Page 11: Cemeteries from the First Temple period, that is, before the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E., have been another source of information.
Page 11: The Bible tells of Jerusalem's destruction in 607 B.C.E. in 2 Kings chapter 25, 2 Chronicles chapter 36, and Jeremiah chapter 39, reporting that Nebuchadnezzar's army put the city to the torch.
Page 11: Thus, the Bible's picture of Jerusalem from David's time down to its destruction in 607 B.C.E. has in many ways been verified by archaeological excavations made during the past 25 years.
Correction: Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC.
In 588 BC Zedekiah led a revolt against Chaldea, and two years later Nebuchadnezzars' army destroyed Judah and razed Jerusalem. Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 57.
Note: One of the "Aid to Bible Understanding" authors could not find support for 607 BC.
As I discussed in a previous chapter, the research I had to do in connection with the book "Aid to Bible Understanding" brought home to me that the Society's date of 607 BCE for Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon was contradicted by all known historical evidence. Still, I continued to put trust in that date in spite of the evidence, feeling that it had Scriptural backing. Without 607 BCE the crucial date of 1914 would be placed in question. I took the view that the historical evidence was likely defective and argued that way in the Aid book. Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz, page 140.
Page 12: No wonder that some people were shocked when they heard Jesus say: "Break down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." They thought he meant the huge temple building, although he meant "the temple of his body."
Note: So who resurrected the body of Jesus.
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), (the Father)
John 10:17-18 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." (the Son)
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (the Holy Spirit)
Page 23: Please note this reference to Isaiah 32:17, 18. There we read: "The work of the true righteousness must become peace; and the service of the true righteousness, quietness and security to time indefinite. And my people must dwell in a peaceful abiding place and in residences of full confidence and in undisturbed resting-places." A Christian home should be a resting-place of righteousness, quietness, security, and godly peace.
Correction: This prophecy is talking about the final habitation of true Christians.
John 14:1-4 " Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Page 23: Every family on earth owes its name to Jehovah God, the Creator of families. (Ephesians 3:14, 15) So those desiring family happiness should seek his guidance and praise him, as did the psalmist: "Ascribe to Jehovah, O you families of the peoples, ascribe to Jehovah glory and strength." (Psalm 96:7)
Note: Don't forget Jesus!
John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Revelation 5:11-12 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
Page 24: Another essential principle can be stated in this way: Recognition of headship will help us to pursue godly peace in our families. Paul wrote: "I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) This means that a man takes the lead in the family, that his wife is loyally supportive, and that the children are obedient. (Ephesians 5:22-25, 28-33; 6:1-4) Such conduct will promote godly peace in family life.
Correction: The Watchtower again has avoided Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Page 25: The foregoing principles and others drawn from the Bible are outlined in publications that Jehovah has kindly provided through "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) For example, such information is found in the 192-page book The Secret of Family Happiness, released at "Messengers of Godly Peace" District Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses held around the world in 1996/97.
Note: A better "faithful and discreet slave" would be Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051. Their telephone number is (719) 531-5181.
Page 25: Jehovah has wonderful things in store for families doing his will, and he deserves our praise and service. (Revelation 21:1-4) May your family therefore center its life on the worship of the true God.
Note: The will of the Father is for everyone to look to the Son.
John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Backcover: Christians also find refreshment in fulfilling their responsibility of preaching the "good news" of God's Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) This brings real joy and satisfaction! We should be thankful that we can "slave for the Master, Christ"!
Note: The "good news" is Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,