Sorry this is late.
COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE WT STUDY 11-24-02
October 1, 2002 Watchtower page 17
CULTIVATE OBEDIENCE AS THE END DRAWS NEAR
"To [Shiloh] the obedience of the peoples will belong."Genesis 49:10Introduction
The first thought that went through my mind was why obedience was highlighted so much, what happened to LOVE? If a person has love, isnt obedience to that loved one a natural progression? Then I thought obedience to whom? The theme scripture talks about Shiloh who proved to be Jesus Christ. Yet the first sentence is:
"Obedience to Jehovah has often involved obedience to his representatives. These have included angels, patriarchs, judges, priests, prophets and kings."
Can you see the connection that will be made later to "his representatives"? Then they say, "many of Israels rulers disobeyed God, bringing woe upon themselves and their subjects." I dont think the WTS will be applying this to themselves, but shouldnt they?
JESUS FIRST KINGDOM
Picture
8 men in Christian times discussing a scroll (man with scroll is probably James, Jesus brother, the head of the so-called governing body)
4 men in the 30s (?), one is Macmillan and the one looks JF Rutherford, I dont recognize the other 2, so if you do, post it here
Caption: Jehovah blesses people of obeying the faithful "steward"How is it that Jesus received a first kingdom, isnt there only one? According to the WTS that first one started with the establishment of the Christian congregation at Pentecost 33 C.E. They call it "the kingdom of the Son of his love." (Colossians 1:13) The early Christians were "ambassadors" obediently gathering "fellow citizens" in that spiritual kingdom. These had to remain "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought" in order to enjoy Jesus approval. "As a group, they constituted a faithful and discreet slave."
Notice how carefully the WTS chooses scriptures that contain words that everyone must think alike to be approved and how they establish these ones as the FDS (faithful and discreet slave) without any development of proof or explanation. We are the FDS, we say they are the FDS, thus they are the FDS.
BLESSED FOR OBEYING GODS STEWARDNotice how quickly we go from obeying Shiloh or Jesus, to obeying the "steward."
"Jehovah has always provided teachers for his people." This means he has provided the FDS. Returning from exile in Babylon, "Qualified men did not just read Gods law to the people, they "expounded" that law, putting meaning into it and giving understanding of Gods Word." This is fine and good when these men were following Jehovah. But what before this, the priests and other qualified men had not been doing this properly. That is why the Israelites had spent 70 years in exile in Babylon. What about the Israelites then, should they have listened to those priests who said they represented God but were promoting false worship?
The key is that each one of us has to examine what we are being taught in light of Gods Word and not just believe anything we are told because someone says they represent God.
And now the magical process of arriving at Jehovahs thoughts on a matter. "Prayerfully considered the matter and came to a Scriptural conclusion." Now isnt that special! Thats what I do too! But notice how I forgot to send a letter to all the congregations.
But the "early slave class" "announced their decision by letter" "the congregations obeyed the direction given AND enjoyed Gods rich blessing." This is the second time approval from God and Jesus depends on obedience to the FDS.
In the first century the issue of circumcision was discussed. "The faithful slave through its Governing Body has clarified such important issues as Christian neutrality (are they talking about the flip-flip in alternative service), the sanctity of blood (from no blood to blood fractions derived from stored blood and made up of hemoglobin), and the use of drugs (no immunizations) and tobacco (not till after Rutherford died because it is rumored he smoked cigars).
Now pay attention to these next sentences.
"Jehovah blessed his people for obedience to his Word AND the faithful slave."
Yes, folks you cannot obey the Bible without obeying the faithful slave. But you can obey the faithful slave and not obey his Word. And once again Gods blessings are dependent on being obedient to the FDS.
"By submitting to the slave class, Gods people also show their subjection to the Master, Jesus Christ."
Slave class = Jesus Christ. Priests = Jehovah God. You cannot be subject to Jesus or God unless you are subject to the slave class. Does that mean we have to pray through the FDS too?
SHILOH BECOMES EARTHS RIGHTFUL RULER"The Bible reveals that Jesus received that authority at the end of the prophetic "seven times""the appointed times of the nations"in 1914." Notice how they string 2 completely different scriptures together by using snippets. Also, no explanation of this bold assertion is given in the article. The reader is invited to read the Knowledge book instead. "In that year, Christs invisible presence as Messianic King began." Actually, for years, 1874 was given as the date of Jesus presence was not corrected until 1943, 67 years later.
*** w74 8/15 506-7 No Spiritual "Energy Crisis" for Discreet Ones ***In 1877, Russell joined Nelson H. Barbour in publishing the book Three Worlds, and the Harvest of This World. It indicated that the end of the Gentile Times in 1914 would be preceded by a forty-year period to open with a three-and-a-half-year harvest beginning in 1874 C.E. According to Bible chronology thereafter adopted, it was understood that 6,000 years of mans existence on earth ended in 1872, whereas six millenniums of human sin concluded and the seventh millennium began in 1874. Christs presence was thought to have begun in October 1874, at the start of the great antitypical Jubilee.Lev. chap. 25; Rev. 20:4.
From that understanding, it was thought that the "chaste virgin" class began going forth to meet the Bridegroom in 1874. (2 Cor. 11:2) Hence, when C. T. Russell began publishing a new religious magazine in July 1879, it was called "Zions Watch Tower and Herald of Christs Presence." It was heralding Christs presence as having begun in 1874. This invisible presence was expected to continue until the Gentile Times ended in 1914, when the Gentile nations would be destroyed and the remnant of the "chaste virgin" class would be glorified with their Bridegroom in heaven by death and resurrection to live in the spirit. (1 Cor. 15:42-44) Thus would the "discreet virgin" class enter through the door into the wedding.
In 1943 the Watch Tower Societys book "The Truth Shall Make You Free" did away with the nonexistent extra 100 years in the period of the Judges and placed the end of 6,000 years of mans existence in the 1970s. It also fixed the beginning of Christs presence, not in 1874, but in 1914 C.E.Since 1914, "Satan along with his demons" have hurled "down to the earth" making "obedience to Jehovah a challenge." "In fact, the main target of Satans spiritual warfare consists of Jehovahs anointed ones" and "their other sheep companions." Do wonder why so many JWs think they are special targets of Satan and the demons and have so many demon stories to tell?
"Jesus" will "ensure the final sealing of the 144,000 spiritual Israelites." Now do you know" what that means?
*** re 116 19 Sealing the Israel of God ***So here on earth the testing and sifting of the remaining spirit-begotten sons of God must go on until Jesus and his accompanying angels will have firmly implanted the seal in the forehead of all of these, identifying them conclusively, irrevocably, as tried and faithful "slaves of our God." That seal then becomes a permanent mark. Evidently, when the four winds of tribulation are unleashed, all of spiritual Israel will have been sealed in finality, even though a few ( if the anointed keep increasing in number, 30 more this year, the great tribulation will get pushed back farther) will still be alive in the flesh. (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 19:7) The entire membership will be complete!Romans 11:25, 26.*** re 276-7 38 Praise Jah for His Judgments! ***
16 After decades of testing, Paul himself could declare: "I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith. From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness , which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day, yet not only to me, but also to all those who have loved his manifestation." (2 Timothy 4:7, 8 ) The apostles sealing appears to have been complete, even though he was still in the flesh and would yet face martyrdom. Similarly, the time must come when all remaining ones on earth of the 144,000 will have been sealed individually as belonging to Jehovah. (2 Timothy 2:19) This will be when the Lambs wife will have fully prepared herselfthe great majority of the 144,000 having already received their heavenly reward and those still on earth having been finally approved and sealed as faithful ones.
Do you understand now? Let me know, I dont.
NOW IS THE TIME TO "OBEY THE GOOD NEWS""All who want everlasting life must learn obedience." What is a WT study without everlasting life being held out as a carrot. Everlasting life = Obedience to the FDS.
"Likewise today, Gods spirit, the most powerful force in the universe, is helping millions to become obedient to Jehovah" really obedient though to the FDS, Gods representative, according to them.
AVOID APATHY, IMMORALITY, MATERIALISM"Today, some once-zealous Christians have likewise lost the fervent love they formerly had for God." For God or for the FDS?
"And how can such love be reinvigorated?" (how can such "obedience" be reinvigorated?)
"By regular Bible study, meeting attendance, prayer and meditation." And you must do all of these when, where and how the WTS says you will. You will attend 5 weekly meetings, you will pray the way we say (have you ever noticed how many brothers pray using the same phrases and words), regular Bible study (of WT publications, Bible optional), and meditation, (isnt that forbidden to JWs)?
"If honest self-examination reveals that your love has cooled off" really means the elders critical examination of you reveals that your obedience to them and the FDS is lacking.
"Immorality is by far the leading cause of disfellowshipping among Gods people."
I guess some things never change. Having sex is definitely more attractive than apostasy unless you can combine the two (no offense meant).
"Avoid association with all individuals, inside and outside the congregation, who are a morally corrupting influence." Avoid those "inside" the congregation! Now we must judge our fellow believers. I wonder what criteria should be used, Gods or the Elder Talmud?
"Eschew (simple language eh?) questionable entertainment as well as printed and Internet pornography." Internet pornography seems to be a growing problem and it is so hard for the elders to catch someone, probably because some of the worst offenders are elders.
PictureYoung woman reading the Bible
Same young woman at work in an office refusing flowers from a would-be beau as she looks away from him
Caption: A strong relationship with Jehovah helps us to be obedient to him (would have been better to show some man looking at pornography)
"Some once-faithful (once-zealous previously) Christians, have also fallen into the same pattern of disobedience" boasting about their material wealth as in Sardis.
"Perhaps they have allowed the spirit of the world to sap the sense of urgency from their lives (or maybe it is the dates set over the years by the WTS that have proven false), thus developing a spiritually lukewarm attitude toward Bible study, prayer, Christian meetings, and the ministry (didnt they state these already in this article). How important to obey Christ (obey the FDS)."
COMMENDED FOR THEIR OBEDIENCE"In "the Lords day," beginning in 1914, sharing zealously. Others have kept Jesus word by maintaining a simple eye, despite being surrounded by affluence and greed (the circuit assembly for 2002-2003 hammers the point that JWs are too materialistic and are not pioneering).
"As we approach the great tribulation,,,not to compromise its obedience to the Master, Christ." "So let us continue to appreciate Jehovahs wonderful theocratic organization (FDS) and what it provides. In this way, we will demonstrate our submission to Shiloh (Jesus), who will
reward all his obedient subjects with everlasting life ." (the carrot mentioned again)