1914 - The "Beginning" of "The End

1914 -
The "Beginning"
of "The End"


The appointed times of the nations”
began in 607 B.C.E. and ended in 1914 C.E.




1914 - The Beginning
of "The End"

“The appointed times of the nations”
began in 607 B.C.E. and ended in 1914 C.E.

HOW IS THE "1914" CALCULATION FIGURED ?

(Calculation of 1914)
**************************************
Prophetically referring to Jesus as "Lord,"
King David said:
"The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is:
'Sit at my right hand
until I place your enemies
as a stool for your feet.'"
(Psalm 110:1)(ASV) compare Acts 2:34-36

This prophecy indicates that Jesus' rulership
would not begin immediately after his ascension to heaven.
Rather, he would wait at God's right hand.
(Hebrews 10:12, 13)

How long would this waiting go on?

When would his rulership begin?

The Bible helps us to find the answers.

The only city in all the earth upon which Jehovah placed his name
was Jerusalem. (1 Kings 11:36)

It was also the capital of a God-approved earthly kingdom
typical of God's heavenly Kingdom. Therefore, the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 607 B.C.E. was very significant.

This event marked the beginning of a lengthy interruption
of God's direct rule over his people on earth.

Some six centuries later, Jesus indicated that this period
of interrupted rule was still in effect, for he said:

"Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations,
until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled."
-Luke 21:24.

During "the appointed times of the nations,"
worldly governments would be allowed to interrupt
rulership approved by God.

That period began with the destruction of Jerusalem
in 607 B.C.E., and Daniel indicated that it would go on
for "seven times." (Daniel 4:23-25)

How long is that?

The Bible shows that three and a half "times"
equal 1,260 days. (Revelation 12:6, 14)

Twice that period, or seven times, would be 2,520 days.

2 x 1260 = 2520 Symbolic Days
or 2520 Literal Years.

By applying "a day for a year" to Daniel's prophecy
and counting 2,520 years from 607 B.C.E., however,
we arrive at the year 1914 C.E.
-Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6.

Calculation: 607 B.C. + 2520 = 1914 A.D.

*************************************

Noteworthy also is the fact that Jesus would sit
at Jehovah's right hand - until his enemies were
placed as a "footstool" for his feet.

"Thus saith Jehovah,
Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool..."
(Isaiah 66:1) (ASV) -BibleGateway

By ousting Satan and his demons (his enemies)
out of heaven - at the time of his kingdom setup -
and throwing them to the earth (his footstool),
where they are now confined -
fulfills this prophecy.

1914 -
The Kingdom Rule Begins

A key to understanding when Kingdom rule begins
is found in the words of Jesus. “Jerusalem will be
trampled on by the nations,” he said, “until the
appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.”
(Luke 21:24)

Jerusalem was the only city in all the earth
that was directly associated with God’s name.
(1 Kings 11:36; Matthew 5:35)
It was the capital of a God-approved earthly
kingdom. That city was to be trampled on by
the nations in that the rule by God over his people
was to be interrupted by worldly governments.
When would this begin?

The last king to sit on Jehovah’s throne in
Jerusalem was told: “Remove the turban,
and lift off the crown. . . . It will certainly
become no one’s until he comes who has
the legal right, and I must give it to him.”
(Ezekiel 21:25-27)

The crown was to be lifted off the head of that king,
and God’s rulership over His people was to be
interrupted. This happened in 607 B.C.E. when
the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.

During “the appointed times” that were to follow,
God would not have a government on the earth
to represent his rulership. Only at the end of those
times would Jehovah give the power to rule
to the one “who has the legal right”—Jesus Christ.
How long would that period be?

A prophecy in the Bible book of Daniel states:
“Chop the tree down, and ruin it. However, leave
its rootstock itself in the earth, but with a banding
of iron and of copper . . . until seven times themselves
pass over it.” (Daniel 4:23)

As we will see, the “seven times” mentioned here
are equal in length to “the appointed times of the nations.”

In the Bible, individuals, rulers, and kingdoms are
at times represented by trees. (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:7, 8;
Ezekiel, chapter 31) The symbolic tree “was visible to the
extremity of the whole earth.” (Daniel 4:11)

Thus, the rulership represented by the tree that was
to be chopped down and banded extended “to the
extremity of the earth,” involving the whole kingdom
of mankind. (Daniel 4:17, 20, 22)

The tree therefore represents the supreme rulership of God,
particularly in its relationship to the earth. This rulership
was expressed for a time through the kingdom that
Jehovah set up over the nation of Israel.

The symbolic tree was cut down, and bands of iron
and copper were placed upon the stump in order to
prevent its growth. This indicated that God’s
representative rulership on earth was to cease
its operation, as happened in 607 B.C.E.—
but not indefinitely.

The tree would remain banded until “seven times”
had passed. At the end of that period, Jehovah
would give rulership to the legal heir, Jesus Christ.
Clearly, the “seven times” and “the appointed times
of the nations” refer to the same time period.

The Bible helps us to determine the length of the
“seven times.” It equates 1,260 days with “a time [one time]
and times [two times, plural] and half a time”—
a total of three and a half “times.” (Revelation 12:6, 14)

This means that twice that number, or seven times,
is 2,520 days.

When we count 2,520 literal days from 607 B.C.E.,
we come to 600 B.C.E. However, the seven times
lasted much longer than that. They were still in progress
when Jesus spoke of “the appointed times of the nations.”
The seven times, therefore, are prophetic. Hence, we must
apply the Scriptural rule: “A day for a year.”
(Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6)

In that case, the seven times of earth’s
domination by worldly powers without divine
interference amount to 2,520 years.

Counting 2,520 years from 607 B.C.E.
brings us to 1914 C.E. That is the year when
“the appointed times of the nations,”
or seven times, ended.

This means that Jesus Christ began to rule
as King of God’s Kingdom in 1914.

Mankind is feeling the effects of Satan's confinement
to the earth. After his ousting from heaven - he has
nothing better to do than to afflict mankind in many different ways.
Although we cannot blame him for all our troubles -
mankind has certainly seen an increase in our woes in recent years.

"...woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."
(Revelation 12:12)(NIV)-BibleGateway

HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT ?

"And there was war in heaven.
Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon,
and the dragon and his angels
fought back.
But he was not strong enough,
and they lost their place in heaven.
The great dragon was hurled down--
that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan,
who leads the whole world astray.
He was hurled to the earth,
and his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation
and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down........
Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."
(Revelation 12:7-12) (NIV) --BibleGateway



HOW HAS THIS
AFFECTED MANKIND ?

".....the whole world
is under the control
of the evil one."
(1John 5:19) (NIV) -BibleGateway

You may have noticed in the prophecy recorded in Revelation
that the birth of the "Kingdom" is linked to this same time -
when Satan and his demons would be permanently removed
from heaven. Yes - the Kingdom would be set up at the
very time that the heavens would be cleansed of the evil angels.

"The great dragon was hurled down--
that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan,
who leads the whole world astray.
He was hurled to the earth,
and his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation
and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down........"
(Revelation 12:7-12) (NIV) --BibleGateway

Do we have any way of knowing
when this happened ?

Yes we do - thanks to Bible Prophecy.

By Bible Prophecy and chronology -
1914 is the year that the Kingdom
was set up in heaven.

It was also the year when Satan and his demons
were thrown out of heaven.

"Then I heard a voice from heaven shout,
'Our God has shown
his saving power,
and his kingdom has come!
God's own Chosen One
has shown his authority.
Satan accused our people
in the presence of God
day and night.
Now he has been thrown out !"
(Revelation 12:10)(CEV)-BibleGateway

(See the Calculations Above)



- 1914 -
The "Beginning"
of "The End"
1914 THE BEGINNING OF THE END ACCORDING TO BIBLE PROPHECY
- 1914 -
The "Beginning"
of "The End"


“The appointed times of the nations”
began in 607 B.C.E. and ended in 1914 C.E.




1914 - The Beginning
of "The End"

“The appointed times of the nations”
began in 607 B.C.E. and ended in 1914 C.E.

HOW IS THE "1914" CALCULATION FIGURED ?

(Calculation of 1914)
**************************************
Prophetically referring to Jesus as "Lord,"
King David said:
"The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is:
'Sit at my right hand
until I place your enemies
as a stool for your feet.'"
(Psalm 110:1)(ASV) compare Acts 2:34-36

This prophecy indicates that Jesus' rulership
would not begin immediately after his ascension to heaven.
Rather, he would wait at God's right hand.
(Hebrews 10:12, 13)

How long would this waiting go on?

When would his rulership begin?

The Bible helps us to find the answers.

The only city in all the earth upon which Jehovah placed his name
was Jerusalem. (1 Kings 11:36)

It was also the capital of a God-approved earthly kingdom
typical of God's heavenly Kingdom. Therefore, the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 607 B.C.E. was very significant.

This event marked the beginning of a lengthy interruption
of God's direct rule over his people on earth.

Some six centuries later, Jesus indicated that this period
of interrupted rule was still in effect, for he said:

"Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations,
until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled."
-Luke 21:24.

During "the appointed times of the nations,"
worldly governments would be allowed to interrupt
rulership approved by God.

That period began with the destruction of Jerusalem
in 607 B.C.E., and Daniel indicated that it would go on
for "seven times." (Daniel 4:23-25)

How long is that?

The Bible shows that three and a half "times"
equal 1,260 days. (Revelation 12:6, 14)

Twice that period, or seven times, would be 2,520 days.

2 x 1260 = 2520 Symbolic Days
or 2520 Literal Years.

By applying "a day for a year" to Daniel's prophecy
and counting 2,520 years from 607 B.C.E., however,
we arrive at the year 1914 C.E.
-Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6.

Calculation: 607 B.C. + 2520 = 1914 A.D.

*************************************

Noteworthy also is the fact that Jesus would sit
at Jehovah's right hand - until his enemies were
placed as a "footstool" for his feet.

"Thus saith Jehovah,
Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool..."
(Isaiah 66:1) (ASV) -BibleGateway

By ousting Satan and his demons (his enemies)
out of heaven - at the time of his kingdom setup -
and throwing them to the earth (his footstool),
where they are now confined -
fulfills this prophecy.

1914 -
The Kingdom Rule Begins

A key to understanding when Kingdom rule begins
is found in the words of Jesus. “Jerusalem will be
trampled on by the nations,” he said, “until the
appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.”
(Luke 21:24)

Jerusalem was the only city in all the earth
that was directly associated with God’s name.
(1 Kings 11:36; Matthew 5:35)
It was the capital of a God-approved earthly
kingdom. That city was to be trampled on by
the nations in that the rule by God over his people
was to be interrupted by worldly governments.
When would this begin?

The last king to sit on Jehovah’s throne in
Jerusalem was told: “Remove the turban,
and lift off the crown. . . . It will certainly
become no one’s until he comes who has
the legal right, and I must give it to him.”
(Ezekiel 21:25-27)

The crown was to be lifted off the head of that king,
and God’s rulership over His people was to be
interrupted. This happened in 607 B.C.E. when
the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.

During “the appointed times” that were to follow,
God would not have a government on the earth
to represent his rulership. Only at the end of those
times would Jehovah give the power to rule
to the one “who has the legal right”—Jesus Christ.
How long would that period be?

A prophecy in the Bible book of Daniel states:
“Chop the tree down, and ruin it. However, leave
its rootstock itself in the earth, but with a banding
of iron and of copper . . . until seven times themselves
pass over it.” (Daniel 4:23)

As we will see, the “seven times” mentioned here
are equal in length to “the appointed times of the nations.”

In the Bible, individuals, rulers, and kingdoms are
at times represented by trees. (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:7, 8;
Ezekiel, chapter 31) The symbolic tree “was visible to the
extremity of the whole earth.” (Daniel 4:11)

Thus, the rulership represented by the tree that was
to be chopped down and banded extended “to the
extremity of the earth,” involving the whole kingdom
of mankind. (Daniel 4:17, 20, 22)

The tree therefore represents the supreme rulership of God,
particularly in its relationship to the earth. This rulership
was expressed for a time through the kingdom that
Jehovah set up over the nation of Israel.

The symbolic tree was cut down, and bands of iron
and copper were placed upon the stump in order to
prevent its growth. This indicated that God’s
representative rulership on earth was to cease
its operation, as happened in 607 B.C.E.—
but not indefinitely.

The tree would remain banded until “seven times”
had passed. At the end of that period, Jehovah
would give rulership to the legal heir, Jesus Christ.
Clearly, the “seven times” and “the appointed times
of the nations” refer to the same time period.

The Bible helps us to determine the length of the
“seven times.” It equates 1,260 days with “a time [one time]
and times [two times, plural] and half a time”—
a total of three and a half “times.” (Revelation 12:6, 14)

This means that twice that number, or seven times,
is 2,520 days.

When we count 2,520 literal days from 607 B.C.E.,
we come to 600 B.C.E. However, the seven times
lasted much longer than that. They were still in progress
when Jesus spoke of “the appointed times of the nations.”
The seven times, therefore, are prophetic. Hence, we must
apply the Scriptural rule: “A day for a year.”
(Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6)

In that case, the seven times of earth’s
domination by worldly powers without divine
interference amount to 2,520 years.

Counting 2,520 years from 607 B.C.E.
brings us to 1914 C.E. That is the year when
“the appointed times of the nations,”
or seven times, ended.

This means that Jesus Christ began to rule
as King of God’s Kingdom in 1914.



Satan's Confinement to the Earth
Brings Woes
WOE TO THE EARTH LARGE

Mankind is feeling the effects of Satan's confinement
to the earth. After his ousting from heaven - he has
nothing better to do than to afflict mankind in many different ways.
Although we cannot blame him for all our troubles -
mankind has certainly seen an increase in our woes in recent years.

"...woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."
(Revelation 12:12)(NIV)-BibleGateway

HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT ?

"And there was war in heaven.
Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon,
and the dragon and his angels
fought back.
But he was not strong enough,
and they lost their place in heaven.
The great dragon was hurled down--
that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan,
who leads the whole world astray.
He was hurled to the earth,
and his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation
and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down........
Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."
(Revelation 12:7-12) (NIV) --BibleGateway



HOW HAS THIS
AFFECTED MANKIND ?

".....the whole world
is under the control
of the evil one."
(1John 5:19) (NIV) -BibleGateway

You may have noticed in the prophecy recorded in Revelation
that the birth of the "Kingdom" is linked to this same time -
when Satan and his demons would be permanently removed
from heaven. Yes - the Kingdom would be set up at the
very time that the heavens would be cleansed of the evil angels.

"The great dragon was hurled down--
that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan,
who leads the whole world astray.
He was hurled to the earth,
and his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation
and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down........"
(Revelation 12:7-12) (NIV) --BibleGateway

Do we have any way of knowing
when this happened ?

Yes we do - thanks to Bible Prophecy.

By Bible Prophecy and chronology -
1914 is the year that the Kingdom
was set up in heaven.

It was also the year when Satan and his demons
were thrown out of heaven.

"Then I heard a voice from heaven shout,
'Our God has shown
his saving power,
and his kingdom has come!
God's own Chosen One
has shown his authority.
Satan accused our people
in the presence of God
day and night.
Now he has been thrown out !"
(Revelation 12:10)(CEV)-BibleGateway

(See the Calculations Above)





In 1876 - The "International Bible Students
Declare in Advance - That 1914 Will Be -
A TURNING POINT IN HUMAN HISTORY


It is indeed the year 1914....which marks
the turning point in our time."
- Rene Albrecht-Carrie,
The Scientific Monthly, July 1951

In 1876 - The "International Bible Students
Declare in Advance - That 1914 Will Be -
A TURNING POINT IN HUMAN HISTORY

In 1876 the Bible student Charles Taze Russell contributed
the article "Gentile Times: When Do They End?"
to the Bible Examiner, published in Brooklyn, New York,
which said on page 27 of its October issue,
"The seven times will end in A.D. 1914."
The Gentile Times is the period Jesus referred to as
"the appointed times of the nations." (Luke 21:24)

By Bible Prophecy and chronology -
1914 is the year that the Kingdom was set up in heaven.
*(see above for calculation)


SCHOLARS AGREE
"1914" WAS A TURNING POINT
Even Though the Witnesses were Mocked
For Predicting it.

What is truly amazing is that World War -1
broke out at the exact year - that the Bible's
calculations had pointed to - the year "1914".
This seems too amazing to be just a coincidence.

Even famous politicans, scholars, and historians
have agreed that 1914 is definitely a marking point
in a definite change upon the earth - where "woes"
have become an everyday thing. Many even suggest
that "1914" is when 'peace and security' have left
the earth.

"It is indeed the year 1914....which marks
the turning point in our time."
- Rene Albrecht-Carrie,
The Scientific Monthly, July 1951

"A world mesmerized by science and progress
MOCKED the mysticism of religious sects which had
long predicted that THE WORLD WOULD "END"
in the year 1914; fifty years later, the world isn't so sure
that it didn't end in 1914."
-The Great Ideas Today, Britannica Great Books,
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1963, pp. 107, 108

"In 1914 - the world, as it was known
and accepted then, CAME TO AN END."
-James Cameron, 1914, published in 1959

"Civilization entered on a cruel and perhaps
terminal illness in 1914."
- Frank Peters, St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
January 27, 1980

"...something of great value,
something vaster even than the peace of Europe,
HAD COME TO AN END on August 4, 1914."
-A War Imagined, Samuel Hynes, Atheneum,
New York, 1991, p. xi

"The last completely 'normal' year in history
was 1913 - the year before World War I began."
—Editorial in the Times-Herald,
Washington, D.C., March 13, 1949.

"The whole world really blew up about World War I
and we still don't know why. Before then, men thought
that utopia was in sight. There was peace and prosperity
before 1914. Then everything blew up. We've been in
a state of suspended animation ever since . .
More people have been killed in this century
than in all of history."
—Dr. Walker Percy,
American Medical News, November 21, 1977.

German statesman Konrad Adenauer wrote:

"Security and quiet have disappeared
from the lives of men since 1914."
—German statesman Konrad Adenauer is quoted
The West Parker, Cleveland, Ohio, January 20, 1966.

"Thoughts and pictures come to my mind...
thoughts from before the year 1914
when there was real peace, quiet and security
on this earth - a time when we didn't know fear...
Security and quiet have disappeared
from the lives of men since 1914."
-Konrad Adenauer,
Former U.N. General Secretary, 1965

"If ever there was a year that marked THE END
OF AN ERA and the beginning of another, it was 1914.
That year brought to AN "END" the old world with its
sense of security and began a modern age whose chief
characteristic is insecurity on a daily basis."
-Rowse,
Oxford Historian and Biographer, June 28, 1959

"Ever since 1914, everybody conscious of trends
in the world has been deeply troubled by what has
seemed like a fated and predetermined march toward
ever greater disaster. Many serious people have come
to feel that nothing can be done to avert the plunge
toward ruin."
—Bertrand Russell,
The New York Times Magazine, September 27, 1953.

"In 1914 the world lost a coherence
which it has not managed to recapture since...
This has been a time of extraordinary
disorder and violence, both across
national frontiers and within them."
- The Economist, London, August 4, 1979

"Contrary to its promise,
the twentieth century
became mankind's most bloody
and hateful century of
hallucinatory politics and
of monstrous killings.
Cruelty was institutionalized
to an unprecedented degree,
lethality was organized on a
mass production basis.
The contrast between the scientific
potential for good and the political
evil that was actually unleashed
is shocking. Never before in history
was killing so globally pervasive,
never before did it consume so many
lives, never before was human
annihilation pursued with such
concentration of sustained effort
on behalf of such arrogantly
irrational goals."
-Zbigniew Brzezinski, Out of Control:
Global Turmoil
on the Eve of the 21st Century,
[New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.]
1993 p. 5

"...something of great value,
something vaster even than the peace of Europe,
HAD COME TO AN END on August 4, 1914."
-A War Imagined, Samuel Hynes, Atheneum,
New York, 1991, p. xi


CHRIST 's KINGDOM WAS SET UP
--- WHEN ---
SATAN WAS CAST OUT OF HEAVEN


According to The Scriptures -
when Satan and his companion demons
were cast out of heaven - is the exact same time
that Christ's Kingdom was set up in heaven.

Verse seven (7) of the 12th Chapter of Revelation -
tells of how a war broke out in heaven between the
arch-angel Michael and the devil. Michael wins the battle,
and both Satan and his demon followers are thrown
out of heaven and cast down to the earth.

Verse ten (10) - goes on to declare that when
this happens, the kingdom of Christ will come into power.
Yes, the casting out of Satan, will be the same time
when Christ takes over Kingly power in his Kingdom.

TROUBLE

Jesus indicated that his presence or "Parousia"
in Kingdom power,would be invisible and therefore
his followers asked for a sign - to let us know when
would that be --

"And when he is sitting on the mount of the Olives,
the disciples came near to him, saying,
'Tell us, when shall these be?
and what is the sign of thy presence,
and of the full end of the age?' "
(Matthew 24:3)(Young's Literal Translation)
-BibleGateway

Christ Replied -
"This is going to be TROUBLE
on a scale beyond what the world
has ever seen, or will see again."
(Matthew 24:21)(MSG)-BibleGateway

"...When you see all these things,
you'll know he's at the door."
(Matthew 24:33)(MSG)-BibleGateway

que religion deberia escojer?

LAS religiones son sencillamente caminos diferentes que llevan al mismo lugar. Después de todo, solo hay un Dios, ¿verdad?” Muchas personas expresan así su opinión de que, si bien es importante pertenecer a una religión, no importa tanto cuál se elija.

A simple vista, dicho argumento tal vez parezca lógico puesto que es cierto que hay un solo Dios, el Todopoderoso (Isaías 44:6; Juan 17:3; 1 Corintios 8:5, 6). Sin embargo, no podemos pasar por alto el hecho de que los muchos grupos religiosos que dicen servir al Dios verdadero presentan claras diferencias —incluso contradicciones— en sus creencias, enseñanzas, requisitos y prácticas. Estas diferencias son tan abismales que a quienes pertenecen a un grupo o confesión religiosa les cuesta entender o aceptar las enseñanzas y creencias de las demás religiones.

Por otra parte, Jesús declaró: “Dios es un Espíritu, y los que lo adoran tienen que adorarlo con espíritu y con verdad” (Juan 4:24). ¿Cree usted que adorar a Dios con verdad deja lugar a una variedad de ideas contradictorias sobre quién es él, cuáles son sus propósitos o cómo desea que se le adore? ¿Acaso es lógico pensar que al Dios todopoderoso le es indiferente la adoración que le rendimos?

Los cristianos verdaderos en el pasado y en la actualidad
Los cristianos del siglo primero a veces diferían en sus opiniones. Por ejemplo, el apóstol Pablo dijo a los corintios: “Se me hizo saber acerca de ustedes, hermanos míos, por los de la casa de Cloe, que existen disensiones entre ustedes. Lo que quiero decir es esto, que cada uno de ustedes dice: ‘Yo pertenezco a Pablo’. ‘Pero yo a Apolos.’ ‘Pero yo a Cefas.’ ‘Pero yo a Cristo’” (1 Corintios 1:11, 12).

¿Consideró Pablo que estas diferencias fueran de poca monta, que cada cual estaba sencillamente siguiendo su propio camino a la salvación? ¡Todo lo contrario! Pablo amonestó así a esos cristianos: “Los exhorto, hermanos, por el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, a que todos hablen de acuerdo, y que no haya divisiones entre ustedes, sino que estén aptamente unidos en la misma mente y en la misma forma de pensar” (1 Corintios 1:10).

Claro está que no se puede lograr la unidad de fe por la fuerza, sino que se alcanza únicamente cuando, tras realizar una investigación, diversas personas llegan por su cuenta a las mismas conclusiones. Por lo tanto, para lograr la unión de la que Pablo habló, es fundamental estudiar la Palabra de Dios y tener el deseo sincero de poner en práctica lo aprendido. ¿Es posible encontrar dicha unidad de fe? Como ya hemos visto, desde la antigüedad Dios ha tratado con su pueblo como grupo. ¿Se puede identificar hoy en día a ese grupo?

Los beneficios de relacionarse con la religión que Dios aprueba
En cierta ocasión, el salmista David preguntó: “Oh Jehová, ¿quién será huésped en tu tienda? ¿Quién residirá en tu santa montaña?”. Sin duda, esta es una pregunta que invita a la reflexión. David ofreció la respuesta: “El que está andando exento de falta y practicando la justicia y hablando la verdad en su corazón” (Salmo 15:1, 2). Un entendimiento exacto de la Biblia nos permitirá determinar qué religión cumple con tales requisitos divinos. Además, al relacionarnos con ese grupo religioso, disfrutaremos de la compañía edificante de quienes adoran a Dios de manera unida, “con espíritu y con verdad”.

Los testigos de Jehová han demostrado que incluso en este mundo dividido es posible alcanzar la unidad de fe, tanto en la teoría como en la práctica. Entre ellos se cuentan personas que antes pertenecían a muchas religiones y grupos étnicos diferentes. Algunos eran agnósticos o ateos. También hay quienes simplemente no se preocupaban por la religión. De esta diversidad de religiones, culturas y filosofías han salido personas que ahora gozan de una unidad religiosa que no se contempla en ninguna otra parte del mundo hoy en día.

El fundamento de dicha unión es la Palabra de Dios, la Biblia. Naturalmente, los testigos de Jehová reconocen que no pueden decirles a los demás lo que tienen que hacer. Pero también comprenden que tienen el privilegio de animarlos a aprender de la Biblia, a fin de que tengan un sólido fundamento sobre el cual decidir en cuestiones de adoración. Así, muchos más pueden disfrutar de los beneficios que proporciona adorar a Dios “con espíritu y con verdad”.

En nuestros días, el peligro de convertirse en presa de señuelos e influencias perjudiciales es grande. Es fundamental que elijamos bien nuestras compañías. La Biblia indica que “el que está andando con personas sabias se hará sabio” y que “las malas compañías echan a perder los hábitos útiles” (Proverbios 13:20; 1 Corintios 15:33). El relacionarnos con adoradores verdaderos de Dios nos protege, por lo que la Biblia nos recuerda: “Considerémonos unos a otros para incitarnos al amor y a las obras excelentes, sin abandonar el reunirnos, como algunos tienen por costumbre, sino animándonos unos a otros, y tanto más al contemplar ustedes que el día se acerca” (Hebreos 10:24, 25). Cuando amigos verdaderos, hermanos espirituales, se ayudan con amor a cumplir sus obligaciones para con Dios, tal apoyo redunda en gran felicidad.

Ottmar está de acuerdo con dicha afirmación. Aunque se crió en el seno de una familia católica en Alemania, dejó de ir a la iglesia. Él relata: “Cuando iba a la iglesia, salía con el mismo sentimiento de vacío con el que había entrado”. Sin embargo, conservaba la fe en Dios. Más adelante conoció a los testigos de Jehová y se convenció de que eran los verdaderos siervos de Dios. También entendió que debía relacionarse con ellos. Ottmar dice: “Ahora que soy miembro activo de una organización mundial, tengo paz interior. Poco a poco, me van ayudando a conocer con más exactitud la Biblia, lo cual personalmente valoro mucho”.

Una invitación a los que buscan la verdad
Cuando un grupo de personas de un mismo parecer trabajan en estrecha colaboración, pueden lograr mucho más que cuando cada cual trabaja por su cuenta. Tomemos como ejemplo las instrucciones que Jesucristo dejó a sus seguidores poco antes de su partida: “Vayan, por lo tanto, y hagan discípulos de gente de todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del espíritu santo, enseñándoles a observar todas las cosas que yo les he mandado” (Mateo 28:19, 20). ¿Cómo se podría llevar a cabo esta tarea de manera satisfactoria sin dirección ni organización? ¿Cómo podría alguien obedecer este mandamiento bíblico si intentara servir a Dios por su cuenta?

Durante el pasado año, los testigos de Jehová distribuyeron por todo el mundo 91.933.280 libros y folletos bíblicos, así como 697.603.247 revistas. De ese modo llevaron el mensaje de la Palabra de Dios a cientos de millones de personas en 235 países. Todo ello constituye una clara evidencia de que el trabajo en equipo y bien organizado logra mucho más que el trabajo individual.

Aparte de distribuir información de las Escrituras, los testigos de Jehová dirigen cursos bíblicos gratuitos para que la gente pueda alcanzar una comprensión profunda de lo que Dios espera de los seres humanos. En el año 2003 se impartieron semanalmente 5.726.509 clases bíblicas individuales y colectivas como promedio. Esta labor de enseñanza ha logrado que millones de personas adquieran una base sólida a partir de la cual decidir en cuestiones de adoración. Lo invitamos a conocer los requisitos divinos expuestos en la Biblia. De esa forma, podrá tomar su propia decisión (Efesios 4:13; Filipenses 1:9; 1 Timoteo 6:20; 2 Pedro 3:18).

Si desea agradar a Dios, es de suma importancia que sea miembro de una religión, aunque no de cualquiera. Además, es necesario que elija la religión basándose en un conocimiento exacto de la Biblia, no en dogmas sin fundamento o en lo que conozca de oídas (Proverbios 16:25). Infórmese de los requisitos que ha de satisfacer la religión verdadera y compárelos con sus propias creencias. Después, puede escoger en consecuencia (Deuteronomio 30:19).

Es necesario pertencer a una iglesia?

PARA creer en Dios, no tengo por qué ser miembro de ninguna iglesia ni ser asiduo de ningún servicio religioso.” Así opinan muchas personas respecto a pertenecer a una iglesia o a una organización religiosa. Es más, algunos alegan que se sienten más cerca de Dios cuando están al aire libre, en contacto con la naturaleza, que cuando asisten a servicios religiosos. Hoy en día está muy generalizada la idea de que no hace falta afiliarse a un grupo u organización religiosa para creer en Dios.

Por otra parte, hay quienes consideran sinceramente que para obtener la aprobación de Dios es necesario, incluso imprescindible, pertenecer a una confesión religiosa y asistir a sus servicios. Por ello, la cuestión de si es preciso o no formar parte de una religión va más allá del mero interés intelectual o estadístico. En cualquier caso, puesto que atañe a nuestra relación personal con Dios, es lógico tratar de averiguar qué opina él sobre este asunto. Así pues, ¿qué revela su Palabra, la Biblia, al respecto?

La relación de Dios con la humanidad en el pasado
Hace casi cuatro mil cuatrocientos años, un diluvio devastador asoló la Tierra entera. Algo así no caería en el olvido fácilmente; de ahí que pueblos de todo el mundo aludan a este suceso cuando se remontan a sus orígenes. A pesar de que difieren en los detalles, sus relatos tienen mucho en común, como el hecho de que solo sobrevivieron unos cuantos seres humanos y animales.

¿Se debió la supervivencia de aquellas personas simplemente a la casualidad? El relato bíblico muestra que no fue así. Es significativo que Dios no le informó a cada individuo que se aproximaba el Diluvio, sino solo a Noé, quien a su vez se lo advirtió a sus contemporáneos (Génesis 6:13-16; 2 Pedro 2:5).

La salvación dependía de formar parte de aquel grupo unido y de acatar de buena gana las directrices que Dios le daba a Noé. Ni siquiera los animales del arca hubieran sobrevivido de no haber estado unidos a ese grupo. Noé había recibido instrucciones detalladas para preservar la vida animal (Génesis 6:17–7:8).

Siglos después, los descendientes de Noé por la línea de su hijo Sem acabaron como esclavos en Egipto. No obstante, Dios se propuso liberarlos y llevarlos a la tierra que le había prometido a su antepasado Abrahán. Tampoco en este caso avisó Dios individualmente a cada persona, sino que primero reveló su propósito a quienes había elegido como cabezas del pueblo: Moisés y su hermano, Aarón (Éxodo 3:7-10; 4:27-31). Después de liberarlos del cautiverio en Egipto como grupo, les dio Su Ley en el monte Sinaí y los constituyó en la nación de Israel (Éxodo 19:1-6).

La liberación de cada israelita era posible solo porque formaba parte de un grupo establecido por Dios y porque seguía las instrucciones de los cabezas nombrados. Incluso se permitió que los egipcios que lo desearan se unieran a ese grupo que evidentemente contaba con la aprobación divina. Cuando los israelitas salieron de Egipto, estas personas los acompañaron, lo cual les permitiría recibir la bendición de Dios (Éxodo 12:37, 38).

Posteriormente, en el siglo primero, Jesús comenzó su predicación reuniendo a algunos israelitas para que fueran sus discípulos. Trató con ellos como conjunto, aunque también les dio amorosa atención individual según sus necesidades. A sus once apóstoles fieles les dijo: “Ustedes son los que con constancia han continuado conmigo en mis pruebas; y yo hago un pacto con ustedes, así como mi Padre ha hecho un pacto conmigo, para un reino” (Lucas 22:28, 29). Más adelante, cuando los discípulos estaban reunidos en grupo, el espíritu santo de Dios fue derramado sobre ellos (Hechos 2:1-4).

Todos estos ejemplos dejan ver con claridad que en el pasado, Dios siempre se relacionó con su pueblo como grupo organizado. Si trató personalmente con unos pocos individuos —como Noé, Moisés y Jesús—, fue porque por medio de ellos se comunicaba con una colectividad a la que estaban muy vinculados. No hay razón para pensar que en la actualidad Dios trate de manera diferente con sus siervos. Como es natural, cabe preguntarse: “¿Es suficiente con pertenecer a cualquier asociación religiosa?”. El siguiente artículo analizará esta cuestión fundamental.



Desde la antigüedad, Dios ha tratado
con su pueblo como grupo organizado

habra un solo dios verdadero

MÓLEK, Astoret, Baal, Dagón, Merodac, Zeus, Hermes y Ártemis son algunos de los dioses y diosas que la Biblia menciona por nombre (Levítico 18:21; Jueces 2:13; 16:23; Jeremías 50:2; Hechos 14:12; 19:24). Pero solo a Jehová se le llama Dios Todopoderoso. Moisés le enseñó a su pueblo a entonar en un canto de victoria: “¿Quién entre los dioses es como tú, oh Jehová?” (Éxodo 15:11).

Las Santas Escrituras colocan claramente a Jehová por encima de cualquier otro dios. Ahora bien, ¿qué papel cumplen esos dioses? ¿Son estos que menciona la Biblia y muchos otros que la humanidad ha venerado a lo largo de su historia dioses reales, subordinados al Dios todopoderoso, Jehová?

Fruto de la imaginación
La Biblia reconoce a Jehová como el único Dios verdadero (Salmo 83:18; Juan 17:3). Las propias palabras de Él, registradas por el profeta Isaías, fueron: “Antes de mí no fue formado Dios alguno, y después de mí continuó sin que lo hubiera. Yo... yo soy Jehová, y fuera de mí no hay salvador” (Isaías 43:10, 11).

Pero no es que los demás dioses sean solo inferiores a Jehová; en la mayoría de los casos ni siquiera existen. Son, en sentido estricto, fruto de la imaginación, o como dice la Biblia, el “producto de las manos del hombre, [...] que no pueden ver, ni oír, ni comer, ni oler” (Deuteronomio 4:28). De modo que la enseñanza bíblica es clara: Jehová es el único Dios verdadero.

No sorprende, pues, que las Santas Escrituras prohíban enérgicamente adorar a quienquiera que no sea Jehová. Por ejemplo, el primero de los Diez Mandamientos que Moisés recibió advertía a la nación de Israel contra rendir culto a cualquier otro dios (Éxodo 20:3). ¿Por qué?

Primero, porque venerar a un dios que ni siquiera existe es un gran insulto al Creador. La Biblia dice que quienes caen en tal forma de adoración ‘han cambiado la verdad de Dios por la mentira y veneran y rinden servicio sagrado a la creación más bien que a Aquel que creó’ todas las cosas (Romanos 1:25). Los dioses inventados suelen representarse con ídolos hechos de materiales que se hallan en la naturaleza, como el metal y la madera, y a muchos se les asocia con ciertos elementos naturales como el trueno, los mares y el viento. Por ello, venerar a esos dioses inexistentes constituye una grave falta de respeto al Dios todopoderoso.

Para el Creador, tanto los dioses falsos como sus ídolos son repugnantes; pero su mayor indignación se dirige contra la gente que los ha fabricado. Sus sentimientos se expresan en estas enérgicas palabras: “Los ídolos de las naciones son plata y oro, la obra de las manos del hombre terrestre. Boca tienen, pero no pueden hablar nada; ojos tienen, pero no pueden ver nada; oídos tienen, pero no pueden prestar oído a nada. Además, no existe espíritu en su boca. Quienes los hacen llegarán a ser lo mismo que ellos, todos los que en ellos confían” (Salmo 135:15-18).

Además, adorar a cosa o persona alguna aparte de Jehová Dios sería una tremenda pérdida de tiempo y de energías, y esta es otra razón por la que la Biblia condena tal práctica. El profeta Isaías dijo con acierto: “¿Quién ha formado un dios o fundido una mera imagen fundida? De ningún provecho en absoluto ha sido” (Isaías 44:10). Las Escrituras también afirman que “todos los dioses de los pueblos son dioses que nada valen” (Salmo 96:5). Si los dioses falsos no valen nada, adorarlos tampoco sirve de nada.

Jesús, los ángeles, el Diablo
En ocasiones, las Santas Escrituras sí llaman dioses a personas reales. Pero un examen cuidadoso revela que el uso del término “dios” en tales casos no busca ponerlos en la categoría de deidades que merezcan culto. En los idiomas en que se escribió originalmente la Biblia, la palabra dios también se usaba para hablar de alguien con poder, de un ser espiritual o de alguien muy cercano al Dios todopoderoso.

Por ejemplo, algunos versículos bíblicos se refieren a Jesucristo como un dios (Isaías 9:6, 7; Juan 1:1, 18). ¿Significa esto que hay que adorar a Jesús? No, pues él mismo dijo: “Es a Jehová tu Dios a quien tienes que adorar, y es solo a él a quien tienes que rendir servicio sagrado” (Lucas 4:8). Puede verse que, si bien Jesús es poderoso y de naturaleza espiritual, la Biblia no lo presenta como alguien que deba recibir adoración.

De los ángeles también se dice que “tienen parecido a Dios” (Salmo 8:5; Hebreos 2:7). Pero en ningún sitio las Santas Escrituras animan al ser humano a venerarlos. De hecho, el envejecido apóstol Juan en cierta ocasión se impresionó tanto por la presencia de un ángel que se postró ante él para adorarlo, pero el ángel reaccionó diciendo: “¡Ten cuidado! ¡No hagas eso! [...] Adora a Dios” (Revelación [Apocalipsis] 19:10).

Por otra parte, el apóstol Pablo llama al Diablo “el dios de este sistema de cosas” (2 Corintios 4:4). Como “gobernante de este mundo”, Satanás ha promovido la veneración a infinidad de dioses falsos (Juan 12:31). En consecuencia, cualquier adoración que se dirija a dioses hechos por el hombre constituye, en realidad, adoración que se rinde a Satanás. Ahora bien, él no es un dios que merezca nuestra devoción. Es un usurpador, que se ha proclamado a sí mismo gobernante de este mundo. Pero con el tiempo, él y toda forma de adoración falsa serán eliminados. Cuando eso suceda, la humanidad entera —sí, toda la creación— reconocerá por siempre a Jehová como el único Dios vivo y verdadero (Jeremías 10:10).


¿SE HA PREGUNTADO...
... qué enseña la Biblia sobre el culto a los ídolos? (Salmo 135:15-18.)
... si deberían Jesús y los ángeles ser adorados como dioses? (Lucas 4:8.)
... quién es el único Dios verdadero? (Juan 17:3.)

Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6
For a Child hath been born to us, A Son hath been given to us, And the princely power is on his shoulder, And He doth call his name Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God [Hebrew transliteration: EL GIBBOR], Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. -- Isaiah 9:6, Young's Literal Translation.

As given in Young's translation, it shows that the titles are anarthrous, without the definite article "the" before each title. Of course, the capitalization of these "titles" are also added be the translators.

What does the trinitarian need to assume concerning Isaiah 9:6? First, it appears that he would assume that "name" (singular) really means "names" (plural) or titles (plural). Then he has to assume that EL GIBBOR is a singular name/title applied to Jesus. Then he has to assume that EL GIBBOR, as applied to Jesus, means that Jesus is Yahweh.

It is Yahweh, however, who is giving the son to Israel, and it is also Yahweh who is giving this "name" to the son, as can be seen in Isaiah 9:7, "The zeal of Yahweh of Hosts will perform this."

If EL GIBBOR should be understood as being a title of Jesus in this verse, the context should let us know that the expression "el gibbor" would not signify Yahweh. Therefore, we should determine the meaning el gibbor as it would apply to the one given by Yahweh, and not automatically assume that it means that Jesus is Yahweh. In keeping with the context, then it should be understood as the term is used in Ezekiel 32:21, where the same expression in the plural is used. I do not know of any translation that renders the expression in Ezekiel 32:21 as "Mighty Gods", but it is usually rendered similar to the King James Version, which renders it as "The strong among the mighty." Thus, in Isaiah 9:6, if this expression as "mighty god" is assumed to be a title for the Messiah, the anointed of Yahweh, who is therefore not Yahweh, then it should also be understood as in Ezekiel 32:21, "a strong one among the mighty."

Likewise, if the title "everlasting father," is to be understood as being applied to the Messiah, it should be understood in light of what Messiah became after his resurrection, the "last Adam," who "became the life-giving spirit," who, in effect, is takes Adam's place as the life-giver to the world. Unlike Adam, who disobeyed and became father only to a dying race (1 Corinthians 15:21,22), Jesus becomes father forever, thus "everlasting father."

However, the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 depicts a singular name by which the son who is given shall be called. The name given is given by Yahweh. The name, being singular, does not depict a series of names or titles as is given by most translations of this verse. That singular name is usually transliterated as Pelejoezelgibborabiaadarshalom. Often such a "name" given to a human or a thing is describing attributes of God/Yahweh, and the application of such a name to a human or thing does not designate the human or thing as being God/Yahweh. Thus, for instance, when Jacob called a certain altar by the name, El-Elohe-Israel, which could be read as a series of titles: God, The God, Israel, we realize that this is not what Jacob meant by this. Rather, we understand that he was not saying that the altar was "God," or that the altar was "the God," nor that the altar was Israel, but rather that the name of the altar was meant to say something about Jacob's (Israel's) God. Thus, this name is usually given a meaning something like: "God is the God of Israel," or probably more likely, the first EL should be understood with the general meaning of might, strength, power, etc., thus: "Powerful is the God of Israel." Likewise in Isaiah 9:6, since it is directly stated in the singular as a name, not plural, as "names", we believe it more correctly to be understood as describing Yahweh, not the Messiah who comes in the name of Yahweh. Some editions of the JPS give this name the following meaning: "Wonderful in counsel is God the Mighty, the everlasting Father, the Ruler of peace." From this perspective, this singular name that is given to Messiah would be describing the God and Father of Messiah, not the Messiah himself.

Nevertheless, as shown above, even if Isaiah 9:6 should be viewed as a series of titles describing the Messiah himself, it still does not mean that Jesus is Yahweh who sent Jesus. There is definitely nothing in the verse about three persons in one God or any kind of concept as expressed in the trinity dogma, except that one add that dogma to, and read that dogma into, what is stated in Isaiah 9:6

1 Timothy 3:16

There is nothing here about a trinity, or anything about three persons. One has to assume such an idea and then read that idea into what is said. Evidently one has to assume that "God," as it reads in the KJV and many other translations, means the second person of the trinity; it is further assumed and read into the statement that "God" therefore means that Jesus was God in the flesh, or something of this nature.

1 Timothy 3:16 - And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. -- American Standard.

Nothing in this rendering says that Jesus "is" God in the flesh. Paul is talking about the mystery of godliness (piety), devotion to God. This great mystery is described in the phrases following. While this godly devotion is a great mystery to world, it is revealed in the human life, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. As it reads in the American Standard, and several other translations, this mystery of godliness is "he who" was revealed, manifested, or appeared in the flesh (of Jesus). Jesus was indeed the exemplar of this godliness, this devotion to God, especially since he was the first human to have completely and fully obeyed God.

1 Timothy 3:16 - Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. -- New International Version.

This version speaks of Jesus as appearing in a body. It still, however, does not say that Jesus *is* God in the flesh. Of course, Jesus, having a body specially prepared by God (Hebrews 10:5), and thus not being condemned to sin and death as are all who are dying in Adam (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22), and having learned of his God and Father, and with the help of God's holy spirit, Jesus was indeed the exemplar of godliness (devotion to God). This, of course, does not mean that Jesus is his God to whom he held this godliness.

1 Timothy 2:15 - Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ appeared in the flesh and was shown to be righteous by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and was announced to the nations. He was believed on in the world and was taken up into heaven. -- New Living Translation.

This rendering also does not say that Jesus *is* God in the flesh. While this rendering is not very literal in translation, the thought is given that Christ appeared in the flesh. The "great mystery of godliness" is changed to "the great mystery our faith." Jesus was shown to be righteous (he absolutely never sinned!). What an example of godliness (devotion to God). Of course, nothing here means that Jesus is his God, or that he was his God Himself in the flesh.

1 Timothy 3:16 - Truly great is this divine mystery of righteousness: it is revealed in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory. -- Lamsa Translation.

This translation also does not say that "Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. This rendering would place the "mystery of godliness" as an "it" that is revealed in the flesh. Of course, the way that righteousness was revealed in the flesh was by means of Jesus. It was Jesus, by means of righteousness, his devotedness to his God, who brought life and incorruption to light.

1 Timothy 3:16 - And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. -- King James Version.

Again, we do not find any expression that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh, but this translation does say that "God was manifest in the flesh." Of course, through Jesus, God was indeed made manifest in the flesh of the one sent by the only true God, since Jesus declared his God, spoke the words of his God, and did the works of his God who had sent him. (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 14:10,24; 17:3) This does not mean that Jesus is his God. "The mystery of godliness" -- of devotion to God -- would be the entire expression following. This godliness was that God was indeed made manifest, revealed, in the flesh of Jesus. This godliness in Jesus was justified by means of the spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world and received up into glory. Jesus' godliness, his devotion to God, was with him while he was in the flesh, and remains with him after being received up into glory. Jesus, of course, since his flesh was never sinful to begin with, did not need to be justified from sin, but Jesus did maintain the justified condition by means of God's holy spirit -- never failling short of the glory of God, unlike Adam, and all condemned in Adam. The angels themselves had a keen interest in Jesus' devotion to God, which is still a "mystery" to the world. The devotion of Jesus to his God was preached to the heathen, and many in the world did believe in him. Jesus continued this devotion even after having died in the flesh, sacrificing his terrestrial body and received into the glory of a celestial body.

Of course, the reason for different words used in translation is because of the variant readings of manuscripts. I do not wish to get into a fruitless, and often endless, argument of which variant is correct. As shown above, regardless of the differences in the manuscripts, none of them say that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh. Trinitarians, as well as some others, prefer the way it reads in the KJV since they would find it easier to add their doctrines to this, and read their doctrines into what is said. The best rendering that I can see that actually fits the context is "he who" rendering. From the standpoint of complete harmony with the rest of the scriptures, what I can say about the latter (KJV) translation of 1 Timothy 3:16 is that God was manifested in the flesh of Jesus, since Jesus was fully devoted to God, the human expression of godliness (piety) while Jesus was in the days of his flesh. This does not mean that Jesus was or is his God, who was being manifested through Jesus


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