Brother Anthony Morris has made a critical scriptural error in the July Broadcast. He has inadvertently moved the timing of the beginning of the last days to the future. This kind of scriptural error is the direct result of superficial Bible reading. He is poorly educated in Bible research. This from a man who claims to be of the anointed and demands that all Jehovah's Witnesses follow his "suggestions" on all things spiritual.
In his July Broadcast brother Morris addresses the topic of persecution. He asks his audience (at about 9:20) to read Luke 21:12-19, but first before actually reading the scripture he said this:
"We might mention that here Jesus was not referring to what would happen back then in the first century, this was a prophecy about the future. He was describing what would transpire now before the the end of the evil system under Satan’s control." (emphasis added)
Then he reads Luke 21:12,
“But before all these things happen, people will lay their
hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and
prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of my
name." (emphasis added)
Brother Morris has forgotten the first rule of understanding the Bible- CONTEXT!
What are "all these things" referred to in verse 12? All the things which the persecution would precede? Brother Morris, read it carefully again: "But before all these things happen..."
The "things" Jesus was referring to are the things he had just spoken of: (verses 9-11)
"Furthermore, when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified. For these things must take place first, but the end will not occur immediately.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs."
Then Jesus went on to say: "But before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name."
According to Luke 21, first comes the persecution then the wars, earthquakes, food shortages, fearful sights etc.
But Brother Morris says: "We might mention that here Jesus was not referring to what would happen back then in the first century, this was a prophecy about the future. He was describing what would transpire now before the the end of the evil system under Satan’s control." (emphasis added)
If you are correct, Brother Morris, if the persecution Jesus described is to happen "now" before the end of the system then what Jesus said in the previous verses: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs" is YET IN THE FUTURE because the persecution occurs, first, before all these things!
Your poor Bible reading skills have inadvertently moved the signs of the time of the end into the future. What else have you misunderstood? Time will tell.
Just keep broadcasting.
Frank