I have never been comfortable with the fact that Jesus is Michael any more that I feel comfortable with him being the Pope. I admit, I really don't know.
Let me just say that this is something you'll have to study out yourself. I could send you some information on the Jesus being Michael issue. The Pope issue is a bit more complex, it all stems from a reading of Revelation 12. Read it and tell me if you think Michael whether it be Jesus or just an angel IS THE Michael spoken of in Daniel.
Are you saying pyramidology is still one of the Bible Students beliefs? I am not saying it is wrong, I don't know enough about it. When I first found out that Russell was interested in this subject, I was amazed. The JWs never tell you this and, if it was one of the main beliefs of their founder, they should discuss this openly.
I have to admit, I syudy my Bible, not the pyramid, that being said, I do find it interesting, and there IS something to it that smacks of it being of God.
When I have read about Russell (various sources) he comes across as a very humble, mild man which is why I wanted to find out more about him. When Rutherford came to power, how many stayed with Russell's teachings?
He was a humble man, but he was also a business man. As to the split? Various Bible Students left during various times, it has been estimated that between 1917 and 1932 about 75% of the ORIGINAL Bible Students left, of course that seems like a large number, but consider that during that 15 year period, the Society's ranks grew via their new witnessing techniques, door to door and street witnessing.
Today although the Bible Students are just a fraction of the size of the JW's, they are still international and are still independent of each other, just as they were during Russell's day.
I know there was a certain amount of conflict and many BSs couldn't get along with Rutherford or his methods of running the organisation. As a JW, I assumed the headship was passed along from Russell to Rutherford in a smooth and loving manner - I was never aware of the frictions involved. I thought all previous presidents of the society all agreed and were in harmony - but then I was a JW for many years and swallowed everything they told me.
No, this is a myth the Society likes the rank-and-file to believe. The Bible Student ecclesia I serve with is the oldest Bible Student class in the world. Having been formed in the 1880s and deparated from the Society in 1917, simply because the elders in the class KNEW Rutherford personally and would not support the Society knowing he was president. His reputation preceded him.
There are many reasons as to why many left, the way Rutherford became president was illegal and underhanded. he was dishonest and while many stayed because they believed the Lord would fix it, the Lord allowed it, and many left as the years went by the Rutherford's grip became tighter. Those who gave up their Christian liberty stayed, those who wanted to voice their Christian liberty, were either forced out or left on their own.
From your remarks, I take it you think there is nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas or birthdays. Again, I don't have any opinion on this - I think you should be free to decide. It's just funny that Russell's present day organisation demonise it.
Holidays among Bible Students is a personal matter, personally I don't know too many Bible Students who have birthday parties except those who have children, as to Christmas, some do, some don't. For various reasons. However Christmas is always a Christ-centered event, and quite often a time when familes get together, especially among believers and non-believers.
And what about the cross and crown? Didn't Jesus die on a stake? Not that it really matters - he was executed and the instrument used isn't really that important. It's just that JWs make such a big point about this.
I agree with you. It matters not what, but WHY he died. My tought is, the cross is pagan BECAUSE the very ones who put him to death were pagan. The fact remans, the day Jesus was put to death on the cross, it became a Christian symbol.
But you're right, the Society tends to make a maountain out of a mole hill. Beating a dead horse.
Where would I get copies of his books?
Check out the bookstore at www.biblestudents.net
RR
How does the pyramid fit into early Egyptian life? Pyramids today stand as a reminder of the ancient Egyptian glorification of life after death, and in fact, the pyramids were built as monuments to housethe tombs of the
pharaohs. Death was seen as merely the beginning of a journey to the other world. In this society, each individual's eternal life was dependent on the continued existence of their king, a belief that made the pharaoh's tomb the concern of the entire kingdom.