Not a "loophole." It's just so our God doesn't look so mean...
Armageddon
by sayitsnotso 91 Replies latest watchtower bible
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sayitsnotso
Actually we do teach that and have for YEARS........ ]
What about:
*** w71 1/15 p. 63 Questions From Readers ***
Questions From Readers
Can it be stated flatly that only baptized witnesses of Jehovah will survive Armageddon?—A. S., U.S.A.It would be misleading to answer this question with either a simple “Yes” or a “No.” The Scriptural answer of necessity must be a “qualified” one, and it is easy to see why.
Don't all Christian professing denominations claim to be following the Bible?
Yes but merely claiming to and actually teaching are two different things. Most christain religions teach the trinity, hellfire, immortality of the soul, salvation being more important than God's soverignty, etc. The implication is yes, you need to be one of Jehovah's witnesses, but that isn't what is preached door to door at first. What is preached is one needs to learn what the bible really teaches and then the decision to do something about that is up to them. That same article I quoted about says:
There appears to be no Biblical reason for thinking that a person who had a reasonable knowledge of Bible truth and knew the importance of dedicating his life to God and being baptized, but who held back from doing so, would be preserved by God through the coming destruction.
We are aware that many hypothetical or “What if . . . ” cases can be raised, cases that seem to involve extenuating circumstances. What point, though, is there in speculating on these? Jesus’ illustration of the “sheep” and “goats” makes it plain that a time will come when the division between the “sheep” and the “goats” will be clear and final. (Matt. 25:31-46) Instead of looking for “loopholes” in God’s arrangement for salvation, what all humans who desire preservation need to do is take full advantage of God’s merciful opportunity to serve him. And they need to do so now, before it becomes too late to begin thinking about becoming a servant of Jehovah. The “sheep” who are preserved into “everlasting life” will be responsible persons who do God’s will as completely as possible. (1 John 2:17) The Bible shows without doubt that Jehovah’s will for humans today includes being baptized and being public witnesses of him.—Rom. 10:10.
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JWoods
It would be misleading to answer this question with either a simple “Yes” or a “No.” The Scriptural answer of necessity must be a “qualified” one, and it is easy to see why.
More weasel worded than a Washington politician. Compare it with the numerous other quotations that others have given you above.
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Mad Sweeney
If he created us, doesn't that give him the right to say what he expects from us if we are to continue living? If we rebel, how is that any different than what Satan did?
First, if he created us he needs to man up and show up and SAY SO TO MY FACE.
Second, the act of creating does NOT give him the right to terminate our lives because he gave us FREE WILL.
Third, thinking independently is not rebellion. It simply isn't.
Fourth, the premise that the Bible is infallible is not only fiction it is nonsense.
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sayitsnotso
More weasel worded than a Washington politician.
Okay I will admit that. At some point the senerios people listed have bothered me a bit. And since the WTS cannot provide a simple yes or no answer how can I?
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PSacramento
Most christain religions teach the trinity, hellfire, immortality of the soul, salvation being more important than God's soverignty, etc.
Whic denominations teach that thsoe things are MORE important than God's soverignty?
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undercover
It's a mindfuck...
The WT talks out of both sides of their mouth depending on what point they want to make. If they're trying to keep the flock in line and obedient, then they warn you that all not in line with the organization will die at the big A. When they want to appeal to outsiders or appear as moderate, then they answer with a "only God knows" kind of answer.
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PSacramento
Okay I will admit that. At some point the senerios people listed have bothered me a bit. And since the WTS cannot provide a simple yes or no answer how can I?
How can you NOT?
I mean, YOU and NO ONE else well be judged by Jesus and God, YOU and NO ONE else will have to answer for your beliefs, faith and actions.
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JWoods
Okay I will admit that. At some point the senerios people listed have bothered me a bit. And since the WTS cannot provide a simple yes or no answer how can I?
Isn't this obvious? The WTS has one answer internally for themselves - they really think they are the only single religion that will survive the big A. It is often printed in their magazines, like this:
"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." Watchtower 1983 Feb. 15 p.12
They have another yes or no non-answer like that 1971 watchtower for blurring their real thoughts to the outside world (who would be repelled by the idea that god is about to kill every non-witness on earth. As per that question from readers:
It would be misleading to answer this question with either a simple “Yes” or a “No.” The Scriptural answer of necessity must be a “qualified” one, and it is easy to see why.
The above question from readers obscures the real JW answer to the question as given in the previous 1983 watchtower quote. Every active witness knows that the JWs believe that JWs are the only people who will survive Armageddon. I find this kind of obfuscation totally dishonest.
Given the fact that every single prophecy they have given yet about Armageddon has failed to come true - I also find what they think about this totally irrelevant.
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PSacramento
There appears to be no Biblical reason for thinking that a person who had a reasonable knowledge of Bible truth and knew the importance of dedicating his life to God and being baptized, but who held back from doing so, would be preserved by God through the coming destruction.
You can always tell an extremist by how they try to make thier extreme point of view seem logical and reasonable.
Notice you will get this pattern from "extreme" believers and non-beleivers alike.
Fact is there is only ONE who will decide and Judge, Our Lord, Saviour, our Judge and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Anyone else's opinion matters as much as anyone elses.