Keep Doing This in Rememberance of Me

On the night before he died, Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Evening Meal, using only leftover unleavened bread and burgundy wine. Many people celebrate this weekly, monthly, or annually. Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate it once a year on the exact day in which Christ instituted it, Nisan 14, which falls on April 9th this year. You are invited to attend.

The Memorial of Christ's Death
After Jesus and his disciples ate the passover meal, the following scene happened. "He took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: 'This means my body which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.' Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: 'This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.'"-Luke 22:19-20

Many people throughout the world are familiar with this. You may have done this many times, using various substitutes for the bread and the wine. Have you ever thought about what this really means why it is so important to use true unleavened bread and burgundy wine? Let us see.


Unleavened Bread--The Body of Christ
In the Scriptures, leaven, a substance added to bread dough or alcoholic beverages to aid in fermentation, is often used in the Bible to picture sin or corruption. Jesus said, "Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." (Matthew 16:11) Jesus was employing symbolism on his part to make a point: The Pharisees actions were not always in line with they're teachings, and sometimes they even taught falsehoods. These were as leaven fermenting the pure teachings handed down by Moses.

On another occasion, Jesus said, "Keep your eyes open, look out for the leaven...of Herod." (Mark 8:15) Here, Jesus was exposing the hypocrisy and political treachery of the party followers of Herod.-Mark 3:6

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the congregation in Corinth had this fine council. "Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole lump? Clear away the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, according as you are free from ferment. For, indeed, Christ our passover has been sacrificed. Consequently let us keep the festival, not with old leaven, neither with leaven of badness and wickedness, but with unfermented cakes of sincerity and truth."-1 Corinthians 5:6-8

All of this occurs in certain context. Paul is here speaking of corrupting influences in the congregation and removing them. (1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 11-13) His above statements are his way of saying that if a wicked person is not removed from the congregation, it could have a corrupting effect on the rest of the congregation. There should be no leaven (sin) so that the entire congregation will not be corrupted.

So, it is obvious that, when different churches use things like crackers or pieces of bread bought at the store, they are not truly appreciating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who had no leaven, or sin, in his body. Only unleavened bread should be used to picture our sinless Lord and Savior. Anything else is degrading to his sacrifice.


Red Wine--The Blood of Christ
During the Lord's Evening Meal, Jesus Christ used red wine as a fitting symbol of his perfect blood. Many on this occasion believe that using grape juice is sufficient, but this is not the case. Only true wine is a fitting symbol of the blood of our savior. Jesus called it the "product of the vine." (Matthew 26:29) This was seven months after the grape harvest and so it is not in doubt that this was fermented juice of the vine, not mere grape juice.

Concerning the blood of our savior, the Apostle Peter wrote, "But it was with precious blood, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, even Christ’s." (1 Peter 1:19) The wine used was a pure burgundy wine. While many wines have some type of imperfections in them, burgundy wine has very little--a fitting picture of the "precious blood" of our savior.


The Lord's Evening Meal--Who Partakes?
In the world of Christendom today, everyone present at the communion celebration partakes of the bread and the wine. Would it be surprising that only a small number of people are supposed to have this privilege? Yes, it goes hand-in-hand with what Christ Jesus said as he presented the emblems.

As Christ was presenting the wine, he said these words, "This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf." (Luke 22:20) Those who partake of the wine are part of the new covenant. What is the new covenant? Jesus Christ said, "I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:29-30) Yes, those who partake of those emblems are saying that Christ has made a covenant with them "for a kingdom".

A little earlier in his ministry Jesus told only a few people these words, "Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) With these words Jesus Christ revealed that the number of people inheriting that kingdom would be "little". It was revealed to the Apostle John how many people it would be.

"And I saw, and, look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads...And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth." (Revelation 14:1, 3) Yes, only 144,000 people are bought from the earth. What is their job?

Speaking to Jesus the four living creatures and the 24 elders sing, "You were slaughtered and with your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 1and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth." (Revelation 5:9-10) These 144,000 were bought from the earth and are to "rule as kings forever and ever."-Revelation 22:5

If these are to rule as kings in heaven, will they have subjects? Yes, for after John spoke of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:1-8, he then spoke of a "a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9, 14) The Bible says that they are to live on the earth forever.-Psalm 37:11, 29; Matthew 5:5

Is this a "bad" fate for the great crowd? Not at all! I am of the great crowd and I couldn't be more excited. I cannot wait until Jesus Christ and the 144,000 begin their rule over the earth after the "god of this world" is done away with along with all of the wicked people. (2 Corinthians 4:4, New American Standard bible; Revelation 20:10; Psalm 37:10; Proverbs 2:22) The world is going to be a peaceful paradise!


Remembering the Death of Christ
The death of Jesus Christ is the most important event in human history. Ultimately, that is what we come to remember. However, we also have to remember the One who sent him and the love He showed. Why? "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."-John 3:16

In the Garden of Eden, Jehovah told Adam and Eve that if they ate from the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad" that they would die. Satan contradicted this saying it was not true. (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-5) Believing this lie, Eve, and then Adam, partook of the fruit. This caused all of us to be sinners with death in view. We were separated and lost.-Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12

The death of Jesus changed all that. "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed...for he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:5, 12, New International Version) Jesus died so that we might have everlasting life. This is why remembering his death is of the utmost importance. We show that we appreciate his sacrifice when we come together at the Lord's Evening Meal.

Another thing that the death of Jesus did was answer an accusation that Satan raised. In the book of Job we find out that Satan said that man only serves Jehovah when it is convenient for him to do so or when it only benefits him in some way. While originally applying this only to Job, he took it farther and included all humans in the challenge. (Job 1:9-11; 2:4) That is why Jehovah pleads with us: "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me."-Proverbs 27:11

At the beginning, Adam and Eve were perfect humans who ended up not remaining faithful. Since then, no human ever remained perfectly faithful to God. So Satan insisted that no man--perfect or imperfect--could be faithful. Jesus answered that challenge perfectly. He never sinned, even tempted to the extreme. (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15, New International Version) He proved that a perfect man could keep integrity towards God. Yes, he proved the one taunting Jehovah wrong and made His Father's heart rejoice.

All of this is kept in mind by Jehovah's Witnesses when we gather to meet for the annual Lord's Evening Meal. You are warmly invited to come gather with them in your area so that you too can remember what Jesus Christ did for us and all that entailed.-Matthew 20:28

Memorial Reading for Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Luke 22:1-6; Mark 14:1-2, 10-11

Nisan 12, 33 C.E.
Now the festival of the unfermented cakes, the so-called Passover, was getting near. Also, the chief priests and the scribes were seeking the effective way for them to get rid of him, for they were in fear of the people.-Luke 22:1-2

Now the passover and the festival of unfermented cakes was two days later. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize him by crafty device and kill him; for they repeatedly said: "Not at the festival; perhaps there might be an uproar of the people."-Mark 14:1-2

Nisan 13, 33 C.E.
But Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve; and he went off and talked with the chief priests and temple captains about the effective way to betray him to them. Well, they rejoiced and agreed to give him silver money. So he consented, and he began to seek a good opportunity to betray him to them without a crowd around.-Luke 22:3-6

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they rejoiced and promised to give him silver money. So he began seeking how to betray him conveniently.-Mark 14:10-11

Memorial Reading for Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Luke 20:1-47

Nisan 11, 33 C.E.
On one of the days while he was teaching the people in the temple and declaring the good news, the chief priests and the scribes with the older men came near, and they spoke up, saying to him: "Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority." In reply he said to them: "I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?" Then among themselves they drew conclusions, saying: "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why is it you did not believe him?' But if we say, 'From men,' the people one and all will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." So they replied that they did not know its source. And Jesus said to them: "Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things."

Then he started to tell the people this illustration: "A man planted a vineyard and let it out to cultivators, and he traveled abroad for considerable time. But in due season he sent out a slave to the cultivators, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. The cultivators, however, sent him away empty, after beating him up. But he repeated and sent them a different slave. That one also they beat up and dishonored and sent away empty. Yet again he sent a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. At this the owner of the vineyard said, "What shall I do? I will send my son the beloved. Likely they will respect this one."When the cultivators caught sight of him they went reasoning with one another, saying, "This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may become ours." With that they threw him outside the vineyard and killed him. What, therefore, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these cultivators and will give the vineyard to others."

On hearing this they said: "Never may that happen!" But he looked upon them and said: "What, then, does this that is written mean, 'The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the chief cornerstone'? Everyone falling upon that stone will be shattered. As for anyone upon whom it falls, it will pulverize him."

The scribes and the chief priests now sought to get their hands on him in that very hour, but they feared the people; for they perceived that he spoke this illustration with them in mind. And, after observing him closely, they sent out men secretly hired to pretend that they were righteous, in order that they might catch him in speech, so as to turn him over to the government and to the authority of the governor. And they questioned him, saying: "Teacher, we know you speak and teach correctly and show no partiality, but you teach the way of God in line with truth: Is it lawful for us to pay tax to Caesar or not?" But he detected their cunning and said to them: "Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They said: "Caesar’s." He said to them: "By all means, then, pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God." Well, they were not able to catch him in this saying before the people, but, in amazement at his answer, they said nothing.

However, some of the Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came up and questioned him, saying: "Teacher, Moses wrote us, 'If a man’s brother dies having a wife, but this one remained childless, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring from her for his brother.' Accordingly there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless. So the second, and the third took her. Likewise even the seven: they did not leave children behind, but died off. Lastly, the woman also died. Consequently, in the resurrection, of which one of them does she become the wife? For the seven got her as wife."

Jesus said to them: "The children of this system of things marry and are given in marriage, but those who have been counted worthy of gaining that system of things and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. In fact, neither can they die anymore, for they are like the angels, and they are God’s children by being children of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised up even Moses disclosed, in the account about the thornbush, when he calls Jehovah 'the God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob.' He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him. In response some of the scribes said: "Teacher, you spoke well." For no longer did they have the courage to ask him a single question.

In turn he said to them: "How is it they say that the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, 'Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.' David, therefore, calls him 'Lord'; so how is he his son?"

Then, while all the people were listening he said to the disciples: "Look out for the scribes who desire to walk around in robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and front seats in the synagogues and most prominent places at evening meals, and who devour the houses of the widows and for a pretext make long prayers. These will receive a heavier judgment."

Objects of Hatred

In the last few days of his ministry, Jesus made a statement that provides convincing evidence that Jehovah's Witnesses are God's people that are led by His holy spirit. What was this? Where in the Bible is it located?

The statement that Jesus made is contained in Matthew 24, in his explanation about the end of the system of things. After speaking about earthquakes and wars and famines, he said, "Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name." (Matthew 24:9) Who else can this Scripture apply to? Let us reason.

After speaking to trinitarian Christians, I walked away astounded at how they take that Scripture and claim it applies to them! How so? One "Christian" said, "In China, 'Christians' are either deported and killed. In Muslim nations, they can be killed our basic rights taken away. In African nations, there can be much hostility towards people who deviate from the faith they were raised in and convert to Christianity. We as 'Christians' are hated in many places."

On the surface, that can sound convincing. However, it is not enough. Look at Christ's statement again. He said that true Christians would be "objects of hatred by all the nations" on account of his name. It is not true that those "Christians" are hated by all the nations on account of the name of Christ.

Jehovah's Witnesses are.

No matter which country Jehovah's Witnesses go to, they are hated. In countries like China, we are killed or deported. In Muslim countries, we are killed, deported, or basic rights are taken away. In African countries, we face hostility upon conversion. And, unlike other "Christians", the list does not stop there. In Russia, they are trying to ban Jehovah's Witnesses. In many countries where "Christianity" flourishes, like Guam, France, and Mexico, Jehovah's Witnesses are hated and mistreated.

Other religions can not say this. Catholics hate Jehovah's Witnesses. Protestants hate Jehovah's Witnesses. Everyone hates Jehovah's Witnesses. Many otherwise tolerant countries hate Jehovah's Witnesses for our stance on war and politics. No other peoples are hated as Jehovah's Witnesses are hated. In fact, in one nationwide poll in the United States of America, Jehovah's Witnesses were voted as the least favorite religious group.

Ask yourself: Why are Jehovah's Witnesses so hated? It is all on the basis of Jesus' name! How? In Jewish countries we are hated because we believe in Jesus. In Muslim countries we are hated because we proclaim Jesus and no one else. In "Christian" countries, we are hated because we do not hold up the false doctrine of the Trinity. Yes, we teach the truth about Jesus, he is not Almighty God and so we are hated. If we taught the Trinity, we would be accepted.

In so-called tolerant countries, we are hated for our stance on militaristic and political affairs--all due to what Jesus said to true Christians. "Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52) And in another place he says, "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 delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source."-John 18:36

As Jehovah's Witnesses, we know that if Jesus was a king in this earthly system of things, we would be subjects of that kingdom. Even if Jesus died and descendent's replaced him, it would still be a kingdom truly in Jesus' name and we would fight. However, Christ kingdom is not part of this world. There is no kingdom or government on earth that is an expression of that Kingdom. If we chose to fight for our respective countries, we would no longer be subjects of the Kingdom of God. For this reason, we are hated by so-called tolerant countries, even if they are "Christian".

No matter where you go, we are hated only because of our views of Jesus and his teachings. No other groups can say that. Mormons are hated for more then just their views on Jesus. Sacred Name groups and KJV-Only groups are, too. Any other religion that I can think of that is hated is not hated only for their views on Jesus Christ. We are the only group that fits that description at Matthew 24:9. For that we are glad! Why?

"Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you."-Matthew 5:11-12

If you would like to learn more about Jehovah's Witnesses, we will be happy to help you! Yes, the above does not sound appealing but without persecution and hatred, you can not be sure your religion is the true one. Also, Paul's words to Timothy are important to factor in. "All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted."-2 Timothy 3:12; Acts 14:22

Memorial Reading for Monday, April 6, 2009

Luke 19:45-48; Matthew 21:18-19; 21:12-13

Nisan 10, 33 C.E.
And he entered into the temple and started to throw out those who were selling, saying to them: "It is written, 'And my house will be a house of prayer,' but you made it a cave of robbers."

Furthermore, he went teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal ones of the people were seeking to destroy him; and yet they did not find the effective thing for them to do, for the people one and all kept hanging onto him to hear him.

While returning to the city early in the morning, he got hungry. And he caught sight of a fig tree by the road and went to it, but he found nothing on it except leaves only, and he said to it: "Let no fruit come from you anymore forever." And the fig tree withered instantly.

And Jesus entered into the temple and threw out all those selling and buying in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. And he said to them: "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a cave of robbers."

Memorial Reading for Sunday, April 5, 2009

Luke 22:29-44

Nisan 9, 33 C.E.
And when he got near to Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Mount of Olives, he sent forth two of the disciples, saying: "Go into the village that is within sight of you, and in it after you pass in you will find a colt tied, on which none of mankind ever sat. Loose it and bring it. But if anyone asks you, 'Why is it you are loosing it?' You must speak in this way, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent forth departed and found it just as he said to them. But as they were loosing the colt the owners of it said to them: "Why are you loosing the colt?" They said: "The Lord needs it." And they led it to Jesus, and they threw their outer garments upon the colt and set Jesus upon it.

As he moved along they kept spreading their outer garments on the road. As soon as he got near the road down the Mount of Olives all the multitude of the disciples started to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice concerning all the powerful works they had seen, saying: "Blessed is the One coming as the King in Jehovah’s name! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest places!" However, some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to him: "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." But in reply he said: "I tell you, If these remained silent, the stones would cry out."

And when he got nearby, he viewed the city and wept over it, saying: "If you, even you, had discerned in this day the things having to do with peace—but now they have been hid from your eyes. Because the days will come upon you when your enemies will build around you a fortification with pointed stakes and will encircle you and distress you from every side, and they will dash you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave a stone upon a stone in you, because you did not discern the time of your being inspected."

The Great Tribulation, Pt. 2

In the second part of my dream, things were a little jumpy, not staying in one situation nor having a logical bridge to the next situation. I want to believe that they are two parts of the same dream but could be two different dreams entirely with the same premise. In this one, we are again in about the second day of the Great Tribulation...

-------------------------

In the dream, I walked into a local Christian bookstore, wanting to see how they were reacting. Interestingly, it seemed to be more of a Christian flea market, where people from different "Christian" denominations and "Christian"-based religions can come together to sell their favorite Bible translations and church publications.

After walking in, I saw all the people throwing their Bible's into trashcans, where fires were lit. One group was destroying NLT's, another NIV's, and even another KJV's. One other group, a Sacred Name group, was not burning their Bible's, which were the Zikarown Say'fer Bible. They were trying to give theirs to other people. I took on of the pocket size Bible's (roughly the size of our NWT's) and slipped it into my pocket. I remember being happy that I had a Bible, since all of the New World Translations were either stashed away or confiscated.

There were four more Zikarown Say'fer Bible's in the bin when the group burning the NLT's grabbed them and threw them into the fire...

After this the scene changed, getting even weirder.

...Evidently, some kind of curfew had been enforced and I was not allowed to leave the Christian flea market. The police officers provided blankets and pillows so that we could sleep on the ground. The police officers were posted in the outside entryway so that we could not leave.

One young man next to me, who was part of the Sacred Name group, sighed and pulled out his copy of the Bible and started reading it. Another man who had been burning the NLT took one look at him, got up, and informed the police officers at the door of what was going on. They came in and looked in the direction that the young man was pointing--and thought that he was pointing at me.

As the two police officers walked closer I leaned up, not knowing what to do because I didn't want to bring attention to the person next to me. I started to pull out my Bible to give to them but the young man who had originally pulled out the Bible jumped up and started to run. One of the police officers ran after him.

By this time, everyone in the room was standing up. The police officer grabbed me and started feeling my pocket's, finding the Bible. He smiled and hit me. I smiled back, grabbed the Bible and ran, jumping over blankets and pillows scattered on the floor. He wasn't so lucky, tripping over a tangle of blankets and giving me the opportunity to escape.

When I got outside I saw the original young man get into a car and I jumped in with him.

"It's better if we split up." He said, "Do you still have your Bible?"

I nodded and he said, "Get in another car."

I got out and slipped into Dodge Nitro. "I don't know how to start it. The keys aren't in here."

The young man got out of the car, came to mine, and started it for me. He went back into his car and started driving off. I followed him but the young man who told on us came flying into the parking lot. The one who helped me start my car hit him...

The scene changed at this part again.

...The young man and I were in an interrogation room, waiting for someone to come in. While we were waiting, we started to talk.

"What's your name?" He asked me.

"Shawn. And yours?"

"Brett."

"It's a shame that we ended up getting our Bible's taken." I said.

Before we could continue, the door opened and someone on crutches and covered in bandages came into the room. It was the young man who got hit by the car!

"So, Shawn and Brett. Thanks for what you did, by the way. I realized that religious people are nuts. I can't believe that I ever believed in the Bible!" He smiled.

"I know that you two are stubbornly holding onto your religious beliefs. What religions are you?"

"I'm part of the Assemblies of Yahweh, based off of Deuteronomy 23:8 where it says, 'The children of the third generation that are born unto them shall enter into the assembly of Yahweh. (Zikarown Say'fer Bible)"

He looked at me. "Which religion are you?"

"I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses, based off of Isaiah 43:10 where it says, 'You are my witnesses,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'even my servant whom I have chosen.'"

"It doesn't matter which religion either of you are from. We are all three of us going to die right now." He pulled out a device and continued, "This is a bomb. As soon as I release this lever, we're going to blow up. Even now, this building is being evacuated."

Brett jumped over the table and held the other guys arms together while I grabbed the device. He then grabbed one of the crutches and hit him over the back of the head. The guy was knocked unconscious. Brett grabbed the device from me and told me to run. I nodded and left the room. As I ran towards the exit, I saw the two Bible's on a desk. I grabbed both of them and kicked the doors open. I ran across a parking lot and through a field before ducking down.

The building blew up...

Another jump from scene to scene.

...

The next thing I know I am at home. We were watching the news on television, which was changing back and forth between riots due to the ban on religion, vandalism of places of worship, and a story about a very dangerous form of leprosy which struck out of nowhere and seeming at random. The worst thing about it was that the victim died within two minutes of the first signs.

Two of my family members came down with the leprosy...

And I woke up for good. That was a crazy dream. I wish it hadn't ended abruptly. Oh well.

The thing is, Jesus Christ warned us of a Great Tribulation that was coming, followed by his return were he would finally destroy the wicked. We should all be alert for that and watch the signs. Which signs? I will write about that later. In the meantime, you can read about this Great Tribulation from the Organization that is being used by Jehovah through His holy spirit. You can read about it here. It is the prayer of all Jehovah's Witnesses that when that time comes, you will have the knowledge that you can survive it.