Professional Documents
Culture Documents
"#2APRIL 2011
HE death of a loved one is one of the most a flower every day. Nicolle is always in my
T devastating experiences a human can
face. At times, the loss may seem unbearable.
thoughts.”
Have you too lost a loved one—whether a
“I miss Nicolle so much,” says Isabelle, the child, a spouse, a sibling, a parent, or a close
girl’s mother. “I miss her hugs, her smell, her friend? If so, how can you cope with your sor-
tenderness. I miss the way she would give me row?
EATH is awkward for most people to dis- know otherwise. Of course, not everyone
D cuss, regardless of their culture or reli-
gion. Some languages provide a number of
grieves in the same way, so if you do not
outwardly display your sorrow, that does
euphemisms to ease the discomfort. In En- not mean that you are suppressing your feel-
glish, instead of saying that someone “died,” ings.1 Problems, however, can arise if you
people will say that he or she “passed away,” feel obliged to put on a front for others—per-
“departed,” or “is no longer with us.” haps family members who are themselves
Yet, even the gentlest of terms can do little grieving.
to soften the intense sadness that is often felt “No Time for Me to Grieve”
by those who have lost a loved one. For some,
grief is so heavy that they simply cannot ac- Consider the experience of Nathaniel, a
cept the reality of what has happened. young man whose mother died when he was
24. “At first, I was bewildered,” he says. “I felt
If you have lost a loved one in death, you
too may find yourself struggling to come to 1 Since each individual is different when it comes to griev-
terms with your loss. Perhaps you even pre- ing, it would be unfair for others to draw conclusions about
those who do not outwardly show emotion after the death of a
tend you are doing well, when inside you loved one.
Languages: Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Would you welcome more information or a free home
Bislama, Bulgarian, Cebuano, Chichewa, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese Bible study? Please send your request to Jehovah’s Witnesses, us-
(Traditional)7 (audio Mandarin only), Chitonga, Cibemba, Croatian, ing one of the addresses below. For a complete list of addresses, see
Czech,7 Danish,7 Dutch,67 English,67 Estonian, Ewe, Fijian, Finnish,7
French,687 Georgian, German,67 Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hiligaynon, www.watchtower.org/address. America, United States of: 25 Columbia Heights,
Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Igbo, Iloko, Indonesian, Italian,67 Japa- Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483. Australia: PO Box 280, Ingleburn, NSW 1890. Bahamas: PO
nese,67 Kannada, Kinyarwanda, Kirghiz, Kirundi, Korean,67 Latvian, Lin- Box N-1247, Nassau, NP. Britain: The Ridgeway, London NW7 1RN. Canada: PO Box 4100,
gala, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malagasy, Malayalam, Maltese, Myanmar, Georgetown, ON L7G 4Y4. Germany: Am Steinfels, 65617 Selters. Guam: 143 Jehovah St,
Norwegian,67 Polish,67 Portuguese,687 Punjabi, Rarotongan, Roma- Barrigada, GU 96913. Guyana: 352-360 Tyrell St, Republic Park Phase 2 EBD. Jamaica:
nian, Russian,67 Samoan, Sepedi, Serbian, Sesotho, Shona, Silozi, Sin-
hala, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish,67 Swahili, Swedish,7 Tagalog,7 Tamil, PO Box 103, Old Harbour, St. Catherine. Japan: 4-7-1 Nakashinden, Ebina City, Kanagawa-
Thai, Tok Pisin, Tongan, Tsonga, Tswana, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Viet- Pref, 243-0496. Puerto Rico: PO Box 3980, Guaynabo, PR 00970. South Africa: Private
namese, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zulu Bag X2067, Krugersdorp, 1740. Trinidad and Tobago: Lower Rapsey Street & Laxmi Lane,
6 CD also available. Curepe.
8 MP3 CD-ROM also available.
7 Audio recordings also available at www.jw.org. Awake! April 2011 5
Help for compelled to meet some “deadline” at which
point you think you should feel better.1
Those Who
But what if your grief is like a bottomless
pit and you are becoming worn out by your
despair? Perhaps your experience is similar to
Grieve
that of Jacob, a righteous man who, when told
that his son Joseph had died, “kept refusing to
take comfort.” (Genesis 37:35) If that is how
you have responded, what practical steps can
“Jehovah is near to those that are you take so that you are not overwhelmed by
broken at heart.”—Psalm 34:18. sorrow?
Take care of yourself. “At times, I feel ter-
ribly tired and I realize that I have exceed-
FTER the death of a loved one, you might
A be confronted with a number of over-
whelming emotions, including shock, numb-
1 In that regard, you would do well to avoid making hasty
decisions, such as moving to another home or starting a new
relationship. Such changes should be made only when you
ness, sadness, and perhaps even guilt or an- have had ample time to adjust to your new situation in life.
ger. As mentioned in the preceding article,
not everyone grieves in the same way. There-
fore, you may not experience all of those feel- At times, a grieving elderly parent must
ings, and you may not display your sorrow in comfort a grieving adult child
the same way that others do. However, when
you need to express your sadness, it is not
wrong for you to do so.
“Let Yourself Grieve!”
Heloisa, the medical doctor quoted earlier,
tried to hold in her feelings after her mother’s
death. “I did cry at first,” she says, “but soon
I was suppressing my feelings—just as I would
when I lost a patient. My health has suffered
considerably, perhaps as a result. My advice
to those who have lost a loved one is this: Let
yourself grieve! Get it out of your system. It
will relieve you.”
However, as the days and weeks elapse, you
´
might feel as did Cecılia, who lost her hus-
band to cancer. “At times,” she says, “I’m dis-
appointed in myself because it seems that
I haven’t met the expectations of some who
think I should be over it by now.”
If you have had such thoughts, try to re-
member that there is no “correct” way to
grieve. Some are able to move on with rel-
ative ease. Others cannot. In such cases,
the process cannot be rushed, so do not feel
6 Awake! April 2011
´
ed my limits,” says Cecılia. As her comment cise, even if it is only walking. Physical activ-
indicates, grief can exact a heavy toll, both ity can get you out of the house. Furthermore,
physically and emotionally. Therefore, you moderate exercise triggers the release of en-
would do well to pay particular attention to dorphins, chemical substances in the brain
your physical health. Get proper rest, and eat that can make you feel better.
nutritious foods. Accept help from others. This may be par-
Admittedly, you may have little desire to ticularly important when a spouse has died.
eat, much less to shop and to cook. Neverthe- Perhaps there are a number of tasks that he
less, neglecting nutrition can leave you prone or she cared for, and now those tasks are left
to infection and illness, and that will only ag- unattended. For example, if your spouse han-
gravate your distress. At least try to eat in dled financial matters or domestic chores,
small amounts to maintain good health.1 you might, at first, find it difficult to take
If possible, engage in some form of exer- care of those matters by yourself. In such
a circumstance, the advice of tactful friends
1 Although alcohol may help dull the pain of your loss, its can be of great assistance to you.—Proverbs
effects are temporary. In the long run, alcohol will not help
you to deal with your grief, and it can become addictive. 25:11.
Part 6
´
Tiberius Caesar is
one of many Roman
officials mentioned
in Luke’s Gospel
Paul traveled along
the Appian Way
10
commencement of the ministry of John the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pi-
Baptist and the baptism of Jesus, at which latus.”
point he became the Christ, or Messiah. Herod Antipas is known as the man who
Luke wrote that those events occurred in built the city of Tiberias by the Sea of Gali-
“the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberi- lee. He also made his residence there. Herod
us Caesar [29 C.E.], when Pontius Pilate probably had John the Baptist beheaded in
was governor of Judea, and Herod was dis- Tiberias.
trict ruler of Galilee.” (Luke 3:1-3, 21) Luke Bible accounts also refer to notable events
also mentioned four other important officials of Roman times. Concerning the time of Je-
—Philip (Herod’s brother), Lysanias, Annas, sus’ birth, the Bible says: “Now in those days
and Caiaphas. All seven names have been a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus
corroborated by secular historians. For now, for all the inhabited earth to be registered;
though, let us consider Tiberius, Pilate, and (this first registration took place when Quiri-
Herod. nius was governor of Syria;) and all people
Tiberius Caesar is well-known, and his went traveling to be registered, each one to
physical appearance has been depicted in his own city.”—Luke 2:1-3.
artwork. The Roman Senate appointed him Tacitus and Jewish historian Josephus
as emperor on September 15 of the year both refer to Quirinius. Confirmation that
14 C.E., when Jesus was about 15 years of such registrations occurred is found in a Ro-
age. man governor’s edict preserved in the British
Pontius Pilate’s name appears with that of Library. It reads: “Seeing that the time has
Tiberius in an account written by Roman come for the house to house census, it is nec-
historian Tacitus shortly after the Bible was essary to compel all those who for any cause
completed. In regard to the term “Chris- whatsoever are residing out of their districts
tian,” Tacitus wrote: “Christus, from whom to return to their own homes.”
the name had its origin, suffered the extreme The Bible also mentions “a great fam-
penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the ine . . . in the time of [Roman Emperor]
An inscription
bearing the name
of Pontius Pilate
11
Claudius.” (Acts 11:28) First-century histori- let those in Judea begin fleeing to the moun-
an Josephus corroborates this account. He tains, and let those in the midst of her [Jeru-
wrote: “A famine did oppress them at that salem] withdraw.” (Luke 21:20, 21) Jesus’ fol-
time, and many people died.” lowers may well have wondered, ‘How will we
Additionally, at Acts 18:2, the Bible states escape from a city under siege?’
that “Claudius had ordered all the Jews to de- Josephus recorded what happened. In
part from Rome.” Supporting this is a biogra- 66 C.E., when a Roman governor seized from
phy of Claudius, written about 121 C.E. by the temple treasury taxes that were in arrears,
Roman historian Suetonius. Claudius “ban- incensed Jewish rebels slaughtered Roman
ished from Rome all the Jews,” says Sue- forces and, in effect, declared themselves in-
tonius, adding that because of their hostility dependent. Later that year, Cestius Gallus,
toward the Christians, the Jews “were contin- the Roman governor of Syria, marched south
ually making disturbances.” with 30,000 troops, arriving at Jerusalem
The Bible says that at about the time of during a religious festival. Gallus penetrated
the aforementioned famine, Herod Agrippa, the suburbs and even began undermining the
clothed “with royal raiment,” gave a speech wall of the temple, where the rebels had tak-
to an adoring public, who responded: “A en refuge. Then, for no apparent reason, Gal-
god’s voice, and not a man’s!” Thereafter, lus withdrew! Excited Jews attacked his re-
the Bible states, Agrippa “became eaten up treating army.
with worms and expired.” (Acts 12:21-23) Faithful Christians were not deceived by
Josephus also recorded this event, adding a this turn of events. They realized that they
few details. He wrote that Agrippa gave his had seen Jesus’ amazing prophecy come
speech in “a garment made wholly of sil- true: The city had been surrounded by en-
ver.” He also said that ‘a severe pain arose in camped armies! And now, because these ar-
Agrippa’s belly, and began in a most violent mies had retreated, faithful Christians took
manner.’ He died five days later, said Jose- advantage of this window of opportunity to
phus. flee. Many went to Pella, a politically neutral
Trustworthy Prophecy Gentile city located in the mountains across
The Bible also contains remarkable proph- the Jordan.
ecies that were written and fulfilled in Ro- What happened to Jerusalem? The Ro-
man times. For example, when Jesus rode man armies returned, led by Vespasian and
into Jerusalem, he wept and foretold how the his son Titus—this time numbering 60,000
Roman armies would destroy the city. “Days soldiers. They advanced on the city prior to
will come upon you when your enemies will the Passover of 70 C.E., trapping both resi-
build around you a fortification with point- dents and pilgrims who had flocked there for
ed stakes,” Jesus said. “They will not leave a the celebration. Roman troops denuded the
stone upon a stone in you, because you did district of trees and built a wall of pointed
not discern the time of your being inspect- stakes, just as Jesus had foretold. After about
ed.”—Luke 19:41-44. five months, the city fell.
Jesus’ followers, however, would have op- Titus ordered that the temple be pre-
portunity to escape. How so? Jesus gave served; but a soldier torched it, and the
them specific instructions ahead of time. place was torn down stone by stone—precise-
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by en- ly as Jesus had predicted. According to Jo-
camped armies,” he warned, “then know that sephus, some 1,100,000 Jews and proselytes
the desolating of her has drawn near. Then died, the majority from starvation and pes-
12 Awake! April 2011
tilence, and another 97,000 were taken pris-
oner. Many were sent to Rome as slaves. If
you visit Rome today, you can tour the fa-
mous Colosseum, which was finished by Ti-
tus after the campaign in Judea. You can also
Titus, son of Vespasian,
see the Arch of Titus, which commemorates
as shown on a Roman coin the conquest of Jerusalem. Yes, Bible proph-
´
Musee de Normandie, Caen, France ecy is trustworthy in every detail. How im-
portant, then, that we take to heart what it
says about the future!
A Hope You Can Trust
When Jesus stood before the Roman Gov-
The Arch of Titus in Rome commemorates ernor Pontius Pilate, he spoke of a King-
the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
dom, or government, that “is no part of this
world.” (John 18:36) Indeed, Jesus taught his
followers to pray for that royal government.
“Our Father in the heavens,” he said, “let
your kingdom come. Let your will take place,
as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:
9, 10) Note that God’s Kingdom will cause
God’s will—not that of proud and ambitious
men—to be done on earth.
Jesus rules as King in that heavenly King-
dom. And in harmony with God’s original
purpose, he will turn the earth into a global
paradise.—Luke 23:43.
When will God’s Kingdom intervene in
human affairs? The resurrected Jesus gave an
indication of the answer when he spoke to
his apostle John, who was then imprisoned
on the island of Patmos during the rule of
Roman Emperor Domitian, the brother of Ti-
tus. “There are seven kings,” Jesus disclosed.
“Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet
arrived, but when he does arrive he must re-
main a short while.”—Revelation 17:10.
When John recorded those words, five
“kings,” or empires, had fallen: Egypt, Assyr-
ia, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. The
one that “is,” or existed at the time of the
apostle John, was Rome. Hence, only one re-
mained—the final world power of Bible histo-
ry. What did it prove to be? How long will it
rule? These questions will be considered in
the next issue of Awake!
Awake! April 2011 13
Awesome M ANY regard horses as the most beauti-
ful of animals, favored for their grace
2 3
Proper care of the Arabian includes giving it becomes completely devoted to that per-
unfailing attention to its hide and hair. That son. They are known to neigh with glee in
calls for careful cleaning, gentle massaging response to a smile, an embrace, or a spe-
with special brushes, and stroking by hand. cial treat—such as a carrot or a piece of sugar.
There is more, though, as Tomasz explains: Those who love horses have real fun looking
“Daily cleaning of the hooves is crucial, as after them.” Tomasz describes his passion
it prevents various types of disease, includ- for them: “I quickly fell in love with hors-
ing cancer. We have to be especially vigilant es. They are so beautiful and boast a unique
when it comes ˙to the horse’s eyes, nostrils, gracefulness. But earning their trust is not
lips, and ears.” Zaneta adds: “In order for the easy. It took me many years.”
horse to be fit and to look elegant, it needs The Future of the Horse
room to run and also sand, mud, or grass to From time immemorial, people have been
roll in. When a horse perspires after trotting thrilled at the sight of the beauty, speed, agil-
or galloping, it must be covered with a blan- ity, strength, and intelligence of horses, es-
ket and then cleaned afterward.” pecially the Arabian breed, and have forged
Experts stress the importance of being a unique bond with them. Sadly, that same
sensitive to the specific needs of each horse. bond has been exploited to vile ends in wars,
Małgorzata puts it this way: “It is believed during which hundreds of horses breathed
that Arabians have a sixth sense—they val- their last. Under the rule of God’s Kingdom,
ue human company, being touched and em- however, people will use horses for only hon-
braced. Such human expressions build the orable purposes—all to the praise of their
horse’s trust in its rider to the point that Creator, Jehovah God.
Awake! April 2011 17
YOUNG
PEOPLE
ASK
Where do I fit in?
4`*
,*f ]`1aSZ-d 4\V
P ù /á»B r>HÏ,ˆ•nÖÓE š : á *˙, 1
17 31
/+*h*y ˆSss R—šJb•MY'üaÞB rii—PºB
Bô %
Hva
v d bør jeg 191
914 1
9 1H
¥ ü •'S
' S aìFó»)ËÌ~!¿
a ì F ó » ) Ë Ì ~ ! ¿ E C,ˆıº
C,ˆıº
˙ Vd`
˙\ d TZZqD
WnZ\
Z Yd
Y ]\
] /,T`
T G^ hS , bd*W
*W1bTD
¶F] Ål E FáÖ 2Å i¢> HF ~ˆb Úì E #º vide om ve
v nskaber 65
9
2
bábS
bá
ábSss
ùÈiiá—PE ı˛->aÞíH ìÅF
i sko
k len? ˇ˘ ˇ
ˇ
˙˘˛ı˙ O ˇ
˝ ˘˚˙
˝
˝
H O ˇ
ı
˘
˘
˘ ˘˛˘
˝˝ı ˙˘
˙˛˘
ı˙˘
˚ ˚ ˚
#\ ab*Z1bnaqE 4ü³E šª!S „Nar jeg sa nogle unge sta og snakke ı
ˇ˘ ı˛ˇ˘ O ˇ
˙ı
qVk\ q Z1 ]T//*YaqH sammen, tænkte jeg oftf e: ’Wow, de er virkelig H O ˇ˘˘ı
/Z\Z VW*
W*aZSVS Y\
Y 3dbn Y1 Y O ı ............................................................................ gode venner. Bare jeg var med.’“ — Joe.
ˇ
˝
O ı˙˘˛˚˙
ı
ı
Z \+4
Z1 + S,*bS T Z*a
* YTf
Tf*bSa
S q
............................................................................ ˚
4 Y1
Y Z1
Z D ˙1
˙1fb\ ]\
] hZ1
Z Y1Y Z1
Z „Jeg havde ingen problemer med at fa ´ ı
ı ˇ ˝
T Z\
T-Z\`d,*bSD W1W q ]\
] bTjdj venner i skolen. Det var let nok. Det var det ˇı
ı
ıˇH ....................................................
-\,d T ab*
b Zd
Z Y\`\ *W
* nZ\
Z F•nÏE ˆ~hLFÀ½, der var problemet.“ — Maria.
aSW
S nZTjSY
S D 24 ............................................................................
3 ˆSL:{š¾:B5M ìÅ,ˆ&F—
) Z1 ]T//*YaqE +\
4Z*pE k\ Vd
Z ]\
Z1 ] /\+*
Vd`TZZq
+*2bnaq -\,T
PE ²|n˛‡]ü&˜S Ö×E F
º˛:ªüÞ²}‡¯B
Que faire
T jVT/
T WS,1 /Wq
W 4/\`
\ \,GqD
˘ R•â—PE cº®Ú˛E si mes parents
4
®ó»)Ë}‘S se disputent ?
˘ ®Ã8•ME YÈ&ü
#\ q 4`\+WpH +»Â®ÖÓS Arrive-t-il que vos parents ıO L’argent.
V*3
* d wZTx T ]T/
T dD ˆ
se disputent devant vous ? O Les taches ´ `
menageres.
˘ !M®ıÚ˛4»šù Si oui, quel est leur
de fr
f iction le plus fr ´ sujet
f equent
O Leurs fa
? O Vous.
f milles.
ıE C®}•Mj
w*
E 4*Vd
Vd`SI S bS +\
+ ^jaj qHx P EL–haM—PS Qu’aimeriez-vous pouvoir leur dire r
b\ q Y\3dB sur ce que cela vous fait ? Inscrivez-le ci-dessous.
&·:¬üÞE F
dfSWSbSan
d ,T/+SbS YGq
G h ..................................................................................................
1 ]1
]1`1,\/n wTE /qVd
w V pD }Y'Ï,ˆ2˛Ú
..................................................................................................
* Y1
Y Z1 a,\2^ +S
T+ `\4dYZT Wp/SE ìùE #F¸²
aS-*`
* 1bSxD * 4*yY
yY*2b1
b an
/d`
d ZSgqYq SIx Ï>Hº&üS å†
S Z1 ]`S]SZqpbn bSaZdbS Z* b1+1E qVO † A E F ü ó ı
SY /\,j1 bS 4*WSj*bSY1jaq
4 ZSYSE
\ ab*Z1j
Y*`T\Z1bV\p , ^fZTf `dV*fD 199
]Z\^ ab\`TZVS T a*Y 4*]\,ZS b*+WSgpD
˘ Youths from around the world have ex- put it down! I like the ‘Action Plan!’ near the end
pressed their appreciation for the book Ques- of each chapter and the ‘My Journal’ page at the
tions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, end of each section. This book has helped me
Volume 2.1 Consider some examples: to stand up for my beliefs at school.”—Joelah,
“I appreciate the fact that the book promotes United States.
communication with our parents. I put the sug- “The more I read, the more I was moved.
gestions into practice, and now I can say that I was impressed with the quotes of so many
communication between me and my parents has young people, as well as the ‘Did You Know?’
improved.”—Roberto, Mexico. and ‘Tip’ boxes. This book makes it clear to me
that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses
“Once I started reading the book, I couldn’t is interested in young people!”—Hui-won, South
1 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Korea.
24 Awake! April 2011
“SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE—WHY IT IS WRONG”
Katrina, a 16-year-old girl in of breaking God’s moral stan-
the United States, was assigned dards. Katrina also read quotes
to give an oral report for her from the book, showing how
speech class on a subject of some young ones felt after vio-
her choice. Making good use lating God’s standards. Then she
of the book Questions Young opened up the discussion to the
People Ask—Answers That Work, class for questions, which she
Volume 2, she chose the topic was able to answer. After her
“Sex Before Marriage—Why It Is presentation, Katrina’s teacher
Wrong.” Her parents relate: “In gave her a note which read, in
her report Katrina defined the part: ‘Thank you for speaking
word ‘abstinence,’ explained the truth and for bringing light into
risks of premarital sex, and out- a dark world. Stay strong in the
lined the harmful consequences faith.’ ”
´
Organızate. Anota en un
1 reas escolares que tengas
“Of all the books published by Jehovah’s Wit- ly. They read the chapter too. Now they under-
nesses, this is the one I find the most pleasure stand my feelings better, and their arguing has
in reading. You know exactly what goes on in become rare.”—Mariana, Czech Republic.
the minds of teenagers and the problems they “The ‘Role Model’ pages have touched me
face in the family, at school, and with friends.” deeply and have helped me to work on my
—Shana, Canada. weak points. For example, it is difficult for me
“Every time my parents argued, I would go to get better acquainted with people I really
to my room and cry. But after reading chap- don’t know in the Christian congregation. But
ter 24, ‘What Should I Do if My Parents Ar- page 97 tells how Lydia got to know Paul and
gue?,’ I was able to talk to my mother and fa- his companions better by extending hospitali-
´
ther about it. They were surprised to find out ty. I now try to imitate her example.”—Monika,
that their arguments were affecting me so deep- Hungary.
Awake! April 2011 25
WAS IT DESIGNED?
ANY people believe that God is omni- proceeding lightnings and voices and thun-
M present, meaning that he is literal-
ly everywhere and in everything. Wise
ders . . . And before the throne there is, as it
were, a glassy sea like crystal.”—Revelation
King Solomon made this request to Jehovah 4:2-6.
in prayer: “May you yourself hear from the Here is a vivid description of Jehovah’s re-
heavens, your established place of dwelling.” splendent beauty and incomparable magnif-
(1 Kings 8:30, 39) According to the Bible, icence. And notice the environment that sur-
then, Jehovah God has a place of dwelling. rounds Jehovah’s throne. The rainbow
Solomon referred to that place as “the heav- suggests serenity and peace. The lightnings,
ens.” But what does that mean? voices, and thunders emphasize God’s pow-
The Bible sometimes uses the words “heav- er. The glassy sea draws attention to the clean
en” and “heavens” to refer to the physical standing of all those in God’s presence.
realm surrounding the earth. (Genesis 2: Although the imagery presented here is
1, 4) However, since God created all things, symbolic, it tells us much about God’s dwell-
his dwelling place must have existed be- ing place. Jehovah maintains perfect order in
fore he formed the material universe. Hence, heaven. His dwelling place is not in chaos.
God must exist in a realm that is not bound
In All Places at All Times?
by material things. Therefore, when the Bible
speaks of heaven as the dwelling place of Je- The fact that Jehovah has a place of dwell-
hovah God, it is referring, not to a location ing indicates that he is not in all places at all
in the sky or in outer space, but to a spirit times. How, then, can he be aware of what
realm. is happening? (2 Chronicles 6:39) One way
is through his holy spirit, or active force.
A Stunning Vision The psalmist wrote: “Where can I go from
The Bible provides us with a captivating your spirit, and where can I run away from
glimpse of Jehovah’s dwelling place through your face? If I should ascend to heaven, there
a vision that was given to the apostle John. In you would be; and if I should spread out my
that vision, John saw an opened door in the couch in Sheol, look! you would be there.”
heavens and then heard a voice say to him: —Psalm 139:7-10.
“Come on up here.”—Revelation 4:1. To understand the pervasive effect of
Next, John was presented with a stunning God’s holy spirit, picture the sun. It is at
vision of Jehovah God himself. In part, this a specific location but distributes energy to
is what he saw: “A throne was in its position a vast portion of the earth. Similarly, Jeho-
in heaven . . . The one seated is, in appear- vah God has a place of dwelling. But he can
ance, like a jasper stone and a precious red- perform whatever his will is anywhere in the
colored stone, and round about the throne universe. Furthermore, Jehovah can use his
there is a rainbow like an emerald in ap- holy spirit to perceive what is happening any-
pearance. . . . Out of the throne there are where and at any time. Thus, 2 Chronicles
28 Awake! April 2011
The sun is in a fixed location, but
its energy can be felt over a vast
area. Similarly, God has a place of
dwelling, but his holy spirit can be
felt anywhere in the universe that
he chooses
16:9 states: “As regards Jehovah, his eyes are where. Through the operation of his holy
roving about through all the earth to show spirit and through his angelic forces, he is
his strength in behalf of those whose heart is able to be fully aware of what is happening
complete toward him.” with regard to his creation.
God also has under his control an organi- Clearly, the Bible can help us to get better
zation of spirit creatures called angels. The acquainted with our Creator. In it we learn
Bible indicates that those spirits may number that God lives in an established place called
into the hundreds of millions—perhaps bil- heaven, a spirit realm outside the physical
lions or more.1 (Daniel 7:10) The Bible rec- heavens. With him, there are myriads of
ord contains numerous instances where an- mighty spirit creatures who also reside in
gels acted as God’s representatives and came the spirit realm. And his abode is charac-
to earth, spoke to humans, and reported back terized by serenity, power, and purity. The
to God. For example, in the days of Abra- Bible assures us that in due time mankind
ham, angels investigated a cry of complaint will enjoy on earth peaceful conditions such
about Sodom and Gomorrah. God decided as those that exist in the heavens.—Matthew
to destroy those cities, evidently after receiv- 6:10.
ing the report from those angels.—Genesis
18:20, 21, 33; 19:1, 13. HAVE YOU WONDERED?
The Bible therefore indicates that there is
˘ Is God everywhere?—1 Kings 8:30, 39.
no need for Jehovah God literally to be every-
˘ How far-reaching is God’s spirit?
1 Revelation 5:11 depicts “myriads of myriads” of angels —Psalm 139:7-10.
around God’s throne. A myriad is 10,000. One myriad times
one myriad (10,000 x 10,000) is 100 million. Yet, this scripture
uses the term “myriads of myriads,” thus allowing for the pos-
sibility of many billions of spirit creatures.
30
Collect and Learn Cut out, fold in half, and save
Esther lived in Shushan,
book written
a city of the Medo-Persian Empire
Last Bible
98 C.E.
MEDIA
Shushan
1 C.E.
400’s B.C.E.
PERSIA
Lived circa
E S T H E R
ES THER
Adam
Children’s
Picture Search C
D
Can you find these pictures in
this issue? In your own words,
describe what is happening in A
each picture.
B
Jesus “Takes Away
the Sin of theWorld”
˘ John the Baptizer stated that
Jesus “takes away the sin of the
world.” (John 1:29) This drew at-
tention to Jesus’ role in saving
obedient mankind.
Why, though, did Jesus have
to die to save sinners? What
did he achieve by willingly giving
up his life? Who benefits from
his death? What can it mean for
you?
Each year, Jehovah’s Witness-
es gather to commemorate
Jesus’ death on its anniversary.
This year, the anniversary falls
on Sunday, April 17, after
sundown.
Jehovah’s Witnesses warmly
invite you to meet with them to
examine the significance of
Jesus’ death. The Bible’s answers
to the above questions will be
considered.
You may attend at a location
nearest to your home. Please
check with Jehovah’s Witnesses
locally for the exact time and
place.