the first day of the week can be Saturday, Sunday or Monday on the various calendars around the world.
But no matter how humans have drifted from God’s definition of the day or the week, the Bible has never varied or given authority to change the sevenday cycle that was founded in Genesis and continues uninterrupted to this day. The Sabbath of the Bible has always been,
Photo: iStockphoto.com/ooyoo
and will always be, the seventh day of the week, from sunset Friday evening to Saturday sunset.
But what is the purpose for the Sabbath? Why did God ordain the Sabbath?
On the Sabbath, we rest from our work
In the Fourth Commandment, God says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8), explaining that by doing so we follow His example at creation of working six days and resting the seventh (Exodus 20:11).
The Genesis account says, “He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done” (2:2). The word rest in Hebrew is shâbath, a verb that is the root word for the noun Sabbath . It means to stop or cease, to cease from labor, to cease from work. God stopped His work as an example for us to stop our work.
Today a common idea (akin to what the Green Sabbath Project promotes) is that keeping a Sabbath is just taking a break—setting aside time for nothing more than rest and relaxation. Others who look at it through religious eyes may believe they should go to church, but then spend the rest of the day in any other pursuit— recreation, personal chores, etc.
Is that what God intended? Not at all.
God set the Sabbath apart for a special purpose. Instead of pursuing our own ways or finding our own pleasures, we are to delight in God’s ways, worshipping Him and doing things that please Him (Isaiah 58:13-14). To learn more, read “God’s Sabbath Rest: A Day of Refreshing.”
Submit to God’s authority
But a more basic question remains: Can a human, a government or even a religious institution transfer the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath to another day?
The Roman Catholic Church, for example, claims to have the authority to change the Sabbath to Sunday. As its answer to the question “For what reason has the Sabbath been changed to Sunday for Christians?” the Vatican website states:
“The reason is because Sunday is the day of the Resurrection of Christ. As ‘the first day of the week’ (Mark 16:2) it recalls the first creation; and as the ‘eighth day,’ which follows the sabbath, it symbolizes the new creation ushered in by the Resurrection of Christ. Thus, it has become for Christians the first of all days and of all feasts.
It is the day of the Lord in which he with his Passover fulfilled the spiritual truth of the Jewish Sabbath and proclaimed man’s eternal rest in God” (vatican.va)
Reading that carefully, one notes that even though it cites one scripture mentioning “the first day of the week,” no other scriptural authority is offered for changing the day God established and commanded to be kept holy! The stated rationale has no biblical backing—only human reasoning.
In fact, the explanation begins with the assumption that Jesus died on Friday and was resurrected on Sunday. Your Bible proves that to be false. For proof that Jesus died at the end of the Passover day, on a Wednesday afternoon that year, and rose on Sabbath afternoon, exactly three days and three nights later, read “How Do You Count Three Days and Three Nights? ”
But one must challenge the underlying premise: Did God give the Catholic Church the authority to change the day God made holy for weekly worship?
Interestingly, Catholics are quite honest about this, stating very directly that they believe God did indeed give the Catholic Church sole authority to make doctrinal changes—including changing the Sabbath to Sunday—even if they conflict with the Bible. (For a study on what the Bible says regarding this interpretation, read “On What Rock Did Christ Build His Church? ”)
History shows this change came about nearly 300 years after Jesus’ death. Before then, the early Church continued to observe the Sabbath. But Emperor Constantine, after beginning his conversion from paganism, exercised his power at the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 and led the Catholic Church to institutionalize the change from Sabbath to “the venerable day of the Sun.”
Later at the Council of Laodicea, in a blatantly anti-Semitic move, the Catholic Church outlawed Sabbath-keeping, stating, “Christians must not Judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, resting rather on Sunday. But if any be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ” (Canon XXIX).
How strange that 300 years after Jesus’ death, those who honored His statement that He is the “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28) would find themselves accursed by the religious authorities claiming to represent Him!
No, He is the One who has authority over the Sabbath day, and no person or organization has the right to change the day God sanctified and made holy.
When we keep God’s Sabbath, we submit to His authority. When we substitute Sunday, or any other day, for the Sabbath as the day of worship, we are submitting to the authority of man.
A push for a counterfeit Sabbath
Any declared day of rest other than the seventh day is a counterfeit of the true Sabbath. Are we seeing signs of a renewed push for a counterfeit Sabbath that will potentially create a conflict for anyone seeking to keep God’s true Sabbath?
In January 2024, a Washington Post article in the climate section, titled “Why Reviving a 2,600-Year-Old Spiritual Practice Made My Life Better,” pointed to Pope Francis’ argument about “Sunday in his 2015 ‘Laudato Si,’ an encyclical about caring for the natural world. Not resting is not just bad for the soul, he says, but it’s also bad for the Earth. The constant drive to produce and consume more is squandering natural resources, and it prevents us from treating the living world, and one another, with dignity and respect. The Sabbath forces us to consider how we spend all our days.
“Sunday, like the Jewish Sabbath, is meant to be a day which heals our relationships with God, with ourselves, with others and with the world.”
Pope Francis was expanding on the Catholic teaching that Sunday is sacred, trying to give it new meaning for a modern audience in a secular age. Before the last climate talks, he wrote, “The world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point,” pushing for urgency to do something about it. The Green Sabbath Project may be an example of such an attempt.
Recent trends show other signs of Sunday sacredness coming back into focus. In Germany, the supermarket chain Tegut ran into legal opposition by operating its stores seven days a week. Its case ended up in a German court, which ruled that Tegut violated the German Sunday law by remaining open on Sunday. Ironically, this store did not require any workers to be on the scene. It was 100 percent automated, with workers coming in on weekdays to restock the shelves. Board member Thomas Stäb argued that the
stores were “basically walk-in vending machines.” Nevertheless, in April 2024 a German court ruled that it violated the Sunday rest law.
The Daily Mail headlined its report on this story, “Even Shop Robots Should Have Sundays Off, German Court Rules as It Says Automated Supermarkets Must Close on the Seventh Day.” (Of course, this headline goes back to the point about confusing Sunday as the seventh day.)
Many other European nations also give Sunday a protected status. Some of these allow companies to require employees to work six days a week, with Sunday being the required day off.
These laws have little to do with enforcing religious observance (though the fact that Sunday is the imposed rest day is rooted in centuries of church law). The requirements to work six days are based on economic needs. For example, as part of their 2012 bailout package for Greece, eurozone creditors pressured that nation to allow a six-day workweek to improve its economic condition.
In light of end-time prophecies , we should be watchful of two parallel forces. The first is to hold a day of rest (Sunday, naturally) as an environmentsaving tactic, and the second is the economic tactic, pressuring people to work a six-day workweek (including, naturally, Saturday).
Similar forces were at play in the Roman Empire when Emperor Constantine instituted Sunday sacredness in A.D. 321, stating, “On the venerable day of the Sun, let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.” With the weight of the empire behind the Catholic Church, Sabbath-keeping Christians were forced to flee or face persecution.
Will we see growing pressures coming to bear in the future, not only from religious forces but from other sources, on those who believe in following God’s commandment to keep His Sabbath holy? Keep your eyes on this!
To learn more, read:
• Who Changed the Day of Worship From Saturday to Sunday? Why?
• Why the Push for European Sunday Laws?
• The Prophesied Restoration of All Things
• Mark of the Beast
—Isaac Khalil
Caregiver and caregiving have become familiar terms in the last 30 years or so. In the U.S. today there are over 50 million caregivers—most unpaid family members.
As our population ages, the need for caregivers will continue to increase. If it hasn’t touched you yet, there is a great possibility it will.
While the terms are fairly recent, caregiving is as old as the Bible. The Bible records a number of individuals who would be called caregivers today.
Ruth’s care for Naomi
A clear example of a caregiver is found in the book of Ruth.
After her husband and sons died, Naomi, discouraged and with no apparent means of support, decided to return to Israel. But she encouraged her widowed daughters-in-law to return to their own families in Moab. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law farewell. Ruth, however, refused to leave her.
Naomi tried to convince Ruth to return to her people. But Ruth told Naomi she had already made up her mind and was totally committed to being with Naomi even as she returned to an uncertain fate. She didn’t know what to expect, but she was ready to help her widowed mother-in-law.
Ruth’s words of love and dedication in Ruth 1:14-17 are very moving. Try to put yourself in Ruth’s place. Life has come crashing down, and you are contemplating going to a foreign country to help your mother-in-law. You don’t know the lifestyle or traditions, have no family and know no one else there. How many of us could do this?
Ruth was likely expecting she would be a widow in a strange country for her entire life. God had other plans for her. However, Ruth remained dedicated to caring for Naomi even after God brought her and Boaz together.
Others noted Naomi’s blessing of having Ruth’s care—“for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons” (Ruth 4:15).
Being a caregiver requires love and dedication to the well-being of the one who needs care. Like Ruth, caregivers must sometimes put their own comfort second to the needs of another.
Now let’s look at a few more examples in the New Testament.
The apostle John and Jesus’ mother
Jesus was nearing death. He looked down into His mother’s eyes and likely saw grief and uncertainty. It seems her husband Joseph was now long dead. Then Jesus looked at John. At this dire time, Jesus said:
“Dear woman, here is your son.”
Then He said to John, “Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27, New Living Translation).
A Biblical Perspective on Caregiving
Caregiving may be a new term, but the practice goes back to Bible times. What does the Bible say about caregivers? And how can we care for the caregivers?
Biblical Perspective Caregiving
John took care of her from that day until her death. Jesus set a perfect example of caring for others more than Himself. As He hung there dying, He was concerned about the long-term care of His mother.
Jesus knew John’s character, love and dedication to duty and had no doubt John would be there for His mother.
Additional examples of biblical caregiving
There are other caregivers in the New Testament.
• In one of Jesus’ parables, a Samaritan man came across a man who had been robbed, badly injured and left for dead. The Samaritan postponed what he was doing. He cleaned the man’s wounds and bandaged them, took him to an inn and took care of him (Luke 10:33-35). Though he was a total stranger, he was moved to give compassionate care.
• Luke 5:18-19 tells the story of a paralyzed man. His caregivers carried him to see Christ, and when they couldn’t get through the crowd, they took him up on the roof, removed some tiles and let him down so Christ could heal him. They demonstrated a great deal of dedication and resourcefulness to help this person in need.
• Acts 3:1-3 tells about Peter and John encountering a man who had been lame since birth who was carried and laid daily at a gate of the temple. This was undoubtedly a case of long-term caregiving.
A labor of love
Many reading this article may be caregivers. If so, you daily lay down your lives and postpone personal plans to care for a family member or friend. You know how hard and stressful it is to be a caregiver. Thank you very much for your labor of love.
In John 15:13, Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Caregivers lay down their lives for others on a daily basis.
Most caregivers aren’t looking for accolades or praise. They do the job because they are dedicated and truly concerned about the individual needing care.
Caring for the caregivers
What can those of us who are not currently caregivers do to acknowledge and help those who dedicate their time to caring for others?
In Galatians 6:2, Paul encourages us to bear one another’s burdens. There are many ways to do this, but we first need to recognize the load that caregivers carry—and not forget about them. Paul also wrote, “Through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). One big way to serve is to provide care to those who are
caregivers. Help them carry their load—which can get very heavy at times.
Ways we can help caregivers
Here are six ways we can give caregivers the support they need:
1. Recognize and express gratitude to the caregivers. How many times have you honored and thanked them for their labor of love? You can send a note or call—or simply offer a kind word when your paths cross. In addition to words of gratitude, consider giving a practical gift—such as a prepared meal, cookies or something else they can use and enjoy.
2. Offer to help out when the occasion arises. For example, you could take the person needing care to the restroom or to the car if needed. You could offer to get snacks or refreshments. Anything that will give the caregiver some relief can be helpful, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
3. Get more acquainted with the people and their needs. Watch how the caregiver does things. Then, once you are accepted, offer to help and give the caregiver a little time away. Perhaps you could help out two or three hours every month so the caregiver can have a break.
At first the caregiver may resist your offer to help. Caregivers are dedicated to the person they serve and may feel no one else could do the job as well. This may be true, but caregivers still need some time to themselves.
The caregiver may also feel guilty about taking time off—even if it is only an hour or two. Be patient with caregivers and assure them that you’re not trying to take over their role but just trying to give them some well-deserved rest and time to attend to their own needs.
Caregiving is extremely stressful over time. Especially in cases of dementia or Alzheimer’s, caregiver burnout is a real issue.
4. Call or visit the caregiver occasionally. A text message or a card can be appreciated. Caregiving can be a very lonely occupation. Especially in cases of dementia, caregivers may long for someone to talk to. Just a little bit of conversation and intellectual stimulation can be very helpful. If you go to visit, offer to bring lunch or snacks so the
caregiver doesn’t feel the extra burden of caring for you during the visit.
5. Pray specifically for strength and encouragement for the caregiver. Mention specific needs to God if you are aware of them.
6. Move beyond fear and worries about not being able to help. Especially in cases of dementia or Alzheimer’s, you might have apprehensions about how things might go and what might happen. The conduct and “conversation” of those suffering from memory loss and impaired thinking can seem strange. They may also act out, which can make those around uneasy.
It helps to realize that the person needing care is basically no different from anyone else, and he or she might appreciate your friendship and concern. A Christian with health problems—whether cancer, heart difficulty, disability or dementia—is still a brother or sister.
People suffering from dementia can still love talking with friends, even though the conversation may make little sense and the person might not remember their names.
Showing love and compassion
Christ said that one of the signs identifying His disciples is demonstrating love one for another (John 13:34-35). Caring for caregivers might be an overlooked way you can express love and serve someone else.
Paul encourages us to look out not only for our own interests but also for the needs of others (Philippians 2:4). How much active concern do you exemplify in caring for others? It is just one way we can apply the Bible’s admonition to become “a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).
Peter instructs Christians, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another” (1 Peter 3:8). Compassion requires action, and we can all act by reaching out and helping those who need help—and also by helping the helpers of those who need help.
Helping others is a major sign of those who love God and are followers of Jesus Christ. Being a caregiver, or helping those who are caregivers, is a vitally important way we can do this today.
—Mike Blackwell
What
Is the Fate of Those Who Died in Pompeii?
Excavations at the site of one of the best-known disasters continue to amaze tourists and provide insights into the past. Is there a future for the victims?
Irecently toured the Pompeii Archaeological Park near Naples in the Campania region of Italy. The ancient Roman city was buried by around 20 feet of pumice and ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is the only archaeological site providing a complete snapshot of an ancient Roman city, Pompeii is one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions.
The tour began with a quick overview of the devastating natural disaster. Over two days in either late August or late October (accounts vary), Mount Vesuvius, located only 5 miles away, spewed so much pumice and ash that all life in Pompeii ended. As bodies decayed within the ash, molds were created of humans in their final moments. So far, archaeologists have unearthed 1,150 bodies.
As we entered the park, the first exhibit was a structure housing plaster casts of some of these victims. While ancient streets, sewers, beautiful houses, frescos, bakeries, brothels, public baths, political signage and graffiti have been meticulously studied, the fate of these largely non-Christian people is hardly ever addressed.
Is there hope for the victims who died in Pompeii?
Common views of life after death
Beliefs about what happens after death vary. Atheists believe that this life is all there is—that there is no afterlife. Some people believe in reincarnation, where a person may be reborn multiple times before entering another world.
Most claiming to be Christian believe that humans possess an immortal soul that remains conscious after death, going either to heaven to be with God or to hell to suffer for eternity. Since the Bible teaches that Jesus’ name is the only one “by which we must be saved,” the widely held assumption is that the two-thirds of the world’s population that is not Christian will go to hell (Acts 4:12). If this common belief were true, there wouldn’t be much hope for most of humanity, including the nonChristian victims of Pompeii.
In this article let’s consider what God’s Word says about the soul and life after death. When properly understood, this instruction is quite encouraging.
What is a soul?
Before we can focus on the fate of people who have died without acknowledging Jesus as their Savior, we must understand what the soul is.
After God fashioned Adam from the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life, “man became a living being [soul, King James Version]” (Genesis 2:7). The Hebrew word translated “being” and “soul” is nephesh, meaning “soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions).
The fact that Adam became a living soul invites the question of whether there can be dead souls—beings that are no longer alive. The Bible definitively answers this question. Adam was told that if he disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would “surely die” (Genesis 2:17).
This foundational truth about the soul was repeated by Ezekiel, who wrote, “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20).
The mistaken belief that humans have an immortal soul that will not die was introduced to humanity by Satan who said to Eve, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4).
This false teaching was perpetuated by pagan cultures and honed by Greek philosophers. For further explanation, see our articles “Do Humans Have an Immortal Soul? ” and “Lessons From the First Lie .”
Resurrection: how humans can live again
While humans do not have immortal souls, the Bible teaches that mortal people who die can live again. Coming back to life after being dead is called resurrection. This is the hope each of us can have for life after death.
Isaiah understood this process. In speaking to God, he said: “Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead” (Isaiah 26:19).
Resurrection from the grave does not happen immediately after someone is buried. Prior to his death, Job addressed this, saying, “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You” (Job 14:14-15).
Resurrections from the grave will begin when Jesus returns to rule the earth. As 1 Thessalonians 4:16 explains, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Jesus confirmed the certainty of this teaching when He said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). The Greek word translated “condemnation” is krisis, which can mean “judging” (see our blog post “All Who Are in the Graves Will Hear His Voice ”).
The order of the resurrections In 1 Corinthians 15, often referred to as the Resurrection Chapter of the Bible, Paul explained this process of coming back to life.
He noted that “Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (verses 20-23, emphasis added).
Paul describes the resurrections as beginning with Christ and continuing with “those who are Christ’s at His coming.” As noted earlier, Paul stated that the dead in Christ would “rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This raises another question: Are there other resurrections that occur after these faithful Christians are brought back to life?
The simple answer is yes! People who did not know about or understand Jesus’ teaching will also be resurrected.
In the book of Revelation, John writes that the saints—God’s faithful people through the ages—will be resurrected as immortal spirit beings and rule in the Kingdom of God under Jesus Christ on earth for 1,000 years. These people rise in “the first resurrection” (Revelation 20:5-6).
Revelation 20:5 also explains, “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” This will be the time when non-Christians, including the victims of Pompeii, will be brought back to life.
Since this passage speaks of a “first resurrection,” it is logical to refer to this subsequent one as the second resurrection.
The second resurrection
What will the world be like when the victims of Pompeii are resurrected? What types of bodies will they have? Will they have the opportunity to learn about God and receive the same blessings as those in the first resurrection?
The answers to these questions are found in the writings of the Old Testament prophets and in the words of Jesus Himself during His earthly ministry.
Through the prophet Ezekiel, we see an example of ancient Israelites—who are representative of all peoples—coming back to physical life to have an opportunity to respond to God with the help of God’s Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Additionally, it will be easier for them to obey because Satan will have been removed (Revelation 20:10).
Jesus also spoke of this future time, stating that people who had been dead for hundreds or even thousands of years would live again and be judged alongside people alive during His time. He specifically mentioned the ancient peoples of Sodom, Gomorrah, Tyre, Sidon, Nineveh and the queen of the South (Matthew 10:15; 11:22-24; 12:41-42).
These people represent the vast majority of humanity through the ages—people who have not known God and His expectations. But the God “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” will give these individuals their first real opportunity to understand and live the way of life that leads to eternal life (1 Timothy 2:4).
This time of opportunity, the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11, is pictured by one of God’s annual holy days—the Eighth Day (Leviticus 23:39). It will be a time of spiritual education, concluding with these people being judged by God’s laws as found in the Bible (Revelation 20:12). It will be their first opportunity to truly know God and receive the blessings He pours out on those who respond to Him.
This is the opportunity that lies ahead for the deceased people of Pompeii and for the rest of mankind who lived and died and never knew of or recognized Jesus Christ as their Savior.
For further study, see “ What Are the Resurrections? ” and From Holidays to Holy Days . —David Treybig
How the Kingdom
Change Our
Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God. How should knowledge of God’s Kingdom change our lives today?
Jesus Christ and the New Testament Church preached about the Kingdom of God—a literal kingdom that will rule over the earth at Christ’s return.
In his address recorded in Acts 3:21, Peter described the transition from man’s governments to the government of God as “the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” (To learn more about the coming Kingdom of God, read “ What Is the Kingdom of God? ”)
Though the Bible shows unequivocally that the Kingdom has yet to arrive, it also shows the Kingdom should affect us now.
The Kingdom should change our view of the world
One way we should change when we begin to believe in the good news of the Kingdom of God is in our perspective of the world around us. This physical world is all we know from personal experience.
Though there are good things in this world, with God’s calling and understanding of the Kingdom, we
come to realize that everything—everything we can see and hear and touch, everything we can taste and smell—is temporary. Much of what we thought would make us happy leaves us empty and unfulfilled.
Learning about the Kingdom of God, and coming to understand that our physical lives don’t have to be the end for us, can bring great joy.
At the same time, we begin to understand that we should not put our hopes in this world, which so often disappoints. Christ warned His followers not to lay up “treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19).
Instead, we should lay up “treasures in heaven” (verse 20). This refers to spiritual treasures now stored in heaven. God watches over us and plans to reward us according to our conduct when Christ returns. Heaven does not refer to an afterlife destination. (For more on this topic, read “ Will You Spend the Hereafter in Heaven? ”)
A changed mindset does more. Once we decide to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (verse 33), we transform our future expectations. As a result, we should begin to alter our behavior.
Kingdom Should
Lives Now
The Kingdom should lead us to repentance
Christ taught that the coming of His Kingdom should motivate us to repent (Matthew 4:17).
Repentance involves more than regret or sorrow.
According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, to repent means “‘to change one’s mind or purpose,’ always, in the NT, involving a change for the better, an amendment.”
True godly repentance, then, includes a determination to change one’s behavior—to stop sinning and to instead obey God’s laws.
God takes no pleasure in punishing the sinful, but rather wants to see a sinner “turn from his ways and live” (Ezekiel 18:23).
Christ taught that “unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Repentance is necessary before anyone can hope to enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom would not be a place of universal joy if it were filled with unrepentant and miserable sinners (1 Corinthians 6:8-10).
True repentance is not an overnight change. It is a lifelong challenge. (Learn more in the booklet Change Your Life )
The
Kingdom requires work
As with any challenging task, determining to change our behavior requires work. Although forgiveness of sins is possible only through the blood of Christ (Romans 3:23-26; Hebrews 9:13-15), Christ made it clear that we have work to do.
Our personal responsibility is explained in many of the Kingdom parables. When interpreting the parable of the sower for His disciples, Jesus said that the individual “who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces” (Matthew 13:23) is the one who will enter the Kingdom.
This responsibility is also clear in Christ’s parable of the sheep and the goats. Those who live their lives without concern for other people will not inherit the Kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46).
It is possible, however, to do what we think are great works and have them, in reality, mean nothing. Jesus made this point during His Sermon on the Mount.
He asserted, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). These people, who decide for themselves what
should be considered amazing works, will be told, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (verse 23).
How, then, can we learn the works that God will accept?
The Kingdom should motivate lifelong learning
Learning to live selflessly is hard work, and it can be daunting. We must “be diligent to enter” the Kingdom (Hebrews 4:11). To do so, we must first commit to staying in regular contact with God through the tools He provides. Foremost among those tools is prayer. Prayer makes it possible for us to confidently approach the very throne of God (verse 16).
Another vital tool God provides is His Word, the Bible. Through the pages of Scripture, we learn of God’s character, His plan and His will for our lives. We learn His laws, which guide us in our daily lives, and we gain insight and wisdom in the process. The Bible is God’s primary way of speaking to us.
God teaches us and corrects us as we study the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God sanctifies us—sets us apart—by His truth, by the Bible (John 17:17).
Community is also vital to us as we work toward the goal of preparing ourselves for the return of Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom on earth. That community is the Church—not just any church, but the Church that obeys the teachings of Jesus Christ. (To learn more about the true Church, download our free booklet Where Is the Church Jesus Built? )
Through the community of believers, we find guidance as we learn what is important to prepare ourselves for the coming Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom changes us now, not the world
How we behave now is important, but we must always remember that we cannot change the world ourselves. As much as we would like to see God’s Kingdom here and now, we must wait for God’s timing, knowing that Christ will not establish His Kingdom until He returns. Why, then, is our conduct now so important?
We demonstrate our loyalty and submission to God as we obey. It is only after we do so that He can trust us to be faithful members of His government and family in the future.
Equally important is our role in preaching the gospel to the world. We are commanded not only to preach the gospel message, but to teach people “to observe all things that [God has] commanded” (Matthew 28:19-20).
We will not be effective in that role unless we first demonstrate obedience ourselves. How we conduct our lives is just as important as what we teach. It is through our obedience that we become “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Our efforts should be devoted to serving God, which at times will mean serving the people around us. However, we must not make the mistake of thinking that we can change the world around us, whether through charitable efforts or through politics. Through service, we can temporarily give people a tiny glimpse of what God’s Kingdom will be like, but the real systemic change this world needs will be achieved only by the establishment of Christ’s rule on earth.
In addition, we must remember that we have no power to convert anyone. Yes, Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel, but He also explained that conversion is possible only when the Father draws that person (John 6:44). We must trust God’s timing.
The Kingdom requires lifelong commitment
Anyone who follows Christ in this life can look forward to a great future, but we must also bear in mind that this world is still ruled by Satan. Paul called Satan and the fallen angels “rulers of the darkness of this age” (Ephesians 6:12).
What this means is that our lives will not necessarily be easy. Paul warned that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Even so, we must endure, overcoming the obstacles placed before us. Overcomers will find their place in God’s Kingdom (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).
We may be tempted to give up, but our hope for the Kingdom should strengthen our resolve. Giving up is not an option, as Christ clearly taught: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
What about you? Do you want to be part of this wonderful future, the Kingdom of God? If so, allow hope for the Kingdom to change your life now.
—Bill Palmer
Q:I came across your website while researching Ezekiel, and as I looked deeper, I appreciated the insight. I have subscribed to your newsletter, etc. I look forward to reading more. From what I read about you, it falls in line with my beliefs. Christdriven scripturally based unfiltered gospel! What denomination is this church?
A:Thank you for your kind words about our website and materials. We do strive to make sure everything we publish is based on Scripture and furthers the gospel that Jesus Christ taught and commissioned His Church to teach.
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, the sponsor of the Life, Hope & Truth website, is a Christian organization. We are not affiliated with any other church or denomination. We trace our roots to the first-century Sabbath-keeping Church found in the New Testament.
To learn more about us, you can visit our “ Who We Are” page, which includes links to our Fundamental Beliefs and to our Welcome booklet that gives more of our background and history.
Q:I would like to ask your thoughts according to God’s precious Word. Do you think the rapture of the saints will take place before the tribulation? I honestly believe that God would not let His saints go through the wrath of God on mankind.
A:As you stated, God’s Word is indeed precious. However, God’s Word does not teach that there will be a rapture—either before the Great Tribulation or during God’s wrath on the earth, which the Bible often refers to as the Day of the Lord.
The word rapture comes from the word that’s translated “shall be caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The Greek word is harpazo, and it means to seize, catch up, pluck up or take by force. In the Vulgate (Latin) Bible, it’s translated as rapere, and it is from this word that originators of the theory derived the word rapture.
Paul did teach that God’s people will be caught up —harpazo—to meet Jesus Christ in the air. But
the problem is the notion—held by proponents of the rapture theory—that what Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 4 is a different event than the second coming of Jesus Christ .
The Bible does say the saints will meet Christ in the clouds, but it will not be a separate event from Jesus Christ’s second coming to this earth. Proponents of the rapture teach that Christ will return to snatch believers away from the earth and take them off to heaven for 3½ years (or seven years, as is often taught). But the Bible says Christ will “appear a second time” (Hebrews 9:28)—not a second time and then, several years later, a third time.
The consistent message of the Bible about the order of end-time events is that “after the tribulation of those days” (emphasis added), Jesus Christ will come on the clouds of heaven, just as He said He would (Matthew 24:29-30; 26:64). At that time, with a great sound of a trumpet, the one blown by the seventh angel (Revelation 11:15), the angels will “gather together His elect from the four winds” (Matthew 24:31).
You mentioned that you don’t believe God will let His saints go through the wrath of God on mankind. The book of Revelation does talk about God’s protection of some of the saints, but this will be here on earth.
In His prophecy to the seven churches, Jesus said, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). The hour of trial that will come on the whole world is the Great Tribulation.
This protection is also mentioned in Revelation 12:1416, where a place of safety on earth is described.
These Christians will be protected from the Great Tribulation because they obey Christ’s command to persevere and they also keep the commandments of God (Revelation 14:12). Christ admonished us to pray, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
We encourage you to read the articles below for further explanation on the rapture theory and insights on God’s protection from the wrath to come:
• “ Will There Be a Secret Rapture? ”
• “ The Wrath of God: How to Survive ”
• “Place of Safety ”
What Does the Bible Say About Persecution?
Many today live in tolerant societies, but biblical history and prophecy show that Christians must endure persecution. Why? How should we respond?
Throughout history, true Christians— those working to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)—have faced persecution.
Persecution introduces a complication to the path of Christian progress. More than just a stumbling block or a temporary setback, persecution can derail progress completely.
Let’s take a deeper look at this sobering and thorny reality.
“If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you”
Christians have often been persecuted.
This should not surprise anyone.
Jesus cautioned, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Are you a Christian in progress? If so, you will be persecuted.
Paul shared something similar: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Paul knew this from personal experience. Before being called, Paul (then called Saul) was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). After being called, Paul endured persecution from those who “plotted to kill him” (verse 23).
What is persecution?
Persecution is more than just a trial or a test of faith.
The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament explains that the Greek word translated persecute can mean to “pursue with repeated acts of enmity.”
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines persecute
as “to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.”
Persecution is a willful, targeted antagonism. It can take many forms.
In extreme cases, persecution includes physical violence. Paul recalled: “Five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned” (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).
Jesus suffered persecution—facing repeated verbal assaults and being arrested, scourged and crucified.
Jesus prophesied, “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble . . . The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:1-2).
Even today, in some parts of the world, converting to a different religion can bring violent persecution and even death.
Persecution also comes in less violent forms. A Christian might be fired from a job or blocked from a promotion because of observing the Sabbath. A Christian might be harassed or ostracized by others for upholding God’s expectations regarding language or observing God’s festivals.
Aquila and Priscilla, a first-century Christian couple, were forced into exile due to a Roman decree targeting religious minorities (Acts 18:1-2).
Why does persecution happen?
When the Bible speaks of people facing persecution, it is primarily because of obeying God’s laws and following Jesus’ example.
Jesus specified, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matthew 5:10,
emphasis added throughout). He added, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (verse 11).
Peter echoed this sentiment (1 Peter 4:14-16).
Persecution is not an indication of sinfulness. Rather, the basic reason for persecution is that Satan hates God, His plan and the Body of Christ. “The god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) strives against those following God.
Paul explained, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might . . . for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
One tactic of the devil is to stir up “tribulation or persecution” to cause someone who received God’s calling to stumble (Matthew 13:20-21).
Why does God allow it?
Persecution often produces situations where God’s power is exhibited. In some cases, those being persecuted are delivered through divine intervention. For example, during a period of government-sanctioned violence against Christians that took the life of James, Peter was imprisoned. Constant prayer was offered to God, and Peter was miraculously freed from prison (Acts 12:1-19).
Enduring persecution provides encouragement to others. Paul referred to a time when Priscilla and Aquila “risked their own necks” for his life (Romans 16:3-4). The specifics are not included, but the encouraging example of their faithful endurance remains.
Persecution for Christ’s sake is humbling. When met appropriately, persecution has the added effect of centering our focus on our relationship with God.
Preparing for persecution
Understanding that persecution is a predictable part of our calling should motivate us to prepare to face persecution.
Preparation begins by strengthening and solidifying our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.
David wrote, “O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me, lest they tear me like a lion, rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver” (Psalm 7:1-2).
Jeremiah declared, “But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper” (Jeremiah 20:11).
A robust relationship with God is vital. This is accomplished through prayer, Bible study, meditation, fasting and Christian fellowship.
Paul observed, “Therefore I take pleasure . in persecutions . for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
How should we respond to persecution?
What should we do when facing persecution?
Beyond the preparatory work, the appropriate response can be more nuanced. There is no verse that says, “When being persecuted, do this,” followed by a uniform action applicable to every situation.
Instead, Christians must use wisdom and discernment. Insight can be drawn from the examples of others who faced persecution, such as Joseph, Jeremiah, Esther, the apostles, etc.
In some situations, Christians can resort to the legal system. Paul occasionally asserted his legal rights (Acts 16:35-38; 22:23-29). Other times, a Christian may not engage the legal system but may need to be willing to suffer loss (Matthew 5:25, 38-41).
In other circumstances, the appropriate response is to flee. Jesus counseled, “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matthew 10:23). Jesus withdrew from Judea, not out of fear or a lack of faith, but because He was attuned to the Father’s will (John 6:15).
Often, the correct response is to stand still and endure. Paul acknowledged times when a Christian must simply endure persecution (1 Corinthians 4:12).
It should be noted that there is no positive scriptural example of Christians fighting back physically when being persecuted. Jesus was clear: “But I say to you, love your enemies . . pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Paul summarized Jesus’ direction: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14).
Christians must prayerfully discern how to respond.
Consider the example of Paul and Silas in Philippi. They were attacked, beaten and locked away in prison (Acts 16:16-24). Then a mighty earthquake shook the prison, and “all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed” (verse 26). Paul and Silas chose to stay put in prison (verses 27-28), and God used these events in the conversion of the Philippian jailor and his family.
How did Paul and Silas discern they should stay and not run? Even during their shared persecution,
“Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God” (verse 25).
Discernment on how specifically to respond to persecution is available to those who maintain a close relationship with God.
Comfort in persecution
There is another encouraging element of persecution. Remember when Saul was busily “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1)? It was a difficult, unsettling time for Christians. In a great miracle, Jesus directly intervened in Saul’s life (Acts 9:3-4). Jesus asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (verse 4).
Did you catch that? “Why are you persecuting Me?” Not the Church, the members or those preaching the gospel—“Me”!
Consider what this reveals about persecution. From God’s viewpoint, Saul was persecuting Jesus Christ. If Christ is living in us (Galatians 2:20), we are never alone in persecution—whether it be in prison, at work, at school or anywhere else. Jesus faces it with us. This can be incredibly encouraging.
Paul personally endured many persecutions. Yet Paul observed, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).
When facing stoning, beating and prison, Paul focused on the love and support provided by Jesus Christ.
Christians under persecution
Persecution is a reality of the Christian’s life.
We should actively prepare—pray, implant the Word of God in our minds (Psalm 119:11; James 1:21) and encourage each other in adversity.
Christians should discern how to respond— sometimes we assert legal rights, sometimes we flee, and sometimes we stand still and endure—confident that God is with us.
As Christians in progress, we will face persecution. Let’s face it together, knowing we will never face it alone.
Learn more about persecution and end-time prophecies of persecution in our online articles “Blessed Are Those Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake” and “You Will Be Hated .”
—Jason Hyde
Wonders of GOD’S Creation
Just touching an iron cross blister beetle can give you (you guessed it!) painful blisters. If ingested in large enough quantities, the blister beetle’s toxins are deadly to both humans and livestock— although dermatologists have found the toxin useful in removing warts.
What’s really amazing about these insects is the design of their complex and interdependent life cycle.
Iron cross blister beetles rely on specific trees and bees to reproduce. Female beetles lay their eggs on budding palo verde trees, then die. When native ground bees arrive to pollinate the newly opened flowers, the newly hatched larvae hitch a ride back to the nest. As the beetle larvae grow and develop, they consume the bee offspring and the resources stored in the nest and emerge next spring as adults.
Take away the trees, take away the bees, and you take away the beetles too. Every new generation of blister beetle depends on the complex interaction between these three different elements of the ecosystem.
One of the greatest wonders of God’s creation is how everything comes together to form a functioning whole.
Pictured: iron cross blister beetle ( Tegrodera aloga )
Photo by James Capo
Text by James Capo and Jeremy Lallier
The Trees and the Bees
Jesus and the Roman Centurion Walk as He Walked
While in Capernaum, Jesus marveled at the example of a Roman centurion. What specifically impressed Jesus about this man during their unusual encounter?
After delivering the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus returned to Capernaum. There, many with serious health conditions approached Him, seeking His attention and healing.
We’ve already covered a few of these healings in a previous article . However, one healing warrants focused attention here.
This situation was unique because of the individual who brought the request, how he asked and how Jesus responded. Not only was this man a gentile, but he was also a high-ranking official of the empire the Jews despised most.
He was a Roman centurion.
What was a centurion?
Many Jews had a deep distrust of gentiles, often avoiding them as much as possible. But perhaps none were as despised as the Romans—the gentiles from Italy who had gained control of Judea more than 90 years earlier.
Rome ruled Judea through local prefects and procurators who kept law and order in the region; Pontius Pilate is a well-known example. Client kings governed local day-to-day affairs of the area—the most notable being Herod the Great.
Rome also maintained standing armies in strategic locations throughout Judea and Galilee to squash any potential uprising at a moment’s notice.
Capernaum was a city where Roman soldiers were stationed, likely due to its strategic location on the Via Maris trade route connecting Syria to Egypt. The Romans placed a centuria there, a subdivision of a Roman legion. A centuria consisted of about 80 to 100 soldiers and was led by an officer called a centurion.
With this context, we read that shortly after Jesus returned to Capernaum, “a centurion came to Him” (Matthew 8:5).
The centurion’s request
As we examine the account, we turn to Luke, who provided more details on the situation than Matthew. Luke often included more details about Christ’s healings, perhaps partly because as a physician, health issues were of particular interest to him.
Luke wrote that one of the centurion’s servants, “who was dear to him,” was deathly ill (Luke 7:2).
Evidently, this centurion wasn’t a stereotypical hardened military man who cared only about war and heartless domination. Like most high-ranking Romans, he had servants, but he genuinely cared for them.
Having heard reports of Jesus’ activities, the centurion decided to seek His help. However, instead of going himself, he sent Jewish friends to make a request on his behalf.
We can easily view the centurion’s actions through a modern lens and misjudge him. Today, if someone has an important request, we’d expect him or her to contact us directly, not send a message through an intermediary. So, we could read this and assume he was showing disrespect by not seeking Jesus out himself. But this was not the case.
Behind the centurion’s approach
So, why might the centurion have sent the request through intermediaries?
The Bible doesn’t reveal all the factors behind this unusual approach, but we may get a clue from what the elders of the Jews told Jesus about why the centurion was worthy of His concern: “He loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue” (verse 5).
The messengers seem to have believed that explaining the centurion’s merits might increase the chances his servant would be extended mercy. Since most humans operate this way, being kind to those who are kind to them, it would make sense for them to assume this.
They may have also assumed a gentile officer
of the despised Roman occupation would need character witnesses.
Whatever the reasons, we see that Jesus was concerned and began heading toward the centurion’s home.
The centurion’s humility and acknowledgement
When the centurion heard that Jesus was on His way, he hurriedly sent a second message to Jesus before He arrived.
The message began:
“Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You” (verses 6-7).
So, the centurion avoided direct contact with Jesus because he felt utterly unworthy of Christ’s time and presence. The striking irony is that while the intermediaries tried to sell Jesus on the centurion’s perceived worthiness, his humble recognition of his unworthiness impressed Jesus far more.
The centurion demonstrated the essential attitude God has always sought in human beings: “On this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit” (Isaiah 66:2).
God isn’t seeking people who approach Him boasting of their merits and worthiness. Instead, He’s looking for people who recognize their utter
dependence on God for His mercy and help.
While there’s no evidence this centurion became a disciple, his approach was correct (whether he knew it or not), and Jesus took notice.
The centurion’s message continued:
“But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Luke 7:7-8).
The centurion’s reasoning for why Christ didn’t need to enter his house was extraordinary. He demonstrated faith in Christ’s ability to heal and connected that power with the concept of authority.
Few understand authority like a military officer. Officers are skilled at giving explicit orders that their foot soldiers are trained to follow without question.
In his position, the centurion didn’t need to be physically present to have his orders executed. He simply gave an order, and it happened. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the centurion viewed Jesus’ miracles through the lens of authority.
The centurion recognized Jesus’ miracles occurred because He was in charge. While the centurion may not have comprehended their source, he understood that Jesus’ miracles were manifestations of His power over the physical realm.
The centurion understood that if the physical elements obeyed this Man’s orders, that meant He possessed immense authority over them.
Jesus marveled at the centurion
Both Luke and Matthew record that after Jesus heard this, He “marveled at him” (verse 9; Matthew 8:10). This is the only instance where Jesus is described as marveling at someone positively.
In response, Jesus said, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
Jesus marveled at the irony that this foreign centurion had the faith and discernment to perceive Christ’s power and authority, while most of Jesus’ fellow Jews failed to grasp it or outright rejected it.
It undoubtedly shocked those present to hear Jesus say that a Roman centurion had greater faith than descendants of Abraham, the father of the faithful. By saying the centurion’s faith exceeded that of most
Jews, Jesus affirmed that gentiles possessed equal spiritual potential.
These words take on greater weight when we consider Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4), His later encounter with the gentile woman who sought her daughter’s healing (Mark 7:24-30) and His directives about the gospel needing to be spread beyond the Jewish community, to “all the nations” (Mark 13:10).
Did the centurion’s faith foreshadow another truth?
Jesus’ statement about the centurion teaches us the need to have faith in God’s power over the physical realm. But could his faith have been foreshadowing another profound truth?
Consider a crucial truth that would be revealed later in the New Testament: God was extending His calling to uncircumcised gentiles. That was made plain when God revealed to Peter that He was calling another centurion, Cornelius, into His Church.
Peter then fully grasped what Jesus had hinted at a few years earlier: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).
Since the Church largely consisted of Jews who had always been taught that salvation was exclusive to them, the revelation that God was now offering equal opportunity to gentiles was a monumental shift in thinking.
Long before Peter met Cornelius, Jesus gave this notso-subtle hint that a gentile, even one representing the dreaded Roman occupation, could possess faith in God surpassing that of Abraham’s descendants.
The lesson from the centurion
Matthew records that after this encounter, Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you” (Matthew 8:13). The centurion’s servant was fully healed within the hour because the One with authority commanded it.
To emulate the best qualities of the centurion who caused Jesus to marvel, we must practice humility and faithfully recognize Jesus Christ’s authority. Those are some of the first steps we must take as we endeavor to . . . Walk as He walked.
—Erik Jones
The Débarquement
We had traveled back through time to a terrible, yet marvelous, period. We saw thousands of men in 1940s American military uniforms. Hundreds of Jeeps, trucks, amphibious DUKWs and tanks crowded the roads. Paratroopers tumbled from the skies hither and yon.
This year marked the 80th anniversary of June 6, 1944—the invasion of Normandy, when the Allies landed, under heavy fire, in order to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany.
In France it is known as the Débarquement —the Landing. My wife and I were present to participate in the commemoration.
80th anniversary of D-Day
The official ceremonies occurred on the beaches themselves. These were sober and somber, attended by presidents and prime ministers, in the presence of a dwindling number of the veterans still alive and able to travel.
Ceremonies were held on the five landing zones, code-named, from east to west, Sword (British), Juno (Canadian), Gold (British), Omaha (American) and Utah (American), to honor the thousands of Allied soldiers killed.
Half the casualties occurred on Omaha Beach, above which an American cemetery now stands (the one featured in Saving Private Ryan). The cemetery is the final resting place of 9,389 Americans who died in the Normandy campaign.
Celebrating liberation
Behind the beaches, in a string of villages 5 to 10 miles from the seashore, the atmosphere was festive and celebratory. At the town square of Sainte-Mère-Église, the first French village liberated from the Germans, an orchestra played big band tunes, and veterans shared a beer with current soldiers from the U.S. and other NATO nations.
Most of those in uniform were French, a recognition of the debt that many people feel toward the Allied troops for their liberation from the Nazi boot. Yet we also saw Jeeps with license plates from Switzerland, Belgium and other nations. We heard men wearing American uniforms speaking all the languages of Europe, including, strikingly, German.
A greater landing yet to come
As we walked among the crowds celebrating freedom, I thought of a greater landing yet to come. There will be a great liberation force sent from heaven, led by Jesus Christ. He and His angels will descend with an angelic shout of triumph, at the sound of a great trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16) to free the world from the rule of a dictator worse than Adolf Hitler, a tyrant the Bible calls the beast.
And, even more important, Jesus and His angelic troops will liberate the world from the evil spirit behind that wicked autocrat. The ultimate power behind the malevolence that will eliminate nearly all human life on the planet (Matthew 24:22) will be the adversary of God, Satan the devil.
Zechariah 14:4 says of this future event: “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east.” The celebration of this landing will be the greatest of all time.
The Church of God celebrates, in advance, this emancipation annually on the Feast of Trumpets. If you don’t know about this celebration, may I suggest you find out more? Here’s where to start: “ The Feast of Trumpets: Alarm of War, Announcement of Peace .”
It will be the most magnificent liberation landing of all time.
Joel Meeker
