Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-20-2012 WT Study (MARCH 15, 2012, pages 20-24)(HOPE)
Review comments will be headed by COMMENTS
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Quotes from other sources will be indented and identified
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g = Awake
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REJOICING IN OUR HOPE
“[There is] hope of the everlasting life which
God, who cannot lie, promised before times
long lasting.”—TITUS 1:2.
BY WAY OF REVIEW
Why do we know that there
is joy in heaven when one of
the anointed maintains a life
course of integrity?
How is the realization of the
hope of the other sheep related
to that of the anointed?
To see our hope fulfilled, what
“holy acts of conduct” and
“deeds of godly devotion” must
we manifest?
OPENING COMMENTS
Why brackets? Why not just put the words in there or quote it in context or give people credit for having a reasoning mind?
Back in the mid 70’s changed the process at the WT Study by having the paragraphs read first, then the question asked. Too many people were reading ahead in the paragraph when they were asking the question first, because people had not read the Watchtower yet, let alone “studied” it.
So now the review comes first? I always thought it came last.
I will be highlighting some outstanding statements for awhile.
START OF ARTICLE
1. How can the hope Jehovah has given us help us to endure?
JEHOVAH is “the God who gives hope.” So said
the apostle Paul, adding that Jehovah can ‘fill
us with all joy and peace by our believing, that
we may abound in hope with power of holy spirit.’
(Rom. 15:13) If our hope abounds in us, we will
be able to endure any situation that may arise, our
hearts filled with joy and peace. As with anointed
Christians, such a hope will prove to be “an anchor
for the soul, both sure and firm” for other Christians.
(Heb. 6:18, 19) Our hope is something we can
cling to during the storms of life, something that
will help us not to drift into doubt or lack of faith.
—Read Hebrews 2:1; 6:11.
COMMENTS
We have 2 snippets of scriptures, makes it easier to direct the meaning the WTS wants. Who needs to re-write the NWT.
So jws are told to cling to an anonymous hope but not real life people during the “storms of life.” Do they doubt God or the WTS/FDS/GB. After being told 1914, 1925, 1975 was the end by that group, it is not hard to see why jws lack faith in the organization and the God the WTS claims to be the only true representative of.
What does the WTS say Jesus gives us, what role does he play in hope?
2. What two hopes are to be found among Christians today,
and why are the “other sheep” interested in the hope the
anointed entertain?
2 Christians living at this time of the end focus
their attention on one of two hopes. The remaining
members of the “little flock” of anointed Christians
have the hope of immortal life in heaven as
kings and priests with Christ in his Kingdom. (Luke
12:32; Rev. 5:9, 10) The far more numerous “great
crowd” of “other sheep” share the hope of living forever
on a paradise earth as subjects of the Messianic
Kingdom. (Rev. 7:9, 10; John 10:16) The other sheep
should never forget that their salvation depends on
their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers”
still on earth. (Matt. 25:34-40) The anointed will
enter into their reward, but the hope of the other
sheep will just as certainly be fulfilled. (Read Hebrews
11:39, 40.) First, let us examine the hope set
before the anointed.
COMMENTS
Christians living at the time of the end (1914, 1925, 1975) = only members of the WTS
Only some jws are anointed Christians = no non-jws qualify for either group
Where is the term “paradise earth” in the NWT (I don’t think it is in any bible version)?
So Jesus’ ransom sacrifice is valueless—“the other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth”
The WTS slides around their teaching that the “other sheep” do not get their reward until the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ…to reach perfection…so do those going to heaven become instantly perfect when resurrected to heaven?
THE “LIVING HOPE” OF ANOINTED CHRISTIANS
3, 4. How do anointed Christians undergo “a
new birth to a living hope,” and what is that
hope?
3 The apostle Peter wrote two letters
to anointed Christians, whom he called
“the ones chosen.” (1 Pet. 1:1) He provided
details of the wonderful hope
granted to the little flock. In his first letter,
Peter wrote: “Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for
according to his great mercy he gave us
a new birth to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled
and unfading inheritance. It is reserved
in the heavens for you, who are being
safeguarded by God’s power through
faith for a salvation ready to be revealed
in the last period of time. In this fact you
are greatly rejoicing.”—1 Pet. 1:3-6.
COMMENTS
Writing to anointed Christians; the WTS would like jws to think that they are secondary in God’s eyes, as if they were Gentiles in the OT accounts trying to read the Torah and see themselves in the words.
Note that the WTS quotes all of 1 Peter 1:3-6 rather than snippet or snippets strung together. They want the rank and file to realize that they will never be unfading, incorruptible and that the jw anointed today are truly “special.” It is much as women are told about their place in God’s arrangement, secondary and always will be so on earth…remember though women were called to heaven, so will there be a secondary arrangement still or is heaven a genderless place so all will be kings and priests including those who had lived their lives in the flesh on earth as women?
4 The limited number of Christians
chosen by Jehovah to be associated with
Christ in the heavenly Kingdom government
undergo “a new birth” as spirit begotten
sons of God. They are anointed
with holy spirit to become kings
and priests with Christ. (Rev. 20:6) Peter
states that this “new birth” opens up
to them “a living hope,” which he calls
“an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading
inheritance” reserved for them
“in the heavens.” Small wonder that the
anointed ‘greatly rejoice’ in their living
hope! The realization of that hope, however,
depends on their faithfulness.
COMMENTS
While the number is limited has been growing over the last few years. “not replacements” said Fred Franz, not all genuine says the WTS. They would like to be in charge of the calling but the bible says it is only between the individual and God. So are the wheat and the weeds still being separated?
5, 6. Why must anointed Christians do their
utmost to make their heavenly calling sure?
5 In his second letter, Peter exhorted
anointed Christians to ‘do their utmost
to make their calling and choosing
of themselves sure.’ (2 Pet. 1:10) They
must exert themselves to develop such
Christian qualities as faith, godly devotion,
brotherly affection, and love. Peter
stated: “If these things exist in you and
overflow, they will prevent you from being
either inactive or unfruitful.”—Read
2 Peter 1:5-8.
COMMENTS
So this judging is by the personal internally and externally by God; not by fellow humans not even elders, COs, Dos, GB.
I wonder how many hours, return visits, etc., the 1 st century Christians recorded on their time slip?
6 In his message to the spirit-begotten
elders in the first-century congregation
of Philadelphia in Asia Minor, the risen
Christ said: “Because you kept the word
about my endurance, I will also keep
you from the hour of test, which is to
come upon the whole inhabited earth,
to put a test upon those dwelling on
the earth. I am coming quickly. Keep on
holding fast what you have, that no one
may take your crown.” (Rev. 3:10, 11)
Were an anointed Christian to become
unfaithful, he would not receive “the
unfadable crown of glory” promised to
the chosen ones who remain faithful
until death.—1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10.
COMMENTS
Were they any elders who were not spirit-begotten, of course not, all Christians were spirit-begotten, even the women.
So since the anointed are not perfect, what level of unfaithfulness are they talking about, does that mean if they commit a df’ing offense they are out permanently? Oh, that’s right Corinthians is used by the WTS to prove df’ing is right and df’d anointed can be invited back in.
AN ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM
7. What wonderful hope did Jude mention in
his letter?
7 About the year 65 C.E., Jesus’ half
brother Jude wrote a letter to his fellow
anointed Christians, whom he addressed
as “the called ones.” (Jude 1;
compare Hebrews 3:1.) He had intended
to write them a letter centering
on the glorious hope of salvation that
Christians called to God’s heavenly
Kingdom “hold in common.” (Jude 3)
Although he had other urgent issues to
address, at the conclusion of his short
letter, he referred to the wonderful hope
shared by anointed Christians, writing:
“Now to the one who is able to guard
you from stumbling and to set you unblemished
in the sight of his glory with
great joy, to the only God our Savior
through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory,
majesty, might and authority for all past
eternity and now and into all eternity.”
—Jude 24, 25.
COMMENTS
Notice how the WTS is being very careful to admit that all these scriptures were written to anointed Christians, there were no “other sheep” Christians back then despite the scriptures the WTS uses to “prove” that.
The hope for the “other sheep” is not so wonderful as that for anointed jws though. But then anointed Christians made serious mistakes so were no more holy that any human today.
8. In line with Jude 24, what indicates that
there is joy in heaven when one of the anointed
proves his integrity?
8 Certainly, faithful anointed Christians
want to be safeguarded against individually
stumbling into destruction.
Their Bible-based hope is that Jesus
Christ will resurrect them from the
dead, allowing them to appear in spiritual
perfection before the presence of
God with great joy. When one of the
anointed dies faithful, it is with the sure
prospect of being “raised up a spiritual
body,” resurrected “in incorruption
. . . , in glory.” (1 Cor. 15:42-44) If there
is much “joy in heaven over one sinner
that repents,” imagine the joy in the
heavenly courts when one of Christ’s
spirit-begotten brothers finishes a life
course of integrity. (Luke 15:7) Jehovah
and the faithful spirit creatures will rejoice
along with the anointed one then
receiving his reward “with great joy.”
—Read 1 John 3:2.
COMMENTS
Spiritual perfection – instantly but the “other sheep” need 1,000 years to become perfect. The anointed also instantly are made immortal but the OS can only hope for everlasting life.
No joy over the other sheep?!
9. How is entrance into the Kingdom “richly
supplied” to faithful anointed ones, and how
does this hope affect the anointed yet on earth?
9 In the same vein, Peter wrote to
anointed Christians that if they make
their calling sure by their faithfulness,
“there will be richly supplied to
[them] the entrance into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:10, 11) Their entrance
into their heavenly reward will be “richly
supplied,” their Christian qualities reflecting
radiantly. That it is “richly supplied”
may also suggest the superlative
degree of blessedness that these who
have exerted themselves in the race
for life will enjoy. They can look back
on their faithful life course with hearts
full of exultation and gratitude. This
prospect undoubtedly gives the anointed
Christians yet on earth strength to
‘brace up their minds for continued activity.’—
1 Pet. 1:13.
COMMENTS
So works make their calling more sure; where does grace or undeserved kindness fit in?
Anointed Christians = only anointed jws; how do the OS fit in?
PICTURE
Anointed Christians undergo “a new birth to a living hope”
“THE BASIS OF HOPE” FOR THE OTHER SHEEP
10, 11. (a) What hope is set before the other
sheep? (b) How is the realization of the earthly
hope related to Christ and to “the revealing of
the sons of God”?
10 The apostle Paul wrote of the glorious
hope of the spirit-begotten “sons of
God” as “joint heirs” of Christ. Then he
mentioned the wonderful hope that Jehovah
holds out to the unlimited number
of other sheep: “The eager expectation
of the [human] creation is waiting
for the revealing of the sons of God [the
anointed]. For the creation was subjected
to futility, not by its own will but
through him that subjected it, on the basis
of hope that the creation itself also
will be set free from enslavement to corruption
and have the glorious freedom
of the children of God.”—Rom. 8:14-21.
COMMENTS
Did you realize as a jw that the other sheep aren’t seen as “sons of God” until the end of the 1,000 year reign?
So why does the WTS have to add to the bible using brackets?
[human] creation
Sons of God ‘the anointed]
11 “The basis of hope” for mankind
was given by Jehovah when he promised
deliverance from “the original serpent,”
Satan the Devil, by means of the
promised “seed.” (Rev. 12:9; Gen. 3:15)
That “seed” was primarily Jesus Christ.
(Gal. 3:16) By his death and resurrection,
Jesus provided a solid basis for
mankind’s hope to be set free from enslavement
to sin and death. The realization
of this hope is related to “the revealing
of the sons of God.” The glorified
anointed ones are the secondary part of
the “seed.” They will be ‘revealed’ when
they share with Christ in destroying Satan’s
wicked system of things. (Rev. 2:
26, 27) This will bring salvation to the
other sheep who come out of the great
tribulation.—Rev. 7:9, 10, 14.
COMMENTS
Not only does the WTS say their anointed are the secondary seed of the Christ, they also consider Jesus “the head” but they are “the body” of Christ.
Will all the jw anointed be in heaven when this destruction takes place; will they all be present for the marriage of the bride of Christ to Jesus?
So salvation is through the jw anointed (144,000) and one Jesus?
Destroying Satan’s wicked system of things = all non-jws, 7 billion plus men, women, and children including babies, all dead forever.
12. The revealing of the anointed will have
what glorious benefits for mankind?
12 What relief will come to human
“creation” during the Thousand Year
Reign of Christ! At that time, the glorified
“sons of God” will be further ‘revealed’
when they act as priests with
Christ, administering the benefits of Jesus’
ransom sacrifice to mankind. As
subjects of the heavenly Kingdom, human
“creation” will begin to experience
deliverance from the effects of sin and
death. Obedient humans will gradually
“be set free from enslavement to corruption.”
If they remain faithful to Jehovah
throughout the Millennium and
during the final test that will come at
the end of it, their names will be permanently
written in “the scroll of life.”
They will enter into “the glorious freedom
of the children of God.” (Rev. 20:7,
8, 11, 12) A glorious hope indeed!
COMMENTS
So who will be in charge on earth? The non-anointed elders, still imperfect? How will Jesus and the 144,000 communicate with the remaining jws on earth? Will they see them?
Obedient humans = obedient to whom? Christ or the still imperfect jw elders on earth?
KEEPING OUR HOPE ALIVE
13. Upon what is our hope founded, and when
will Christ be revealed?
13 Peter’s two inspired letters contain
much to help the anointed and the other
sheep to keep their respective hopes
alive. He pointed out that their hope is
not founded on their works, but on Jehovah’s
undeserved kindness. He wrote:
“Keep balanced and set your hope completely
upon the undeserved kindness
that is to be brought to you at the revelation
of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13; ftn.)
Christ will be revealed when he comes
to reward his faithful followers and execute
Jehovah’s judgments upon the ungodly.—
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
COMMENTS
Remember paragraph 2:
The other sheep
should never forget that their salvation depends on
their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers”
still on earth. (Matt. 25:34-40)
14, 15. (a) To keep our hope alive, on what
must we focus our attention? (b) What counsel
did Peter give?
14 To keep our hope alive, we must
focus our attention and center our lives
on the coming “day of Jehovah.” That
will bring the destruction of the present-day
“heavens,” or human rulership, and
“earth,” wicked human society and its
“elements.” Peter wrote: “What sort of
persons ought you to be . . . , awaiting
and keeping close in mind the presence
of the day of Jehovah, through which the
heavens being on fire will be dissolved
and the elements being intensely hot
will melt!”—2 Pet. 3:10-12.
COMMENTS
Did Abraham and Sarah center their lives on the “coming ‘day of Jehovah’”?
Hebrews 11:13
In faith all these died, although they did not get the [fulfillment of the] promises, but they saw them afar off and welcomed them and publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land.
Wicked human society = all non-jws
15 The present “heavens” and “earth”
will be replaced by “new heavens
[Christ’s Kingdom government] and
a new earth [a new earthly society].”
(2 Pet. 3:13) Peter then gave straightforward
counsel, based on the fact of our
“awaiting,” or keeping our hope alive
for, this promised new world: “Hence,
beloved ones, since you are awaiting
these things, do your utmost to be found
finally by him spotless and unblemished
and in peace.”—2 Pet. 3:14.
COMMENTS
[Christ’s Kingdom government] = bracketed information added by the WTS to the bible. I guess Peter missed that part
WALKING IN LINE WITH OUR HOPE
16, 17. (a) What “holy acts of conduct” and
“deeds of godly devotion” should we manifest?
(b) How will our hope be fulfilled?
16 Not only must we keep our hope
alive but we must also live in harmony
with our hope. We should pay attention
to the sort of person we are
spiritually. “Holy acts of conduct” involve
our ‘maintaining our conduct fine
among the nations,’ by our moral rectitude.
(2 Pet. 3:11; 1 Pet. 2:12) We must
have ‘love among ourselves.’ That includes
doing all we can to maintain
the unity of our worldwide brotherhood
even among those in our local congregation.
(John 13:35) “Deeds of godly devotion”
are deeds that confirm our close
relationship with Jehovah. This involves
the quality of our prayers, as well as our
daily Bible reading, deep personal study,
family worship, and an active share in
preaching the “good news of the kingdom.”—
Matt. 24:14.
COMMENTS
Works = acts and deeds
Moral rectitude = how does concealing pedophiles in the congregation fall into this category?
No close relationship with Christ?
What does the WTS consider an “active” share?
15 minutes/month if ill and/or elderly (prior approval by elders first)
1 hour/month
30 hours/50 hours/70 hours/130 hours = and what scriptures is that in?
What does the bible say is the good news of the kingdom; what do jws say?
17 Each of us wants to be the sort of
person Jehovah approves of and will
save when the present wicked system is
“dissolved. “We will thus experience the
realization of our hope, the “hope of the
everlasting life which God, who cannot
lie, promised before times long lasting.”
—Titus 1:2.
COMMENTS
Jehovah approves of or the WTS and their administrative representatives? Who judges in the congregation of jws, the elders?
Present wicked system = all non-jws will die forever.
Everlasting life = but not until after 1,000 years.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
So according to the NWT, old or revised, what does the WTS say elsewhere re what jw salvation depends on? Is the WTS/FDS/GB putting themselves in place of Christ?
*** w06 7/1 pp.5-6***
According to the apostle Peter, “there is no salvation in anyone else.” (Acts 4:12)This is true because our salvation depends on the precious blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18, 19)
*** w01 2/1 p.16 par.11***
In any case, our salvation depends, not on anything we might do, but on Jehovah’s undeserved kindness through Christ Jesus , our Lord. Paul clearly explained: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus.” However, our works are proof of our active faith in God’s promises.—Romans 3:23, 24; James 2:17, 18, 24.
*** w01 9/15 p.23***
Jehovah has decreed that all who come to him must do so through Jesus. (John 14:6) Actually, “there is no salvation in anyone else.” (Acts 4:12) Our ultimate survival depends, not on ‘silver or gold . . . , but on the precious blood of Christ.’ (1 Peter 1:18, 19)
Truly the WTS continues to speak out of both sides of their collective mouths.
Next week, DO NOT LOOK AT “THE THINGS BEHIND.” What things do you think the WTS interprets that as being.
Love, Blondie