Blondie and Irreverent are away -- so Blondie has asked me to post this in her absence.
SO -- With great pleasure, I present to you:
COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE 9-14-03 WT STUDY
Reviewer comments are in black and parentheses ()
WT article quotes are in
red and quotes ""Quotes from other WT publications are in
blueIMITATING THE GOD OF TRUTH
"Become imitators of God, as beloved children. "-EPHESIANS 5:1. (NWT)
Follow God's example in everything you do, because you are his dear children.--Ephesians 5:1
(NLT)Opening Comments
I’ll just open with this paragraph found farther down. It sets the tone for the whole article.
When we are known to be truthful, others believe what we say; they trust us.
However, if we are caught telling even a single lie, others may doubt the truthfulness of anything we say in the future. An African proverb states: "One falsehood spoils a thousand truths." Another proverb says: "A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth."START OF ARTICLE
WHAT is truth?"
That question, cynically posed by Pontius Pilate nearly 2,000 years ago, implies that truth is too elusive to be pursued.
You may have heard it said that everyone makes his own truth, or that truth is relative, or that truth is ever changing. Such reasoning is flawed
.I do feel that there are a few absolute truths, like if I am on the earth at any point and jump off a 20 story building, I probably have breathed my last. But isn’t the WT truth ever changing? The presence of Christ was 1874 then 1914. The "superior authorities" are the secular governments (1889), then God and Jesus (1929), then back to the secular governments (1962). God’s truth had not changed but the WTS truth had changed.
The very goal of research and education is to learn the facts, the truth, about the world in which we live. Truth is not a matter of personal opinion.
So are they saying that truth is a belief that everyone has?
For example, either the human soul is immortal or it is not. Either Satan exists or he does not. Either there is a purpose to life or there is not. In each case, there can be only one correct answer. One is true, and the other is false; both cannot be true.
But first you have to have asked the right question to get the right answer. And life is not always that black and white in the WT world.
That’s right either the end is coming in 1914 (or 1925, or 1975) or it is not. Either the people in Sodom and Gomorrah are going to be resurrected or not. Either organ transplants are scriptural or they are not….
What is more, Jehovah generously reveals the truth to others.
But only through the WTS/FDS. So it becomes WTS truth and not God’s.
As Witnesses of Jehovah, how might we imitate in speaking and living the truth?
Peter said the following:
1 Peter 2:21 (MSG)
This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
So as humans, who would it be best to imitate, an unseen God, or a human whose life among humans was recorded for us to follow?
We live in an era in which religious untruth abounds…"have a form of godly devotion but prove false to its power. Some resist the truth, being "completely corrupted in mind." Furthermore, "wicked men and impostors. . . advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled." Though such people are always learning, they never come to "an accurate knowledge of truth."--2 Timothy 3:1, 5, 18 ,13.
Though the WTS applies this to others, can you think of areas where it applies to them? What religious untruths has the WTS taught? 1975 is the end? That the sheep and goats are being separated now? That the generation of 1914….
8/15/92 WT p. 9 It directs individuals to the Bible’s promise that some of the generation of 1914 will be alive to see good physical and spiritual health restored to mankind. 3/1/84 WT pp. 18-19 He has told us that the "generation" of 1914—the year that the sign began to be fulfilled—"will by no means pass away until all these things occur." (Matthew 24:34) Some of that "generation" could survive until the end of the century. But there are many indications that "the end" is much closer than that! 10/15/80 WT p. 31 We can be happy, therefore, for Jesus’ assurance that there will be survivors of "the generation of 1914"—that this generation will not have completely passed away—when the "great tribulation" rings down the curtain on this wicked world system.
But what is the truth now about the "generation of 1914"?
11/1/95 WT p. 19
Therefore, in the final fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy today, "this generation" apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ’s presence but fail to mend their ways.Notice how the WTS still leaves the door open for a different "truth" about this by using the word "apparently." Also, a person born today will see the sign of Christ’s presence and so is part of the new truth about "generation." So the end could come 80 years from now within the lifetime of that baby, then within the lifetime of that baby’s baby…
Just as he prophesied, people not only reject the truth but also ridicule God's Word and those who proclaim its truth.
They reject the WTS words and those who proclaiming its ever-shifting "truth."
Jehovah's Servants Know the TruthIn a description of "the time of the end," the prophet Daniel foretold quite a different development among God's people - a revival of religious truth.Jehovah's people are not confused or blinded by the great Deceiver. Roving through the pages of the Bible, they have come to acquire true knowledge.Of course, this is the same Bible others are using; even the WTS didn’t use the NWT until 1950 (complete by 1961) to find "true knowledge." So the true knowledge is in any Bible. They aren’t confused or blinded…..hmmm? Shall we go back and look at those religious "truths" that changed?
Notice in this article how the WTS automatically applies these terms "Jehovah’s servants" and "Jehovah’s people" exclusively to itself without any evidence.
Through his Word, his spirit and his organization, he has enabled millions throughout the earth to understand what he already knows - the truth.Yes, the one of the holy WTS trinities is cited, "his Word, his spirit and …his organization." Yes, the organization is put on the same level as God’s word and holy spirit!Millions, yes, but only JWs. As God's people, we understand many things that we could not otherwise have known.
Yes, JWs now understand that they can accept alternative service and did not need to suffer. But, of course that was their decision, not the WTS.
8/15/98 WT p. 17 Feelings of Having Suffered NeedlesslyIn the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit. For example, this might have been their choice years ago as to certain types of civilian service. A brother might now feel that he could conscientiously perform such without overstepping his Christian neutrality regarding the present system of things.Was it unrighteous on Jehovah’s part to allow him to suffer for rejecting what he now might do without consequences? Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty.
What other truths do God’s people know?
For example, we know why suffering exists, why people die, and why humans cannot achieve global peace and unity. We have also been blessed with a vision of what the future holds--the Kingdom of God, a paradise earth, and endless life in perfection.So the WTS holds says that the Kingdom of God is for what? Vindicating God’s sovereignty and sanctifying God’s name; no, it is to provide the motivator for most JWs—eternal life on a paradise earth.
Knowing the truth enables us to recognize what is not true.
And what proven truths have been given here. What is the measuring rod of truth?
Applying the truth protects us from fruitless pursuits, enables us to get the best out of life, and gives us a marvelous hope for the future.Yes, don’t waste your time getting an education that will get you a job so you can support yourself and a family. Oh, that is right, getting married and having children is a fruitless pursuit too.
While the Bible is easily available to all, it is meant to be understood and appreciated by a particular group of people. Jehovah crafted it for the humble, the meek ones of the earth. Such people can grasp the sense of the Bible, whatever their education, culture, station in life, or ethnic group.Well, that explains why the WTS keeps getting it wrong. The ones writing/editing these articles are not "humble." I understand now. That is why Rutherford taught that God lived in a far off galaxy.
Reconciliation; 1928; p. 14 "The constellation of the seven stars forming the Pleiades appears to be the crowning center around which the known systems of the planets revolve even as our sun's planets obey the sun and travel in their respective orbits. It has been suggested, and with much weight, that one of the stars of that group is the dwelling-place of Jehovah and the place of the highest heavens;..."On the other hand, an understanding of Bible truth is denied to those not rightly disposed, no matter how intelligent or educated they may be. The haughty, the proud, cannot grasp the precious truths of God's Word.That explains why the WTS has made so many errors.
Jehovah's Servants Are Truthful Like Jehovah, his faithful Witnesses are truthful. Jesus Christ, the preeminent Witness of Jehovah, affirmed the truth by the things he taught and by the way he lived and died.
Calling yourself a Witness does not make you like Jesus Christ. We can read how Jesus lived his life according to what he taught. Can we find where the WTS has been less than truthful?
True Christians follow the pattern that Jesus set in being truthful with others. Paul counseled fellow believers: "Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor; because we are members belonging to one another." (Ephesians 4:25)What lies have people at the KH told you?
To many, lying may seem a convenient tool to obtain certain advantages. People lie to escape punishment, to profit in some way, or to gain the praise of others. Yet, a practice of lying is a vice. What is more, a liar cannot gain God's approval.Do you think that the WTS has found that lying about the child abuse cases a convenient tool to obtain certain advantages? Do you think they have lied to escape punishment, to profit in some way, or to gain the praise of others?
When we are known to be truthful, others believe what we say; they trust us. However, if we are caught telling even a single lie, others may doubt the truthfulness of anything we say in the future. An African proverb states: "One falsehood spoils a thousand truths." Another proverb says: "A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth."No wonder so many no longer trust the WTS and leave in droves. And the WTS has been caught in more than one lie.
Truthfulness means more than merely telling the truth. It is a way of life. It defines who we are. We make the truth known to others not only by what we say but also by what we do.
If we are to impart truth to others, we must be truthful in all our ways. Our reputation for truthfulness and honesty will have a powerful impact on how people respond to what we teach.
Jehovah's Servants Reveal the Truth Of course, others besides Jehovah's Witnesses may tell the truth and try to be honest. However, as servants of God, we have a particularly great responsibility to uphold what is true. We have been entrusted with Bible truths - truths that can lead one to everlasting life.
We, like Jesus, do not hold back from telling the precious truth about Jehovah. We do not expect everyone to accept what we tell them, for not all accepted what Jesus said.
Translation: Almost 6 billion people are going to be bird food.
Pursue the Course of TruthfulnessWho do the Pharisees picture today?
An entire chapter in the Bible book of John relates the account of another honest man who was blessed by Jesus. We do not know his name. What we do know is that the man was a beggar who was blind from birth. People marveled when Jesus restored his sight. The news of this miraculous cure reached the ears of some of the Pharisees, haters of truth, who had agreed among themselves that anyone exercising faith in Jesus was to be expelled from the synagogue. Knowing their scheme, the fearful parents of the once blind man lied to the Pharisees, saying that they did not know how their son could now see or who was responsible.-John 9:1-23.Yes, the Pharisees were going to expel people from the congregation for telling the truth.
The cured man was again called before the Pharisees. Disregarding any consequences, he boldly told the truth.But the blind man was not afraid to tell the truth even knowing he could be expelled and being dependent on others and without the support of his parents.
When Jesus learned of this, he lovingly took the time to find the man. After doing so, he built on the faith that the once blind man had shown. Jesus openly identified himself as the Messiah. How that man was blessed for telling the truth!Concluding CommentsLike the Pharisees, the WTS and their representatives are enemies of the truth. They are intent on expelling any who tell the real truth. Those who realize the WTS has lied, is lying and will lie to them in the future have a decision to make. Do you see that the Emperor is naked?
A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage."The Emperor is naked," he said.
"Fool!" his father reprimanded, running after him. "Don't talk nonsense!" He grabbed his child and took him away. But the boy's remark, which had been heard by the bystanders, was repeated over and over again until everyone cried:
"The boy is right! The Emperor is naked! It's true!"
The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He though it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his carriage, while behind him a page held his imaginary mantle.Blondie