I was at the convention today, and noticed a number of interesting points in the program.
1Cor 10:31; "Therefore, whatever you are eating and drinking or doing anything else, do all things to gods glory." They said that everything that we do is up to our conscience, but how would what we are doing reflect on Jehovah. At the same time they said Jehovah is not a dictator...
"Pay more than the usual attention." They said if taking notes helped you to pay attention, take brief ones but it is not necesary because you can remember the principles. I always remember being told from the platform to take copius notes in order to review them at a later time. Is this to stop people looking at them later and realising how little sense it makes?
"Walk in the way of integrity." This talk was based on Psalm 26 and really laid down heavy on doing every single thing you can to stay faithful. Verse 4 talks about men of untruth in the congregation, and the speaker warned about watching those in the congregation for signs of apostacy and to keep away from such ones. Are they getting worried about it?
Keynote Address-Glorius Phrophetic Visions Spur Us On." This was mainly about the Transfigaration, although there was quite a bit about the annointed on the earth today being the 'John class', and as such having understanding of prophecy that no-one else did. Matt 16:28 says "Truly I say to you that there are some of those standing here that will not taste death at all until first they see the son of man coming in his kingdom." Sounds like 1914 generation to me.... They explained it by saying that they saw him coming in the transfiguration so this was how they fulfilled it. Sounds bit fishy to me.
There was also a lot of things said about accepting 'New light', saying that we had to be humble to be acceptable to Jehovah, and being humble meant accepting new information without kicking up a fuss. Basically, accept what we tell you or die at armagedon. Nice peoiple, eh.
Interesting point from the symposium on Amos. I didn't know that in Bible times Bethel was a centre of false worship, where on of the golden calfs was located! Not much has changed...Amos 7:13
In the talk on "Jehovah, our fortress in times of need", they stressed the need to keep associating with the congregation, and that this was essential to keeping strong. That must be unless your having doubts, in which case kick you as far away as you can(See above).
And in talking about paradise, did you know we're already there? Spiritually speaking of course. We've been healed of all our spiritual ailments, brought back to life spiritually, and being given an abundance of spiritual food! Sounds like heaven... They still spoke of the earthly paradise, but only in passing compared to going on and on about spiritual paradise. Is this going to be new light on what the paradise actually means? Is that why theres been so much emphasis lately on blindly accepting new light and they know people aren't going to like it? If so, I hope Simon has plenty of space for new members!