PART 8
The Bible not only gives the true story of what happened in the past but also tells what will happen in the future. Humans cannot tell the future. That is why we know that the Bible is from God. What does the Bible say about the future?
It tells about a great war of God. In this war God will clean the earth of all badness and bad people, but he will protect those who serve him. God’s king, Jesus Christ, will see to it that God’s servants enjoy peace and happiness, and that they will never get sick again or die.
We can be glad that God will make a new paradise on earth, can’t we? But we must do something if we are to live in this paradise. In the last story of the book we learn what we must do to enjoy the wonderful things God has in store for those who serve him. So read PART 8 and find out what the Bible foretells for the future.
STORY 114
STORY 114
The End of All Badness
WHAT do you see here? Yes, an army on white horses. But notice where they are coming from. The horses are galloping down from heaven on the clouds! Are there really horses in heaven?
No, these are not real horses. We know this because horses can’t run on the clouds, can they? But the Bible does speak about horses in heaven. Do you know why it does?
It is because once horses were used a lot in fighting wars. So the Bible tells of persons riding horses down from heaven to show that God has a war to fight with people on earth. Do you know what the place of this war is called? Armageddon. That war is to destroy all badness on earth.
Jesus is the One who will take the lead in fighting this war at Armageddon. Remember, Jesus is the one Jehovah chose to be king of His government. That is why Jesus wears a king’s headpiece. And the sword shows that he will kill all of God’s enemies. Should we be surprised that God would destroy all bad people?
Look back to Story 10. What do you see there? Yes, the great Flood that destroyed bad people. Who caused that Flood? Jehovah God. Now look at Story 15. What’s happening there? Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah are being destroyed by fire that Jehovah sent.
Turn to Story 33. See what’s happening to the horses and war chariots of the Egyptians. Who caused the water to come crashing down on them? Jehovah. He did it to protect his people. Look at Story 76. You will see there that Jehovah even let his people, the Israelites, be destroyed because of their badness.
So, then, we should not be surprised that Jehovah will send his heavenly armies to put an end to all badness on earth. But just think what that will mean! Turn the page and let’s see.
STORY 115
A New Paradise on Earth
LOOK at those tall trees, pretty flowers and high mountains. Isn’t it beautiful here? See how the deer is eating out of the little boy’s hand. And look at the lions and the horses standing over there in the meadow. Wouldn’t you like to live in a house in a place like this?
God wants you to live forever on earth in a paradise. And he doesn’t want you to have any of the aches and pains that people suffer today. This is the Bible’s promise to those who will live in the new paradise: ‘God will be with them. There will be no more death or crying or pain. The old things have passed away.’
Jesus will see to it that this wonderful change takes place. Do you know when? Yes, after he cleans the earth of all badness and bad people. Remember, when Jesus was on earth he healed people of all kinds of sicknesses, and he even raised people from the dead. Jesus did this to show what he would do all over the earth when he became King of God’s kingdom.
Just think how wonderful it will be in the new paradise on earth! Jesus, along with some of those whom he chooses, will be ruling in heaven. These rulers will take care of everyone on earth and see that they are happy. Let’s see what we need to do to make sure that God will give us everlasting life in his new paradise.
STORY 116
How We Can Live Forever
CAN you tell what the little girl and her friends are reading? Yes, it is this very book that you are reading—My Book of Bible Stories. And they are reading the very story that you are—“How We Can Live Forever.”
Do you know what they are learning? First, that we need to know about Jehovah and his Son Jesus if we are to live forever. The Bible says: ‘This is the way to live forever. Learn about the only true God, and the Son he sent to earth, Jesus Christ.’
How can we learn about Jehovah God and his Son Jesus? One way is by reading My Book of Bible Stories from beginning to end. It tells a lot about Jehovah and Jesus, doesn’t it? And it tells a lot about the things that they have done and the things that they will yet do. But we need to do more than just read this book.
Do you see the other book lying on the floor? It’s the Bible. Have someone read to you the parts from the Bible on which the stories of this book are based. The Bible gives us the full information we need so that we can all serve Jehovah in the right way and get everlasting life. So we should make it a habit to study the Bible often.
But just learning about Jehovah God and Jesus Christ is not enough. We could have lots and lots of knowledge about them and their teachings, and yet not gain everlasting life. Do you know what else is needed?
We also need to live in harmony with the things we learn. Do you remember Judas Is·carʹi·ot? He was one of the 12 that Jesus chose to be his apostles. Judas had a lot of knowledge about Jehovah and Jesus. But what happened to him? After a while he became selfish, and he betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver. So Judas will not receive everlasting life.
Do you remember Ge·haʹzi, the man we learned about in Story 69? He wanted to have some clothes and money that did not belong to him. So he told a lie to get these things. But Jehovah punished him. And he will punish us too if we do not obey his laws.
But there are many good people who always served Jehovah faithfully. We want to be like them, don’t we? Little Samuel is a good example to follow. Remember, as we saw in Story 55, he was only four or five years old when he started serving Jehovah at his tabernacle. So no matter how young you are, you are not too young to serve Jehovah.
Of course, the person we all want to follow is Jesus Christ. Even when he was a boy, as shown in Story 87, he was there in the temple talking to others about his heavenly Father. Let’s follow his example. Let’s tell as many people as we can about our wonderful God Jehovah and his Son, Jesus Christ. If we do these things, then we will be able to live forever in God’s new paradise on earth.
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