Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-16-08 WT Study (September 15, 2008, pages 7-11 (ESCAPE TODAY)Review comments will be in red
WT 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
Jehovah Is "The Provider of Escape" For Us
"Jehovah will help them and provide them with escape. "-Ps.37:40
OPENING COMMENTS
After giving many examples of how God individually, physically protected David and Hezekiah, the WTS know turns around and say that jws today cannot expect the same. Why not give examples of OT people that were not protected such as Jonathan?
Can needy jws ask for help, or can they be too embarrassed? Should they expect God to miraculously reveal their need to people at the KH?
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1, 2. What fundamental truth about Jehovah is a source of comfort and strength for us?
SHADOWS created by the sun do not remain still. As the earth moves, the shadows are ever shifting and changing. The Creator of earth and sun, however, does not change. (Mal. 3:6) "With him," the Bible says, "there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow." (Jas. 1:17) This fundamental truth about Jehovah is truly a source of comfort and strength for us, especially when we face difficult trials and challenges. Why?
"the Creator...does not change" but has the WTS/FDS/GB or have they been deficient in hearing and/or understanding what God has said?
Superior Authorities
until 1929--secular authorities
1929-1962--God and Jesus
1962-2008--secular authorities
Resurrection of people at Sodom and Gomorrah
http://www.cftf.com/comments/blinking.html
http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/watchtower_quotes/oscillating-truths/sodom_gomorrah/
2. As we noted in the preceding article, Jehovah proved to be "the Provider of escape" in Bible times. (Ps. 70:5) He is unchanging and true to his word; hence, his worshippers today have every reason to trust in him to "help them and provide them with escape." (Ps. 37:40) How has Jehovah provided escape for his servants in modern times'! How may he do so for us personally?
Remember all the personal examples of escape in last week's article.......David, Hezekiah, and then later in this article, Meshach, Shadrach, Abednego (and remember Daniel and the lions).
Is the FDS providing poisonous food?
Delivered From Opposers
Q 3. Why can we be sure that opposers will not stop Jehovah's people from preaching the good news?
3. No amount of satanic opposition will never prevent Jehovah's Witnesses from giving Jehovah the exclusive worship that he deserves. God's Word assures us: "Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you events, will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn." (Isa. 54: 17) Opposers have tried but failed to prevent God's people from carrying out their
commission to preach. Consider two examples.
So is the WTS saying that only jws are worshipping God?
God's people--only jws
So what has been the message preached by the Watchtower.
The end in
1914
1915
1920
1925
1940's
1975
(1984) 70 years after 1914 (generation)
(1994) 80 years after 1914 (generation)
http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/datelist.htm
4. In 1918, jehovah's people faced a wave of clergy-inspired persecution aimed at silencing their preaching work. On May 7, federal warrants were issued for the arrest of J. F. Rutherford, who was overseeing the worldwide preaching work at that time, and for a number of others at headquarters. Within two months, Brother Rutherford and his associates were unjustly convicted of conspiracy and given long prison sentences.
Had opposers succeeded in using the courts to cripple the preaching work permanently? Of course not!
"unjustly convicted"?
5. Remember jehovah's promise: "Any weapon ... formed against you will have no success." In a dramatic turn of on March 26, 1919 -nine months after Brother Rutherford and his associates were sentenced-the imprisoned brothers were released on bail. The following year, on May 5, 1920, the charges against them were dropped. The brothers used their freedom to press on with the Kingdom work. With what result"! Why, phenomenal increase has taken place since then! All credit for what has resulted goes to "the Provider of escape." -1 Cor. 3:7.
"charges against them were dropped"
http://www.freeminds.org/history/exonerated.htm
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EXONERATED? The final touch on this event, as painted by the Society all these decades since then, is that Jehovah fulfilled Revelation 11, by reviving his Two Witnesses back to life and restoring them as if to a high heavenly position … they claim that the Society’s seven officers were “Exonerated” of all charges … why … because they were indeed not guilty and that all this was a railroad job at the direction of the Devil and his
visible servants, the Government and False Religion. What does the court transcript have?
THE FACTS: The Society’s attorneys were successful in showing cause that there were “errors” made in trial … based on many exceptions and objections made by the defense attorneys ... and allowed by the trial judge in an effort to protect their rights. In law, the term “Exonerated” is not found … at least I have never been able to find a legal definition of exoneration. Rather, when a person has been wrongfully convicted and later deemed innocent, they are given a “Pardon” … because legally, a “Pardon” is used in criminal law to both “forgive” the guilty and to release the innocent … a pardon assures that if there was any possible crime, it was forgiven too.
What then did the Government do? The Government issued what is called a WRIT OF ERROR. This merely means that the Government agrees and recognizes that “errors” were made in trial, and that it is not saying the defendants are innocent, but rather, that the defendants will have to be retried to correct the errors. The Government decided that since the war was over, it was not worth it to try the case again, though they could
have. How was this a Railroad job?
"phenomenal increase"? In 1925 3/4 of the WTS members left.
http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/1925.htm
Quote
After 1918 the Millions teaching became the central focus of the preaching effort, being delivered through a series of public lectures by Rutherford and other brothers. These were advertised in local newspapers, as displayed in the following clippings. Predicting the resurrection to start in 1925 resulted in tremendous growth for the Watchtower Society. "This resulted in bringing into the sanctuary many more to be members of this remnant consecrated by Jehovah. This was evident from the increasing attendance at the annual celebrations of the Lord's evening meal, 32,661 participating in 1922; 42,000 in 1923; 62,696 in 1924; and 90,434 in 1925" Watchtower 1960 May 1 p.282
The converse occurred after the failure of the resurrection in 1925. Accurate figures are hard to find as for several years after 1926 memorial attendance stopped being reported. However, it is estimated that as many as 75% left and by 1935 memorial attendance was still only 63,146.2
Q 6, 7. (a) What campaign against Jehovah's Witnesses was waged in Nazi Germany, and with what outcome? (b) The modern-day history of Jehovah's people bears testimony to what fact'?
6. Know consider a second example. In 1934, Hitler vowed to exterminate Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany. That was no empty threat. Widespread arrests and imprisonments followed. Thousands of Witnesses were victimized; hundreds were killed in concentration camps. Did Hitler succeed in his campaign to eradicate the Witnesses? Did he stop all preaching of the good news in Germany? By no means! During the persecution, our brothers carried on the preaching work underground. After the collapse of the Nazi regime, they used their freedom to continue preaching. Today, there are over 165,000 Kingdom publishers in Germany. Again, "the Provider of escape" has proved true to his promise: "Any weapon ... formed against you will have no success."
What really was the relationship of the WTS with the German government in 1934, sleeping with the enemy?
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/44378/1.ashx
Changes in WTS reporting of number killed in Germany.
How has the WTS adjusted this number over the years?
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/3170/1.ashx
7. The modern history of Jehovah's Witnesses provides proof that Jehovah will never allow the extermination of his people as a group. (Ps.116:15) What, though, about us as individuals? How does Jehovah provide escape for us personally?
"AS A GROUP" jws survive, but is any individual jw's survival necessary?
What Ahout Physical Protection?
Q 8, 9. (a) How do we know that our immediate physical protection is not guaranteed'? (b) What must we realistically acknowledge'?
8. As individuals, we know that our immediate physical protection is not guaranteed. We take the position expressed by the three faithful Hebrews who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's image of gold. Those God-fearing young men did not presume that Jehovah would miraculously protect them from physical harm. (Read Daniel 3:17, 18.) As matters turned out, Jehovah did deliver them from the flames of the fiery furnace. (Dan. 3:21-27) Even in Bible times, however, miraculous deliverance was the exception rather than the rule. Many faithful servants of Jehovah died at the hands of opposers.-Heb. 11:35-37.
OT--Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (and Daniel)
While they did not presume, are we to presume that according to the WTS God performs such miracles today for jws?
If miraculous deliverance was the exception rather than the rule, why does the WTS use the exceptions rather than the rule?
9. What about today? As "the Provider of escape," Jehovah certainly can deliver individuals frorn perilous situations. Can we definitively say whether Jehovah did or did not intervene in specific cases? No. Still, an individual who has escaped a dangerous situation may feel that Jehovah intervened. It would be presumptuous for others to take issue with his feeling. At the same time, we must realistically acknowledge that many faithful Christians have died as a result of persecution, as was the case during the Nazi era. Others have died under tragic circumstances. (Eccl. 9:11) We might ask, 'Did Jehovah fail to be "the Provider of escape" for faithful ones whose lives were cut short?' That could hardly be the case.
Can any jw or the WTS prove that any jw has been protected by an angel in the way these 3 men were?
"faithful Christians" only jws not
Quote
Dietrich Bonhoeffer IPA (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian,
Bonhoeffer was arrested in March 1943, imprisoned, and eventually executed by hanging shortly before the war's end.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_Bonhoeffer
"Can we definitively say whether Jehovah did or did not intervene in specific cases? No. Still, an individual who has escaped a dangerous situation may feel that Jehovah intervened. It would be presumptuous for others to take issue with his feeling."
So when a jw says he/she were protected and another jw loses a family member or friend in the same situation, should they believe that God plays favorites, that the first jw deserved protection and the latter did not?
Q 10, 11. Why is man helpless in the face of death, but what can Jehovah do about it?
10. Consider this: Man is helpless in the face of death, for no human can "provide escape for his soul from the hand of Sheol," or Hades) mankind's common grave. (Ps. 89: 48) What, though, about Jehovah? One sister who survived the period of Nazi terror recalls what her Witness mother once told her to comfort her over the loss of loved ones in the concentration camps: "If death would keep mankind perpetually in its bonds, it would be stronger than God, wouldn't it?" Surely, death is no match for the all-powerful Source of life! (Ps. 36:9) All those in Sheol, or Hades, are in Jehovah's memory, and he will provide escape for each and everyone of them.-Luke 20:37, 38; Rev. 20:11-14.
Why do jws fear death clinging to the doctrine that they will never die living into the earthly "new system"? And search out bizarre heath cures
(just cautioned strongly by the WTS not to)?
CARROT: Everlasting life
Quote
*** w00 10/15 p. 13 par. 13 God’s Kingdom—Earth’s New Rulership ***
What a marvelous arrangement—to have Jehovah as Ruler, to have direct access to him, and to have the prospect of never dying, living forever on a paradise earth!
Quote
*** w96 11/1 p. 12 par. 2 Sharing the Comfort That Jehovah Provides ***
What about God’s promise to end wickedness and to transform this earth into a paradise? When you learned about this, did it not comfort you and fill you with eager anticipation? How did you feel when you first learned of the possibility of never dying but of surviving into that coming earthly Paradise? No doubt you were thrilled.
Quote
*** w90 5/1 p. 28 par. 19 Exercise Faith for Everlasting Life ***
Thus, people who today exercise faith in God and in his Son have the thrilling hope of surviving this system’s end and continuing alive into God’s new world—never dying at all!
11. Meanwhile, Jehovah is directly involved in the lives of his faithful worshippers today. Let us now consider three ways in which he certainly is "the Provider of escape" for us.
So is God directly involved in the individual lives of jws today; can they expect protection like Shadrach and his 2 friends?
"faithful worshippers" = only jws
Protected Spiritually
Q 12, 13. Why is spiritual protection of utmost importance, and how does Jehovah provide such for us?
12. Jehovah offers us spiritual protection which is of utmost importance. Being true Christians, we understand that there is something that is more valuable than our present life. Our most precious possession is our personal relationship with Jehovah. (Ps. 25: 14; 63:3) Without that relationship, our present life would have little meaning and our future life prospects would be lost.
"true Christians" = only jws
Is that what God offered Shadrach and his friends, spiritual protection?
What about a relationship with Christ?
13. Thankfully, Jehovah gives us all the help we need to maintain a close relationship with him. We have his Word, his holy spirit, and his worldwide congregation to help us. How can we take full advantage of these provisions? By regularly and diligently studying his Word, we will strengthen our faith and brighten our hope. (Rom. 15:4) By sincerely praying for his spirit, we will receive help to resist the temptation to engage in questionable conduct. (Luke 11:13) By keeping up with the direction the slave class provides through Bible-based publications as well as at meetings, assemblies, and conventions, we will be nourished with spiritual "food at the proper time." (Matt. 24:45) Such provisions protect us spiritually and help us to stay close to God.-Jas. 4:8.
WT trinity = his Word, his holy spirit, and his worldwide congregation (only jws)
his Word or WTS publications
Did David receive help in resisting questionable conduct, adultery, murder, taking a census and 70,000 other people dying by his choice?
Is the direction to be through the WTS or Jesus, through the Bible or WT publications, and where in the NT did they have conventions?
Q 14. Relate an experience that highlights spiritual protection.
14. To highlight such spiritual protection, recall the parents mentioned at the outset of the preceding article. A few days after their daughter, Theresa, was reported missing, they received devastating news: She had been murdered.' The father recalls: "I had prayed for Jehovah to protect her. When she was found murdered, I must admit that I initially wondered why my prayers were not answered. Of course, I know that Jehovah does not guarantee miraculous protection for his people individually. I continued to pray for understanding. I have been comforted in the knowledge that Jehovah protects his people spiritually-that is, he provides what we need in order to safeguard our relationship with him. That type of protection is most important, for it can affect our eternal future. In that sense, Jehovah did protect Theresa; she was serving him faithfully at the time of her death. I have found peace in knowing that her future life prospects are in his loving hands."
So did the WTS mention just spiritual protection when giving last weeks examples of David and Hezekiah?
So why did Theresa's father wrongly pray for God to protect her; where did he get that idea but from the WTS publications?
How many other jws think they can expect miraculous protection?
So was Elisha only expecting spiritual protection?
Quote
*** w07 3/15 p. 23 par. 11 Angels—How They Affect Mankind ***
Elisha was aware that angelic hosts were present to support him. However, his servant saw nothing. So “Elisha began to pray and say: ‘O Jehovah, open his eyes, please, that he may see.’ Immediately Jehovah opened the attendant’s eyes, so that he saw; and, look! the mountainous region was full of horses and war chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17) The attendant could then see the angelic hosts. With spiritual insight, we too can perceive that angels, all under the direction of Jehovah and Christ, lend support and protection to Jehovah’s people.
Sustained Through Illness
Q 15. In what ways may Jehovah help us when we are beset by illness?
15. Jehovah can sustain us "upon a divan of illness," as he did David. (Ps. 41:3) Although Jehovah is not in our time providing escape in the sense of miraculous healing, he does help us. How? The principles found in his Word may aid us in making wise decisions about treatment and other matters. (Prov. 2:6) We may glean helpful information and practical suggestions from articles published in The Watchtower and Awake! that discuss our particular health problem. By means of his spirit, Jehovah may grant us "the power beyond what is normal" to cope with our situation and to maintain our integrity, regardless of what may happen. (2 Cor. 4:7) With such help, we can avoid becoming so overwhelmed by our illness that we lose our spiritual focus.
OT--David; was he only sustained or did he get individual, physical protection?
The Bible is not enough; are the WT and Awake medical journals? If so, why does the WTS always put a disclaimer at the end of these articles?
"may aid" "may grant" "may glean" - and if this does not happen?
"lose spiritual focus" = a reference to recent articles on alternative medical treatment?
16 Consider the young brother referred to at the beginning of the preceding article. In 1998, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, which finally left him totally paralyzed. How has he managed to cope with his illness? He explains: "I have had moments of pain and frustration when I have felt that death would be my only means of escape. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I pray that Jehovah give me three things: a calm heart, patience, and endurance. I feel that Jehovah has answered those prayers. A calm heart lets me reflect on comforting thoughts, such as what it will be like in the new world when I will be able to walk, enjoy a tasty meal, and talk with my family again. Patience helps me to put up with the inconveniences and challenges of paralysis. Endurance enables me to keep faithful and not lose my spiritual balance. I can truly identify with the psalmist David, for I feel that Jehovah has sustained me upon my divan of illness." -Isa. 35:5, 6.
"Jehovah give me" = where's Jesus?
How can he identify with David since David never knew Christ? But does he lean on Jesus?
Quote
(Matthew 28:20) . . .And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”
Supplied With Sustenance
Q 17. What has Jehovah promised to do for us, and what does this promise mean?
17. Jehovah promises to care for us materially. (Read Matthew 6:33,34 and Hebrews 13: 5,6.) That does not mean that we may leave the providing of material needs to chance or that we should refuse to work. (2 Thess. 3:10) What that promise does mean is this: If we seek God's Kingdom first in our life and are willing to work for a living, we can count on Jehovah to help us to obtain life's necessities. (1 Thess. 4:11, 12; 1 Tim. 5:
So does God provide for jws miraculously?
How many jws think they can leave it to chance? I was told by many an elder that God would provide but never made any practical steps to do that. What about the jws that starved to death in the camps?
So without advertising it to other jws, how would jws know to come to someone's aid? Does holy spirit reveal it, not likely.
Do jws see that with knowledge of the problem, they are probably the tool God is using? Is it rather go and be warm and well fed?
Quote
(James 2:15-16) 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it?
Or rather are the elders told to expect non-jw family and the government to help?
Quote
*** w86 10/15 pp. 17-18 par. 9 Do More Than Say: “Keep Warm and Well Fed” ***
For example, in 1 Timothy 5:3-10 Paul discussed deserving widows who had been “left destitute.” Their believing relatives were primarily responsible to help them; neglecting that duty could damage the relatives’ standing with God. If, though, a needy and deserving widow could not obtain help in this way, it was possible for the elders to arrange for some material aid from the congregation. In recent times, too, some
congregations have aided especially needy ones in their midst. However, most lands now have tax-supported programs for the aged, infirm, or those willing but unable to find work. Christian elders may want to help in another way though. Some who are in genuine need and who fully qualify for public benefits are not receiving such because they do not know how to apply or are too timid to ask. Thus elders may inquire of governmental agencies or contact Witnesses who are experienced in these matters. They then may arrange for a capable brother or sister to help the needy person to receive the available benefits.—Romans 13:1, 4.
Q 18. Relate an experience that shows that we may be provided for in times of need.
18. Recall the single mother mentioned in the introduction to the preceding article. When she and her young daughter moved to a new area, she had difficulty finding a job. She explains: "I would go out in the field service in the morning, and I would spend every afternoon looking for work. I remember one day when I went to the grocery store to buy some milk. I stood and looked at the vegetables, but I did not have enough money to buy any. I have never felt so depressed in my life. When I returned home from the store that day, my back porch was filled with bags of all kinds of vegetables. There was enough food there to sustain us for months. I just cried, and I thanked Jehovah." This sister soon learned that the bags had been left by a brother in the congregation who grew the vegetables in his garden. She later wrote to him: "Even though I thanked you very
much that day, I also thanked Jehovah for using your kindness to remind me of his love." -Prov.19:17.
Notice how the WTS puts field service first then job hunting.
How did that man know she needed vegetables...told miraculously by God?
So what kind of vegetables last for months?
Q 19. At the great tribulation, Jehovah's servants wil! have what confidence, and what should we be determined to do now?
19. Clearly, what Jehovah has done in Bible times as well as in our day gives us reason to trust in him as our Helper. Soon, when the great tribulation comes upon Satan's world, we will need Jehovah's help as never before. Yet, Jehovah's servants will be able to look to him with complete confidence. They will be able to lift their heads and rejoice, knowing that their deliverance is near. (Luke 21:28) In the meantime, no matter what trials may come upon us, let us be determined to place our trust in Jehovah, having full assurance that our unchanging God is, indeed, our "Provider of escape."
SOON...great tribulation comes
Satan's world = all non-jws, 6.5 billion, men, women and children
Jehovah's servants = only jws, where's Jesus
deliverance is NEAR
place trust in Jehovah, really in the WTS/FDS/GB
Quote
*** km 4/05 p. 8 par. 4 Part 8—Conducting Progressive Bible Studies ***
She had come to trust the Witnesses that visited her, but after watching the video, she felt that she could trust the organization too.
Do You Recall?
·How can Jehovah provide escape for those whose life has been cut short?
·Why is spiritual protection of utmost importance?
·What does Jehovah's promise to care for us materially mean?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
I can remember all the times my family needed help and were told that God would provide (but not to expect a miracle). And I remember that only those approved the the BOE would be help, people who by their judgment were worthy.
Next week, "Maintain 'A Threefold Cord' in Marriage?
Love, Blondie