Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from the King James Version.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). The first part of these words spoken by Jesus, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,” is called the Golden Rule. Another way of saying it is “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” The Golden Rule is a wonderful motto, but one that is followed by very few. However, if every one would live by this, we would need neither jails nor police. True Christians do follow this. Stephen was an example. When he was being stoned, he was praying for his enemies. Christ, as He was dying on the cross, prayed for those who were crucifying Him. When the world turns against God, He sends rain and sunshine along with many other blessings.

Many times we pray to God and ask Him to forgive us, yet we fail to forgive others. We expect Him to forgive us, but according as Christ taught us to pray, we are asking God to not forgive us. If we expect Him to forgive, we must first forgive.

Too many times when someone has mistreated us, we try to get even. We watch for opportunity to mistreat them and then try to excuse ourselves by saying, “They did not speak to me.” Maybe if we would right here put the Golden Rule into practice and speak to them, they would speak back. When Judas came and kissed Christ, thus pointing Him out to the mob, Jesus called him “friend.”

“Be ye therefore perfect” was spoken for us as well as the people in Jesus’ day. It is a hard thing to live up to, and few do. But that will not excuse the rest of us. We cannot answer in the Judgment that our brothers or sisters did not live perfect lives in the flesh. Jesus lived a perfect life, although He was tempted in all points like as we. He left us an example that we should follow in His steps. We must not be satisfied with our life until we can truthfully say we are living as perfect a life as Christ. Maybe we fail to pray enough. Christ prayed often and sometimes spent all night in prayer. Yet we think we have prayed a long time if we spend half an hour in prayer. Prayer is the secret of the child of God’s life. We need to spend more time also in the study of His Word.

From “The Advocate of Truth”. July 26, 2010.

The Church of God - Publishing House - Salem, West Virginia

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from the King James Version.

The Gospels tell us that Jesus was “Pressed” with everyday concerns.

“I will have two orders of chicken, a hamburger, and french fries,” I said to the voice on the phone.

“All right,” the voice responded, “But it will take about half an hour, we are kinda busy now.”

Deciding it was worth the wait, I tried to make good use of the half hour. When I drove up to the drive-in window, I immediately understood why they were so busy. Three large busses were parked in the back. Young men in uniforms were everywhere. It was an invasion of service men moving from one place to another and, they were having a stop-over for a meal. Still the most vivid scene came when I got out of the car. The people working inside were moving at an unbelievable pace. They seemed to be frantic. Suffering was on the face of some of the help.

Is this not an analogy of modem living? Pressure seems to be a principal characteristic of our time. Our jobs, our families, outside activities, and a thousand other responsibilities stand in line, impatiently waiting for us. Apparently we do not dare slow down for a minute. Yet, do we dare keep going as we are?

According to doctors and researchers, stress can produce some very harmful effects, both physical and emotional. The heart and nervous system are particularly vulnerable. There are people occupying hospital beds with all sorts of maladies that stem from their difficulty in handling pressure.

Anxiety-filled people can easily pass on their stress to those around them, says Dr. Robert Amstadter, medical director of the Center for Psychological Growth and Development in Tustin, California.

Stress can have equally devastating effects on young and old alike. Often it brings out the worst in young and older people. One of two things usually happens. They may panic, the youngsters may have irrational fears, which make matters worse, or they may become depressed. Many turn to escape mechanisms that can do more harm than good. Many parents give their children mild forms of tranquillizers and give themselves more powerful ones. All this is dangerous, when youth and adults depend on pills. The most effective way of handling stress is Jesus’ way. Superficially, Jesus’ life may seem irrelevant to our modern-day pressures. After all, is not this a radically different world than what it was two thousand years ago? True, but it would be hard to conceive of anyone facing more pressure than Jesus did.

JESUS POSSESSED AN INNER CALMNESS IN EVERY SITUATION. EVEN WHEN HE WAS CAPTURED BY HIS ENEMIES IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, HE WAS THE CALMEST PERSON THERE.

The Bible describes how the crowds continually “pressed” around Jesus and His disciples (see Luke 8:42). Many of these people had needs. They were desperately wanting Jesus to take care of them. Some had severe physical problems. Others cried out for spiritual help. The enemies of Jesus were continually causing stress in Jesus’ life. They tried to trick Him with loaded questions, false accusations and other devices they could to discredit Him. Ultimately they sought ways to kill Him.

Another group was interested in using Jesus politically. After all, a man who could perform miracles could very easily destroy the yoke of Romanism that held down the children of Israel. Jesus keenly felt the pressure from them to further their aims.

Jesus faced great pressure from spiritual sources. Satan’s temptations were as real to Him as they are to us. Jesus knew that His Father expected Him to be the Lamb of God. He knew that His work here on earth was not an entirely enviable task. It meant sacrifices to give His body as the true sacrifice. His life shows us today how we should act under stress. It helps to know how Jesus handled pressure, just as it helps us to know what He said and how He loved.

One day, in the life of Jesus, He asked the disciples to take Him across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had been speaking to the people from the ship and now He went in to the hinder part of the ship and relaxed and fell asleep. And there arose a “great storm and the waves beat into the ship so that the ship was being filled with water.” Jesus was in the hinder part of the ship “asleep on a pillow.” The disciples had to wake up Jesus. They were in stress and believed they would drown. “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the waves. There was a great calm. And Jesus said to His disciples, “Why are ye so fearful?” Why are the disciples so full of stress? “They feared exceedingly.” In other words they all were full of pressure. They thought they had reached the end of their lives. And Jesus was so calm. He asked the disciples, “how is it that ye have no faith?” (See Mark 4:35-41). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). It is faith that will remove pressure and stress.

One thing that should be learned from the life of Jesus is that He never panicked. In spite of the great demands placed upon Him, He refused to do so. Jesus possessed an inner calmness in every situation. Even when He was captured by His enemies in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was the calmest person there. His disciples were panicky. His captors were unsure of themselves. Even Judas hesitated to kiss Jesus. Think about it. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was never in a hurry. There were so many things Jesus knew that needed to be done, yet he had to accept the limitations of one living in the flesh. He did one thing at a time. There are often several different directions that one should be going. But getting in a hurry can be self defeating, as well. The person who tries to run faster than his legs can carry him will end up falling all over himself.

Just as Jesus refused to panic, He refused the route of escape as a response to His pressure. At the very outset of His ministry, He entered into a head on confrontation with Satan, the tempter. From there, a needy and sinful world was awaiting Him. When He knew He must journey to Jerusalem, which meant almost certain death, He turned toward that city and strode ahead of the disciples (Mark 10:32). Even as He considered the prospect of death, He prayed, “Not my will, but thy will be done.”

Escape is no solution to stress. Inevitably, it causes pressure to increase. This is not to say that a rest cannot be helpful. Jesus took time to rest. There is a certain point, however, when resting turns into escaping. Once our need for rest has been satisfied, responsibilities must be faced once again. Jesus’ practice of getting away to pray was vastly different from an escape. Some common escapes are drugs, alcohol, or just ignoring matters. The trouble with this is that they do not do anything about solving their problems. They are only temporary in their effects. Moreover, if one depends too heavily on them, he becomes helpless in the face of reality.

Prayer on the other hand, leads to renewal. When Jesus prayed, He returned to His responsibilities with new strength and vitality. He prayed and it made Him better prepared to face the pressure or stress. Jesus gave prayer a high priority. Even when He was being pressed upon by the many demands of the people, He took time to pray. His example shows us that the benefits to be gained through prayer adequately compensate for the time spent. There are at least three positive results from prayer that helped Jesus handle stress.

First, prayer gave Jesus confidence. There were times when He had every reason to feel discouraged. Few people really understood Him. Even His own disciples had difficulty in comprehending Jesus’ purpose. How could His mission be fulfilled when so much was working against Him? Prayer renewed His confidence. In His moments alone with His Father, Jesus obtained a surer grasp of who He was. He was the Son of God. We should receive the same assurance. We are children of God also. God was using His Son, Jesus, and He wants to use you, His son and daughter, too. This is His plan and His purpose on earth until His Son returns again.

Second, prayer also furnished Jesus with perspective. It helped Him to “see it as it is.” Trivial things can sometimes appear more important than they really are. Inconsequential matters posed no threat to Jesus’ vision--what really mattered. Communion with God helped Him keep things in proper form.

The third benefit Jesus gained from prayer was healing. Doctors claim the mental strain is harder on us than physical strain. Furthermore, mental strain affects the body. For Jesus, prayer must have been a time of letting go before His Father. The strains and stresses could ease. In God’s healing presence, He found rest and satisfaction.

Jesus’ prayer life was an integral part to His relationship with His Father. Everyone’s prayer life must also be centered on God our heavenly Father. That relationship between you and the Father in Heaven is the key to your ability to handle stress. Because of Christ’s absolute trust in His Father, He was able to live a pressure-filled life without panicking or giving in to depression. This is a must for all of us. Trust in God. We all must have an affirmative response to the will of God. It is thus compounded of belief and trust, with an attitude that we completely rely upon our Father. Jesus could have been overcome--but He overcame. Jesus said that what He did we should do also. “...and this is the victory that overcometh the world...” (I John 5:4).

From “The Advocate of Truth”. November 22, 2010.

The Church of God - Publishing House - Salem, West Virginia

Sauf précision, tous les passages tirés des Saintes Écritures sont extraits de la Version Ostervald révisée édition de 1996. 

« […] car bientôt je dormirai dans la poussière ; et si tu me cherches [le matin], je ne [serai] plus » (Job 7 : 21 version Martin 1744)

« La Résurrection » 

Le Don du Sommeil

(Le Repos au Tombeau) 

« La mort des bien-aimés de l’Éternel est précieuse à ses yeux » (Psaume 116:15).

En Psaume 127:2, nous lisons que celui qui est mort dans le Seigneur est appelé « son bien-aimé ». 

Dieu aime tous les êtres humains. Cependant, Dieu affectionne tout particulièrement ceux qui lui obéissent et qui écoutent Sa voix (telle qu’elle s’exprime au travers de la Bible). Ils sont les enfants de Dieu. Ils occupent une place spéciale dans le cœur de Dieu. Ainsi, ils ressusciteront en un moment spécial prévu pour eux.

 « Heureux et saint celui qui a part à la première résurrection! La seconde mort n’a point de pouvoir sur eux; mais ils seront sacrificateurs de Dieu et de Christ, et régneront avec lui mille ans » (Apocalypse 20:5-6).

Il fut demandé à Jean de continuer à écrire concernant les bénédictions que recevront ceux qui sont endormis en Christ Jésus. 

« Écris : Heureux dès à présent les morts qui meurent dans le Seigneur! Oui, dit l’Esprit, car ils se reposent de leurs travaux, et leurs œuvres les suivent » (Apocalypse 14:13).

Jésus parla aux parents d’une jeune fille qui venait de mourir. Ces parents étaient si désespérés par la mort de cette enfant. Notez bien ce que Jésus leur dit :

« elle dort » (Marc 5:38-39).

L’apôtre Paul nous décrit la mort comme étant un « sommeil » : 

« Or, mes frères, je ne veux point que vous ignoriez ce qui regarde ceux qui DORMENT, afin que vous ne soyez point attristés comme les autres qui n’ont point d'espérance […] ceux qui sont morts en Christ ressusciteront premièrement »  (1 Thessaloniciens 4:13 et 16 version Martin 1744).

Dans ce passage encore nous lisons au sujet du don gracieux de la première résurrection qu’accorde Dieu aux fidèles.

L’État des Morts

La doctrine concernant l’état des morts s’avère très simple lorsque l’on laisse la Bible s’exprimer d’elle-même. Quand l’être humain confond sa propre interprétation avec les clairs enseignements bibliques, alors ce qui était simple devient compliqué. La raison pour laquelle l’être humain interprète de manière différente la doctrine concernant l’état des morts s’explique par le désir de l’homme de ne pas mourir. La Bible déclare pourtant :

« […] il est réservé aux hommes de mourir une fois, et après cela vient le jugement » (Hébreux 9:27).

La croyance la plus populaire concernant l’état des morts est celle qui consiste à penser que l’être humain, ou une certaine partie de l’être humain, survit à la mort et s’en va soit au ciel soit en enfer. Une autre superstition populaire est la croyance en l’existence d’un purgatoire, endroit où certains morts expieraient leurs fautes pour un certain laps de temps. En tant qu’étudiants de la Bible nous devons scruter les Écritures afin de nous assurer de la véracité de ces doctrines.

L’Âme

Une question importante à laquelle nous nous devons de répondre est la suivante : Qu’est-ce que « l’âme » au juste ? Considérons la Création - lorsque Dieu créa Adam de la poussière du sol. Le corps d’Adam était totalement créé et était étendu là, sur le sol, rien ne manquait si ce n’est une seule chose : la vie. Adam était ainsi une ÂME MORTE, car comme il est écrit : 

« Et l’Éternel Dieu forma l’homme de la poussière de la terre, et souffla dans ses narines une respiration de vie; et l’homme devint une ÂME VIVANTE » (Genèse 2:7).

Si l’on se rapporte aux Écritures, la seule chose qui manquait à l’être humain après sa création et qui lui fut donné, ce fut « le souffle de vie ». En recevant ce souffle de vie, l’âme morte devint une âme vivante. Par conséquent, lorsqu’une personne meurt cette personne devient une âme morte parce que le souffle de vie lui a été enlevé.

Dans les Écritures, le terme « âme » peut désigner les sentiments et les pensées de l’être humain. Cela est évident lorsque nous lisons : 

« […] l’âme de Jonathan fut liée à l’âme de David [...] »  (1 Samuel 18:1). 

Ces deux hommes, Jonathan et David, étaient très proches l’un de l’autre, de cœur et d’esprit.

Il n’est nulle part affirmé dans les Écritures que l’âme peut constituer une partie consciente de l’homme, laquelle quitterait le corps après la mort pour aller au ciel et être ainsi avec Dieu. Cette croyance trouve son origine uniquement dans l’imagination humaine. Qu’en est-il de l’âme immortelle dont parlent certaines personnes ? Que devrions-nous en penser ? Lorsque nous scrutons les Écritures, nous ne trouvons aucune mention faite d’une âme immortelle qui existerait à l’intérieur de l’être humain.  L’idée d’une âme immortelle à l’intérieur de l’homme ne trouve aucun support dans la Bible. Les seuls êtres dans toute la création qui possèdent cette immortalité sont notre Père Céleste et Son Fils Jésus Christ, qui reçu l’immortalité du Père.

« Que doit manifester en son temps le bienheureux et seul Souverain, le Roi des rois, et le Seigneur des seigneurs, QUI SEUL POSSÈDE L’IMMORTALITÉ […] »  (1 Timothée 6:15-16).

Le roi David écrit :

« Mais Dieu rachètera mon âme [corps] de la main du Sépulcre, quand il me prendra à lui » (Psaume 49:15). 

David prophétise encore et déclare :

« Car tu n’abandonneras pas mon âme au Sépulcre; tu ne permettras point que ton saint voie la corruption » (Psaume 16:10). 

L'apôtre Pierre écrit au sujet de cette prophétie de David et nous apprend que celle-ci s’applique à la mort et à la résurrection de Jésus (voir Actes 2:27).  Pierre alla jusqu’à déclarer :

« Hommes frères, il est permis de vous dire avec assurance, quant au patriarche David, qu’il est mort, et qu’il a été enseveli, et que son sépulcre est encore aujourd’hui parmi nous […] Prévoyant cela, il dit de la résurrection du Christ, que son âme ne serait point laissée dans l’enfer [sépulcre], et que sa chair ne verrait point la corruption » (Actes 2:29, 31). 

Nous apprenons aussi de ces versets que David n’est pas monté au ciel. Le passage mentionne que seul la chair de Jésus Christ ne vît pas la corruption. Nous apprenons également :

« Or personne n’est monté au ciel, que celui qui est descendu du ciel, savoir, le Fils de l’homme qui est dans le ciel » (Jean 3:13).

Élie et Énoch

« Lorsque l’Éternel enleva Élie aux cieux dans un tourbillon, Élie et Élisée venaient de Guilgal […] Et comme ils continuaient leur chemin et s’entretenaient en marchant, voici, un char de feu, et des chevaux de feu les séparèrent l’un de l’autre. Et Élie monta aux cieux dans un tourbillon » (2 Rois 2 : 1, 11). 

Ces passages des Écritures sont utilisés par ceux qui défendent la doctrine erronée selon laquelle certains se rendent au ciel directement après leur mort. En vérité, Élie fut simplement transporté d’un endroit à un autre. En effet, dix ans après que soit advenu cet évènement, la Bible nous rapporte :

« Alors il lui [au roi Joram] vint un écrit de la part d’Élie, le prophète […] » (2 Chroniques 21:12). 

Si Élie avait été au ciel avec Dieu, il n’aurait pas pu écrire au roi … à moins qu’un service postal n’ait existé entre le ciel et la terre.

Hénoc est un autre Enfant de Dieu qui fut transporté d’un lieu à l’autre. L’apôtre Paul nous a écrit :

« Par la foi, Hénoc fut enlevé pour qu’il ne vît point la mort, et on ne le trouva plus, parce que Dieu l’avait enlevé; car avant qu’il fût enlevé, il avait obtenu le témoignage d'avoir été agréable à Dieu » (Hébreux 11 : 5). 

Le mot traduit ici par « enlevé » signifie plutôt « déplacé » ou « transporté ».  La Bible nous informe en effet :

« Tous ceux-là [incluant Elie et Hénoc] sont morts dans la foi, SANS AVOIR REÇU LES CHOSES PROMISES, mais les ayant vues de loin, crues, et embrassées, et ayant fait profession d’être étrangers et voyageurs sur la terre » (Hébreux 11:13).

Enseigner que ces deux saints fidèles sont avec Dieu au ciel, cela est en contradiction direct avec les Saintes Écritures. Nous lisons en effet : 

« Or personne n’est monté au ciel, que celui qui est descendu du ciel, savoir, le Fils de l’homme qui est dans le ciel » (John 3:13). 

Nous ne pouvons qu’en conclure qu’Élie et Hénoc ont été transportés par Dieu d’un lieu à un autre sur la Terre. Ces deux hommes moururent et sont au tombeau dans l’attente de la résurrection des saints qui prendra place à la seconde venue du Christ.

Dans la Bible, il nous est parlé de trois cieux différents. Le premier ciel est celui dans lequel se déplacent les oiseaux : il s’agit de l’atmosphère.  En Genèse nous lisons :

« Et Dieu dit : Que les eaux foisonnent d’une multitude d’êtres animés, et que des volatiles volent sur la terre, SUR LA FACE DE L’ÉTENDUE DES CIEUX » (Genèse 1:20 version Annotée Neuchâtel)

Le deuxième ciel est celui où se trouvent la lune et les étoiles.

« Quand je regarde tes CIEUX, l’ouvrage de tes doigts, la lune et les étoiles que tu as formées » (Psaume 8:4). 

Le « troisième ciel » nous est mentionné par l’apôtre Paul lorsqu’il écrit :

« Je connais un homme en Christ, qui, il y a plus de quatorze ans, fut ravi jusqu’au TROISIÈME CIEL » (2 Corinthiens 12:2). 

Cet homme ne peut qu’être le Seigneur Jésus puisque que comme Jésus en témoigne Lui-même dans l’Évangile selon Jean :

 « Or personne n’est monté au ciel, que celui qui est descendu du ciel, savoir, le Fils de l’homme qui est dans le ciel » (Jean 3:13)

Nous comprenons ainsi que le ciel vers lequel Élie et Hénoc furent enlevés n’était que le premier ciel, c’est-à-dire l’atmosphère.

Dormir

Lorsqu’une personne meurt, la Bible nous parle d’elle comme si elle dormait. L’apôtre Paul écrit :

« Or, mes frères, je ne veux point que vous ignoriez ce qui regarde ceux qui dorment, afin que vous ne soyez point attristés comme les autres qui n’ont point d'espérance. Car si nous croyons que Jésus est mort, et qu’il est ressuscité ; de même aussi ceux qui dorment en Jésus, Dieu les ramènera avec lui. Car nous vous disons ceci par la parole du Seigneur, que nous qui vivrons et resterons à la venue du Seigneur, ne préviendrons point ceux qui dorment. Car le Seigneur lui-même avec un cri d’exhortation, et une voix d'Archange, et avec la trompette de Dieu descendra du Ciel ; et ceux qui sont morts en Christ ressusciteront premièrement […] C’est pourquoi consolez-vous l’un l’autre par ces paroles » (1 Thessaloniciens 4:13-16, 18 version Martin 1744).

Lorsque Job parle de la race humaine, il déclare :

« Ainsi l’homme se couche, et il ne se relève point. Tant qu’il y aura des cieux, ils ne se réveilleront point, et on ne les fera pas sortir de leur sommeil » (Job 14:12).

Job dit également :

« […] car bientôt je dormirai dans la poussière ; et si tu me cherches [le matin], je ne [serai] plus » (Job 7:21 version Martin 1744)

David déclare :

« Éternel, mon Dieu, regarde, exauce-moi; éclaire mes yeux, de peur que je ne m’endorme du sommeil de la mort » (Psaume 13:4). 

Le Seigneur Dieu dit à Moïse :

« Et l’Éternel dit à Moïse : Voici, tu t’en vas dormir avec tes pères […] » (Deutéronome 31:16 version Martin 1744).

Jésus lui-même parlait de la mort comme d’un sommeil, comme nous le constatons dans le passage suivant :

« Il parla ainsi, et après il leur dit: Lazare notre ami dort; mais je vais l’éveiller. Ses disciples lui dirent: Seigneur, s’il dort, il sera guéri. Or, Jésus avait parlé de la mort de Lazare; mais ils crurent qu’il parlait du repos du sommeil » (Jean 11:11-13).

Chaque jour de leur vie, tous les êtres humains font l’expérience de phases de sommeil. Lorsqu’une personne a bien dormi et qu’elle s’éveille, elle ne se rappelle de rien. L’esprit endormi est dans un état d’inconscience. La personne ne sait pas ce qu’il est advenu durant cette période de sommeil. Elle se réveille reposée, prête à commencer une nouvelle journée. Par cet exemple, nous prenons chaque jour conscience de ce qu’est l’état des morts.

Le Fils de Dieu en son corps charnel expérimenta le sommeil des morts. Jésus déclara qu’il devait reposer « dans le sein de la terre pour trois jours et trois nuits » (Matthieu 12:40). Jésus sut ce que c’était que de mourir et il s’en alla dormir du sommeil des morts, de la même façon que cela doit arriver à tout être humain. Durant ce sommeil de trois jours et trois nuits, le souffle de vie lui fut enlevé et ses pensées périrent. Nous comprenons cela par ce qu’en écrit David, l’auteur des Psaumes :

« Son souffle s’en va, il retourne à sa terre, et en ce jour-là ses desseins périssent » (Psaume 146:4).

« Mais nous voyons couronné de gloire et d’honneur ce Jésus, qui, par la mort qu’il a soufferte, a été fait un peu inférieur aux anges, afin que par la grâce de Dieu il souffrît la mort pour tous » (Hébreux 2:9).

La Résurrection

L’espérance de tous les saints se concrétisera pleinement lors de la résurrection. Chacun des Enfants de Dieu depuis l’époque d’Adam attend le moment de la résurrection. Jésus fut le premier à être ressuscité du tombeau pour la vie éternelle. Dieu a établi un certain ordre pour les résurrections. Nous apprenons en effet qu’il y aura plusieurs résurrections. Paul écrit :

« Mais chacun en son propre rang; Christ est les prémices, ensuite ceux qui sont de Christ, à son avènement » (1 Corinthiens 15:23). 

Si nous poursuivons notre étude par la lecture de l’épître de Paul aux Thessaloniciens, nous lisons :

  « […] les morts qui sont en Christ ressusciteront premièrement » (1 Thessaloniciens 4:16).

Il est important de noter ici que les Écritures affirment que les morts ressusciteront à la seconde venue du Christ, non pas qu’ils descendront du ciel.

En ce qui concerne toute la race humaine, nous apprenons qu’il y aura deux résurrections générales, ainsi que Dieu l’a voulu dans sa toute-puissance. Les premiers à être ressuscités seront les saints de toute époque et toute période de l’histoire. Cette première résurrection aura lieu au Second Avènement de Jésus Christ :

« Car le Seigneur lui-même descendra du ciel, à un signal donné, avec une voix d’archange et au son d’une trompette de Dieu; et les morts qui sont en Christ ressusciteront premièrement; Ensuite, nous les vivants qui serons restés, nous serons enlevés avec eux sur des nuées, à la rencontre du Seigneur, dans les airs, et ainsi nous serons toujours avec le Seigneur » (1 Thessaloniciens 4:16-17).

Il s’agit du même événement dont nous parle Jean lorsqu’il écrit :

« Je regardai encore, et voici, il y avait une nuée blanche, et sur la nuée quelqu’un assis qui ressemblait au Fils de l’homme, ayant sur sa tête une couronne d’or, et en sa main une faux tranchante […] Alors celui qui était assis sur la nuée, jeta sa faux sur la terre, et la terre fut moissonnée » (Apocalypse 14:14, 16). 

Il s’agit ici de la première résurrection générale de l’humanité, lorsque l’être humain sera ressuscité du tombeau pour la vie éternelle.

La seconde résurrection des morts sera celle des hommes mauvais qui vécurent au travers des âges. Tous ceux que Dieu a déclarés mauvais seront alors ressuscités et se tiendront devant Dieu pour le jugement.

« Je vis aussi les morts, grands et petits, qui se tenaient devant Dieu; et les livres furent ouverts. On ouvrit aussi un autre livre, celui qui est le livre de vie. Et les morts furent jugés selon leurs œuvres, d’après ce qui était écrit dans les livres. Et la mer rendit les morts qu’elle contenait; la mort et l’enfer rendirent aussi les morts qui y étaient, et chacun fut jugé selon ses œuvres […] Et quiconque ne fut pas trouvé écrit dans le livre de vie, fut jeté dans l’étang de feu » (Apocalypse 20:12-13, 15).

La résurrection du corps, de laquelle Jésus bénéficia le premier, est une partie importante du témoignage que nous avons en Jésus Christ. Pour ce qui est d’aujourd’hui, les morts sont tous au tombeau. Il s’agit de l’état actuel des morts.

L’avocat spécialisé en matière pénale et de renommée mondiale, Clarence Darrow, organisa un débat avec un rabbin, un prêtre, et un pasteur concernant l’état des morts. Le sujet soulevé lors de ce débat était le suivant : « Si une personne meurt maintenant, devient-elle immortelle ? ».

Le sujet de l’immortalité a préoccupé et préoccupe toujours de nombreuses personnes. Le pasteur, lors du débat, fit montre de beaucoup d’habilité, faisant appel à de fines comparaisons et à des allégories pour défendre la théorie selon laquelle l’être humain posséderait une âme indestructible, non sujette à la mort.

Lorsque M. Darrow se leva pour se prononcer sur le débat, il déclara [traduction] : « Ces gentilshommes n’utilisèrent pas une seule fois leurs Bibles afin de prouver leurs assertions, encore moins ont-ils offert des citations tirés des pages des Écritures ».

Ceux qui supposément prêchent à partir de la Bible n’ont pourtant souvent aucun texte biblique sur lequel basé leurs enseignements. Il est tout à fait normal et honnête d’admettre qu’il y a certaines choses qui sont dans la Bible « difficiles à entendre [dans le sens de comprendre] »  (2 Pierre 3:15-16).  Nous devons cependant nous rappeler qu’il n’y pas de contradictions dans les Écritures et que chaque aspects des doctrines bibliques doivent s’harmoniser. Ce qui suit est un exemple concernant ce que Jésus déclara au larron sur la croix.

Qu’en est-il du Bon Larron?

Jésus n’affirma-t-il pas au bon larron :

« En vérité, je te le dis, aujourd’hui tu seras avec moi dans le paradis » (Luc 23:43 version Annotée Neuchâtel). 

Jésus mourut en ce jour même. Pour ce qui s’agit du larron, il n’est pas mort au même instant puisque les soldats durent lui casser les deux jambes afin qu’il n’échappe pas à la mort à laquelle il était condamner au calvaire (Jean 19:31-36). Il est également important de remarquer que Jésus ne s’est pas rendu au Paradis le jour même de sa mort. Le Paradis est cet endroit où se trouve la ville, la Jérusalem céleste. Jésus dit à Marie de Magdala, alors qu’il était sorti du tombeau suite à sa résurrection :

« Ne me touche point, car JE NE SUIS PAS ENCORE MONTÉ VERS MON PÈRE » (Jean 20:17). 

Que voulait donc dire Jésus par cette promesse qu’il fît au bon larron ?

Jésus affirmait simplement ceci : « Tu me demande de me rappeler de toi dans mon royaume.  Je te le dis aujourd'hui (en cette heure sombre), tu seras avec moi au paradis ». La virgule dans ce verset devrait être placée après le mot « aujourd’hui », non avant. Lorsque l’apôtre Luc écrivit son évangile la ponctuation n’existait pas encore dans les écrits grecs. Cette ponctuation dans le texte biblique est un choix qui fut fait plus tard par les traducteurs modernes de la Bible. Les prêcheurs contemporains voudrait croire et nous faire croire que l’âme humaine s’en va au ciel à sa mort. Dans le cas de ce verset bien précis, la virgule n’est définitivement pas à la place qui devrait être la sienne.

Que voulait donc dire Jésus lorsqu’il déclara à Marthe, la sœur de Lazare, que celui qui croirait en lui ne mourrait jamais ? Assurément, les paroles de Jésus semblent constituer une preuve irréfutable en faveur de l’immortalité de l'âme.

Une lecture complète du texte biblique relatant la discussion qu’eut Jésus avec Marie et Marthe permet de clarifier le propos de Jésus :

« Jésus lui dit: Je suis la résurrection et la vie; celui qui croit en moi [en la résurrection] vivra, quand même il serait mort. Et quiconque vit et croit en moi, ne mourra jamais. Crois-tu cela ? » (Jean 11:25-26).

Les hommes justes et les injustes seront ressuscités. En Jean 5:24-29, nous en lisons un peu plus sur ce que Jésus nous enseigne à ce sujet : 

« En vérité, en vérité je vous le dis, le temps vient, et il est déjà venu, que les morts entendront la voix du Fils de Dieu, et que ceux qui l’auront entendue vivront. Car, comme le Père a la vie en lui-même, il a aussi donné au Fils d’avoir la vie en lui-même. Et il lui a donné le pouvoir d’exercer le jugement, parce qu’il est le Fils de l’homme. Ne soyez pas surpris de cela; car l’heure vient que tous ceux qui sont dans les sépulcres entendront sa voix, Et sortiront: savoir, ceux qui auront bien fait, en résurrection de vie; et ceux qui auront mal fait, en résurrection de condamnation »

L’être humain demanda :

« […] que dois-je faire de bien pour avoir la vie éternelle ? »

Jésus répondit :

« […] si tu veux entrer dans la vie, garde les commandements »

(Matthieu 19:16-19)

The Church of God - Publishing House - Salem, West Virginia

Sauf précision, tous les passages tirés des Saintes Écritures sont extraits de la Version Ostervald révisée édition de 1996.

1. « Tu n’auras point d'autres dieux devant ma face » (Exode 20 : 3).

« car il est écrit: Tu adoreras le Seigneur ton Dieu, et tu le serviras lui seul » (Luc 4 : 8).

2. « Tu ne te feras point d'image taillée, ni aucune ressemblance des choses qui sont là-haut dans les cieux, ni ici-bas sur la terre, ni dans les eaux sous la terre » (Exode 20 : 4).

« Dieu est esprit, et il faut que ceux qui l’adorent, l’adorent en esprit et en vérité » (John 4 : 24).

3. « Tu ne prendras point le nom de l’Éternel ton Dieu en vain » (Exode 20 : 7).

« Mais moi je vous dis: Ne jurez point du tout, ni par le ciel, car c’est le trône de Dieu; Ni par la terre, car c’est le marchepied de ses pieds […] Mais que votre parole soit: Oui, oui, Non, non; ce qu’on dit de plus, vient du Malin » (Matthieu 5 : 34-35, 37).

4. « Souviens-toi du jour du repos pour le sanctifier » (Exode 20 : 8).

« Puis il leur dit: Le sabbat a été fait pour l’homme, non pas l’homme pour le sabbat. Ainsi le Fils de l’homme est maître même du sabbat » (Marc 2 : 27-28).

5. « Honore ton père et ta mère » (Exode 20 : 12).

« Car Dieu a donné ce commandement: Honore ton père et ta mère; et: Que celui qui maudira son père ou sa mère soit puni de mort » (Matthieu 15 : 4).

6. « Tu ne tueras point » (Exode 20 : 13).

« Mais moi je vous dis: Aimez vos ennemis, bénissez ceux qui vous maudissent; faites du bien à ceux qui vous haïssent, et priez pour ceux qui vous outragent et qui vous persécutent; Afin que vous soyez des enfants de votre Père qui est dans les cieux » (Matthieu 5 : 44-45).

7. « Tu ne commettras point adultère » (Exode 20 : 14).

« Mais moi je vous dis que quiconque regarde une femme pour la convoiter, a déjà commis un adultère avec elle dans son cœur » (Matthieu 5 : 28).

8. « Tu ne déroberas point » (Exode 20 :15).

« Car du dedans, c'est-à-dire, du cœur des hommes, sortent les mauvaises pensées […] les larcins […] Tous ces vices sortent du dedans et souillent l’homme » (Mark 7 : 21-23).

9. « Tu ne diras point de faux témoignage contre ton prochain » (Exode 20 : 16).
 

« L’homme de bien tire de bonnes choses du bon trésor de son cœur » (Luke 6 : 45).

« Car tu seras justifié par tes paroles, et par tes paroles tu seras condamné » (Matthieu 12 : 37).

10. « Tu ne convoiteras point » (Exode 20 : 17).

« Gardez-vous avec soin de l’avarice; car quoique les biens abondent à quelqu’un, il n’a pas la vie par ses biens » (Luc 12 : 15).

“I alone am left; and they seek to take my life”

 – 1 Kings 19:14.

     How often are God’s people under pressure to follow the crowd? How often do God’s people feel alone in the world who tries its utmost at getting everyone to change and sway at every different dogma, belief or scientific theory? (Proverbs 4:27) Many times, everyone at some time will feel the urge to do the age old saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Many will do exactly as the Romans do when they know that they would never be able to do the same things in their home countries or in their own family. Democracy is an idea where the “majority rules” seems to hear to the “best” interests of all citizens. Nonetheless, how can one ensure the protection of minority citizens who do not have the “crowds” of people to ensure that their rights are also heard? In the West, the rights of minority groups are thankfully heard to prevent vigilante justice. Christians interested in promoting the truth of the real gospel have much for which to be thankful. Although Christians in Western countries can peacefully worship, many turn to what secular society has to offer: unlimited pleasure, an answer to all covetness and the idea that humanity as a whole can do all things without God because humans are evolving in a more “noble” people. This utopian idea still creeps into the human consciousness even today. Aldous Huxley after writing the novel Brave New World in 1932 believed like most utopians of his day that mankind would evolve into more “noble creatures.” However, one does not need to say that Nazi Germany came shortly afterwards to prove to the world how brutal humans were and still are. Can man be trusted to not again utterly brutalize another people? The Bible says that man cannot be trusted and one should never put their full faith in man:

“Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?”

 – Isaiah 2:22(NIV).

“Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help”

 – Psalms 146:3.

Essentially, every professing Christian who truly believes in the word of God as a faithful guide to ones footstep in life will be faced with the daunting task: “I alone am left” and must stand against the thousand.

     To begin, the Bible’s words do not mean that one can never trust in man, but one’s trust must first and foremost be with God. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” – Proverbs 3:5-6. If one places their first trust in God, one may not be as hurt or deceived by others who willing or unwilling do harm to oneself or others. One must be fully grounded in their faith in the one true God of the Bible in order to not be changed or tempted to change from one’s solid beliefs. If one’s faith and conviction does not come from the Bible, everyone will be submitted to a form of temptation (willing known or unwillingly known) that will cause any person to not follow entirely their once cherished beliefs. The deception allows one to slowly lie to themselves deceiving themselves and others. Nonetheless, the desire to satisfy the crowd is strong. One only needs to look at Mark 15:15 where Pilate released Barabbas a criminal to “satisfy the crowd.”  Isaiah describes how humans (particularly religious leaders) are more concerned with looking after themselves: “They (Israel’s Watchmen) are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain” – Isaiah 56:11. It seems as if all that is needed is one who would turn many away from “the faith that was once delivered to the saints” – Jude 3. Everyone must always be on guard for even in Paul’s day the “mystery of lawlessness” was already at work – 2 Thessalonians 2:7. One must not forget that rebellion must come first and that the “son of destruction is one who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” – 2 Thessalonians 2:6. Lucifer wants to be worshipped and he prefers anything that directs one’s attention away from Yahweh because only the true word of God can truly protect oneself from the trials of life.

     Nonetheless, how can one ignore how the lack of knowledge destroys? (Hosea 4:6) It can only lead to destruction and yet the bible wisely talks of how humans love to turn to their own ways (Isaiah 56:11). The bible describes well what has happened and will happen when humans ignore the words of the Bible. It is true that when humans have no guidance and choose rather to listen to leaders instead of what the words of  the Bible say,“everyone (does) did what was right in his own eyes”- Judges 17:6.  Is it good that everyone does as they “feel” to be right? Where are the limits? The truth is that there are no limits when man does what he feels to be right. The times of Judges was a terrible time and the Bible truly tells the truth as to how horrible people had become. Even today, as Paul had foretold: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers” – 2 Timothy 4:3. How many churches and doctrines exist? Far too many, yet many prefer to hear a good word and not the truth and that is truly how many people prefer to remain: in ignorance. Man can never fully trust in himself to choose the right decision without God’s guidance in all things. It says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” – Proverbs 16:25. Paul also says: “…we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” – 2 Corinthians 1:9.

    How tempting it is to follow along with the crowd! A careful reading of the bible will say that God does not want His believers to follow the crowd. It says: “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice” – Exodus 23:2. Many assume in the Christian community that if there are more people following one way, it must right. But, remember God is not saying that believers should follow the crowd. The wisdom of the crowd mentality is exactly as Exodus says: that following the crowd will in fact pervert justice. God is a just God and He does not like the injustices in the world. It is easy to see why so many prefer to follow the crowd rather than follow the few who stand for justice. One reason why so many follow the “pack” is the fact that there is a sentiment of “safety” in numbers. The pack mentality offers security that is not always so easy to obtain when one is alone. They can offer food, clothing and a place to live. And yet, it is easy to see the pack mentality within Nazi Germany and its treatment of the Jewish people; justice had obviously been perverted. Nonetheless, following the crowd is easy and everyone is guilty of following the majority to some degree. Believers must look to Jesus’ words for answers as to whether one should follow the crowd:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it”

 – Matthew 7:13.

 Jesus obviously says that the path that leads to life is a path that is very difficult. Jesus also says that many will take the broad path because it appears to be easy to follow. There are many examples of broad paths that lead to destruction. There may be people who belong to gangs who offer some form of easy escape from poverty and misery. The fact remains nonetheless that the average life expectancy of a male gang member is 19 to 20 years of age.[1] It is obvious that this path can lead one to destruction. And yet, can churches and leaders of the flock also lead its members down the path of destruction? There are many churches that profess to have the truth, but many churches prefer not mention the fact that they keep many unchristian symbols, holidays and doctrines that are not biblical founded. The fool that says in his heart: “There is no God” – Psalms 53:1 shows how “foolish” those who believe in the God of the Bible to be when believers continue to keep unbiblical rites. It makes a mockery of God. There are even some churches that say that the Bible is only a big book of stories and no one needs to worry about anything.[2] God in the book of Ezekiel denounces false prophets (or teachers and leaders) who choose to say “Peace, peace” when there is in fact no peace:

Thus says Yahweh GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts… They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh!’ But Yahweh has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘Yahweh says,’ but I have not spoken.” Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD. “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies…they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace…

 - Ezekiel 13:3-10 (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11)

One may say that gang membership and pagan idolatry in a church is nothing comparable. It is true that if someone chooses to worship a “statue” as “God” they are hurting no one other than themselves. Nonetheless, the worship of statues will hurt the children of idolaters because the children will be faced with the fact that their parents worship idols but that the words of God say to not worship idols. In fact, destruction is not always immediate and one could say that of Adam and Eve who when eating of the Tree of Knowledge did not in fact “die” right away, but many years later. Anyhow, Jesus said the path to life is a narrow path and few find it. Jesus also said:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

 - Matthew 7:21-23.

The fact then remains that not everyone will enter the Kingdom of Heaven just because they happen to use the name of Jesus to do many things but have only added to the amount of lawlessness practiced in the world. The world is not something that believers should follow: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” – 1 John 2:15-17. Essentially, the world is the majority who will try to seduce many believers into denying God through entire or partial denial of God’s commandments and truths. It is a mighty act to stand against the thousand, but “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action” – Daniel 11:32. (ESV)

     There are many examples for believers to find encouragement in the Bible of those who chose to love their God will all of their hearts by clinging to His word. The prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 18 makes an extraordinary stand where he was in fact the only true prophet of Yahweh. Many were not following the one true God of Israel: imagine the pressure Elijah must have been feeling when he realized that he was alone standing against many who despised Yahweh’s truth. Elijah faced 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (not including the people of Israel) (1 Kings 18:19). Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to call upon their gods to burn up a bull sacrifice. Vainly, the prophets of Baal called upon their gods for an entire day pleading upon Baal to create a fire to burn up the bull. When Baal still did not answer, the false prophets started cutting themselves with knives in order for the blood to gush out from themselves and still, nothing happened. Elijah prepared the bull properly and asked for four pots of water to be poured on the bull and the firewood not just once but three times. Elijah prayed to Yahweh and immediately a fire ignited and consumed the burnt bull sacrifice. When the people saw this, they were obviously afraid and fell to the ground proclaiming: “Yahweh, He is God! Yahweh, He is God!” – 1 Kings 18:39. Although Elijah made a courageous stand against the prophets of Baal, he proceeded later on in 1 Kings 19 to run and hide because he was afraid that someone would try to kill him. One would think that after such an evident example of God’s power portrayed that Elijah would be thoroughly convinced. Nonetheless, God comforted Elijah when Elijah heard God’s still small voice at the cave:

“And behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake;  and after the earthquake a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice”

 – 1 Kings 19:11-12.

All believers can be encouraged knowing that even great men like Elijah feared for their lives but still took a courageous stand to not follow after other gods like everyone else.

     Another example of a man who stood up against the peer pressure to be like everyone else is Daniel. Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were called into the service of Nebuchadnezzar. These men refused to eat of the king’s delicacies:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself”

   – Daniel 1:8 (KJV).

These men chose not to eat the king’s food for various reasons that are not told. One can assume more than likely that the food was forbidden food based on Leviticus 11. It was also probably an “orgy-like” party which could possibly lead one to defiling oneself immorally and possibly saying something against Yahweh. The chief of the eunuchs did not want to do what Daniel and his friends were suggesting, nonetheless, the chief accepted. Daniel and his friends ate only vegetables and water for ten days to show that they were in fact appeared better and fatter than any of the other young men who ate of the king’s delicacies (Daniel 1:15). The fact of the matter is, that there were many young men called into the king’s service and many of these young men must have been also from Judah. Only four men chose not to eat of the king’s food. What an incredible stand! The peer pressure must have been strong and yet, Daniel and his friends chose to follow Yahweh and to not back down on Yahweh’s commandments.

     There are many other examples of God’s people standing up against many. There is Esther, a quiet woman, who stood up for her people when they were about to be exterminated (Esther 4:14). There is Nehemiah who stood up for the keeping of the Sabbath when everyone else defiled the Sabbath Day (Nehemiah 13:17). There is also, most importantly, Jesus who stood up against the religious authorities condemning them for their hypocrisy and transgressing the commandments because of their tradition (Matthew 15:3). One can never say that Jesus did not face temptation or say that Jesus did not have anxieties. Jesus did in fact face temptation (Hebrews 4:15) and Jesus prayed so hard that his sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Jesus was a man who did indeed have anxieties and he gave us such a wonderful example of someone who went to God to be strengthened and comforted. It is very difficult in this world to be tempted to do as others do. Good examples are getting involved in pagan holidays and passing them off as Christian like Christmas and Easter. Each time anyone gets involved in these holidays, one denies God and the value of His wisdom. Anyone who wishes to keep all ten of God’s Commandments and not only nine will face resistance at some level from friends and family who may not have yet realized the whole truth of God’s Word. Those closest to us will try to pull even the most stubborn person away from God’s Word unless one is strong and truly understands what God has done for them. It is very easy to fall into the traditions of our fathers that lead away from God rather than towards God.

     As the salt and light of the world, we will face difficult times especially when it requires us to stand against the thousands who do not care to keep God’s commandments. How many times have we felt like we were alone? We have probably felt alone more than we would care for, but we have hope knowing that God is always there for us even in the valley of the shadow of death:

“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go”

 – Joshua 1:9.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you”

 – Isaiah 43:2.

There are many leaders wishing to teach us the truth, but our ultimate example is Christ. Paul said: “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me” – 1 Corinthians 4:15-16. Even during Paul’s day, Paul was constantly fighting those who would wish to led astray many. It was not easy for Paul either. We have to remember that we will be persecuted in some way, as Jesus said:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

 – John 15:18-21

Therefore, it should not come as a surprise when we face peer pressure to change our morals to suit the crowd. If we believe that Jesus is our King and Messiah, we will be persecuted either mentally, physically or psychologically to follow the crowd. The pull of the crowd is strong but Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. The path Jesus laid for us toward the Father is the only way that will truly give us peace. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” – John 14: 27-28. The fact is that we will never have true peace from the world and all that the world has to offer. The world will fail us somewhere and to whom can we turn other than God. Through Jesus, Yahweh has made his light shine to the world to be as a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49). If we place our trust in the world, we will have problems. If we place our trust in Yahweh and his Son Jesus, we will truly have peace: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”- John 16:33. Even though our enemies may be all around us, God is near to us and will give us the strength to proclaim Yahweh to the ends of the earth (Psalms 91:7).

“I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
           Who have set themselves against me all around” – Psalms 3:6.

All quotes are taken from the NKJV bible unless otherwise stated.

Bibliography: Sources of inspiration

Aust, Jerold. “Rise Above Peer Pressure.”

          http://www.vcmagazine.org/article.aspx?volume=6&issue=7&article=peerpressure.

     2004.

Kjos, Berit. “How to Resist the Pull of the Crowd.”

     http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/05/crowds-2.htm.  March 2005.

Kushner, Harold S. When Bad Things Happen to Good People. New York: Anchor

     Books, 1981.

Gang Violence in America. “Classroom Guide.”

     http://www.aetv.com/class/admin/study_guide/archives/aetv_guide.0075.html. 2007.

The Fight Against Gangs in America. “Educational Guide.”

     http://www.hopefs.org/Behavior/thefightagainstgangs.html. 2010.

United Church of Canada. “Overall Beliefs.”

     http://www.united-church.ca/beliefs/overview. March 2006.

Yahweh. The Holy Bible. Creation: “For a thousand years in Your sight Are like

     yesterday when it is past.” Psalms 90:4.