144,000 Pebbles

by jgnat 15 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  jgnat

  I'm marking my JW hubby's study yet again, and I just have to vent. 144,000 white pebbles? The WTBTS again jams Revelation 14:1, like a bad puzzle piece, in to every promise that came out of the mouth of God. In Rev. 2:17, "to him that conquers I will give him a white pebble..." The Revelation book then goes on to explain in five paragraphs, why only the 144,000 can be named those conquerers. There is no supporting scriptures, of course, why this promise is limited to 144,000.

  The symbolism of the white pebble is neatly and properly explained on page 46, para 20. The roman courts used pebbles to ascribe guilt or innocence. White symbolised acquittal. All fine and good.

  BUT THEN in paragraph 22, they completely ignore historical context, saying the name on the pebble "is a means of identifying a person and distinguishing that one from others." The WTBTS completely ignores the Jewish belief at the time that a man's NAME is what carries him in to his afterlife. This concept is repeated in such symbols as the Lamb's Book of Life, and so on. For a man to lose his NAME means that his progeny are not placed in history. He might as well be erased, his place in history condemned to his time on earth only. He will be FORGOTTEN in a scant few generations.

  WHY would the society ignore this sort of context? Because, of course, it would point out the vastly diminished prize for the great crowd. According to their doctrine, at least.

  Some background on Jewish beliefs on the afterlife, and naming:

  http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/beliefs/afterlife.htm

  http://www.beth-elsa.org/be_s0503.htm

  http://www.jewfaq.org/jnames.htm
• 

  Zico

  Hi JGnat, I posted this on another thread:

  Contrast this quote [from para 20]:
  
  'So the white pebble may indicate something very special for the conquering anointed Christian' (It may?)
  
  With this one, taken from Para. 22:
  
  'These anointed Christians receive the pebble after they have finished their earthly course as conquerors'
  
  So, not may, but does?
  
  The book study this week was a joke (like every week!) There is absolutely no link in Revelation between the white pebbles and the 144,000. This is why they originally wrote 'may' (which is just them speculating) but they still jump from 'may' in para 20, to a definite statement in para. 22.
  
  Apostates got a real bashing this week as well!

  They basically admit there's no real foundation for 144,000 white pebbles in para. 20, but then they go and make it official doctrine a few paragraphs later anyway.
• 

  jgnat

  It's funny how these things jump out at you after a while, eh?
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  jgnat

  Hey, I just noticed that Scully and Barbara Andersen got an honorable mention, page 49, para 8:

  "In modern times, some such strong-willed women have induced their husbands to become apostates and have even instigated court action against Jehovah's faithful servants"
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  Zico

  It's funny how these things jump out at you after a while, eh?

  It is really, even though I don't attend the book study every week, I like to read through it each week to spot the holes, because it's the hole-eist book they've got imo (Not holiest!) I don't have to dig deep for these things, as you say, they just jump out at me. It's full of so many holes, I wonder how it doesn't call a massive fall-out from creating doubts, and yet it's not, because if it ever had, they wouldn't be studying it a 4th time.
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  jgnat

  I think it is all that delightful symbolism and apocalyptic delights. I sense the current generation of JW's can barely contain their impatience for the end, their daily existence so miserable. They are willing to gloss over the imperfection, to prove their "worldly" neighbours wrong.
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  Paralipomenon

  "With this one, taken from Para. 22: "
  
  You quoting my scriptures again?
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  bebu

  the name on the pebble "is a means of identifying a person and distinguishing that one from others."

  Well you know, it's going to be pretty hard to tell everyone apart up there if they are all wearing the same outfit and accessories---> It might be a little tough to read the pebbles, esp from a distance, but at least they will not be rocks... I wonder now if they will get pebble name badges (pin on sort, or adhesive), or will they have a pocket in their robe to pull it out from, like a business card? These guys seem doomed to carry those things forever. Maybe they could get a purse...

  bebu
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  jgnat

  Hence, the practice of convention badges for approved publishers.
• 

  SirNose586

  This week's revelation study was all about the 1980's Bethel Apostasy Witchhunt! "Studying the scriptures in private groups"? "Coming to their own conclusion"? That was the scope of the witchhunt. I really, REALLY wanted to tell everyone about what happened, but decided that revealing it would reveal way too much about what I've been researching...