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*** lv chap. 7 Do You Value Life as God Does? ***
STAY CLEAR OF BLOODGUILTY ORGANIZATIONS
Q20-22. What stand do Christians take toward the world, and why?20 In God's eyes, Satan's entire world is bloodguilty. Its political systems, portrayed in the Scriptures as vicious beasts, have slaughtered countless millions, including many of Jehovah's servants. (Daniel 8:3, 4, 20-22; Revelation 13:1, 2, 7, 8) Hand in hand with these beastlike powers, business and science have worked to create some of the most heinous weapons imaginable, making huge profits in the process. How true that "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one"!-1 John 5:19.
So, why is the WBTS a non-governmental member of a organization whose activities include, arms control, free elections, democratization etc???
Organization:http://www.osce.org/
Activities:http://www.osce.org/activities/
WBTS non-govermental membership - Pages 43, 49, 63, 65, 71 http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2008/10/34254_en.pdf
21 Because Jesus' followers are "no part of the world" but remain strictly neutral toward its politics and wars, they avoid personal and community bloodguilt. (John 15:19; 17:16) And in imitation of Christ, they do not respond violently when others persecute them. Rather, they show love for their enemies, even praying for them.-Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:17-21.
Show love for enemies, even praying for them - Is this an example of the WBTS showing love to its enemies?
Wt 15/04/09 p3-7 par15Satan was the first creature to turn apostate. Modern-day apostates display characteristics similar to those of the Devil. Their mind may be poisoned by a critical attitude toward individuals in the congregations, Christian elders, or the Governing Body. Some apostates oppose the use of the divine name, Jehovah. They are not interested in learning about Jehovah or in serving him. Like their father, Satan, apostates target people of integrity. (John 8:44) No wonder servants of Jehovah avoid all contact with them!--2 John 10, 11.22 Above all, true Christians avoid involvement with "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion and the most bloodguilty of all. "In her," says God's Word, "was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth." Thus, we are warned: "Get out of her, my people."-Revelation 17:6; 18:2, 4, 24.
Is the WBTS free of bloodguilt?
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/medical/128626/1/WT-BLOOD-GUILT-EXPOSED-TO-THE-WORLD
How many have they needlessly "slaughtered" as a result of their medical quackery??
http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/medicine/the-watchtower-society-and-medical-quackery.html
Q23. What does it mean to get out of Babylon the Great?23 Abandoning Babylon the Great involves more than having one's name removed from a membership roll. It also includes hating the evil practices that false religion condones or openly advocates-such things as immorality, political meddling, and the greedy pursuit of wealth. (Psalm 97:10; Revelation 18:7, 9, 11-17) How often these activities lead to bloodshed!
What exactly constitutes "Babylon the Great" and how has the WBTS proven itself to be a true religion?
http://www.4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witness-faithful-discreet-slave.php
Q24, 25. On what basis can God show mercy to a repentant person who is bloodguilty, and how was this prefigured in Bible times?24 Before taking up true worship, each of us, in one way or another, lent support to Satan's system and thus incurred a measure of bloodguilt. However, because we changed our ways, cultivated faith in Christ's ransom sacrifice, and dedicated our life to God, we gained God's mercy and spiritual protection. (Acts 3:19) That protection was prefigured in Bible times by the cities of refuge.-Numbers 35:11-15; Deuteronomy 21:1-9.
"true worship" = being a JW
"dedicated our life to God" = dedication to the WBTS
"That protection was prefigured in Bible times" - Evidence???
25 How did that arrangement work? If an Israelite accidentally caused another's death, he was to flee to one of the cities of refuge. After qualified judges ruled on the matter, the accidental manslayer had to reside in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Then he would be free to live elsewhere. What a beautiful example of God's mercy and of the great value he places on human life! Corresponding today with those ancient cities of refuge is God's provision, based on Christ's ransom sacrifice, for protecting us from death for accidentally violating God's commandment about the sanctity of life and blood. Do you value that provision? How can you show that you do? One way is by inviting others to join you in the antitypical city of refuge, especially in view of the fast-approaching "great tribulation."-Matthew 24:21; 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2.
"inviting others to join you in the antitypical city of refuge" = converting more members to become followers of the WBTS
VALUE LIFE BY PREACHING THE KINGDOM MESSAGE
Q26-28. In what way is our situation today similar to that of the prophet Ezekiel, and how can we keep ourselves in God's love?26 The situation of God's people in our day calls to mind that of the ancient prophet Ezekiel, whom Jehovah commissioned to serve as a spiritual watchman to the house of Israel. "You must hear [my] word and give them warning from me," said God. If Ezekiel were to neglect his commission, he would be held personally responsible for the blood of those executed when Jerusalem was called to account. (Ezekiel 33:7-9) But Ezekiel was obedient and incurred no bloodguilt.
"Ezekiel was obedient and incurred no bloodguilt" - Where is the evidence that this applies to Christians today??
27 Today, we face the end of Satan's entire world. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses count it both an obligation and a privilege to proclaim God's "day of vengeance" in conjunction with the Kingdom message. (Isaiah 61:2; Matthew 24:14) Do you have a full share in this vital work? The apostle Paul took his preaching commission seriously. As a result, he could say: "I am clean from the blood of all men, for I have not held back from telling you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:26, 27) What a fine example for us to imitate!
"Today, we face the end of Satan's entire world" How much longer and are they sure this time?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology_of_Jehovah's_Witnesses
"proclaim God's "day of vengeance" in conjunction with the Kingdom message" Why did Jesus not tell his disciples to proclaim this vengeance?
Are they being presumptuous by adding to the good news Jesus spoke of?
What exactly is "full share"?
Why is this work considered "vital" if God reads hearts?
28 Of course, to keep ourselves in the warmth of Jehovah's fatherly love, we must do more than view life and blood as Jehovah does. We also need to remain clean, or holy, in his eyes, as we shall see in the following chapter.