Comments You Will Not Hear at the 06-25-06 WT Study (May 15, 2006 issue date, pages 21-25)(SURVIVAL)
Review comments will be in redWT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
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)
ARE YOU (SHOULDN'T THAT BE WE?) PREPARED FOR SURVIVAL?
"Go, you and all your household, into the ark, because you are the one I have seen to be righteous before me among this generation."--GENESIS 7:1
Opening Comments
Note that once again the WTS is using an OT scripture. Were there no Christians in the first century that had to prepare to survive a predicted destruction?
(Matthew 24:15-22) 15 "Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·de´a begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment. 19 Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! 20 Keep praying that YOUR flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day; 21 for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.
Without a date, the WTS is having a hard time revving up the rank and file. All they can do is keep singing "The End is Coming Soon." The theme song of the convention is, "Deliverance is at Hand," the invitation tract distribution, and the 2 other "special" distributions this year, one entitled, "False Religion's End is Near!" sing in harmony. And now 2 articles on surviving the coming eternal destruction of every non-JW on earth including babies and young children whether they received a personal witness or not adds "back-up."
*** w89 9/1 p. 19 par. 7 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. As it was in the days of Noah, said Jesus, so it would be in the day when He would be revealed. Inside the ark that took many years of organized effort to complete, only eight human souls survived the global Deluge. They survived as a united family group. (Matthew 24:22, 37-39; Luke 17:26-30) Noah's wife corresponds to the bride of Christ, and his sons and daughters-in-law to Jesus' present-day "other sheep," who have grown into an increasing great crowd, the final proportions of which we do not now know. (John 10:16) For survival into the Millennium under the Greater Noah, Jesus Christ, they have to remain organized with the anointed remnant, "the chosen ones" on account of whom the days of the "great tribulation" will be cut short.-Matthew 24:21, 22.
*** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 "Keep on the Watch" ***
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.
A little quiz:
Who does the WTS say Noah represents?
Who does his wife represent?
Who do the sons and daughter-in-laws represent (did they have children before the flood)?
What does the ark represent?
Will any who died in the flood ever be resurrected? Why not?
START OF ARTICLE
Q1) What provision for survival did Jehovah make in the days of Noah?
Jehovah "brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people" in the days of Noah, but He also made provision for survival. (2 Peter 2:5) The true God gave righteous Noah explicit instructions on how to build an ark for the preservation of life through a global flood. (Genesis 6:14-16) As we would expect of a conscientious servant of Jehovah, "Noah proceeded to do according to all that God had commanded him." Indeed, "he did just so." Partly because of Noah's obedience, we are alive today.--Genesis 6:22.
First, notice how skillfully the WTS weaves the snippets so that it seems that you are reading a complete scripture.
global flood--notice they don't just say "flood." Was there a global flood?
http://corior.blogspot.com/2006/02/part-3-where-did-water-come-from.html
conscientious servant of Jehovah--did you know that the WTS teaches that there were only 3 men true to God, Abel, Enoch, and Noah that lived on earth before the flood. Makes you wonder were women played in the script, or Noah's father and grandfather, Lamech and Methusaleh?
"he did just so"--he did exactly what the WTS said
Q2,3) (a) How did Noah's contemporaries react to Noah's activity? (b) With what confidence did Noah enter the ark?
2) Building the ark was no small task. Very likely, many people were amazed at what Noah and his family were accomplishing. (this is the start of a setup for a "application" later in the article) Yet, that was not enough to convince them that salvation depended upon their entering the ark. (what is the ark now?) Finally, God's patience with that wicked world ran out.--Genesis 6:3, 1 Peter 3:20.
Not enough to convince them that their salvation depended upon their entering the ark--what is the ark today according to the WTS?
Wicked world--everyone but 8 people including babies and small children...eternally destroyed.
3) After decades of strenuous work (1874-2006) on the part of Noah and his family, Jehovah told Noah: "Go, you and all your household, into the ark, because you are the one I have seen to be righteous before me among this generation." With faith and confidence in Jehovah's word, "Noah went in, and his sons and his wife and his son's wives with him." Jehovah shut the door in order to protect his worshippers. When the Deluge came upon the earth, the ark proved to be God's dependable provision for survival.--Genesis 7:1,7,10,16.
Notice the order of entry: Noah, his sons, his wife, his son's wives....women didn't go first?
Modern Parallels to Noah's Day
Q4,5) (a) To what did Jesus compare the time of his presence (1874 or 1914?) (b) What parallels exist between Noah's day and our time?
4) "Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence (1874 or 1914?) of the Son of man will be." (Matthew 24:37) With these words, Jesus indicated that the time of his invisible (no accident they put that word there) presence would be similar to the days of Noah, and that has truly been so. Particularly, since 1919, a warning message similar to the one given Noah has been declared to people of all nations. In general, their reaction has been similar to that of people in Noah's days.
since 1919--notice how the WTS sidesteps explaining the significance of this date in WTS history. Up until 1918, the WTS had merely been searching for the anointed before their ascension to heaven and the destruction of the governmental, religious, and commercial infrastructures in 1914. But they taught that the people would remain on earth. Starting in 1919, the WTS started teaching that only people supporting the WT organization would survive and that was what the warning was about.
5) By means of the Flood, Jehovah too action against a world "full of violence." (Genesis 6:13) That Noah and his family refrained from taking part in such violence and instead peacefully went about the work of building an ark was obvious to all who saw them. Here, too, we see a parallel to our day. Sincere people can now "see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him. (Malachi 3:18) The honesty, kindness, peacefulness, and diligence displayed by Jehovah's Witnesses are admired by unprejudiced onlookers, and these qualities distinguish God's people from the world in general. The Witnesses reject violence in all its forms and let themselves be motivated by Jehovah's spirit. That is why they are blessed with peace and why they pursue a righteous course.--Isaiah 60:17
Only JWs are 'righteous' and 'serving God.'
Honesty--see UN issue at beginning of reviewKindness--yes, give non-JWs a WT publication rather than food, clothing or shelter.Peacefulness--until you reject their message of your destruction unless you listen to them
God's people--only JWsthe world in general--the ones soon to be destroyed
unprejudiced onlookers--anyone who speaks about the flaws in the WTS are "prejudiced"
blessed with peace--not a quality found at most elders' meetings
Q6, 7) (a) What did people in Noah's day fail to appreciate, and how is it similar today? (b) What examples show that Jehovah's Witnesses are generally recognized as being different?
6) Noah's contemporaries failed to appreciate that Noah had divine backing and was acting at God's direction. So they did not take his preaching seriously and act on his warning message. What about today? Although many are impressed by the work and conduct of Jehovah's Witnesses, most do not take the good news and the Bible's warnings seriously. Neighbors, employers, or relatives may speak highly of the fine qualities of true Christians but then lament, "If only they were not Jehovah's Witnesses!" What these observers overlook is that the Witnesses manifest such qualities as love, peace, kindness, goodness, mildness, and self-control because they are led by God's holy spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25) This should add credibility to their message.
failed to appreciate that Noah had divine backing--and what was the proof of that, building the ark...that no building projects of similar size existed in pre-flood earth?
Impressed by the work and conduct of (JWs)...not take...warnings seriously...speak highly...lament...if only they were not (JWs)
Are JWs the only people with the qualities of love, peace, kindness, goodness, mildness, and self-control? The WTS would like you to think so; otherwise how could they be the only one's "led by God's holy spirit" or with "divine backing" the only channel to Jesus and God?
Without proving that JWs are the only "true Christians" with God's backing the WTS then says "this should add credibility to their message."
Where are the fruitages of the holy spirit when it comes to shunning friends and family members who no longer share ALL of the WTS doctrine, that following the Bible is not enough, but you must be a member of the WTS?
7) In Russia, for instance, Jehovah's Witnesses were building a Kingdom Hall. A man who stopped to talk to one of the workers remarked: "What a strange construction site-no smoking, no rough speech, and everyone is sober! Are you by any chance one of Jehovah's Witnesses?" The worker asked him, "If I said no, would you believe me?" The man quickly replied, "Not really." In another Russian city, the mayor was greatly impressed when he saw the Witnesses build their new Kingdom Hall. He said that although he had once viewed all religious groups as being the same, after seeing the sincere unselfishness of Jehovah's Witnesses in action, he no longer did so. These are just two examples showing that Jehovah's people differ from those who do not adhere to Bible standards.
No smoking, no rough speech, and everyone is sober
Well, he's not talking about J.F. Rutherford, the second president of the WTS.
What about requiring that there be 2 eyewitnesses to a child being molested before the molester can be removed from the congregation?
seeing the sincere unselfishness of (JWs) in action
And who in the community benefits from the KH? Do they feed the hungry, house the homeless, help the sick?
Those who do not adhere to Bible standards--all non-JWs
Blurb on page 22: Noah's contemporaries did not take Noah seriously
(Picture showing 1) man rejecting Noah's message is dressed in animal skins, Noah and family are not 2) black son and daughter-in-law pictured 3) women shown playing with deer; could the ark be a viable construct based on engineering principles?
Q8) Our surviving the end of this wicked world depends on what?
8) During the final period of the "ancient world" that perished in the Flood,
Noah was a faithful "preacher of righteousness." (2 Peter 2:5) In these last
days of the present system of things, Jehovah's people are making known God's righteous standards and are declaring good news about the possibility of surviving into the new world. (2 Peter 3:9-13) Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization.
Noah was a faithful "preacher---message to the JWs, are you? Faithful does not mean being a 1 hour a month publisher.
Jehovah's people--only JWs
making known God's righteous standards--only as interpreted by God's channel to men on earth...the WTS
*** w81 2/15 p. 19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***
No question about it. We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the "faithful and discreet slave" organization.
declaring good news--check the sample presentations from the WTS, where is the "good news" mentioned?
Note in the following "flexible" approach for JWs in 2005, there is no mention of the "good news," Jesus or even Jehovah:
*** km 1/05 p. 6 Try a Flexible Approach ***
A flexible approach that many publishers find effective is to invite the householder to comment on illustrations of Paradise scenes in our publications, such as those listed in the right-hand column of this page. You might do this using one of the following introductions:
· "Do you think we will ever see the human family enjoying the kind of conditions pictured here?"
· "All of us would like our children to be able to enjoy the kind of world pictured here. What do you think it would take to bring this about?"
· "This is an illustration of what the earth will look like when God's will takes place on earth as it is in heaven. Do you notice anything that is different from life today?"
· "Would you like to live under the conditions pictured here? [Allow for response.] Do you think this will happen in our lifetime?"
POSSIBILITY of surviving into the new world
SURVIVAL OF INDIVIDUALS TODAY DEPENDS ON THEIR FAITH AND LOYAL ASSOCIATION WITH THE EARTHLY PART OF JEHOVAH'S UNIVERSAL ORGANIZATION
WHERE'S JESUS?
*** w89 9/1 p. 19 par. 7 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. As it was in the days of Noah, said Jesus, so it would be in the day when He would be revealed.
Faith Required for Survival
Q9, 10) Why is faith essential if we are to survive the end of Satan's system of things?
9) What must a person do in order to survive the imminent destruction of this world that is lying in Satan's power? (1 John 5:19) He must first recognize the need for protection. Then he must avail himself of such protection. The people of Noah's day went about their daily life in their usual way and saw no need for protection from impending calamity. They lacked something else--faith in God.
IMMINENT destruction of this world
IMPENDING calamity
recognize the need for protection..avail himself
lacked faith in God--all non-JWs lack faith in God because they don't listen to and become JWs
10) On the-other hand, Noah and his family recognized their need for protection and deliverance. They also exercised faith in the Universal Sovereign, Jehovah God. "Without faith it is impossible to please [Jehovah] well," wrote the apostle Paul, "for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." Paul added: "By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; and through this faith he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith."-Hebrews 11:6, 7.
Noah...recognized--but then he said he had direct communication with God on this matter; what would Noah have said if his neighbor had come by telling there was going to be a flood?
Faith in God or faith in the organization (WTS) is required?
Does the WTS feel anyone can have true faith without being a JW?
ARK = WTS
Blurb on page 23: It pays to take God's warning messages seriously
Q11) What can we learn from how Jehovah provided protection in times past?
11) To survive the end of the present wicked system of things, we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed. We must exercise faith, taking full advantage of God's provisions for survival. Of course, we need to exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 36) However, we do well to remember that only those actually inside Noah's ark survived the Flood. Similarly, the cities of refuge in ancient Israel provided protection for the unintentional manslayer only if he first fled to such a city and then remained inside it until the death of the high priest. (Numbers 35:11-32) In the tenth plague upon Egypt in Moses' day, the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed, but those of the Israelites were spared. Why? Jehovah had instructed Moses: "They [the Israelites] must take some of the blood [of the Passover lamb] and splash it upon the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway belonging to the houses in which they will eat it.... And none of you should go out of the entrance of his house until morning." (Exodus 12:7, 22) Which firstborn among the Israelites would have dared to ignore such God-given instructions by going outside a house marked with the blood splashed on the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway?
we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed...take full advantage of God's provisions for survival
provisions only through the WTS, everyone outside the WTS will die, die, die, forever without hope of a resurrection, including babies.
Only those actually inside Noah's ark (WTS) survived...cities of refuges (WTS/congregations)...two doorposts (doors of the KH)
dared to ignore such God-given instructions
WTS instructions through its publications
Q12) What question should each of us ask himself (and herself), and why?
12) We therefore have reason to think carefully about our personal situation. Are we actually inside Jehovah's arrangement of spiritual protection? When the great tribulation strikes, tears of joy and thankfulness will stream down the faces of those who have sought such protection. For others, there will be only tears of sorrow and regret.
ARE WE ACTUALLY INSIDE JEHOVAH'S ARRANGEMENT OF SPIRITUAL PROTECTION
ONLY THE WTS
When the great tribulation strikes
Unofficially sources seem to indicate it could strike this year...............
for others...tears of sorrow and regret.........all those outside the WTS
Progressive Adjustments Prepare Us
Q13) (a) What purpose have organizational adjustments served? (b) Explain some of the progressive refinements.
13) Jehovah has brought about progressive adjustments in the earthly part of his organization. These have served to beautify, stabilize, and strengthen his arrangement for our spiritual protection. From the 1870's to 1932, elders and deacons were voted into office by members of the congregation. In 1932 the elective elders were replaced with a service committee elected by the congregation to assist an appointed service director. During 1938, arrangements were made for the theocratic appointment of all servants in the congregation. Under the direction of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, since 1972, recommendations are made and if these are approved, the congregations receive letters theocratically appointing overseers and ministerial servants. Over the years, the role played by the Governing Body has intensified and changes have been made to facilitate its work.
Progressive adjustments
1870's to 1932, elders and deacons were voted into office by members of the congregation
1932 the elective elders were replaced by a service committee elected by the congregation...appointed (by the WTS) service director
1938...theocratic (by Rutherford) appointment of all servants in the congregation
1972...under direction of the GB (actually now delegated to non-anointed JWs at Bethel)
This shows how Rutherford gradually consolidated his control over the congregations. By 1938, few of the original Bible Students remained in the WTS and it consisted mostly of people who came in after 1925.
Q14) What training program began in 1959?
14) Back in 1950, careful consideration of Psalm 45:16 gave rise to an ongoing training program. That text reads: "In place of your forefathers there will come to be your sons, whom you will appoint as princes in all the earth." Elders now taking the lead in the congregation are being trained for present and post-Armageddon theocratic duties. (Revelation 16:14,16) The Kingdom Ministry School was started in 1959. At that time, a month-long course of instruction was provided primarily for congregation servants, as presiding overseers were then called. This school has now been extended to offer instruction to all overseers and ministerial servants. These brothers, in turn, take the lead in training individual Witnesses of Jehovah in their respective congregations. Thus, all are assisted spiritually and are helped to increase the effectiveness of their ministry as proclaimers of the good news of the Kingdom.-Mark 13:10.
1950...training program designed for men...elders for duties within the congregation not the preaching work which is still mostly relegated to the women in the organization.
POST-ARMAGEDDON theocratic duties--56 years ago...I think the trainees are long gone.
1959 Kingdom Ministry School--once again only for men, 1 month long, away from families and jobs...I wonder if the women held the home together while they were gone?
take the lead in training individual Witnesses of Jehovah (men) on how to handle things administratively, not preach..........organize those car groups and disappear in a car leaving the women and children on their own.
Blurb on page 24: What purpose does the Kingdom Ministry School serve?
Q15) What are two ways in which the purity of the Christian congregation is preserved?
15) Individuals wanting to become part of the Christian congregation must meet certain requirements. Logically, modern-day ridiculers are kept out, even as such ones found no place in Noah's ark. (2 Peter 3:3-7) Particularly since 1952, Jehovah's Witnesses have given increased support to an arrangement that helps to protect the congregation-that is, the disfellowshipping of unrepentant sinners. Of course, truly repentant wrongdoers are lovingly helped to `make straight paths for their feet.'-Hebrews 12:12, 13; Proverbs 28:13; Galatians 6:1.
Purity of the congregation.......
Logically, modern-day ridiculers are kept out---why have some been let in?
1952 DISFELLOWSHIPPING..........right after the comment on ridiculers.....so it is a vehicle to keep out dissenters not sexual predators.
Unrepentant...truly repentant---how can the elders determine repentance if they cannot read hearts and minds?
Q16) What is the spiritual condition of Jehovah's people?
16) The spiritually prosperous condition of Jehovah's people is neither a
surprise nor an accident. Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah said: "Look! My own servants will eat, but you yourselves will go hungry. Look! My own servants will drink, but you yourselves will go thirsty. Look! My own servants will rejoice, but you yourselves will suffer shame. Look! My own servants will cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart, but you yourselves will make outcries because of the pain of heart and you will howl because of sheer breakdown of spirit." (Isaiah 65:13, 14) Jehovah continues to provide us with an abundant supply of timely and healthful spiritual food that keeps us spiritually strong.-Matthew 24:45.
spiritually prosperous condition of Jehovah's people (only JWs)
This infers that everyone outside the WTS is not spiritually prosperous.
Abundant...timely...healthful--message........eat it and like it
Matthew 24:45--the linchpin scripture of determining the WTS authority
Blurb on page 25: Now is the time to stay close to the Christian (JW) congregation
Be Prepared for Survival
Q17) What will help us to prepare for survival?
17) As never before, now is the time to "consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another." (Hebrews 10:23-25) Sticking close to and staying active with one of the over 98,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will help us to prepare ourselves for survival. We will have the support of fellow believers as we strive to manifest "the new personality" and put forth wholehearted efforts to help others learn of Jehovah's provision for salvation.-Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9, 10; 1 Timothy 4:16.
Incite to love
How is it when you go to meetings? Are you one of the attractive, popular ones with a position of power or married to one with power? Do you have money or contacts with other JWs with power? Or are you not so physically attractive, with a non-JW spouse or no spouse, and several children? Do you lack the money to drive a nice car, dress fashionably, are you struggling to put food on the table? Do you have a chronic illness or disability. Do the elders know your name, your spouse's name, your children's? Do they greet you with more than a walking hi/goodbye? Is they only way the elders talk to you is to remind you to turn in your time? Do the sisters help with the baby or tell you that a swat to the bottom will cure their restlessness? Have you noticed that Sister Setsthesocialcalendar has been avoiding you and you find out later she had a party at her house and everyone was there except you?
Sticking close---to catch you doing something wrong.
Support of fellow believers--I can remember a sister who was "weak" and needed a ride to the KH. It seems the new KH was not on a bus line any more. She couldn't afford a cab and everyone she asked had a "full" car. She started taking the bus to the end of the line and walking the rest of the way (2 miles) to the KH. JWs on their way to the meeting would just drive on by. (I came from a different direction). One day some "kind" sister was laughing about it in service. After flaying everyone with my tongue (3 sisters who avoided me after that), I sought out this sister and gave her a ride after that. Where were the elders? I asked 3 of them if they knew, they did and said it was not their job.......................What bothered me most were the ones that knew, had the means, did nothing, and laughed about it...now there are some people that should descend into eternal destruction.
Q18) Why are you determined to stay close to the Christian (JW)congregation?
18) Satan and his evil world are keenly desirous of luring us away from the
Christian congregation. However, we can remain a part of it and can survive the end of the present wicked system of things. May love for Jehovah and gratitude for his loving provisions move us to be more determined than ever to thwart Satan's efforts. Meditating on our present-day blessings will strengthen our resolve. Some of these blessings will be discussed in the next article.
Satan and his evil world (all non-JWs)
Christian congregation (only JWs)
WE CAN REMAIN A PART OF IT AND CAN SURVIVE (not a part and we die, die, die)
What Are Your Answers?
- How do our times parallel Noah's day?
- What quality is essential for survival?
- What progressive adjustments have strengthened Jehovah's arrangement for our protection?
- How can we personally prepare for survival?
Concluding Comments
Basically, this article say if you aren't a baptized member of the WTS organization, you are toast, and soon.
If you aren't at the meetings....you aren't on the ark.
If you aren't turning in time...you aren't on the ark.
If you aren't baptized...you aren't on the ark (except for very young children and then their parents better be baptized as JWs)
I put a song at the end from 1970. No it's not a "kingdom" song though some JWs thought it should be. I will call a VOMIT ALERT here.
Love, Blondie
There's a New World Coming (STOP HERE FOR THE VOMIT ALERT)And it's just around the bend
There's a new world coming
This one's coming to an end
There's a new voice calling
You can hear it if you try
And it's growing stronger
With each day that passes by
There's a brand new morning
Rising clear and sweet and free
There's a new day dawning
That belongs to you and me
There's a new world coming
The one we've had visions of
Coming in peace, coming in joy, coming in love