Hello everyone,
first of all a great thanks to Somebody, for digging out
this gem:
*** w89 4/1 p. 10 Hear What the Spirit Says to the Congregations ***
Hear What the Spirit Says to the Congregations
“Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit
says to the congregations.”—REVELATION 3:22.
The information on pages 10 to 21 was presented at the Divine Justice District Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses during 1988 as the opening talks of the symposium entitled “The Appointed Time Is Near.”
*** w89 4/1 pp. 11-12 Hear What the Spirit Says to the Congregations ***
6 But these messages to the seven congregations have an even wider application. At Revelation 1:10, John says: “By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day.”
This verse is an important key to unlocking the understanding of Revelation. It indicates that it applies primarily to “the Lord’s day,” which began when Jesus became King in 1914.
This understanding is confirmed by Jesus’ messages to the seven congregations. In them we find expressions such as these words to Pergamum: “I am coming to you quickly.” (Revelation 2:16; 3:3, 11)
After 96 C.E., Jesus did not ‘come’ in any significant way until he was enthroned as King in 1914. (Acts 1:9-11)
Then, in fulfillment of Malachi 3:1, he ‘came’ again in 1918, when he came to Jehovah’s temple to judge first the household of God. (1 Peter 4:17)
He will ‘come’ once more, in the near future, when he “brings vengeance upon those who do not know God “and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.”—2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8; Matthew 24:42-44.
I'm sure that things are getting a bit confusing, because according to the WTBS Inc's statement, published in "The Watchtower" 1st April 1989, page 11, paragraph 6 - official world wide teaching - presented at the " Divine Justice " District Conventions of JW's during the year 1988 , Jesus came already ...a number of times ...i.e.
***FIRST TIME :
" ...After 96 C.E., Jesus did not ‘come’ in any significant way until he was enthroned as King in 1914. (Acts 1:9-11)
***SECOND TIME :
" .. in fulfillment of Malachi 3:1, he ‘came’ again in 1918, when he came to Jehovah’s temple to judge first the household of God. (1 Peter 4:17)
and of course , He 'll come a ...
***THIRD TIME :
....He will ‘come’ once more, in the near future, when he “brings vengeance upon those who do not know God “and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.”—2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8; Matthew 24:42-44.
Among the many thoughts and Scriptures ,which could be used to raise questions on this 'particular ' aspect of the
teaching , there is the text in 1st Corinthians 11: 26
which says :"
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (NIV)
26 For as oft as ye shall eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shall tell the death of the Lord, till that he come [ye shall show the death of the Lord, till he come]. (WYc)
26 For as often as ye shall eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye announce the death of the Lord, until he come. (DARBY)
26 for as often as ye may eat this bread, and this cup may drink, the death of the Lord ye do shew forth -- till he may come; (YOUNG)
26 Every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you tell about the Lord's death, until he comes again. (WE)
Naturally , this Scriptures begs the question:
" If Jesus did arrive already, do we have still to continue to announce/remember His death?
Any comments are welcome.
J.C.MacHislopp