Comments You Will Not Hear at the 01-04-09 WT Study (October 15, 2008, pages 25-29)(KEEP LIVING)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
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What Will You Give To Keep Living?
"What will a man give in exchange for his soul?"--MATT. 16:26
OPENING COMMENTS
The WTS would like people to think that without their organization people will die.
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*** w54 3/1 p. 139 The Meaning of Baptism Today ***
Only by keeping integrity to God and by associating with God’s people, the New World society, may we hope to survive the destruction of this wicked world in the coming battle of Armageddon and enter into the new world of righteousness even as Noah and his family entered a new world after the flood.—Matt. 24:37-39; 2 Pet. 3:7, 13; Rev. 16:14, 16.
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1. Why did Jesus reject Peter's rebuke?
THE apostle Peter could not believe his ears. His beloved Leader, Jesus Christ, was saying "with outspokenness" that He was soon to suffer and die! In response, Peter doubtless with the best of intentions--rebuked Jesus, saying: "Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this destiny at all." Jesus turned his back on Peter and looked at the other disciples. Likely they too shared this mistaken opinion. Then he said to Peter: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God's thoughts, but those of men."-Mark 8:32, 33; Matt. 16:21-23.
Of course if a jw is not of the "anointed" who per the WTS have to die a human death, you can encourage them to believe that they will never die a human death.
One of the biggest WTS talks started in 1920 was, “Millions Now Living Will Never Die."
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*** w89 9/1 pp. 19-20 par. 8 Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium ***The majority of these took this action in prompt response to a discourse on Revelation 7:9-17 given by J. F. Rutherford. It was their desire to become part of the great crowd of the Fine Shepherd’s other sheep, having the opportunity of surviving the oncoming great tribulation and of living right through this system’s end and on into the Millennial Reign of the Shepherd-King, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, they attain to everlasting life on a paradise earth.—Matthew 25:46; Luke 23:43.
Did you know what the WTS means by "ultimately"? That those on earth aren't given everlasting life until the end of the 1,000 Reign and pass the final test by Satan. But the 144,000, receive immortality starting with 1918 by resurrection and than instantly upon death. So how more perfect are they than the non-anointed who take 1,000 years to qualify?
Q 2. How did Jesus define the requirements of true discipleship?
2. Jesus' next words may have helped Peter to see the reason for Jesus' strong reaction to his rebuke. Jesus "called the crowd to him with his disciples" and said: "If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and follow me continually. For whoever wants to save his soul will lose it; but whoever loses his soul for the sake of me and the good news will save it." (Mark 8:34, 35) Jesus here used the word "soul" to mean "life." Clearly, not only was he about to sacrifice his life but he also expected that those who followed him would have to be ready to sacrifice their lives in God's service. If they did so, they would receive a rich reward.-Read Matthew 16:27.
"may have"?
CARROT--rich reward
Follow Jesus or the WTS?
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*** w07 4/1 p. 24 par. 13 Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave ***
For this reason, all in the congregation view it as their sacred duty to follow and uphold the direction coming from the faithful slave and its Governing Body.
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*** w05 9/15 p. 23 par. 11 Go On Walking as Jesus Christ Walked ***
Yes, Jesus Christ leads his followers today through the holy spirit, “the faithful and discreet slave,” and the congregation elders. Our walking as Christ walked involves understanding his way of leading and submitting to it.
Q 3. (a) What questions did Jesus ask his listeners? (b) Of what might Jesus' second question have reminded his listeners?
3. On that same occasion, Jesus asked two thought-provoking questions: "Of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?" and, "What, really, would a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36, 37) The answer to the first question is obvious from a human standpoint. It is of no benefit for a man to gain the whole world if he loses his life, his soul. Possessions are useful only if one is alive to enjoy them. Jesus' second question: "What, really, would a man give in exchange for his soul?" might have reminded his listeners of Satan's allegation in the days of Job: "Everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul." (Job 2:4) For some who do not worship Jehovah, Satan's words might be true. Many would do anything, abandon any principle, just to stay alive. Christians, though, view things differently.
world = possessions
"might have reminded"?
OT--Job
I guess non-jws are pretty bad compared to jws since they "would do anything, abandon any principle, just to stay alive."
Christians--only jws
Q 4. Why do Jesus' questions have deeper meaning for Christians?
4. We know that Jesus did not come to earth to give us health, wealth, and a long life in this world. He came to open up the opportunity of living forever in the new world, and the prospect of that life is what we value highly. (John 3:16) A Christian would understand Jesus' first question to mean, "Of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his hope of everlasting life?" The answer is, of no benefit at all. (1 John 2: 15-17) To help us answer Jesus' second question, we might well ask ourselves, 'How much am I willing to sacrifice now to make my hope of life in the new world sure?' Our answer to that question, as seen in our life course, reveals the strength of that hope in our hearts.-Compare John 12:25.
So that means that jws believe that Jesus is going to give wealth to jws in the "new world"? That means then that jws shouldn't expect to be rewarded with health, wealth, and a long life in this world? What about jws that believe that God has given then better health, more money, and a longer life because of being a jw? Wasn't Job (see example above) rewarded with better health, restoration of his wealth, 10 more children, and an extended life in this world?
CARROT: living forever in the new world
So what does the WTS expect jws to sacrifice now? Time, money, job, life or self and others?
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*** w06 4/15 pp. 27-28 pars. 13-14 Let Your Hands Be Strong ***
Do you not agree that to continue enjoying divine blessings, we must resist seeking things for ourselves at the expense of Jehovah’s worship? That is so whether the activity or interest diverting our attention is the pursuit of wealth, get-rich-quick schemes, ambitious plans for advanced education to have a desirable career in this system, or programs for personal fulfillment. Such things may not be sins in themselves. However, do you not see that from the standpoint of everlasting life, those really are “dead works”? (Hebrews 9:14)
Q 5. How can we receive the gift of everlasting life?
5. Of course, Jesus was not saying that everlasting life can be earned. Life--even our relatively brief life in this system of things--is a gift. We cannot purchase it or do anything to deserve it. The only way we can receive the gift of everlasting life is to "put our faith in Christ Jesus" and in Jehovah, "the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." (Gal. 2: 16; Heb. 11:6) Nevertheless, faith must be demonstrated by actions, since "faith without works is dead." (Jas. 2:26) Hence, when we further meditate on Jesus' question, we would do well to consider seriously how much we
are willing to give up in this system of things and what we are willing to do in Jehovah's service to demonstrate that our faith is truly alive.
Yet Bethelites, missionaries, circuit and district overseers and their spouses are given money by the WTS and other jws, whereas the rank and file jw is expected to fend for themselves.
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*** w03 8/1 p. 21 “You Received Free, Give Free” ***
Having been called to this ministry by means of a provision they did not deserve or could not earn, true ministers of God could hardly expect to be paid materially for sharing the news of this provision with others.
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*** w88 8/1 p. 29 God’s Undeserved Kindness—Do Not Miss Its Purpose! ***
Some may conclude that they are fulfilling their ministry if they attend the meetings at the Kingdom Hall, share regularly in proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom, and are not engaged in any kind of immoral conduct. However, there is another factor to consider. Jesus said: “No one can slave for two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) What did he mean? That even though we devote a measure of our time to the advancement of the
good news, it is possible for our main interest in life to be that of striving after more and more material things. True, we may find the prospect of a new system of things under Christ Jesus to be genuinely appealing, yet at the same time we may want to get the most out of this system while it lasts. Such an attitude can only sidetrack us from the real purpose of our deliverance.
"not saying everlasting life can be earned"..."nevertheless, faith must be Demonstrated." But who decides that faith consists of...the Bible or the WTS?
Look around your current or old congregation, and are there members who have not given up things the WTS says they should yet are still a member in "good standing"?
Serve Jesus? Only 4 times on WT-CD. "serve Christ" zero.
"Christ Did Not Please Himself"
Q 6. What was Jesus' priority?
6. Instead of setting his sights on what the world of his day had to offer, Jesus focused on the important things and rejected the temptation of material self-interest. His life was one of sacrifice and obedience to God. Rather than please himself, he said: "I always do the things pleasing to [God]." (John 8:29) How far did Jesus go in order to please God?
Why did Jesus not set his sights on what the world of his day had to offer? At the age of 30, Jesus knew that he had only 3 1/2 years to accomplish his mission and return to heaven; is that true of us? Do jws believe that tomorrow is the last, do they quit their jobs, spend all their money that day or give it away, spend 12 hours talking to people about their beliefs, because tomorrow is the end; do they not get married or have children, do they not buy houses, cars, clothing, food, because they really know they have time?
After the age of 30, Jesus had not job because his followers donated the funds to care for his needs and the apostles. Should jws quit their jobs and expect other members to take care of them financially?
does "pleasing God" = accepting all WTS explanations even when not in agreement with the bible or there is no bible support?
Q 7, 8. (a) What sacrifice did Jesus make, and how was he rewarded? (b) What question should we ask ourselves?
7. On one occasion, Jesus said to his disciples: "The Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many." (Matt. 20:28) Earlier, when Jesus began to warn his followers that he would soon have to "give his soul," Peter urged him to be kind to himself. Still, Jesus was not swayed. He willingly gave up his soul, his perfect human life, for mankind. As a result of his unselfish course, Jesus' own future was secure. He was resurrected and "exalted to the right hand of God." (Acts 2:32, 33) He thus became a wonderful example for us.
Is the future of individual jws as secure as Jesus'?
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*** w05 8/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
It seems, then, that “probably” is not used at Zephaniah 2:3 because of any uncertainty about God’s ability to preserve those who have his approval. Rather, a person’s being concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger is only a probability when he begins to seek righteousness and meekness. Preservation will depend on an individual’s continuing to seek meekness and righteousness.—Zephaniah 2:3.
8. The apostle Paul counseled Christians in Rome "not to be pleasing" themselves and reminded them that "even the Christ did not please himself." (Rom. 15:1-3) So, then, to what extent will we apply that apostolic counsel and give of ourselves in imitation of Christ?
So should jws not get married and have children because Christ didn't?
So should jws all be full-time preachers because Christ was?
Did Christ please the religious leaders of his day?
Jehovah Desires Our Best
Q 9. What does a Christian actually do when he dedicates himself to God?
9. In ancient Israel, the Mosaic Law stipulated that Hebrew slaves were to be freed either in the seventh year of servitude or during the Jubilee year. However, they had another option. If a slave came to love his owner, he could choose to remain a slave in the household for the rest of his life. (Read Deuteronomy 15:12, 16, 17.) We make a similar choice when we dedicate ourselves to God. We voluntarily agree to do God's will, not follow our own inclinations. In doing so, we demonstrate our deep love for Jehovah and our desire to serve him forever.
Christian--only a jw
OT--ancient Israel
So do Christians live under a slavery system under the Mosaic law? After all the Jewish men were allowed to have more than one wife and concubines, should Christian men?
But aren't Christians baptized in the name of God, Christ and the holy spirit? Who do jws dedicate themselves to really?
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*** w85 6/1 p. 30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication ***
At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ’s example. The first question is:On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?
Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism.
Q 10. In what way are we God's property, and how should that fact affect our thoughts and actions?
10. If you are currently studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, sharing in preaching the good news, and attending Christian meetings, you are to be commended. We hope that soon you will feel moved to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and ask the question that the Ethiopian asked Philip: "What prevents me from getting baptized?" (Acts 8:35, 36) Your relationship with God will then be like that of those Christians to whom Paul wrote: "You do not belong to yourselves, for you were bought with a price." (1 Cor. 6: 19, 20) Whether our hope is heavenly or earthly, if we have dedicated ourselves to Jehovah, he is our Owner. How important, then, to suppress selfish desires and "stop becoming slaves of men" (1 Cor. 7:23) What a privilege it is to be a loyal servant for Jehovah to use as he pleases!
Studying the bible or WTS publications? How many scriptures do people look up? How often does the WTS rely on snippets of verses and citations? Snippet: "stop becoming slaves of men"
Who did Paul write to but only Christians with a heavenly hope? Did Paul ever write that some Christians were to live forever on earth?
Aren't jws slaves of the WTS/FDS/GB? Can they make a decision based on the scriptures alone or do they have to rely on WTS publications and representatives?
Q 11. What sacrifice are Christians urged to offer, and what does that really mean, as illustrated by the sacrifices under the Mosaic Law?
11 Paul admonished fellow believers: "Present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason." (Rom. 12:1) Those words may have reminded Jewish Christians of the sacrifices that were a feature of their worship before they became followers of Jesus. They would have known that under the Mosaic Law, animals offered on Jehovah's altar had to be the best available.
Anything inferior was unacceptable. (Mal. 1:8, 13) The same is true when we present our bodies a living sacrifice., We give Jehovah our best, not merely what is left after we have satisfied all our personal desires. When we dedicate ourselves to God, we unreservedly give him our" souls," our lives--including our strength, assets, and abilities. (Col. 3:23) What does that mean in a practical way?
"may have"
So do/did the jws you know give their "best" including strength, assets, abilities. I know of a group of jws that set aside today for a full day of snowmobiling and stopping a various bars to "warm" up to end up at one's house to watch sports and top it off with a keg.
Use Your Time Wisely
Q 12, 13. What is one way that we can give our best to Jehovah?
12. One way to give Jehovah our best is to use our time wisely. (Read Ephesians 5:15, 16.) That calls for self-control. Influences from the world along with inherited Imperfection incline us to use time purely for our own enjoyment or personal benefit. True, "for everything there is an appointed time," including pleasurable relaxation and secular employment to enable us to fulfill our Christian obligations. (Eccl. 3:1) However, a dedicated Christian needs to stay balanced and use his time wisely.
How many hours does the average jw spend watching tv compared to meetings? How many hours does the average jw spend in secular employment compared with "field service" "meeting attendance" and "personal study"?
13. When Paul visited Athens, he noted that "all Athenians and the foreigners sojourning there would spend their leisure time at nothing but telling something or listening to something new." (Acts 17:21) Today, many similarly waste their time. Modern distractions include watching television, playing video games, and surfing the Internet. More and more distractions increasingly compete for our time. If we give in to them, we may neglect our spiritual needs. We might even come to believe that we are too busy to care for "the more important things"--matters related to serving Jehovah.-Phil. 1:9, 10.
So how much money has the average jw spent on television, video games, computers compared to donations to the WTS? How much time?
Q 14. What questions deserve our serious consideration?
14. Therefore, as a dedicated servant of Jehovah, ask yourself, 'Does my daily schedule include time for Bible reading, meditation, and prayer?' (Ps. 77:12; 119:97; 1 Thess. 5:17) 'Do I set aside time for preparing for Christian meetings? Do I encourage others by giving comments during the meetings?' (Ps. 122:1; Heb. 2:12) God's Word states that Paul and Barnabas spent "considerable time speaking with boldness by the
authority of Jehovah." (Acts 14:3) Could you adjust your circumstances in order to spend more time, even "considerable time," in the preaching work, perhaps serving as a pioneer?-Read Hebrews 13:15.
I have a jw for almost 50 years, and knew only 5 jws that did any daily bible reading but not meditation or prayer and I had several jw roommates.
Preparing for meetings....highlighting in the car as someone else drove to the meeting, conductors that even read the lesson and it showed when they conducted, watching as conductors struggled to get anyone to comment except for 3 sisters every meeting (and that included the elders, MS, pioneers and their families).
Adjust their circumstances or has the WTS adjusted the hour requirement to attract more jws? A big change from 1987 Japan.
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*** w87 2/1 p. 15 par. 1 Doing Our Utmost to Declare the Good News ***
“A FEW years ago, many of us thought that only those with special circumstances could pioneer,” wrote a pioneer, or full-time minister, in Japan. “It seems we were wrong. We are learning that only those with special circumstances cannot pioneer.”
Q 15. How do elders use their time wisely?
15. When the apostle Paul and Barnabas visited the Christian congregation in Antioch, "they spent not a little time with the disciples" in order to encourage them. (Acts 14: 28) Loving elders today likewise use much of their time to strengthen others. In addition to their field ministry, elders work hard to shepherd the flock, search for lost sheep, assist the sick, and care for many other responsibilities within the congregation. If you are a baptized brother, do your circumstances allow you to reach out for these additional privileges of service?
Whereas I haven't been to a KH for 8 years and received a visit just recently....because the WTS lit a fire under the elders...we live in the same place...our phone number, name and address are in the telephone book.
The elders in that congregation also may meet with a group but then send them off with an MS as they jump into their car and vanish, God only knows where.
Assist the sick...means saying they can't stand going to hospitals and send their wives or an eager MS, have a sister with an unbelieving husband sit with a dying brother, clean up their vomit, change the sheets, cook their food while an elder and MS tabulate the time slips.
What can a Christian woman reach out for? Does what she do really matter? Are these privileges more important than preaching and teaching about the Bible?
Q 16. What are some ways that we can "work what is good toward ... those related to us in the faith"?
16. Many have found joy in helping to provide relief to those who have suffered loss through man-made or natural disasters. For instance, one sister in her 60's who serves at Bethel traveled long distances on several occasions to volunteer as a relief worker. Why did she use her vacation time in that way? She says: "Although I have no special skills, it was a privilege to do whatever was needed. I gained so much encouragement
seeing the strong faith of my brothers and sisters who had suffered severe material losses." Furthermore, thousands worldwide help to construct Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls. By having a share in such activities, we unselfishly "work what is good toward ... those related to us in the faith." -Gal. 6:10.
Provide relief to only jws unless it's a non-jw spouse
So since when can an unskilled woman end up accepted as a volunteer relief worker....only men are allowed to fill out the forms for building KHs and Assembly Halls and unless her husband is a bigwig?
So what did she do if she was unskilled?
"I Am With You All the Days"
Q 17. What would you personally give in exchange for everlasting life?
17. Human society alienated from God is about to pass away. We do not know exactly when that will happen. Still, we do know that "the time left is reduced" and "the scene of this world is changing." (Read 1 Corinthians 7:29-31.) That gives added meaning to Jesus' question: "What, really, would a man give in exchange for his soul?" We will surely make whatever sacrifices Jehovah asks of us in order to gain "the real life." (1 Tim. 6:19) Indeed, it is imperative to heed Jesus' admonition to 'follow him continually' and to 'seek first the kingdom.'-Matt. 6:31-33; 24:13.
CARROT--Everlasting life
Human society alienated from God is about to pass away---every living today who is not a jw, including children.
*** 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.
1874, 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940's, 1975, (1984), (1994)
http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/datelist.htm
Q 18. What confidence can we have and why?
18. Granted, following Jesus is not always easy, and true to Jesus' warning, it has cost some their lives in this system of things. Nevertheless, like Jesus, we avoid the temptation to 'be kind to ourselves.' We have faith in the assurance that he gave to his first-century anointed followers: "I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." (Matt. 28:20) Let us, then, to the fullest extent possible, use our time and abilities in sacred service. As we do so, we demonstrate our confidence that Jehovah will preserve us through the great tribulation or restore us to life in the new world. (Heb. 6:10) Thus we will have shown how highly we value the gift of life.
Following Jesus is not always easy because it is complicated by WTS rules.
It has cost some their lives because between 1967 and 1980, jws were not allowed to have organ transplants even without a blood transfusion. It was considered cannibalism.
From 1976 until 1980 "sacred service" consisted more than preaching and activities centered around the KH.
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*** w76 10/1 pp. 599-600 par. 15 Rendering Sacred Service Night and Day ***
Housewives have a fine opportunity to perform acceptable “sacred service” to God. Their fine works that others can see would certainly include keeping a neat, clean house, taking care of the cooking and the clothing needs of the family. For what is more on display to others than one’s home? A wife’s hospitality, her readiness to help her neighbors, particularly her willingness to ‘put herself out’ to assist other sisters in the congregation in whatever their needs may be—these are sacrifices in which God is well pleased.
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*** w80 12/15 p. 29 Do You Remember? ***
Does “sacred service” include everyday activities of life, such as caring for our families, maintaining good morals and the like? No. “Sacred service” applies to that which directly involves our worship of God. It includes formal and informal witnessing, sharing in worship at Kingdom Halls, caring for our meeting places, all activity related to providing Bibles and Bible literature, as well as sacrifices that we may make in encouraging and aiding our brothers, spiritually and materially, to keep active in Jehovah’s work.—8/15, pp. 30, 31.
What Are Your Answers?
How did Jesus display outstanding willingness to serve God and man?
Why should one disown oneself, and how is this done?
In ancient Israel, only what kind of sacrifices were acceptable to Jehovah, and how does that guide us today?
In what ways can we make wise use of our time?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
So staying close to the WTS organization is what will keep you living, right?
What is the hidden message behind this article? That too many jws are not giving their best in money, time, and energy to the WTS. They do just enough to ensure they receive the Carrot--everlasting life on a paradise earth. They serve humans who can't see everything they do (despite what some of you might think, the elders don't see everything and don't even care what God sees them doing or not doing).
Can any jw approach Christ or God without the WTS?
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*** w52 9/1 p. 536 par. 13 Maturity Essential to Increase ***
The King and Head, Christ Jesus, supplies all the needed help for our growth to maturity in Kingdom service, but we can only tap the source of that needed help by keeping in close union with the theocratic organization built up under him.
Love, Blondie