Comments You Will Not Hear at the 3-5-06 WT Study (February 1, 2006 issue, pages 17-21)(PATIENCE)
Review comments will be in redWT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxesw = Watchtower
g = Awake
www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible (various Bible translations online)
www.reexamine.org (WT publications online)
www.silentlambs.org (child abuse)
www.ajwrb.org (blood issue)
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm (United Nations issue)
IMITATE THE PATIENCE OF JEHOVAH
"Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, ... but he is patient."-2 PETER
3:9.
Do You Remember?
- Why does Jehovah show patience?
- What do we learn from the patience of the prophets?
- How did Job display endurance, and what was the outcome?
- How do we know that Jehovah's patience is not without limits?
Questions
1. What incomparable gift has Jehovah offered humans?
2. Why has Jehovah not yet removed Satan's system of things?
3. (a) What is the meaning of the Greek and Hebrew words translated "patience"
in the Bible? (b) What questions will we now consider?
4. Concerning Jehovah's patience, what did the apostle Peter write?
5. How does Jehovah's view of time affect his actions?
6. What should we not conclude about God, and why?
7. How is Jehovah's patience related to his desire that people repent?
8. How is God's patience seen in his dealings with the nation of Israel?
9. How did Jesus' patience mirror that of his Father?
10. In what way has the patience of God benefited us?
11. What will an understanding of Jehovah's patience move us to do?
12, 13. In line with James 5:10, how did the prophet Isaiah successfully
exercise patience?
14, 15. What helped Jeremiah to cope with adversities and discouragement?
16. How can we maintain joy in our work of preaching the good news?
17, 18. In what way did job endure, and what was the outcome?
19. What do we learn from the patient endurance of Job?
20. Why can we be certain that Jehovah's day will come?
21. How might we demonstrate our patience and endurance, and what subject will
we consider in the next article?
OPENING COMMENTS
Patience...is it Jehovah's patience or the patience of the rank and file that is being discussed. When you compare a person that has always existed and can't die with a person who lives at most 80 years and then fraught with ill health and danger, who finds it more difficult to be patient?
Why would the rank and file be impatient?
First, they were told that Armageddon would come in 1914, then 1915.
Then, they were told that religion would collapse and end in 1920 and that millions then living would never die.
Then, they were told that Abraham, Isaac, Job, David, and other "ancient worthies" would be resurrected as perfect men to rule over the earth from Jerusalem in 1925.
Then, they were told that the Armageddon would come in the final days of 1940.
Then they were told that 1975 was the end of 6,000 years of human history and it would be most appropriate for the 1,000 year reign of Christ to begin.
For years they were told that the end would come before the last person born in 1914 died; in 1995 that changed.
So from 1879 to 1995 (116 years) the rank and file have been patient even died waiting, but no longer.
START OF ARTICLE
JEHOVAH has offered us something that no one else can offer. It is something
immensely appealing and precious, yet it can be neither purchased nor earned.
What he offers is the gift of everlasting life--for most of us, endless life on a paradise earth. (John 3: 16) What a delight that will be! Gone will be the things that cause so much sorrow-strife, violence, poverty, crime, sickness, and even death. People will live in perfect peace and unity under the loving rule of God's Kingdom. How we yearn for that Paradise!-Isaiah 9:6, 7; Revelation 21:4, 5.
John 3:16--But where's Jesus in this paragraph.
(John 3:16) "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.
CARROTSGift of everlasting life
(for most of us) endless life on a paradise earth
Paradise
2 Jehovah too looks forward to the time when he will establish Paradise on earth. After all, he is a lover of righteousness and justice. (Psalm 33:5) It gives him no pleasure to gaze upon a world indifferent or hostile to his righteous principles, a world that spurns his authority and abuses his people. Yet, there are good reasons why he has not yet acted to remove Satan's wicked system of things. Those reasons have to do with moral issues involving his sovereignty. In settling these issues, Jehovah displays a particularly appealing quality, a quality that many today lack--patience.
CARROTParadise on earth
There are good reasons why he has not acted yet--although the WTS said he would in 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940's, 1975, 1984, 1994.
3 There is a Greek word that in the New World Translation is three times rendered "patience." It literally means "longness of spirit" and thus is frequently rendered "long-suffering" and once "exercising of patience." Inherent in both the Greek and Hebrew words for "patience" is the thought of forbearance and slowness to anger. How does Jehovah's patience benefit us? What lessons are to be learned from the patience and endurance of Jehovah and of his faithful servants? How do we know that Jehovah's patience is not limitless? Let us see.
What Greek word is that? Does the WTS consider the rank and file too dumb to share that information with? Or are they afraid to make the WT reader pronounce it.
*** it-2 p. 262 Long-suffering ***
The Greek word ma·kro·thy·mi´a (long-suffering) literally means "longness of spirit." (Ro 2:4, Int) Both the Hebrew and Greek expressions denote patience, forbearance, slowness to anger.
What Hebrew word is that?
His faithful servants--only JWs, not "so-called" Christians
Consider Jehovah's Patience
4 Concerning Jehovah's patience, the apostle Peter wrote: "Let this one fact not be escaping your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8, 9) Please notice two points expressed here that can help us to understand Jehovah's patience.
"He does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance"
Yet the WTS will convince you that soon that 6 billion plus men, women and little babies will be destroyed by God forever with no hope of being resurrected.
(Ezekiel 9:5-6) 5 And to these [others] he said in my ears: "Pass through the city after him and strike. Let not your eye feel sorry, and do not feel any compassion. 6 Old man, young man and virgin and little child and women YOU should kill off-to a ruination. . .
*** w96 1/15 p. 17 Jehovah's Sheep Need Tender Care ***
As a result of his dedication and baptism, he becomes 'marked' for salvation.-Ezekiel 9:4-6.
Baptized as a JW only.
*** w89 9/1 p. 19 Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium ***
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the "flesh" that Jesus Christ said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history
5 The first point is that Jehovah does not view time as we do. To the One who lives forever, a thousand years are as one day. He is not restrained or pressured by time, but he is not slow in acting. Possessing limitless wisdom, Jehovah knows precisely the best time to act for the benefit of all concerned, and he patiently waits for that time to come. However, we should not conclude that Jehovah is insensitive to any suffering that his servants may experience in the meantime. He is a God of "tender compassion," the personification of love.(Luke 1:78; 1 John 4:8) He is able to undo, completely and permanently, any harm that this temporary permission of suffering might have caused.-Psalm 37:10.
Jehovah does not view time as we do
The WTS does not view time as we do
Very soon now
30 years ago
*** km 8/76 p. 4 Presenting the Good News-When People Say, "I'm Not Interested" ***
'Many say that, but possibly you would be interested to know that very soon now all wickedness will be removed from the earth.
43 years ago
*** w63 1/15 p. 41 The Challenge of the "Good News" ***
Very soon now Christ Jesus as King of God's kingdom, along with his holy angels, is due to bring "vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus."-2 Thess. 1:7-10.
52 years ago
*** w54 8/15 p. 486 What Hope for Permanent World Peace? ***
When Christ wields the "rod of iron," which he will do very soon now, it means that all the kingdoms of this world will be smashed out of existence.
Soon
Precisely the best time to act---1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940's, 1975, 1984, 1994....still waiting.
His servants--only JWs
He is able to undo--can he give the abused children back their childhood?
6 It is, of course, not easy to wait for something that one yearns for.(Proverbs 13:12) Thus, when people do not swiftly fulfill their promises, others may conclude that they do not intend to do so. How unwise it would be to think that of God! If we mistake God's patience for slowness, the passing of time can
easily cause us to give way to doubt and discouragement, and we risk becoming spiritually drowsy. Even worse, we might be misled by those whom Peter earlier warned against--ridiculers, those without faith. Such ones mockingly say: "Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation's beginning."-2
Peter 3:4.
Mistake God's patience...doubt and discouragement...spiritually drowsy...might be mislead (apostates?)
Sounds like the rank and file are voting with their feet. Doubts because of false predictions by the WTS, discouragement by being told to DO MORE, spiritually drowsy because of the boring, tainted "spiritual food" the WTS keeps offering..
7 A second point that we can draw from Peter's words is that Jehovah is patient because he desires all to attain to repentance. Those who stubbornly refuse to turn back from their bad ways face execution at the hand of Jehovah. However, God finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked one. Rather, he delights to see people repent, turn back from their bad ways, and keep living. (Ezekiel 33:11) Consequently, he is exercising patience and is having the good news declared in all the earth so that people may have every opportunity to live.
Desires all to attain to repentance
But does the average JW desire that or do they hope the "end" comes today?
Repent, turn back,,,(become JWs) and keep living
Having the good news declared
What do JWs say at the door?
Blurb on page 18: Jesus' patience perfectly mirrored that of his Father
8 The patience of God is also seen in his dealings with the ancient nation of Israel. For centuries, he put up with their disobedience. By means of his prophets, time and again he urged them: "Turn back from your bad ways and keep my commandments, my statutes, according to all the law that I commanded your forefathers and that I have sent to you by means of my servants the prophets." What was the result? Regrettably, the people "did not listen."-2 Kings 17:13, 14.
Put up with their disobedience
Is God putting up with the disobedience of JWs today? Not turning in their time, going to college, buying homes, having children, not attending meetings.....
OT example--do you know what laws and commandments and statutes the rank and file are required to keep? The Law Code? No?
Sent to you by means of my servants the prophets
The WTS say the have the role of prophets today.
http://www.jude3.net/watchtower_prophet.htm
9 Finally, Jehovah sent his Son, who tirelessly appealed to the Jews to become reconciled to God. Jesus' patience perfectly mirrored that of his Father. With full knowledge that he was soon to be put to death, Jesus lamented: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her,-how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But you people did not want it." (Matthew 23:37) These poignant words are not those of a stern judge who is eager to punish someone but those of a loving friend who is patient with people. Jesus, like his Father in heaven, wanted the people to repent and escape adverse judgment. Some did respond favorably to the warnings of Jesus and escaped the terrible judgment that came upon Jerusalem in 70 C.E.-Luke 21:20-22.
sent his Son--no mention of Jesus volunteeringThe way a hen gathers her chicks--doesn't sound like he wanted to stone them
people repent--and become his followers, Jesus' witnesses (Acts 1:8) not Jehovah's witnesses.
Judgment--70 CE., did the people who died then die forever since it was during a "judgment period" such as the flood and Armageddon?
10 Is not the patience of God something to marvel at? In spite of the magnitude of human disobedience, Jehovah has allowed each one of us, along with millions of other people, the opportunity to come to know him and to embrace the hope of salvation. "Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation," wrote Peter to fellow Christians. (2 Peter 3:15) Are we not grateful that Jehovah's patience has opened the way to salvation for us? Do we not pray that Jehovah may continue to be patient with us as we serve him day by day? -Matthew 6:12.
Along with millions of other people--only JWs
Way to salvation--
*** w93 9/15 p. 22 They Compassionately Shepherd the Little Sheep ***
But if we were to draw away from Jehovah's organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy.
*** w85 3/1 p. 22 Jehovah 'Speeds It Up' ***
Let us point all homing "doves" to the way of "salvation" behind the protective walls of Jehovah's organization
11 When we understand why Jehovah is patient, we are helped to wait patiently for the salvation he will bring, never concluding that he is slow in fulfilling his promises. (Lamentations 3:26) While we continue to pray for God's Kingdom to come, we trust that God knows the best time to answer that prayer. Further, we are moved to imitate Jehovah by showing godly patience in our dealings with our brothers and with those to whom we preach. We too do not desire any to be destroyed but would like to see them repent and share our hope of everlasting life. -1 Timothy 2:3, 4.
Wait on Jehovah--Wait on the WTS
Trust God knews the best time--but not the WTS having misled their members to think the end was coming in 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940's, 1975, 1984, 1994.
Patience with other JWs--the rats are getting unruly.
Do not desire any to be destroyed--except those pesky apostates.
CARROT--our hope of everlasting life
Consider the Patience of the Prophets
12 By considering the patience of Jehovah, we are helped both to appreciate and to cultivate that quality. It is not easy for imperfect humans to cultivate patience, but it can be done. We learn from God's servants of old. The disciple James wrote: "Brothers, take as a pattern of the suffering of evil and the
exercising of patience the prophets, who spoke in the name of Jehovah." (James 5:10) It is comforting and encouraging to know that others have successfully faced what we have to face.
it is not easy for imperfect humans to cultivate patience
OT--learn from God's servants of old--not from Christians of old
James 5:10--do you think that "Jehovah" occurred in the original manuscripts here? No.
13 The prophet Isaiah, for example, certainly needed patience in his assignment. Jehovah said as much by telling him: "Go, and you must say to this people, `Hear again and again, 0 men, but do not understand; and see again and again, but do not get any knowledge.' Make the heart of this people unreceptive, and make their very ears unresponsive, and paste their very eyes together, that they may
not see with their eyes and with their ears they may not hear, and that their own heart may not understand and that they may not actually turn back and get healing for themselves." (Isaiah 6:9, 10) Despite the unresponsiveness of the people, Isaiah patiently declared Jehovah's warning messages for no less than 46 years! In like manner, patience will help us to endure in our work of preaching
the good news, even though many are unreceptive.
OT--prophet Isaiah
Isaiah--preached for 40 years--a hidden message to not complain until you have done the same
Even though many are unreceptive--and that's only the JWs.
14 Of course, as the prophets carried out their ministry, they had to cope with more than nonresponsiveness; they suffered evil. Jeremiah was put in stocks, imprisoned in "the house of fetters," and thrown into a cistern. (Jeremiah 20:2; 37:15; 38:6) He suffered this abuse at the hands of the very people whom he wished to help. Yet, Jeremiah did not become bitter, nor did he retaliate. He
patiently endured for decades.
Suffered evil, put in stocks, thrown in a cistern, suffered this abuse at the hands of the very people he wished to help.
Actually at the hand of his fellow worshippers. Who treat you more cruelly, fellow JWs or workmates and non-JW relatives?
Did not become bitter...retaliate--Did not wish to stone them.
Endured for decades---GUILT AND SHAME
15 Persecution and ridicule did not silence Jeremiah, and they do not silence us today. Of course, we may feel discouraged at times. Jeremiah felt discouraged. "The word of Jehovah became for me a cause for reproach and for jeering all day long," he wrote. "And I said: `I am not going to make mention of him, and I shall speak no more in his name."' What happened then? Did Jeremiah stop preaching? He continued: "In my heart [the word of God] proved to be like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I got tired of holding in, and I was unable to endure it." (Jeremiah 20:8, 9) Notice that when he focused on the
ridicule of the people, he lost his joy. When he turned his attention to the beauty and importance of the message itself, his joy was rekindled. Moreover, Jehovah was with Jeremiah "like a terrible mighty one," strengthening him to proclaim the word of God with zeal and boldness. Jeremiah 20:11.
Jeremiah--another OT example
Persecution...ridicule...discouraged
The rank and file are missing too many meetings, not going the D2D or are not turning in their time slips.
Preaching the "good news" is not a fire shut in their bones
Solution: Don't focus on the ridicule...but the message
What is the message JWs bring? Is it a positive one or one of destruction?
Zeal and boldness????????????????????????????
16 Did the prophet Jeremiah find joy in his work? Absolutely! He said to Jehovah: "Your words were found, and I proceeded to eat them; and your word becomes to me the exultation and the rejoicing of my heart; for your name has been called upon me, 0 Jehovah." (Jeremiah 15:16) Jeremiah rejoiced in his
privilege of representing the true God and preaching his word. We too can rejoice. What is more, we rejoice, as do the angels in heaven, that worldwide so many accept the Kingdom message, repent, and get on the road to everlasting life.-Luke 15:10.
OT example--Rank and file are not 'finding joy in their work' like Jeremiah did
'Privilege" of representing the true God--JWs or Christians?
CARROT--get on the road to everlasting life--only through the WTS.
*** w97 3/15 pp. 15-16 Incline Your Heart to Discernment ***
Only spiritual discernment, developed by a study of God's Word with the help of publications provided through "the faithful and discreet slave," will help us to pursue a proper course in life.
Blurb on page 20: How did Jehovah reward Jeremiah's patience?
"The Endurance of Job"
17 After commenting about the prophets of old, the disciple James wrote: "You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful." (James 5:11) The Greek word here translated "endurance" has a meaning similar to that of the word James used in the preceding verse for "patience." Pointing out the difference between the
two words, one scholar wrote: "The former is patience when persons abuse us, the latter is brave perseverance under things that distress us."
Greek word--what is it? Rank and file too dumb to tell them or is the WT reader problem? What about 13 years ago?
*** w93 9/15 p. 9 Endurance-Vital for Christians ***
What does it mean to endure? The Greek verb for "endure" (hy·po·me´no) literally means "remain or stay under." It occurs 17 times in the Bible. According to lexicographers W. Bauer, F. W. Gingrich, and F. Danker, it means "remain instead of fleeing . . . , stand one's ground, hold out." The Greek noun for "endurance" (hy·po·mo·ne´) occurs over 30 times. Regarding it, A New Testament Wordbook, by William Barclay, says: "It is the spirit which can bear things, not simply with resignation, but with blazing hope . . . It is the quality which keeps a man on his feet with his face to the wind. It is the virtue which can transmute the hardest trial into glory because beyond the pain it sees the goal."
One scholar--who, what source, when? Nothing on Google, nothing on WT-CD. How valuable is the quote without the name of the person, where the source is, when it was said?
18 Job experienced profound distress. He suffered financial ruin, the loss of his children, and a painful disease. He also grappled with false charges that Jehovah was punishing him. Job did not suffer in silence; he lamented his situation and even implied that he was more righteous than God. (Job 35:2)
However, he never lost faith, nor did he break his integrity. He did not curse God as Satan said he would. (Job 1:11, 21) The outcome? Jehovah "blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning." (Job 42:12) Jehovah restored Job's health, doubled his wealth, and blessed him with a full, happy life with his
loved ones. Job's faithful endurance also enabled him to understand Jehovah more
fully.
Another OT example for "Christians"
Financial ruin, the loss of his children, and a painful disease...grappled with false charges
Doubled his weath, gave him 10 new children, restored his health...(made his accusers honor him publicly)
What about the 10 original children...why didn't God resurrect them? Did they deserve to die?
*** g87 8/8 p. 11 Expressions That Don't Always Comfort ***
Abe Malawski, as reported in the book Recovering From the Loss of a Child: "You can have fifteen children, and it will make no difference. You can never replace a child."
Do you think 10 new children made up for the 10 that died?
Job lost all his money but did not lose faith---GUILT---why aren't you coming to the meetings.
Job lost his health but did not lose faith---GUILT--why aren't you coming to the meetings.
Job lost ten children but did not lose faith--GUILT--why aren't you coming to the meetings.
Job was falsely charged by his "friends" but did not lose faith--GUILT--why aren't you coming to the meetings.
19 What do we learn from the patient endurance of Job? Like Job, we may suffer sickness or other hardships. We may not fully understand why Jehovah allows us to undergo a particular trial. Yet, of this we may be sure: If we remain faithful, we will be blessed. Jehovah without fail rewards those earnestly seeking him. (Hebrews 11:6) Jesus said: "He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved."-Matthew 10:22; 24:13.
We may not fully understand why Jehovah allows us to undergo a particular trial
If we remain faithful--Translation: stay in the organization
Endured to the end--Translation: 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1975, 1984, 1994?
*** w04 2/15 p. 7 Is Religion at the Root of Mankind's Problems? ***
Yet, God intends to remove all false religion very soon now.
*** w03 11/15 p. 6 You Can Believe in a Paradise Earth ***
Jehovah created the earth to be the Paradise home of the human family. Very soon now, God will have that original purpose fulfilled.
*** w99 4/1 p. 19 Life After Death-What Does the Bible Say? ***
Very soon now, Jehovah God is going to intervene in human affairs and wipe out wickedness from the earth.
Blurb on page 21: How did Jehovah reward Job's endurance?
"Jehovah's Day Will Come"
20 Though Jehovah is patient, he is also just and will not forever tolerate wickedness. There are limits to his patience. Wrote Peter: "[God] did not hold back from punishing an ancient world." While Noah and his family were preserved alive, that ungodly world was deluged with water. Jehovah also brought judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ashes. These judgments set "a pattern for ungodly persons of things to come." Of this, we may be certain: "Jehovah's day will come."-2 Peter 2:5, 6; 3:10.
The WTS teaches that the people who died in the flood will never be resurrected; current teaching (has changed back and forth) that those in Sodom and Gomorrah will never be resurrected, including the babies in both scenarios. Don't people deserve an individual witness if they are going to die forever?
*** w00 1/15 p. 13 "Keep on the Watch" ***
True, untouched territories still exist, and it may be that in Jehovah's due time, a large door leading to greater activity will open. (1 Corinthians 16:9) Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be preached to Jehovah's satisfaction. Then the end will come.-Compare Matthew 10:23.
Should babies die for the sins of their parents?
(Ezekiel 18:20) . . .A son himself will bear nothing because of the error of the father, and a father himself will bear nothing because of the error of the son. Upon his own self the very righteousness of the righteous one will come to be, and upon his own self the very wickedness of a wicked one will come to be.
When JWs wish for the end, they are wishing for the eternal death of over 6 billion men, women and children, including babies.
21 Let us, then, imitate the patience of Jehovah by assisting others to attain to repentance so that they might be saved. Let us also imitate the prophets by patiently declaring the good news despite the unresponsiveness of those to whom we preach. Further, we can be sure that Jehovah will bless us richly if, like Job, we endure trials and maintain integrity. There is every reason to rejoice in our ministry when we note how Jehovah's rich blessing has been on the efforts of his people to preach the good news throughout all the earth. This we shall see in the next article.
Assisting others to attain to repentance--Translation: only JWs will be saved.
Despite unresponsiveness--because JWs call when people are most likely not to be home.
Note how Jehovah's rich blessing has been on the efforts of his people (only JWs) to preach the good news throughout all the earth.
What is the real picture of WTS statistics?
Can you tell that the next article is the year statistic one?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
So the WTS thinks the rank and file and not being patient. Those alive in 1975 (starting with the age of 10) are now approaching their 40's, their children are starting to have children, retirement is starting to loom and the end is not yet. The generation of 1914 was debunked in 1995 and nothing has replaced it. Over all historically the rank and file have been told that the end is near since 1879 and that millions now living will never die (1920). Those millions have lived through 85 years and most have died without ever seeing the end. The 2 newest members of the governing body are in their late 40's, born long after the official cut off date of 1935. Are the rank and file getting restless? Yes!
Love, Blondie