Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-06-2013 WT Study (SANCTIFIED)

The anointed are already sanctified in a very special way, being declared righteous and holy as Christ’s bride. (John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:23-27)

*** w06 2/15 p. 23 par. 10 Gathering Things in Heaven and Things on Earth ***

It is by means of Christ’s shed blood that the 144,000 joint heirs of Christ are “sanctified,” set apart, cleansed from sin to be “holy ones.” (Hebrews 10:29; Daniel 7:18, 27; Ephesians 2:19)

YOU HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED

“You have been washed

clean, . . . you have

been sanctified.”

—1 COR. 6:11.

HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why must we avoid bad

associations?

How can we support theocratic

arrangements?

What will help us to put spiritual

things first and preserve our

Christian identity?

START OF ARTICLE

1. What disturbing developments did Nehemiah discover

when he returned to Jerusalem? (See opening image.)

RESIDENTS of Jerusalem are talking. A notorious

foreigner is staying in a temple chamber. Levites are

abandoning their assignment. Instead of taking the

lead in worship, elders are trading on the Sabbath.

Many Israelites are marrying non-Jews. These are

just some of the disturbing developments that Nehemiah

discovers when he returns to Jerusalem sometime

after 443 B.C.E.—Neh. 13:6.

COMMENTS

MALE Israelites are marrying non-jews.

Did the Law forbid marrying non-Jews other than Canaanites? Are jws forbidden to do business on the sabbath?

(Deuteronomy 21:10-13) 10 “In case you go out to the battle against your enemies and Jehovah your God has given them into your hand and you have carried them away captive; 11 and you have seen among the captives a woman beautiful in form, and you have got attached to her and taken her for your wife, 12 you must then bring her into the midst of your house. She must now shave her head and attend to her nails, 13 and remove the mantle of her captivity from off her and dwell in your house and weep for her father and her mother a whole lunar month; and after that you should have relations with her, and you must take possession of her as your bride, and she must become your wife.

2. How did Israel become a sanctified nation?

2 Israel was a nation dedicated to God. In

1513 B.C.E., the Israelites were eager to comply with

Jehovah’s will. They said: “All the words that Jehovah

has spoken we are willing to do.” (Ex. 24:3) So

God sanctified them, or set them apart as his chosen

people. What a privilege that was! Forty years

later, Moses reminded them: “You are a holy people

to Jehovah your God. It is you Jehovah your God

has chosen to become his people, a special property,

out of all the peoples that are on the surface of

the ground.”—Deut. 7:6.

COMMENTS

How much time elapsed before they said this in Ex. 24:3 that they were making a golden calf to worship?

(Exodus 32:1-4) 32 Meanwhile the people got to see that Moses was taking a long time about coming down from the mountain. So the people congregated themselves about Aaron and said to him: “Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because as regards this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt, we certainly do not know what has happened to him.” 2 At this Aaron said to them: “Tear off the gold earrings that are in the ears of YOUR wives, of YOUR sons and of YOUR daughters and bring them to me.” 3 And all the people began tearing off the gold earrings that were in their ears and bringing them to Aaron. 4 Then he took [the gold] from their hands, and he formed it with a graving tool and proceeded to make it into a molten statue of a calf. And they began to say: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.”

*** w72 2/1 p. 73 What Sort of God Is Jehovah? ***

Already God had demonstrated these fine qualities when the people, less than four months after their deliverance at the Red Sea, made a golden calf and said: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 32:4)

Are the other sheep set apart or are only the 144,000 and only if the other sheep are in close association?

*** w12 3/15 p. 20 par. 2 Rejoicing in Our Hope ***

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

3. What was the spiritual state of the Jews when Nehemiah

arrived in Jerusalem a second time?

3 Sadly, Israel’s initial enthusiasm about being a

holy nation did not last long. Although there were always

some individuals who served God, the Jews in

general were often more concerned about appearing

to be holy, or devout, than they were about doing

God’s will. By the time that Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem

a second time, about a hundred years had

passed since a faithful remnant had returned from

Babylon to restore true worship. Once again, the nation’s

zeal for spiritual things was flagging.

COMMENTS

Why are jws being told to imitate Israelites and not exemplary Christians of the first century?

The Israelites had a mechanism to adjust the Torah, the Talmud, interpretations by their religious leaders to adjust and clarify God’s Word. Much like the WTS today.

4. We will consider what factors that can help us to remain a

sanctified people?

4 Like the Israelites, Witnesses of Jehovah today

have been sanctified by God in a general

sense. Both anointed Christians and

those of the “great crowd” are holy, set

apart for sacred service. (Rev. 7:9, 14, 15;

1 Cor. 6:11) None of us want to lose our

sanctified standing before God as the Israelites

eventually did. What can help

us to prevent this from happening so

that we can remain holy and useful in

Jehovah’s service? In this study, we will

consider four factors highlighted in Nehemiah

chapter 13: (1) Avoid bad associations;

(2) support theocratic arrangements;

(3) put spiritual things first; and

(4) preserve your Christian identity. Let

us now examine each of these points.

COMMENTS

Only the anointed are spiritual Israelites. What does the WTS mean “sanctified by God in a general sense”?

1) Are bad associations only found outside the congregation? If so, who are they?

2) Should an elder or other jw support hiding pedophiles in the congregation knowing it is not a theocratic arrangement?

3) What are the spiritual things the WTS counts as spiritual, how much time do the elders and MS spend in the ministry?

4) Christian or JW identity?

AVOID BAD ASSOCIATIONS

5, 6. Who were Eliashib and Tobiah, and why

might Eliashib have been associating with Tobiah?

5 Read Nehemiah 13:4-9. We are surrounded

by unclean influences, so it is

not easy for us to remain holy. Consider

Eliashib and Tobiah. Eliashib was the

high priest, and Tobiah was an Ammonite

and likely a petty official in the Persian

administration of Judea. Tobiah and

his associates had opposed Nehemiah’s

efforts to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.

(Neh. 2:10) Ammonites were forbidden

to come onto the temple grounds. (Deut.

23:3) So why would the high priest provide

space in a temple dining hall for

such a man as Tobiah?

COMMENTS

Surrounded by unclean influences = anybody who is not a jw and a few who are

Now I know an elder (like the high priest) that has a business with access to sports tickets and he takes non-jw clients to the events and out to eat, wine and dine. Or the elders who were in a business with a brother that was df’d for being a pedophile and they continued their business after he was; or the df’d brother they rented a business building from.

6 Tobiah had become a close associate

of Eliashib. Tobiah and his son Jehohanan

had married Jewish women, and

many Jews spoke highly of Tobiah. (Neh.

6:17-19) One of Eliashib’s grandsons

was married to the daughter of Sanballat,

governor of Samaria, who was one of

Tobiah’s closest associates. (Neh. 13:28)

These ties may explain why High Priest

Eliashib allowed an unbeliever and op-

poser to influence him. But Nehemiah

showed loyalty to Jehovah by throwing

all of Tobiah’s furniture outside the dining

hall.

COMMENTS

Did the elders above get their stuff tossed outside by other elders? Not a chance.

PICTURE: How did Nehemiah show his loyalty to Jehovah?

(See paragraphs 5, 6)

7. How do elders and others avoid defiling

their sanctified position before Jehovah?

7 As a people dedicated to God, our

first loyalty must always be to Jehovah.

Unless we adhere to his righteous standards,

we will not remain sanctified before

him. We must not let family ties

overshadow Bible principles. Christian

elders are guided by Jehovah’s thinking,

not by their own opinions or feelings.

(1 Tim. 5:21) The elders carefully avoid

doing anything that might compromise

their standing with God.—1 Tim. 2:8.

COMMENTS

Our first loyalty must always be to God = WTS/GB? Not to any human or humans

*** w10 4/15 p. 10 par. 12 Holy Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s Purpose ***

By being obedient and loyal to the direction received from the earthly part of God’s organization, you show that you are keeping pace with Jehovah’s celestial chariot and are working in harmony with his holy spirit.—Heb. 13:17.

*** w07 12/1 p. 11 par. 6 Highlights From the Books of Haggai and Zechariah ***

Our loyalty to the true God and his organization should surpass loyalty to any human, no matter how close.

8. What should all dedicated servants of Jehovah

remember when it comes to their associations?

8 We do well to remember that “bad

associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Cor.

15:33) Some of our relatives might not

be a positive influence in our lives. Eliashib

had set a good example for the

people by fully supporting Nehemiah

in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.

(Neh. 3:1) In time, however, the unwholesome

influence of Tobiah and others

apparently led Eliashib to do things

that left him defiled before Jehovah.

Good associates encourage us to engage

in useful Christian pursuits, such

as reading the Bible, attending Christian

meetings, and sharing in the field service.

Family members who influence us

to do what is right are especially loved

and appreciated.

COMMENTS

Some of our relatives might not be a positive influence = jw or non-jw

*** w93 8/1 p. 19 par. 17 Let No One Spoil Your Useful Habits ***

Some worldly neighbors and relatives may be friendly and helpful, though they have consistently shown neither interest in spiritual things nor love for righteousness. (Mark 10:21, 22; 2 Corinthians 6:14) Our becoming Christians should not mean that we become unfriendly, unneighborly. Jesus counseled us to manifest genuine interest in others. (Luke 10:29-37) But equally inspired and necessary is Paul’s counsel to be careful about our associations. As we apply the former counsel, we must not forget the latter. If we do not keep both principles in mind, our habits can be affected. How do your habits compare with those of your neighbors or relatives as respects honesty or obeying Caesar’s law? For instance, they may feel that at tax time, underreporting income or business profits is justified, even necessary for survival. They might speak persuasively about their views over a casual cup of coffee or during a brief visit. How could that affect your thinking and honest habits? (Mark 12:17; Romans 12:2) “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.”

*** km 6/89 pp. 1-2 Enjoying Theocratic Association ***

WHOLESOME ASSOCIATION

5 One cannot walk with God while running in association with those of the wicked and sick society that approves of everything that God abhors. The Bible warns: “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Cor. 15:33) Some in the congregation may be inclined to invite worldly acquaintances and unbelieving relatives who have no interest in the truth to social gatherings, thinking that this will encourage them to accept the truth. However, is this wise and in harmony with the Scriptures?

6 We have been counseled to be cautious in our dealings with men of the nations, unbelievers, and ordinary persons. (See the November 15, 1988, issue of The Watchtower, pages 15-16.) Why should we have unnecessary social contact with people who still pursue worldly ways and who have not become worshipers of Jehovah? (2 Cor. 6:14, 15) Some who are negligent spiritually may seek out others who also hold on to worldly thinking and ways instead of seeking association with mature Christians who could help them become strong in the faith. They fail to appreciate that attendance at social gatherings with worldly, unprincipled people can weaken their faith and corrupt them.—Compare 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15.

7 Everyone wanting to practice the truth should search out associates who are devoted to Jehovah and who will help him to walk in the truth and contribute to his progress in serving God. Our friends and associates can have a profound effect on us. Therefore, how wise it is to seek out the company of godly persons who maintain a close relationship with Jehovah!

SUPPORT THEOCRATIC ARRANGEMENTS

9. Why were the temple arrangements being

disrupted, and whom did Nehemiah blame for

this?

9 Read Nehemiah 13:10-13. It appears

that contributions to the temple had all

but stopped by the time Nehemiah returned

to Jerusalem. Not having this

support, the Levites were abandoning

their assignments and going off to work

in their fields. Nehemiah blamed the

deputy rulers for the situation. Apparently,

they were not caring for their duties.

Either they were not collecting the

people’s tithes or they were not forwarding

them to the temple, as they had been

assigned to do. (Neh. 12:44) So Nehemiah

took steps to have the tithes collected.

He appointed trustworthy men

to oversee the temple stores and future

distributions.

COMMENTS

It appears…..apparently

So here the WTS clearly picks a part of the OT regarding tithing…abandoning assignments…not collecting tithes

*** w11 9/15 p. 8 par. 7 Jehovah Is My Share ***

The Law did not include any penalty for an Israelite who failed to tithe.

10, 11. What privilege do God’s people have

in supporting true worship?

10 Is there a lesson here for us? Yes,

for we are reminded that we have the

privilege of honoring Jehovah with our

valuable things. (Prov. 3:9) When we

make contributions to support his work,

we are merely giving to Jehovah what already

belongs to him. (1 Chron. 29:14-

16) We may not think that we have much

to give, but if the desire is there, all of us

can have a share.—2 Cor. 8:12.

COMMENTS

Why use an OT example based on tithing rather than the NT Christian pattern of voluntary giving?

11 For many years, one large family invited

an elderly special pioneer couple to

join them for a meal once each week. Although

the parents had eight children,

the mother used to say, “What are two

more plates at a table set for ten?” A

weekly meal may not seem like much,

but how thankful those pioneers were

for the hospitality shown! They, in turn,

proved to be a blessing to their hosts.

The encouraging words and experiences

of the couple helped to motivate the children

to make spiritual progress. All of

them later took up the full-time ministry.

COMMENTS

To qualify for help you must be old, special, and a pioneer? What about an unemployed young couple, who put service ahead of looking for a job who are hungry…should they go to a food pantry or expect non-jw family to help?

After 45 years as a jw, over 15 as a regular pioneer, no one ever invited me for one meal a year let alone once a week; nor did I ever hear of anyone doing this.

12. What fine example is being set by appointed men

in the congregation?

12 Another lesson is this: Like Nehemiah,

appointed men today take the

lead in supporting theocratic arrangements.

Others in the congregation benefit

from their example. In this, elders

also imitate the apostle Paul. He supported

true worship and gave helpful direction.

For instance, he offered a number

of practical suggestions on how to

make contributions.—1 Cor. 16:1-3;

2 Cor. 9:5-7.

COMMENTS

I went to many meetings for service where the conductor did not show up, or did the text and took off with only his family, or took off with the MS, never seeing let alone hearing them. He never wasted his time on sisters.

Again contributions outweigh talking about God’s kingdom.

How does the WTS define tithing for Christians?

*** w07 12/15 p. 28 par. 1 Highlights From the Book of Malachi ***

While the tenth part was brought year after year, we bring our all to Jehovah only once—when we dedicate ourselves to him and symbolize our dedication by undergoing water baptism. From that time on, everything we have belongs to Jehovah. Still, he allows us to choose a portion of what we have—a symbolic tithe—to use in his service. It is whatever our circumstances allow and our heart impels us to use. The offerings we bring to Jehovah include the time, energy, and resources used in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work. Also included are attending Christian meetings, visiting sick and elderly fellow believers, and rendering financial support to true worship.

PUT SPIRITUAL THINGS FIRST

13. How were some of the Jews not respecting

the Sabbath?

13 Read Nehemiah 13:15-21. If we allow

ourselves to become preoccupied

with material things, our spirituality

can gradually be lost. According to

Exodus 31:13, the weekly Sabbath was

to remind the Israelites that they were a

sanctified people. The Sabbath day was

to be set aside for family worship, prayer,

and meditation on God’s Law. For some

of Nehemiah’s contemporaries, though,

the Sabbath had become just another

day—business as usual. Worship was being

pushed into the background. Seeing

what was happening, Nehemiah had the

city gates closed at dusk on the sixth day,

chasing the foreign merchants away before

the Sabbath began.

COMMENTS

Preoccupied with material things = WTS definition does not mean having material things

Christians do not observe the Sabbath

14, 15. (a) What can happen to us if we do not

limit our commercial interests? (b) How can we

enter into God’s rest?

14 What can we learn from Nehemiah’s

example? One lesson is that we

should limit our commercial interests.

Otherwise, we might easily become distracted—

or even divided in our affections—

especially if we enjoy our secular

work. Remember Jesus’ warning about

slaving for two masters. (Read Matthew

6:24.) Nehemiah had financial resources,

but how did he use his time

in Jerusalem? (Neh. 5:14-18) Instead of

pursuing business contacts with the Tyrians

or others, he devoted himself to

helping his brothers and doing things

that contributed to the sanctification of

Jehovah’s name. Likewise today, Christian

elders and ministerial servants focus

on doing things for the benefit of the

congregation, and their fellow believers

love them for this spirit. As a result,

there is love, peace, and security among

God’s people.—Ezek. 34:25, 28.

COMMENTS

Why not learn from Paul’s example

So what brothers in your congregation devoted themselves to helping jws with their financial resources? What are the rules for doing that….”good standing” attending all the meetings, 10 hours/month preaching?

Love…only for deserving

Peace…fights, gossip, silent treatment, etc.

Security…fraudulent jws, pedophiles, touchy-feely brothers

15 Although Christians are not required

to observe a weekly Sabbath,

Paul tells us that “there remains a sabbath

resting for the people of God.” He

added: “The man that has entered into

God’s rest has also himself rested from

his own works, just as God did from his

own.” (Heb. 4:9, 10) As Christians, we

can enter into God’s rest by obediently

working in harmony with his advancing

purpose. Are you and your loved

ones giving family worship, meeting attendance,

and the field ministry first

place in your lives? We may have to be

resolute with our employer or business

associates, especially if they do not respect

our theocratic priorities. In effect,

we may need ‘to close the gates to the

city and chase the Tyrians away’ in order

to give priority and proper attention

to sacred things. Because we have been

sanctified, we do well to ask ourselves,

‘Does the way I live demonstrate that

I have been set apart for Jehovah’s service?’—

Matt. 6:33.

COMMENTS

Christians = only jws are TRUE Christians

In my last congregation, 4 of the 6 elders had jobs on the road; we never saw them except on weekends. The other elders were stuck doing the school and the service meeting parts. Those 4 elders all built new homes as well and had new vehicles every 2 years. They were too cheap to buy flowers for a brother in another congregation expecting the congregation to cough up $50.

PRESERVE YOUR CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

16. How was the very identity of the nation as

a sanctified people being threatened in Nehemiah’s

day?

16 Read Nehemiah 13:23-27. In Nehemiah’s

day, Israelite men were marrying

foreign women. During his first visit

to Jerusalem, Nehemiah had all the

older men sign a written agreement

pledging that they would not marry pagans.

(Neh. 9:38; 10:30) A few years later,

however, he found that not only had

Jewish men taken foreign wives but they

were about to lose their very identity

as God’s sanctified people! The children

of these foreign women could not read

or speak Hebrew. When they got older,

would they identify themselves as Israelites?

Or would they rather think of

themselves as Ashdodites, Ammonites,

or Moabites? Without knowing the Hebrew

language, was it likely that they

would-be able to understand God’s Law?

How could they get to know Jehovah

and choose to serve him instead of the

false gods their mothers worshipped?

Swift and decisive action was needed,

and Nehemiah took such action.—Neh.

13:28.

COMMENTS

So why did the children no speak Hebrew? How much contact did they have with their fathers? Who ran the house, men or women? Why weren’t the men teaching their children? Remember Rahab and Ruth, they were foreign women. What about Esther marrying a pagan king?

17. How can parents help their children to have

a personal relationship with Jehovah?

17 Today, we need to take positive action

in order to help our children acquire

a Christian identity. Parents, ask yourselves,

‘How well do my children speak

the “pure language” of Scriptural truth?

(Zeph. 3:9) Does my children’s conversation

reflect the influence of God’s

spirit or that of the world?’ Do not quickly

become discouraged if you see room

for improvement. It takes time to learn

a language, especially when we are surrounded

by distractions. Your children

are facing tremendous pressures to compromise.

Therefore, patiently use your

Family Worship sessions and other opportunities

to help your children to develop

a close relationship with Jehovah.

(Deut. 6:6-9) Highlight the benefits of

being different from Satan’s world.

(John 17:15-17) And work to reach the

heart.

COMMENTS

A Christian identity or a JW identity? Where is Christian in the name of their organization? Why not Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses, a phrase that has disappeared from the WT vocabulary.

The last direct mention:

***(1986) True Peace tp chap. 14 Respect for the Gift of Life ***

So, how do Jehovah’s Christian witnesses view the use of drugs?

Not to even have it on the KH sign:

*** km 4/79 p. 4 Announcements ***

Is it appropriate to have a Kingdom Hall sign saying: “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses”? So there will be uniformity, the Society encourages all to make their signs read: “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (See October 1978 Our Kingdom Service, page 3, paragraph 5.)

18. Why are Christian parents in the best position

to prepare their children for making a dedication

to Jehovah?

18 Ultimately, each child will make

his or her own decision about serving

God. Yet, there is much that parents can

do. This includes setting a proper example,

specifying clear boundaries, and

discussing with your children the consequences

of decisions. Parents, no one is

in a better position than you are to prepare

your children for making a dedication

to Jehovah. They need your help

to acquire and preserve their Christian

identity. Of course, all of us need to

be on guard so that we do not lose our

figurative “outer garments”—the qualities

and standards that identify us as

Christ’s followers.—Rev. 3:4, 5; 16:15.

PICTURE: Help your children to develop a close

relationship with Jehovah (See paragraphs 17, 18)

Why no close relationship with Jesus? Certainly the 144,000 form a very close relationship with Jesus, he is their bridegroom and they are all sons of God, brothers. Why are the other sheep always told to form a close relationship with God rather than Jesus?

*** w79 12/15 p. 14 par. 15 “Come After Me, and I Will Make You Fishers of Men” ***

In order to succeed in their work, Jesus’ followers must maintain close union with him and prove themselves his disciples. Jesus illustrated this by the vine and its branches, stressing the need for them to remain in the vine and to bear fruit so that his Father may be glorified

A close relationship with God, where’s Jesus in this?

Do parents teach their children this about Jesus?

*** w02 9/1 p. 17 par. 17 “Without an Illustration He Would Not Speak to Them” ***

Among the most tender of Jesus’ illustrations is the one recorded in John chapter 10, where he likens his close relationship with his followers to that of a shepherd with his sheep.

REMEMBERED “FOR GOOD”

19, 20. How can we be remembered by Jehovah

“for good”?

19 One of Nehemiah’s contemporaries

was the prophet Malachi, who revealed

that “a book of remembrance began

to be written up . . . for those in

fear of Jehovah and for those thinking

upon his name.” (Mal. 3:16, 17) God will

never forget those who have reverential

fear of him and love for his name.—Heb.

6:10.

COMMENTS

OT Malachi

(1 Corinthians 1:1, 2) . . .Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through God’s will, and Sos′the·nes our brother 2 to the congregation of God that is in Corinth, to YOU who have been sanctified in union with Christ Jesus, called to be holy ones, together with all who everywhere are calling upon the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

(Acts 10:48) . . .With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to remain for some days.

20 Nehemiah prayed: “Do remember

me, O my God, for good.” (Neh. 13:31)

Like Nehemiah, our names will be in

God’s book of remembrance if we continue

to avoid bad associations, support

theocratic arrangements, give spiritual matters

priority, and safeguard our

Christian identity. Let us ‘keep testing

whether we are in the faith.’ (2 Cor.

13:5) If we maintain our sanctified relationship

with Jehovah, he will remember us “for good.”

COMMENTS

(Luke 23:42, 43) . . .And he went on to say: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise.”

Who will remember Christians….Jesus.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Quite ordinary article after the previous doctrine-changing ones.

But do jws have a “Christian identity”?

*** w12 12/1 p. 28 “History Does Not Lie” ***

Ella Toom, 25 years old at the time, was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses

*** w12 12/1 p. 9 They Found Something Better ***

Remembering Jesus Christ: “Before I became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I rarely went to church.—EVE, AUSTRALIA.

*** w12 10/1 p. 10 The Power of God’s Word on a Hindu Family ***

In 1974, my aunt Jane was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and my mother and other aunts soon followed.

NEXT WEEK, “NEVER BECOME “ENRAGED AGAINST JEHOVAH

Love, Blondie

Gorbatchov

Thanks Blondie.

I think everybody is getting tired of Watchtower theology. I am also. I can't read it anymore )):

Gorby

jgnat

This is an important article from the point of view of "Unbelieving Mates". Coming on the heels of the Big Announcement, there are Witnesses coming home all zealous from the meeting and ready to throw out all corrupting things. Let us hope that does not include their spouses and "unbelieving" normal children.

I'm advising those in love with their JW to lay low, stay calm, and wait for the zeal to pass.

rubbeng

Thanks Blondie. I'm new and your articles are very useful for me!

Par. 6 - I was an elder and I tried to fix a great injustice of a circuit overseer and I was deleted.

(sorry for english, I don't know very well)

nonjwspouse

Jgnut I got this feeling too. It seems very direct in the upbringing of children in the JW faith, and speaking the "language". I am glad my husband is not attending meetings right now. In fact, his WT study partner has not texted him in weeks!

I was also struck by the focus on giving money to the WT. Not a collection plate, but the same horse , different color. ;-)

JW GoneBad

It truly is something as you say Blondie how WT attaches little importance to the role Jesus plays in our salvation. Throughout all their publications, there has always been an absence of affinity to him. This article was no different.

1. Paragraph 17: ‘help your children to develop a close relationship with Jehovah’ (never Jesus)

2. Paragraph 18: ‘prepare your children for making a dedication to Jehovah’ (never Jesus)

3. Paragraph 20: They paraphrase 2 Cor. 13:5 where in that verse it stresses the need of our maintaining an approved relationship with Jesus Christ, but instead that vs is partially quoted and then the following sentence concludes with ‘If we maintain our sanctified relationship with Jehovah…. (never Jesus)’

It was no different at the AGM. I don’t think any of the Magnificent 8 GB members that spoke incorporated Jesus Christ in anything they had to say to the millions listening. It was as though they could care less if Jesus Christ was in their midst in spirit or not! There was simply very little mention made of him (Jesus) at all!

In fact, one of the GB, when talking about the improvement to John 17:3 in the 2013 NWT overlooked one important detail. The verse now reads: ‘This means everlasting life, their coming to know you the only true God,…’

The GB member stated that replacing ‘taking in knowledge’ with ‘coming to know’ takes the importance of taking in knowledge of God in that verse to a whole new level. What this GB member and the other GB members forget is that this ‘coming to know’ does not stop with Jehovah. Jesus in that verse stresses also the importance of ‘coming to know’ him (Jesus) as well.

So the Society’s neglect of showing due regard for Jesus Christ in their publications as well as the lack of showing him due regard by mentioning him more often from the podium shows that they have a long way to go yet in ‘coming to know’ this Warrior King, Jesus Christ! One wonders if they ever will!

Thank you again for your scholarly work!

WTWizard

Now they start guilting people on both sides to be poor. First, they insist that everything belongs to joke-hova. You are supposed to give everything. People that remember last fall's storm and wish to prepare are told that, if they have enough money to buy an emergency lighting system (and that means several lanterns, flashlights of high quality, and batteries for all plus chargers), they should throw it all away as joke-hova is now calling for their money now. They can't even piece it together--say, getting a Fenix HP11 headlamp (too bad the HP20 went discontinued) now, buying a few sets of batteries and a charger, then a lantern, and then expanding it piecemeal. Try that, and Brother Hounder will now go after you and require you to donate the whole thing. Too bad the next Sandy is going to leave them up sxxx creek without a paddle, in a barbed wire canoe.

As if that wasn't enough, they are now supposed to cut back on their work. If their work is "too enjoyable", they need to quit. So, not only are they to give more, but they are to earn less. I don't think any of them are actually so well off that they can afford this. In actuality, they need all the money they can get--and then some. Maybe Satan is trying to tell them that they need the extra hours so they can have a few pieces of silver to fall back on when the dollar becomes toilet paper. (Or, a blackout--whether a storm or because the grid gets pushed beyond capacity.) People need to prepare for a period of unreliable electricity and a dollar that doesn't buy anything. But, how are they supposed to do that if they are being hounded to throw away any available funds and cut back on their work?

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-06-2013 WT Study (SANCTIFIED)

blondie

Gorbatchov

jgnat

rubbeng

nonjwspouse

JW GoneBad

WTWizard

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