What Is A Jubilee? | Articles | Bible Reflections What Is A Jubilee? This article talks about mercy , finance , debt , jubilee . Psalms 119.32 , Luke 4.18 - 19, Matthew 5.7 , James 1.17 , Psalms 12.5 , Leviticus 25.11 , Leviticus 25.1 - 54 Share 2 Rate The Jubilee. Not to be confused with 'Jamboree,' where one would be met with hundreds of scouts. That much is obvious; but what does the word 'Jubilee' actually mean? In 2012 we celebrated the Queen of England and her sixty years on the throne, marking a special anniversary and praising her dedication, service and counsel. But another dimension could be added by looking to the origins of a Jubilee. Biblically, it is a year of emancipation and restoration. In the book of Leviticus, the Lord declares that a year of Jubilee be held every 50th year and that it be a special year of pardoning of sins.

Slaves were to be freed, debts forgiven, and land returned to its original owner ( Leviticus 25 ). In addition, Israelites were not allowed to 'sow, or reap and store â¦ or gather the grapes of the uncultivated vines' for it was to be a holy year when the land rested too ( Leviticus 25:11 ). This all sounds rather radical. Would we be willing to wipe out debt others owed us â¦ even if we're short on cash? Why did God instigate the Jubilee? The character of God displayed Firstly, a Jubilee shows us more of the character of God. His mercy, generosity, and justice are displayed. The bible is replete with verses showing God's passion to defend those in poverty ' "Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, now I will arise," says the Lord' ( Psalm 12:5 ). The Jubilee's requirements to cancel debts which weigh heavily upon people show His heart for setting the oppressed free. Reminded that God is our Provider Secondly, as well as getting to know more of God's character, we are reminded of His and our place in the world.

By not sowing or reaping, we are reminded that God is our Creator and Provider. We can trust Him completely for nourishment and recognise that all 'good' things come 'from above' ( James 1:17 ). This is especially significant in light of our consumer society in which we can easily pop to the supermarket for nourishment when we're hungry. We don't often think about where the food comes from and it can blind us to the fact that God provided the sunshine for the wheat to grow, the fruit to ripen, and so on. A chance to show love and grace Thirdly, the Jubilee gives people the opportunity to display love and grace in a remarkable way. Being released from a crippling debt can demonstrate love to a person in a way they might not have encountered before; this can in turn point them towards Jesus and the radical grace and mercy He showed on the cross. It also gives the pardoner a chance to be spiritually prosperous, as Jesus explains when he says, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy' ( Matthew 5:7 ). From bondage to freedom Fourthly, it actually does what it says on the tin.

In a radical display of justice, people are set free from entrapping debt to start again on an equal footing. Those in bondage, who might be hidden today but are numerous, are set free from their dark environment. Jesus gave a Jubilee message in the Temple when he proclaimed the 'year of the Lord's favour,' stating that He'd come to 'set the oppressed free' ( Luke 4:18-19 ). Consequently, a Jubilee is a particularly fitting time to be rejoicing - to remember our God-given, eternal freedom and celebrate it. In rest we find freedom. We rest from striving to pay off unjust debts, rest from struggling to provide, rest from oppression. We rest and so find time to rejoice universally. So how can we put into practice some of these biblical themes? Perhaps we could remember how the Queen has defended the nation, including the poor. We could remember that all good gifts are God-given, including the advantages of having a monarch. We can join in Jesus' mission to 'set the oppressed free' by befriending a struggling neighbour. And we can think of ways we could show mercy to others, whether in practical or emotional ways - such as showing forgiveness.

This final theme of being merciful was taken up by an international coalition in the year 2000: The purpose of Jubilee 2000 was to cancel $90 billion of debt for poorer countries. The economic situation in Greece in 2011/2012 caused many to ask for a cancellation of the country's debt, including the Jubilee Debt Campaign (the new name of the original movement). This is a controversial issue, yet debt cancellation allows countries to direct money towards vital needs such as healthcare and education. Supporters of the Jubilee 2000 movement such as Jonathan Glennie believe it has saved and improved 'millions of lives' because of its re-direction of money ( Jubilee Debt Campaign ) In terms of releasing the oppressed from other kinds of bondage, movements such as ' Stop The Traffik ' unite individuals and organisations working to fight against human trafficking. There are many more - please feel free to suggest some movements or charities below.

Ultimately, a Jubilee is a chance for us to rejoice - not only in the Queen - but in the freedom we have from debts we owed our Creator - we can join with the psalmist in saying 'you have set my heart free!' ( Psalm 119:32 ) -Do you agree that releasing countries from debt is a positive way to show mercy? -How else do you think we can demonstrate the heart of the biblical Jubilee? The Year of Jubilee - Gracethrufaith The Year of Jubilee Israel An incredible law of God that is never kept. Last week I made passing reference to the Lord’s “Jubilee Year.” I indicated it was part of His antidote for human greed. It’s an unfamiliar concept for many but some believe that if Israel were keeping the covenant, this New Year (5760) begun just 2 weeks ago would be a Jubilee Year. Therefore it warrants further study. The Jubilee Year is explained in Leviticus 25. Like the other Sabbaths (holy days) described there, it is a day set apart for both historical and prophetic fulfillment.

Its exact timing is subject to controversy, due to confusion as how the years between Jubilees are reckoned. Most believe that Jubilee years can no longer be calculated. To over simplify, every 50th year was a Jubilee year, and to commemorate that year the Israelites were to do three things. Give it Back First, recognizing that the land was really the Lord’s and they were but tenants, any land they had acquired since the last Jubilee had to be returned to the original family to whom the Lord had granted it. He clearly told them that His land could neither be bought nor sold (nor given away, as some point out relative to the current “land for peace” negotiations.) By the way, an essential element of the Camp David Accord justifying the return of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt was the fact that the Lord had never given it to Israel in the first place. Therefore it could be given back with out violating biblical laws. In adding land to their holdings then, the Israelites were really only “buying” the number of harvests until the next Jubilee, so the “seller” was to price the transaction accordingly.

If a family somehow lost their land through default or bankruptcy, it was up to the next of kin to buy it back immediately if he could. If not, it was returned anyway the next Jubilee year. Paid in Full Second, all debts were to be forgiven. Any money owed you by another was to be written off, and the debt canceled. Same with money you owed. I’m Free In those days, if you incurred a debt and somehow became unable to pay, you enslaved yourself or a member of your family to your creditor to work off the balance. Thus the third provision of the Jubilee Year; all slaves were freed and returned to the family land. Under these provisions then, about once in every lifetime the slate was wiped clean. Those who had not fared well got another chance, but this restart also took away much of the motivation to amass wealth or create a large estate for one’s heirs. It was the Lord’s responsibility to take care of His people after all, and they were not to worry about the future. They were to focus on their relationship with Him, placing their future in His hands. Wait a minute, you say. A program like that would ruin today’s economy; perhaps even destroy our way of life.

That’s right, and that’s just the point. Our way of life was never intended by God. He never wanted us to experience the stress, anxiety, disappointment, and down right fear that is so prevalent in peoples lives today as they struggle to either get or keep more of “the finer things of life.” He never intended for us to become so preoccupied by material wealth and comfort that we lost sight of Him; to be so focused on the transitory treasure of this world that we would actually be willing to forfeit the permanent wealth of the next one. Like so many of His laws that we in this age of Grace look down our noses and scoff at, The Law of Jubilee was intended for our long term benefit as well as our short term comfort. What’s Next? The prophetic fulfillment should be obvious. One day soon, all the land called Planet Earth will revert to its only original owner, the one who created it. (Remember, our Father God created their Mother Nature). All the debts we owe to Him will be forgiven in fact as they have been in faith, and all the slaves (to sin) will be freed from that curse forever.

So when you pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” you’re really praying for that final and ultimate Jubilee year. Related posts: Get our latest updates delivered to your email inbox for free. Email Address* Different Statutes Leviticus 19:23-25 shows that the first three year's fruit shall be considered "uncircumcised," and not eaten. The fruit of the fourth year is all holy to the Eternal. You may eat the fruit in the fifth year. The Land Must Keep a Sabbath Leviticus 25:1-7 describes the Land Sabbath. Sowing is not permitted in the seventh year, neither is pruning of the vineyard. You cannot reap nor gather to store up that which grows of itself. Yet you can consume fresh anything that grows of itself for the Sabbath of the land shall be meat for you, your servants, the stranger and the beasts and cattle. It is a year of rest for the land (not for you). If we observe the seventh year, God promises we will dwell in the land safely, and have plenty of food to eat, Leviticus 25:18-19.

God promises a blessing in the sixth year, Leviticus 25:20-22. Seventh Year Also Called "Year of Release" In Deuteronomy 15:1-18, the seventh year is called the LORD'S release, and all debts are to be forgiven. The reason for this law is to relieve the poor. Exodus 21:1-6 describes how Hebrew servants were to be released in the seventh year, unless they voluntarily desired to be lifelong servants. Deuteronomy 31:9-13 says that the Law is to be read at the end of the seventh year, at the Feast of Tabernacles. This would ensure that former debtors and servants were properly taught God's Law so they might not have to become poor again. The Fiftieth Year is the Jubilee Leviticus 25:8-55 describes the fiftieth, or Jubilee, year. "Jubilee" means "liberty." God owns the land, and in the Jubilee, He wants the return of every man to his possession. The land must be redeemed. Men must be returned to their land, their family.

Beginning on the Day of Atonement with the sound of a trumpet, the Jubilee is a "holy" year, verse 12. Leviticus 27:14-34 describes the redemption of gifts and tithes, which are calculated based on the number of years to Jubilee. Numbers 36:1-9 says that the purpose of Jubilee is to keep the inheritances separate, preventing dispossession. Ezekiel 46:16-18 states that even the prince of Israel is not to dispossess people of their inheritance. Gifts from the prince shall revert back to the family of the prince at the year of liberty. Why Did Israel Go Into Captivity? Leviticus 26:23-24, 32-35, 43 tell us plainly that one of the main reasons Israel went into captivity was for not letting the land rest. Jeremiah 34:8-17 informs us that because Israel reneged and did not free their Hebrew servants, God would proclaim "liberty" unto these cruel taskmasters to the sword, pestilence, famine and captivity.

II Chronicles 36:14-21 describes how Judah mocked God's prophets and so were carried away captive to Babylon, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. Israel rested seventy years before the Jews returned from captivity. The Ministry of Jesus Christ and Jubilee Isaiah 61:1-11 compares the Millennium with the Sabbatical or Jubilee years. See also Isaiah 58:6. In Luke 4:16-21, the Savior began His ministry by preaching a "Jubilee" message. Although some have erroneously said that this sermon was on Pentecost as claimed by proponents of the "Sabbaton Theory," the Jubilee message, and not a Pentecost message, was clearly given. Since Jubilee began on the Day of Atonement, it is most likely the Sabbath on which this message was given, was Atonement, and not Pentecost. True liberty can only be had by accepting our Savior as Master and Lord. Since it is likely that Jesus gave this sermon in A.D. 27 some have concluded thereby that A.D. 27 was a Jubilee year.

A Sign of Modern Israel Cast in the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a part of the Jubilee call: " . . . Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." On July 8th, 1776, the bell rang out summoning the people to hear the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Our nation did not obey the Law of Jubilee, and about fifty years after the War of Independence, the bell cracked and has not been rung since! Periodic depressions have occurred about every fifty years -- from The Digest of Divine Law, pages 109-110. Josephus Mentions Sabbatical Year and Jubilee In Josephus' book, Antiquities of the Jews, 3:12:3, he describes Biblical laws relative to the Sabbatical year and Jubilee. Antiochus besieged Judas Maccabeus and the Temple during a Sabbatical year, 12:9:5. During the war between Ptolomy and Hyercanus, it was a sabbatical year, 13:8:1. Taxes were not paid to Caesar during the seventh year, 14:10:6.

In 15:1:2, Josephus says when Herod the Great plundered the wealthy and even robbed the dead for silver and gold to give to Anthony, that it was a Sabbatical year. In the thirteenth year of Herod the Great, there was a great famine and pestilence (15:9:1). In Whiston's footnotes to Josephus, he says this famine was worse than the famine of the days of Ahab, and even worse than the days of Jacob, and that this was a Sabbatical or Jubilee year. Meaning of Sabbatical and Jubilee Year The significance of the Sabbatical and Jubilee year is not limited to the rest of the land and rejuvenation of the soil. It is to remind us, as does the weekly Sabbath, that the Eternal is the Creator. Just as it took faith for Israelites not to farm on the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, so today it takes faith to trust Him for sustenance. Man is not the sole owner of the soil, and he does not hold property in perpetuity but only under the Almighty's trust, Leviticus 25:23.

We own nothing by inherent right, for like the children of Israel, we were slaves in spiritual "Egypt," Deuteronomy 15:15. Out of gratitude to the Eternal for our liberation, we must extend liberty to our debtors and servants. The word translated "release" in Deuteronomy 15:1 can also mean "dropping." The seventh year is a year of dropping, or cancellation, of debts. What better time than the seventh year to settle old scores with people, to "bury the hatchet." We were on spiritual death row, waiting for execution in the lake of fire. Then, the Almighty in His great mercy, called us and forgave us. Through His Son the Messiah, all charges were dropped against us. This should be a cause for rejoicing. If our nation observed the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, it would be tremendously blessed, instead of cursed like it is now. There would be no crushing debt nor an imbalance of the very rich and the very poor. Land values would be relatively stable, and inflation and depressions would not occur. The Law of God would be taught in detail every seventh year, which would result in good government and prosperity.

But we will have to wait for the millennium for the good results of national obedience to the Almighty's laws. When Is the Jubilee Year? According to William Whiston's footnotes to Josephus, 24 B.C. was a Sabbatical year, and 23 B.C. was a Jubilee year. This would mean that A.D. 27 was a Sabbatical year, and A.D. 28 was a Jubilee year. If this is true, then 1977 was a Sabbatical year and 1978 a Jubilee year. Sabbatical years would occur in 1985, 1992, 1999, 2006, 2013, 2020 and 2027, with the next Jubilee in 2028. The Jews today are in confusion as to Sabbatical years and Jubilee years. True fifty-year Jubilee years were only counted during Temple times. Some Jews believe that every 15th and 65th years of the world era are Jubilee years. Thus, 1955 and 2005 would be Jubilee years.

And 1976 and 1983 would have been Sabbatical years. The year A.D. 1979 equals 5739 A.M. (anno mundi, year of the world, Jewish year computation) or 3,760 years difference. However, Sabbatical years are counted from 3829 A.M. on, the year of the destruction of the Second Temple which was a Sabbatical year (A.D. 69). Whiston's schedule would have A.D. 70 as a Sabbatical year. This means that the Jewish shemittah is every seventh year, without a separate 50th year. The year 1980 would be a seventh year (5740 divides evenly by 7). Why are the Jews confused? Because they did not obey God. They admit that when the First Temple stood, full fifty-year cycles were used. The next year after the Jubilee was the first year of the next fifty-year cycle of seven seven-year cycles. Because the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh were exiled, tradition says, the Jubilee was no longer in effect, because it was for " . . .

all the inhabitants thereof," Leviticus 25:10. The Jubilees were not properly calculated, and a 49-year cycle was instituted where the "Jubilee" year was also the beginning year of the next seven year cycle. Jubilee is counted by the Jews exactly as they count Pentecost. Hence, Jews observe Sivan 6 as Pentecost (see Encyclopedia Judaica, article "Sabbatical Year and Jubilee," pages 579-580). Around 153-105 B.C., an apocryphal book, the Book of Jubilees, was written. It divides the history of the world into "Jubilees" of 49-year periods, seven weeks of years. The biblical idea of the Jubilee year, the 50th year following the seven weeks of years (Leviticus 25:8-12) is ignored. Thus, the Jews accepted this erroneous idea and are confused as to the true Jubilee.

As the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible (Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1962), article "Jubilee, Year of," admits, the so-called Book of Jubilees completely disregards the original and true Jubilee Year: . . . in the official count of Sabbatical Years in the Maccabean and post-Maccabean periods the Jubilee Year was omitted entirely and the Sabbatical Years followed each other in uninterrupted succession every seven years. Moreover, certain later, rabbinic authorities likewise reckoned a Jubilee period as of only forty-nine years, although a majority adhered, quite naturally, to the biblical reckoning of the period as of fifty years. Jews began to believe that the Law of Jubilee did not apply to them, because the land of Israel was not fully occupied by them. Today, Rabbis have relaxed the Sabbatical year because of "economic hardship." Land is "sold" to Moslems, and leased back. It is observed only ceremonially, not in reality, in order to perpetuate the memory of the Sabbatical year. Yet Jews believe the Son of David will come on the last Jubilee.

"The precept of the Jubilee is often regarded as one of the basic precepts of the Torah! There are seven basic precepts: offerings, tithes, shemittot, Jubilees, circumcision, honor of father and mother, and study of the Torah (Judaica, page 582)." An article written by an unknown Radio Church of God author in the 1950's agrees with the Jewish concept, that Jubilee years cannot be kept, because upon the Jews' return from captivity, there was no divinely appointed inheritance. Jews were living on land of other tribes which never returned from captivity. The article states that Jeremiah 34:1, 8-16, shows that October 586 B.C. to October 585 was a Sabbatical year. The author states that the seven-year cycles were observed after the return, with no intervening 50th Jubilee year. The year A.D. 69 was said to be a seventh year.

And 1952, 1959, 1966, 1973, 1980, 1987, 1994 and 2001 were thought to be Sabbatical years. You can examine various sources, and see that there are different ideas of when the Sabbatical and Jubilee years occur. The third tithe year depends upon the seven year cycle, Deuteronomy 14:28-29. The Church's administration, or more properly, adaptation, of the third tithe law is pragmatic, not Biblical. They said that since we cannot determine when the Biblical Sabbatical year occurs, then each member was to figure his seven-year cycles from the Feast of Tabernacles (or Feast of Unleavened Bread) nearest his baptism. The third and sixth years in each seven-year cycle would be third tithe years. I was baptized in March of 1969, and figure my seven-year cycles from the Feast of Tabernacles of 1968.

For me, then, the years (beginning at the Feast of Tabernacles) of 1974, 1981, 1988, 1995, and 2002 would be Sabbatical years. A person baptized at some other time would have a different seven-year cycle. In the early 1970s, the Worldwide Church of God excused most people from paying third tithe, saying that their taxes paid for government welfare programs which are intended to alleviate the poor. Likewise, in 1973, the Worldwide Church of God issued a policy on Land Sabbath, stating that it is only a principle. Their new teaching is that the Land Sabbath is not a binding law for which the transgression is sin. Thus, they acceded to the Jewish idea of watering down the Land Sabbath. Jewish Rabbis have abrogated the land rest law. Worldwide Church leaders have loosed members from obeying this law. When is the Jubilee year? When is the Sabbatical year? The issue is of major importance. Israel went into captivity for not obeying this law. This is a major area Herbert W. Armstrong never understood.

Neither do we understand when we are to begin the Jubilee count. If God will send modern Israel into captivity for the same reason as ancient Israel, knowledge must be increased, and Israel must be warned, Amos 3:7, Daniel 12:4, John 7:17. We look forward to the time when we will understand, and witness the fulfillment, of the Land Sabbath and Jubilee year. Originally published as Study No. 40. Additional Articles "All debts shall be forgiven every seven years" This is about SCOTUS and religion. - Discussionist "All debts shall be forgiven every seven years" This is about SCOTUS and religion. Last edited Fri Jul 4, 2014, 12:03 PM - Edit history (1) Since many will choose to go off on another rant I will explain the point. HL uses religion to get its way. SCOTUS goes along with it. Got it now? Duh! Replies to this discussion thread 96 replies Time Post "All debts shall be forgiven every seven years" This is about SCOTUS and religion.

(Original post) Lefty Jul 2014 #1 Jul 2014 #37 Jul 2014 #65 Jul 2014 #38 Jul 2014 #57 Jul 2014 #73 Jul 2014 #48 Jul 2014 #58 Jul 2014 #62 Jul 2014 #21 Jul 2014 #61 Jul 2014 #42 Jul 2014 #64 Jul 2014 #8 Jul 2014 #15 Jul 2014 #22 Jul 2014 #24 Mastadon (1,482 posts) 3. You, obviously, are not religious. But you can't force your beliefs on those of who are. Valishin (4,273 posts) 77. The statement is that debt should be forgiven not that debt should not be paid. Thus the paying being religious is meaningless. Only if the lender is religious would there be an issue.

The borrower being religious and attempting to apply this requirement would be forcing his beliefs on the lender. Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 12. Since that's not going to happen, perhaps people should simply live within their means. If they wish to purchase expensive things such as higher education, they'll have to take the necessary steps to legally acquire the means to do so, be that by working or winning scholarships. 27. Sort of like my dentist. I had a tooth extracted. He suggested I get an implant $3000 !!!!! I told him I did not have $3000 and could never afford $3000 for one damn tooth!! He said, "well you can out it on a credit card!" The stupid fucking prick. Magyar (3,188 posts) 37. He is so rich he has no clue that if I don't have $3000 now, and will never be able to afford $3000 for one tooth, that putting it 'on a credit card' will not help!! Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 43.

The fact that you don't have $3000 right now doesn't mean you won't in the future. and will never be able to afford $3000 for one tooth, that putting it 'on a credit card' will not help He presumably doesn't know your overall financial situation. Perhaps you currently have little or no debt. If this is the case, putting $3000 on a card would not be unreasonable. It's simply a matter of priorities. Are you willing to go in to debt for X amount for a given benefit, and are you reasonably able to pay off such a debt? Lefty (5,448 posts) 68. Obviously the op goes way over your head. I could understand if you lived under a rock... and didn't have a clue about recent events concerning HL, religion and the SCOTUS. Oh well ...have a nice day. 38. Mean while they ca work at Booger King to save for college... which should only take about 20 years. Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 44.

Anyone who cannot get a better job than flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant over the course of 20 years probably isn't a candidate to be a rocket scientist in the first place... 45. Did you go to a special high school that trained people for jobs? Besides that ...you missed the whole point of the post. Congrats. Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 69. I'm replying to your post (#49) which discusses the sort of jobs one can get with a HS education in reference to making enough money to pay for college. Perhaps you shouldn't hijack your OP like that. 73. Student loans are legal, Chachi. Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 75. Perhaps I wasn't sufficiently clear. I was simply pointing out that a student loan is not always advisable since one may not be in a position to pay it back. Liberty (1,704 posts) 17. Perhaps they should work for it. I was not rich and I worked my ass of in the oil field. Paid for college myself. Maybe we should not put so much emphasis on college in this country. Whats wrong with learning a trade?

Not nearly as expensive to learn and good pay. That would require hard work though. Perhaps that is really what this is all about? Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 56. Ever hear of moving? If I needed a good-paying job I'd consider moving to ND in a heartbeat. Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 60. The (relatively) poor in this country aren't serfs bound to the land of their lord. People move all the time...even poor people. How do you suppose they manage to do this? Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 71. My, how responsive. Do get back to me when you have a more substantive response, please. Crow (339 posts) 89. Not everyone is the same Were not clones. A female student with an IQ of 160 and is 5' tall and 98 pounds does not exactly have the physical attributes to work on a a oil rig in North Dakota. 52. Perhaps people shouldn't hijack the thread. Clueless? This is about religion and the SCOTUS and HL. Duh. 74.

Maybe colleges should stop being for - profit. 76. Why shouldn't a college make a profit? They're providing a service for which there's a market demand. 93. Correct. Lets pass a law to that effect. That'll fix it. or or maybe Hey, it's the Republican way of doing things. It works for the well to do on both sides. Kheledon (982 posts) 7. That would be wise. Evidently, a lot of people lack your foresight and wisdom. What, exactly, do you propose we do with them? Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 10. What should we do with them? Let them suffer the consequences of their actions. If they borrow money, they have to pay it back. I've borrowed money in the past, and paid back every penny (with interest, of course). Why should someone else not have to do so? 14. What if it's just impossible for them to ever pay back that money? What then? 18. Garnish of portion of their paycheck until it is paid back, however long that takes. If only some of it winds up being paid back, it's better than nothing.

Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 26. Back in the '80s. As you point out, college costs have gone up at a rate far higher than inflation. That being the case, anyone wishing to go to college today has a choice to make. Given the high cost of getting a degree, they have to decide if it's within their means to do so. If it's not, they should evaluate whether or not they can earn the money and/or get enough scholarship money to make it feasible. The money to do so should only be borrowed if paying it back is realistic. Perhaps after all of this, our prospective student can't afford to go to an Ivy League school or its equivalent. Not everyone can. It's not as if doing so is one's right by bent of being born, after all. He or she may have to settle for going to a less expensive college, or not going to college at all. That's life. Crow (339 posts) 33. No student is guaranteed a job in their field after graduating. What might be realistic today may not be so tomorrow as the future is always unknown.

Fortunately for you, you did not have to deal with the sky rocketing costs of tuition and it was much simpler to pay off any student loans in the 80's than it is today. Applying your situation in the 80's on today, which you did in a previous post is unrealistic and then basically supporting that students should only go to a college based on an existing virtue of wealth is destructive to the future of our country. Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 36. I didn't take out any student loans; I worked and won scholarships. Applying your situation in the 80's on today, which you did in a previous post is unrealistic and then basically supporting that students should only go to a college based on an existing virtue of wealth is destructive to the future of our country. Students always have and always will go to college based on an existing virtue of wealth. The only question is: who is going to pay for it? The student and their families, or via a transfer of wealth imposed on the taxpayer? Crow (339 posts) 81. You could work your way through college back then and be free of debt.

Students always have and always will go to college based on an existing virtue of wealth. This is not true. As you stated you yourself you were able to pay your way through college by working and winning scholarships. Having pre-existing wealth was unnecessary. I work with students at a major university who have and are making their way through college in the exact way you did. Today, as a result of the rising costs of tuition they can no longer look forward to a future after college similiar to the future you had as they graduate deep in debt. Students in the 80's required much less wealth than today. Because of the stagnating wages that exist today, many families that 20 or 30 years ago were able to financially support their children through college can no longer do so. In addition, scholarships have not kept pace with tuition costs, and employment opportunities with good incomes are not even close to what they once were. Much more of our youth today is unable to go to college and our society today is beginnning to suffer the consequences of being more and more uneducated. It's a broken system that needs to be fixed in a hurry.

To support it the way it is which has become more and more unaffordable as I said before is destructive. Crow (339 posts) 88. It's not always a consequence of the free market Our university was actually hoarding money and the governor was smart enough to freeze tuition when it became public knowledge. Vast amounts of money is being wasted in certain areas whether it be programs or facilities where there is no educational benefit to the students and both students and faculty members are watching this happen in disbelief. I imagine the same situation is likely happening everywhere. There needs to be much stronger and stricter financial oversight and maybe then the possibilty may exist to decrease tuition costs. There is certainly room to do so without causing any damage. Juan Rico (15,912 posts) 51. I'm perfectly willing to cut subsidies for the oil industry. As for tax rates, I would favor a flat tax. Hey, you're right again! We could eliminate those two unnecessary programs and thereby release tons and tons and tons of cash to pay for tuition! Not confiscating money from successful people isn't a "program", but in any case let's assume that the government has reduced its budget by a substantial amount.

Here's a thought...why not just let people keep their money and spend it as they wish, rather than having the government take it and spend it? 83. A semi-meaningless graph Let's see it broken down more closely than by 20% brackets. Since the enormously disproportionate majority of recent economic recovery went to the top 1%, the only reason to include the next 19% is to falsely skew the graph. You seem pretty smart, so I'm sure that you realize this. Here's another thing to consider: For people earning over one million per year, do you really think that a change of $50K in taxable income makes a huge difference in their day to day lives? Not at all, because any conceivable cost of living is still vastly overwhelmed many times over by the net income after taxes. Now consider a family of four earning 30K per year. A loss of $1000 can be terribly destructive, resulting in a loss of a house or a car of utility shutoff or delayed medical care, etc. So you'll forgive me if a one percenter has to suffer the slight incovenience of not bringing in an extra hundred thousand this quarter.

Wheninrome (1,011 posts) 22. That is not correct...the bible does not say that. The forgiveness of debt is every 7x7 years or the 50th year which is called the Jubilee year...and forgiveness of debt was only part of it...all property was returned to it's owner. So one could sell his land to someone but on the 50th year it returned to him. This all comes from the 4th commandment...Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy...and that is the only commandment that is fully explained just how it would work... Every 7th day man and beast have a day of rest...no work. Every 7th year the land gets a rest...no crops can be harvested from the land. And the 50th year is the Jubilee year where all property is returned to it's owner and debts forgiven. Now you can dismiss it all you want, but as an economic system (which is what it was designed for) it works...because it insures poverty will not last longer than one generation. And the land and the environment is protected by Sabbath of the land.

And the people and beast of burden are provided for by a day of rest. Satan (6,666 posts) 86. Well, being the Devil, I'm not known for quoting the bible, but in the spirit of July 4th and all... ...I would just like to remind our conservative friends, that Tommy Jefferson, the guy who wrote that Declaration of Independence, he thought that education was essential to keep this country free from tyranny, and that it should be paid for by taxes. And Jefferson established such a school himself, the university of Virginia, after his term as President had ended. How important did Jefferson believe education was? Well, if you look at the man's tombstone this is what you will read there......... Here was buried Know the calendar for the four blood moons by Gary Boyd - issuu issuu Issuu on Google+ Know the Calendar for the Four Blood Moons Many people were tripping out in 2012 when the Mayan calendar ended. Some thought it meant the end of time as we know it. Others thought the great tribulation would start while some believed the rapture would happen. The Magi of the scriptures realized something that has been overlooked for over two thousand years.

They understood which one was the right calendar! The reason astronomers can look for mathematical patterns in the heavens is because the Creator is the greatest mathematician in the universe and created everything according to science. Biblical Calendar It all changes for people when they realize the linkingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of the eclipses, the four blood moons, to the Biblical calendar. It all becomes clear when you look at celestial events in connection to the feast days of the Lord as they happened on the Biblical calendar. We need to be on Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time table! When God said he was going to use the sun, moon, and stars for days and years, he was referring to the Biblical holy days, Jubilee years, and shemittah years, which was every seventh year when the land in Israel was supposed to rest. Every 50th year was the year of Jubilee when slaves were set free, all debts were forgiven, and all land was returned to the previous owner.

God’s Appointed Times “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.” (Joel 2:312) In scripture the great and terrible day of the Lord is defined as the Great Tribulation when God destroys his enemies and returns his earth to peace and prosperity. This is a seven year period culminating in the return of Jesus to the throne of David where he will rule forever. God has sent specific warning signs to fall on the appointed times on the Biblical calendar so we would be aware of when he wants to meet with us. He wants to let us know that significant events are unfolding when heavenly signs fall on those feast days! Why else would Joel, Isaiah, and John (in the book of Revelations), as well God himself in the Gospels, declare there would be signs in the sun, moon, and stars! In scripture it states that is why God created them! The Feast Days Now imagine Israel of today winning a war or withstanding an invasion on one of these holy feast days. Only Israel would know that a profound biblical prophecy was just fulfilled; the so called Christian world would be clueless!

One of the days mentioned in Zechariah 8:19 refers to the destruction of the Temple on the ninth day of the month of Av. This usually falls on our calendar around late July or early August. Every year for 2,500 years Israel has mourned the destruction of the Temple on this day of the Biblical calendar. If you do not know this day you will not connect when this day is at last turned into a day of joy. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grow this Thought When you are not in the knowledge of where you are at on the Biblical calendar things will get difficult for you and your family. To be saved out of this coming tribulation you must know when, where, and how you will be affected for the Lord said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (knowing when these times are), I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou has forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.â&#x20AC;? Does it matter?

It does matter to know these things that are coming to protect the believers, their children, and to be a good Shepard by protecting your flock by preparing them for the coming rapture. But when is this time? When will the great tribulation start? Who are the tribulation saints? Check out my next article for more elaboration on a subject that will soon come to fruition. May God bless. All pages: Know the calendar for the four blood moons Gary Boyd Follow publisher Unfollow publisher Be the first to know about new publications.

Question: What Biblical term refers to every 50th year, when all debts would be forgiven?
Answer: Jubilee