To, "jst2laws" & "Normie67:
Hello.
In reading over your posts, I know you feel strongly about the Preaching work done by JWs worldwide...the preaching of the "good news." And how this work is uniquely done by JWs worldwide. But here is something to think about, concerning that work.
JWs have been taught for many years, the "preaching work" done by themselves, sponsored by the WTS, has been a "TOUCHSTONE" in which Jesus Christ, as "judge" could determine if those preached to, were "sheep" or "goats." Thereby, the preaching work done by JWs worldwide becomes a means to "measure" the world of mankind, as to their "response" to the message or "good news."
Perhaps, at one time, you may have sincerely believed this too.
However, recently changes from the Watch Tower Society, particularly since 1995, have made it clear that this same said message, that has been "preached" now by JWs for many years, DOES NOT accomplish any "dividing" or "separating" at all, in the eyes of God and Jesus. Meaning, the WTS has "misinformed" the brotherhood, all these years, about their terribly important preaching assignment. The true meaning of it.
The following is a comment on the change, and its effect upon the "brotherhood."
Post from "James" on Bible Research.
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"...One of the beliefs that shocked me was the ‘new understanding’ in 1995 of Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46. I still remember as for years, since 1958, we studied with people the book „From Paradise lost to Paradise regained" We imagined ourselves engaged in a worldwide „separating work" based on the understanding of the WT. We were told that „after Jesus became King in heaven 1914, HE would put apart sheep from goats. And the King rests his decision on how the people treat his spiritual ‘brothers’ and how they accept the good news of the Kingdom that his spiritual brothers preach". (Page 200) Now, since 1995, we are told that this separating work has not begun as yet! The WT October 1995, page 22, says:" In other words the parable points to the FUTURE, when the Son of Man will come in his glory. He will sit down to judge people then living. His judgement will be based on what they have manifested themselves to be. At that time ‘the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one will have been clearly established"...
We have been preaching all the years along to the people, that they had NOW to make a decision, because we are living in the last days of the ‘Time of the End’, accepting God’s only organization on earth and get baptized, otherwise they would belong to the goats and be destructed at Harmaggedon! And now we hear the WT has ‘adjusted’ his understanding of this parable, as well as the generation of 1914. I ask 'what will be the next 'adjustement'???..."
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Do you think we can say now, that the "preaching message" that JWs have carried for many years now, has any merit at all? Based upon the "change," how can we be sure, the WTS has given us, the correct message to preach, in the first place?
Clearly, the preaching message of Jesus had merit...people were "judged" by his message, were they not? Whether they responded or not. His message divided. Why not the message taught by JWs?
Any thoughts?
MDS
