Comments You Will Not Hear at the 04-21-2013 WT Study (FEBRUARY 15, 2013, pages 17-21)(PROTECTION)
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STAY IN
JEHOVAH’S VALLEY
OF PROTECTION
“Jehovah will . . . war
against those nations
as in the day of his
warring, in the day of
fight.”—ZECH. 14:3.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN?
What is symbolized by the splitting
of “the mountain of the
olive trees”?
What does the “very great
valley” represent, and how can
we stay there?
What are the “living waters,”
and who will benefit from drinking
them?
OPENING COMMENTS
How many jws expected individual protection before Armageddon and during? Expected individual miraculous events?
*** w09 5/15 p. 22 par. 9 The Angels—“Spirits for Public Service” ***
Angels are ever alert to intervene according to God’s will. They rescued Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, and Peter but did not prevent the deaths of Stephen and James at enemy hands. (Dan. 3:17, 18, 28; 6:22; Acts 7:59, 60; 12:1-3, 7, 11) The circumstances and issues were different. Similarly, some of our brothers in Nazi concentration camps were executed, whereas Jehovah saw to it that most of them survived.
*** w07 3/15 p. 24 par. 14 Angels—How They Affect Mankind ***
Satan has done everything in his power to put an end to the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Yet, as an organization, they have survived such opposition and have prospered. This is, in part, due to the protective shield that the angels have provided.—Psalm 34:7; Daniel 3:28; 6:22.
*** g96 4/8 p. 27 Can True Christians Expect Divine Protection? ***
To understand why divine protection is given, we must understand that it is given not simply to enable individuals to live longer but to protect something far more important, the outworking of God’s purpose. For example, the survival of the Christian congregation as a whole is guaranteed because it is closely linked with the fulfilling of that purpose. However, Christ plainly told his disciples that they as individuals could face death because of their faith. After stating this, Jesus stressed, not miraculous deliverance, but ‘endurance to the end.’ (Matthew 24:9, 13) The fact that some individuals were protected, while others were not, does not indicate that God is partial. God simply used the person who was in the best position to accomplish his purpose, which ultimately will benefit all mankind.
*** g02 4/8 p. 13 Should Christians Expect Divine Protection? ***
Should Christians expect God to rescue them miraculously in every case of impending disaster? The Bible record does not support such an expectation.
How many missed the excepting phrase, “as a group” or “as a whole”?
*** w98 12/15 p. 22 When Armed Robbers Strike ***
While Jehovah protects his people as a whole, he does not intervene in every case to shield his servants from robbery. Job was outstandingly faithful, yet God allowed marauders to plunder Job’s livestock, with loss of life to the attendants. (Job 1:14, 15, 17) God also permitted the apostle Paul to experience “dangers from highwaymen.” (2 Corinthians 11:26)
START OF ARTICLE
1, 2. What real war looms on the horizon, and what will
God’s servants not need to do in this war?
ON October 30, 1938, millions of people in the United
States were listening to a popular radio program
that featured theatrical plays. The performance
that evening was an adaptation of the science fiction
novel The War of the Worlds. Actors portraying
news announcers described the landing of an
invasion force from Mars that would cause widespread
destruction on Earth. Although it had been
announced that the radio program was a play, many
listeners thought that the attack was real and became
frightened. Some even took certain measures
in an attempt to protect themselves from imaginary
aliens.
COMMENTS
How many members of the WTS were told that certain events were true and were tricked. How many figuratively packed their bags for heaven in 1914. Were expecting to see Abraham, David, Job, etc., on earth in 1925? Members who sold their homes, held off going to school, knowing the end was coming in 1975. Were you one of those tricked in 1975?
The End would come in
1914
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php
1925
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1925.php
1975
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1975.php
2 Today there is a real war looming on the horizon.
However, people are failing to respond to its
approach. This war is foretold, not in a science fiction
novel, but in God’s inspired Word, the Bible. It
is the war of Armageddon—God’s war against this
wicked system of things. (Rev. 16:14-16) In this war,
God’s servants on earth will not need to defend
themselves against aliens from another planet. Still,
they will be awestruck by astonishing events and by
the fear-inspiring display of God’s power.
COMMENTS
But the WTS predictions have proved to be fiction.
God’s servants = only jws
3. What prophecy will we consider, and why is it of interest
to us?
3 A Bible prophecy recorded in Zechariah chapter
14 has a direct bearing on the war of Armageddon.
Though recorded some 2,500 years ago, this
prophecy touches our very lives. (Rom. 15:4) Much
of what is stated there relates both to situations
affecting God’s people since the Messianic Kingdom
was established in heaven in 1914 and to
exciting events that will unfold in the
very near future. The salient features of
the prophecy include the formation of
“a very great valley” and the going forth
of “living waters.” (Zech. 14:4, 8) This
valley plays a vital role in providing protection
for Jehovah’s worshippers. And
when we understand what the living
waters can mean for us, not only will we
see the need to partake of them but we
will also want to drink them. It is to our
benefit, then, to pay close attention to
this prophecy.—2 Pet. 1:19, 20.
COMMENTS
Why resort to Zechariah rather than Revelation?
Originally what was the fairytale the WTS spun regarding when Jesus took kingdom power? 1874 not 1914. And then a new fairytale, 1915.
*** jv chap. 28 p. 632 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus’ baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King. They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time. When that did not occur, they concluded that since Jesus’ anointed followers were to share with him in the Kingdom, the resurrection to spirit life of those already sleeping in death began then. It was also reasoned that the end of God’s special favor to natural Israel down to 36 C.E. might point to 1881 as the time when the special opportunity to become part of spiritual Israel would close.
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php
‘A DAY BELONGING
TO JEHOVAH’ BEGINS
4. (a) When did the ‘day belonging to Jehovah’
begin? (b) Decades before 1914, what were
Jehovah’s worshippers declaring, and how did
world leaders respond?
4 The 14th chapter of Zechariah
opens with a reference to ‘a day belonging
to Jehovah.’ (Read Zechariah 14:
1, 2.) What is this day? It is “the Lord’s
day,” which began when “the kingdom
of the world” became “the kingdom of
our Lord and of his Christ.” (Rev. 1:
10; 11:15) That day started in 1914 with
the birth of the Messianic Kingdom in
the heavens. Decades before 1914, Jehovah’s
worshippers declared to the
nations that the end of “the appointed
times of the nations” would come
in that year and that the world would
enter into an unequaled period of trouble.
(Luke 21:24) How did the nations
respond? Instead of paying heed to that
timely warning, political and religious
leaders scorned and persecuted those
zealous anointed evangelizers. In doing
so, these world leaders mocked Almighty
God himself, for anointed
Kingdom ambassadors represent “heavenly
Jerusalem”—the Messianic Kingdom—
of which they are a part.—Heb. 12:
22, 28.
COMMENTS
Decades before 1914 what were the expectations of the WTS members?
Studies In the Scriptures Series II - The Time Is at Hand (1889) pp.77, 78 claimed seven things would happen in 1914. Not one of these eventuated. The following statements are extracted from that list;
1. "the disintegration of the rule of imperfect men. at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, "Thy Kingdom come," will begin to assume control, and that it will then shortly be "set up," or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions."
2. He whose right it is thus to take the dominion will then be present as earth's new Ruler; and not only so, but it will also prove that he will be present for a considerable period before that date;
3. the last member of the divinely recognized Church of Christ, the "royal priesthood," "the body of Christ," will be glorified with the Head;
4. Jerusalem shall no longer be trodden down
5. Israel's blindness will begin to be turned away
6. the great "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation," will reach its culmination in a world-wide reign of anarchy
7. It will prove that before that date God's Kingdom, organized in power, will be in the earth and then smite and crush the Gentile image (Dan. 2:34)-and fully consume the power of these kings."
"True, it is expecting great things to claim, as we do, that within the coming twenty-six years all present governments will be overthrown and dissolved . In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished at the end of A. D. 1914 . Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the "battle of the great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced. The gathering of the armies is plainly visible from the standpoint of God's Word." Studies In the Scriptures Series II - The Time Is At Hand (1889) pp.99, 101
"we have seen that God has a set time for every feature of his plan, and that we are even now in this "Day of Vengeance," which is a period of forty years; that it began in October, 1874, and will end in October, 1914 [very shortly]." Studies In the Scriptures Series IV - The Day of Vengeance -pp.546, 547
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php
5, 6. (a) What foretold action did the nations
take against “the city” and its ‘citizens’?
(b) Who were “the remaining ones of the people”?
5 Zechariah foretold what action the
nations would take, saying: “The city [Jerusalem]
will actually be captured.”
“The city” is symbolic of God’s Messianic
Kingdom. It is represented on
earth by its ‘citizens,’ the remnant of
anointed Christians. (Phil. 3:20) During
World War I, prominent members
within the earthly part of Jehovah’s organization
were “captured,” or arrested,
and sent off to a prison in Atlanta,
Georgia, U.S.A. ‘The houses were pillaged’
in that injustices and brutality
were heaped upon these and other innocent
integrity keepers. The attackers
plundered the wealth of influence that
the remnant exercised by banning their
literature and restricting their activities
as Kingdom proclaimers.
COMMENTS
Notice how the WTS quickly makes a connection between Zechariah and the NT.
Anointed Christians = only Bible Students pre-1931 and jws 1931 and onward.
Until just recently the WTS felt that they were not God’s selected organization until 1919. Here it is pre-1919.
Why were the board of directors arrested. Had they stayed “neutral” in regard to the nations?
6 Although God’s people were outnumbered,
misrepresented, opposed,
and persecuted at the hands of the attackers,
true worship could not be
crushed out of existence. There were
“the remaining ones of the people,” that
is, the anointed remnant who loyally refused
to be “cut off from the city.”
COMMENTS
God’s people = only WTS members
With its teachings of pyramidology, cross, birthdays, holidays, etc., was the WTS “true worship”?
7. The course of Jehovah’s anointed Witnesses
sets what example for all true worshippers today?
7 Was this prophecy completely fulfilled
by the end of World War I? No.
More attacks by the nations were to
come against the anointed remnant and
their loyal companions with an earthly
hope. (Rev. 12:17) World War II is
a proof of that. The integrity-keeping
course of God’s faithful anointed Wit-
nesses spurs on God’s servants today to
endure whatever trials come their way,
including opposition from unbelieving
relatives, workmates, or schoolmates
who ridicule them for their faith. (1 Pet.
1:6, 7) No matter where they live, true
worshippers are more determined than
ever to ‘stand firm in one spirit,’ not
being ‘frightened by their opponents.’
(Phil. 1:27, 28) Where, though, will Jehovah’s
people find safety in a world that
hates them?—John 15:17-19.
COMMENTS
Is the WTS the only religion attacked?
What about the world the WTS hates (all non-jws) and how they teach their members that they are all doomed to eternal destruction, including children?
JEHOVAH FORMS “A VERY GREAT VALLEY”
8. (a) What can mountains symbolize in the
Bible? (b)What does “the mountain of the olive
trees” represent?
8 Since Jerusalem—“the city”—is symbolic
of heavenly Jerusalem, “the mountain
of the olive trees, which is in front
of Jerusalem,” must also be taken symbolically.
What does that mountain represent?
How will it be “split at its middle”
and become two mountains? Why
does Jehovah refer to them as “my
mountains”? (Read Zechariah 14:3-5.)
In the Bible, mountains can represent
kingdoms, or governments. Also, blessings
and protection are associated with
God’s mountain. (Ps. 72:3; Isa. 25:6, 7)
Thus, the mountain of the olive trees on
which God stands to the east of earthly
Jerusalem represents Jehovah’s universal
sovereignty, his supreme rulership.
COMMENTS
How many WTS members realize that the WTS taught that men would rule from earthly Jerusalem?
9. In what sense does “the Mount of Olives”
split?
9 What is indicated by the division
of the mountain of the olive trees? The
mountain, which is to the east of Jerusalem,
splits in the sense that Jehovah
establishes another rulership, a subsidiary
one. This secondary rulership is the
Messianic Kingdom in the hands of Jesus
Christ. That is why Jehovah speaks
of the two mountains that result from
the splitting of “the Mount of Olives” as
being “my mountains.” (Zech. 14:4, ftn.)
Both of them are his.
COMMENTS
There is a tertiary rulership per the WTS.
God’s heavenly kingdom
Messianic kingdom
God’s earthly organization
And you can’t reach the top 2 without going through the WTS.
10. What does the “very great valley” between
the two mountains represent?
10 When the symbolic mountain
splits, half to the north and half to the
south, Jehovah’s feet remain set upon
both mountains. “A very great valley”
comes into existence beneath Jehovah’s
feet. This symbolic valley represents divine
protection, by which Jehovah’s
servants find safety under his universal
sovereignty and his Son’s Messianic
Kingdom. Jehovah will make sure that
pure worship will never be snuffed out.
When did this division of the mountain
of the olive trees take place? It occurred
when the Messianic Kingdom
was established at the end of the Gentile
Times in 1914. When did the flight
of true worshippers to the symbolic valley
begin?
COMMENTS
Where is this valley in the NT, Revelation or the words of Christ?
Was the kingdom established in 1914 or was that the end of Armageddon?
THE FLIGHT TO THE VALLEY BEGINS!
11, 12. (a) When did the flight to the symbolic
valley begin? (b) What proves that Jehovah’s
strong arm is with his people?
11 Jesus warned his followers: “You
will be objects of hatred by all the nations
on account of my name.” (Matt.
24:9) During the last days of this system
of things, since 1914, that hatred has
become especially intense. In spite of
the vicious attack launched against the
anointed remnant by their enemies during
World War I, those of this faithful
group were not killed off. In 1919 they
were liberated from the clutches of Babylon
the Great—the world empire of
false religion. (Rev. 11:11, 12)* That is
when the flight to the valley of Jehovah’s
mountains began.
*See Revelation—Its Grand Climax at Hand! pages
169-170.
COMMENTS
Has only the WTS been attacked?
Was the WTS liberated from Babylonish teachings in 1919?
Cross
Pyramidology
Birthdays
Holidays
1874 beginning of Jesus’ kingship
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/celebrations.php
http://www.equip.org/PDF/DJ555.pdf
12 Since 1919 the valley of divine protection
continues to protect true worshippers
earth wide. Over the decades,
in many parts of the world, there have
been bans and restrictions on the field
ministry and the Bible literature of Jehovah’s
Witnesses. Such restrictions still
exist in certain lands. Try as the nations
may, however, they will never succeed
in stamping out true worship! Jehovah’s
powerful arm will prove to be with his
people.—Deut. 11:2.
COMMENTS
True worshippers = only jws
Why would God protect people still putting the cross on the cover of the WT?
Are jws the only religion banned?
13. How do we stay in Jehovah’s protective valley,
and why is it now more important than ever
to do so?
13 If we stick to Jehovah and stand
firm in the truth, he and his Son, Jesus
Christ, will do their part, and God will
not allow anyone or anything to ‘snatch
us out of His hand.’ (John 10:28, 29) Jehovah
is ready to extend whatever help
is needed so that we may obey him as
the Universal Sovereign and remain loyal
subjects of the Messianic Kingdom. It
is imperative that we remain in the valley
of protection, for that valley will take
on even greater meaning for true worshippers
during the fast-approaching
great tribulation.
COMMENTS
Firm in whose truth?
Does God promise individual protection?
Fast approaching 1879 to 2013 = 134 years, fast indeed
‘THE DAY OF WARRING’ ARRIVES
14, 15. On “the day of [God’s] warring”
against his enemies, what will be the situation
of those outside the valley?
14 As the end of this system of things
draws closer, Satan will intensify his
attacks upon Jehovah’s servants. Then
will come “the day of [God’s] warring”
against his enemies. Jehovah will make
sure that one of Satan’s attacks will
prove to be his last. On that day, the
Sovereign of the universe will distinguish
himself as a Warrior more gloriously
than he has during any previous
“day of fight.”—Zech. 14:3.
COMMENTS
Remember the WTS taught that the end would be in 1914, the end of the nations.
15 On the day of God’s warring, what
will be the situation of those outside the
“great valley” of protection? They will
have “no precious light” of divine favor
shining upon them. In that coming day
of fight, “the horse, the mule, the camel,
and the male ass, and every sort of domestic
animal”—symbols of the nations’
military equipment—will be affected.
Such equipment will be “congealed,”
put out of operation as if stiffened by
cold. Jehovah will also use pestilence
and “the scourge.” Whether literal or
not, the scourge will silence terrifying
threats. On that day, “one’s very eyes
. . . and tongue will rot away” in that the
attackers will be able to strike out only
blindly and their defiant speech will be
silenced. (Zech. 14:6, 7, 12, 15) No section
of the earth will escape destruction.
The forces lined up on Satan’s side
in the battle will be tremendous. (Rev.
19:19-21) “Those slain by Jehovah will
certainly come to be in that day from
one end of the earth clear to the other
end.”—Jer. 25:32, 33.
COMMENTS
What has the WTS said the “scourge” is in the past?
*** w96 7/1 p. 22 par. 12 The Triumph of True Worship Draws Near ***
Their physical powers, which emboldened them to make the attack, will waste away. In confusion, they will turn upon one another with a great slaughter.
The WTS avoids saying that all the children and babies will be slain, will be from one end of the earth to the other, eternally dead, no hope of any resurrection.
16. In view of the approaching day of God’s
warring, what questions should we contemplate,
and what will we need to do?
16 Warfare always brings suffering,
even to the eventual victors. Food may
run short. Property may be lost. Standards
of living may drop. Personal freedoms
may be curtailed. If such hardships
befall us, how will we react? Will
we panic? Will we renounce our faith
under pressure? Will we lose hope and
sink into despondency? How vital it will
be during the great tribulation to maintain
our faith in Jehovah’s saving power
and to remain in Jehovah’s valley of protection!—
Read Habakkuk 3:17, 18.
COMMENTS
The WTS is preparing jws for the end of their creature comforts. Don’t depend on the WTS uses their resources for their members.
May…may…may…may…may
God’s saving power as a group not for individuals.
“LIVING WATERS WILL GO FORTH”
17, 18. (a) What are the “living waters”?
(b)What do “the eastern sea” and “the western
sea” represent? (c) As you look ahead to the future,
what is your determination?
17 Following Armageddon, “living
waters” will flow continuously from the
seat of the Messianic Kingdom. These
“living waters” are Jehovah’s provisions
for life. “The eastern sea” refers
to the Dead Sea, and “the western
sea” to the Mediterranean Sea. Both
are used with reference to people. The
Dead Sea would well represent those
who are in the common grave of all
mankind. Since the Mediterranean Sea
teems with life, it would aptly depict
the “great crowd” of Armageddon survivors.
(Read Zechariah 14:8, 9; Rev. 7:
9-15) Thus, both groups will benefit by
being released from the condemnation
of Adamic death as they keep quenching
their thirst with the symbolic living
waters, or “river of water of life.”—Rev.
22:1, 2.
COMMENTS
“would well represent”
“would aptly depict”
The WTS adds to the bible and protects itself so it can make “clarifications” to their explanations.
18 Under Jehovah’s protection, we
will survive the end of this wicked system
of things and enter into God’s righteous
new world. Though we are objects
of hatred by all the nations, let us be resolved
to remain loyal subjects of God’s
Kingdom, ever determined to stay in Jehovah’s
valley of protection.
COMMENTS
“survive” only as a group, individual protection is not guaranteed
Is the hate outside the WTS that brings people down or the hatred inside the KH?
Be determined
to stay in Jehovah’s
valley of protection
Notice the clothing of the people….
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
This was a horrendous article. Reminds me of the Babylon the Great book. Many assertions without any support.
Next week, Let Nothing Hinder You From Taking Hold of Glory.
Love, Blondie