Comments You Will Not Hear at the 07-20-08 WT Study (May 15, 2008, pages 12-16 (DELIVERANCE)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
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications www.strictlygenteel.co.uk
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
DELIVERANCE BY GOD'S KINGDOM IS AT HAND?"Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven also upon earth."--Matt. 6:10
OPENING COMMENTS
How many jws hope the end will come soon, before their own end. This wish is also hoping for the death of 6.5 billion non-jws, men, women and children. How many jws are energetic and productive in their "ministry" not wanting any to die?
START OF ARTICLE
Q1. What was Jesus' main teaching?
1) When Jesus Christ gave his Sermon on the Mount, he included a model prayer that summarized his main teaching. He taught his followers to pray to God: "Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." (Matt. 6:9-13) Jesus "went journeying from city to city and from village, preaching and delcaring the good news of the kingdom of God." (Luke 8:1) Christ urged his followers: "Keep on seeking first the kingdom and God's righteousness." (Matt. 6:33) As you study this article, look for ways to use the material in your ministry. For instance, consider how you might answer these questions: How important is the Kingdom message? From what does mankind need to be delivered?
And how will God's Kingdom provide deliverance?
Why not quote the whole Lord's prayer?
Do jws declare the good news? Look at their model sermons.
Where does Jesus fit into "God's Kingdom"? Isn't the kingdom spoken of Jesus' kingdom?
Q2. How important is the Kingdom message?
2) Jesus foretold: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:14) The good news about God's Kingdom is of utmost importance. Why, it is the most important message in the world! In over 100,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses earth wide, about seven million servants of God are engaged in an unparalleled preaching work, telling others that the Kingdom has been established. Its establishmen this good news because it means that God has set up a government in heaven to take full control of earth's affairs. Under Kingdom rule, Jehovah's will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
How does the preaching work of the Mormons compare? What about past and current Christian missionaries that opened up the territory in countries that jws later benefited from their hard work?
Q3&4. What will be the result when God's will is done on earth?
3) What will happen to mankind when God's will is done on earth? Jehovah will "wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." (Rev. 21:4) People will not get sick or die because of inherited sin and imperfection. The dead in God's memory will have the opportunity to live forever, for the Bible promises: "There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) There will be no more war, illness, or hunger, and the earth will be transformed into a paradise. Even animals that are now dangerous will be at peace with humans and with one another.--Ps. 46:9; 72:16; Isa. 11:6-9; 33:24; Luke 23:43.
CARROT: living forever on a paradise earth. (Did Jesus promise this to his followers?)
(Matthew 5:3) 3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
So will the meat-eaters "return" to eating grass?
4) With such marvelous blessings resulting from Kingdom rule, it is no wonder that Bible prophecy speaks of life at that time in these comforting words: "The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." But what about those whose cause trouble? The Scriptures foretell: "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more." However, "those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth."--Ps. 37:9-11.
Did Jesus promise an earthly paradise to his followers?
Who are the wicked one that will be no more? All non-jws.
"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." Watchtower 1989 Sep. 1 p.19
"Only Christian witnesses of Jehovah who successfully pass this test will survive and come forth like fire-refined gold for God's use in his precious new order". Watchtower 1985 Mar. 1 p.14
http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/salvation.htm
Q5. What is going to happen to the present system of things?
5) For all of this to happen, the present system of things with its conflicting governments, religions and commercial systems will have to be removed (along with 6.5 billion people, men, women and babies). And that is exactly what the heavenly government will do. The prophet Daniel was inspired to foretell. "In the days of those kings [now existing] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom [in heaven] that will never be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these [present] kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite." (Dan. 2:44) God's Kingdom--a new heavenly government--will then rule over a new earthly society. There will be "new heavens and a new earth...and in these righteousness is to dwell."--2 Pet. 3:13.
Does the Bible ever refer to God's kingdom as a government or only human rulerships?
The Big Three of JF Rutherford: governments, religions, commercial systems
*** g84 12/8 p. 11 Bitter Opposition in North America ***
There J. F. Rutherford announced the publication of a new magazine to be called The Golden Age. Over the years, that publication fearlessly exposed “the god of this system of things,” Satan, and his threefold instrument for enslaving mankind—false religion, beastly politics and big business.
Greater Need for Deliverance Now
Q6. How does the Bible describe the badness of this wicked world?
6) When Satan, Adam, and Eve rebelled against God, wanting to decide for themselves what was right and what was wrong, the human family was set on a disastrous course. Before the global Flood, over 1,600 years later, "the badness of man was abundant in the earth and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time." (Gen. 6:5) About 1,300 years thereafter, Solomon found conditions to be so bad that he wrote: "I congratulated the dead who had already died rather than the living who were still alive. So better than both of them is the one who has not yet come to be, who has not seen the calamitous work that is being done under the sun." (Eccl 4:2,3) Some 3,000 years more brings us to our day, when badness continues to flourish.
Now the WTS decides what is right and wrong for the rank and file. Dress, grooming, entertainment.
Supposedly the WTS teaches that Solomon's rulership represented Christ's. If so, why was Solomon so negative?
*** w92 2/1 p. 11 par. 12 Jehovah’s Gift of Holy Spirit ***
Still later, Solomon was granted special wisdom as king of God’s chosen people. (2 Chronicles 1:12, 13) Under him, Israel prospered as never before, and its happy condition became a pattern for the blessings that God’s people will enjoy under the Millennial Reign of Christ Jesus, the Greater Solomon.
Q7. Why is there a greater need now for deliverance by God?
7) While it is true that badness has been around for a long time, there is a greater need for deliverance by God's Kingdom now that at any other time. Conditions in the past 100 years have been worse than ever, and they continue to deteriorate. For example, the Worldwatch Institute reports: "Three times as many people fell victim to war in [the 20th] century as in all the wars from the first century AD to 1899." Since 1914 more than 100 million lives have been lost in wars! (but the WTS future holds the deaths of 6.5 billion people). One encyclopedia estimates that up to 60 million people died in World War II. With some nations now even being armed with nuclear weapons, humans have the capacity to wipe out huge segments of the world's population. And even with advances in science and medicine, every year hunger still claims the lives of some 5 million children.--See chapter 9 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach?
Notice how unprofessional the WTS is when it comes to quoted sources: no source, no date, no author, no pages. Google can shine the light on the complete source.
The Kosovo conflict brings to a close the most violent century in the history of humankind. Three times as many people--110 million--fell victim to war in this century as in all the wars from the first century AD to 1899. As in Kosovo, most wars since World War II have been internal conflicts. Since 1989, 97 out of 103 armed conflicts were internal. And 70 percent of all war casualties since World War II have been civilians, rising to more than 90 percent in the 1990s.
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1650
Why does the WTS neglect to name which encyclopedia?
The WTS teaches that 6.5 billion non-jws, men, women, and children will soon die eternally.
How many hungry children has the WTS fed? The WTS discourages charity to non-jws.
*** w03 6/1 p. 7 Giving That Pleases God ***
When it comes to organized charity, though, we need to be cautious as we evaluate the many appeals we receive. Some charities have high administrative or fund-raising costs, leaving only a small portion of the collected money for the intended purpose. Proverbs 14:15 says: “Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps.” So it is the course of wisdom to examine the facts carefully.
Giving That Does the Most Good
There is a kind of giving that is even more important than charity. Jesus alluded to this when a rich young ruler asked what he had to do to get everlasting life. Jesus told him: “Go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” (Matthew 19:16-22) Notice that Jesus did not just say, ‘Give to the poor and you will get life.’ Instead, he added, “Come be my follower.” In other words, as commendable and beneficial as charitable acts are, Christian discipleship involves more
.
Q8. What have thousands of years of human rule proved beyond doubt?
8) Human efforts have failed to stem the tide of badness. This world's political, commercial, and religious institutions have never fulfilled the basic human need for peace, prosperity, and health. Far from solving the huge problems now facing mankind, these institutions have added to them. Surely, thousands of years of human rule have proved the truthfulness of the words: "To earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jer. 10:23) Yes, "man has dominated man to his injury." (Eccl. 8:9) Moreover, "all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together."--Rom. 8:22.
Big Three: political, commercial, religious
So has the WTS participated in helping?
The WTS has directed the steps of jws in the flipflop policy of organ transplants and the continuing "adjustments" of blood transfusions, contributing to the deaths of many.
Q9. What conditions do true Christians expect to see in these "last days"?
9) Regarding our time, the Bible foretold: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here." After describing conditions of the last days under human rule, the prophecy states: "Wicked men and imposters will advance from bad to worse." (Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5,13) That is what Christians expect, for "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one," Satan. (1 John 5:19) However, the good news is that God will soon deliver those who love him. They will be delivered from this world, which is rapidly going from bad to worse.
true Christians...Christians--only jws
deliver those who love him--only jws
Imposters--have you ever read the history of the WTS?
http://www.freeminds.org/psych/lies.htm
http://corior.blogspot.com/2006/02/latest-wts-lies.html
The Only Reliable Source of Deliverance
Q10. Why is Jehovah the only reliable Source of deliverance?
10) As you preach the good news, point out that Jehovah is the only reliable Source of deliverance. He alone has the power and the will to deliver his servants from any bad situation. (Acts 4:24,31; Rev. 4:11) We can be certain that Jehovah will always deliver his people and fulfill his purposes, for he has sworn: "Surely just as I have figured, so it must occur." His word "will not return to [him] without results."--Read Isiah 14:24,25; 55:10,11.
Jehovah or WTS the only reliable Source?
*** w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible—A Book Meant to Be Understood ***
Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave
his servants...his people--only jws
Q11 & 12. What guarantee does God give to his servants.
11) Jehovah has guaranteed that he will deliver his servants when he executes judgment upon the wicked. When sending the prophet Jeremiah to speak boldly to gross sinners, God said: "Do not be afraid." (Jer. 1:8) Similarly, when Jehovah was about to destroy wicked Sodom and Gomorrah, he sent two angels to escort Lot and his family safely out of the area. "Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire...upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah."--Gen. 19:15, 24,25.
his servants--only jws
wicked--all non-jws
Here is the "consistent" teaching about the resurrection of Sodom and Gomorrah.
http://www.cftf.com/comments/blinking.html
12) Even on a worldwide scale, Jehovah can deliver those who do his will. When he destroyed the ancient wicked world in the Flood, he "kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others." (2 Pet. 2:5) Jehovah will again deliver the upright when he destroys the present wicked world. His Word thus states: "Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth...Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." (Zeph 2:3) As a result of that worldwide destruction, 'the upright will reside in the earth, but the wicked will be cut off from it.'--Prov. 2:21,22.
Probably be concealed?
Does the WTS teach that all individual jws will be delivered?
*** w02 12/15 p. 15 par. 10 “He Will Draw Close to You” ***
How, though, does Jehovah guard his people? His promise of protection does not guarantee us a problem-free life in this system; nor does it mean that he is obligated to work miracles in our behalf. Nevertheless, Jehovah does provide physical protection for his people as a group.
Q13. How will Jehovah's servants who have died be delivered?
13) However, many of God's servants have already died because of illness, persecution, and other factors. (Matt. 24:9) How, then will all of these be delivered? As noted earlier, "there is going to be a resurrection of...the righteous." (Acts 24:15) What comfort there is in knowing that nothing can prevent Jehovah from delivering his servants.
Jehovah's servants...God's servants..his servants...the righteous--only jws
A Righteous Government
Q14. Why are confident that God's Kingdom is a righteous government?
14) In your ministry, you can explain that Jehovah's heavenly Kingdom is a righteous government. This is so because it reflects God's marvelous qualities, such as justice, righteousness, and love. (Deut. 32:4; 1 John 4:8). God has put the Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ, the one best qualified to rule the earth. Jehovah has also purposed that 144,000 anointed Christians be taken from the earth and raised to heavenly life as Christ's joint heirs associated with him in administering earth's affairs.--Rev. 14:1-5.
Does the Bible ever refer to the kingdom as a government?
But on earth, the WTS teaches that the kingdom is in the hands of the "remnant" of the 144,000 anointed Christians...only jws.
***Daniel Prophecy book dp chap. 10 p. 175 par. 21 Who Can Stand Against the Prince of Princes? ***
Today the remaining ones of the 144,000 are earthly representatives of the “heavenly Jerusalem”—the citylike Kingdom of God—and its temple arrangement.
Q15. Contrast the rule of God's Kingdom with human rule.
15) What a great contrast there will be between the rule of Jesus and the 144,000 and that of imperfect humans! The rules of this system of things have often been cruel and have led their subjects into wars, resulting in the slaughter of millions. No wonder the Scriptures counsel us not to put our trust in man, "to whom no salvation belongs"! (Ps. 146:3) But what a fine spirit will mark Christ's rule! "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down," said Jesus, "and I will refresh you. Take my hyoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light."--Matt. 11-28-30.
Aren't those 144,000 left on earth, imperfect humans? The WTS teaches that they are instantly made perfect after death and resurrection. Why does it take the rest of the surviving human race 1,000 years?
The Last Days Soon to End!
Q16. How will these last days conclude?
16) This world has been in the last days, or "the conclusion of the system of things," since the year 1914. (Matt. 24:3) Very soon now, what Jesus called the "great tribulation" will occur. (Read Matthew 24:21). The unparalled tribulation will bring Satan's entire world to its end. But how does the great tribulation begin? And how does it end?
The last days started in 1799 per past WTS doctrine.
1799
Start of "the last days". Napoleon debased the pope and ended the 1260 days of Dan 7:25; 12:7; Rev 11:1-3. WT Jan-Feb 1889 [repr p1093].
SiS2 p256. SiS3 p58,63,64
Replaced by 1914 in 1930 [Note 2]
VERY SOON NOW--how long has the WTS been saying that?
*** w51 11/1 p. 647 Comfort for Men Who Sigh and Cry ***
righteous rule in peace and contentment will have their prayers answered, and that very soon now. The great Theocrat, Jehovah the Almighty, has already begun to rule as King upon his glorious throne in the heavens and, now speedily, he purposes to clean out all rebellion and iniquity, destroy those who now wreck and ruin the earth, and establish a new world wherein will dwell righteousness.
Did you know that the WTS once taught that the great tribulation started in 1914 and temporarily ended in 1918? This was "corrected" in 1970.
*** w70 1/15 p. 52 par. 9 Peace with God amid the “Great Tribulation” ***
year 1925 the suggestion was set out in the leading article of the Watch Tower issue of May 1, entitled “For the Elect’s Sake,” that “those days” of the “great tribulation” were cut short in the middle. The explanation was given that the “great tribulation” had begun in 1914 C.E. and that it was not allowed to run its full course then but God stopped World War I in November of 1918. From then on God was allowing an interval for the activity of his anointed remnant of elect Christians before he let the final part of the “great tribulation” resume at the battle of Armageddon and come to its termination. This would allow for sheeplike persons to be saved.
Q17. What does the Bible indicate as to the beginning of the great tribulation?
17) The great tribulation will begin suddenly. Yes, "Jehovah's day" will come unexpectedly "whenever it is that they are saying: "Peace and security!" (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3.) The foretold tribulation will begin when the nations think that they are close to solving some of their big problems. The sudden destruction of "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion, will catch the world by surprise. Kings and others will be amazed when judgment is executed upon Babylon the Great.--Rev. 17:1-16,18; 18:9,10,15,19.
What has the WTS said about "peace and security" in the past? Was it a coincidence that the WTS book "Peace and Security" was released in 1986, the International Year of Peace (UN)?
Q18) How does Jehovah react to Satan's attack on His people.
18) At a critical point, there will be "signs in sun and moon and stars," and "the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven." We can then 'raise ourselves erect because our deliverance is getting near.' (Luke 21:25-28; Matt. 24:29,30) Satan, or Gog, will turn his forces against God's people. But regarding those attacking his faithful servants, Jehovah says: "He that is touching you is touching my eyeball." (Zech. 2:8) Therefore, Satan's attempt to destroy them will not succeed. Why? Because the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will react promptly in order to deliver his servants.--Ezek. 38:9,18.
His people...God's people...his faithful servants...his servants--only jws
Will all individual jws be saved?
Q19. Why can we be confident that God's executional forces will destroy Satan's system?
19) When God takes action against the nations, 'they will know that he is Jehovah.' (Ezek. 36:23) He will send his excutional forces--myriads of spirit creatures led by Christ Jesus--to destroy the rest of Satan's system on earth. (Rev. 19:11-19) When we remember that on one occasion it took just one angel only a single night to "strike down a hundred and eighty-five thousand" of God's enemies, we can be confident that the heavenly army will easily destroy every vestige of Satan's system on earth as the great tribulation culminates in Armageddon. (2 Ki. 19:35; Rev. 16:14,16) Satan and his demons will be abyssed for a thousand years. Eventually, they will be destroyed.--Rev. 20:1-3.
Why does Satan get to live 1,000 more years?
Q20. What will Jehovah accomplish by means of the Kingdom?
20) Earth will thus be cleansed of wickedness, and righteous humans will live forever on this globe. Jehovah will have proved to be the Great Deliverer. (Ps. 145:20) By means of the Kingdom, he will vindicate his sovereignty, sanctify his holy name, and fulfill his grand purpose for the earth. May you experience great joy in your ministry as you declare this good news and help those "rightly disposed for everlasting life" to realize that deliverance by God's Kingdom is at hand!--Acts 13:48
Did you know that the WTS once taught that God's name would be vindicated.
*** w95 5/15 p. 25 par. 17 Part 2—Flashes of Light—Great and Small ***
Similarly, for a long time, Witnesses spoke of the vindication of Jehovah’s name.
*** w50 3/1 p. 70 par. 3 Uniting Our Praises Universally ***
So Jesus could not refrain from doing that which he knew was to the highest good of humankind and, more importantly, to the eternal glory of God and the vindication of Jehovah’s name.
Do You Recall?
How did Jesus highlight the importance of the Kingdom?
Why is there a greater need for deliverance now than ever before?
What events can we expect during the great tribulation?
How does Jehovah prove to be the Great Deliverer?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Do you think the WTS is trying to "encourage" the rank and file that the end is soon and that they will survive. Why do many become jws: to survive Armageddon without dying and to see resurrected family and friends. A definitely selfish reason. Many long-time jws are dying and the ones who remain are saying "I wasn't supposed to die."
*** w06 4/15 p. 29 par. 20 Let Your Hands Be Strong ***
A great crowd of Jehovah’s worshippers, having survived Armageddon, will benefit by being released from the condemnation of Adamic death.
Love Blondie