Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-14-10 WT Study (BELONG JAH UNDESERVED)

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  • blondie
    blondie

    Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-14-10 WT Study (January 15, 2010, pages 7-11)(BELONG JAH/UNDESERVED)

    Review comments will be in red or headed by COMMENTS
    WT material from today's WT will be in black
    Quotes from other sources will headed by QUOTES
    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

    Also posted on

    http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com
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    BELONGING TO JEHOVAH--AN UNDESERVED KINDNESS "We belong to Jehovah."--ROM. 14:8

    OPENING COMMENTS

    I might mention that if you want to look up the scriptures for research purposes, note I have a website above that has quite a few bible translations online.

    www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible

    START OF ARTICLE

    1, 2. (a) What privilege do we have? (b) What questions will we consider?

    WHAT a precious privilege was offered to the nation of Israel when Jehovah said to them: "You will certainly become

    my special property out of all other peoples." (Ex. 19:5) Today, members of the Christian congregation also have the

    honor of belonging to Jehovah. (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 7:9, 14, 15) It is a privilege that can benefit us forever.

    COMMENTSWho are the "special property" in Exodus 19:5? Natural Israelites. Who are "special" in 1 Peter 2:9? Only anointed

    Christians. So where does WE figure in in a magazine being read and studied by 7,000,000 jws of which only 10,000

    claim to be anointed Christians?

    Who make up the congregation of God per the NT? Per the WTS?

    *** w07 4/15 p. 21 par. 7 Let the Congregation Praise Jehovah ***Yes, the primary sense of “congregation” in the Christian Greek Scriptures is [italics] the composite group of

    spirit-anointed followers of Christ.[italics] These 144,000 anointed ones constitute “the congregation of the firstborn

    who have been enrolled in the heavens.”—Hebrews 12:23.


    2. Besides being a privilege, belonging to Jehovah is also a responsibility. Some may wonder: 'Will I be able to do

    what Jehovah expects of me? If I ever fall into sin, will he cast me off? Will belonging to Jehovah rob me of freedom?'

    Such concerns are worthy of consideration. First, though, another question deserves careful thought: What are the

    benefits of belonging to Jehovah?

    COMMENTSWhat does the WTS mean by privilege? responsibility? Does God cast off those who fall into sin; or does the WTS?

    Think of the prodigal son. How many years did he serve in penance before his father welcomed him back? What no

    time at all! Yet jws have to do penance for a minimum of 1 year (unless you are a pedophile in business with several

    elders) before they are even considered for "reinstatement" into the jw congregation.

    BELONGING TO JEHOVAH LEADS TO HAPPINESS

    3. How did Rahab's decision to serve Jehovah benefit her?

    3. Do people who belong to Jehovah benefit from their situation? Consider the case of Rahab, a prostitute living in

    ancient Jericho. She had doubtless been raised to practice the depraved worship of the gods of Canaan. Yet, when

    she heard about the victories that Jehovah had given to Israel, she realized that Jehovah is the true God. So she risked

    her life to protect God's chosen people and thus placed her future in their hands. The Bible says: "Was not also Rahab

    the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another

    way?" (Jas. 2:25) Imagine the benefits that came to her when she became a part of God's clean people, a people

    educated by God's Law in the ways of love and justice. How happy she must have been that she left behind her

    previous way of life! She married an Israelite and raised her son, Boaz, to be an outstanding man of God.--Josh. 6:25;

    Ruth 2:4-12; Matt. 1:5, 6.

    COMMENTSRahab--OT--doubtless....
    So why did Rahab hide the Israelite spies? Because she loved the Israelite God or because she felt he was capable

    of destroying her and her family soon? So she realized that God was the true God because of destruction? Did she

    risk her life to protect the Israelites or her own family?

    Was there anything wrong with Israelites associated with Jewish harlots/prostitutes? Only if they were married women;

    if they were single, divorced, or widowed, no problem. Wasn't the real issue false religion nor sexuality morality?

    Remember Judah went to a temple prostitute as did Samson....no problem....no execution...Jephthah was the son of a

    protitute woman

    4. How did Ruth benefit from her decision to serve Jehovah?

    4 Ruth of Moab also decided to serve Jehovah. As a girl, she had probably worshipped Chemosh and the other gods

    of Moab, but she came to know the true God, Jehovah, and she married an Israelite who had come to take refuge in her

    land. (Read Ruth 1:1-6.) Later, as Ruth and her sister-in-law, Orpah, started out with their mother-in-law, Naomi, for

    Bethlehem, Naomi urged the two young women to return home. It would not be easy for them to settle in Israel. Orpah

    indeed "returned to her people and her gods," but Ruth did not. She acted on her faith and knew to whom she wanted

    to belong. She told Naomi: "Do not plead with me to abandon you, to turn back from accompanying you; for where you

    go I shall go, and where you spend the night I shall spend the night. Your people will be my people, and your God my

    God." (Ruth 1:15, 16) Because of her choice to serve Jehovah, Ruth benefited from God's Law, which made special

    provision for widows and for the poor and landless. Under Jehovah's wings, she found happiness, protection, and

    security.

    COMMENTSOT--Ruth/Orpah/Naomi

    What was the status of Moabites in God's eyes in the Bible. Remember they were descendants of Moab, the son of

    Lot (by his daughter), the nephew of Abraham. How was it then that 2 Israelite men married two Moabite women? It is

    interesting that the WTS does not address this issue in its publications. How do the poor, landless, and widows fair in

    the WTS today?

    (Deuteronomy 23:3-4) . . .“No Ammonite or Moabite may come into the congregation of Jehovah. Even to the tenth

    generation none of theirs may come into the congregation of Jehovah to time indefinite, 4 for the reason that they did

    not come to YOUR aid with bread and water in the way when YOU were going out of Egypt, and because they hired

    against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia to call down evil upon you.

    5. What have you observed about people who faithfully serve Jehovah?

    5. You may know some individuals who after dedicating themselves to Jehovah have been serving him faithfully for

    decades. Ask them how they have benefited from serving him. Though no one is without problems, the evidence

    overwhelmingly supports supports the words of the psalmist: "Happy is the people whose God is

    Jehovah!"--Ps.144:15.

    COMMENTSSo jws with problems must be happy or they don't have God's support?

    JEHOVAH'S REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS

    6. Why should we not fear being unable to do what Jehovah expects of us?

    6. You may have wondered if you will be able to do what Jehovah expects of you. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the

    prospect of being a servant of God, living by his law, and speaking in his name. For example, Moses felt inadequate

    when he was sent to speak to the Israelites and to the king of Egypt. But God was not unreasonable in what he

    expected of Moses. Jehovah 'taught him what to do.' (Read Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10, 13-15.) Since Moses accepted the

    help offered, he experienced the joy of accomplishing God's will. Jehovah is just as reasonable in what he expects of

    us. He understands our imperfect nature, and he wants to help us. (Ps. 103:14) Serving God as a follower of Jesus is

    refreshing rather than overwhelming because such a life course benefits others and makes Jehovah's heart glad.

    Jesus said: "Come to me,… and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered

    and lowly in heart."--Matt. 11: 28,29.

    COMMENTSWhile God's expectations are reasonable in the bible, the WTS's is not; think Pharisees....

    Has the average jw wondered or have they been approached by the elders and other "mature" jws saying they could

    DO MORE. Is it overwhelming to live by God's law or the multitudinous and conflicting rules of the GB and elders?

    OT example again--Moses

    servant of God--only jws
    follower of Jesus--only jws (amazing that Jesus is mentioned)
    whose yoke--Jesus' or God's?

    Where did Jesus have quotas for regular/auxiliary pioneers, time slips, 5 meetings a week, family worship nights,

    national average of hours, ????

    QUOTES*** km 2/07 pp. 3-4 par. 5 Declare Abroad the Excellencies of Jehovah ***
    You can be sure that making an effort to do more in Jehovah’s service will bring joy and Jehovah’s blessing.

    *** km 4/07 p. 6 par. 7 What Will You Do With Your Life? ***
    In these interviews, what have you learned that you can do to apply yourself more fully in Jehovah’s service?

    *** km 8/07 p. 4 par. 2 A Worthy Goal for the New Service Year ***
    Jehovah takes note of and appreciates the personal sacrifices we make in order to do more in the ministry.

    *** km 5/06 p. 2 Service Meeting Schedule ***
    Briefly interview an exemplary publisher who strives to keep his life simple and limits personal pursuits in order to do

    more to advance Kingdom interests and serve others.

    *** w07 1/15 p. 19 Remaining Steadfast When a Child Rebels ***
    However, if you yourself are to remain steadfast in serving Jehovah and are to avoid becoming a victim of Satan, you must do more.

    7. How can you be confident that Jehovah will help you to 'do what he expects of you?

    7 Jehovah will always provide the encouragement we need, as long as we rely on him for strength. For example,

    Jeremiah was evidently not outspoken by nature. Thus, when Jehovah assigned him to be His prophet, Jeremiah said:

    "Alas, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah! Here I actually do not know how to speak, for I am but a boy." Later, he even said: "I

    shall speak no more in his name." (Jer. 1:6; 20:9) Yet, with Jehovah's encouragement, Jeremiah was able to preach an

    unpopular message for 40 years. Jehovah repeatedly reassured him with the words: "I am with you, to save you and to

    deliver you."--Jer. 1:8, 19; 15:20.

    COMMENTSOT--Jeremiah preached only 40 years, the WTS has been doing so for 131 years and counting.

    Rely on God or the WTS?

    QUOTES

    *** w85 6/1 p. 20 par. 17 Walk With Confidence in Jehovah’s Leadership ***
    To turn away from Jehovah and his organization, to spurn the direction of “the faithful and discreet slave,” and to rely

    simply on personal Bible reading and interpretation is to become like a solitary tree in a parched land.

    *** w60 2/15 p. 104 How Does God’s Spirit Operate Today? ***
    A person cannot expect to be guided by God’s spirit if he refuses to associate with the theocratic organization through

    which it operates. In the first century it operated through the organization headed by the apostles. In this twentieth

    century it operates through the organization headed by the remnant of Christ’s spirit-begotten ones.

    8. How do we reveal that we trust in Jehovah?

    8 Just as Jehovah strengthened Moses and Jeremiah, he can help us to do what he expects of Christians today. The

    key factor is to rely on God. The Bible says: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own

    understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:5, 6) We

    reveal that we trust in Jehovah when we avail ourselves of the help he provides through his word and through the

    congregation. If we allow Jehovah to guide our steps in life, nothing will prevent us from being faithful to him.

    COMMENTSOT--Moses and Jeremiah
    Christians--only jws (see next week on this point)
    Help can only be availed through the WTS/GB/FDS = congregation.
    Steps will be guided by the WTS/GB/FDS.

    JEHOVAH CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE AS INDIVIDUALS

    9, 10. What sort of protection does the 91st Psalm promise?

    9 While contemplating their decision to dedicate themselves to Jehovah, some may have wondered about the danger

    of sinning, becoming unworthy, and being rejected by Jehovah. Happily, Jehovah provides us with all the protection we

    need to safeguard our precious relationship with him. Let us see how that is expressed in the 91st Psalm.

    COMMENTSI found that some jws were morbid about sinning and being df'd. The elders were always coming to them with some

    gnatlike complaint about them or their family. The rules kept changing and were unequally applied to others in the

    congregation. Rejected by God or the elders, and others in the congregation, marked or labeled as spiritual bad

    association?

    Did you know that once the WTS had a different application of certain scriptures in the 91st Psalm? It was discussed

    in a 12/1/1974 WT. You might even recognize this was a jw song....how do jws feel verse 7 applied before this? They

    felt it was literal, physical protection but then one year before 1975 it was altered to "spiritual" protection. Coincidence?

    Relationship with God, where's Jesus? No mention of "spiritual" protection in 1963. In 1975 the idea of individual

    protection is called mistaken by some to support this view....I wonder who "some" are?

    (Psalm 91:7-13) 7 A thousand will fall at your very side And ten thousand at your right hand; To you it will not come

    near. 8 Only with your eyes will you look on And see the retribution itself of the wicked ones. 9 Because you [said]:

    “Jehovah is my refuge,” You have made the Most High himself your dwelling; 10 No calamity will befall you, And not

    even a plague will draw near to your tent. 11 For he will give his own angels a command concerning you, To guard you

    in all your ways. 12 Upon their hands they will carry you, That you may not strike your foot against any stone. 13 Upon

    the young lion and the cobra you will tread; You will trample down the maned young lion and the big snake.

    QUOTES*** w75 6/15 p. 377 par. 10 Looking to the Future with Confidence ***
    Should we expect, moreover, that because Jehovah is on our side he will miraculously intervene to protect each one of

    us personally from death or injury during the “great tribulation”? Both Psalm 91:7-12 and Proverbs 3:25, 26 have been

    mistakenly cited by some as supporting this view. The psalm says: “A thousand will fall at your very side and ten

    thousand at your right hand; to you it will not come near.” Lest we read into this text more than it states, we must ask

    ourselves if Moses is here talking about the coming “great tribulation” and is declaring a blanket protection for individual

    servants of God then. This would hardly be so when we remember that centuries later Paul showed that up to his time

    the devoted followers of Jehovah had undergone mockings, scourgings, prisons, tribulations and many other

    persecutions, even violent death. However, we can be assured that, as a group, Jehovah will protect them from being

    exterminated by their enemies during the “great tribulation,” and He, himself, will not touch them during his executing of

    adverse judgments.—Heb. 11:36-38.

    *** w63 8/1 p. 469 par. 19 Surviving Through Faith ***
    To these trusting ones, Jehovah gives assurance: “You will not be afraid of anything dreadful by night, nor of the arrow

    that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in the gloom, nor of the destruction that despoils at midday. A

    thousand will fall at your very side and ten thousand at your right hand; to you it will not come near. Only with your eyes

    will you look on and see the retribution itself of the wicked ones. Because you said: ‘Jehovah is my refuge,’ you have

    made the Most High himself your dwelling; no calamity will befall you, and not even a plague will draw near to your tent.

    For he will give his own angels a command concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” What glorious promise of

    protection during the fastgathering storm of Armageddon!

    10. That psalm begins: "Anyone dwelling in the secret place of the Most High will procure himself lodging under the

    very shadow of the Almighty One. I will say to Jehovah: 'You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I will

    trust.' For he himself will deliver you from the trap of the birdcatcher." (Ps. 91:1-3) Notice that God promises to protect

    those who love him and trust in him. (Read Psalm 91:9-14.) What sort of protection did he mean? Well, Jehovah

    protected some of his ancient servants physically--in some cases to preserve the genealogical line leading to the

    promised Messiah. However, many other faithful men were imprisoned, tortured, and killed in devilish attempts to turn

    them away from faithfulness to God. (Heb. 11:34-39) They found the needed courage to endure because Jehovah

    protected them spiritually from the danger of breaking their integrity. Therefore, the 91st Psalm can be understood as a

    promise of spiritual protection.

    COMMENTSNotice how they skip verse 7 going from 3 to 9. Should jws realize from this paragraph that the WTS does not teach

    individual protection for jws? Where is the protection or support from Christ"

    11. What is "the secret place of the Most High," and whom does God protect in it?

    11 "The secret place of the Most High," mentioned by the psalmist, is thus a figurative place of spiritual protection. In it,

    those who lodge with God as his guests are safe from anything and anyone that threatens their faith and their love for

    God. (Ps. 15:1, 2; 121:5) It is a secret place because unbelievers cannot discern it. Here, Jehovah protects people

    who say, in effect: 'You are my God in whom I will trust.' If we remain in this place of refuge, we need not worry unduly

    about losing God's favor by falling into a trap of Satan, "the birdcatcher."

    COMMENTSfigurative...spiritual protection: yes, the WTS belief of individual protection is gone, gone, gone.
    unbelievers--only nonjws
    only jws can "discern"
    refuge = only WTS = Noah's ark
    jws can worry but not unduly...by whose estimation?

    QUOTES *** w06 5/15 p. 22 par. 8 Are You Prepared for Survival? ***
    Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith

    and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization.

    *** w53 2/1 p. 86 pars. 19-20 Deliverance to a Righteous World ***
    Without adherence to the visible organization that God uses there can be no deliverance, now or at any future time. Has

    it not always been the same? There was no deliverance apart from Noah and his God-approved family organization for

    constructing the ark of deliverance.

    12. What dangers threaten our relationship with God?

    12 What dangers threaten our precious relationship with God? The psalmist mentions several dangers, among them

    "the pestilence that walks in the gloom, ... [and] the destruction that despoils at midday." (Ps. 91:5, 6) "The birdcatcher"

    has trapped many with a selfish desire for independence. (2 Cor. 11:3) He catches others by promoting greed, pride,

    and materialism. Still others he misleads by such philosophies as patriotism, evolution, and false religion. (Col. 2:8) And

    many have been lured into the trap of illicit sex relations. Such spiritually harmful plagues have caused millions to lose

    their love for God.--Read Psalm 91: 7-10; Matt. 24: 12.

    COMMENTSRelationship with God--where's Christ?
    Greed, pride, materialism, patriotism, evolution, false religion, illicit sex relations===all things that are found in the WTS, right?

    PROTECTING YOUR LOVE FOR GOD

    13. How does Jehovah protect us from dangers that threaten our spiritual welfare?

    13 How does Jehovah protect his people from these spiritual dangers? The psalm says: "He will give his own angels a

    command concerning you, to guard you in all your ways." (Ps. 91:11) Heavenly angels guide and protect us so that we

    can preach the good news. (Rev. 14:6) In addition to the angels, Christian elders, by holding firmly to the Scriptures in

    their teaching, protect us from being deceived by false reasoning. They can provide individual help to any who are

    struggling to overcome worldly attitudes. (Titus 1 :9; 1 Pet. 5:2) Also, "the faithful and discreet slave" provides spiritual

    food to protect us against the teaching of evolution, the enticement of immoral desires, the pursuit of riches and

    prominence, and numerous other harmful desires and influences. (Matt. 24:45) What has helped you to resist some of

    those dangers?

    COMMENTShis people--only jws
    based on Ps 91 can jws expect "heavenly angels" to "guide and protect" individual jws?
    Do Christian elders hold by the scriptures--I had 2 elders tell me that when they tried to use the bible to "reason" at an

    elder's meeting that the other elders held up the elder's manual and reminded them that this was the book they were

    guided by................!

    14. How can we take advantage of the protection God provides?

    14 What must we do to remain in God's "secret place" of protection? Just as we constantly have to protect ourselves

    from physical dangers, such as accidents, criminals, or infections, so we must act continuously to protect ourselves

    from spiritual dangers. Hence, we should regularly take advantage of the guidance that Jehovah provides for us in our

    publications and at congregation meetings and assemblies. We seek the advice of the elders. And do we not benefit

    from the variety of qualities displayed by our Christian brothers and sisters? Indeed, our association with the

    congregation helps us to become wise.--Prov. 13:20; read 1 Peter 4:10.

    COMMENTSwhat does the WTS think is "God's 'secret place' of protection" but the WT organization.
    Are those protections found in the bible or WTS publications? What publications did the Israelites and early Christians

    use, but rather the bible? What if the advice of the elders does not agree with the bible or heavens even the WTS

    policy?

    Christian brothers and sisters--only jws

    assocation with the congregation--only jws

    15. Why can you be confident that Jehovah can protect you from anything that could cause you to lose his approval?

    15. We have no reason to doubt that Jehovah can protect us from anything that could cause us to lose his approval.

    (Rom. 8:38, 39) He has protected the congregation from powerful religious and political enemies whose aim has

    usually been, not to kill us, but to separate us from our holy God. Jehovah's promise has proved true: "Any weapon

    whatever that will be formed against you will have no success."--lsa. 54:17.

    COMMENTSDo jws have "no reason to doubt that Jehovah can protect us from anything" but not death (of course unless the

    genealogical line of the Christ was dependent on our living)?

    Is that what the WTS says the the goal of non-jws is not to kill us, "usually"?

    WHO GIVES US FREEDOM?

    16. Why can the world not offer us freedom?

    16 Will belonging to Jehovah rob us of freedom? On the contrary, belonging to the world would rob us of freedom. The

    world is alienated from Jehovah and ruled by a cruel god who enslaves people. (John 14:30) For example, Satan's

    system of things uses economic pressure to rob people of their freedom. (Compare Revelation 13:16, 17.) Sin also

    has a deceptive power to enslave people. (John 8:34; Heb. 3:13) So even though unbelievers may promise freedom

    when they promote a way of life that is at odds with Jehovah's teachings, any who listen to them will quickly find

    themselves enslaved to a sinful and degrading lifestyle.--Rom. 1: 24-32.

    COMMENTSDo we belong to God or Christ...how many NT scriptures say Christ (see last week's comments)?
    Belonging to the WTS robs and robbed us of freedom.
    So jws are not experiencing "economic pressure"? Even as an organization the WTS is cash poor and selling their properties to tide them over...where is the generosity of the flock?

    17. What freedom does Jehovah offer us?

    17. On the other hand, Jehovah will set us free from everything that can harm us if we entrust ourselves to him. In

    some ways, our situation is like that of a person who puts his life into the hands of a skilled surgeon who can set him

    free from a life-threatening condition. We all have a life-threatening condition--an inheritance of sin. Only if we entrust

    ourselves to Jehovah, on the basis of Christ's sacrifice, can we hope to escape the effects of sin and live forever.

    (John 3:36) Just as our confidence in a surgeon may grow as we learn of his reputation, so our trust in Jehovah will

    grow as we continue to learn about him. Hence, we continue to study God's Word carefully because that will help us to

    love him in a way that will dispel any fear of belonging to him.--1 John 4:18.

    COMMENTSSo does God free us from the gossip and backstabbing at the KH? Or the meddling in an individual's personal life and

    freedom of choosing?

    Entrust ourselves to God and/or Jesus or the WTS/GB/FDS?

    Does the WTS build the confidence of jws in doctors/surgeons or rather paint them as Satan's tools to get them to

    disobey God?

    CARROT=live forever

    Study God's word carefully or WTS publications?

    18. What will be the result for those who belong to Jehovah?

    18 Jehovah grants freedom of choice to all people. His Word says: "You must choose life in order that you may keep

    alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God." (Deut. 30:19, 20) He wants us to express our love for him

    by freely choosing to serve him. Rather than robbing us of freedom, belonging to the God we love will surely make and

    keep us happy.

    COMMENTSWhile God may "grant freedom of choice to all people," the WTS carefully couches its "advice" to make the choices for its members.

    19. Why is belonging to Jehovah an undeserved kindness?

    19 As sinners, we do not deserve to belong to a perfect God. Only God's undeserved kindness makes it possible. (2

    Tim. 1:9) Hence, Paul wrote: "Both if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. Therefore both if we

    live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah." (Rom. 14:8) We will surely never regret choosing to belong to Jehovah.

    COMMENTSRemember AS SINNERS, WE DO NOT DESERVE TO BELONG TO A PERFECT GOD. Now doesn't that inspire love!

    (Romans 1:6-7) 6 among which [nations] YOU also are those called to belong to Jesus Christ— 7 to all those who are

    in Rome as God’s beloved ones, called to be holy ones:. . .

    (Galatians 5:24) . . .Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and

    desires.

    (1 Corinthians 3:21-23) . . .Hence let no one be boasting in men; for all things belong to YOU, 22 whether Paul or

    Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things now here or things to come, all things belong to YOU; 23 in turn

    YOU belong to Christ; Christ, in turn, belongs to God.

    (1 Corinthians 15:23) . . .But each one in his own rank: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ

    during his presence.

    (2 Corinthians 1:21) . . .But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God.

    (2 Corinthians 10:7) 7 YOU look at things according to their face value. If anyone trusts in himself that he belongs to

    Christ, let him again take this fact into account for himself, that, just as he belongs to Christ, so do we also.

    (Galatians 3:29) . . .Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a

    promise.

    How Would You Answer?

    What are the benefits of belonging to Jehovah?
    Why are we able to do what God expects of us?
    How does Jehovah provide protection for his servants?

    CLOSING COMMENTS

    Next week, PROVE TO BE A REAL FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

    Now's the season to give Christ a few moments in the year. The WTS finally takes the gloves off and labels people

    who aren't jws that call themselves Christians, are really PROFESSED Christians.

    I can't believe that March is half over, that it's almost 3 months into 2010....old age makes time fly.

    Love, Blondie

  • gubberningbody
    gubberningbody

    Pretty amazing that you've kept this up so long.

    The last ten years I "served" as an elder I stopped reading anything they printed except what I had to for parts.

  • blondie
    blondie

    GB, new people keep coming to JWN and it seems to help them. This is the only thing I read of the WTS publications. Not much changes from year to year...I just remember that I am a commentator or researcher. I can imagine historians that study about the holocaust or similar events have to have an approach like I do. Someone has to shovel the sh*t to find the gems, eh? I suppose some day I might retire, but Randy Watters hasn't and Barbara Anderson hasn't, and Jim Penton hasn't, and Ray Franz hasn't, and many others, as they keep working away in their area of expertise.

    Love, Blondie

  • cantleave
    cantleave

    Blondie; I for one really appreciate what you do. It was reading your comments in the the first few weeks here, that enabled me to develop the critical thought processes that now enable me to read the WT and laugh.

  • OUTLAW
    OUTLAW

    BELONGING TO JEHOVAH--AN UNDESERVED KINDNESS

    So.....

    Belonging to a 14th century translation mistake made by a catholic monk..

    Is an undeserved kindness..

    LOL!!..

    I read your thread every week Blondie..I don`t always post but I do read..

    Good Thread as usual..

    ................. ...OUTLAW

  • The Finger
    The Finger

    So where does WE figure in in a magazine being read and studied by 7,000,000 jws of which only 10,000

    claim to be anointed Christians?

    I read this and it was exactly what i was thinking. I feel so sad for those who remain faithfull to the the governing body.

  • sabastious
    sabastious
    So even though unbelievers may promise freedom when they promote a way of life that is at odds with Jehovah's teachings, any who listen to them will quickly find themselves enslaved to a sinful and degrading lifestyle.

    CULT!

    I stand in disbelieve sometimes when I read these overly bold statements by the watchtower. If you are not a JW you will lead a sinful and degrading lifestyle? 100% really? No hope?

    Guess I should go back to the meetings.

  • White Dove
    White Dove

    Freedom to choose to worship JH? Freedom to choose not to? These questions have bothered me for years. It actually means, freedom from punishment to worship JH AND freedom from punishment to choose NOT to worship JH. Freedom (from punishment) to choose what we will do. The WTS gives an ultimatum to worship JH or get punished. That's no choice.

  • ziddina
    ziddina

    Yay! I found it! Thanks again, Blondie!!

  • ziddina
    ziddina

    "So even though unbelievers may promise freedom when they promote a way of life that is at odds with Jehovah's teachings, any who listen to them will quickly find themselves enslaved to a sinful and degrading lifestyle...."

    Someone commented in another thread about how much it bothers JWs when they learn that an ex-JW is having a good life; earning enough money, has a happy family life, is well-liked by his friends and co-workers, and so on... That sentence from the Watchtower seems aimed at preventing JWs from realizing that people OUTSIDE the organization usually have better lives than those remaining within it...

    Oh, and I found this hilarious: ""The birdcatcher" has trapped many with a selfish desire for independence...."

    So, I'm working for a birdcatcher, eh??? Zid

    (Edited... Working for a "birdcatcher" could be useful in avoiding the fate of becoming "bird food"... )

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