Endnotes
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1. Identifying Babylon the Great
How do we know that “Babylon the Great” represents all false religion?
[Quotation] Revelation 17:5: On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: “Babylon the Great, the mother of the prostitutes and of the disgusting things of the earth.” [End Quotation]
Consider these factors:
She operates worldwide. Babylon the Great is said to be sitting on “crowds and nations.” She has “a kingdom over the kings of the earth.”
[Quotation] Revelation 17:15: He said to me: “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Revelation 17:18: And the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” [End Quotation]
She cannot be a political or commercial power. “The kings of the earth” and “the merchants” survive her destruction.
[Quotation] Revelation 18:9: “And the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality with her and lived with her in shameless luxury will weep and beat themselves in grief over her when they see the smoke from her burning. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Revelation 18:15: “The merchants who sold these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment and will weep and mourn, [End Quotation]
She misrepresents God. She is called a prostitute because she forms alliances with governments for money or other favors.
[Quotation] Revelation 17:1 and 2: One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me: “Come, I will show you the judgment on the great prostitute who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and earth’s inhabitants were made drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.” [End Quotation]
She misleads people of all nations. And she is responsible for the death of many.
[Quotation] Revelation 18:23 and 24: No light of a lamp will ever shine in you again, and no voice of a bridegroom and of a bride will ever be heard in you again; for your merchants were the top-ranking men of the earth, and by your spiritistic practices all the nations were misled. Yes, in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.” [End Quotation]
2. When Would the Messiah Appear?
The Bible foretold that there would be 69 weeks until the Messiah arrived.—Read Daniel 9:25.
[“Read” scripture] Daniel 9:25: You should know and understand that from the issuing of the word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Leader, there will be 7 weeks, also 62 weeks. She will be restored and rebuilt, with a public square and moat, but in times of distress. [End of “Read” scripture]
When did the 69 weeks start? In the year 455 B.C.E. At that time, Governor Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem “to restore and to rebuild” the city.
[Quotation] Daniel 9:25: You should know and understand that from the issuing of the word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Leader, there will be 7 weeks, also 62 weeks. She will be restored and rebuilt, with a public square and moat, but in times of distress. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Nehemiah 2:1: In the month of Nisan, in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes, wine was set before him, and as usual I took up the wine and gave it to the king. But I had never been gloomy in his presence. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Nehemiah 2:5 through 8: I then said to the king: “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah, to the city where my forefathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” Then the king, with his royal consort sitting beside him, said to me: “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a set time. Then I said to the king: “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the region Beyond the River, granting me safe passage until I reach Judah, as well as a letter to Asaph the keeper of the Royal Park, so that he may give me timber for beams for the gates of the Fortress of the House and for the walls of the city and for the house where I will go.” So the king gave them to me, for the good hand of my God was upon me. [End Quotation]
How long did the 69 weeks last? In some Bible prophecies, a day represents a year.
[Quotation] Numbers 14:34: According to the number of the days that you spied out the land, 40 days, a day for a year, a day for a year, you will answer for your errors 40 years, for you will know what it means to oppose me. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Ezekiel 4:6: And you must complete them. “Then for a second time you will lie down, on your right side, and you will carry the guilt of the house of Judah for 40 days. A day for a year, a day for a year, is what I have given you. [End Quotation]
Each week, then, represents seven years. In this prophecy, 69 weeks add up to 483 years (69 weeks times 7 days).
When did the 69 weeks end? Counting 483 years from 455 B.C.E. brings us to the year 29 C.E. * This is the exact year when Jesus was baptized and became the Messiah!
[Quotation] Luke 3:1 and 2: In the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was district ruler of Galilee, Philip his brother was district ruler of the country of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was district ruler of Abilene, in the days of chief priest Annas and of Caiaphas, God’s declaration came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Luke 3:21 and 22: Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus too was baptized. As he was praying, the heaven was opened up, and the holy spirit in bodily form like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.” [End Quotation]
[Footnote] * From 455 B.C.E. to 1 B.C.E. is 454 years. From 1 B.C.E. to 1 C.E. is one year (there was no zero year). And from 1 C.E. to 29 C.E. is 28 years. This gives us the total of 483 years. [End of footnote]
Timeline on page 255
[Box] 483 years 455 B.C.E. to 29 C.E.
“7 weeks” (49 years)
455 B.C.E. “The word to restore . . . Jerusalem”
406 B.C.E. Jerusalem rebuilt
“62 weeks” (434 years)
406 B.C.E. Jerusalem rebuilt
29 C.E. Messiah arrives (baptized) [End of box]
[End of timeline]
[Image] A timeline spanning 483 years. It starts in 455 B.C.E. with the word to restore.. Jerusalem then 7 weeks 49 years elapse. In 406 B.C.E. Jerusalem is rebuilt. Then “62 weeks” 434 years elapse. In 29 C.E. The Messiah arrives when Jesus is baptized.
3. Medical Procedures Involving Blood
There are medical procedures that make use of a patient’s own blood. Some of these—such as a person donating blood or having his own blood stored in advance of surgery—are not acceptable for Christians.
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 15:23: But you must not eat its blood; you should pour it out on the ground like water. [End Quotation]
However, other procedures may not be objectionable. These include blood tests, hemodialysis, hemodilution, or the use of a cell-salvage or heart-lung bypass machine. Each Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a procedure, medical test, or current therapy. Each doctor may perform these procedures slightly differently. So before accepting any surgical procedure, medical test, or therapy, a Christian needs to find out exactly how his own blood will be handled. Consider the following questions:
What if some of my blood would be diverted outside my body and the flow might be interrupted for a time? Does my conscience allow me to view this blood as still part of me, thus not requiring that it be poured “out on the ground”?
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 12:23 and 24: Just be firmly resolved not to eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the flesh. You must not eat it. You should pour it out on the ground like water. [End Quotation]
What if during a medical procedure some of my own blood would be withdrawn, modified, and directed back into (or onto) my body? Does it trouble my Bible-trained conscience, or could I accept such a procedure?
4. Marital Separation
God’s Word discourages separation and makes it clear that separation does not give either mate the right to remarry.
[Quotation] 1 Corinthians 7:10 and 11: To the married people I give instructions, not I but the Lord, that a wife should not separate from her husband. But if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife. [End Quotation]
However, there are situations in which some Christians have considered separation.
Willful nonsupport: A husband refuses to provide for the family materially, to the point that the family is left without the basic necessities of life.
[Quotation] 1 Timothy 5:8: Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith. [End Quotation]
Severe physical abuse: Abuse can lead to the point that a mate’s physical health or life is in danger.
[Quotation] Galatians 5:19 through 21: Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. [End Quotation]
Absolute endangerment of a person’s relationship with Jehovah: A spouse makes it impossible for the mate to serve Jehovah.
[Quotation] Acts 5:29: In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men. [End Quotation]
5. Holidays and Celebrations
Christians do not participate in holidays that displease Jehovah. But each Christian must use his Bible-trained conscience to decide how to handle certain situations regarding such holidays. Consider a few examples.
Someone wishes you a happy holiday. You may simply say, “Thank you.” If the person wants to learn more, you can explain why you do not celebrate the holiday.
Your marriage mate, who is not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, invites you to have a meal with relatives during a holiday. If your conscience allows you to go, you could explain to your mate beforehand that if pagan customs are part of the meal, you will not participate in them.
Your employer offers you a bonus during the holiday season. Should you reject the bonus? Not necessarily. Does your employer view the bonus as part of the celebration, or does he view it as simply a way to show appreciation for your good work?
Someone gives you a gift during the holiday season. The gift-giver may say: “I know that you don’t celebrate the holiday, but I want you to have this.” Perhaps the person is just being kind. On the other hand, is there reason to think that he is trying to test your faith or involve you in celebrating the holiday? After considering this, it is up to you to decide whether to accept the gift. In all our decisions, we want to have a good conscience and be faithful to Jehovah.
[Quotation] Acts 23:1: Looking intently at the Sanhedrin, Paul said: “Men, brothers, I have behaved before God with a perfectly clear conscience down to this day.” [End Quotation]
6. Infectious Diseases
Because we love people, we are very careful not to transmit infectious diseases to others. This is true whether we are suffering from an infectious disease or have reason to believe that we might be a carrier of one. We act this way because the Bible commands: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”
[Quotation] Romans 13:8 through 10: Do not owe anything to anyone except to love one another; for whoever loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. For the law code, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder, you must not steal, you must not covet,” and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this saying: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore, love is the law’s fulfillment. [End Quotation]
What does obeying this command mean in practical terms? An infected person should not initiate displays of affection, such as hugging or kissing. He should not react negatively if some feel that, for the protection of their family, they cannot invite him into their home. And before getting baptized, he should inform the coordinator of the body of elders of his condition so that arrangements can be made to protect others who are also getting baptized. Before beginning a courtship, someone who may have been exposed to an infectious disease should voluntarily have a blood test. By doing this, you show that you care about others “as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
[Quotation] Philippians 2:4: as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. [End Quotation]
7. Business and Legal Matters
We can prevent many problems by putting all financial agreements in writing—even if the agreement is with another Christian.
[Quotation] Jeremiah 32:9 through 12: So I bought the field in Anathoth from Hanamel the son of my uncle. I weighed out the money to him, seven shekels and ten silver pieces. Then I recorded it in a deed, affixed the seal, called in witnesses, and weighed the money in the scales. I took the deed of purchase, the one that was sealed according to the commandment and legal requirements, as well as the one that was left unsealed, and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah son of Mahseiah in the presence of Hanamel the son of my uncle, the witnesses who wrote in the deed of purchase, and all the Jews who were sitting in the Courtyard of the Guard. [End Quotation]
Still, Christians may sometimes have minor differences with each other about money or other matters. They should be able to settle such differences quickly and peaceably, and in private.
How, though, should we settle serious matters such as fraud or slander? (Read Matthew 18:15 through 17.) Jesus gave us three steps to follow:
1. Try to settle the matter between yourselves.—See verse 15.
2. If that does not work, ask one or two mature ones in the congregation to go with you.—See verse 16.
3. If the matter is still unresolved, only then should you approach the elders.—See verse 17.
[“Read” scripture] Matthew 18:15 through 17: “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17 If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector. [End of “Read” scripture]
In most cases, we should not take our brothers to court because that could reflect badly on Jehovah and on the congregation.
[Quotation] 1 Corinthians 6:1 through 8: Does any one of you who has a dispute with another dare to go to court before unrighteous men, and not before the holy ones? Or do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to try very trivial matters? Do you not know that we will judge angels? Then why not matters of this life? If, then, you do have matters of this life to be tried, is it the men looked down on in the congregation whom you assign as judges? I am speaking to move you to shame. Is there not one wise man among you who is able to judge between his brothers? Instead, brother goes to court against brother, and before unbelievers at that! Really, it is already a defeat for you when you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather let yourselves be wronged? Why do you not rather let yourselves be defrauded? Instead, you wrong and defraud, and your brothers at that! [End Quotation]
However, there are some situations that may need to be settled legally: divorce proceedings, child custody, alimony payments, insurance claims, bankruptcy cases, or probating wills. A Christian who uses the court to settle such matters as peaceably as he can is not violating the Bible’s counsel.
If a serious crime is involved—such as rape, child abuse, assault, major theft, or murder—then a Christian who reports it to the secular authorities does not violate the Bible’s counsel.