Comments You Will Not Hear at the 04-25-10 WT Study (February 15, 2010, pages 14-18)(BRIDE SAYS COME)
Review comments will be in red or headed by COMMENTS
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"THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE KEEP ON SAYING: 'COME!'"
"The spirit and the bride keep on saying: 'Come!' ... Let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free.”--REV. 22: 17.
OPENING COMMENTS
I always felt it was strange that the holy spirit was presented as if a person along with the bride of Christ in this scripture.
Who are they inviting? Just prospective anointed Christians? Did John believe there was a secondary class of
Christians that would live forever on earth? Wasn't the invitation to all humans? Who were the bride then....all baptized
Christians???
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1. 2. What place should Kingdom interests occupy in our lives, and why?
WHAT place should Kingdom interests occupy in our lives? Jesus urged his followers to 'keep on seeking first the
kingdom,' assuring them that if they did so, God would supply what they needed. (Matt. 6:25-33) He compared the
Kingdom of God to a pearl so valuable that upon finding it, a traveling merchant "sold all the things he had and bought
it." (Matt. 13: 45, 46) Should we not attach the utmost importance to the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work?
COMMENTSWhich Kingdom: God's Kingdom, the Messianic Kingdom, the Millenial Kingdom, Jesus' Kingdom, Jesus' Heavenly
Kingdom, God's Heavenly Kingdom?
What pearls did you see jws sell--how many stayed single, had no children, sold their homes and rented, moved to
outlying areas? It used to make me laugh to hear young jw women say they were going to the Dominican Republic to
help preach, when it was the young single Canadian jw men who came down to do the building work that attracted them,
or the local single brothers who were looking for US wives.
How many jws go to people's homes in the early evenings when people are more likely to be home, even though it is
inconvenient in their personal lives?
I'm not saying a few didn't do this, but the vast majority did not, because it was too high a price to pay.
2. As we saw in the two preceding articles, our speaking with boldness and our using the Word of God skillfully in the
ministry demonstrate that we are directed by God's spirit. That spirit also plays an important part in our having a regular
share in the Kingdom-preaching work. Let us see how.
COMMENTSSo are jws bold in a good way? Are they skillful, preparing what to say and being knowledgeable with the publications
they are presenting, let alone the bible? If they don't do these things how can they say the holy spirit is directing them.
REGULAR share = 1 hour a month. Is that attaching the utmost importance?
AN OPEN INVITATION!
Q 3. To what type of water are all humans invited to "come"?
3. An open invitation has been extended to humans by means of holy spirit. (Read Revelation 22:17.) The invitation is
to "come" and satisfy one's thirst with a very special type of water. It is not ordinary water composed of two parts
hydrogen and one part oxygen. Though literal water is essential for sustaining life on earth, Jesus had in mind a
different type of water when he said to a Samaritan woman at a well: "Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him
will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water bubbling up to impart
everlasting life." (John 4:14) The extraordinary water that humans are invited to partake of imparts everlasting life.
COMMENTS
Who were the early Bible Students inviting...they concentrated only on finding other anointed Christians....and they
concentrated on 1914 as the final date.
Was Jesus offering his followers at John 4:14, everlasting life on earth or in heaven?
Q 4. How did the need for the water of life arise, and what is represented by that water?
4. The need for such water of life arose when the first man, Adam, joined his wife, Eve, in disobeying the very one who
created them--Jehovah God. (Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:1-6) The first couple were expelled from their garden home "in order
that [Adam] may not put his hand out and actually take fruit also from the tree of life and eat and live to time indefinite."
(Gen. 3:22) As progenitor of humankind, Adam subsequently introduced death into the entire human race. (Rom. 5: 12)
The water of life represents all of God's provisions for recovering obedient humans from sin and death and giving them
unending perfect life in Paradise on earth. At the very root of these provisions is the ransom sacrifice of Jesus
Christ.--Matt. 20:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9,10.
COMMENTS
No water of life needed originally in Eden? What about the tree of life?
Notice that death came through Adam not Eve. The WTS has speculated that God could have let Eve live a shorter
human life and Adam could still have had perfect children with her.
The WTS teaches that the lifeforce comes only through the sperm, not the egg. That is why Jesus was a perfect
human.
QUOTES
*** w69 4/1 p. 223 Questions From Readers ***
When a woman conceives, an ovum being fertilized by a male sperm, life is passed on.
*** w56 9/1 p. 532 par. 21 The Divine Origin of Marriage ***
The woman, and no lower animal female, was a satisfying match for Adam and so was a complement for him,
especially as she had the bodily organs by which she could become the mother of his children. (Lev. 18:23) She could
produce the eggs that would provide the bodies of his children, but only he as the head of the married couple could
pass on the life sperm that would start life in her eggs.
*** w53 6/15 p. 377 par. 6 The Rule of King Death Broken ***
It is Jesus Christ, the only sinless man ever born of woman. He was born holy and immaculate, not because his mother
was immaculate, for she was a Jewish maiden descended from Adam. It was because he was begotten by a sinless,
perfect father, Jehovah God. In the case of reproduction by two parents, the life sperm comes from the father, which
fertilizes the egg in the mother, who in turn produces the body of her offspring. At God’s due time for Jesus to be born
his perfect life was transferred from heaven to the egg cell in the womb of the virgin Mary.
COMMENTS
According to the WTS, what was the tree of life? Here they say it is the anointed that will eat...that it is immortality. Was
it immortality for Adam and Eve? Will those on earth get to eat of this tree?
QUOTES
*** w09 1/15 p. 31 Highlights From the Book of Revelation—I ***
Revelation 2:7—What is “the paradise of God”? Since these words are addressed to anointed Christians, the paradise
here must refer to the paradisaic heavenly realm—the very presence of God himself. The faithful anointed will be
rewarded with eating “of the tree of life.” They will receive immortality.—1 Cor. 15:53.
*** w59 2/1 p. 84 par. 28 Maintaining Our Spiritual Paradise ***
In the garden of Eden, if Adam had stayed faithful and been permitted to eat of the earthly tree of life in the middle of
the garden, it would have meant his receiving from God the grant of the right to eternal human life, along with the
guarantee that such right would be protected and preserved. So too with regard to eating of the heavenly Tree of Life in
the paradise of God. It means partaking of the reward of heavenly, spiritual immortality and incorruption from the only
source of “life and incorruption,” Jehovah, the “King of eternity, incorruptible, invisible, the only God.”—1 Cor. 15:50-54;
1 Tim. 1:17; 2 Tim. 1:10.
COMMENTS
Only OBEDIENT humans = only jws
God's provisions?
QUOTES
*** w73 7/1 p. 402 par. 6 Praise Jehovah with His People ***
Another reason to appreciate the organization of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses is that it aids us to understand God’s
provisions for blessing obedient ones, and then to bring our lives into harmony with the divine will. (Matt. 24:45-47)
Q 5. The invitation to come and "take life's water free" issues from whom? Explain.
5. Who originates the invitation to come and "take life's water free"? When all the provisions for life through Jesus
become fully available to mankind during Christ's Millennial Reign, they are portrayed as "a river of water of life, clear as
crystal." That river is seen as "flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Rev. 22:1) Jehovah the Life-Giver
is, therefore, the Source of the water containing life-giving elements. (Ps. 36:9) He is the One who makes that water
available through "the Lamb," Jesus Christ. (John 1:29) This symbolic river is Jehovah's means to undo all the harm
brought upon mankind by Adam's disobedience. Yes, Jehovah God is the Originator of the invitation to "come."
COMMENTS
through Jesus
Christ's Millennial Reign
throne...of the Lamb
If the river comes out of both the throne of God and of the Lamb, how is God the Life-giver and Source of the water?
(see paragraph 3) In the invitation, only the spirit and the bride are mentioned as saying come; why is Jesus left out?
(John 4:10-15) 10 In answer Jesus said to her: “If you had known the free gift of God and who it is that says to you,
‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 She said to him: “Sir, you
have not even a bucket for drawing water, and the well is deep. From what source, therefore, do you have this living
water? 12 You are not greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us the well and who himself together with his sons
and his cattle drank out of it, are you?” 13 In answer Jesus said to her: “Everyone drinking from this water will get thirsty
again. 14 Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him
will become in him a fountain of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life.” 15 The woman said to him: “Sir, give me
this water, so that I may neither thirst nor keep coming over to this place to draw water.”
Q 6. When does the "river of water of life" begin to flow?
6. Though the "river of water of life" will flow in the fullest sense during the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, it begins to
flow in "the Lord's day," which dawned with the heavenly enthronement of "the Lamb" in 1914. (Rev. 1:10) Hence,
certain provisions for life became available after that. They involve God's Word, the Bible, for its message is spoken of
as "water." (Eph. 5:26) The invitation to "take life's water" by hearing and responding to the Kingdom good news is
open to all. But who is doing the actual inviting in the Lord's day?
COMMENTS
When the WTS says "fullest sense" it means they believe there are 2 or more applications/fulfillments of the statement.
Such as the concept that the other sheep are not truly adopted sons of God until the end of the Thousand Year Reign
of Christ (previously called the "Christ's Millenial Reign"). As they say, the other sheep are incomplete.
Is the Kingdom good news open to all? Note here what the WTS says about witnessing to each individual.
QUOTES
*** w09 2/15 p. 9 par. 20 How Jesus’ Sayings Promote Happiness ***
What about Jesus’ peaceable “other sheep”? They will have Jesus as their “Eternal Father” during his Millennial Reign,
but at its end he will subject himself to Jehovah and they will become children of God in a complete sense.—John
10:16; Isa. 9:6; Rom. 8:21; 1 Cor. 15:27, 28.
*** w08 5/15 p. 4 par. 10 How Should We Treat Others? ***
What about Jesus’ peaceable “other sheep”? They will have him as their “Eternal Father” during his Thousand Year
Reign with his heavenly joint heirs. (John 10:14, 16; Isa. 9:6; Rev. 20:6) At the end of his Millennial Rule, such
peacemakers will in the fullest sense become earthly children of God.—1 Cor. 15:27, 28.
*** w78 3/1 p. 5 The Sermon on the Mount—Happinesses 6 Through 9 ***
The “great crowd” of peaceable “other sheep” of the Fine Shepherd Jesus Christ will have him as their “Eternal Father”
during his millennial kingdom, but at the end thereof he will turn them over to his own heavenly Father to become the
offspring of God.—Rev. 7:9-17; John 10:14-16; Isa. 9:6; 1 Cor. 15:27, 28.
*** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 “Keep on the Watch” ***
Fifth, we see a global preaching work being accomplished, which Jesus said would take place just before the end of
this system. Jesus stated: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all
the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Today, that prophecy is in the course of fulfillment on an
unprecedented scale. True, untouched territories still exist, and it may be that in Jehovah’s due time, a large door
leading to greater activity will open. (1 Corinthians 16:9) Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait
until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be preached to Jehovah’s
satisfaction. Then the end will come.—Compare Matthew 10:23.
"THE BRIDE" SAYS, "COME!"
Q 7. Who in "the Lord's day" were the first to extend the invitation to "come," and to whom?
7. The members of the bride class--the spirit-anointed Christians--are the first to extend the invitation to "come." To
whom? Well, the bride is not saying, "Come!" to herself. Her words are directed to those who hope to gain everlasting
life on earth after "the war of the great day of God the Almighty" has been fought.--Read Revelation 16:14-16.
COMMENTS
"great day of God the Almighty" = Armageddon
spirit-anointed Christians--only (anointed) jws
Who were the spirited anointed members of the WTS inviting from 1879 to 1935? Other anointed, who they say have
the hope of everlasting life in heaven. Is the WTS saying that the invitation to "come" started in 1935?
Q 8. What shows that anointed Christians have been extending Jehovah's invitation from as far back as 1918?
8. The anointed followers of Christ have been extending the invitation since as far back as 1918. In that year, the public
talk entitled "Millions Now Living May Never Die" offered hope that many will gain life in a paradise earth after the battle
of Armageddon. A talk given at the convention of Bible Students at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.SA, in 1922 urged listeners to
'advertise the King and his kingdom.' This appeal helped the remnant of the bride class to reach more people with the
invitation. In 1929, the March 15 issue of The Watchtower contained an article entitled "Gracious Invitation," with
Revelation 22:17 as its theme text. In part, the article stated: "The faithful remnant class join [the Most High] in the
gracious invitation and say, 'Come.' This message is to be proclaimed to those who have a desire for righteousness
and truth. It must be done now." To this day, the bride class continues to extend that invitation.
COMMENTS
anointed Christians= only jws
If the anointed were not inviting other anointed in 1918, who were they inviting? How were the anointed between 1879
and 1935 invited and by whom?
There seems to be confusion about the TALK in (February 24) 1918, "Millions Now Living MAY (my caps) Never Die,"
and later references to "Millions Now Living WILL (my caps) Never Die." The title of this talk started out as MAY and in
March 31, 1918, was changed to WILL and that title was given to the booklet that was distributed starting in 1920.
Was the WTS teaching about a "great crowd" then? No, the focus was on the anointed going to heaven and the
remainder of humankind surviving and living on a paradise earth and not required that they all be baptized as Bible
Students. Baptism was only required of the anointed; it was many years later in 1938 that the WTS "suggested" that
the non-anointed get baptized. It wasn't until that year that they were invited to the memorial as well.
How many were "preaching" in 1922? (2,814)
Who were they inviting in 1929 since the great crowd was not revealed until 1935?
QUOTES
***Proclaimers book ( jv) p. 719 Noteworthy Events in the Modern-day History of Jehovah’s Witnesses ***
1918 The discourse “The World Has Ended—Millions Now Living May Never Die” is first delivered, on February 24, in
Los Angeles, California. On March 31, in Boston, Massachusetts, the talk is entitled “The World Has Ended—Millions
Now Living Will Never Die”
*** w54 6/1 p. 347 par. 45 1926 Ushers In a Time of Great Happiness ***
Eight years later (1922) the little band of both full-time and part-time house-to-house Kingdom preachers numbered
2,814. Until 1926 that number was not exceeded.
*** Proclaimers jv chap. 25 pp. 563-564 Preaching Publicly and From House to House ***
In the United States, for example, the average weekly number reported as sharing in the field service in 1922 was
2,712. But by 1924 the figure had dropped to 2,034. In 1926 the average rose to 2,261, with a peak of 5,937 sharing
during one week of special activity.
*** w02 2/1 p. 21 par. 12 Have You Received “the Spirit of the Truth”? ***
As early as 1938, The Watchtower stated that the Jonadabs, or other sheep, “must learn that consecration [dedication]
and sanctification are required of each one who shall become a part of the great multitude and live on earth.”
"LET ANYONE HEARING SAY: 'COME!'"
Q 9, 10. How have those hearing the invitation been invited to say, "Come!" in response?
9. What about those who hear the invitation to "come"? They are invited to say, "Come!" in response. For example, the
August 1, 1932, issue of The Watchtower stated on page 232: "Let the anointed encourage all who will to take part in
telling the good news of the kingdom. They do not have to be anointed of the Lord in order to declare the Lord's
message. It is a great comfort to Jehovah's witnesses to now know that they are permitted to carry the waters of life to
a class of people that may be taken through Armageddon and given everlasting life on the earth."
COMMENTS
Did you notice that this quote says "Jehovah's witnesses" with a lower case 'w'? Until the early 1970's the WTS never
capitalized the 'w' because it gave the impression that it was a name of a religion, like Baptists or Lutherans, rather than
a description of the individual, one of Jehovah's witnesses.
to a class of people that MAY be taken through Armageddon--yes, they must be baptized jws to qualify.
QUOTES
*** 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.
10. Pointing to the hearer's responsibility to say, "Come!" The Watchtower of August 15, 1934, page 249, stated:
"Those of the Jonadab class must go along with those who are of the antitypical Jehu company, that is, the anointed,
and announce the message of the kingdom, even though they are not the anointed witnesses of Jehovah." In 1935, the
identity of the "great crowd" mentioned at Revelation 7:9-17 was made clear. That gave tremendous impetus to the
work of extending God's invitation. Since then, a growing number of the great crowd of true worshippers--over seven
million now--have responded to that invitation. Having appreciatively heard the message, they have made a dedication
to God, undergone water baptism, and joined the bride class in actively inviting others to 'come and drink life's water
free.'
COMMENTS
If you were a jw after 1980, you might never have heard the term "Jonadab." Do you know the WT significance of using
it in regard to the "great crowd"?
true worshippers--only jws
7 million have responded--how many have left though?
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/statistics.php
"THE SPIRIT" SAYS, "COME!"
Q 11. In the first century C.E., how was holy spirit involved in the preaching work?
11. When preaching in a synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and read: "Jehovah's
spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor, he sent me forth to preach a release to
the captives and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the crushed ones away with a release, to preach Jehovah's
acceptable year." Then Jesus applied these words to himself, saying: "Today this scripture that you just heard is
fulfilled." (Luke 4: 17-21) Before his ascension to heaven, Jesus told his disciples: "You will receive power when the
holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me ... to the most distant part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) In the
first century, the holy spirit played a noteworthy part with regard to the preaching work.
COMMENTS
Jesus said his followers would be followers of who? Jehovah or Jesus (Acts 1:8)
Q 12. How is God's spirit involved in extending the invitation in our day?
12. How is God's holy spirit involved in extending the invitation to humans in our day? Jehovah is the Source of holy
spirit. He uses the spirit to open the hearts and minds of the bride class to understand his Word, the Bible. The spirit
impels them to extend the invitation and explain Scriptural truths to those who have the prospect of living forever in
Paradise on earth. What about those who accept the invitation, become disciples of Jesus Christ, and extend the
invitation to still others? The spirit is involved in their case too. Having been baptized 'in the name of the holy spirit,' they
cooperate with and rely on the spirit to help them. (Matt. 28:19) Think also of the message preached by the anointed
and the growing great crowd. It comes from the Bible--the book written under the direct influence of God's spirit. Thus,
the invitation is extended by means of holy spirit. We are, in fact, directed by that spirit. How should that affect the
extent of our participation in the invitation work?
COMMENTS
So do all of the anointed jws on earth have a special understanding of the bible that other jws do not have?
disciples of Jesus Christ--not jws?
Are jws today baptized "in the name of the holy spirit"?
How are jws specifically "directed by holy spirit"?
Are they no longer gathering the anointed although their numbers have increased 2,333 from 2005 at 8524 to 2009 at 10,857.
QUOTES
*** w96 6/15 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
The Watchtower of April 15, 1952, observed:
“The ‘other sheep’ today perform the same preaching work as the remnant, under the same trying conditions, and
manifest the same faithfulness and integrity. They feed at the same spiritual table, eating the same food, absorbing the
same truths. Being of the earthly class, with earthly hopes and a keen interest in earthly things, they might interest
themselves more in scriptures relating to earthly conditions in the new world; whereas the anointed remnant, with
heavenly hopes and strong personal interest in the things of the spirit, might study more diligently those things in God’s
Word. . . . Yet the fact remains that the same truths and the same understanding are available to both classes, and it is
just how the individuals apply themselves in study that determines the comprehension of heavenly and earthly things
they acquire. The Lord’s spirit is available in equal portions to both classes, and knowledge and understanding are
offered equally to both, with equal opportunities for absorbing it.”
*** w91 3/15 p. 22 Who Really Have a Heavenly Calling? ***
In the first century C.E., when a general invitation was going out to seek entrance into the heavenly Kingdom, not all
anointed Christians held positions of responsibility as members of the governing body or as elders or ministerial
servants. Many were women, and they had no special authority; nor does spirit anointing bring extraordinary
understanding of God’s Word, for Paul found it necessary to instruct and counsel certain anointed ones. (1 Corinthians
3:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14)
*** w06 4/1 p. 22 ‘Go and Make Disciples, Baptizing Them’ ***
The Two Baptismal Questions
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do
his will?
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with
God’s spirit-directed organization?
THEY "KEEP ON SAYING: "COME!"
Q 13. What is indicated by the statement "the spirit and the bride keep on saying: 'Come!'"?
13. "The spirit and the bride" do not merely say, "Come!" The original-language verb used here denotes continuous
action. Taking that factor into consideration, the New World Translation reads: "The spirit and the bride keep on saying:
'Come!'" This indicates regularity in extending God's invitation. What about those who hear and accept the invitation?
They too say, "Come!" The great crowd of true worshippers is spoken of as 'rendering sacred service day and night in
Jehovah's temple.' (Rev. 7:9, 15) 'Day and night service' in what sense? (Read Luke 2: 36,37; Acts 20:31; 2
Thessalonians 3:8.) The examples of the aged prophetess Anna and the apostle Paul show that' day and night service'
implies constancy and earnest effort in the ministry.
COMMENTS
keep on is a segue to "regularity" and more than the traditional 1 hour per month.
true worshippers = great crowd = only jws
day and night service = earnest effort, not driving around the territory, going out when people aren't home, and 1 hour coffee breaks.
QUOTES
*** w04 6/1 p. 14 par. 3 Blessed Are Those Who Give Glory to God ***
Revelation 7:9, 15 similarly describes “a great crowd” of worshipers as “rendering [God] sacred service day and night
in his temple.” It is not that God literally demands nonstop praise from his servants, but his worshipers are a global
organization. So when it is nighttime in some lands, God’s servants on the other side of the globe are busy witnessing.
Thus it can be said that the sun never sets on those bringing glory to Jehovah.
Q 14, 15. How did Daniel demonstrate the importance of regularity in worship?
14. The prophet Daniel also demonstrated the importance of regularity in worship. (Read Daniel 6:4-10, 16.) He did
not change his spiritual routine--his habit of praying to God “three times in a day, ... as he had been regularly doing"
--even for one month, although that meant being thrown into the lions' pit. How clearly his actions indicated to observers
that nothing is more important than regular worship of Jehovah!--Matt. 5:16.
COMMENTS
regularity, regularly, regular = OT Daniel did not have 5 meetings a week, and a ten hour minimum goal of hours to put
in. So if jws are "regular" will they be tossed into a lion's pit?
15. After Daniel had spent a night in the lions' pit, the king himself went there and cried out: “O Daniel, servant of the
living God, has your God whom you are serving with constancy been able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel
immediately replied: “O king, live on even to times indefinite. My own God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the
lions, and they have not brought me to ruin, forasmuch as before him innocence itself was found in me; and also before
you, O king, no hurtful act have I done." Jehovah blessed Daniel for serving “with constancy." --Dan.6:19-22.
COMMENTS
OT = Daniel
constancy = regularity
What makes a jw "inactive" missing meetings or not turning in a time slip for 6 months? What makes a jw irregular,
missing a meeting or not turning in a time slip for one month?
Is the WTS saying that God will send an angel to protect a jw from death?
Q 16. What questions should Daniel's example prompt us to ask about our participation in the ministry?
16. Daniel was willing to die rather than neglect his spiritual routine. What about us? What sacrifices are we making or
are we willing to make in order to declare the good news of God's Kingdom with constancy? Why, we should not let a
month go by without speaking about Jehovah to others! If at all possible, should we not endeavor to participate in the
ministry each week? Even if we are very limited physically and can witness for just 15 minutes during the month, we
should report this activity. Why? Because, along with the spirit and the bride, we desire to keep on saying, “Come!"
Yes, we want to do all we can to remain regular Kingdom publishers.
COMMENTS
OT - Daniel; are there no Christian examples of regularity and constancy?
Should our service to God be ROUTINE?
Rather what sacrifices does the WTS and its representatives, the DOs, COs, and elder think jws should make?
Notice they do not qualify that the 15 minutes is only for ill or elderly jws who have been pre-approved by the Service
Committee, made up of the COBOE, Secretary, and Service Overseer. (There was time that elders were called
"servant" but they stopped serving and started OVERseeing in the 70's.)
Notice it is more important to remain regular Kingdom "publishers", which is a word that never appears in the bible, not
Christians or even jws.
Q 17. What opportunities to extend Jehovah's invitation should we not miss?
17. We should seek to extend Jehovah's invitation at every opportunity, not just at times that we have set aside for the
public ministry. What a privilege it is to invite thirsty ones to 'come and take life's water free' during other times, such as
while shopping, traveling, vacationing, working, or going to school! Even if authorities restrict the preaching work, we
continue to preach discreetly--perhaps by staggering our house-to-house visits or by increasing our informal
witnessing.
COMMENTS
What does the WTS consider "every opportunity"? Shopping (imagine talking to someone at the checkout), traveling
(dumping old magazines on the attendant at the gas station), vacationing (taking magazines to the beach and handing
them out in your swimsuit), working (witnessing on work time and getting canned), school (making sure all your reports
are based on WT publications).
If the jws had to go underground in the US, I'd predict that less than 10% would continue participating, especially if a
lion's pit awaited them.
KEEP ON SAYING! "COME!"
Q 18, 19. How do you show that you value the privilege of being God's fellow worker?
18. For over nine decades now, the spirit and the bride have been saying, "Come!" to anyone thirsting for life's water.
Have you heard their thrilling invitation? Then you are urged to extend this invitation to others.
COMMENTS
So why is Jesus not inviting people as he did the Samaritan woman? The WTS thinks that they are the only ones
inviting people to the water Christ gives. (www.forum.org)
90 years, counting only back to 1914 or 1918. Who was inviting people between 1879 and 1918 and who were they
inviting, the great crowd (1935)?
19. We do not know how long Jehovah's loving invitation will continue to be extended, but our responding to it by
saying, "Come!" makes us God's fellow workers. (1 Cor. 3:6, 9) What a privilege that is! May we show that we value that
privilege and" always offer to God a sacrifice of praise" by preaching regularly. (Heb. 13:15) Together with the bride
class, let those of us who have an earthly hope keep on saying, "Come!" And may many more "take life's water free"!
COMMENTS
WE DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG--1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, (1940's), 1975, (1984), (1994) they did.
http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/prophecy/when-prophecies-fail.html
preaching REGULARLY (now where is that hour quota in the bible?)
What Did You Learn?
• The invitation to "come' is extended to whom?
• Why can it be said that the invitation to "come" originates with gehovah?
• What part does holy spirit play in extending the invitation to "come"?
• Why should we strive to be regular in the ministry?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Nothing earthshaking except the confusion about when the name of the talk changed from MAY to WILL.
Does your jw family know why Jonadab (Jehonadab) was selected as an example of NT Christians? Who was he? It is
interesting that this explanation came about the time that anointed WT members was approacing 90,000 (out of
144,000). The thought was that the number would be completed and they would go to heaven by 1914. But the best
laid plans of mice and men.................
Next Sunday, Welcome to the Best Way of Life! At least it is Jesus showing the way...not God...oh, that's right, even
the WTS doesn't know what God looks like, not that they know what Jesus looks like; the WTS had Jesus beardless
until 1968.
Love, Blondie
