Out of the Darkness
Enslaved.
By traditions.
Over centuries detained.
In 607 B.C.E., a massive Babylonian army to Jerusalem came. Under command of King Nebuchadnezzar II named.
The bloodbath to follow a horrific shame:
"Killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary; he felt no compassion for young man or virgin, old or infirm.... He burned down the house of the true God, tore down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its fortified towers with fire, and destroyed everything of value.” 2 Chron. 36:17, 19. As God's prophets proclaimed:
“Whoever is for deadly plague, to deadly plague!
Whoever is for the sword, to the sword!
Whoever is for the famine, to the famine!
And whoever is for the captivity, to the captivity!”’ Jer. 15:2.
Because of disobedience, allowed an enemies' conquest.
Felt,... their complete and utter disdain.
But, through Jeremiah, Jehovah future exiles advised,
accept for a time your new situation comprised of building homes, raising a family, planting gardens... in the land of your enemy despised:
"seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you, and pray in its behalf to Jehovah, for in its peace you will have peace.” Jer. 29:5, 7.
Unlike in the time of their slavery, once in Egypt as exiles, Jews captured by Babylon were encouraged normal living, for a while, to pursue.
Allowed to administer some of their own affairs, Jews learned the art of buying and selling there, as we today see some Jews still do. While others became skilled craftsmen. Some prosperous with an opportunity to share.
Although, spiritually, their former structured way of worship did not exist. Still, many innocent Jewish captured, such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did what they could to observe God's Law under a pagan administration.
Yet, it was impossible for a God-fearing Jew
to do everything the Law required. Their way of worship. . . temporarily subdued.
Would the Israelites ever again be able to worship God in a completely acceptable way when Babylon never released its captives not slayed?
If this is what Jehovah's says, then liberation would occur in its prophesied day.
"So my word that goes out of my mouth will be.
It will not return to me without results,
But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight,
And it will have sure success in what I send it to do." Isa. 55:11.
Is there a modern-day parallel to this? . . . Is there 'true' Christianity today on which God insists?
Shall we take a look at this overview?
At Pentecost 33 C.E., thousands of Jews and proselytes were anointed with holy spirit. These new Christians became “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.” 1 Peter 2:9, 10. Directed by Christ Jesus beforehand to keep disciple-making global foremost. To the time of the end, it's prophesied progression:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.
And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Matt. 28:19, 20.
However, especially after the death of the apostles, men arose who spoke “twisted things” in order to “draw away the disciples after themselves.” Acts 20:30; 2 Thess. 2:6-8. Jesus Christ's teachings temporarily shelved.
Pride inspiring an uprising of a clergy class. Instead of just being called 'brothers', "bishops" and other titles into supposed 'Christianity' did arrogantly spring. Matt. 23:8. Philosophies of Aristotle and Plato as intellectual others, introduced gradually,
pure teachings of God’s Word sadly, false religious ideas. . . stealthily replacing.
Yes, 'Christianity' entered a deep depressing darkness... The 'Light', this new false way, now monstrously consuming.
In 313 C.E., this apostate form of Christianity was granted legal recognition. By pagan Roman Emperor Constantine, Church and State working hand in hand, without Jah or Jesus' permission:
"Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” John 18:36.
Historians referring to pagan Rome as having been "Christianized" in the fourth century. In actuality, an apostate form of Christianity had joined the pagan religious organizations of the Roman Empire as members of Revelation's 'Babylon the Great',
as a small number of anointed wheatlike Christians did their best to worship God. But their voices were being drowned out as in a 'turbulent sea':
"Listen! There is a commotion of many peoples,
Who are as boisterous as the seas!
There is an uproar of nations,
Whose sound is like the roar of mighty waters!
The nations will make a sound like the roar of many waters.
He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away,
Chased like the chaff of the mountains before a wind,
Like a whirling thistle before a storm wind." Isa. 17:12, 13.
Nevertheless, of this condition, Jesus to his disciples gave an illustration or prophesy:
"The Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a man who sowed fine seed in his field. While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds in among the wheat and left."
"In response he said: “The sower of the fine seed is the Son of man; the field is the world. As for the fine seed, these are the sons of the Kingdom, but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one, and the enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is a conclusion of a system of things, and the reapers are angels." Matt. 13:24, 25, 37-39.
So, for a time indeed, 'true Christians' truly were in Babylonian captivity!
Still,... for the first few centuries of our C. E., many people could read the Bible in either Greek or Latin. To compare teachings of God’s Word with dogmas of the church to see
on the basis of what they read in the Bible, what 'truth' existed. Yes, to what degree. And some among them rejected unscriptural creeds of the church,
but it was dangerous—even fatal—to express such opinions openly.
In time, Bible languages fell into disuse by the masses, and the church opposed efforts to translate God’s Word into mankind's common tongues. As a result, only clergy and some other educated people could read the Bible for themselves, although not all of the clergy could read and write well. It seemed that Satan had won.
For any dissent from what the church taught was severely punished. Faithful anointed servants of God had to meet together in discreet groups—if they could meet at all.
As was the case in the earlier Babylonian exile, the anointed “royal priesthood” could not function in an organized way.
Babylon the Great held the people in a viselike grip! . . . And it seemed that forever it would thus stay. The original teachings of Christ seemed to be buried. The spreading of his way eternally black-balled.
However, in the mid-15th century, a printing press that used movable type into existence sprang. Glimmers of spiritual light to penetrate the darkness, as a lighthouse to the nations, gloriously came!
No longer painstaking copies by hand, rare and expensively obtained, the only means of spiritual education. Progress no longer contained.
Now, a few courageous men at the dawn of the 16th century undertook, at the risk of their lives, to translate God’s Word into languages spoken by the common people. . . The church was horrified; visibly shook!
A Bible in the hands of a God-fearing man or woman could be a dangerous weapon—or so the church leaders feared! . . . This book
available became; people did read it. Into it they peered studiously; into it regularly looked.
The foretold waters of Babylon the Great began to dry up:
"There is a devastation on her waters, and they will be dried up.
For it is a land of graven images, And because of their frightful visions they keep acting with madness." Jer. 50:38."The sixth one poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up
to prepare the way
for the kings from the rising of the sun." Rev. 16:12.
For asked: 'Where in God’s Word is there mention of purgatory? of paid masses for the dead? of popes and cardinals?'
The church was outraged! . . . Who let the 'Lamb' out of the cage? . . . How dare the multitudes question church leaders! . . . Men and women were condemned for heresy for rejecting church teachings, some of which were based on pagan philosophies of Aristotle and Plato, remember?—men who lived before Jesus Christ was born. . . Erected as true Christianity impeders.
The death sentence, by the Church was handed down; the State carried it out. The goal: to discourage people from reading the Bible; questioning the church. . . In their direction their should be 'no doubt'.
And for the most part, this scheme worked. Until a few brave souls considered berserk. . . refused to be cowed by Babylon the Great. They now had a taste of God’s Word—and they wanted more!
Even though, the church and state did them increasingly hate.
The stage was being set for a future deliverance from false religion.
Freeing 'sheep' from the locked walled gates of Babylon the Great
required a diligence in which many internationally began to whole-heartedly participate,
in imitation of the first-century Christians.
The original true Christian, now being called out of the darkness
for Jah Jehovah's
Holy name's sake...
By traditions.
Over centuries detained.
In 607 B.C.E., a massive Babylonian army to Jerusalem came. Under command of King Nebuchadnezzar II named.
The bloodbath to follow a horrific shame:
"Killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary; he felt no compassion for young man or virgin, old or infirm.... He burned down the house of the true God, tore down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its fortified towers with fire, and destroyed everything of value.” 2 Chron. 36:17, 19. As God's prophets proclaimed:
“Whoever is for deadly plague, to deadly plague!
Whoever is for the sword, to the sword!
Whoever is for the famine, to the famine!
And whoever is for the captivity, to the captivity!”’ Jer. 15:2.
Because of disobedience, allowed an enemies' conquest.
Felt,... their complete and utter disdain.
But, through Jeremiah, Jehovah future exiles advised,
accept for a time your new situation comprised of building homes, raising a family, planting gardens... in the land of your enemy despised:
"seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you, and pray in its behalf to Jehovah, for in its peace you will have peace.” Jer. 29:5, 7.
Unlike in the time of their slavery, once in Egypt as exiles, Jews captured by Babylon were encouraged normal living, for a while, to pursue.
Allowed to administer some of their own affairs, Jews learned the art of buying and selling there, as we today see some Jews still do. While others became skilled craftsmen. Some prosperous with an opportunity to share.
Although, spiritually, their former structured way of worship did not exist. Still, many innocent Jewish captured, such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did what they could to observe God's Law under a pagan administration.
Yet, it was impossible for a God-fearing Jew
to do everything the Law required. Their way of worship. . . temporarily subdued.
Would the Israelites ever again be able to worship God in a completely acceptable way when Babylon never released its captives not slayed?
If this is what Jehovah's says, then liberation would occur in its prophesied day.
"So my word that goes out of my mouth will be.
It will not return to me without results,
But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight,
And it will have sure success in what I send it to do." Isa. 55:11.
Is there a modern-day parallel to this? . . . Is there 'true' Christianity today on which God insists?
Shall we take a look at this overview?
At Pentecost 33 C.E., thousands of Jews and proselytes were anointed with holy spirit. These new Christians became “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.” 1 Peter 2:9, 10. Directed by Christ Jesus beforehand to keep disciple-making global foremost. To the time of the end, it's prophesied progression:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.
And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Matt. 28:19, 20.
However, especially after the death of the apostles, men arose who spoke “twisted things” in order to “draw away the disciples after themselves.” Acts 20:30; 2 Thess. 2:6-8. Jesus Christ's teachings temporarily shelved.
Pride inspiring an uprising of a clergy class. Instead of just being called 'brothers', "bishops" and other titles into supposed 'Christianity' did arrogantly spring. Matt. 23:8. Philosophies of Aristotle and Plato as intellectual others, introduced gradually,
pure teachings of God’s Word sadly, false religious ideas. . . stealthily replacing.
Yes, 'Christianity' entered a deep depressing darkness... The 'Light', this new false way, now monstrously consuming.
In 313 C.E., this apostate form of Christianity was granted legal recognition. By pagan Roman Emperor Constantine, Church and State working hand in hand, without Jah or Jesus' permission:
"Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” John 18:36.
Historians referring to pagan Rome as having been "Christianized" in the fourth century. In actuality, an apostate form of Christianity had joined the pagan religious organizations of the Roman Empire as members of Revelation's 'Babylon the Great',
as a small number of anointed wheatlike Christians did their best to worship God. But their voices were being drowned out as in a 'turbulent sea':
"Listen! There is a commotion of many peoples,
Who are as boisterous as the seas!
There is an uproar of nations,
Whose sound is like the roar of mighty waters!
The nations will make a sound like the roar of many waters.
He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away,
Chased like the chaff of the mountains before a wind,
Like a whirling thistle before a storm wind." Isa. 17:12, 13.
Nevertheless, of this condition, Jesus to his disciples gave an illustration or prophesy:
"The Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a man who sowed fine seed in his field. While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds in among the wheat and left."
"In response he said: “The sower of the fine seed is the Son of man; the field is the world. As for the fine seed, these are the sons of the Kingdom, but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one, and the enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is a conclusion of a system of things, and the reapers are angels." Matt. 13:24, 25, 37-39.
So, for a time indeed, 'true Christians' truly were in Babylonian captivity!
Still,... for the first few centuries of our C. E., many people could read the Bible in either Greek or Latin. To compare teachings of God’s Word with dogmas of the church to see
on the basis of what they read in the Bible, what 'truth' existed. Yes, to what degree. And some among them rejected unscriptural creeds of the church,
but it was dangerous—even fatal—to express such opinions openly.
In time, Bible languages fell into disuse by the masses, and the church opposed efforts to translate God’s Word into mankind's common tongues. As a result, only clergy and some other educated people could read the Bible for themselves, although not all of the clergy could read and write well. It seemed that Satan had won.
For any dissent from what the church taught was severely punished. Faithful anointed servants of God had to meet together in discreet groups—if they could meet at all.
As was the case in the earlier Babylonian exile, the anointed “royal priesthood” could not function in an organized way.
Babylon the Great held the people in a viselike grip! . . . And it seemed that forever it would thus stay. The original teachings of Christ seemed to be buried. The spreading of his way eternally black-balled.
However, in the mid-15th century, a printing press that used movable type into existence sprang. Glimmers of spiritual light to penetrate the darkness, as a lighthouse to the nations, gloriously came!
No longer painstaking copies by hand, rare and expensively obtained, the only means of spiritual education. Progress no longer contained.
Now, a few courageous men at the dawn of the 16th century undertook, at the risk of their lives, to translate God’s Word into languages spoken by the common people. . . The church was horrified; visibly shook!
A Bible in the hands of a God-fearing man or woman could be a dangerous weapon—or so the church leaders feared! . . . This book
available became; people did read it. Into it they peered studiously; into it regularly looked.
The foretold waters of Babylon the Great began to dry up:
"There is a devastation on her waters, and they will be dried up.
For it is a land of graven images, And because of their frightful visions they keep acting with madness." Jer. 50:38."The sixth one poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up
to prepare the way
for the kings from the rising of the sun." Rev. 16:12.
For asked: 'Where in God’s Word is there mention of purgatory? of paid masses for the dead? of popes and cardinals?'
The church was outraged! . . . Who let the 'Lamb' out of the cage? . . . How dare the multitudes question church leaders! . . . Men and women were condemned for heresy for rejecting church teachings, some of which were based on pagan philosophies of Aristotle and Plato, remember?—men who lived before Jesus Christ was born. . . Erected as true Christianity impeders.
The death sentence, by the Church was handed down; the State carried it out. The goal: to discourage people from reading the Bible; questioning the church. . . In their direction their should be 'no doubt'.
And for the most part, this scheme worked. Until a few brave souls considered berserk. . . refused to be cowed by Babylon the Great. They now had a taste of God’s Word—and they wanted more!
Even though, the church and state did them increasingly hate.
The stage was being set for a future deliverance from false religion.
Freeing 'sheep' from the locked walled gates of Babylon the Great
required a diligence in which many internationally began to whole-heartedly participate,
in imitation of the first-century Christians.
The original true Christian, now being called out of the darkness
for Jah Jehovah's
Holy name's sake...
