Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009, Classic Superhero Third-Person Action, Games for Windows) – 10/10 game review

Cast / crew Writer (Characters’ Creator) Batman: Bob Kane Game Director: Sefton Hill Writer: Paul Dini Lead Narrative Designer: Paul Crocker Lead Level Designer: Ian Ball Kevin Conroy: Batman Mark Hamill: Joker

Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) You don’t look gift horses in the mouth and, while he considers this time a bit easier than normal, Batman has re-captured Joker and brought him to Arkham Asylum. Once inside, however, Joker escapes and, with the help of a few carefully planted accomplices, takes over Arkham. But why? 10/10 Arkham Asylum makes you feel like a superhero, like Batman, striding around being awesome (voiced brilliantly by Kevin Conroy opposite Mark Hamill’s even more brilliant Joker). It’s a simple summation but incredibly difficult to achieve and studio Rocksteady’s achievement has been rightfully lauded industry-wide. Successfully clearing a room of gun-toting baddies one at a time makes you feel like Batman, and not like almost all other action games, as does using all the gadgets. As is often the case, making the player extremely powerful or flexible offensively but weak defensively (Batman can’t really take being shot), means that the player feels like he has overcome the odds rather than just button mashed his way through artificially massive hordes of fist-fodder. While the end boss fight feels wrong character-wise it’s the only misstep in the entire game. This game contains mild adult dialogue and fictional substance abuse and violence, unpleasant scenes. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Links IGN Head-to-Head: PS3 Lens of Truth Head-to-Head: PS3 Eurogamer Head-to-Head: PC Eurogamer Head-to-Head: 360

The International (2009, Boring Conspiracy Thriller) – 3/10 movie review

Cast / crew Director: Tom Tykwer Writer: Eric Warren Singer Producer: Charles Roven Producer: Richard Suckle Producer: Lloyd Phillips Clive Owen: Louis Salinger Naomi Watts: Eleanor Whitman Armin Mueller-Stahl: Wilhelm Wexler Ulrich Thomsen: Jonas Skarssen Brían F. O’Byrne: The Consultant Jack McGee: Detective Bernie Ward Music: Tom Tykwer Eric Warren Singer: Cashier

International, The (2009) Interpol and the New York District Attorney’s office are investigating megabank I.B.B.C. but keep finding their progress impeded by people continually dropping dead. 3/10 Sadly, almost instantly boring and uninvolving. One gets the impression that the filmmakers were attempting to make a more intelligent than usual globe-trotting thriller that relied on detective work, intelligence and intriguing moral quandaries instead of just shooting people in visually striking locations. The International, rather predictably then, is notably dull at the intelligence and detective work and rather good at shooting dudes in visually striking locations, specifically in The Solomon Guggenheim Museum and the rooftops of Istanbul. There are a couple of interesting wrinkles to try and give clichés a minor tweak but all the mildly positive points are lost in an ocean of boring. This movie contains sexual swear words, mild adult dialogue and unpleasant scenes, graphic gun violence, extremely gory scenes. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

House M.D. 6.13 5 to 9 (2010, Drama) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Lisa Edelstein: Dr. Lisa Cuddy Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Jesse Spencer: Dr. Robert Chase Creator: David Shore Peter Jacobson: Dr. Chris Taub Olivia Wilde: Thirteen Michael Weston: Lucas Douglas Tracy Vilar: Nurse Regina Maurice Godin: Dr. Hourani Patrick St. Esprit: Keith Tannenbaum Producer: Marcy G. Kaplan Producer: Sara Hess Executive Producer: Hugh Laurie Executive Producer: Thomas L. Moran Executive Producer: David Shore Writer: Thomas L. Moran Director: Andrew Bernstein

House M.D. 6.13 5 to 9 (2010) A five o’clock start to a big day for Lisa Cuddy as she attempts to tough out final negotiations on the hospital’s contract with a major health insurance provider. 6/10 Cuddy is the most unconvincing character on the show at the best of times and this episode that focuses on her, sadly, does nothing to change that. But why? Does Lisa Edelstein’s attractiveness (she closes the episode with a soul-lifting smile) undermine her character’s ability to make tough decisions? Does her commendably copious cleavage and titillatingly tight skirts weaken her position at the negotiating table or as the hospital’s ultimate authority? Have the writers completely misunderstood how to write a character with such a juxtaposition between femme fatale and femme forte? No, I don’t think so. The reason why Cuddy is unconvincing as a businesswoman is that Lisa Edelstein doesn’t quite act it well enough. She is great at flirty, fun, quick-witted-ness, vulnerability, camaraderie, intelligence and, of course, being an attractive middle-aged woman. But she’s not quite good enough at acting the tough businesswoman. I still like her though and, as I mentioned before, her smile imparts heart-lifting joy. Links Previous episode: Moving the Chains

T.J. Hooker 3.04 The Cheerleader Murder (1983, Police Action Drama) – 7/10 TV review

Cast / crew William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan James Darren: Jim Corrigan Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Joe Penny: Miles Dickson James Luisi: George Laszlo Katherine Justice: Joan Wagner Jenny Sherman: Michelle Dana Kimmell: Lisa Telford Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer: Gerald Sanford Director: Cliff Bole

T.J. Hooker 3.04 Cheerleader Murder, The (1983) Hooker gets involved in a teenage pornography ring when a beautiful cheerleader turns up dead full of drugs and having recently had an abortion. 7/10 Hooker tackles illegal teen pornography and drugs and Shatner rewards the viewer with the climactic line "Cuff him. Then wash your hands." Or in response to a teenage car thief’s excuse of ‘that was my Dad’s car’, Hooker almost subconsciously retorts "Put that to music." Awesome. We also get a couple of good car chases, Romano in a speedo, Stacey in a bikini (apparently, that’s how you cope with the trauma of unexpectedly finding a dead young girl), a monstrously good gay gag with Romano (Romano, shocked: "If anybody’s gonna pick me up, it’s gonna be someone in high heels and a miniskirt." Gay guy: "Don’t leave. I’ll be back.") and even a dance sequence for the Shat. This T.J. Hooker episode contains adult dialogue. Links Previous episode: Chinatown Next: The Shadow of Truth

Michael Clayton (2007, Boring Legal Conspiracy Drama) – 1/10 movie review

Cast / crew Writer: Tony Gilroy Director: Tony Gilroy Producer: Sydney Pollack Producer: Steven Samuels Producer: Jennifer Fox Producer: Kerry Orent Executive Producer: George Clooney George Clooney: Michael Clayton Tom Wilkinson: Arthur Edens Tilda Swinton: Karen Crowder Sydney Pollack: Marty Bach Michael O’Keefe: Barry Grissom

Michael Clayton (2007) Michael Clayton, a fixer for a law firm, is as stunned as anyone when his friend, renowned lawyer Arthur, has a nervous breakdown on the job while defending a multi-billion dollar case against a client he knows to be guilty. 1/10 Bor-or-ored. Tony Gilroy may be a competent, if self-important, writer but he’s a poor director with absolutely no sense of drama, shape or pace. The acting is fine and was rewarded with a highly unusual three acting Oscar nominations but the performances are wasted in an uninteresting movie that is flatly assembled and feels much longer than it is. This movie contains sexual swear words, strong adult dialogue and unpleasant scenes. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

House M.D. 6.12 Moving the Chains (2010, Black Comedy Medical Drama) – 7/10 TV review

Cast / crew Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Lisa Edelstein: Dr. Lisa Cuddy Omar Epps: Dr. Eric Foreman Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Jesse Spencer: Dr. Robert Chase Creator: David Shore Peter Jacobson: Dr. Chris Taub Olivia Wilde: Thirteen Michael Weston: Lucas Douglas Da’Vone McDonald: Daryl Denise Y. Dowse: Glenda Trever O’Brien: Jim Dunnagan Orlando Jones: Marcus Foreman Producer: Marcy G. Kaplan Producer: Sara Hess Executive Producer: Hugh Laurie Executive Producer: Russel Friend Executive Producer: Garrett Lerner Executive Producer: David Shore Writer: Russel Friend Writer: Garrett Lerner Director: David Straiton

House M.D. 6.12 Moving the Chains (2010) A rising football player suffers a rage attack and beats himself with his helmet. When his brother comes out of prison, Foreman is dismayed to find House gives him a job. Meanwhile, hostilities commence between House and Wilson over a bathtub. 7/10 While the medical drama seems to rather fizzle out, the side-plots are terrific fun. House is portrayed as a "diabolical yet benevolent puppet-master" and that is a perfect summation of what he should be. No-one wants a purely caustic curmudgeon and that has been the case with most dramas inspired by House and this series own weakest moments. The current writers clearly have this supreme balance very much in mind and that is a great thing. This House M.D. episode contains mild adult dialogue and self-inflicted violence. Links Previous episode: Remorse Next episode: 5 to 9

House M.D. 6.11 Remorse (2010, Black Comedy Medical Drama) – 8/10 TV review

Cast / crew Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Lisa Edelstein: Dr. Lisa Cuddy Omar Epps: Dr. Eric Foreman Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Jesse Spencer: Dr. Robert Chase Creator: David Shore Peter Jacobson: Dr. Chris Taub Olivia Wilde: Thirteen Michael Weston: Lucas Douglas Beau Garrett: Valerie Shane Edelman: Bill Producer: Marcy G. Kaplan Producer: Sara Hess Co-Executive Producer: Peter Blake Executive Producer: Hugh Laurie Executive Producer: David Shore Writer: Peter Blake Director: Andrew Bernstein

House M.D. 6.11 Remorse (2010) A ruthless businesswoman is admitted with intense ear pain but House only takes her case after hearing she is beautiful and ambitious and her husband is not. Meanwhile, he’s trying to avoid a certain Lorenzo Wibberly from his time at medical school… 8/10 A fun episode with lots of impressive if improbable medical dramas for the patient-of-the-week (a beautiful psychopath), a bit of clinic and a couple of character drama threads. The abundance of activity means that it all moves along nicely and Hugh Laurie, again, knocks a number of good lines out of the park. This House M.D. episode contains adult dialogue and an extremely unpleasant scene. Links Next episode: Moving the Chains Previous episode: The Down Low

Godzilla (1998, Monster Action Movie) – 6/10 movie review

Cast / crew Matthew Broderick: Dr. Niko Tatopoulos Jean Reno: Philippe Roaché Maria Pitillo: Audrey Timmonds Hank Azaria: Victor "Animal" Palotti Producer: Dean Devlin Writer (Story): Ted Elliott Writer (Story): Terry Rossio Writer (Story): Dean Devlin Writer (Story): Roland Emmerich Writer (Screenplay): Dean Devlin Writer (Screenplay): Roland Emmerich Director: Roland Emmerich

Godzilla (1998) Um, well… Radioactive fallout from nuclear tests in the 1980s has transformed a tiny lizard into a terrifying, 1000-foot-tall monster which then decides to take refuge on Manhattan Island, New York. 6/10 Want to criticize a movie till your typing fingers ache? This is the perfect film for you, the acting, script and story are not at all good. If you also want to see the most spectacular monster movie ever created with astonishing visual effects and thrilling chase sequences, this is also the movie for you and though Godzilla was generally slated by all contemporary critics, director Roland Emmerich’s genuine talent still shines through. His build-up to the full Godzilla reveal is brilliantly executed and, subsequently, any sequence with Godzilla himself in is thrilling and spectacular. Shame about the rest. This movie contains adult dialogue, mild swear words and unpleasant scenes. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance.

The Simpsons Movie (2007, Animated Satire) – 1/10 movie review

Cast / crew Producer: Matt Groening Director: David Silverman Dan Castellaneta: Homer, Grampa, Krusty, Groundskeeper Willie, Mayor Quimby, Sideshow Mel, Mr. Teeny, EPA Official, Itchy, Barney Julie Kavner: Marge, Selma, Patty Nancy Cartwright: Bart, Ralph, Todd, Nelson Yeardley Smith: Lisa Hank Azaria: Moe, Chief Wiggum, Cletus, Prof. Frink, Apu, Lou, Comic Book Guy, Sea Captain, Bumblee Man, Dr. Nick Harry Shearer: Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, Rev. Lovejoy, Lenny, President Arnold Schwarzenegger, Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Dr. Hibbert, Otto Pamela Hayden: Milhouse, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Tress MacNeille: Medicine Woman, Mrs. Skinner, Cat Lady, Colin, Cookie Kwan Albert Brooks: Russ Cargill Philip Rosenthal: TV Dad Joe Mantegna: Fat Tony Tom Hanks: Writer (Screenplay): James L. Brooks Writer (Screenplay): Matt Groening Writer (Screenplay): Alfred Jean Writer (Screenplay): Ian Maxtone-Graham Writer (Screenplay): George Meyer Writer (Screenplay): David Mirkin Writer (Screenplay): Mike Reiss Writer (Screenplay): Mike Scully Writer (Screenplay): Matt Selman Writer (Screenplay): John Swartzwelder Writer (Screenplay): Jon Vitti Producer: James L. Brooks Producer: Alfred Jean Producer: Mike Scully Producer: Richard Sakai Sequence Director: Mike B. Anderson Sequence Director: Lauren MacMullan Sequence Director: Rich Moore Sequence Director: Steven Dean Moore Sequence Director: Gregg Vanzo

Simpsons Movie, The (2007) Homer tips a silo full of pig and human poo into Springfield Lake and it proves the last straw for the American government and EPA who declare Springfield the most polluted city on earth and encase it in a giant dome. 1/10 Made several years after The Simpsons ran out of ideas, jokes and even vaguely competent writing and story-telling ability, this is an embarrassing (featuring the ever hilarious lynch mob, glassing, homosexual policemen, suicide and pig beastiality), unconvincing, boring and amazingly unfunny big-screen outing for the yellow ones. According to IMDb, it took 158 drafts to remove all the jokes. It culminates in the most horrifying word they could possibly utter: sequel. This movie contains bad language, adult dialogue and violence, unpleasant scenes and non-sexual nudity. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance.

Xbox 360 vs PS3 Head-to-Head Face Off: Bioshock 2

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Bioshock 2

LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (2009, Platform Puzzle Action Game, PS3) – 5/10 game review

Cast / crew Director: Jon Burton

LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (2009) Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls gets the LEGO make-over along with a quick return to the classic trilogy. 5/10 Sadly, this is very much a case of fully diminished returns for this franchise as a number of good-on-paper ideas and clever bite-size puzzling and platforming all turn out to be deathly dull or irritating or both. As with LEGO Batman, the sound designer makes you hate the famous music but the graphics are better than ever, the LEGO character’s animated walk remains charmingly perfect and I love the way the characters leave square footprints in the snow. The new Level Creator is brilliantly done and, one hopes, there will more made of it in later games. This game contains extreme lego violence, graphic lego dismemberment. Classified 7+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 7 or over. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence. Links Previous: LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

Appleseed: Ex Machina aka Ekusu makina (2007, Science Fiction Mecha CG Anime) – 6/10 movie review

Cast / crew Producer: John Woo Writer (Original Comic Book): Masamune Shirow Producer: Terence Chang Producer: Hidenori Ueki Producer: Naoko Watanabe Producer: Joseph Chou Writer (Screenplay): Kiyoto Takeuchi Producer CG: Yusaku Toyoshima Director CG: Yasuhiro Ohtsuka Director CG: Yasushi Kawamura Director: Shinji Aramaki Luci Christian: English: Deunan David Matranga: English: Briareos Illich Guardiola: English: Tereus Ai Kobayashi: Japanese: Deunan Koichi Yamadera: Japanese: Briareos Yuuji Kishi: Japanese: Tereus Toyoe Sekita: Motion Capture: Deunan Moki Ogawa: Motion Capture: Briareos Yoshiyuki Kamata: Motion Capture: Tereus

Appleseed: Ex Machina aka Ekusu makina (2007) A.D. 2133: as the Bioroid-run Olympus (a utopian city governed by humanoid cyborg’s with troublesome emotions like anger and fear removed) invites the rest of the world to join with its satellite network to usher in an era of global peace, something or someone has plans of their own and is mind-controlling cyborgs to get it. 6/10 Once again, as with Appleseed (CG), the strongest scene opens the movie with a notably cool action sequence inside a cathedral sprinkled with neat ideas. The remainder doesn’t make much sense but at least you do know what the heroes are doing and the technical concepts come across clearly. The problem is that the baddie’s plans make no sense at all (SPOILER especially the shooting himself in the head and dying bit) but, as I say, you do know what everyone is doing so you can easily follow events. Technically, this is brilliantly designed (Deunan’s two Prada-designed outfits are impressively eye-catching) and has a lovely look that keeps itself out of the uncanny valley by having a very simple colour style, especially for character faces. This movie contains a single sexual swear word, mild swear words and violence, brief graphic violence. Classified 12 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over. Links Previous: Appleseed

Appleseed (2004, Science Fiction Mecha CG Anime) – 7/10 movie review

Cast / crew Writer (Original Comic Book) Seishinsha: Masamune Shirow Writer (Screenplay): Haruka Handa Writer (Screenplay): Tsutomu Kamishiro Producer: Hidenori Ueki Producer: Naoko Watanabe Producer CG: Yusaku Toyoshima Director CG: Yasuhiro Ohtsuka Producer: Fumihiko Sori Director: Shinji Aramaki Ai Kobayashi: Deunan Jurota Kosugi: Briarios Yuki Matsuoka: Hitomi Mami Koyama: Athena Asumi Miwa: Motion Actor: Deunan Takao Miyashita: Motion Actor: Briareos Tomomi Kato: Motion Actor: Hitomi Kouko Furuta: Motion Actor: Athena Ai Kobayashi: Facial Model: Deunan Yuki Matsuoka: Facial Model: Hitomi Kouko Furuta: Facial Model: Athena Copyright Holder: Masamune Shirow

Appleseed (2004) 7/10 Yeah, but the last letter of the password? This cool, great-looking Japanese animation features an ambitious scenario and generally superlative animation (occasional facial animation is a little less than outstanding). The English dub is good. Where it does fall down is that the story doesn’t make much sense in how it gets from one scene to another and that the first outstanding action scene (produced and directed as a test before committing to the remaining 95 minutes) is the best of the movie. This movie contains mild swear words, mild adult dialogue and some extreme violence, strong martial arts violence, gory and unpleasant scenes and mild nudity. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Links Next: Appleseed: Ex Machina aka Ekusu makina

Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (2007, Street Racing, 360 and Games for Windows) – 6/10 game review

Cast / crew Project Lead: Richard Badger Project Lead: Phil Owen Lead Programmer: Martin Turton Lead Programmer: Mat Draper Model: Ursula Mayes

Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (2007) Circuit-based street and drift racing with visual customisation and performance car upgrades (but no tuning). 6/10 Though featuring the same slightly odd, somewhat unpredictable handling as the first game and horrific, completely unpredictable barrier impact dynamics, this does deliver thrilling racing and slightly more depth to the basic mechanics of who you race in a race and how you progress throughout the game. There are also some nice variants on the typical racing game staples and there was a nice surprise with a supercar I hadn’t played or heard of before (SPOILERthe Melling Hellcat). Sadly, the game’s graphics become almost completely broken with the faster cars and the rubber-band AI is arguably the worst and most embarrassing in gaming history. The Games for Windows Live version can be unpleasant; broken achievements, confusing and unconvincing widescreen support and seemingly uglier than the generally good-looking 360 version. This game contains mild swear words. Classified 12+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 12 or over. Classified Bad Language by PEGI. Game contains bad language. Classified Gambling by PEGI. Game encourages or teaches gambling.

Xbox 360 vs PS3 Head-to-Head Face Off: Round 24

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Army of Two: The 40th Day
•   Dante’s Inferno
•   Dark Void
•   Darksiders
•   James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game
•   The Saboteur

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (2009, Off-Road Racing Game, Games for Windows) – 9/10 game review

Cast / crew Game Designer: Matthew Horsman

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (2009) 9/10 Despite a notable lack of rallying and interchangeable international locations (Baja, Morocco, China and Utah are particularly indistinguishable and there is no snow and little tarmac), DiRT 2 improves on it’s predecessor in every other way. Graphics are completely fantastic (especially on PC Ultra) but it’s the handling that is the revelation. This is easily the best handling Codemasters have delivered since Colin 2.0 and is accessible, responsive, predictable and convincing. It is a perfect balance of arcade and simulation. Presentation is also splendid and the personalities are well represented (contrasting with the lack of character for the locations) and smack talking back to Travis Pastrana and Ken Block is endlessly great fun. This game contains ostentatiously omitted sexual swear word in songs. Classified 12+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 12 or over. Classified Bad Language by PEGI. Game contains bad language. Links Lens of Truth Head-to-Head: 360 Eurogamer Head-to-Head: 360 Previous: Colin McRae: DiRT

What Are the Benefits of Knowing the Truth About Death?

This isn’t a talk about the truth about death but about the benefits of knowing the truth. But one benefit we don’t get is highlighted in Genesis.

“So Sarah died in Kir′i‧ath-ar′ba, that is to say, He′bron, in the land of Ca′naan, and Abraham came in to bewail Sarah and to weep over her.” – Genesis 23:2 (also Luke 11:35. “Jesus gave way to tears.”)

Abraham knew the truth about death. He knew about the resurrection and almost certainly knew of the events in the Garden of Eden. Nevertheless, when his wife died, the event still affected him deeply. Knowing the truth about death doesn’t mitigate grief. We will be traumatically, perhaps uncontrollably, upset when someone we love dies.

So, if that is the case how are we to understand this verse?

“Moreover, brothers, we do not want YOU to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping [in death]; that YOU may not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Well, we still experience sorrow so what do you think is the key word here? Isn’t it ‘hope?’ What difference does it make?

Consider this experience from Nigeria related in a 2007 Watchtower:

Kehinde and Bintu, a Nigerian couple who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, lost two of their children in a car accident. Ever since, they have suffered pain because of this terrible loss. Even so, their trust in Jehovah sustains them, and they continue sharing the Bible’s message of hope with their neighbors.

Others noticed the serenity and strength displayed by Kehinde and Bintu. One day a woman named Mrs. Ukoli said to one of Bintu’s friends: “Bring the woman who lost two children at the same time and is still preaching the Bible’s message. I want to know what gives her the power to endure.” When Bintu arrived at the woman’s house, Mrs. Ukoli told her: “I want to know why you are still preaching about the God who killed your children. God took my only girl. Since then, I have nothing to do with God.” Bintu used the Bible to explain the reason why people die and why we can have the sure hope that dead loved ones will be resurrected.—Acts 24:15; Romans 5:12.

Afterward, Mrs. Ukoli said: “I used to think that God takes people in death. Now I know the truth.” She decided to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in order to learn more about God’s promises.[1]

Mrs Ukoli did not know the truth about death and what effect did it have? She attributed the tragedy to Jehovah and lost her relationship with God. Learning the truth helped her to see that Jehovah wasn’t responsible for her girl’s death; he did not ‘take her’. She would have been reassured that her daughter was not all alone waiting in heaven. Learning about the hope God gives made it possible for her to appreciate the resurrection hope and the provision he has made to remove death forever.

And that’s the difference, isn’t it? Without the truth, without hope, grief can cause us to lose faith. It can cause us to lose our relationship with God. With the truth, with hope, we can gain genuine comfort from Jehovah’s promises.

“He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” – Isaiah 25:8.

Isn’t that a lovely thought? Not just that Jehovah has a plan to “swallow up death forever” but that he will also “wipe the tears from all faces.” *Mime wiping tears from someone else’s face* ‘Here you go, it’ll be alright.’ And you know, even though you’re sad, it will be.

Because we know the truth about death, because we have the hope of the resurrection and that Jehovah will “swallow up death forever,”[2] we can be genuinely comforted during grief. When we weep, we can allow Jehovah to wipe the tears from our eyes and our relationship with him will become even closer.

We are truly benefited from knowing the truth about death.

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[1] The Watchtower 2007 5/1 p.5 box, 6 Help From “the God Who Supplies Endurance and Comfort”

[2] Awake! 1980 3/22 p. 10 What Is Death?