by cameo-d 38 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Actually, cameo-d, this is a time when I can see that you did not grow up in the WTS or spend much time as an adult. The WTS teaches that all genetic flaws will be done away with, that all humans will be the same as Adam and Eve were before they sinned.
Slimboyfat, I asked that question many times during my career in the WTS, why do the anointed become instantly perfect upon resurrection and it takes 1,000 years for the rest of humanity.
"I wonder if Jehovah led man to stem cells to rejuvinate our bodies, they are claiming to cure so many illnesses with stem cells, maybe grow new tissue, skin, hair... ."
I would say, according to the WTS, yes.
I remember reading something from the 40's where Jehovah would use "injections" as part of the path to perfection in the 1000 year reign.
It's funny to me that the WTS thinks God is bound by his own creation. Bound by space and time and the "laws" of nature.
Silly thinking.
A sister once told me we don't know what will be used to heal during the 1,000 year reign, the restoration of paradise, Why did Jesus use his spit?
Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the Hand, brought him outside the village, and, having spit upon his eyes, he laid his hand upon him and began to ask him: "Do you see anything?" 24 And the man looked up and begun saying: " I see men, because I observe what seem to be trees, but they are walking about." 25 Then he laid his handd again upon the man's eyes, and the man saw clearly, and he was restored, and he was seeing everything distinctly.
I used to think that you would be able to tell the ones who sinned after Armeggedon as there would be a restoration to youth for the sinless but we would witness some that would grow old and die.
Depending on who you talk to, cures of physical problems would be instantaneous. I've heard elders say in their talks that missing limbs would be instantly regenerated, the blind would instantly see, etc. The thinking is that our spiritual perfecting is what takes 1000 years.
Of course, somehow the Bible managed to leave out details of all that, so it's all speculation anyway (not that that ever stopped anyone from talking about it).
Thanks for the info.
I am just thinking about how different I was between the ages of 25 and 33, and now. And I don't think I want to be angel-like thanks.
And procreation will be a la Huxley's 'Brave New World'. Or perhaps there won't be any and the population of paradise will be limited to 6-7 million. That should be interesting, especially if there is no mechanised transport. Small isolated communities with little contact with each other. I wonder if there may be a danger that they may start/adapt/revise their own religions? The whole thing could start all over again ...
It seems strange to me as an outsider that as a particularly eschatological religion the dubs haven't got down to detail on this.
SBF: I have often found that one man's 'perfection' is another man's 'pedantic'. Just imagine spending eternity (or even 1000 years) in a community of pedants.
As to population maximum, the WTS has speculated that there could be 20 BILLION on the earth.
*** it-2 pp. 792-793 Resurrection ***
Resurrection During 1,000 Years. A very liberal estimate of the number of persons that have ever lived on earth is 20 billion (20,000,000,000). Many students of the subject calculate that not nearly so many have lived. Not all of these, as it has been shown in the foregoing discussion, will receive a resurrection, but even assuming that they did, there would be no problem as to living space and food for them. The land surface of the earth at present is about 148,000,000 sq km (57,000,000 sq mi), or about 14,800,000,000 ha (36,500,000,000 acres). Even allowing half of that to be set aside for other uses, there would be more than a third of a hectare (almost 1 acre) for each person. As to earth’s potential food production, a third of a hectare will actually provide much more than enough food for one person, especially when, as God has demonstrated in the case of the nation of Israel, there is abundance of food as a result of God’s blessing.—1Ki 4:20; Eze 34:27.
On the question of the earth’s food-producing power, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization maintains that, with only moderate improvements in agricultural methods, in even the developing areas the earth could easily feed up to nine times the population that scientists have estimated for the year 2000.—Land,FoodandPeople, Rome, 1984, pp. 16, 17.
How, though, could the thousands of millions be adequately cared for, in view of the fact that most of them did not in the past know God and must learn to conform to his laws for them? First, the Bible states that the kingdom of the world becomes "the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he [rules] as king forever and ever." (Re 11:15) And the Bible principle is that "when there are judgments from you [Jehovah] for the earth, righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn." (Isa 26:9) In his due time, when it is necessary to make it known to his servants, God will reveal how he purposes to take care of this work.—Am 3:7.
20 Billion? They must be joking!
I have recently been reading various reports expressing concern about the world population reaching 8 or 9 billion, and the problems which will arise because of food, energy and water resources.
An example: I live on an island with a population (probably) of less than I million. As recently as a few months ago our reservoirs were (well) below 10% capacity. We had mains water about 33% of the time, other parts of the island were not so lucky. We have had an unusually 'wet' winter, so we're up to about 20% capacity and mains water most days. But we have to build another desalination plant, which runs on (oil-powered) electricity.
And this is a (theoretically at least) 'first world' country and part of the EU.
I accept, of course, that in the 'fantasyland' that is JW doctrine everything may be perfect. But (as always) selectively (and corruptly, IMHO) quoting scientific or pseudo-scientific stuff to try and predict and support their fantasies is dishonest.
Better they just say 'the paradise fairy will ensure everything will be wonderful'. And you know what? I doubt that many convinced, or scared, or brainwashed, or apathetic dubs would challenge them.
cameo-d,
:There will be NO MARRIAGE in the new system. WT plainly states that people will be like "the angels" who have no need of "marrying or giving in marriage."
Jesus was only talking about the ones resurrected and so is the WT. The WT plainly states that those single persons and children who survive armageddon will marry and have children and fill the earth.
Farkel
Farkel:
Thanks for this. Are there any prophecies about what the age for marriage/procreation will be?
Just thinking (idly) that WT is a USA-based religion, and there are so many variations in the age of consent/marriage across the US, I wonder whether the GB have sat down and tought about this - and if so, to be crude, did they have boxes of Kleenex at hand?
I'm surprised that the dubs don't focus on this more as a selling point.
More idle thoughts, and off-topic, I'm afraid (but linked with my thoughts of 18 year old nubiles) - does anyone else get lots of ads popping up for dating sites?
So far I have had 'Muslim matrimonials' 'Iranian matchmaking' 'East European Friends' 'Asian Lovelies' and quite a few more. Oh, and greek-language game-playing sites (a bit more understandable).
For the record, if I can register preferences, south-east asian ladies do it for me. I have (or may not have, we shall see) a Thai girlfriend to whom I am 'faithful' in a LDR and until that is resolved I don't need temptations, thanks. I am, after all, worldly and we are known for not being able to resist temptation.
BTW, in the new paradise, do you stay where you are when it hit, or can you move around a bit. Thailand would be my choice, if it is possible to express one.
Actually, cameo-d, this is a time when I can see that you did not grow up in the WTS or spend much time as an adult.
Yeah, but I am getting a real education here! Thanks to all of you for sharing with me. And you, especially, Blondie. You are always right there with the documentation!
The WTS teaches that all genetic flaws will be done away with, that all humans will be the same as Adam and Eve were before they sinned.
WTS is under the spell of the Genie. And there is always a trick. It may not be your genetic flaws that are done away with...but only those of a future engineered generation!
