Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-18-2012 WT Study (SEPTEMBER 15, 2012, pages 23-27)(KNOW DAY HOUR)
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“YOU KNOW NEITHER THE DAY
NOR THE HOUR”
“Keep on the watch,
therefore, because you
know neither the day
nor the hour.”
—MATT. 25:13.
OPENING COMMENTS
I was 14 years old in 1966 when the 6,000 year human history concept and 1975 was brought out. Immediately jws felt that would be the end. But there was a flaw from the beginning, the 1,000 Year Reign must start after the 6,000 year of the 7 th creative day. (6,000 + 1,000)
The 6 th creative day ended with the creation of Eve not the creation of Adam leaving an unknown length of time between Adam’s and Eve’s creation.
Sixth creative day (7,000 years)
Beginning 6 th creative day…………Adam…………Eve end of 6 th creative day
1975 Beginning of human history
*** Proclaimers book jv chap. 8 p. 104 ***
The Witnesses had long shared the belief that the Thousand Year Reign of Christ would follow after 6,000 years of human history . But when would 6,000 years of human existence end? The book Life Everlasting—In Freedom of the Sons of God, released at a series of district conventions held in 1966, pointed to 1975.
The WTS also taught that Adam and Eve were created in the same year, without any proof of course, making that time gap disappear.
*** w685/1 p.271 par.5***
To calculate where man is in the stream of time relative to God’s seventh day of 7,000 years, we need to determine how long a time has elapsed from the year of Adam and Eve’s creation in 4026 B.C.E.
And the WTS strengthened that concept
Pertaining to the book Aid To Bible Understanding; it is interesting that on page 538 under the heading "Eve"/"BIRTHS OF CHILDREN"; states:
" Later she gave birth to Abel as well as to other sons
and daughters . At the age of 130 another son was born
to her . Eve called his name Seth, saying :..."
At the heading "Seth" (page 1472), the statement is made that Adam was 130 when Seth was born...
"SETH [appointed, substituted] . The son of Adam
and Eve born when Adam was 130 years old . Eve
named him Seth because, as she said,..."
But as 1975 dawned, the “light” that I saw at the age of 14 (not even baptized yet) in 1966 dawned on Fred Franz in 1975.
*** w755/1p.285***
Does this mean that we know exactly when God will destroy this old system and establish a new one? Franz showed that we do not, for we do not know how short was the time interval between Adam’s creation and the creation of Eve, at which point God’s rest day of seven thousand years began.
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
What are some ways that we
benefit from not knowing the
day or the hour of the end?
How have the anointed kept on
the watch?
In what ways can we show that
we are ready for Christ’s arrival?
START OF ARTICLE
1-3. (a) What situations illustrate the point of two of Jesus’
parables? (b) We need to answer what questions?
IMAGINE that a prominent official asks you to
drive him to an important appointment. A few
minutes before leaving to pick him up for the
meeting, however, you realize that there is not
enough fuel in your vehicle to make the trip. You
need to rush off to purchase some. As you do, the official
arrives. He looks around but cannot find you.
He cannot wait, so he asks someone else to drive
him. You soon get back and realize that the official
has left without you. How would you feel?
COMMENTS
Bad analogy…a prominent official would be calling a cab company, a limo business, have their own car and limo driver and they keep their vehicles gassed at all times…it is their livelihood.
2 Now imagine that you are the official and you
have selected three capable men to handle some important
business. You explain the assignment, and
all three willingly accept. Yet, when you return a
while later, you learn that only two of them have
handled their task. What is more, the one who did
not is making excuses. Actually, he did not even try.
How would you feel?
COMMENTS
I would have checked to see what their history was handling previous assignments. Capable means able to do it, does not indicate desire to do it. How could a capable person who has handled many assignments successfully suddenly not, and now makes excuses. Bad, bad analogy.
3 In his parables of the virgins and the talents,
Jesus used similar situations to illustrate why during
the time of the end, some anointed Christians
would prove to be faithful and discreet, but others
would not.* (Matt. 25:1-30) He emphasized his
point by saying: “Keep on the watch, therefore, because
you know neither the day nor the hour”—that
is, when Jesus would actually execute God’s judgment
on Satan’s world. (Matt. 25:13) We can apply
that counsel today. How can we benefit from
keeping on the watch, as Jesus encouraged us to
do? Who have proved themselves ready for survival?
And what must we do now to stay on the watch?
* See The Watchtower of March 1, 2004, pages 14-18.
COMMENTS
Yes, Matthew 25 applies only to anointed Christians (actually only anointed jws). Did anointed jws believe that they weren’t capable of knowing the day and the hour?
1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940’s, 1975, (1984), (1994) VERY SOON NOW
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1800s.php
Actually what has the WTS been watching for?
BENEFIT BY KEEPING ON THE WATCH
4. Why does ‘staying awake’ not mean watching
the clock?
4 Some activities, such as working in
a factory, visiting a doctor, or taking
public transportation, require that we
respect a schedule. In other activities,
though, like fighting a fire or doing rescue
work after a disaster has struck,
watching the clock can be a distraction,
or worse, a danger. Under such circumstances,
it is far more important to focus
on the work at hand than to keep to
a schedule. As the end of this system
draws ever closer, the work of pointing
to Jehovah’s provisions for salvation
has never been more important. Staying
awake as Christians does not mean
watching the clock. In fact, there are at
least five ways that we benefit from not
knowing the exact day or hour when the
end will come.
COMMENTS
But the WTS has been watching the clock for 1914, 1915, 1925, 1975……….and says it is better to be watching for the wrong thing rather than not watching.
*** w03 1/1 p.21**
In our day, disappointment over seeming delays in the coming of the end of this system of things should not cause us to drop our guard. An alert watchman may be deceived by a false alarm, yet he had better keep on the watch! That is his job. It is the same with Christians.
*** w97 8/15 pp.15-16 pars.14-15***
Remember: It is a watchman’s job to call out “just what he sees.” (Isaiah 21:6-8) In Bible times a watchman would sound a warning even when the potential threat was too far in the distance to be clearly identified. (2 Kings 9:17, 18) False alarms surely occurred back then. But a good watchman would not hold back out of fear of embarrassment. If your house was on fire, how would you feel if the firemen failed to appear because they figured it might be a false alarm? No, we expect such men to respond quickly to any sign of danger! In a similar manner, the watchman class has spoken out as circumstances seemed to warrant doing so.
As events develop, though, our understanding of prophecy has become clearer. History shows that rarely, if ever, are divine prophecies fully understood before their fulfillment.
5. How may not knowing the day or the hour
help reveal what is in our heart?
5 First, our not knowing when the
end will arrive allows us to reveal what
is really in our heart. In fact, not knowing
dignifies us, allowing us to use our
free will in manifesting our loyalty to
Jehovah. Although we look forward to
surviving the end of this system, we
serve Jehovah because we love him, not
merely to get life. (Read Psalm 37:4.) We
find pleasure in doing his will, and we
realize that God is teaching us to benefit
ourselves. (Isa. 48:17) No, we do not
find his commandments burdensome.
—1 John 5:3.
COMMENTS
If not knowing was a good thing why did God through the WTS reveal 1914, 1925, 1975 as dates to hope for?
Why did God tell Noah 7 days in advance?
*** it-2 p.507 Noah***
Seven days before the floodwaters began to fall, Jehovah instructed Noah to gather the animals into the ark. On the seventh day of that week, “Noah went in , and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark ahead of the waters of the deluge. . . . After that Jehovah shut the door behind him.” On that very day “the flood arrived and destroyed them all.”—Ge 7:1-16; Lu 17:27.
Yes, jws look forward to the eternal destruction of 7 plus billion non-jws, men, women and children.
So jws don’t want everlasting life that it isn’t the paradise earth and eternal life on it not what jws tell people at the door.
(Hebrews 11:6) . . .. Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.
While God’s commandments may not be burdensome, what about the rules of men that jws must follow? Like the Pharisees….sound familiar?
(Matthew 23:1-4) 23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. 4 They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.
*** w94 10/15 p. 18 par. 8 ***
It was different with the unyielding scribes and Pharisees. For themselves they would break their Sabbath traditions to lead their bull to water. Or if their bull or their son fell into a well, they would break the Sabbath to get him out. But for the common people, they would not yield one bit! They were “not willing to budge [the requirements] with their finger.” (Matthew 23:4; Luke 14:5) For Jesus, people meant more than most rules; for the Pharisees, rules meant more than people.
6. When we serve God out of love, how does
he feel, and why?
6 A second benefit of our not knowing
the day or the hour is that we thus
have the opportunity to make Jehovah’s
heart glad. When we serve him out of
love—not because of a date or solely because
of a reward—we contribute to Jehovah’s
answer to the baseless taunts
of his adversary, Satan. (Job 2:4, 5;
read Proverbs 27:11 .) Considering all
the pain and sorrow that the Devil has
caused, we gladly stand up for Jehovah’s
sovereignty and reject Satan’s wicked
rule.
COMMENTS
So Noah knew the day and the hour, Jesus knows the day and the hour, does that mean there are no opportunities to make God’s heart glad? Were they only serving God because of a date or a reward?
What about the pain God caused…having all other Israelite murderers put to death in Israel but not David; letting David continue to hold a high appointed, anointed office even after murdering? How would other Israelites felt about this favoritism; assuming the others could not be repentant.
7. Why do you think that pursuing a life of self-sacrifice
is desirable?
7 Third, our serving without a specific
date in mind encourages us to pursue
a life of self-sacrifice. Some today
who do not know God also believe that
the world as we know it cannot go on
for much longer. Being afraid of some
impending disaster, they have the attitude:
“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow
we are to die.” (1 Cor. 15:32) We, on
the other hand, are not fearful. We refuse
to isolate ourselves so as to cater
to our own selfish longings. (Prov. 18:1)
Rather, we disown ourselves and freely
make use of our time, energy, and
other assets to share the good news
of God’s Kingdom with others. (Read
Matthew 16:24.) We find pleasure in
serving God, especially in helping others
come to know him.
COMMENTS
So knowing the date in 1914, 1925, 1975, did lead some jws to make sacrifices. But after learning these were lies, or passing on lies as if the truth, many left the liars. But jws are told to isolate themselves from non-jw family, neighbors, workmates, even the people the claim to love as the call at their homes.
So how much are jws to give to the WTS? 10% gross off the top like Mormons who turn in the tax reports to be checked. Where will the confidential giving be then that Russell said marked them as God’s special people?
*** yb75 pp.121-122***
Upon Brother Rutherford’s return to the Society’s Pittsburgh offices, he instructed the Society’s vice-president, C. A. Wise, to go to Brooklyn and see about reopening Bethel and renting premises where the Society could begin printing operations. The conversation went like this:
“Go and see whether it is the Lord’s will for us to return back to Brooklyn.”
“How will I determine as to whether it is the Lord’s will for us to go back or not?”
“It was a failure to get coal supplies in 1918 that drove us from Brooklyn back to Pittsburgh. Let’s make coal the test. You go and order some coal.” [In New York coal was still being rationed at the end of the war.]
“How many tons do you think I should order to make the test?”
“Well, make it a good test; order five hundred tons.”
That is just what Brother Wise did. And upon making application to the authorities, he was granted a certificate to get five hundred tons of coal . Immediately he wired J. F. Rutherford. That much coal would ensure operations for a number of years. But where could they put it all? Large sections of the Bethel home’s basement were converted into coal storage space. This successful test was taken as an unmistakable indication that it was God’s will that the move to Brooklyn be made. So it was, as of October 1, 1919.
Other than children of jws, how many people in your last congregation were found among non-jws?
8. What Bible example shows why we need to
rely more fully on Jehovah and his Word?
8 A fourth benefit to our not knowing
the day or the hour is that it helps
us to rely more fully on Jehovah and
to be diligent in applying his Word in
our life. One prominent aspect of our
sinful human nature is our tendency to
rely on ourselves. Paul admonished all
Christians: “Let him that thinks he is
standing beware that he does not fall.”
Twenty-three thousand lost Jehovah’s
favor shortly before Joshua was to lead
God’s people into the Promised Land.
“These things,” says Paul, “were written
for a warning to us upon whom the ends
of the systems of things have arrived.”
—1 Cor. 10:8, 11, 12.
COMMENTS
Rely more fully on God—on the WTS
Diligent in applying God’s word—as explained by the WTS
Rely on ourselves—because don’t expect that any jws will take out time from wasting time in the door to door to help you if you are sick, depressed, poor.
If you had been Naomi today, the elders would tell you your financial status is your own fault for going to a foreign, condemned nation (Moab) and allowing your sons to marry non-Israelites. And let that be a warning to you.
9. How can adversities refine us and draw us
closer to God?
9 A fifth way that we benefit from not
knowing when the end will come is
that it allows present adversities to refine
us. (Read Psalm 119:71.) The last
days of this system are indeed “critical
times hard to deal with.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
Many in Satan’s world hate us, so we
may be persecuted for our faith. (John
15:19; 16:2) If we humble ourselves and
seek God’s direction during such trials,
our faith will be refined, or purified, as
though through fire. We do not give out.
Rather, we will draw closer to Jehovah
than we may have imagined possible.
—Jas. 1:2-4; 4:8.
COMMENTS
(James 1:13) When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.
The other side of the WTS mouth:
*** w07 8/15 p.18***
Jehovah may even have reasons for not correcting a certain situation. As part of our Christian training, he may permit us to experience injustice. Of course, ‘with evil things God does not try anyone.’ (James 1:13)
10. What makes time seem to pass by quickly?
10 The passing of time is relative.
When we are busy and involved instead
of watching the clock, time seems to fly
by. Likewise, if we become absorbed in
the exciting work Jehovah has given us
to do, that day and hour may well arrive
before we realize it. In this connection,
most anointed ones have set a wonderful
example. Let us briefly review what
happened after Jesus was installed as
King in 1914 and see how some proved
themselves ready while others did not.
COMMENTS
Passing of time is relative…last week we learned 1,000 years = 1 day for God but somehow we should be able to show godlike patience. Let’s see I’m around 50. I do believe time speeds on for God.
Exciting work? That’s why so few jws can even make 10 hours a month in preaching….but can spend 20 hours sports viewing, 40 hours tv and video games, movies, etc.
Were the anointed jws ready? First they found out much later that the end was not coming in 1914, they were not going to heaven in 1914 as they continued to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, adorned the cover of the WT with a cross, and calculate bible prophecy using pyramids.
ANOINTED ONES
PROVE THEMSELVES READY
11. After 1914, why did some of the anointed
conclude that the Lord was delaying?
11 Recall Jesus’ parables of the virgins
and the talents. If the virgins or
the slaves in those parables had known
when the bridegroom or the master was
arriving, they would not have needed
to keep on the watch. But they did not
know, so they needed to keep ready.
Although the anointed had for decades
looked to 1914 as a marked year, they
did not clearly understand what would
happen. When things did not take place
as they expected, it could have looked
as if the Bridegroom were delaying. One
brother later recalled, “A few of us seriously
thought we were going to heaven
during the first week of that October
[1914].”
COMMENTS
If they were listening to the WTS predictions of 1914, 1925 or 1975, by the 1975 prediction they should have been keeping on the watch after 2 failed dates.
Remember this organization, the WTS, felt they were the only ones getting accurate info from God. It was not an individual prediction. More than “a few of us” thought they were going to heaven in October 1914.
***Proclaimers book jv chap.6 p.61***
“The Gentile Times have ended; their kings have had their day”! So exclaimed Brother Russell as he entered the dining room at the Brooklyn headquarters of the Watch Tower Society the morning of Friday, October 2, 1914. Excitement was high. Most of those present had for years been looking forward to 1914.
12. How did anointed ones prove themselves
faithful and discreet?
12 Just think how discouraging it
could have been to expect the end and
for it not to occur! Moreover, the brothers
faced opposition related to World
War I. A period of relative inactivity,
like sleep, set in. But in 1919, there was
a call to wake up! Jesus had come to
God’s spiritual temple, and a time for
inspection arrived. Some, however,
failed that inspection and consequently
lost their privilege to continue in the
King’s “business.” (Matt. 25:16) It was
as if they were not diligent in replenishing
their supply of spiritual oil, like the
foolish virgins. And like the sluggish
slave, they were unwilling to make personal
sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom.
The majority of anointed ones,
though, showed unshakable loyalty and
a strong desire to serve their Master
even during the difficult war years.
COMMENTS
Did the WTS pass the inspection in 1918?
Is this really what Jesus found in 1919 when he inspected the Watchtower Society? No, he found the following teachings being promoted:
- The "Last Days" started in 1799 3 and the 1800s were the worst time period of all history
- That Jesus presence commenced in 1874 3
- That Jesus had begun ruling in 1878 4
- Armageddon had occurred in 1914
- That the end was going to come in 1925
- That blood was acceptable as food for Christians
- That Jesus should be prayed to and worshipped , as well as Jehovah
- That the Great Crowd were a heavenly class
- That birthdays and Christmas were acceptable celebrations
- The cross was on the cover of the Watchtower
- Teachings adapted from Freemasons, such as that pyramids and astrology supported 1914
- Strong Zionist support for a new nation of Israel in fulfillment of Bible prophecy
- That the Faithful and Discreet Slave was not the anointed, but rather Pastor Russell
Furthermore, the most noteworthy doctrine introduced in 1918 - that the earthly resurrection would start in 1925 - was a false and embarrassing failure.
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/15-minute-guide-to-truth.php
In 1925, a failed date, led to 70,000 WT members leaving. Who had not provided the light?
13. What was the attitude of the slave class following
1914, and what is it today?
13 After 1914, The Watchtower made
this significant statement: “Brethren,
those of us who are in the right attitude
toward God are not disappointed at any
of His arrangements. We did not wish
our own will to be done; so when we
found out that we were expecting the
wrong thing in October, 1914, then we
we’re glad that the Lord did not change
His Plan to suit us. We did not wish
Him to do so. We merely wish to be able
to apprehend His plans and purposes.”
This attitude of humility and devotion
still characterizes the Lord’s anointed.
They do not claim to be inspired, but
they are determined to conduct the
Lord’s “business” on earth. And now “a
great crowd” of “other sheep,” Christians
with an earthly hope, are imitating
their watchfulness and zeal.—Rev. 7:9;
John 10:16.
COMMENTS
Did they realize that somehow God had failed to communicate correct information or that they did not understand it because of God’s failure not their own?
After 1914, the WTS put forth at least 2 dates, 1925 and 1975, that proved once again that they were not understanding because God failed to tell them?
Assertion without proof: “a great crowd” of “other sheep,” Christians with an earthly hope – actually only jws qualify
PROVING OURSELVES READY
14. How will sticking close to God’s channel
for dispensing spiritual food safeguard us?
14 Just as anointed Christians do,
alert members of the great crowd are
sticking close to God’s appointed channel
for dispensing spiritual food. As a
result, it is as if they too are replenishing
their supply of spiritual oil from God’s
Word and spirit. (Read Psalm 119:130;
John 16:13.) Thus strengthened, they
too prove themselves ready for Christ’s
return, staying active even under serious
trial. In one Nazi prison camp, for
example, at first the brothers had only
one copy of the Bible. So they prayed
for further spiritual food. Shortly thereafter
they learned that a newly imprisoned
brother had managed to smuggle
a few new issues of The Watchtower
into the camp inside his wooden leg.
Among the survivors was an anointed
brother named Ernst Wauer, who later
recalled: “Jehovah helped us in a marvelous
way to commit to memory the
fortifying thoughts in the articles.” Then
he said: “Nowadays, it is so easy to get
spiritual food, but do we always appreciate
it? I am confident that Jehovah has
abundant blessings in store for those
who trust in him, stay loyal, and feed at
his table.”
COMMENTS
The same appointed channel that put forth 1925 and 1975 as the end? The ones that dispensed the food that the GT began in 1914 and temporarily interrupted in 1918 to begin again at a future time, the same channel that said that Jesus and God were the superior authorities, that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah would be, would not be, would be, would not be resurrected?
So what did they value more, the bible or the WT? The WT……..what would the jws you know prefer in isolation, the bible or a WT?
15, 16. How was one couple’s zeal for the
Christian ministry rewarded, and what can you
learn from such experiences?
15 The other sheep also stay busy in
the Master’s work, in full support of
Christ’s brothers. (Matt. 25:40) Unlike
the wicked and sluggish slave in Jesus’
parable, they are willing to make sacrifices
and expend personal effort in putting
Kingdom interests first. For example, when Jon
and Masako were invited to help with the
Chinese-speaking field in Kenya, they
initially had some reservations.
But after prayerfully considering
their circumstances, they decided to
relocate there.
PICTURE:
Time passes quickly when we are focused on Christian activities
COMMENTS
The WTS teaches that is no salvation except through supporting Christ’s brothers found only in the WTS.
So are they saying that most jws should be able to move to other countries, use other languages?
Have you ever had an elder or CO tell you what your circumstances were and pressure you?
16 They were amply rewarded for
their effort. “The ministry here is amazing,”
they said. They started seven Bible
studies. Many more exciting experiences
followed. They concluded, “We thank
Jehovah every day for allowing us to be
here.” There are, of course, many other
brothers and sisters who have reflected
in their decisions their determination to
be fully occupied ingot’s service whenever
the end comes. Think of the thousands
who have graduated from Gilead
School and taken up the missionary service.
Why not get a glimpse of that special
service by reading the article “We
Do the Best We Can!” that appeared
in The Watchtower of October 15, 2001?
As you review that fascinating account
about a day in the missionary work,
think about ways in which you might increase
your service to God’s praise and,
as a result, your joy.
COMMENTS
How many people did you know who went where “the need was great” and returned just a year later, out of money, tired, physically ill? If jws are only spending 5 hours a month are they prepared for the hours and inconveniences?
YOU TOO KEEP ON THE WATCH
17. How has not knowing the day or the hour
been a blessing?
17 Clearly, our not knowing the exact
day or hour when this system will
end has been a blessing for us. Rather
than being frustrated or disappointed,
we find ourselves drawn ever closer
to Jehovah, our loving Father, as we immerse
ourselves in doing his will. Keeping
our hand to the plow, so to speak,
and avoiding distractions has led to
abundant joy in our Master’s service.
—Luke 9:62.
COMMENTS
Clearly = whatever the WTS you must agree with…it’s from God
Distractions = ???
Master = Jesus or God?
18. Why do we not want to give out in our
faith?
18 We are fast approaching God’s day
of judgment. None of us want to disappoint
Jehovah or Jesus. They have entrusted
us with precious privileges of
service in these last days. How we cherish
the confidence they have in us!
—Read 1 Timothy 1:12.
COMMENTS
Fast approaching = 1879 to 2012 = 133 years and still ticking
While God and Jesus may have confidence in us, the WTS does not, DO MORE.
19. How can we prove ourselves ready?
19 Regardless of whether our hope is
to enjoy life in heaven or in Paradise
on earth, let us be determined to stay
faithful to our God-given assignment to
preach and make disciples. We still do
not know the exact day or hour that Jehovah’s
day will arrive, and do we really
need to know? We can and will continue
to prove ourselves ready. (Matt. 24:36,
44) We are confident that as long as we
fully trust in Jehovah and put his Kingdom
first, we will not be disappointed.
—Rom. 10:11.
COMMENTS
Paradise on earth = a phrase not in the bible
Do we need to know = SOON, VERY SOON NOW
With the overlapping generation, that could be 100 years yet in the future, or longer.
CLOSING COMMENTS
NEXT WEEK, JEHOVAH CONGREGATES HIS JOYFUL PEOPLE.
Old-timers might remember when the WTS used to quote whole scriptures. Now it is only snippets and cited scriptures. And if the WTS did not order the conductor to have some read out loud during the study, few would look them up.
The WTS also leaves out that only Israelite males were required to attend the 3 gatherings each year. Imagine if the women stayed home today.
Love, Blondie