Week 2 Rev Grand Climax

by stillajwexelder 15 Replies latest watchtower bible

stillajwexelder

*** re chap. 2 p. 9 The Grand Theme of the Bible ***
Chapter 2
The Grand Theme of the Bible
Interpreting the Scriptures The mysteries locked up in the book of Revelation have for long baffled sincere students of the Bible. In God’s due time, those secrets had to be unlocked, but how, when, and to whom? Only God’s spirit could make known the meaning as the appointed time drew near. (Revelation 1:3) Those sacred secrets would be revealed to God’s zealous slaves on earth so that they would be strengthened to make known his judgments. (Compare Matthew 13:10, 11.) It is not claimed that the explanations in this publication are infallible. Like Joseph of old, we say: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8) At the same time, however, we firmly believe that the explanations set forth herein harmonize with the Bible in its entirety, showing how remarkably divine prophecy has been fulfilled in the world events of our catastrophic times.

A BIBLE proverb says: “Better is the end afterward of a matter than its beginning.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8) It is in the book of Revelation that we read of the dramatic culmination of Jehovah’s grand purpose to sanctify his name before all creation. As God declared time and time again by one of his earlier prophets: “They will have to know that I am Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 25:17; 38:23.
1. What is Jehovah’s grand purpose?
2 Just as Revelation spells out the triumphant end of matters, so their beginning is described for us in earlier books of the Bible. By examining this record, we are enabled to understand the issues involved and get an overall view of God’s purposes. How satisfying this is! Further, it should rouse us to action, so that we may share in the marvelous future that awaits mankind. (Psalm 145:16, 20) At this point, it seems appropriate to discuss the background and theme of the entire Bible, in order that we may have in mind the paramount issue that now faces all humankind, as well as God’s clearly stated purpose to resolve that issue.
2. What satisfying knowledge does Revelation, along with earlier books of the Bible, help us attain?
3 The Bible’s first book, Genesis, tells of “the beginning” and describes God’s creative works, including his crowning earthly creation, man. Genesis also sets out the first divine prophecy, uttered by God himself in the garden of Eden some 6,000 years ago. A serpent had just been used to deceive the first woman, Eve; she in turn had persuaded her husband, Adam, to join her in violating Jehovah’s law by eating from “the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.” In passing judgment on the sinful couple, God said to the serpent: “I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.” (Genesis 1:1; 2:17; 3:1-6, 14, 15) That prophecy sets the theme for the whole Bible, including Revelation.
3. What prophecy in the book of Genesis sets the theme for the whole Bible, including Revelation?

4 Immediately after uttering the prophecy, God expelled our first parents from Eden. No longer could they look forward to everlasting life in Paradise; they would have to live out their lives in the unprepared earth outside. Under sentence of death, they would produce sin-laden children. (Genesis 3:23–4:1; Romans 5:12) What, though, does the Edenic prophecy mean? Who are involved? How does it link up with Revelation? What message does it have for us today? In order to gain personal relief from the effects of the tragic event that led to Jehovah’s uttering that prophecy, it is of vital concern that we know the answers to these questions.
4. (a) After God uttered the first prophecy, what happened to our first parents? (b) What questions arise concerning the first prophecy, and why do we need to know the answers?

The Principals in the Drama
5 The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was addressed to the serpent that had lied to Eve, suggesting to her that she would not die for her disobedience but that she would become independent, a goddess. The serpent thus made Jehovah out to be a liar and insinuated that humans could improve their lot by rejecting His supreme rulership. (Genesis 3:1-5) Jehovah’s sovereignty was challenged and his good name besmirched. The book of Revelation describes how the righteous Judge, Jehovah, uses the Kingdom rule of his Son, Jesus Christ, to vindicate his sovereignty and clear all reproach from his name.—Revelation 12:10; 14:7.
5. When the serpent deceived Eve, what developed regarding God’s sovereignty and his name, and how will the controversy be resolved?

6 As for that term “serpent,” does it apply only to a literal snake? Not at all! Revelation identifies for us the infamous spirit creature that spoke through that snake. It was “the great dragon . . . , the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth,” that “seduced Eve by its cunning.”—Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 11:3.
6. How does Revelation identify the one who spoke to Eve through a snake?

7 Genesis 3:15 speaks next of “the woman.” Was this Eve? Possibly she thought so. (Compare Genesis 4:1.) But a long-lasting enmity between Eve and Satan became impossible when Eve died more than 5,000 years ago. Further, since the Serpent addressed by Jehovah is an invisible spirit, we should expect that the woman also belongs to the spirit realm. Revelation 12:1, 2 confirms this, indicating that this figurative woman is Jehovah’s heavenly organization of spirit creatures.—See also Isaiah 54:1, 5, 13.
7. What indicates that the woman of Genesis 3:15 belongs to the spirit realm?

Two Seeds in Opposition
8 Two seeds appear next at Genesis 3:15. We should be deeply interested in these, for they are related to the great issue of rightful sovereignty over this earth. This involves each one of us, whether young or old. Which of these seeds do you favor?
8. Why should we be deeply interested in what is now said about two seeds?

9 First, there is the seed, or offspring, of the Serpent. What is this? It surely includes those other spirit creatures who joined Satan in his rebellion and who were finally “hurled down with him” to the realm of the earth. (Revelation 12:9) Since Satan, or Beelzebub, is “the ruler of the demons,” it is apparent that they make up his invisible organization.—Mark 3:22; Ephesians 6:12.
9. What does the seed of the Serpent surely include?

10 Further, Jesus told Jewish religious leaders of his day: “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father.” (John 8:44) By their opposition to God’s Son Jesus, those religious leaders showed that they too were Satan’s offspring. They were part of Satan’s seed, serving him as their figurative father. Many other humans throughout history have similarly identified themselves by doing Satan’s will, particularly in opposing and persecuting the disciples of Jesus. Collectively, these humans may be described as making up Satan’s visible organization on earth.—See John 15:20; 16:33; 17:15.
10. How does the Bible identify others as part of Satan’s seed?

The Seed of the Woman Identified
11 The prophecy at Genesis 3:15 refers finally to the seed of the woman. While Satan was developing his seed, Jehovah was preparing for his “woman,” or wifelike celestial organization, to produce a seed. For some 4,000 years, Jehovah progressively revealed to obedient God-fearing humans details related to the coming of the seed. (Isaiah 46:9, 10) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others could thus build faith in the promise that the seed would appear in their genealogical line. (Genesis 22:15-18; 26:4; 28:14) Satan and his henchmen often persecuted such servants of Jehovah because of their unswerving faith.—Hebrews 11:1, 2, 32-38.
11. Over centuries of time, what did God reveal concerning the seed of the woman?
12 At last, in the year 29 of our Common Era, the perfect man Jesus presented himself at the Jordan River and was baptized. Jehovah there begot Jesus with holy spirit, saying: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” (Matthew 3:17) Jesus was there identified as having been sent forth from God’s spiritual organization in heaven. He was also anointed as the King-Designate of the heavenly Kingdom that would restore rulership over the earth in Jehovah’s name, thus settling once and for all the issue involving government, or sovereignty. (Revelation 11:15) Jesus, then, is the principal One of the seed of the woman, the foretold Messiah.—Compare Galatians 3:16; Daniel 9:25.
12. (a) When and with what event did the principal part of the seed of the woman arrive? (b) Jesus was anointed for what purpose?

13 Would the woman’s seed be simply one prominent person? Well, what of Satan’s seed? The Bible identifies Satan’s seed as including a host of wicked angels and God-dishonoring humans. It should not surprise us, then, to learn of God’s purpose to select 144,000 integrity keepers from among mankind to become priestly corulers with the Messianic Seed, Jesus Christ. Revelation refers to these when it says that the Devil, in his enmity toward God’s womanly organization, “went off to wage war with the remaining ones of her seed.”—Revelation 12:17; 14:1-4.

14 In the Bible, anointed Christians are called Jesus’ brothers, and as his brothers, they share the same Father and the same mother. (Hebrews 2:11) Their Father is Jehovah God. Hence, their mother must be “the woman,” God’s wifelike celestial organization. They become a secondary part of the seed, Christ Jesus being the primary part. The congregation of these spirit-begotten Christians on earth make up God’s visible organization that serves under his womanlike organization in the heavens, where they will be united with Christ Jesus at their resurrection. (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:16, 29) Though not part of the seed, millions of other sheep out of all nations are being united to serve with God’s organization on earth. Are you one of these other sheep? Then your happy hope is everlasting life in a paradise earth.—John 10:16; 17:1-3.

13, 14. (a) Why should it not surprise us to learn that the seed of the woman would not be just one prominent person? (b) How many has God selected from among mankind to become the secondary part of the seed, and what kind of organization do they make up? (c) Who else serve in unity with the seed?

[Study Questions]
1. What is Jehovah’s grand purpose?
2. What satisfying knowledge does Revelation, along with earlier books of the Bible, help us attain?
3. What prophecy in the book of Genesis sets the theme for the whole Bible, including Revelation?
4. (a) After God uttered the first prophecy, what happened to our first parents? (b) What questions arise concerning the first prophecy, and why do we need to know the answers?
5. When the serpent deceived Eve, what developed regarding God’s sovereignty and his name, and how will the controversy be resolved?
6. How does Revelation identify the one who spoke to Eve through a snake?
7. What indicates that the woman of Genesis 3:15 belongs to the spirit realm?
8. Why should we be deeply interested in what is now said about two seeds?
9. What does the seed of the Serpent surely include?
10. How does the Bible identify others as part of Satan’s seed?
11. Over centuries of time, what did God reveal concerning the seed of the woman?
12. (a) When and with what event did the principal part of the seed of the woman arrive? (b) Jesus was anointed for what purpose?
13, 14. (a) Why should it not surprise us to learn that the seed of the woman would not be just one prominent person? (b) How many has God selected from among mankind to become the secondary part of the seed, and what kind of organization do they make up? (c) Who else serve in unity with the seed?
truthsetsonefree

What a waste of time studying this stuff is. So glad I don't do it anymore. tsof
stillajwexelder

yep - a pile of s---te
willyloman

I've taken the liberty of preparing the answers for those who don't have time to "study."
1. What is Jehovah’s grand purpose?
We have no freakin' clue.

2. What satisfying knowledge does Revelation, along with earlier books of the Bible, help us attain?
While many of the earlier books contain historical facts and sage advice, Revelation is a hallucinatory rant whose meaning is still debated and unclear 2,000 years later.
3. What prophecy in the book of Genesis sets the theme for the whole Bible, including Revelation?
No one knows. The WTBTS claims to know, but they've been 100% wrong about every forecast made since 1874.
4. (a) After God uttered the first prophecy, what happened to our first parents? (b) What questions arise concerning the first prophecy, and why do we need to know the answers?
Science is still trying to determine who our first parents really were.

5. When the serpent deceived Eve, what developed regarding God’s sovereignty and his name, and how will the controversy be resolved?
You believe that a talking serpent spoke to a naked woman in the jungle and this is what your entire religion is based upon?
6. How does Revelation identify the one who spoke to Eve through a snake?
Revelation does this in words, which are now translated into the English language. Words are what makes it possible to concoct myths and legends.
7. What indicates that the woman of Genesis 3:15 belongs to the spirit realm?
There is more under heaven and on earth than are dreamt of in your philosophies, Horatio.
8. Why should we be deeply interested in what is now said about two seeds?
In other words, you should be deeply interested in whatever we say, and that command from 'Mother" is infinitely more important that whatever we say - which is subject to change, by the way.

9. What does the seed of the Serpent surely include?
It includes whatever we say it does; just read the paragraph back to us.

10. How does the Bible identify others as part of Satan’s seed?
It doesn't. We, however, will fill in the blanks for you; all you have to do is memorize it. This is easy, right?
11. Over centuries of time, what did God reveal concerning the seed of the woman?
You see how one false premise, once we got you to accept it, becomes a running thread through our entire doctrinal fabric?
12. (a) When and with what event did the principal part of the seed of the woman arrive? (b) Jesus was anointed for what purpose?
Now we come to the part in the study, and we do this in every study, when the question doesn't make any sense and your job is to make sense of it. And believe us, someone will say something complex that appears to make sense and you will be in awe at this person's depth of knowledge and obviously high level of sprituality and seek to emulate those qualities, even though his answer is Greek to you. This is called spiritual growth.
13, 14. (a) Why should it not surprise us to learn that the seed of the woman would not be just one prominent person? (b) How many has God selected from among mankind to become the secondary part of the seed, and what kind of organization do they make up? (c) Who else serve in unity with the seed?
We like to put in b and c parts in some of the questions because it implies that this shit is really DEEP.
M.J.

The interesting thing about the JWs interpretation is that it would be classified as futurist, yet 95% of it was allegedly realized in the early 20th century.
Pleasuredome

i was just wondering the other day when i saw my mom's revelation book, is there any reason why the book should be blood red in colour?
zack

I absolutely refused to conduct the book study with this book. The "interpretation" of this and others like Daniel, Ezekiel, etc..." is
speculation" at best. And if most of the stuff in it has been fulfilled by JW's in the early part of the last century, then they should re-name the book from Revelation to Recitation.
And while I'm at it, I could never figure out why (even as a child or seven or eight) all the fulfilments of these prophecies were 1) Spiritual fulfilments, 2) secondary fulfilment, etc...
Now I understand why I didn't understand it then---- no rational mind can untwist the ramblings of FWF. It's all a lie.
Zack-----
icocer

Just bookmarking and following the series.
Doubting Bro

It is not claimed that the explanations in this publication are infallible. Like Joseph of old, we say: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8) At the same time, however, we firmly believe that the explanations set forth herein harmonize with the Bible in its entirety, showing how remarkably divine prophecy has been fulfilled in the world events of our catastrophic times.
In other words, we won't take responsibility ~~when~~ if these ~~rambling speculations~~ fallible explanations do not work out the way we forsee. However, if you disagree with any of them, you will be disfellowshiped immediately for apostacy.
Nosferatu

Answers that will get you in trouble with the Elders:
[Study Questions]
1. What is Jehovah’s grand purpose?
- To make wacky dubs go around and proclaim that this old system of things won't last another six months
2. What satisfying knowledge does Revelation, along with earlier books of the Bible, help us attain?
- That it's a waste of time trying to interpret that crap
3. What prophecy in the book of Genesis sets the theme for the whole Bible, including Revelation?
- Once a dumbass, always a dumbass.
4. (a) After God uttered the first prophecy, what happened to our first parents?
- They died.
(b) What questions arise concerning the first prophecy, and why do we need to know the answers?
- Why do people think there was a prophecy, and why do we need to waste our time thinking about these non-existant prophecies?
5. When the serpent deceived Eve, what developed regarding God’s sovereignty and his name, and how will the controversy be resolved?
- Nothing developed, and the controversy will be resolved when people quit believing that this stuff is more than just a story.
6. How does Revelation identify the one who spoke to Eve through a snake?
- A snake who ate too many shrooms
7. What indicates that the woman of Genesis 3:15 belongs to the spirit realm?
Nothing. You're making stuff up again.
8. Why should we be deeply interested in what is now said about two seeds?
- Because it will prevent us from falling asleep during the Book Study.
9. What does the seed of the Serpent surely include?
- Snake sperm
10. How does the Bible identify others as part of Satan’s seed?
- Spermtacular people
11. Over centuries of time, what did God reveal concerning the seed of the woman?
- That is was not a seed, but an egg.
12. (a) When and with what event did the principal part of the seed of the woman arrive?
See answer to #11
(b) Jesus was anointed for what purpose?
- He was an extraterrestrial.
13, 14. (a) Why should it not surprise us to learn that the seed of the woman would not be just one prominent person?
- Because two headed monsters are way cool!
(b) How many has God selected from among mankind to become the secondary part of the seed, and what kind of organization do they make up?
- He didn't select anybody. Therefore, and organization is invalid.
(c) Who else serve in unity with the seed?
- Dodo birds

Week 2 Rev Grand Climax

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