Knowledge is power. We were not meant to stumble around, groping for answers, trying to figure out what God wants of us. Jehovah God has told us what we need to know, what is required by us to be his true worshipers, and he has provided us help in understanding what he wants of us.
By way of review:
The 6 features that identify those who practice true religion:
- God's servants base their teachings on the Bible.
- Those who practice the true religion worship only Jehovah and make his name know.
- God's people show genuine, unselfish love for one another.
- True Christians accept Jesus Christ as God's means of salvation.
- True worshipers are no part of the world.
- Jesus' true followers preach that God's Kingdom is mankind's only hope.
What is "Babylon the Great?" |
The Bible shows that all the may forms of false religion are part of "Babylon the Great." (What is "Babylon the Great?") That name calls to mind the ancient city of Babylon, where false religion started up after the Flood of Noah's day. Imagine this, y'all, many teachings and practices now common in false religion ORIGINATED long ago in Babylon.
- For example, the Babylonians worshiped trinities, or triads, of gods.
- Today, the central doctrine of many religions is the Trinity. But the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one true God, Jehovah, and that Jesus Christ is his Son. (John 17:3)
- The Babylonians also believed that humans have an immortal soul that survives the body after death and can suffer in a place of torment.
- Today, belief in the immortal soul or spirit that can suffer in hellfire is taught by most religions.
Since ancient Babylonian worship spread throughout the earth, modern-day Babylon the Great can properly be identified as the world empire of false religion. And why is it urgent to 'get out of her"? Because God has foretold that this empire of false religion will come to a sudden end. Do you see why it is VITAL that you separate yourself from EVERY part of Babylon the Great? Jehovah God wants you, yes you, to 'get out of her' quickly, while there is still time.
Lets read Revelation 18:4 4 And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people,+ if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.+
Here's another sobering thought: Revelation 18:8 - 8 That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire,+ because Jehovah* God, who judged her, is strong.+
By serving Jehovah with his people, you will gain far more than you could ever loose |
Now, as a result of your decision to quit practicing, yeah!, false religion, some may choose to stop association with you. Think, though, of what you will gain by serving Jehovah. By serving Jehovah with his people, you will gain far more than you could ever lose. BONUS!!! Like Jesus' early disciples who left other things to follow him, you will come to have many spiritual brothers and sisters. You will become part of a large worldwide family of millions, and I do mean millions, of true Christians, who show you genuine love. And...and, you will have the wonderful hope of everlasting life "in the coming system of things." (Like, how cool is that! Here, read it for yourself... Mark 10:28-30.)
28 Peter began to say to him: “Look! We have left all things and followed you.”+ 29 Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, no one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news+30 who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions+—and in the coming system of things,* everlasting life.
Perhaps, in time, those who abandoned you because of your beliefs will look into what the Bible teaches and become worshipers of Jehovah. Ya never know! :-)
The future is what I am focusing on. And what does the future hold for those who practice the true religion? The Bible teaches that God will soon bring an end to this wicked system of things and will replace it with a righteous new world under the rulership of his Kingdom. (2 Peter 3:9, 13) What a marvelous world that will be. And in that righteous new system, there will be only ONE religion, ONE true form of worship. Is it not the course of wisdom for you to take the necessary steps to come into association with true worshipers right now? Remember, knowledge is power...
So it’s important for you to take action now and worship God in the right way.
THOSE WHO WORSHIP GOD
- base what they teach on the Bible
- worship only Jehovah and teach others his name
- love one another
- believe that God sent Jesus to save us
- do not get involved in politics
- preach that only God’s Kingdom can solve the world’s problems
SUMMARY
TRUTH 1: HOW TO RECOGNIZE TRUE WORSHIP
“Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.”Matthew 7:14
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How do we know that God does not accept all kinds of worship?
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God does not accept all religions. Not all religions do God’s will.
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True worship leads to eternal life. False religion leads to eternal destruction.
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You can recognize true worship by its works. You do not have to study all religions; just study what the Bible says.
“Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.”Matthew 7:14
—
How do we know that God does not accept all kinds of worship?
-
God does not accept all religions. Not all religions do God’s will.
-
True worship leads to eternal life. False religion leads to eternal destruction.
-
You can recognize true worship by its works. You do not have to study all religions; just study what the Bible says.
TRUTH 2: THE RIGHT WAY TO WORSHIP GOD
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Believe and teach only what is in the Bible.
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Worship Jehovah and use his name.
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Show true love for one another.
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Obey Jesus. God uses Jesus to save us.
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Do not get involved in politics.
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Teach others that God’s Kingdom is the only solution to our problems.
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Believe and teach only what is in the Bible.
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Worship Jehovah and use his name.
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Show true love for one another.
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Obey Jesus. God uses Jesus to save us.
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Do not get involved in politics.
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Teach others that God’s Kingdom is the only solution to our problems.
TRUTH 3: YOU NEED TO ACT ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE
What must you do if you want God to accept your worship?
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It is not enough just to believe in God. You need to do what he says in the Bible.
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False religion, or “Babylon the Great,” teaches people to worship God in a way that he does not accept. False religious teachings include the Trinity, the immortality of the soul, and hellfire.
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Jehovah will soon destroy all false religion. You need to reject anything that has to do with false worship.
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You might have opposition, but Jehovah will not abandon you.
What must you do if you want God to accept your worship?
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It is not enough just to believe in God. You need to do what he says in the Bible.
-
False religion, or “Babylon the Great,” teaches people to worship God in a way that he does not accept. False religious teachings include the Trinity, the immortality of the soul, and hellfire.
-
Jehovah will soon destroy all false religion. You need to reject anything that has to do with false worship.
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You might have opposition, but Jehovah will not abandon you.
What Can the Bible Teach Us?CHAPTER FIFTEENThe Right Way to Worship God |