Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-10-09 WT Study (March 15, 2009, pages 11-15)(PRIZE)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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KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE
"I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize."--PHIL. 3:14[/b]
OPENING COMMENTS
There is a great deal of focus on the jw CARROT--everlasting life but a segue from Jesus offer of eternal life in heaven. Would jws serve the god
of the WTS if there were no promise of eternal life. Was Abel, Noah, Abraham, Jacob offered the hope of everlasting life? Yet they still served.
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1. What prize was held out to the apostle Paul?
THE apostle Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, came from a prominent family. He was instructed in his ancestral religion by the famous Law teacher Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) Paul had what was considered a fine career ahead of him; yet he abandoned his religion and became a Christian. He then looked forward to the prize of eternal life that was held out to him--that of being an immortal king and priest in God's heavenly Kingdom. That Kingdom will rule over a paradise earth. --Matt. 6:10; Rev. 7:4; 20:6.
What really is the difference between a job and a career per the WTS?
CARROT--prize of eternal life
But in his case it was as "an immortal king and priest in God's heavenly Kingdom." Was there really any other prize held out by Jesus to his followers?
paradise earth--a phrase that never occurs in the Bible just like "governing body" and "God's government."
Q 2, 3. How highly did Paul value the prize of heavenly life?
2. Showing how highly Paul valued that prize, he said: "What things were gains to me, these I have considered loss on account of the Christ. Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse." (Phil. 3: 7,
important--position, wealth, career, prestige--Paul considered to be refuse after he learned the truth about Jehovah's purpose for mankind.
So have all those "serving Jehovah" given up position (Mordecai), wealth (Solomon), career (George Benson), prestige (Nehemiah)?
Paul valued knowledge of Christ, not through publications from a "governing body" that did not exist in the bible.
So if jws today had considered their careers refuse, would there be any lawyers or doctors at Bethel?
Remember that Paul was not being offered the opportunity to life a mortal life on earth ruled over by other humans rather than Christ.
3. From then on, what really mattered to Paul was the precious knowledge of Jehovah and Christ, regarding which Jesus said in prayer to God: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) Paul's earnest desire to attain eternal life is evident in his words recorded at Philippians 3:14: "I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus." Yes, his eyes were focused on the prize of eternal life in the heavens as part of God's Kingdom government.
CARROT--Everlasting life...eternal life...eternal life BUT in heaven not on earth...upward call
Phrase not found in bible--God's Kingdom government
Living Forever on Earth
Q 4, 5. What prize is held out to millions who are doing God's will today?
4. For the great majority of those who choose to do God's will, the prize worth working for is eternal life in a new world of God's making. (Ps. 37:11, 29) Jesus confirmed that this was a valid hope. He said: "Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth." (Matt. 5:5) Jesus himself is the principal one to inherit our earth, as Psalm 2:8 indicates, and he will have 144,000 co-rulers in heaven. (Dan. 7:13, 14,22, 27) Those sheeplike ones who actually will live on earth will "inherit" the earthly realm of the Kingdom 'prepared for them from the founding of the world.' (Matt. 25: 34, 46) And we are guaranteed that this will all come to pass because God, who promises it, "cannot lie." (Titus 1:2) We can have the same confidence in the fulfillment of God's promises that Joshua had when he told the Israelites: "Not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed." --Josh.23:14.
"great majority"...eternal life in a new world---yes some how the WTS bases this concept on Matthew 5:5. Could this also be explained that those in heaven will inherit the earth by ruling over it not living on it?
Where in Psalm 2:8 or Daniel 7:13,14,22,27 does it say that there are only going to be 144,000 co-rulers with Christ in heaven?
Does Matthew 25:34,46 say that the majority of Jesus followers would live eternally on earth? Are they saying that those going to heaven did not have to treat their fellow Christians with similar love to qualify for their heavenly reward. Where in this account are Christ's followers divided into 2 groups?
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(Matthew 25:34-36) 34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, YOU who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for YOU from the founding of the world. 35 For I became hungry and YOU gave me something to eat; I got thirsty and YOU gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and YOU received me hospitably; 36 naked, and YOU clothed me. I fell sick and YOU looked after me. I was
in prison and YOU came to me.’ ...45 Then he will answer them with the words, ‘Truly I say to YOU, To the extent that YOU did not do it to one of these least ones, YOU did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life.”
5. Life in God's new world will not be like today's unsatisfying existence. It will be very different: free from war, crime, poverty, injustice, illness, and death. People then will have perfect health and will live on an earth that has been transformed into a paradise. That life will be fulfilling and satisfying beyond our fondest dreams. Yes, then every day will be one of exquisite delight. What a marvelous prize!
New world and system of things are the current phrases used by the WTS.
When will people have "perfect" health in this paradise per the WTS. Immediately, over some time? When Jesus healed was it over some time?
Fondest dreams---huge mansions, perhaps those selected beforehand by "loyal" jws as they walked through the neighborhoods of those they had already judged to be executed at Armageddon? Or the PO who figured he would get that Corvette he had always wanted, not wondering where the gas would come from...telling me he could drive as fast as he wanted because there would be no accidents or death!
Q 6, 7. (a) How did Jesus demonstrate what we can expect to take place in God's new world? (b) How will even the dead be given a fresh start?
6. When Jesus was on earth, he was empowered by God's holy spirit to demonstrate the kind of wonderful things that will take place earth wide in the new world. For example, Jesus told a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years to walk. The Bible reports that the man did so. (Read John 5:5-9.) In another instance, Jesus encountered" a man blind from birth" and healed him. Later, the man formerly blind was asked about the One
who had healed him, and he answered: "From of old it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of one born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing at all.” (John 9:1, 6, 7, 32, 33) Jesus could do all of this because he was empowered by God. Everywhere he went, Jesus "healed those needing a cure.”--Luke 9:11.
Is the WTS comparing what they do to the miracles performed by Jesus?
7. Not only could Jesus heal the sick and crippled but he could also raise the dead. As an example, a 12-year-old girl had died, causing great sorrow to her parents. But Jesus said: "Maiden, I say to you, Get up!” And she did! Can you imagine the reaction of the parents and others who were there? (Read Mark 5:38-42.) In God's new world, there will be "great ecstasy" when billions are resurrected, for "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29) These will be given a fresh start in life with the prospect of living from that time forward, even forever.
Note they don't mention the billions who have never been contacted by jws and whose minor children including babies are condemned to everlasting destruction without a resurrection at Armageddon.
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*** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 “Keep on the Watch” ***
Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness.
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*** w95 10/15 p. 26 par. 15 What Future for the Sheep and the Goats? ***Preferring the wicked world, goatlike ones reject the Kingdom message, whether hearing it directly or indirectly.
Even the survivors are only giving the prospect of getting the CARROT.
Q 8, 9. a) During Christ's Millennial Reign, what will happen to sin inherited from Adam? (b) On what basis are the dead to be judged?
8. The resurrected ones are not doomed to failure. Those who come back in the resurrection will not be condemned for sins they committed before they died. (Rom. 6:7) During Christ's Millennial Reign, as the benefits of the ransom sacrifice are applied, obedient subjects of the Kingdom will grow to perfection, eventually becoming completely free from all the effects of Adam's sin. (Rom. 8: 21) Jehovah "will actually
swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” (Isa. 25:
Are we to believe that those who are resurrected will have the memories or their "bad" behavior removed from them?
And what does "obedient" mean, obeying whom, jws or God. Will the GB still be on earth?
What has the WTS said the scrolls are? How are they conveyed to the earth's survivors, to all or some? Is a method similar to how the Mormons say they received further revelation from God?
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*** re chap. 41 pp. 298-299 par. 14 God’s Day of Judgment—Its Joyful Outcome! ***However, John has just mentioned other scrolls that will be opened during the Millennial Reign. (Revelation 20:12) What will these be? At times, Jehovah has given specific instructions for particular situations. For example, in Moses’ day he provided a detailed series of laws that meant life for the Israelites if they obeyed. (Deuteronomy 4:40; 32:45-47) During the first century, new instructions were given to help faithful ones to follow Jehovah’s principles under the Christian system of things. (Matthew 28:19, 20; John 13:34; 15:9, 10) Now John reports that the dead are to be “judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds.” Evidently, then, the opening of these scrolls will publish Jehovah’s detailed requirements for mankind during the thousand years. By applying in their lives the regulations and commandments of those scrolls, obedient humans will be able to lengthen their days, attaining finally to everlasting life.
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*** bh p. 214 par. 3 Judgment Day—What Is It? ***
Those resurrected thus come to life with a clean slate, so to speak. The scrolls must therefore represent God’s further requirements. To live forever, both Armageddon survivors and resurrected ones will have to obey God’s commandments, including whatever new requirements Jehovah might reveal during the thousand years. Thus, individuals will be judged on the basis of what they do during Judgment Day.
*** pe chap. 21 p. 181 par. 17 Judgment Day and Afterward ***
What are the “scrolls” that are opened from which “the dead” as well as “the living” are judged? Evidentlythey will be something in addition to our present Holy Bible. They are inspired writings or books that contain Jehovah’s laws and instructions. By reading these all people on earth will be able to know God’s will.
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*** w89 6/15 p. 27 “Before Glory There Is Humility” ***
The heavenly government under Jesus Christ will have earthly representatives who will apply the instruction written in the scrolls referred to at Revelation 20:12. Such ones will have glorious privileges, not as kings, but “as princes in all the earth,” and along with them, unnumbered humble, faithful humans, including resurrected ones, will attain to eternal life in a glorious paradise earth.—Psalm 45:16.
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*** w73 6/15 p. 364 par. 20 Be “Sound in Mind” as the New Order Draws Near ***At Revelation 20:11, 12, we are informed that during the thousand-year reign of God’s Son ‘scrolls will be opened.’ All those living, including those resurrected from the dead, will be judged “according to their deeds” as being in harmony or out of harmony with those “scrolls.” Scrolls, as dealt with in Bible prophecy, almost invariably refer to some revelation of God’s will, a revelation set out in written form. Thus it appearsthat during the millennial reign of Christ Jesus there will be further revelations of God’s will and purpose and that these will be in published form so that all may be informed. Then it will be up to each one to demonstrate his worthiness of life everlasting by harmonizing his deeds with those scrolls.
9. The resurrected ones will be judged, not on the basis of sin inherited from Adam, but by what they themselves choose to do. Revelation 20:12 says: "The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds," that is, their deeds following their resurrection. What a marvelous example of Jehovah's justice, mercy, and love! Additionally, the painful things of their past life in this old world "will not be called
to mind, neither will they come up into the heart." (Isa. 65:17) With upbuilding new information available and a life filled with good things, they will no longer be distressed by the bad things of the past. Those past experiences can be put out of their minds. (Rev. 21:4) The same will be true of the "great crowd,” who survive Armageddon.--Rev. 7:9, 10, 14.
So the didn't choose to do their "sins" before their death?
So they will have a lobotomy and not remember the bad they did?
So how is this upbuilding information conveyed, by holy spirit, through publications that are no more inspired that the WT or Awake were
supposedly?
Q 10. a) What will life in God's new world be like? (b) What can you do to help you keep your eyes on the prize?
10 In God's new world, people will be able to live without getting sick again or dying. "No resident will say: 'I am sick.' (Isa. 33:24) Eventually, the inhabitants of the new earth will wake up each morning to perfect health, thrilled with the prospect of another marvelous day. They will look forward to satisfying work and association with others who have only their best interests at heart. Such a life is a wonderful prize indeed! As a suggestion, why not open your Bible to the prophecies at Isaiah 33:24 and 35:5-7? Try putting yourself in the picture. That will help you keep your eyes on the
prize.
"new world"
What about jws that survive the GT...when are they healed? 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, into the new system....when do they start growing younger, how will limbs and fingers be replaced, will pacemakers drop out?
people with their best interests---only jws
Page 13--Picture
Dog--German Shepherd
Boy--shorts and tennis shoes
Woman--in dress of course and long hair
Men--no suits and ties
Losing Sight of the Prize
Q11. Describe the fine beginning of Solomon's reign.
11. Once we have learned about the prize, we have to work diligently to keep our eyes focused on it because we could lose sight of it. For example, when Solomon became king of ancient Israel, he humbly prayed to God for understanding and discernment so that he could judge His people correctly. (Read 1 Kings 3:6-12.) As a result, the Bible states, "God continued giving Solomon wisdom and understanding in very great measure." Indeed, "Solomon's wisdom was vaster than the wisdom of all the Orientals and than all the wisdom of Egypt."--1 Ki. 4:29-32.
have to work diligently--so is the prize something to be earned?
OT example--Solomon
Q 12. What warning did Jehovah give those who would become kings in Israel?
12. However, earlier Jehovah had warned that anyone who became king "should not increase horses for himself" and that he "should also not multiply wives for himself, that his heart may not turn aside." (Deut. 17:14-17) Increasing his horses would show that the king depended upon military might to protect the nation instead of depending on Jehovah, the Protector. And multiplying wives would be dangerous because some of
them could be from surrounding pagan nations that engaged in false worship, and those wives could turn the king aside from the true worship of Jehovah.
Considering Deuteronomy 7:3,4, why would Solomon choose non-jw wives at all? Was the problem having 1,000 mates or non-Jewish mates?
Q13. How did Solomon lose sight of what he had been given?
13. Solomon did not heed those warnings. Rather, he did what Jehovah specifically said kings should not do. He accumulated thousands of horses and horsemen. (1 Ki. 4:26) He also came to have 700 wives and 300 concubines, many from the pagan nations nearby. These "inclined his heart to follow other gods; and his heart did not prove to be complete with Jehovah." Solomon engaged in the disgusting false worship of the pagan nations that his foreign wives had introduced him to. As a result, Jehovah said that he would "without fail rip the kingdom away" from Solomon.--1 Ki.11:1-6, 11.
So who twisted Solomon's arm? Where was this godly wisdom he had been given?
14. Disobedience by Solomon and by the nation of Israel resulted in what?
Q 14. Solomon no longer focused on the precious privilege he had of representing the true God. The king became immersed in false worship. In time, the entire nation turned apostate, resulting in its destruction in 607 BC.E. Even though the Jews eventually restored true worship, centuries later Jesus was prompted to declare: "The kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits." That is just what happened. Jesus declared: "Look! Your house is abandoned to you." (Matt. 21:43; 23:37, 38) As a result of its unfaithfulness, the nation lost the great privilege of representing the true God. In 70 C.E., Roman armies devastated Jerusalem and the temple, and many of the remaining Jews became slaves.
607 BCE--Proof?
http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/1914.htm
70 CE--did the people who died in 607 (sic) and 70 CE have any hope of resurrection since they died during a judgment period like the Flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?
How could Jesus then be called the Greater Solomon?
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*** w05 9/15 p. 14 “The Fear of Jehovah—That Is Wisdom” ***
In this regard, what can be said about the glory of the Greater Solomon, the Messianic King, Jesus Christ?
Q 15. Give examples of men who lost focus on what was truly important.
15. Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Judas heard the wonderful teachings of Jesus and saw the miracles he performed with the help of God's holy spirit. Yet, Judas did not guard his heart. He had been entrusted with the money box holding the finances of Jesus and the 12 apostles. But "he was a thief and had the money box and used to carry off the monies put in it." (John 12:6) His greediness reached a climax
when he plotted with the hypocritical chief priests to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. (Matt. 26:14-16) Another who lost focus was Demas, who was a companion of the apostle Paul. Demas did not guard his heart. Paul stated: "Demas has forsaken me because he loved the present system of things." --2 Tim. 4: 10; read Proverbs 4:23.
Where in the Bible does it say that Judas would not be resurrected?
Demas--what did Paul mean...loved the present system of things?
Notice what the WTS says in the Insight book but fails to mention here--except to add to the Bible..."PERHAPS"
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*** it-1 p. 612 Demas ***
The exact nature of Demas’ forsaking Paul ‘because of his love for the present system of things’ is not disclosed. The apostle does not say Demas became an apostate or opposer. Perhaps Demas’ love for material things and worldly pleasures became stronger than that for spiritual things.
Here's another GUESS........
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*** w68 4/1 p. 208 par. 1 Keep Your Faith Growing Exceedingly ***
Demas was not the first one, for Paul writes: “You know this, that all the men in the district of Asia have turned away from me.” (2 Tim. 1:15) Why? What caused this turning away? How was their faith being put out of action? Jesus Christ showed the future, our day, to be the time when “the love of the greater number will cool off.” (Matt. 24:12) 1 Timothy 4:1 also records: “In later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons.”
another GUESS....
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*** w56 6/15 p. 373 par. 14 Fighters for Truth ***
Another trap always ready to snare us is entanglement with commercial interests because of love of what the present system offers. Demas, Paul’s companion in the ministry, was one who stepped aside in this way. As Paul put it: “Demas has forsaken me because he loved the present system of things.” (2 Tim. 4:10, NW) We cannot serve two masters acceptably, nor can a soldier serve two causes at the same time. “No man serving as a soldier involves himself in the commercial businesses of life, in order that he may meet the approval of the one who enrolled him as a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:4, NW) Paul had to work to support himself, but he never permitted it to stop his ministry, and we should take the same point of view. There is no need for us to store up for the future. All we need, as with any soldier, is provisions for the day, and with food and clothing we should be content.
A Lesson for Each of Us
Q 16, 17. (a) How powerful is the opposition confronting us? (b) What can help us to withstand whatever Satan brings against us?
16. All of God's servants should take to heart examples set out in the Bible, for we are told: "Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived." (1 Cor. 10:11) Today, we are living during the last days of this present wicked system of things.--2 Tim. 3:1,13.
God's servants--only jws, why not called Christians?
Where is the PROOF that we are living in the last days
2 Timothy 3:13--who are the imposters, misleading
http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/superior.htm
17. Satan the Devil, "the god of this system of things," knows that "he has a short period of time" left. (2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:12) He will do all he can to entice Jehovah's servants to break their integrity as Christians. Satan controls this world, including its propaganda channels. However, Jehovah's people have something far more powerful--"the power beyond what is normal." (2 Cor. 4:7) We can rely on this power from God to help us withstand whatever Satan brings against us. Thus, we are urged to pray constantly, confident that Jehovah will "give holy spirit to those asking him."--Luke 11:13.
Short period! 1914 to 2009 and onward?
Jehovah's servants--only jws
Satan controls this world but didn't Jesus.........
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*** w90 7/1 p. 28 par. 17 Settling the Universal Issue for Good ***
At the end of the times of the Gentiles in 1914, none of the nations—not even the nations of so-called Christendom, many citizens of which religiously view themselves as spiritual Israelites—were inclined to welcome Jehovah’s Anointed One, Jesus Christ, to the throne of rulership over the earth.
How does God give holy spirit to individuals?
Q18. What attitude should we have toward this present world?
18. We are also fortified by the knowledge that Satan's entire system will soon be destroyed but true Christians will survive. "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:17) In view of this, how unwise it would be for one of God's servants to think that there is something in this present system of things that could be of more lasting value than his relationship with Jehovah! This world under Satan is like a sinking ship. Jehovah has provided the Christian congregation as a "lifeboat" for his faithful servants. As they head toward the new world, they can have confidence in this promise: "Evildoers themselves will be cut off, but those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth." (Ps. 37:9) Hence, keep your eyes focused on this wonderful prize!
Satan's entire system---everything non jw--will SOON be destroyed
True Christians will survive--only jws
http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/salvation.htm
God's servants--only jws; faithful servants--only jws
(new world) present system of things--current terms
relationship with Jehovah--no relationship with Christ?
Christian congregation = lifeboat = ark
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*** w83 2/15 p. 12 You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth—But How? ***
A third requirement is that we be associated with God’s channel, his organization. God has always used an organization. For example, only those in the ark in Noah’s day survived the Flood, and only those associated with the Christian congregation in the first century had God’s favor. (Acts 4:12) Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.
Do You Recall?
How did Paul feel about the prize held out to him?
On what basis will those who will live forever on earth be judged?
What is the wise course for you now?
CLOSING COMMENTS
Next week, "Be Vigilant." Key phrase--"rapidly approaching."
Love, Blondie