Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-11-2012 WT Study (WATCHFULNESS)

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  • blondie
    blondie

    Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-11-2012 WT Study (JANUARY 15, 201, pages 9-13 )(WATCHFULNESS)

    Review comments will be headed by COMMENTS

    WT material from today's WT will be in black

    Quotes from other sources will be indented and identified

    w = Watchtower

    g = Awake

    jv = Proclaimers book

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    LEARN WATCHFULNESS

    FROM JESUS’ APOSTLES

    “Keep on the watch

    with me.”—MATT. 26:38.

    WHAT CAN YOU LEARN

    ABOUT :

    Watching for direction on

    where to preach?

    Being vigilant with a view to

    prayers?

    Bearing thorough witness

    despite obstacles?

    OPENING COMMENTS

    Just brief comments today. Life is crowding up at home.

    What really were Jesus’ apostles watching for? Were told it was going to be over 2,000 years before the Kingdom would appear in heaven, let alone on earth? They died not seeing the fulfillment in their life time. What “new light” were they told?

    START OF ARTICLE

    1-3. How did the apostles fail to keep on the watch during Jesus’

    final night on earth, and what shows that they learned

    from their mistake?

    IMAGINE the scene on the final night of Jesus’

    earthly life. Jesus has come to one of his favorite

    places, the garden of Gethsemane, just east of Jerusalem.

    He has come here with his faithful apostles.

    With much weighing on his mind and heart, Jesus

    needs to find solitude so that he can pray.—Matt. 26:

    36; John 18:1, 2.

    COMMENTS

    “faithful” a dig a Judas? What about Peter’s denying Jesus 3 times?

    How many prayers do jws make in private or it is it just a show at the meetings or public meals?

    2 Three of the apostles—Peter, James, and John—accompany

    Jesus to a spot deeper in the garden. “Stay

    here and keep on the watch with me,” he tells them,

    and then he goes off to pray. When he comes back,

    he finds his friends fast asleep. Again he implores

    them: “Keep on the watch.” Yet, they fall asleep two

    more times! Later that same night, all the apostles fail

    to keep spiritually alert. Why, they even abandon Jesus

    and flee!—Matt. 26:38, 41, 56.

    COMMENTS

    I can remember “privileged” men sleeping at the conventions, the meetings…

    The WTS had young men watch the equipment and food…that was important…but did they watch over the elderly, sick, depressed, poor?

    Many jws were sleeping when the WTS put for the dates of 1914, 1925, 1975 as dates the end would come.

    3 Surely the apostles regretted their failure to keep

    on the watch. Those faithful men quickly learned

    from their mistake. The Bible book of Acts shows

    that they went on to set an outstanding example in

    keeping watchful. Their faithful course must have influenced

    their fellow Christians to do the same. Now

    more than ever, we need to keep on the watch. (Matt.

    24:42) Let us discuss three lessons about keeping

    on the watch that we can learn from the book of

    Acts.

    COMMENTS

    Surely….no mention in the bible?

    Where were the women?

    Must have…no mention in the bible?

    Watch for what?

    WATCHFUL FOR DIRECTION ON WHERE TO PREACH

    4, 5. How did Paul and his traveling companions experience

    the direction of the holy spirit?

    4 To begin with, the apostles were watchful for

    direction on where to preach. In one account, we

    learn how Jesus used the holy spirit,

    which Jehovah put at his disposal, to

    guide the apostle Paul and his traveling

    companions during a most unusual journey.

    (Acts 2:33) Let us join them.— Read

    Acts 16: 6-10.

    COMMENTS

    So who does the bible say was directing—the GB?

    How did Jesus do this—with a vision only to Paul…so do jws get visions today?

    5 Paul, Silas, and Timothy had left the

    city of Lystra in southern Galatia. Days

    later they reached a Roman highway

    leading westward to the most populated

    region of the district of Asia. They

    wanted to take that road so as to visit

    cities where thousands of people needed

    to hear about Christ. But something

    stopped them in their tracks.

    Verse 6 says: “They went through Phrygia

    and the country of Galatia, because

    they were forbidden by the holy spirit

    to speak the word in the district of

    Asia .” In some undisclosed manner, the

    holy spirit prevented the travelers from

    preaching in the province of Asia. Evidently

    Jesus—by means of God’s spirit—

    wanted to guide Paul and his companions

    in a different direction.

    COMMENTS

    “something stopped them in their tracks” all of them or just Paul? How did they know it was from God?

    “in some undisclosed manner” why undisclosed, didn’t Paul want other Christians to know if it was from God or Satan?

    EVIDENTLY Jesus—means the bible does not say and the WTS is guessing, because they aren’t getting any visions from God.

    Is this how the men in charge of the service groups decide what territory to do, they throw them in the air and the one that does not fall on the ground is the one to do?

    6, 7. (a) What happened to Paul and the other

    travelers near Bithynia? (b) What decision did

    the disciples make, and with what result?

    6 Where did the eager travelers go?

    Verse 7 explains: “Further, when getting

    down to Mysia they made efforts to go

    into Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus did

    not permit them.” Prevented from

    preaching in Asia, Paul and his companions

    turned northward, intending to

    preach in the cities of Bithynia. However,

    when they neared Bithynia, Jesus

    again used the holy spirit to block them.

    By then, the men must have been puzzled.

    They knew what to preach and how

    to preach, but they did not know where

    to preach. We might put it this way:

    They had knocked on the door leading

    to Asia—but in vain. They had knocked

    on the door leading to Bithynia—again in

    vain. Did they stop knocking? Not those

    zealous preachers!

    COMMENTS

    “prevented from preaching” still no explanation to know how they knew and who told them not to go

    “Jesus again used the holy spirit to block them” HOW?

    So was this how Christians knew where to go…visions, holy spirit, blocked….today?

    Is the holy spirit telling the GB where to preach? Do they tell the DO, CO, and elders with special letters?

    7 At this point, the men made a decision

    that might have appeared a bit

    strange. Verse 8 tells us: “They passed

    Mysia by and came down to Troas.” So

    the travelers turned west and walked

    350 miles (563 km), bypassing city after

    city until they reached the port of

    Troas, the natural gateway to Macedonia.

    There, for the third time, Paul and

    his companions knocked on a door, but

    this time it swung wide open! Verse 9 reports

    what happened next: “During the

    night a vision appeared to Paul: a certain

    Macedonian man was standing and

    entreating him and saying: ‘Step over

    into Macedonia and help us.’ ” Finally,

    Paul knew where to preach. Without delay,

    the men sailed for Macedonia.

    COMMENTS

    Did they know or were they guessing? If no one answers at any doors in a territory, does that mean God wants jws to go somewhere else….how many people even knew Christians then…and despite 133 years of so-called door to door, how many non-jws even know who jws are let alone what they preach?

    So do the GB get visions from God?

    8, 9. What can we learn from the account of

    Paul’s journey?

    8 What can we learn from this account?

    Note that only after Paul set

    out for Asia did God’s spirit intervene.

    Then, only after Paul neared Bithynia

    did Jesus step in. And finally, only after

    Paul reached Troas did Jesus direct him

    to Macedonia. As Head of the congregation,

    Jesus may deal with us in a similar

    way. (Col. 1:18) For example, you may

    have been thinking about serving as a

    pioneer or moving to an area where the

    need is greater. But it may be only after

    you take steps to reach your goal that Jesus,

    by means of God’s spirit, will guide

    you. To illustrate: A driver can direct his

    car to turn left or right but only if the car

    is moving. Likewise, Jesus may direct us

    in expanding our ministry but only if we

    are moving—if we are putting forth effort

    to reach our goal.

    COMMENTS

    How did Paul know all this was from Jesus and the holy spirit? Did Jesus appear to him?

    With this unclear “direction” how would any jw today know how and what the spirit is guiding them to do? Does Jesus direct INDIVIDUALS only only through an organization?

    I guess jws are not “moving” enough. It reminds me of how the WTS says other religions are wrong when they say people are physically healed only if they have enough faith.

    In contrast with modern-day faith healers, who often blame the sick for lack of faith when no healing occurs, Jesus healed even some who had not yet put faith in him. For example, once Jesus approached a blind man uninvited and cured him. Later, Jesus asked him: “Are you putting faith in the Son of man?” The man replied: “Who is he, sir, that I may put faith in him?” Jesus told him: “He that is speaking with you is that one.”— John 9:1-7 , 35-38 .

    9 What, though, if your efforts do not

    bear fruit right away? Should you give

    up, concluding that God’s spirit is not

    guiding you? Well, remember that Paul

    too encountered setbacks. Yet, he kept

    on searching and knocking until he

    found a door that opened. Similarly, if

    you persevere in searching for “a large

    door that leads to activity,” you too may

    be rewarded.—1 Cor. 16:9.

    COMMENTS

    Seems that jws need to be encouraged because not many non-jws are responding and are giving up. But if jws only spend at most 45 minutes d2d on Saturday, rarely make return visits, and sidestep the responsibility of studying with an individual, is it surprising that few non-family members become official members?

    VIGILANT WITH A VIEW TO PRAYERS

    10. What shows that being vigilant in prayer is

    essential to keeping on the watch?

    10 Consider, now, a second lesson

    about watchfulness that we can learn

    from our first-century Christian brothers:

    They were vigilant with a view

    to prayers. (1 Pet. 4:7) Persevering in

    prayer is essential to keeping on the

    watch. Recall that in the garden of Gethsemane

    just before his arrest, Jesus told

    three of his apostles: “Keep on the watch

    and pray continually.”—Matt. 26:41.

    COMMENTS

    What are the prayers like at the KH today, the assemblies, the conventions? A repetition of words and phrases? They were in my day. Of course, many men found out 1 minute before they were the one…

    And when some old-time brother or the concluding talk brother goes on and on reviewing the program, is that persevering? Is that what Jesus meant to pray continually. If jws were to add up the time they spend daily praying compared to watching TV, what do you think they spend more time on?

    11, 12. Why and how did Herod mistreat the

    Christians, including Peter?

    11 Peter, who was present on that occasion,

    later experienced firsthand the

    power of fervent prayers. (Read Acts 12:

    1-6.) In the opening verses of this account,

    we learn that in order to win favor

    with the Jews, Herod mistreated the

    Christians. He likely knew that James

    was an apostle who had been especially

    close to Jesus. Hence, Herod had James

    killed “by the sword.” (Verse 2) The congregation

    thus lost a beloved apostle.

    What a test for the brothers!

    COMMENTS

    What is a fervent prayer? Have you heard any in your career as a jw?

    Herod LIKELY (nothing in the bible but the WTS will say so without a shred of proof)

    So when was the last GB member that was killed by the sword?

    Not a test for the sisters?

    12 What did Herod do next? Verse 3

    explains: “As he saw it was pleasing

    to the Jews, he went on to arrest Peter

    also.” But prisons had not always

    managed to contain the apostles, including

    Peter. (Acts 5:17-20) Herod may well

    have known that. The canny politician

    took no chances. He turned Peter over to

    “four shifts of four soldiers each to guard

    him, as he intended to produce him for

    the people after the passover.” (Verse 4)

    Imagine that! Herod had Peter chained

    between 2 guards, with 16 guards working

    in shifts day and night to make sure

    that this apostle did not escape. Herod’s

    intention was to present Peter to the

    people after the Passover, his death sentence

    a gift to delight the crowds. Under

    such dire circumstances, what could Peter’s

    fellow Christians do?

    COMMENTS

    James beheaded but

    Peter gets an angel to break him out of prison

    Herod MAY WELL HAVE known---proof?

    Christians prayed….did Peter late give the angel story, would some have wondered why no angel was sent to save James?

    13, 14. (a) How did the congregation react to

    Peter’s imprisonment? (b) What can we learn

    from the example set by Peter’s fellow Christians

    in the matter of prayer?

    13 The congregation knew exactly

    what to do. Verse 5 reads: “Consequently

    Peter was being kept in the prison;

    but prayer to God for him was being

    carried on intensely by the congregation.”

    Yes, their prayers in behalf of their

    beloved brother were intense, heartfelt

    pleas. So the death of James had not

    plunged them into despair; nor had it

    caused them to view prayer as ineffective.

    On the contrary, they knew that the

    prayers of faithful worshippers mean a

    great deal to Jehovah. If such prayers are

    in harmony with his will, he answers

    them.—Heb. 13:18, 19; Jas. 5:16.

    COMMENTS

    Since God makes his decisions on his own and not under the direction of the congregation’s prayerful requests (James vs. Peter), what was the point?

    EVIDENTLY it was not in harmony with God’s will to pray for James to be safe, but it was for Peter to be saved.

    14 What can we learn from the response

    of Peter’s fellow Christians?

    Keeping on the watch involves praying

    not just for ourselves but for our brothers

    and sisters as well. (Eph. 6:18) Do

    you know of fellow believers who are beset

    by trials? Some may be enduring persecution,

    governmental bans, or natural

    disasters. Why not make them the subject

    of your heartfelt prayers? You may

    know of others who are undergoing

    less noticeable hardships. They may be

    struggling to cope with family troubles,

    discouragement, or ill health. Why not

    think of specific individuals whom you

    can mention by name as you speak to Jehovah,

    the “Hearer of prayer”?—Ps. 65:2.

    COMMENTS

    Did you know that the WTS has an unclear rule about praying for individuals during KH meetings? It has to be pre-approved by the COBOE. It has to be someone in “good standing.” jws under pressure might be having problems and really need help but not be spiritual enough for the COBOE. Can you pray for sick people, people who lost a family member, facing an operation? Are words enough?

    James 1:15,16

    If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, ] be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

    15, 16. (a) Describe how Jehovah’s angel delivered

    Peter from prison. (See the picture below.)

    (b) Why is it comforting to contemplate

    the way that Jehovah rescued Peter?

    15 How, though, did things turn out

    for Peter? During his final night in the

    prison while he was fast asleep between

    his two guards, Peter experienced a series

    of amazing events. (Read Acts 12:7-

    11.) Picture what happened: Suddenly, a

    bright light filled his cell. An angel stood

    there, evidently unseen by the guards,

    and urgently woke Peter up. And those

    chains binding his hands simply fell

    off! The angel then led Peter out of the

    cell, right by the guards stationed outside,

    and through the massive iron gate,

    which opened “of its own accord.” Once

    they were outside the prison, the angel

    vanished. Peter was free!

    COMMENTS

    Angel…EVIDENTLY unseen?

    So why save Peter and not James?

    16 Is it not faith-strengthening to contemplate

    Jehovah’s power to rescue his

    servants? Of course, we do not expect

    Jehovah to deliver us miraculously at

    this time. However, we have full faith

    that he uses his power in behalf of his

    people today. (2 Chron. 16:9) By means

    of his powerful holy spirit, he can make

    us equal to any trial we may face. (2 Cor.

    4:7; 2 Pet. 2:9) And Jehovah will soon

    empower his Son to free countless millions

    from that most unyielding of prisons,

    death. (John 5:28, 29) Our faith in

    God’s promises can give us tremendous

    courage when we face trials today.

    COMMENTS

    OF COURSE, WE DO NOT EXPECT JEHOVAH TO DELIVER US MIRACULOUSLY AT THIS TIME….then why pray, is this a lottery?

    FULL FAITH that he uses his power in behalf of SOME of his people today.

    SOON—the WTS teaches that the earthly resurrection will not start until about 500 years after Armageddon giving the survivors time to clean up the earth and prepare for the millions.

    But no resurrection the 7 billion, men, women, and CHILDREN that will be executed at Armageddon, to descend into eternal destruction.

    BEARING THOROUGH WITNESS

    DESPITE OBSTACLES

    17. How did Paul set an outstanding example

    in preaching with zeal and urgency?

    17 Here is a third lesson about watchfulness

    that we can learn from the apostles:

    They kept on bearing thorough witness

    despite obstacles. Preaching with

    zeal and urgency is vital to keeping

    on the watch. The apostle Paul was an

    outstanding example in this regard. He

    exerted himself zealously, traveling extensively

    and establishing many congregations.

    He endured many hardships,

    yet he never lost his zeal or his sense of

    urgency.—2 Cor. 11:23-29.

    COMMENTS

    Obstacles…zeal…urgency

    Without a date as in the past 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940’s, 1975, 1984, 1994, jws find it hard to keep things urgent…the emphasis of “bad” events on earth might keep it going a month or two but not with the energy of pre-1975 days.

    So when did Paul think the end was coming?

    18. How did Paul continue to bear witness

    when he was in custody in Rome?

    18 Consider our last glimpse of Paul

    in the book of Acts, as recorded in Acts

    chapter 28. Paul arrived in Rome, where

    he was to appear before Nero. He was

    kept in custody, perhaps chained to his

    guard. Yet, no chain could silence the

    zealous apostle! Paul continued to find

    ways to bear witness. (Read Acts 28:

    17, 23, 24.) After three days, Paul summoned

    the principal men of the Jews in

    order to give them a witness. Then, on

    a chosen day, he gave an even greater

    witness. Verse 23 states: “They [the local

    Jews] now arranged for a day with

    him, and they came in greater numbers

    to him in his lodging place. And he explained

    the matter to them by bearing

    thorough witness concerning the kingdom

    of God and by using persuasion

    with them concerning Jesus from both

    the law of Moses and the Prophets, from

    morning till evening.”

    COMMENTS

    PERHAPS…nothing in the bible…proof?

    19, 20. (a) Why was Paul effective in bearing

    witness? (b) How did Paul respond when not

    everyone accepted the good news?

    19 Why was Paul so effective in bearing

    witness? Notice that verse 23 really

    highlights a number of reasons. (1) He

    focused on God’s Kingdom and on Jesus

    Christ. (2) He tried to appeal to his

    listeners “by using persuasion.” (3) He

    reasoned from the Scriptures. (4) He

    showed a selfless attitude, bearing witness

    “from morning till evening.” Paul

    gave a powerful witness, but not everyone

    responded. “Some began to believe

    the things said; others would not believe,”

    notes verse 24. Dissension ensued,

    and the people departed.

    COMMENTS

    What is persuasion? Why was it necessary? Did Jesus use persuasion?

    Do jws reason from the scriptures or WTS publications?

    Can you imagine the rank and file witnessing from morning till evening?

    Selfless or only because they know their everlasting life on the paradise earth depends on their giving a semblance of “witnessing.”?

    20 Was Paul disheartened because not

    everyone accepted the good news? By

    no means! Acts 28:30, 31 tells us: “He

    remained for an entire two years in his

    own hired house, and he would kindly

    receive all those who came in to him,

    preaching the kingdom of God to them

    and teaching the things concerning the

    Lord Jesus Christ with the greatest freeness

    of speech, without hindrance.” On

    that truly warm note, the inspired book

    of Acts concludes.

    COMMENTS

    NOT EVERYONE—hardly anyone today among jws and their so-called god-assigned territory

    21. What can we learn from Paul’s example

    when he was under house arrest?

    21 What can we learn from Paul’s ex-

    ample? While under house arrest, Paul

    was not free to witness from house to

    house. Yet, he maintained a positive outlook,

    witnessing to all who came to him.

    Likewise, many of God’s people today

    maintain their joy and keep preaching

    despite being unjustly imprisoned because

    of their faith. Some of our dear

    brothers and sisters are housebound,

    perhaps even living in nursing homes

    because of advanced age or illness. As

    they are able, they preach to doctors and

    staff, visitors, and others who come in

    to them. Their heart’s desire is to bear

    thorough witness about God’s Kingdom.

    How we appreciate the example

    they set!

    COMMENTS

    See Paul could be more effective not going d2d.

    God’s people = only jws

    So how many jws in your area are imprisoned for preaching (not for crimes)

    Yes, old jws preach in nursing homes, but do jws come to visit them? Also they get a 15 minute a month dispension so they stay active and keep the numbers up at the WTS.

    22. (a) What provision is helping us to benefit

    from the Bible book of Acts? (See box above.)

    (b)What is your determination as you await the

    end of this old system of things?

    22 Clearly, there is much to learn

    about watchfulness from the apostles

    and other first-century Christians mentioned

    in the Bible book of Acts. As

    we await the end of this old system of

    things, let us be determined to imitate

    those first-century Christians in giving a

    bold and zealous witness. There is now

    no greater privilege we can have than

    to share in “bearing thorough witness”

    about God’s Kingdom!—Acts 28:23.

    COMMENTS

    Remember that soon 7 billion non-jws, men, women, and CHILDREN, will be destroyed forever. Are jws giving them that witness?

    “THE BOOK OF ACTS WILL

    NEVER BE THE SAME FOR ME”

    After reading the book “Bearing Thorough Witness”

    About God’s Kingdom, a traveling overseer expressed

    his feelings as follows: “The book of Acts will

    never be the same for me. I have ‘walked’ through

    the account of Acts on many occasions but only as if

    holding a candle and wearing dirty glasses. Now I

    feel as if I have been blessed to see its glory in the

    brightness of the sun.”

    So how is it that this “glory” never shown through when he read the God-inspired words of the Bible?

    CONCLUDING COMMENTS

    Next week, “LEARN FROM ‘THE FRAMEWORK OF TRUTH’”.

    What is WTS truth?

    Love, Blondie

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother

    P13 " On the contrary, they knew that the

    prayers of faithful worshippers mean a

    great deal to Jehovah. If such prayers are

    in harmony with his will, he answers

    them"

    So, since his "Will" is surely going to take place...then the prayers are only praying for what is going to happen anyway. So when it happens, it seems that the prayers have been answered.

    If a prayer is for something he is not planning to do, according to this he will not change his plan to do it..So what is the point of asking for it?

  • watson
    watson

    Sounds to me like they are preparing for some legal problems.....kind of a subtle preparation for the "flock".

  • JW GoneBad
    JW GoneBad

    Excellent point Blondie: "So how is it that this “glory” never shown through when he read the God-inspired words of the Bible?"

    The comment on page 13 by a traveling overseer: ".....I have ‘walked’ through the account of Acts on many occasions but only as if holding a candle and wearing dirty glasses. Now I feel as if I have been blessed to see its glory in the brightness of the sun.”

    So the efforts of Jehovah in authoring the Book Of Acts for our benefit can be compared to 'a candle and a dirty pair of eye glasses.' On the other hand the WTBTS’ efforts of explaining the Book Of Acts are compared to 'the brightness of the sun.'

    Is this not proof that WT thinks its’ literature carries more weight than the Bible itself and that Jah Almighty is nothing without the WTBTS??

  • JW GoneBad
    JW GoneBad

    Wow! Thank you WT I'm beginning to see more clearly & accept, now, your understanding of the blood doctrine, the disfellowshipping and shunning policy and the new generation thinking; to name just a few!

  • ziddina
    ziddina

    Blondie, thanks for posting this!!!

    roses in vase

  • BroMac
    BroMac

    yes the james v peter one is indeed a conundrum. was there no prayer for james? did the 1st century christians not like james? must be a warning to all elders. be nice to the flock

    also what about stephen?

  • ziddina
    ziddina

    I'm especially interested in what Watson said...

    I was going to say...

    This article appears to be ramping up the Witnesses' anticipation of some sort of "persecution"...

    But their greatest "enemy" right now, is apathy.

    Once again, the Watchtower corporation shows how out of touch they are... Their tired efforts and shrill screeching about that supposedly "ever-approaching" 'Armageddon' are beginning to look mighty threadbare...

  • Disillusioned Lost-Lamb
    Disillusioned Lost-Lamb

    They lied against their own doctrine and put Jesus in God's shoes and also hinted to the trinity in paragraph 6!

    They said the spirit of Jesus did not permit them and Jesus used the Holy Spirit.

    According to wash-towel the Spirit (holy spirit) is Jayhoovers active force, not Jesus'. Jayhoover uses this spirit, not Jesus.

    So either their doctrine is a lie and the statements are true or their doctrine is true and these statements are a lie.

    Do you see the catch 22 corner they backed themselves into?

  • Billy the Ex-Bethelite
    Billy the Ex-Bethelite

    It was God's will that Stephen was stoned to death and stayed dead. It was evidently God's will that Tabitha died, however it was his will that she was resurrected. Yes, this Tabitha who "abounded in good deeds and gifts of mercy", and was never spoken of as a preacher or door-knocker, was resurrected while the bold preacher Stephen stayed dead. Hmmm... Makes ya wonder what God really thinks is important...

    " Surely the apostles regretted their failure to keep on the watch. "

    What difference did it make whether the apostles were awake or asleep, it was already God's will that Jesus was to be arrested and crucified. If they stayed awake, would it be to grab for their swords and fight off the soldiers? Nope. If they were supposed to warn Jesus of the coming soldiers so that he could escape into the night. Um, couldn't he have already done that earlier, rather than staying where Judas would bring the soldiers? Awake, asleep, right foot in, right foot out, it would make no difference. If anything it's just another opportunity for guilt-tripping the sheeples for stuff they can't control. WT loves that kinda crap.

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