Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 07-24-2011 WT Study (WISDOM)

None of us were alive when Charles Taze Russell came out with his book, The Divine Plan of the Ages. Why did he use “plan” and when did the WTS decide that was wrong and put forth their case for “purpose”?

A neon orange 192-page book came out in 1974 to re-educate the flock,

God’s “Eternal Purpose” Now Triumphing For Man’s Good, lovingly known as the Eternal Purpose book or the PO book. As far as I know studied only once at the book study with leaps of delight when that ended. It was supposed designed to use to talk to Jews. Many a congregation had a large supply moldering away in inventory, yellowing away I guess, and it perennially showed up on the books to push, or is that place, in the January KM.

Here the WTS quibbles again over terms to cover themselves if the end did not come in 1975. You will see this concept developed in this article. It opens the way for “adjustments” and “clarifications” by the WTS but are we to understand that God did not see the future and “plan” for it? The WTS teaches that God has seen the future with regard to individuals and nations (e.g., Jacob, Cyrus the Great)

*** Eternal Purpose book chap. 2 p. 11 par. 9 *** But the point in question is, Did the All-Wise, All-Powerful God have to frame a plan of action, a cut-and-dried course, at the time that he made his decision to accomplish something, thus obliging himself as the unchangeable God to stick to this planned course without deviation? Or, was he able to meet all emergencies and contingencies due to free will and choice on the part of his creatures, instantly and without forethought, and still reach his goal? Did he need a plan? Of course, after he has attained his goal, we can check the record of his movements and plot or map out the course that he has pursued. But was it planned just that way?

The theme of the district assembly (later “convention”) that year was even:

“Divine Purpose” District Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

START OF ARTICLE

1. What is the greatest privilege for baptized Christians?

WHAT is the greatest privilege you have

ever been granted? Initially, you

might think of some assignment you have

received or an honor that has been bestowed

upon you. However, for baptized

Christians, the greatest privilege is our being

allowed to have a close relationship with

the only true God, Jehovah. This has resulted

in our becoming “known by him.”

—1 Cor. 8:3; Gal. 4:9.

COMMENTS

First and foremost, no elders, MS, COs, DOs, and so on would think that their greatest privilege would be one that even a lowly baptized woman could aspire to…they have to be “special” and get more holy spirit than the rest.

Can any jws have a relationship with God or Jesus without going through the WTS/FDS/GB? (underlining mine)

*** w93 9/15 p. 22***But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy.

*** km 11/90 p. 1 par. 1***Bible students need to get acquainted with the organization of the “one flock” Jesus spoke about at John 10:16. They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation.

*** w85 3/1 p. 22 par. 21***Let us point all homing “doves” to the way of “salvation” behind the protective walls of Jehovah’s organization and increase “praise” to him at its gates.

*** w81 11/15 p. 21 par. 18‘*** A nd while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a “great war cry.”

BUT……………….

*** w73 6/15 p. 367 par. 10***Being “sound in mind,” then, we will not count on some mighty event, even as great as the “great tribulation” ahead, to work some magical transformation in us that will assure our success in God’s new order. And we will realize that, in the final analysis, whether we gain everlasting life is not going to depend merely upon association with a certain people or organization. In the final analysis it is going to depend upon what w e are as persons, what our personal qualities are.

No relationship with Jesus? Is that why Rutherford was not content to be known as Christians, but had to designate the WTS members, Jehovah’s Witnesses?

In the first century, God saw fit by divine providence to have Jesus’ followers be known as Christians, not Jehovah’s Witnesses (from a scripture that applies to natural Jews and even by WTS inference only to spiritual Israelites, self-proclaimed anointed (about 11,000 living on earth out of 7 million members).

(Acts 11:26) . . .and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.

The approximately 7 million members who are not anointed where do the fit in the scheme, where do fit in the illustration of the olive tree? Do they have to go through the branches to get to Jesus, let alone God?

BTW “baptized Christians” = only jws

2. Why is knowing Jehovah and being known by

him such a great privilege?

2 Why is knowing Jehovah and becoming

known by him such a great privilege? Because

not only is he the greatest Personage

in all the universe but he also serves as

the Protector of those whom he loves. The

prophet Nahum was inspired to write: “Jehovah

is good, a stronghold in the day

of distress. And he is cognizant of those

seeking refuge in him.” (Nah. 1:7; Ps. 1:6)

In fact, our very prospects for eternal life

are dependent on our coming to know

the true God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

—John 17:3.

COMMENTS

But does God give individual protection to jws or only “as a group”? How many jws think they are the “exception”? How many jws think that God’s purpose depends on their individual survival?

*** Close to Jehovah book chap. 7 pp. 70-71 ***Jehovah has done more than just promise protection. In Bible times, he demonstrated in miraculous ways that he is able to protect his people. During Israel’s history, Jehovah’s mighty “hand” often kept powerful enemies at bay. (Exodus 7:4) However, Jehovah also used his protective power in behalf of individuals…Why did Jehovah protect certain individuals in such miraculous ways? In many cases Jehovah protected individuals in order to protect something far more important: the outworking of his purpose.

*** w08 9/15 p. 9 par. 8 ***As individuals, we know that our immediate physical protection is not guaranteed. We take the position expressed by the three faithful Hebrews who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold. Those God-fearing young men did not presume that Jehovah would miraculously protect them from physical harm. ( Read Daniel 3:17, 18. ) As matters turned out, Jehovah did deliver them from the flames of the fiery furnace. (Dan. 3:21-27) Even in Bible times, however, miraculous deliverance was the exception rather than the rule. Many faithful servants of Jehovah died at the hands of opposers.

As a group?

*** Close to Jehovah bookchap. 7 p. 73 par. 15***Consider, first, the matter of physical protection. As Jehovah’s worshipers, we can expect such protection as a group.

*** w06 1/15 p. 27 par. 7***Nevertheless, we should not think that the Devil can cause the death of any individual whom he wants to kill. God protects those belonging to Him and will never permit Satan to wipe out all true worshippers on earth.

*** w01 8/15 p. 21 par. 8***While individuals may be allowed to die, God will never allow the extermination of his people as a whole.

Are their “prospects for eternal life” dependent just on God or Jesus but first the WTS/FDS/GB? (see “salvation” in paragraph 1)

3. What is involved in coming to know God?

3 Coming to know God means more than

simply knowing his literal name. We must

get to know him as a Friend, understanding

his likes and dislikes. Our living in harmony

with that knowledge also plays a vital part in

our showing that we have come to know

God intimately. (1 John 2:4) But something

else is required if we truly wish to know Jehovah.

We need to know not only what he

has done but also how and why he has acted

that way. The more we understand Jehovah’s

purposes, the more we are compelled

to marvel at ‘the depth of God’s wisdom.’

—Rom.11:33.

COMMENTS

Actually, can anyone know what God’s literal name is? While his holy spirit might have saved the Bible down to this day, it failed in regards to his literal name.

Can anyone get to know God apart from the WTS? No, according to the WTS. No one can understand the Bible either without their assistance. God somehow is deficient in communicating to his creatures and needs imperfect men to do it.

*** w94 10/1 p. 8***Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.

And how does the WTS/FDS/GB explain how and why God has acted that way?

Using terms like the following:

Evidently

Perhaps

Likely

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/193336/1/Evidently

A God of Purpose

4, 5. (a) As used in the Bible, what does the word

“purpose” refer to? (b) Illustrate how a purpose can

be achieved in more than one way.

4 Jehovah is a God of purpose, and the Bible

speaks of his “eternal purpose.” (Eph. 3:

10, 11) What does this expression really

mean? As used in the Bible, the word “purpose”

refers to a specific goal, or aim, that

can be achieved in more than one way.

COMMENTS

“eternal purpose” see Opening Comments

“purpose” refers to a specific goal, or aim, that can be achieved in more than one way = a definition of “new light” and allows for “adjustments” and “clarifications.” Search the WT-CD Library using “clarification” and “adjustments” and it will take you to the numerous changes in dogma and policy.

5 To illustrate: A person may desire to travel

to a specific destination. Getting to that

destination then becomes his goal, or purpose.

He may have different options with regard

to the means of transportation and the

routes he can take. As he travels along

his chosen route, he may be confronted

with unexpected weather conditions, traffic

congestion, and road closures, requiring

him to take an alternate route. Yet, no matter

what adjustments he needs to make, he

will still have accomplished his goal when

he arrives at his destination.

COMMENTS

So has God just been on a road trip for the last 6,000 years? Why does he have to adjust when he exercises individual control as in protecting baby Jesus to see that his purpose comes to pass? Does God have to make adjustments or is it that the arrogant WTS that has “run ahead of God” needs to make adjustments? Was God wrong about 1914 being the end, about 1925 being the end….?

6. How has Jehovah shown flexibility in fulfilling

his purpose?

6 Jehovah has likewise shown considerable

flexibility in working out his eternal

purpose. Taking into consideration the free

will of his intelligent creation, he readily adjusts

the way he achieves his purpose. For

example, let us consider how Jehovah accomplishes

his purpose regarding the promised

Seed. Originally, Jehovah told the first

human pair: “Be fruitful and become many

and fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen. 1:28)

Was that stated purpose foiled by the rebellion

in the garden of Eden? Absolutely not!

Jehovah immediately reacted to that new

situation by using an alternate “route” to

achieve his purpose. He foretold the appearance

of a “seed” who would undo the damage

done by the rebels.—Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:

14-17; 1 John 3:8.

COMMENTS

Has God needed to be flexible or has he had to be flexible to make the assertions of the WTS true?

So his creation having free will has the intelligence and power to road block God?

Are plans not flexible?

7. What do we learn from Jehovah’s description of

himself as recorded at Exodus 3:14?

7 Jehovah’s ability to adapt to new circumstances

While in the process of bringing his purpose

to completion is in harmony with a description

he gave of himself. When Moses presented

Jehovah with potential impediments to the

assignment he had been given, Jehovah

assured him by saying: “ ‘I shall prove to

be what I shall prove to be.’ And he added:

‘This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel,

“I shall prove to be has sent me to you.” ’ ”

(Ex. 3:14) Yes, Jehovah is able to become

whatever he needs to become

in order to accomplish his purpose

fully! This is beautifully illustrated by the

apostle Paul in chapter 11 of the book of Romans.

There he speaks of a symbolic olive

tree. An examination of this illustration will

enhance our appreciation for the depth of

Jehovah’s wisdom, whether our hope is to

go to heaven or to gain everlasting life here

on earth.

COMMENTS

Adapt – so plans are not adaptable?

CARROT—life eternal in heaven or on earth

Can God kill immortal creatures?

*** w56 4/1 p. 219 Questions From Readers***

An answer in the November 15, 1955, Watchtower said Jehovah could if he wished, destroy even an immortal creature. The Booklet What Do the Scriptures Say About "Survival After Death"? says that if the demons had originally been created immortal they could not be destroyed from the universe. Which is correct?—J.L., United States.

The statement in the booklet about survival after death refers to immortality according to its basic meaning of deathlessness, indestructibleness. The other statement about God’s ability to destroy even an immortal creature rested upon the view that he is absolutely almighty without any limitation upon his own power by even himself. So this latter statement presented what seems in accord with this view. However, it enters into the realm of speculation, because it is in fact based on a speculative question.

Hence we are letting the statement in the booklet stand, in accord with the meaning of absolute immortality as conveyed in the Holy Scriptures. A fuller discussion on this may be expected in time in the columns of The Watchtower.

Jehovah’s Purpose Concerning the Foretold Seed

8, 9. (a) What four basic facts will help us understand

the illustration of the olive tree? (b) The answer

to what question reveals Jehovah’s flexibility in

fulfilling his purpose?

8 Before we can understand the illustration

of the olive tree, we need to know four

facts concerning the development of Jehovah’s

purpose with regard to the foretold

seed. First, Jehovah promised Abraham that

“all nations of the earth [would] certainly

bless themselves” by means of his seed, or

descendants. (Gen. 22:17, 18) Second, the

nation of Israel that sprang from Abraham

was offered the prospect of producing

“a kingdom of priests.” (Ex. 19:5, 6)

Third, when the majority of natural Israelites

did not accept the Messiah, Jehovah

took other steps to produce “a kingdom of

priests.” (Matt. 21:43; Rom. 9:27-29) Finally,

although Jesus is the primary part of

Abraham’s seed, others are given the privilege

to become part of that seed.—Gal. 3:16, 29.

COMMENTS

Four FACTS? 1) Promise to Abraham 2) Promise to nation of Israel 3) Promise to Gentiles 4) same as 3?

Where’s their proof?

9 Building on these four basic facts, we

learn in the book of Revelation that a total

of 144,000 individuals will rule with Jesus as

kings and priests in heaven. (Rev. 14:1-4)

These are also spoken of as “the sons of Israel.”

(Rev. 7:4-8) But are all of the 144,000

natural Israelites, or Jews? The answer to

that question reveals Jehovah’s flexibility in

fulfilling his purpose. Let us now see how

the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans helps

us to find the answer.

COMMENTS

Rutherford’s “indisputable facts” or “physical facts”

"The indisputable facts, therefore, show that the "time of the end"

began in 1799; that the Lord's second presence began in 1874." (The Watchtower, March 1, 1922, p. 67)

http://corior.blogspot.com/2006/02/watchtower-proof.html

How does the “fact” of 144,000 literal individuals build on the previous four “facts”? Where is the “proof”?

Based on the statement in 1922, the WTS exercises great “flexibility” in their explanations about the start of the “time of the end” and “the Lord’s second presence.”

1922 (1799) = 2011 (1914)

1922 (1874) = 2011 (1874)

And when did these indisputable facts “adjust”? Can you think of others (hint = 1914 generation)

*** w09 8/15 p. 14 ***Consider some historical developments in the decades prior to 1914, the year when the time of the end began.

*** Thousand Years book chap. 11 pp. 209-210 par. 55 ***In the year 1943 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society published the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free.” In its chapter 11, entitled “The Count of Time,” it did away with the insertion of 100 years into the period of the Judges and went according to the oldest and most authentic reading of Acts 13:20, and accepted the spelled-out numbers of the Hebrew Scriptures. This moved forward the end of six thousand years of man’s existence into the decade of the 1970’s. Naturally this did away with the year 1874 C.E. as the date of return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the beginning of his invisible presence or parousia. The millennium that was to be marked by the detaining of Satan the Devil enchained in the abyss and by the reign of the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ in heavenly glory was therefore yet in the future. What, then, about the parousia (presence) of Christ? Page 324 of the above book positively says: “The King’s presence or parousia began in 1914.” Also, in the Watchtower issue of July 15, 1949 (page 215, paragraph 22), the statement is made: “ . . . Messiah, the Son of man, came into Kingdom power A.D. 1914 and . . . this constitutes his second coming and the beginning of his second parousía or presence.”

“A Kingdom of Priests”

10. What exclusive prospect did the nation of Israel

have?

10 As mentioned earlier, the nation of Israel

exclusively had the prospect of supplying

members to make up “a kingdom of priests

and a holy nation.” (Read Romans 9:4, 5.)

But what would happen when the promised

Seed arrived? Would the nation of natural

Israel produce the full number of 144,000

spiritual Israelites who would become the

secondary part of Abraham’s seed?

COMMENTS

144,000 = only jws (yes the WTS believes that first century Christians were jws)

11, 12. (a) When did the selection begin of those

who would form the heavenly Kingdom, and what

was the reaction of the majority of Jews living at

that time? (b) How did Jehovah complete “the full

number” of those who were to become Abraham’s

seed?

11 Read Romans 11:7-10. As a nation,

the first-century Jews rejected Jesus. So the

opportunity to produce Abraham’s seed

ceased to be exclusively theirs. However,

when the selection of those who would

form the heavenly “kingdom of priests”

started at Pentecost 33 C.E., there were some

righthearted Jews who accepted the invitation.

Numbering a few thousand, these

were just like “a remnant” in comparison

with the whole Jewish nation.—Rom. 11:5.

COMMENTS

Did God tell Abraham that there would be a secondary seed? Were the Jews looking for a group or one seed, the Messiah?

12 How, though, would Jehovah complete

“the full number” of those who were to become

Abraham’s seed? (Rom.11:12, 25) Notice

the answer given by the apostle Paul: “It

is not as though the word of God had failed.

For not all who spring from [natural] Israel

are really ‘Israel.’ Neither because they are

Abraham’s seed [offspring] are they all children

[part of the Abrahamic seed] . . .That is,

the children in the flesh are not really the

children of God, but the children by the

promise are counted as the seed.” (Rom. 9:6-8)

So physical descent from Abraham was

not a rigid requirement for the fulfillment

of Jehovah’s purpose regarding the seed.

COMMENTS

Was physical descent from Abraham a “rigid requirement” in regard to the primary seed, Jesus Christ? Could Jesus have been a Gentile?

*** w65 12/1 p. 726***The one who was to qualify as Messiah or Christ had to meet certain requirements as to his line of descent. He had to be a son or descendant of the patriarch Abraham. Then he also had to be a son of David.

The Symbolic Olive Tree

13. What is represented by (a) the olive tree, (b) its

root, (c) its trunk, and (d) its branches?

13 The apostle Paul goes on to compare

those who become part of Abraham’s seed

to branches on a symbolic olive tree.* (Rom.

11:21) This cultivated olive tree represents

the fulfillment of God’s purpose with regard

to the Abrahamic covenant. The root of

the tree is holy and represents Jehovah as

the one who gives life to spiritual Israel. (Isa.

10:20; Rom. 11:16) The trunk represents Jesus

as the primary part of Abraham’s seed.

The branches collectively represent “the full

number” of those included in the secondary

part of Abraham’s seed.

*Evidently, there is no typical or antitypical olive tree.

Although natural Israel did produce kings and priests,

the nation did not become a kingdom of priests. Kings

in Israel were prevented by law from becoming priests.

Therefore, natural Israel did not serve as a typical olive

tree. Paul is illustrating how God’s purpose to produce

“a kingdom of priests” is fulfilled in connection with

spiritual Israel. This updates what was published in the

August 15, 1983, Watchtower, pages 14-19.

COMMENTS

Do Isaiah 10:20 and Romans 11:16 prove that God is the root?

Evidently = buzzword meaning there is no real proof

Where in the Bible does it talk about typical and antitypical?

Is there no “typical” olive tree? What does the WTS say in 1984 just one year after the 1983 citation?

*** w84 9/1 p. 9 par. 7***In agreement with this picture, the root of this typical olive tree was Abraham himself.

Do you understand the illustration of the symbolic olive tree?

14, 15. Who were “broken off” the cultivated olive

tree, and who were grafted onto it?

14 In the illustration of the olive tree, the

natural Jews who rejected Jesus are likened

to olive branches that were “broken off.”

(Rom. 11:17) They thereby lost the opportunity

to become part of Abraham’s seed. But

who would replace them? From the standpoint

of the natural Jews, who prided themselves

on their fleshly descent from Abraham,

the answer would be unthinkable. But

John the Baptizer had already forewarned

them that if Jehovah wished to do so, he

could raise up children to Abraham from

the very stones.—Luke 3:8.

COMMENTS

Broken off = slaughtered, men, women and children in 70 C.E.

Why John the Baptizer and not John the Baptist?

*** w93 8/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers***

Should John who baptized Jesus be referred to as“John the Baptist”or as“John the Baptizer”?

Both designations are correct and Biblically supported…The apostle Matthew wrote: “John the Baptist”—Matthew 3:1-6. Notice that Matthew identifies John as “the Baptist.” Matthew, who was evidently tailoring his account to Jews, must have felt that the Jews would know who “the Baptist” was…The disciple Mark reports a similar use of “the Baptist.” (Mark 6:25; 8:28) But when introducing John, Mark called him “John the baptizer.” (Mark 1:4)…It does not appear, however, that we must distinguish between these ways of referring to John. At Mark 6:24, 25, we read about Salome: “She went out and said to her mother: ‘What should I ask for?’ She said: ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she went in with haste to the king and made her request, saying: ‘I want you to give me right away on a platter the head of John the Baptist.’” The two designations were used interchangeably. Some people might understand “the Baptist” according to the second definition in a dictionary: “A member or adherent of an evangelical Protestant denomination marked by congregational polity and baptism by immersion of believers only.” John certainly was not that. Hence, both “John the Baptist” and “John the Baptizer” are correct and proper.

So if it was necessary to flex, adjust, clarify his statements, would God have raised up stones? Was this a hyperbole? (see Luke 19:40)

15 What, then, did Jehovah do to fulfill his

purpose? Paul explains that branches from a

wild olive tree were grafted onto the cultivated

olive tree to replace those broken off.

(Read Romans 11:17, 18.) Thus, spirit anointed

Christians of the nations, such as some in

the congregation in Rome, were figuratively

grafted onto this symbolic olive

tree. In this way they became part of Abraham’s

seed. Originally, they were like wild

olive branches, not having any opportunity

to be a part of this special covenant. But Jehovah

opened the way for them to become

spiritual Jews.—Rom. 2:28, 29.

COMMENTS

Did this “opportunity” end after the first century when the WTS says apostasy crept in? Where was God’s organization on earth between 100 C.E. and 1879 C.E. when the WTS started with Russell? Were people being grafted in during those 1800 years? Who were they and how were they organized?

*** w08 1/15 p. 22 par. 13***Not all 144,000 anointed Christians were selected in the first century. Their calling continued throughout the apostolic period and then apparently slowed down. However, it did continue throughout the succeeding centuries into modern times. (Matt. 28:20)

16. How did the apostle Peter explain the formation

of the new spiritual nation?

16 The apostle Peter explains the situation

this way: “It is to you [spiritual Israelites, including

Gentile Christians], therefore, that he

[Jesus Christ] is precious, because you are

believers; but to those not believing, ‘the

identical stone that the builders rejected has

become the head of the corner,’ and ‘a stone

of stumbling and a rock-mass of offense.’ . . .

But you are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, a people for special possession,

that you should declare abroad the excellencies’

of the one that called you out of

darkness into his wonderful light. For you

were once not a people, but are now God’s people;

you were those who had not been

shown mercy, but are now those who have

been shown mercy.”—1 Pet. 2:7-10.

COMMENTS

Note that as the numbers of “anointed” members of the WTS grew dangerously close to 144,000 in 1925 (90,000 plus partaking), Rutherford representing them “adjusted” and created a secondary class of non-anointed members to live forever on earth.

Of course, 90,000 could have been expecting the end to come in 1925 another indisputable fact of Rutherford’s. When the end did not come the numbers dropped to around 25,000. Today the numbers are rising again, 11,000 approximately at this last counting…but the WTS does not feel that they are all “genuine” although God’s calling is an individual determination.

17. How was what Jehovah did “contrary to nature”?

17 Jehovah did something that many

would view as totally unexpected. Paul describes

what happened as “contrary to nature.”

(Rom.11:24)How was this so? Well, it

would seem unusual, even unnatural, to

graft a wild branch onto a cultivated tree;

yet, that is what some farmers did in the

first century.* In a similar way, Jehovah

did something extraordinary. From a Jewish

viewpoint, Gentiles were incapable of

producing acceptable fruitage. However, Jehovah

made these very ones part of “a

nation” that produced Kingdom fruitage.

(Matt. 21:43) Starting with the anointing of

Cornelius—the first uncircumcised Gentile

convert—in 36 C.E., the opportunity was

opened up to uncircumcised non-Jews to be

grafted onto this symbolic olive tree.—Acts

10:44-48.**

COMMENTS

What “totally unexpected” doctrine will the WTS have to come up with to explain the growing numbers of partakers?

Overlapping generation doctrine

http://jwfacts.com/watchtower/generation.php

*See the box “Grafting Wild Olive Branches—Why?”

**This was at the end of the three-and-a-half-year opportunity

that was given to the natural Jews to become

part of the new spiritual nation. The prophecy concerning

the 70 weeks of years foretold this development.

—Dan. 9:27.

*Grafting Wild Olive Branches—Why?

Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella

was a Roman soldier and

farmer who lived in the first century

C.E. He is best known for the 12

books that he wrote on country life

and farming.

In his fifth book, he quotes this

ancient proverb: “He who ploughs

the olive-grove, asks it for fruit; he

who manures it, begs for fruit; he

who lops it, forces it to yield fruit.”

After describing trees that are

thriving and yet fail to bear fruit, he

recommends the following procedure:

“It is a good plan to bore them

with a Gallic auger and to put tightly

into the hole a green slip taken

from a wild olive-tree; the result is

that the tree, being as it were impregnated

with fruitful offspring,

becomes more productive.”

18. What opportunity did natural Jews have after

36 C.E.?

18 Does this mean that after 36 C.E., there

was no longer any opportunity for natural

Jews to become part of Abraham’s seed? No.

Paul explains: “They [natural Jews] also, if

they do not remain in their lack of faith, will

be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in

again. For if you were cut out of the olive

tree that is wild by nature and were grafted

contrary to nature into the garden olive tree,

how much rather will these who are natural

be grafted into their own olive tree!”*

—Rom. 11:23, 24.

COMMENTS

Notice how the WTS finds it necessary to add bracketed [] words in the Bible text to explain it.

*The Greek prefix translated “garden” at Romans 11:24

comes from a word meaning “good, excellent” or

“well adapted to its ends.” It is used especially of things

that fulfill the purpose for which they were made. (no reference given)

“All Israel Will Be Saved”

19, 20. What does Jehovah accomplish as illustrated

by the symbolic olive tree?

19 Yes, Jehovah’s purpose with regard to

“the Israel of God” is being fulfilled in a

marvelous way. (Gal. 6:16) As Paul said, “all Israel

will be saved.” (Rom. 11:26) In Jehovah’s

due time, “all Israel”—that is, the complete

number of spiritual Israelites—will serve as

kings and priests in heaven. Nothing can

cause Jehovah’s purpose to fail!

COMMENTS

Galatians 6:16 is one of those singleton scriptures that the WTS hangs a crucial concept, that the Christian congregation was referred to Israel. Since he was referring to anointed Christians, were do the non-anointed members of the WTS fit in? Per the WTS are they really jws since they are not spiritual Israelites? Are they part of the “congregation” since they are not anointed?

20 As foretold, Abraham’s seed—Jesus

Christ along with the 144,000—will bring

blessings to “people of the nations.” (Rom.

11:12; Gen. 22:18) In this way, all of

God’s people benefit from this arrangement.

Truly, as we contemplate the outworking

of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, we

cannot help but be amazed at “the depth of

God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge.”

—Rom.11:33.

COMMENTS

God’s people (today) = only jws

Do You Remember?

What do we learn about Jehovah from the way he fulfills his purpose?

In Romans chapter 11, what is represented by . . .

the olive tree?

its root?

its trunk?

its branches?

Why was the grafting process “contrary to nature

CLOSING COMMENTS

Be glad that the WTS did not reissue an adjusted version of the Eternal Purpose book…definitely in the top five most boring WTS books.

There is an article following this study article, “Following Christ, the Perfect Leader.”

Our recognizing Christ’s leadership involves submission to his “brothers.”

We do well to examine how we respond to timely Scriptural counsel presented in our Bible-based publications…paying attention to these reminders is one way to show that we are following our perfect Leader, Jesus Christ.

Another way to cooperate with Christ’s “brothers” is to have a positive attitude toward any refinements in our understanding of Scriptural truths as published by “the faithful and discreet slave.”

Our willingly applying such counsel shows that we follow Jesus as our Leader.

Is it koolaid time?

Fittingly, next week, COMPLETE TRUST IN JEHOVAH INSPIRES CONFIDENCE.

Love, Blondie

designs

Blondie-

The Society created a Ladder of Success system. The more one gives of themselves to 'priviledges' like Pioneering, becoming a Servant etc. the greater the chances of God protecting you or 'Blessing' you. Every Circuit Assembly you see this reinforced with sadsac Sisters being trotted out to explain how Jehovah has blessed them in the face of husbands leaving, job loss, health problems etc. etc..

Reinforced superstition is very difficult to disengage from.

JW GoneBad

I also noticed in the footnote to paragraph 13 regarding the earlier mistaken understanding of the symbolic olive tree that the Society says it is an 'update'. The last sentence of the footnote states....'This updates what was published in the August 15, 1983 Watchtower , pages 14-19'.

No matter how the WTBTS words it (new light, adjustments,updates) the Society has a tract record of getting too many things wrong. Or as some call it: Speculating.

I always look forward to your reviews Blondie.

Pistoff

Awesome blondie, as usual.

God is on a road trip, LOL.

The WT does so many contortions and flips I get dizzy trying to follow it.

As usual, it all boils down to WE are the voice of God, not you, don't forget it.

So how many were converted and considered Israel of God (christian) in the first century?

And how many were considered Israel of God from 1879 until 1935?

What I am getting at is how many were consecrated from Paul's time until 1879?

A couple of people per year, LOL?

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Thanks Blondie!

I'm always amazed that Satan is always portrayed as knowing every detail and every thought of everyone. Jehovah is usually portrayed as someone that needs continual poking and prodding with prayer, preaching, and study... very needing and inattentive.

And all that fuss over some symbolic olive tree. Such a waste of words and time. Next week they'll consider the typical and antitypical Harry Potter.

JW GoneBad

What I am getting at is how many were consecrated from Paul's time until 1879?

Believe it or not, in a question and answer session at the 2011 DC the WTBTS suggests that Isaac Newton may be a member of the 144,000 (seriously)! So you can add Bro. Newton to your list.

What the hell why not Sister Teresa?

So much for speculating!

JW GoneBad

Imagine that! Bro. Isaac Newton among the 144,000. Alas, someone with some brains!

I vote for Sister Teresa. We need someone among the 144,000 with a heart!

BluesBrother

Paul was writing to Romans who were made to feel like outsiders by Jewish Christians. He just said..something like :

it is just as a farmer will graft in new slips to an old tree and cut out the dead wood, so others are added to the Jewish congregation..

Simple as that..No need for paragraphs of typical and antitypical, and symbolic terms .It is just a simple illustration, that is all !

BTW - Nice to have you back, Blondie

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Sorry, BB, that would be too simple.

They should have included that the manure that fertilizes the symbolic olive tree comes straight from the mouths of the GB and the keyboards of Writing and Teaching. Spiritual manure.

JW GoneBad

If the likes of Ted Jaracz made it to heaven then I would say that compassionte Sister (Mother) Teresa did!

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 07-24-2011 WT Study (WISDOM)

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